Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway: "A Royal Christmas Wedding" by Rachel Hauck

About the book

Click to purchase

Genre: Christian Romance/Christmas

Release Date: October 18, 2016

Book Format: Paperback & Ebook

Avery Truitt aches for true love—the kind she once shared with Prince Colin. Can she dare to hope for happily ever after, or is a fairy-tale ending beyond reach?

College volleyball star Avery Truitt has not seen her former flame, Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom, since he suddenly pushed her away five years ago. But now, the sadness of losing her father and the joy of her sister Susanna’s pregnancy have brought Avery back to Brighton just in time for Cathedral City’s enchanting Christmas season.

Avery knows she can’t avoid seeing Colin—now the Kingdom’s most eligible bachelor—whether or not her heart is ready to relive the pain. But seeing him again might bring her the closure she needs after all this time.

When Colin finds himself at the center of a centuries-old Brighton tradition, he must decide whether to follow the path laid out before him or follow his heart to the only woman for whom he would ring the Pembroke Chapel Bell.

Can Colin convince Avery to meet him at the chapel on Christmas morning—as tradition dictates—or will Avery run back to her St. Simons home and pursue a coaching career as planned?

In the fourth installment of the Royal Wedding Series, New York Times bestselling novelist, Rachel Hauck, weaves a charming story of holiday romance as two broken hearts seek the love they once knew.

About the Author

Rachel Hauck is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and award-winning author.

A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism, Rachel worked in the corporate software world before planting her backside in an uncomfortable chair to write full-time in 2004.

She serves on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers and leads worship at their annual conference. She is a mentor and book therapist at My Book Therapy, and conference speaker.

Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and pets, and writes from her two-story tower in an exceedingly more comfy chair. She is a huge Buckeyes football fan.

 My Thoughts

Having read the other books in the Royal Wedding Series, I was anticipating liking this book. I was not wrong. I enjoyed reading Colin and Avery's story and them finding their way back to their true love. I laughed, I cried, I yelled. I liked how the characters sought God's will and direction in their lives. As part of a series, I would recommend reading them in order to get the full story, but you could always read this alone as it does tell some of the backstory. I started this book in the morning and had it done by late afternoon. I didn't want to put it down and the story flowed smoothly for me. The epilogue did a nice job of wrapping up the story lines and telling the rest of the story.

Guest Post from Rachel Hauck

I don’t think we can ever get enough of royals or Christmas, do you? The two just seem to go together.

The Bible tells us eternity is written on our hearts. (Ecc. 3:11) I wonder if it’s also written on our hearts to be princesses in a grand, beautiful, perfect kingdom.

That being said, welcome to The Royal Christmas Wedding blog tour. My deepest thanks to all the bloggers, reviewers, and readers for hosting and visiting this tour. I’m excited to share this story with you all.

The hero and heroine, Prince Colin and Avery Truitt, first met in Once Upon A Prince at King Nathaniel’s coronation.

I hadn’t planned to write a spinoff story with the two of them. In fact, I didn’t even know Prince Colin existed until Avery walked into the abbey for the coronation and glanced across the sanctuary into his eyes.

Here’s his introduction:

Lean, aristocratic with an outdoorsman ruddiness, he nearly made Susanna swoon when he winked at Avery.

I liked Colin immediately. So did Avery. As well as a lot of you.

When my publisher asked me to write their story, it would be two years before the book would release. Plenty of time, right?

But “time crunch” is the name of the game with most writers. Between life, rewrites, edits, and promotional activity, we often find ourselves hurrying toward a deadline. Well, at least I do.

In the fall of 2015 I was writing The Wedding Shop and A Royal Christmas Wedding at the same time.

I’d also dealt with a physical issue that left me shaky. Could I write two books in five months? Did I want to even make the attempt?

If I said no, publication dates would be pushed out, causing a year delay on A Royal Christmas Wedding. And I knew that was something I did not want to do.

Publishing is a long game. Books are contracted and due 12 to 18, even 24 months, before release dates. Time must be carved out for rewrites and editing, marketing and promotion. Review copies go out at least five months in advance.

So I agreed to write both books. I told my editor, “Diamonds come from pressure.”

Coming up with Avery and Prince Colin’s story wasn’t as easy as I’d planned. Since they met in Once Upon A Prince as teenagers, I struggled with how to advance their age and relationship, and how to present them as the book opened.

Where had their relationship gone “between the books?”

When I came up with the idea of the Pembroke Chapel bell, the story magic began to happen. One of the things I love in the royal wedding books is the fairytaleaspect. Looking for something out of the ordinary.

Even though my writing time was tight, writing Avery and Colin’s story was a joy. Once again I wish I could visit Brighton, eat a puff, and royal watch for the Strattons!

I hope you found a few sweet spots in the story, all wrapped in Christmas holiday cheer, and enjoyed your time with me in Brighton Kingdom.

Merry Christmas!

Blog Stops

December 8: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader

December 8: New Horizon Reviews

December 8: inklings and notions

December 9: Reading Is My SuperPower

December 9: Redeemed Hope Dweller

December 9: Book by Book

December 10: His Grace is Sufficient

December 10: Blossoms and Blessings

December 10: Pause for Tales

December 11: Quiet Quilter

December 11: Ashley’s Bookshelf

December 11: Reviewing Novels Online

December 12: Bibliophile Reviews

December 12: Lights in a Dark World

December 12: Splashes of Joy

December 13: Moments Dipped in Ink

December 13: Neverending Stories

December 13: Through the Open Window

December 14: The Power of Words

December 14: Counting Pinecones

December 14: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS

December 15: Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses

December 15: Genesis 5020

December 15: CTF Devourer

December 16: Lighthouse Academy

December 16: God’s Little Bookworm

December 16: Christian Bookaholic

December 17: Smiling Book Reviews

December 17: God is Love

December 17: A Simple Life, really?!

December 18: A Holland Reads

December 18: The Scribbler

December 18: Faith * Love * Books

December 19: By The Book

December 19: Karen Sue Hadley

December 19: Southern Chelle

December 20: Faithfully Bookish

December 20: Books. Books. And More Books

December 20: A Baker’s Perspective

December 21: ASC Book Reviews

December 21: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a $25 Amazon gift card plus a copy of A Royal Christmas Wedding and a copy of The Wedding Shop. Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post to earn 9 extra entries in the giveaway! https://promosimple.com/ps/aaeb

"A Royal Christmas Wedding" is available in paperback:

• Series: Royal Wedding Series
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 18, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310344530
• ISBN-13: 978-0310344537
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 1871 KB
• Print Length: 235 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0310344530
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 18, 2016)
• Publication Date: October 18, 2016
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B01CXDN5X0

I received a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and voluntarily given. No compensation was received.

Book Review: "An Unbroken Heart" by Kathleen Fuller

Joanna has loved Andrew since she was 12. She thinks he loves her, too, but doesn't seem to be making a move. She gets into an argument with her parents over it and it is the last thing they talk about as a car crashes into them and injures Joanna and kills her parents.

Andrew loves Joanna, but he doesn't want to rush her, but when she is almost taken away from him, he proposes. She agrees, but seems to be holding back.

Joanna should be glad she is finally getting what she wants, but she isn't sure Andrew didn't propose out of pity. How will they find their way through the chaos with an unbroken heart?

"An Unbroken Heart" is the 2nd book in the "An Amish of Birch Creek Novel" series. I sort of felt like I was coming into the story partway through. If I had read the first book I am sure I would know more of what was going on. I felt Joanna's confusion over her sister's "secret" about her marriage since I didn't know what it was either (It was in book 1). This book follows Joanna Schrock and Andrew Beiler, who are the main characters in the story. It also follows Naomi and Irene Beiler (Andrew's mom and sister) and Cameron Crawford who caused the accident that killed Joanna's parents. I think that the parts with Irene may carry over into later books in the series, otherwise, I'm not really sure what they were for. Characters grew and learned about themselves and God through the book.

"An Unbroken Heart" is available in paperback:

• Series: An Amish of Birch Creek Novel
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 15, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718033183
• ISBN-13: 978-0718033187
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.4 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 1430 KB
• Print Length: 299 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 15, 2016)
• Publication Date: March 15, 2016
• Sold by: HarperCollins Christian Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B010R4B9KI

I received a free copy of this book from the Fiction Guild in order for me to give an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and no other compensation was received.

Book Review: "Whispers in the Reading Room" by Shelley Gray

Lydia Bancroft is intrigued by a mysterious patron in her reading room. She doesn't know anything about him, other than his love of books, until he rescues her in the lobby of the hotel where he lives.

Sebastian Marks has done everything he could to better his position in life, but he knows he still isn't good enough for the likes of Lydia Bancroft. He can't seem to avoid opening up to her and they form a friendship.

When Lydia discovers that Sebastian is the proprietor of a gentleman's club, she insists on going to visit. Suddenly, her life is turned upside down when she is a suspect in a murder. Is Sebastian the person everyone else seems to think or is he the man her heart tells her he is?

Set in the mid 1890's, "Whispers in the Reading Room" was an interesting historical read. I found the story to be interesting and engaging. I liked the characters and the time period. There was romance in the story as well as the mystery of who committed the murder. I had a suspision of who it was but there were twists I didn't expect.

"Whispers in the Reading Room" is available in paperback:

• Series: The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 10, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310338492
• ISBN-13: 978-0310338499
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.4 inches
• 
  

in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 1864 KB
• Print Length: 346 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 10, 2015)
• Publication Date: November 10, 2015
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00UF72AB0

I received a free copy of this book from the Fiction Guild for me to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and no other compensation was received.

Book Review: "The Wedding Chapel" by Rachel Hauck

Jimmy Westbrook built a wedding chapel for his love, Colette Greer, but when she left for New York, it stood empty and unused. Will Jimmy find what he's been searching for?

Taylor Branson's whirlwind romance and elopement were not what she expected. Now things aren't going so smoothly. Is her marriage doomed like so many others in her family?

When Taylor takes a photography assignment back in their hometown, long held secrets are brought to light. Can this special place bring peace?

I have read books by Rachel Hauck in the past and enjoyed them, but when I read the blurb for "The Wedding Chapel", I decided to pass on reading it. I'm not that into the "already married, but need to work on our marriage" story line. However, a group I belong to, The Fiction Guild" sent me this book to review.

There is a lot to keep track of in the book with it following Jimmy, Colette, Taylor, and Jack, as well as flipping back and forth between the past and the present. I found the characters to be interesting and I wanted to know what was the deal with why everyone was acting the way that they were.  I found myself frustrated and angry over the secrets and lies that had so completely altered peoples lives which shows the book was well written, I guess. It made me almost glad that I had finished the book and to know the secrets were finally revealed.  There is a Christian message throughout the book, but the characters didn't live very Christian lives with many of them having "been" with people they weren't married to. It didn't give details, just that they had done it in the past. I understand that sometimes Christian people mess up and do things they shouldn't, but I rather like pure heroes and heroines. I actually guessed at the biggest secret in the book about halfway through the book and just had to wait to see I was right.

"The Wedding Chapel" is available in paperback:

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 17, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310341523
• ISBN-13: 978-0310341529
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.4 inches

in large print hardcover:

• Series: Thorndike Press Large Print Christian Romance Series
• Hardcover: 590 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (February 10, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141048503X
• ISBN-13: 978-1410485038

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 1727 KB
• Print Length: 382 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 17, 2015)
• Publication Date: November 17, 2015
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00UF72AE2

I received a free copy of this book in order for me to review it and give my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own and no other compensation was received.

Book Review: "An Amish Christmas Gift" by Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid, and Kelly Irvin

"Naomi's Gift" by Amy Clipston: Caleb Schmucker has been a widower for two years. His eight year old daughter Susie hopes for a Christmas miracle-for her dat to be happy and truly smile. Naomi King has had more than her share of heartbreak and is resigned that she'll never find true love. Can God work a miracle in their lives?

I enjoyed reading "Naomi's Gift" and liked Caleb and Naomi and little Susie. I wanted to tell off Sadie for trying to run Caleb's life, though! I found a few places that seemed to be errors. When Caleb and Susie first arrived in Bird-in-Hand, Susie's cousins go to take a bath before bedtime. This is what the book says:

     Caleb turned to Susie. "Let's find your gown. You can take a bath too." He placed her bag on the bed and rummaged through it. 
    He tried to suppress his smile. "Ya, but you were also cooped up on a smelly train overnight, and we have services tomorrow. Do you want the other kinner in the district to call you the stinky girl from Ohio?"

It seems to be missing some sort of remark from Susie about not wanting or needing to take a bath between the two pieces of dialog by Caleb.

In another spot, Caleb, Naomi, Susie and some other kids go shopping:

   "Are we heading home now?" Susie asked. "I think I have to help my mamm start supper."
   "Ya," Caleb said, placing his hand on Susie's shoulder. "I believe your dat may send out a search party if we don't head home soon."

Obviously, it can't be Susie who really said that as her mother is dead and her father is the one who said that her dat may send out a search party.

Other than the editing errors, I liked the story and the characters.

"An Unexpected Joy" by Ruth Reid: Abigail Kemp hasn't had a problem getting rides home from singings, its getting asked a second time that's the problem. She scares them off with her "gift of gab".  She's resigned herself to the fact that she'll never marry and is saving to buy herself a horse.  When Micah Zook is in need of a caregiver for his grandmother, she is eager to take the job.  She wouldn't have been his first choice, but he doesn't have any other options.  The more time he spends with her, the more he finds himself caring for her.  Can they find an unexpected joy this Christmas?

I enjoyed reading this story and liked how Ruth Reid did the dialogue so you got the feel of Abigail's talkativeness.  I liked watching Abby and Micah's relationship grow.  One thing that jumped out at me was the fact that on the first page of the story, Abigail was 22.  Eight pages later, it says she is 23.

"A Christmas Visitor" by Kelly Irvin: Frannie Mast's parents think she was getting to close to the Englisch man, Rocky Sanders, so she has been sent from Missouri to stay with her aunt and uncle in Bee County, Texas. When he shows up at her uncle's front door, Frannie is conflicted. She has feelings for him, but knows that she could never leave the faith. Can God turn her Christmas visitor into the best gift ever?

This story is best read after reading the novels in the "The Amish of Bee County Novels" series as it has the same characters and a lot of how they act is influenced by the events from the novels. It does give a bit of the story from those novels, so it isn't impossible to read alone, but you'd get more out of it reading it in order. I liked Rocky and his growth through the story. For as much as happens in this novella, I didn't feel like it felt rushed which was nice.

"An Amish Christmas Gift" is available in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 2097 KB
• Print Length: 401 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 6, 2015)
• Publication Date: October 6, 2015
• Sold by: HarperCollins Christian Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00WDJSWMY

and in paperback:

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 6, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718039653
• ISBN-13: 978-0718039653
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.4 inches

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in order for me to review it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Review: "All is Calm All is Bright" by Colleen Coble

"All is Calm All is Bright" by Colleen Coble contains two Christmas novellas.

All is Calm  Lauren Everman remembers her time at Bluebird Ranch when she was a foster kid as a haven, so when she needs somewhere to hide, that's where she heads. Brendan Waddell is immediately drawn to her, but can also tell she's hiding something. Will they be able to sort things out before her past catches up with her?

All is Bright  Delilah Carter manages the Tidewater Inn and is planning the wedding for her friend, but when her car is forced off the road, she wonders if someone from her past is trying to harm her. Sheriff Tom Bourne doesn't feel like he's in the same league as Delilah and has kept his feelings for her to himself. He realizes that he needs to do what he can to keep her safe or whomever is trying to hurt her may succeed.

"All is Calm All is Bright" has romance, suspense, and mystery all wrapped up within the Christmas setting. Things happen quickly in the stories which is expected in a novella. I liked the characters in both stories and rooted for them to be able to solve the case and get the bad guys. In "All is Calm",
the mystery kept me guessing up until the end, but I had guessed what was going on in "All is Bright". I still didn't know all the details of what was going to happen, so the story wasn't totally predictable. It was fun to have a quick and enjoyable book to fill a day.

Thomas Nelson and Zondervan are having a contest right now on their Facebook page that you can win a copy of "All is Calm All is Bright" along with Colleen's other Christmas novella book "Silent Night Holy Night"

"All is Calm All is Bright" is available in paperback:

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 6, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718037820
• ISBN-13: 978-0718037826
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 1958 KB
• Print Length: 199 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0718037820
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 6, 2015)
• Publication Date: October 6, 2015
• Sold by: HarperCollins Christian Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00WDJSWJW

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in order for me to review it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Review: "The Girl from the Train" by Irma Joubert

Gretl Schmidt escapes from a train headed to Auschwitz, but at only 6 years old, she is left destitute. Jakob Kowalski brings him to his house, but she isn't able to stay there forever. There are already too many people living there. He brings her to a German orphanage and prays he is doing the right thing for her. With her connections to Poland, the Catholic Church, and her Jewish ancestry, she has a lot to hide. There is little hope that Gretl will see Jakob again, but they both can see the moon at night and she takes comfort in that.

"The Girl from the Train" starts in April 1944 and spans the next 16 years. It is told from both Gretl's and Jakob's experiences. I found it easy to read and stayed up too late on more than one occasion because I didn't want to stop reading. The characters were realistic and fleshed out. It was interesting to learn about the events that were taking place in Poland during and after World War II. I also was not aware of the German orphans that had been relocated to South Africa.

"The Girl From the Train" is available in paperback:

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 3, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0529102374
• ISBN-13: 978-0529102379
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.9 x 8.4 inches

and in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 1630 KB
• Print Length: 379 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 3, 2015)
• Publication Date: November 3, 2015
• Sold by: HarperCollins Christian Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00PWOGZAI

I received a free copy of this book for me to review. No other compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Review: "The Bishop's Son" by Kelly Irvin

Leila Lantz hasn't lived in Bee County long, but she was in love with Jesse Glick from the first time she saw him. Lately, he's been acting strangely, like he wants to court her but he doesn't. Will he figure out what God wants for him to do and how to not hurt Leila? Jesse's cousin, Will has feelings for Leila, also, but hesitates to make his intentions known since he doesn't want to hone in on Jesse's girl. He doesn't want Leila to get hurt, but is he thinking of only himself, or her?

I had a hard time putting the book down. I felt for both of the guys and Leila and the struggle that they were going through. I found myself tense as I waded through the decisions that they had to make about their futures. I had a hard time deciding which guy I thought Leila should choose. (She didn't pick the one I did). I felt a part of their world. I got emotionally involved in their lives. "The Bishop's Son" is the second book in "The Amish of Bee County Novels". I did not read the first one, but I wished that I had. I would have given me more of the story of the lives of the people of the community.

"The Bishop's Son" is available in paperback:

• Series: The Amish of Bee County
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 29, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310339545
• ISBN-13: 978-0310339540
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches

in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 1549 KB
• Print Length: 365 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0310339545
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 29, 2015)
• Publication Date: September 29, 2015
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00VEYGUVY

and in large print hardcover:

• Series: The Amish of Bee County (Book 2)
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Thorndike Press Large Print; Lrg edition (December 23, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410484602
• ISBN-13: 978-1410484604
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 inches

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in order for me to give my honest opinion. No other compensation was received. I was not required to give a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.