Denise Hunter

Honeysuckle Dreams by Denise Hunter – Book Review

May 1, 2018 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

Denise Hunter has once again created a community you want to visit and characters you want to be friends with. In the second Blue Ridge Romance, Hunter combines a friends-to-more story with a marriage of convenience story and it’s one I could not put down.

In My Opinion…

Brady and Hope respect each other, help each other out, and share their joys and struggles with each other. So, when an assumption is made that could help Brady keep his son, Hope willingly agrees to marry Brady. After all, he was a good-looking, stable guy. She couldn’t do much better without giving away her heart.

As the two learn to live with each other and spend time in each other’s space, they find a rhythm to married life despite several outside forces intent on pulling them apart.

Blue Ridge Sunrise by Denise Hunter (Review)

November 3, 2017 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

Former free spirit Zoe Collins swore she’d never again set foot in Copper Creek or speak to the man who broke her heart. But return she must when her beloved Granny dies, leaving the family legacy to Zoe—a peach orchard nestled at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

When Zoe returns home with her daughter and boyfriend Kyle, she finds that she’s the only person in town who doesn’t expect her to give up the life she’s established far away from Copper Creek. Everyone believes she was born to run the orchard, but how can she make it her home after so many years?

Cruz Huntley never quite got over his first love, Zoe Collins, the little sister of his best friend Brady. Not when she cheated on him during their “break,” not when she took off to parts unknown with good-for-nothing Kyle Jenkins, and not even now—five years later.

As life-changing decisions and a history with Cruz hang over Zoe’s head, tensions rise between her and Kyle. Even as she comes to terms with the shifting relationships in her life, Zoe still isn’t sure if she can remain in Copper Creek with her new responsibilities . . . and her first love.

Amazon // Goodreads

Review: Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter

May 30, 2017 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

Often in fiction, the story ends and readers are left to assume the happily ever after. It’s usually at high point—a declaration of love, an engagement, a wedding. But what happens after the last first kiss? After the I do’s? When real life encroaches on the high of falling in love? What happens when there are hiccups in the happily-ever-after?

In her latest book, Denise Hunter explores this concept while delicately balancing on the line of realities of life and the hope of love while weaving the main characters’ history with their current-day situation.

Noah and Josephine had a whirlwind romance, one that seemed to set them up for a lifetime of love. But it ended too soon…or has it?

Josephine didn’t completely open herself up to her husband while Noah hadn’t wanted to push his wife whenever he saw that expression of sadness cross her features. Yet, in successful relationships—ones that last lifetimes—communication is so key.

Forced together due to a storm, Noah and Josephine must fast their failures and faults in their relationship while admitting there is still something between them. Will they allow past hurts and angry words to overrule God’s grace, forgiveness, and healing? Sweetbriar Cottage presents a picture that reminds the reader that only God’s love is limitless. That people make mistakes and errors that hurt deeply but unconditional love is not something we earn, it’s something given freely.

My Rating:

Book Convention Survival Tips (with book giveaway)

May 13, 2017 by Suzie Waltner 62 Comments

Jesus calls His followers to be lights in the midst of darkness. If you’ve ever been to (or thought of going to an ABA book conference), the darkness is rampant.

During the first week of May, I got to hang with other readers at the RT Booklovers’ Convention in Atlanta, GA. This convention moves every year, and in 2018 it will be in Reno, NV. But despite the ever-changing city, the crowds flock to this convention for the parties and opportunities to meet with their favorite authors.

I’m by no means an expert at book conventions but this was my second RT (I went to Vegas for my first RT in 2016) and I thought I’d pass along some tips and hints to make the trip more enjoyable and worthwhile.

And if you hang with me until the end of the post, I’m doing a BIG giveaway for fans of Christian fiction (with multiple winners)!! Believe me, you’ll want to stick around and enter!!

Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter

September 6, 2016 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

When I’m in the mood to read a feel-good romance that is guaranteed to make me smile by the end, Denise Hunter is always a good bet. And with the third and final installment of her Summer Harbor series, readers get to experience the youngest Callahan brother’s journey as he returns from war.

If you’ve followed this series, you know that Riley’s heart already belongs to his best friend, Paige Warren. But in all these years, Paige has never seen him as more than a friend. She even dated his older brother for a time. And now that he has returned home less one leg, he knows he can never be the man Paige deserves but being forced to live with her is testing his resolve.

The Callahan brothers are swoon-worthy, and Riley’s no exception. Hunter handles the darkness and depression of coming home after the trauma of war well—you sense Riley’s despair and struggle with who he once was versus how he sees himself now—less of a man because he can’t do all he once took for granted. In addition to the physical pain brought to life on the page, the mental struggles are even more evident. And as expected with Hunter’s books, there are some kissing scenes that may leave you fanning yourself.

An excellent story of healing (both on Riley’s and Paige’s sides of the story), enduring love, and family. Oh, and all of the beloved characters from the series are back—including Aunt Trudie and Sheriff Colton.

***Thomas Nelson and Booklook Bloggers provided me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.