Review: Now And Then And Always by Melissa Tagg

About the book:

“It was just a house. Just a weathered old house in a hidden grove, shuttered and still . . . ”

Last year, after traumatic circumstances forced her from her job as a nanny, Mara Bristol finally found a place to belong—the winsome Everwood Bed & Breakfast at the edge of Maple Valley, Iowa. For months, she’s helped its owner, Lenora, maintain the ramshackle property despite their shortage of guests. But when Lenora fails to return from a month-long trip and the bank threatens foreclosure, Mara worries she’s once again alone . . . abandoned . . . about to lose the only true home she’s ever known.

Detective Marshall Hawkins is no closer to whole today than he was two years ago . . . the day his daughter died. Between his divorce, debilitating migraines, and a dependence on medication, his life is falling apart. And when a reckless decision on the job propels him into administrative leave, he has no other plan but to get in his truck and drive. A one-night stay at the Everwood was supposed to be just that. But there’s something about the old house—or maybe its intriguing caretaker—that pulls him in.

Together, Mara and Marshall set out to save the Everwood. But its secrets run deeper than they could’ve imagined. As they renovate the house and search for its missing owner, they’ll each confront the pain that brought them to the Everwood in the first place . . . and just maybe discover a faith and love to help them carry on.

My rating:
5 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

Now and Then and Always is the first book in Tagg's Maple Valley series and I loved it! The story captured my attention, I didn't want to stop reading, and I cared so much about the characters' journey.

I loved how the characters weren't perfect and had to overcome some challenges in the story. It was also awesome how the story kept me guessing regarding certain things and the ending was fantastic.

All in all, Now and Then and Always was amazing and I recommend it to fans of contemporary romance. I need to read the next book as soon as it releases! :D

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Find the book on:
Amazon, Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books By My Favorite Authors That I Still Haven’t Read

Top Ten Books By My Favorite Authors That I Still Haven’t Read

1-Every Wicked Man by Steven James. In my defense, this book just released this month and I do plan on reading it very soon. Cannot wait! :)




2-Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey. I have no excuse for not reading this one...I have been eager to pick it up and definitely plan on reading it within the next couple weeks.


3 & 4-Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer / To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer. I love Karen's historicals, but haven't read either of these books mainly because they aren't review books and I haven't had a reason to read them yet. I know that once I do finally start the books, I'll probably have a difficult time putting them down (that seems to always happen with Witemeyer's books).


5-More Than Meets the Eye by Karen Witemeyer. This one is a review book and I have it coming up on my review schedule. I just finished a different Witemeyer novel and loved it, so I am looking forward to this read.


6-The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz. This is the only novel I haven't read by Laura Frantz. I had started it several years ago, but never finished. I keep meaning to start it again, but then other books get in the way.


7 & 8-Keep Holding On by Melissa Tagg / All this Time by Melissa Tagg. I think these are the only two novels (I could be wrong) that I haven't read by Melissa Tagg. I have them on my Kindle, but haven't gotten around to reading them yet.


9-Happily Ever After by Susan May Warren. I have yet to read books 1-4 in the Deep Haven series.


10-Nightingale by Susan May Warren. I haven't read this book, even though I have been wanting to for years.

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

Review: From the Start by Melissa Tagg

(So...I read this book in 2016, but somehow I failed to post my review here. *sighs* I hope you guys find this "old" review helpful. I did post my review for the next book, Like Never Before, which you can find here: link)

About the book:

Writing romance is Kate Walker's day job, but she's lost faith in her own happily-ever-after. When a career slump sends her back to her hometown of Maple Valley, Iowa, she hopes to finally write something that really matters.

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is hiding out at the Walker family home in Maple Valley to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. It seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life--only he's never done normal before.

An unexpected project gives Colton and Kate a chance to jump-start their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan--and neither was falling in love--but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?

My rating:
5 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

Review: Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg

About the book:

Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But when the newspaper she runs is in danger of closing, she pins all her hopes on a story that just might convince the new owner to keep the paper running.

After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker has the chance of a lifetime: a spot on a presidential campaign. But first he has to return to his hometown to sell the newspaper he's suddenly inherited.

But instead of a quick sale, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. And working together to break the story on Maple Valley's unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.

My rating:

(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

"Waiting On" Wednesday: From the Start by Melissa Tagg

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're

eagerly anticipating.

 This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Review: Here To Stay by Melissa Tagg

About the book:

After playing nomad for five years, Blake Hunziker has finally had enough of adventure. Not sure what reception he'll get from everyone back in Whisper Shore, he's stunned at not only a warm welcome from his hometown but also a job offer. The job is his if he can successfully pull off the annual Christmas Festival. If only he knew the first thing about coordinating events...

If there's one thing Autumn Kingsley knows, it's Whisper Shore. For years, she's been stuck running her family's inn when all she wants is to see the world. Now she has a visit scheduled from a potential investor who could take over the inn, as well as a dream job offer in Paris. But with just two weeks to whip the inn into shape, her chance at escape is a long shot.

The Hunzikers and the Kingsleys may not get along, but Blake knows Autumn's the only one who can help him. She agrees to a trade--she'll help with the Festival and he'll help with inn repairs. But what was meant to be a simple deal quickly becomes much more than that when the guy who's done running away joins forces with the girl who can't wait to leave.

My rating:

 
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

3-Year Blogoversary Party ~ Character Interview with Blaze from Made To Last and Here To Stay (with Giveaway!)

For today's post, Melissa Tagg (author of Made to Last and soon-to-be-released Here to Stay) brings us a character interview with Blaze (a.k.a Blake) a key character in Made to Last and the hero in Here to Stay. :)

Welcome, Blaze! Will you tell us a little about yourself and what's been going on in your life recently?

Sure…my actual name is Blake, but I’ve set a few, ahem, accidental fires in my life and earned the nickname Blaze. (For the record, by book two, I will be doing all I can to shed this nickname…somewhat unsuccessfully.)

I’ve spent the last five years playing nomad. Like, literally traveling all over the world. But you’ll have to read Here to Stay (the follow-up to Made to Last) to find out why. Most recently I’ve been hanging out with Miranda Woodruff and oh, just pretending to be her husband. That’s all. 

What were your thoughts when you first met Miranda and heard her rather unusual proposition?

True story: I thought it sounded awesome. I mean, being someone’s fake husband—and not just anyone, but a very famous someone—is crazy. But I happen to like crazy. Plus, I have a feeling there’s more to Miranda Woodruff than she lets on. I think this fake marriage business may end up blowing up in her face, but it could be for her own good.

Also, to be honest, I had a chance to help someone else once. I didn’t. At least not how I should’ve. It’s my biggest regret, so I guess when someone else came around asking for my help…well, I didn’t want to say no.

What's the craziest thing and/or place you've ever did/been?