Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: The Fortune Cafe (A Tangerine Street Romance Book 1)

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle:

Here is a terrific book with three authors that I love–seriously, you can’t go wrong when you read anything by Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson, or Heather Moore!

This book was a quick read because it’s like three short stories blended into one book. Each story stands on its own but is loosely connected by The Fortune Cafe, where the fortune cookies have a bit of magic because the fortunes all come true!

Mis-Fortune by Julie Wright features Emma, and her great voice and quirky characteristics make her easy to relate to and root for. Each of the characters are vivid and Wright’s style shines through in this witty romance.

Love, Not Luck by Melanie Jacobson features Lucky Lucy who suddenly isn’t so lucky. She has a fire and determination that shines with Jacobson’s usual talent of giving each of her characters a distinct voice.

Takeout by Heather Moore is about the charming Stella who is willing to sacrifice everything for others and finally gets a chance to find out what her heart needs and wants. Some great kissing and romantic tension going on in this one with a beautiful setting and perfect ending.

I highly recommend this book, and guess what? There are three other sets of books in this series by these three authors!

Here’s more about the book:

The Fortune Café
A Tangerine Street Romance
(a novel in three parts)

Welcome to Tangerine Street

Tangerine Street is a must-see tourist stop with a colorful mix of one-of-a-kind boutiques, unique restaurants, eclectic museums, quaint bookstores, and exclusive bed-and-breakfasts. The Fortune Café, situated in the middle of this charming collection of shops and cafés on Tangerine Street, is a Chinese restaurant unlike any other because, well, to be honest, the fortunes found in the cookies all come true…

MIS-FORTUNE: Emma, a waitress at The Fortune Café will do anything to avoid opening a fortune cookie. Each fortune is rumored to somehow magically come true. Being a girl grounded in reality, she doesn’t have time for that kind of nonsense. But when trying to prevent a food fight at the café, Emma accidentally cracks open a fortune cookie: “Look around, love is trying to catch you.” If there is one thing that Harrison, her former best friend in high school is good at, it’s catching her unaware.

LOVE, NOT LUCK: Lucy has always been lucky . . . until her parents meet her fiancé’s parents at a disastrous lunch at The Fortune Café, and she breaks her lucky jade necklace. Even worse, her fortune cookie reveals that “True love is for the brave, not the lucky.” How is she supposed to read that? She’s always considered it lucky how she met her fiancé. But after breaking her necklace, Lucy’s luck takes a dive. And when her fiancé dumps her, the only person she can turn to is Carter, the unluckiest guy she knows.

TAKEOUT: Stella is content in her new life of taking over her mom’s jewelry shop. No more boyfriend to worry about, and as long as she stays busy, she doesn’t have to dwell on her non-existent love life. When Evan comes into the shop with his young daughter, Stella is charmed. But she is reluctant to complicate her straightforward life, so when she reads her fortune after ordering takeout from The Fortune Café, she completely ignores it. After all, how can a fortune as vague as “Do the thing you fear and love is certain,” apply to her?

Other books in the Tangerine Street Romance series:
The Boardwalk Antiques Shop
The Mariposa Hotel
Delilah’s Desserts

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Book Review: Wedding Belles: A Novel in Four Parts

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle:

I have loved reading this new novel, Wedding Belles, in four parts by four fantastic authors! There are four different stories within this one book. Start at the beginning and visit lovely Charleston, South Carolina as you get to know four different couples and fall in love! I’ve read several books by Melanie Jacobson and Jenny Proctor so I knew I would love this set. It was especially fun to be introduced to the writing styles of Becca Wilhite and Brittany Larsen. I enjoyed how each story was layered with connecting points to the other stories in the book. Having written a series collaborated in Echo Ridge, I know how tricky it can be to get all the moving parts working together. I thought it was fantastic how these authors were even able to develop foreshadowing for the other stories coming up–great job ladies!

These clean romances had plenty of spirit and spark in them. The characters were fun to get to know and I liked the range of unique personalities and interests. From food truck chefs to cellists, this novel has something for everyone to fall in love with. Oh, and the setting! I think I need to go visit Charleston, SC now!

Here’s more about the book:

Harper is an event planner with dreams of taking over the Charleston wedding scene . . . until she meets the biggest Bridezilla of her career. She needs the job, but the only way to keep it is to hire a temperamental chef with big dreams of his own.

Janie is a classical cellist booked to play a posh Charleston wedding. She’s excited to have the lucrative gig until the groom’s brother, Emmett, shows up and asks her to help him play a song he wrote for the happy couple. The only trouble? Emmett is her unrequited high school crush.

Lily has been Dahlia’s best friend, partner-in-crime, and now her maid of honor . . . until suddenly there’s no wedding, and she’s left to clean up Dahlia’s biggest mess of all. She’s been friends with Deacon, the jilted groom, for just as long, and it’s up to her to rescue him after Hurricane Dahlia blows through.

Sutton is a photographer running from her past. Only the pleas from her best friend to photograph her wedding could bring Sutton back to Charleston. Her plan is to get in and get out before her ex knows she and their daughter are in town. At least it’s the plan until she meets Max, who turns out to be the safe place she didn’t know she was looking for.

Can each of these couples trust their growing chemistry, or are they on the verge of new disasters?

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New Release: The Echo Ridge Romance Collection

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I’m so excited to share with you my newest release! Isn’t that cover gorgeous? You can buy a copy HERE.

Echo Ridge Romance Collection: Four Contemporary Christian Romances: Rachelle’s Collection

Come back to Echo Ridge and delight in 4 contemporary romances from Award-winning and Bestselling author Rachelle J. Christensen! Each heartwarming, inspirational story is set in beautiful upstate New York. This box set includes bonus epilogues and a sneak peek of Rachelle’s new book! Savor a recipe with each of the stories and come back for more.

HOPE FOR CHRISTMAS

Anika Fletcher hates Christmas–its promises of good tidings and hope for the future are as tinseled as the ornaments on Kenworth’s Hope Tree. Despite her feelings, Anika wants to maintain her daughter’s faith in the magic of the season and gladly accepts a second job working with the handsome Carlos Rodriguez to restore Kenworth’s old fashioned soda fountain. Carlos is no stranger to hard times and slowly shares his life of light and joy with Anika as they work together. Just as her fragile soul begins to feel hope again, an ill-timed act of charity changes everything. Anika isn’t sure who she can trust or if hope is worth nurturing–especially at Christmas when it’s easy to enjoy a kiss and believe love can last longer than the season.

THE KISS THIEF

As the head librarian of the Echo Ridge Library, Britta Klein thrives on order and categorization. Unfortunately, the old church-turned-library is in desperate need of a renovation. The Harvest Hurrah fundraiser seems to be the answer, but plans keep going awry. With help from Milo Geissler, accomplished musician, piano tuner, and kiss thief, each catastrophe is narrowly avoided. When Milo goes to great lengths to help Britta find a key classic book, she begins to wonder if there is more to life than books and order. Can she allow this man who speaks the language of music to tune her heart to a new song?
Welcome to Echo Ridge, New York where romance finds its way into the hearts and lives of the people who walk the streets of the close-knit community.
NOTE TO READER: THIS VERSION of The Kiss Thief contains a BONUS EPILOGUE!

THE PRINCESS BRIDE OF RIODAN

When a mysterious man offers to help Elise redecorate the old Bed & Breakfast, she gladly hands him a wallpaper steamer. After she discovers his true identity, she doesn’t know whether to curtsy or run and hide. Unfortunately, hiding isn’t an option because her heart is already tangled up with the handsome prince. At the same time, Elise’s old crush from high school wants a relationship and she’s forced to decide whether to chase after a fairy tale ending or stay grounded in reality.

COMING HOME TO LOVE

Do you remember your first love? Have you ever wondered what would happen if you had a second chance to follow your heart?
When Laney Richins left Echo Ridge, New York eight years ago, she vowed she’d never return, but life had other plans. Those plans included her cute little boy and a divorce, so Laney moved back home and started over. Working in the flower shop seems like the perfect plan until Billy Redford, the man she should have married shows up.

Billy Redford’s heart was broken when his high school sweetheart turned her back on him and fled Echo Ridge for the big city lights. Running into Laney in Echo Ridge now brings up past feelings he thought were long gone. She’s prettier than ever, still seems to read his mind, and despite his protests ends up on the building and decorating committee with him for the Homecoming dance. Billy knows how to build just about anything, but he isn’t sure he knows how to mend a broken heart.

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Book Review: My Fair Gentleman by Nancy Campbell Allen

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

What a refreshing read this was after the stressful week I’ve had! This story was absolutely delightful. I’ll admit that I’m a sincere fan of My Fair Lady! so when I saw that this story was a twist on that classic, I signed up to read and review My Fair Gentleman.

The characters of Ivy and Jack were equally developed and entertaining. I loved reading from each of their perspectives. The Regency era had so many rules and made it so difficult for people to make “love matches” so Ivy had resigned herself to an arranged marriage of sorts. It was wonderful to see how the romance developed and how she worked so hard to keep herself from falling in love with Jack, the roguish sailor turned earl.

The surprising twists, turns, accidents, and betrayals in this story, made it a very fast read. I’m sure if you’re lucky enough to snag an afternoon of reading that you’ll devour this book!

I hope that Allen will write another story that explores more of Jack’s sister, Sophia as her character was wonderfully developed as well and I would like to see what happens with her future.

Here’s more about the book:

Jack would rather be at sea than fixing the mistakes of his grandfather, the late Earl of Stansworth. Instead, he finds that inheriting his grandfather’s wealth and title and securing the welfare of his sister and mother means joining the ranks of high society and living with the aristocracy. Luckily, Ivy Carslisle, the granddaughter of a dear friend of Jack’s late grandmother, is willing to teach him etiquette and properly introduce him into society. Jack soon learns that his challenge isn’t surviving his new lifestyle but surviving the conspiracies against him as well as keeping himself from falling madly in love with his new tutor.

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Book Review: Promises and Primroses by Josi S. Kilpack

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

 Every book I read by Josi Kilpack gets better. She is a fabulous writer and I love the first in this new series about the Mayfield Family. I can’t wait to read more! In this first novel, we meet Lord Elliot Mayfield, uncle to several nieces and nephews with an idea for a marriage campaign. His nephew, Peter, wants none of it and is content to be a young widower with two children until he meets his new governess, Julia. I absolutely loved Julia’s unconventional character in this book. She loves caring for children and dogs and ends up in the perfect household. The way the romance develops in this story is careful, slow, and subtle, yet thrilling for my reader heart at the same time.

While Julia and Peter are navigating a new friendship developed in addition to their employer/servant relationship, Julia’s mother, Amelia is pulled back into the past when she meets the man she once thought she would marry, Uncle Elliot. At first I thought Amelia’s character would play a very small role in this story, but she ended up being a major force for the theme of this book and I loved it. I highlighted a passage near the end of the book when Julia talked with her mother Amelia about what we can do about past regrets and finding joy despite hardships. I do hope that you read the book and notice page 290 for that paragraph that rang so true for me.

This novel is another excellent addition to the proper romance line and I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next book!

Here’s more about the book:

Lord Elliott Mayfield has done his best to take care of his family, first his siblings and now his nieces and nephews. Unfortunately, he sees this new generation moving in the same direction of bad matches and scandalous relationships as the last. In hopes to change their course, he establishes a “marriage campaign” to motivate them to improve themselves through making respectable matches. With his heart in the right place, what could possibly go wrong?

Peter, Elliott’s eldest nephew, thinks the entire idea is ridiculous. A widower with two young daughters, he simply needs a governess, not a wife. Julia Hollingsworth certainly has the credentials and the experience, but is altogether too young and pretty for such a job. So why can’t he stop thinking about her?

Julia loves working as a governess, despite the objections of her mother, Amelia. And as it turns out, Amelia has a lot to say about the Mayfield men—none of it good. But Julia dismisses the rumors of ruined reputations and instead concentrates on helping Peter with his children and his fledgling business in canine husbandry. His kindness and gentleness is endearing—and increasingly attractive.

But Amelia, whose heart was broken thirty years ago by none other than Elliott Mayfield, is determined to prevent any relationship from blooming either between Peter and Julia—or between herself and Elliott.

Hearts and history collide as both couples must face their pasts and decide if risking it all is worth the promise of new love and a new future.

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Book Review: Kiss of the Spindle by Nancy Allen

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Fans of steampunk will love this great twist on the Sleeping Beauty tale. Not a fan of steampunk, or don’t even know what it is? You’ll still love it! At least I think you will because when I read Nancy Campbell Allen’s book, Beauty and the Clockwork Beast, I had no idea what steampunk was. Basically it’s a story where a classic setting is integrated into a society that utilizes steam-powered or gear-powered technology. If you love a good romance, I think you should read this book.

Doctor Isla Cooper is incredibly resourceful, smart, and beautiful. Oh, and she’s cursed, so she bullies her way onto Daniel Pickett’s private airship to try to find a cure. The crew and passengers aboard are delightful, curious, scary, and clever. I enjoyed the many different forms of tension in the book, from romantic to mystery to paranormal. Shape-shifters, criminals, detectives, and captains all play a big role in this story. Allen did an awesome job of weaving in intricate details from the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. You’ll want to be on the lookout for them throughout the story. I think you’ll smile and even hold your breath a time or two. There’s definitely some swoony kisses in this book and I loved it because it is a clean romance–the best kind! I look forward to reading more books by Nancy Campbell Allen.

Here’s more about the book:

A steampunk Sleeping Beauty story from the author of Beauty and the Clockwork Beast.

Doctor Isla Cooper is cursed. Literally. Each night, at the stroke of midnight she falls into a death-like sleep from which she cannot be awakened for six hours. To make it worse, the curse has an expiration date–after a year, it becomes permanent. And the year is almost up.

In a desperate attempt to find Malette–the witch who cursed her–Isla blackmails her way onto Daniel Pickett’s private airship bound for the Caribbean, only to discover she’s traveling with three illegal shapeshifters and the despicable Nigel Crowe, a government official determined to hunt down and exterminate every shapeshifter in England. Isla and Daniel must work together to keep the identities of the shapeshifters hidden while coming to terms with their own hidden secrets, and their blossoming attraction to each other.

Filled with suspense, intrigue, and plenty of romance, Kiss of the Spindle is steampunk Sleeping Beauty story. It is a race against the clock as Isla and Daniel try to hunt down the elusive Malette before Isla’s death-like sleep becomes permanent.

Other books you may enjoy:

 

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