A heartwarming story is the hallmark of romance. Savor the magic of love in Leading Hearts (First Books In Series) with my three sweet and inspirational romances in 1 volume.These wholesome stories, where God is oftentimes at the center, brim with love and laughter.A Love Song To Cherish (Inspirational)It’s easy to recognize another’s pain. The tough part is facing your own.When Dorothy Thompson … easy to recognize another’s pain. The tough part is facing your own.
When Dorothy Thompson returns to Cherish, SC, to play piano for her brother’s wedding, memories and fear nearly paralyzes her fingers. If anyone she knew back in high school discovers her secret, the whispers will start. Fake. Fraud. Failure.
It’s not as if she can blame God for her troubles. She did that all by herself. But, remembering His lessons, she’s fighting to get back on track. All she can do is pray the wedding vocalist—her brother’s friend Ryan, a rising opera star—won’t notice the way her hands shake.
When Ryan Edwards sets foot inside a church for the first time in years, he’s no longer the kid from the poor side of town, but someone who’s made it on his own. Without God’s help.
When he lays eyes on Dorothy—all grown up, more beautiful than ever, and clearly hiding something—he almost forgets why he left Cherish. Almost. But while his heart yearns to call the tune, he can’t forget his hard-earned career comes first…and his old friend’s little sister is off limits.
Note: Contains references to opiate addiction.
When the storm destroys everything, remember God has your name on something else.
Seeking Fortune (A Regency Inspirational Romance)
Are her superstitions working their magic…or is God sending a message?
First novel in the Romany Gypsy Seeking Series.
A Golden Pen Winner.
Losing his wife and daughter to influenza shook James Colchester’s faith in God. As another epidemic threatens, he’s torn between what’s best for his fragile son: fleeing to his Welsh homeland, or staying put.
In a moment of weakness, the black-haired, green-eyed Gypsy’s delicate touch on his palm quells his fear…and her beauty ignites a warmth he hasn’t felt in years.
Desperate to return to her people, Valentina goes against the lessons her mother taught her to soothe the Englishman into a false sense of security. But as James’ quiet faith sparks a hunger to know it for herself, she realizes she’s made an unforgivable mistake. One that could rob James of his most precious gift—and destroy their chance for lifelong love.
There are lies more believable than the truth.
1-800-CUPID
A house flipper looking for quick profit. A survivor with a dream. Can two broken hearts find a place to call home?
Prepare for romance and fun with the first book in my home-flipping series.
When a Miami investor calls in search of prime property flip prospects, North Carolina real estate broker Candee Contando expects to meet a balding, steely-eyed land shark. Turns out the first customer she’s had in months is a hot prospect in more ways than one.
Except his gaze has fallen on her dream house, a dilapidated Victorian she just bid her last penny on in hopes of creating a safe place for disadvantaged children—like the girl she used to be.
Teddy Winchester is adept at negotiating life’s curves, but Candee’s curves stop him in his tracks. She’s a warm spark in the emptiness he’s felt since his brother died.
Attraction glows in Candee’s eyes as well, but also wistfulness as she points out all the reasons a tumbledown Victorian doesn’t fit into his tried-and-true house-flipping plan.
When the heart flips, there’s no telling where the the walls will fall.
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I love each and every one of these stories and highly recommend them!
Seeking Fortune is both a beautiful and a heart breaking romance. It is heart breaking the way the Romany were treated. All the characters are richly portrayed. Lots of history is covered but in a fascinating way. Valentina is a feisty gypsy, a fortune teller and healer, who learns to believe in God. James, a landed gentleman and Christian thinks he might have averted the tragedy in his life if he had heeded the future told to his wife. This is a wonderful story of God’s unconditional love. I was captivated!
Leading Hearts: First Books in Series by Josie Riviera
Collection of three first in the series books in this bundle:
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A Love Song to Cherish by Josie Riviera
Starts out with Dorothy and she had not wanted to come back home ever again. Nothing worked out-her boyfriend found another and she was once alone again.
She is in withdrawal from opiods and the symptoms could last a few years…
She’s heavily into music, especially at churches. Health issues kept her from playing her musical instruemnt.
She’s only back in her hometown for her brother…his wedding to Alice and they wanted her to play. Ryan (a nerd) will be the singer…she’d not seen him for years when she left to find fame and fortune.
Ryan is accomplished worldwide. He’s not found a reason to go back to church but recalls the feeling it left him with.
What I like about his book are the unpredictable scenes, caring and such inspirational support. Love how their secrets came out with no judgment.
Note from the author, recipe and other works from the author and about the author are highlighted at the end and acknowledgements.
Excerpt from A Christmas to Cherish is also included.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
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Seeking Fortune by Josie Riviera
Starts with praise and awards. This story also follows a gypsy and I’m learning a lot about that-things I didn’t appreciate before.
England 1811 and we find Valentina near her dying mother…she is a fortune teller and she was not able to save her mother.
Love learning of the customs of the gypsies so informative. Love how they travel to Ipswich to help get special medicine for her sister. Luca is leading them. Each chapter also starts with a Romany saying translated into English.
They are caught on James Colchester lands.
James has an ailing son and nothing is helping-he learns of the fortune teller and wonders if it’s the same one that told of his wifes future…
She doesn’t trust the English but she needs to sway them over to her culture-they like the medicinal things they are taught for daily ailments…
Story also follows James who seeks her out for help. Super love how others use their hands to survive: woman with sheeps’ wool, blacksmith, etc.
She explains all the customs of her tribe and they can’t marry outside the Romany line or the blood line would be polluted. Love hearing all the Bible quotes
Just as they are getting to know one another he’s called away to fight a war and leaves her with his son and there is death around…
Upon his return he wants to move them all to house in Wales to outrun the influenza outbreak-he learns the women are gone the next day and he sends others ahead…
So many tragic moments but there are great ones also. Other works by the author are highlighted.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
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1-800-Cupid by Josie Riviera
First time reading this author and loved all the details. Love learning about different locations in the book, felt as if I was there also!
Story starts out with Candee (works at the local hardware store) and she lives with her sister, Desiree (works at country club) and she’s into real estate. She bids on the mansion at the end of the street and no one has lived in it for many years.
She hopes no one else wants to buy it-it’s in Roses, NC. Story also follows Teddy and his friend (Rob) in FL and they are into helping his nephew who needs medical surgeries. Teddy meets her and expects a woman over 50 as the real estate business has been operating for over 30 years.
Candee shows other places in the area to Teddy and he shows an interest in her mansion-she thinks it’s hers already. She plans to redo the place for disadvantaged children.
He and his friend hope to flip a house for a living. She is heavily into beagle dogs and volunteers also at no kill shelter. Misunderstanding and you wonder if they will ever be together again…
Lots of surprises in this book and like how they change plans and just go with things.
Love ending did NOT see that coming. Recipe at the end-another surprise!
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
All three books in this set are wonderful, sweet, inspirational reads. The characters face issues from childhood distresses to adult traumas, but are able to overcome these difficulties through finding their faith. Whether dealing with abandonment issues, self-image issues, or life in general, the characters grow together in love and unity. The love stories are heart wrenching, heartwarming and uplifting.