A marriage of convenience isn’t exactly what she had in mind.After a rocky start, Rachel Peters finally has her life on track. Then a tragic accident takes away her sister and leaves her to raise her niece, Kendra, alone. About to lose custody of her last blood relative, Rachel is desperate to prove she can adequately care for her niece. On the verge of running away to keep Kendra, a new friend offers Rachel an opportunity she can’t refuse.
Brandon Barlow has long admired Rachel. When her world begins to fall apart, he feels led to help. A marriage of convenience would enable him to provide Rachel and Kendra with a stable place to live, proper health insurance, and a viable shot at staying together. Once Rachel gained full custody of her niece, the marriage could be annulled.His plan provides the perfect solution, until Brandon realizes he’s fallen in love with Rachel. Through love and patience, can he help Rachel realize that, even when she experiences storms in her life, she’s never alone?
Melanie and I joined Inspy Romance about the same time and my hope was to get to know her work better. I started with this romance from 2014, Calming the Storm.
It was easy to get lost in this story about a college student overwhelmed by family tragedy and pretty independent when she’s offered help. I definitely could relate to Rachel, because I have trouble admitting I’m in over my head, much less accepting assistance. I felt Rachel’s desperation as her options to take care of her niece seemed to dwindle.
Brandon is a kind hero willing to sacrifice his comfort to help someone out. I liked his persistence in checking in on Rachel, because that’s tough to pull off without making the hero unlikable or creepy. Melanie does a great job pulling the reader into Rachel’s narrowing options and the heartbreak that’s always right before her. It’s easy to root for Rachel to allow Brandon into her and Kendra’s life and that she would see what a wonderful answer to prayer he was for both of them.
This is a sweet read that keeps the reader turning the pages. I really enjoyed Calming the Storm, and I know you will, too.
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, as well as ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past. The last book in the series, ENGAGED: Surrendering the Future, is coming soon. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She also blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband, two children, and chocolate stash. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com.
Hi Julie! Special welcome to you and Melanie, as new authors to Inspy Romance. Thanks for sharing Melanie’s inspiring romance Calming the Storm. I also enjoyed the story and was immediately drawn into the lives of Rachel and Brandon. A delightful read with inspiring characters and twist and turn plot and theme “learning to trust helpful friends.” As a woman, I also have difficulty asking for help. Best wishes and Happy Thanksgiving.
Sounds intriguing. I to have a hard time accepting help. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner and desserts I will happily accept my daughter’s help. I’m excited to have famiy together. Lord bless!
Renate, I think like Rachel, God has given me some desperate situations so I was forced to accept help, and I’m better, but it is hard, isn’t it? Thank you for reading and have a blessed Thanksgiving!
Diana, I believe you would enjoy Melanie’s book. I could definitely relate to the characters. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much, Julie! I’m glad you enjoyed the book. And I’m especially thankful we’re both a part of Inspy Romance! I’m also one of those people who tends to just jump in and try to do things myself instead of asking for help when I need to!
I enjoyned the book too, and just finished Melanie’s newest, “Marrying Mandy”!
I look forward to reading that one. She’s a great author, isn’t she?
Melanie, I really enjoy your writing and am blessed to be with you and everyone here. I am like you, I tell my husband I am “Lucy and Ethel,” I don’t need a partner, I get in trouble all by myself! I am getting better, though. Happy Thanksgiving!
Happy Thanksgiving to all Inspy ladies!
The same to you, Jackie! Thank you for being a friend of InspyRomance!
Happy and blessed Thanksgiving to all.
Happy Thanksgiving, Lucy!
I’ve almost finished Marrying Mandy and really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more books by Melanie. I just looked and I have 8 of her books already! Happy Thanksgiving!!
I definitely have catching up to do! Happy Thanksgiving!
Everyone here is so sweet!! <3 Thank you again for your review of the book, Julie. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving! <3
Thank you for the book review!
Thanks for reading, Trixi!