A Bride for Heddwyn by Jacqui Nelson

Lies and stubbornness, loyalty and sacrifice, they all tangle together to weave a sweet love story - not only for Heddwyn and Oriole, but of siblings and family.

The price of freedom has the life Oriole and her two sisters built crumbling around them, more so for Oriole than the others. I adored the determination and abounding love she had for her sisters and others, even as much as I so wanted her to be able to believe what her heart was trying to tell her, and trust her newfound family to help carry her burden and to let go of assumptions and worries. However, old lessons die hard. Heddwyn was endearing in his steadfast pursuit of Oriole, despite his sweet blunders, and his desire to take care of those he considered his. The sense of family, whether blood or not, flowed deeply throughout the pages and is one thing that I love to see made significant in stories.

Throw in a cute puppy, a troop of gypsies, and meddling family, and the charming adventure is complete (for the moment, hehehe).

The continuing saga of Songbird Junction is just as wonderful as the first, and I'm looking forward to how everything is wrapped up in the next book.

Following Faith by Jacqui Nelson

This was the first story I'd read by Jacqui Nelson which put her on my watch-out-for-and-read-her-stuff list. haha!

Despite the short length, this story packed a big punch. The way it flowed and the words used drew me in and captured my attention fully. Loved getting to see Faith find her happily ever after with Eagle.



*This was originally in an anthology I read in 2017, and I love that it's a stand-alone now and has it's own gorgeous cover!!

A Bride for Brynmor by Jacqui Nelson

Cute and sweet, A Bride for Brynmor offers a lighthearted suspense and a charming happily-ever-after.

Lark and Brynmor have a history, one that refuses to let stubbornness and a sense of independence stand in the way. And this time, Bryn doesn't want to let go.

Brynmor knows Lark is the girl for him, and he steps up to show his sincerity in both wanting her and standing by her side with whatever trouble she (and her sisters) face, however he can.

Lark has her hands full dealing with her uncle and her sisters. Her independent streak and sense of responsibility and protection for those she loves is beautiful to witness, even as much as you find yourself willing her to accept Bryn's assistance and not feel so alone.

It was quite the adventure watching these two work through their last hurdles to claim each other's hearts. Throw in a couple of cute lambs and a family secret revealed and you get everything from giggles to surprises.

And gotta mention, good ol' Grandpa Gus! He stole the show in a couple of scenes and provided a much welcomed sense of humor and wisdom.

While A Bride for Brynmor can be read as a stand alone, readers are introduced to many of the characters in Robyn, A Christmas Bride, and may find greater enjoyment by reading it first.

Rescuing Raven by Jacqui Nelson

Loved getting to catch up with an adult Charlie Jennings (who we first met in one of my favorite Oregon Trail stories: Between Heaven and Hell) and seeing how he grew up. With a handful of excitement and a dash of suspense and a heaping dollop of sweetness, I was whisked away into an endearing story, falling in love with Charlie and Raven as they found, rescued, and claimed the other.

This is a delightful addition to Jacqui Nelson's Lonesome Hearts series.

Robyn: A Christmas Bride by Jacqui Nelson

Max and Robyn's Christmas love story delivers alot of sweet and charm.

From the first pages, you can feel Max and Robyn's love for each other - and for family. But you can also feel their struggle to figure out how exactly to express that love, and what's truly the best for the other. They truly are the perfect compliment to the other, loving the other as they come, not needing anything else. Watching them dance around the other, you can't help but cheer them on! And that moment when Max finally captures Robyn in his arms? *TOSSES CONFETTI*

Grandpa Gus and Robyn's brothers kept threatening to steal the show -- and I'm hoping from the sounds of things, we aren't going to be saying goodbye to this family quiet yet!! I loved getting to reconnect with Jack and Birdie as well.

This is a cute story that is a perfect little read for Christmas.

Rescuing Raven by Jacqui Nelson

Lonesome Hearts Series #4
(currently only available in the Wild Deadwood Tales anthology)

Loved getting to catch up with an adult Charlie Jennings (who we first met in one of my favorite Oregon Trail stories:  Between Heaven and Hell) and seeing how he grew up.  With a handful of excitement and a dash of suspense and a heaping dollop of sweetness, I was whisked away into an endearing story, falling in love with Charlie and Raven as they found, rescued, and claimed the other. 

This is a delightful addition to Jacqui Nelson's Lonesome Hearts series.

Choosing Bravery by Jacqui Nelson

 (Lonesome Hearts, #3)

This was a fun, unique, short story telling the hea of Lachlan and Elodie (Yellow Feather). I enjoyed watching these two as they sorted through their feelings and learned to fully trust each other and put their pasts to rest. There was quite a bit of smoke and mirrors and intrigue mixed into Lachland and Elodie's journey through the depths to discover what was true and real and important. Oh, and fireflies. Can't forget them. ;)

Following Faith by Jacqui Nelson

Following Faith

(Lonesome Hearts #2)
(currently only available in the Journey of the Heart anthology)

Despite the short length, this story packed a punch. The way it flowed and the words used drew me in and captured my attention fully. Loved getting to see Faith find her happily ever after with Eagle.

Between Heaven and Hell by Jacqui Nelson

 

(Lonesome Hearts, #1)

You know it's going to be a good book when you only finish chapter 1 and you know that you know this is one destined for your favorites shelf!

This book gave me all the FEELS: heartbreaking tears to sighs of relief (even just from the prologue!), anxiousness to elation, from "grrrr I wanna shake you, will you just get it together!?" moments to SWOON, thud moments, Hannah and Paden deliver it all! The backstory as it's slowly exposed, the bad guys' motivations and actions (and trust me, there's more than what meets the eye at first!), the surprises and twists, the adored secondary characters and plot lines, it all just adds to the beauty and filled my heart to overflowing with satisfied warmth.

I absolutely love the way Jacqui Nelson uses words to build her world. Her writing voice connects deep within me and draws me so tightly into her story that I simply just didn't want to let go and escape from her world. I think I've found another favorite author! :)

One of my favorite quotes that just made me stop. breathe. and then have to reread over and over again (and you'll understand when you come to it too!):
"But know this, if I have to kill someone to keep you safe, I will."
....happy sigh....

Between Love and Lies by Jacqui Nelson

 

(Gambling Hearts #1)


This book is one wild ride! Noah and Sadie definitely had some hurdles to jump through to get to their happily ever after. Sadie was one strong, stubborn woman, determined to keep her web of lies in tact but not realizing that in some ways, she was sabotaging herself in the process by not truly trusting herself, or Noah. Noah had some ghosts of his own he had to deal with, and then when he realized the depths of his desire to protect and rescue Sadie, both from outsides sources and herself, boy, did he have his hands full trying to juggle it all! I enjoyed watching them fall in love and how they both truly cared and tried to protect the other, even to a fault. I understood why Sadie kept trying to keep her secrets, but I do wish she trusted herself and Noah earlier - it would have saved her some heartache. I liked how Noah kept trying to figure out how he could keep Sadie in his life, but sometimes in his desire to do things right, I think he also handed himself some heartache he didn't really need. Overall, I enjoyed my time in Dodge, getting to see who the real heroes were, seeing Sadie fulfill her promises and having good win over all, and watching two people who truly needed and love each other make it through to their reward.

The Calling Birds by Jacqui Nelson

Jacqui Nelson continues her unique voice in giving us Jack and Birdie's story. I giggled my way through Jack and Birdie's initial meeting and enjoyed wating them learn to open up and trust each other to fall into their happily ever after. Jack had me swoonin' with his attitude along with how he held himself (leanin' in the door frame? Let me be there, under his arm and gaze, pretty please!), and with the love he had for his grandfather. Birdie took a bit for me to fully connect to, but once she finally got to the place where she was vulnerable and open with Jack, she won me over! Gus.... Grandpa Gus! He made me laugh and smile and want to keep him close. Put all three of them together and it made for a fun book to escape into for an easy Christmas read.

I also enjoyed the tie into Choosing Bravery and how we got to see Birdie's hea in Noelle. She definitely deserved it.