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Displaying items 16-20 of 59
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  1. An Old Fashioned Girl
    Minnesota
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A solid, heart-warming contemporary romance
    July 11, 2014
    An Old Fashioned Girl
    Minnesota
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    In her second novel, Melissa Tagg delves in the story of Blake Hunziker, the man who pretended to be reality show star Miranda Woodruff's husband in Made to Last. Returning home after half a dozen years' absence, Blake is ready to make things right with his family, however hard it may be, and put down roots in his old home town. Autumn Kingsley, owner of her family's floundering inn, has been ready to fly for years, and she finally has an opportunity to work her dream job in Paris. Somehow the two end up partnering to put on the town's Christmas festival, for all that their families are like the Montagues and the Capulets, and they start breaching the rift that has been between their families for years. But all Autumn has ever wanted to do was leave, and all Blake wants now is to stay. Can they pursue their dreams without losing each other?

    Although the story involves the old scandals, world travelers, and the rich and famous, it is down-to-earth, with real problems that frequently affect real people. Autumn is desperately trying to keep the bank from taking the Inn, scrambling to make enough money to keep the inn open and her beloved employees employed. At the same time, she is dealing with a family that was fractured rather than drawn close together by tragedy, and to top it off, her dreams have been simmering on the back burner so long she is afraid they will run dry and she will never be able to pursue them. She dreams of adventure, but without someone to prompt her to do it, she stays safe - and bored - in her usual routine (and that I can relate to; routine is so hard to break).

    Blake has blamed himself for his brother's death for years, to the point where he left home and tried to run from the guilt. Whether or not that blame was justified, running proved ineffective, and so he is finally home to try to reconcile with his parents and friends. However, what still proves most difficult is reconciling with himself and moving forward.

    While there is a fair amount of humor in the book, this is by no means a shallow story. It has a plausible plot, real-feeling characters, and several good messages to impart. What spoke to me most was the theme about dreams - both the dreams we've had from childhood and the dreams God gives us later. A solid, heart-warming, contemporary romance - 5 out of 5 stars!
  2. BookLover
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Outstanding new book from Melissa Tagg!
    July 7, 2014
    BookLover
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Here to Stay is Melissa Tagg's sophomore novel, after Made to Last. It follows Blake "Blaze" Hunziker, who we met in the previous book. I was very interested in reading this book when I first heard about it, even though I still hadn't read Made to Last - after finally reading it, I was so excited! I loved Blake in the first book and couldn't wait for him to get his "Happily-Ever After."

    Melissa instantly drew me into the story and brought the town of Whisper Shore to life! I loved the old-time feel to it, kind of like it belonged to another era, and all the quirky characters she created breathed life into a town I can only see in my imagination. The descriptions were wonderful and she has almost poetic and definitely quote-worthy dialogue, which was undoubtedly my favorite part. She had me laughing out loud and on the edge of tears in turn. The characters are amazing, too! They leapt off the page and right into my heart. They are wonderfully down-to-Earth and when the book ended it felt as though I was saying "goodbye" to new friends. I will definitely be "visiting" them again!

    Autumn Kingsley is the heroine in Here to Stay and Blake's leading lady. I thought she was perfect for him, family rivalry aside. She brought out the best in him, as any good relationship should. I connected with her at once and fell more in love with her with every page I read. She's the kind of lady you'd love to have for a best-friend. Autumn longs for a life of adventure, the kind her father always told her stories about, and a chance to experience life outside the small town she's always lived in. But first she feels compelled to take care of her family's legacy and her employees/friends. In her desire for freedom she faces many "what-ifs," and questions about what the right move is. I love this quote from her sister, Ava: "Maybe the real freedom in in letting go of the "what-ifs." Choosing hopeful expectation over worry that life is going to shortchange you." - Ava Kingsley, page 374

    Blake Hunziker is the hero and I must confess that I've loved him since Made to Last - I might even like him just a teensy-tiny bit more than Matthew Knox, who was the hero in that book (sorry Melissa, I know he's your favorite). He is funny, sweet, strong, and crazy. He is the kind of fictional character that makes you wish he was real, but if he was, he'd be taken anyway. We knew from meeting him in Made to Last that he is haunted by something in his past and is still hurting from it. He goes back home to Whisper Shore, searching for forgiveness and a place to belong. While he is still the funny, joke cracking guy, there is a new depth to him. We see a new side of him, a deeper insight and understanding of who he is, and why. I loved getting to know this new Blake, who's a little more serious, but still takes life as it comes, grinning most of the way.

    I really enjoyed Blake and Autumn's relationship. It was very sweet and easy. It started out as a friendship and slowly changed to something more. Nothing felt stilted or forced and I loved their banter as they joked and just enjoyed the moments.

    The spiritual side of the book was as well done as everything else. Melissa doesn't overwhelm the story, or take away from anything, but rather carefully weaves it in. It flows smoothly throughout the novel, sometimes in the background, sometimes the forefront, but always there. The story wouldn't have been the same without it.

    Autumn feels forgotten by God and wonders if He still notices her. I don't know anyone who hasn't felt that way at some point. I loved the moment when she finally realizes that He'd be there for her all along. Blake, on the other hand, carries an enormous burden of guilt and feels unworthy, like he has disappointed everyone, including God. He is also struggling with a grief that he hasn't faced, hasn't allow to heal. I really appreciated how she handles his grief, shining a light on his battle with it, but not in any way glorifying it. Instead when he ultimately has it out with God, we are left with a wonderful conversation with his dad and a reminder that God will heal any wounds, if we only ask. One of my favorite quotes from this interaction is, "In my most broken state, God saw me. I believe He even grieved with me. And then He started putting me back together, slowly, piece by piece. His heartbeat pulsing inside me when my own was broken." - Linus Hunziker, page 325

    This is where I typically have my complaints about a book, but I honestly don't have any. I can't think of anything I didn't like about it, which is a bit of a rarity for me. I actually loved everything about this book, from the characters, to the dialogue, to the descriptions that brought everything to life. From the sweet romance, to the even sweeter sigh-worthy ending, it is a wonderful book.

    I highly recommend Here to Stay if you enjoy fun books with quirky characters, sweet romance, and happy endings.

    I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network for my honest opinion, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

    *All quotes were used with permission from the author and publisher.
  3. Blooming with Books
    Bloomer, WI
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Delightful & Touching story about Family & Dreams
    July 6, 2014
    Blooming with Books
    Bloomer, WI
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Here to Stay

    By Melissa Tagg

    Autumn Kingsley has a dream and has had it for years, but life keeps getting in her way. She should have gone to see the world years ago. Instead she's stuck in Whisper Shore, Michigan, running a family owned inn that is falling down around her in a dying town.

    Blake Hunziker has spent the last few years of his life running. Running from the guilt. Running from the pain. But now he's decided to return home and his parents wrath. But his parents don't respond the way Blake expected - in fact he feels almost like the prodigal son. He's sure to mess something up again - after all that's what he does and someone usually gets hurt in the process.

    With less than a month until the traditional Christmas Festival is suppose to start (giving Whisper Shore a much needed tourist boost) the long-time events coordinator quits. Soon Blake and Autumn find themselves planning a Christmas Festival that will be unlike any that Whisper Shore has ever seen. But there are a few bumps along the way - such as the feud between the Kingsley and Hunziker families.

    Here to Stay is a delightful book that I'm glad I was convinced to read. I was convinced during the monthly online chat between readers and authors that TBCN organizes one Monday evening a month. And I'm not sorry that I agreed to read and review this book. There are several stories threading throughout the book. The tragic loss of a loved one. The pressure of family expectation. The desire to achieve one's dream. And the bonds of family and friends. These are seamlessly woven together in a story you won't soon forget. My only regret is I picked it up at 1 am to glance at it and instead spent the night reading instead of sleeping, but it was that good and I really wanted to know what happened. (Now I have to get a copy of Melissa's previous book Made to Last so I can read more about Blake!)

    I received a copy of this book from Bethany House/Melissa Tagg through TBCN in exchange for my honest review.
  4. inspiremichelle
    Loureauville, LA
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Morden day Hatfield and McCoy
    June 28, 2014
    inspiremichelle
    Loureauville, LA
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg

    Here to Stay is a great contemporary Christion fiction. Autumn Kingsley sets aside her dreams to run the family inn when all she has ever wanted was to see the world. The prodigal son, Blake Hunziker returns home after traveling the world over. Tired of running he comes home to put down roots. Autumn and Blake's families remind me of the Hatfields and McCoys but they put aside their families differences and team up to save the town by co coordinating the Christmas festival. You are sure to fall in love with the homey town of Whisper Shore and the characters too. This novel is well thought out, the characters are well developed, full of wit and heartwarming romance that will keep you turning the pages. Here to Stay is the second book by Melissa Tagg, but her first, Made to Last will find it's way into my to be read pile. I give Here to Stay five stars.

    I want to thank the author Melissa Tagg and publisher Bethany House for bringing good clean Christian books like this one to readers like me. I would also like to thank The Book Club Network Inc. for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.
  5. Angela Suzanne
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    June 9, 2014
    Angela Suzanne
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Here to Stay,Where Love Begins Book #2 - eBook.
    This is the second book in the Where Love Begins series by Melissa Tagg. However, both books can be read as stand-alones. Readers were introduced to Blake Hunziker in the first book, Made to Last, and readers fell in love with his humor and charm. This book focuses on his journey home after being away for six years after his brother's passing.

    I already fell in love with Blake in the first book and it was nice to see his story and give depth to his character but also what had driven him away. Blake is a lovable character and readers can sympathize with him as he deals with his brother's death and his part in it.

    I loved the humor in the book and how it was interspersed with the more serious matters. All the elements (humor, drama, romance, plot, characters, setting, etc.) worked well together to create an enjoyable contemporary romance novel.
Displaying items 16-20 of 59
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