Four Weddings and a Kiss - REVIEWED!

About the Book:

Spitfire Sweetheart by Mary Connealy

Maizy Place is an unruly tomboy. When she causes an accident, injuring neighbor Rylan Carstens, she becomes his unlikely caregiver. Rylan has never noticed how pretty his infuriating neighbor is, and he never expected to fall in love.

Love Letter to the Editor by Robin Lee Hatcher

Molly Everton is the outspoken daughter of the town newspaper's owner. When her father brings in an outsider to be editor, she tries to drive him out of town. But Jack Ludgrove is not intimidated. He's resolved to change Molly's mind about him---as an editor and as a man.

A Cowboy for Katie by Debra Clopton

Katie Pearl is uninterested in men and love. But she needs help on her ranch and hires Treb Rayburn, a wandering cowboy looking to make a buck. Will Treb change Katie's mind?

Courting Trouble by Margaret Brownley

Grace Davenport is either the unluckiest woman alive---or a killer. When her third husband is found dead, Grace is arrested. Attorney Brock Daniels isn't interested in the case---until he meets Grace. Only a miracle will prove her innocence, but the joining of two lonely hearts may be their saving grace.

My Thoughts:

Gifts of truth:

“But out here things are different.  A man is just as likely to end up cooking his hown food and washing his own clothes, so why shouldn’t a woman work at what I was fool enough to think of as a man’s job?”  (p. 70)

Rylan and Maizy both learn a tremendous amount of truth about what gives worth to a person’s life – about how speaking words of truth and life into a person’s heart makes all the difference.  Mary Connealy creates some rather ornery characters, as she is want to do, and then transforms them right before your eyes and gives you a satisfactory and realistic ending.  Connealy’s humor is the magic ingredient that endears her characters to the readers heart. 

“Without risk, there is no gain.  Without struggle, we do not grow and change.”  (p. 169)

Once again, gender roles create a tumult in the lives of the main characters in this story! Molly Everton is enraged when her father chooses to name Jack Ludgrove editor of the family newspaper.  Jack Ludgrove is amazed by the talent and business savvy that Molly reveals as they hammer out a working relationship.  Neither were prepared for their emotions to change the course of their emotions.  What began as a short-term solution evolves into something much more!  Get ready, readers!  This is a story worthy of the front page!

“Tragedy changed a person. It had changed him.  Suddenly he wished with all his heart that Katie Pearl would not have suffered loss such as she had.”  (p. 215)

Katie Pearl and Treb Rayburn’s story ranks my as my favorite in this very lovely collection of short stories.  Both main characters have suffered tragedy, and both almost miss the biggest blessings of their lives trying to keep their hearts protected from further hurt.  I love the way both begin to emotionally “thaw”, and then how the tentatively reach out for each other.  It is almost like watching a beautiful emotional waltz.  The ending is both touching and realistic.  Sigh.  I really liked this one!

“Saving Grace might well be your saving grace.”  (p. 325)

So says the wise pastor to Brock as he compares preachers’ and lawyers’ success rate. Grace Davenport and Brock Daniels story is probably the most layered plot twist of a story in this entire collection! I was amazed at how so many details were worked out believably in such a brief amount of time!  Excellent job, Margaret Bownley!  At first, I was a bit skeptical, I admit, but you really brought this to a satisfying and solid conclusion without making me feel I was skipping chapters.  A great read!

And where’s the kiss?  You will HAVE to read the epilogue to find it!  Bravo!!  Loved that!!  

Buy your copy HERE!

The Authors:

Margaret Brownley (Coauthor)

Margaret Brownley is a New York Times best-selling author and has penned more than twenty-five historical and contemporary novels. A Lady Like Sarah was a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist. Twitter: @margaretbrownly Facebook: MargaretBrownleyAuthor

Robin Lee Hatcher (Coauthor)

Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, two RT Career Achievement Awards, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over 60 novels. Website: www.robinleehatcher.com Twitter: @robinleehatcher Facebook: robinleehatcher

Mary Connealy (Coauthor)
Mary Connealy writes romatic comedy with cowboys. She is a Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy, and Inspiratoinal Reader's Choice finalist. She is author of the best-selling Kincaid Brides Series, Lassoed in Texas Trilogy, Montana Marriages Trilogy, and Sophie's Daughters Trilogy. Mary is married to a Nebraska rancher and has four grown daughters and two spectacular grandchildren. Twitter: @MaryConnealy Facebook: maryconnealyfanpage

Debra Clopton (Coauthor)

Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist first published in 2005 and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra is the author of the acclaimed Mule Hollow Matchmaker Series, and her goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words. Visit her website at www.debraclopton.com Twitter: @debraclopton Facebook: debra.clopton.5