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Customer Reviews for Thomas Nelson Secretly Smitten - eBook
Thomas Nelson Secretly Smitten - eBook
While visiting their mother for Sunday dinner, sisters Tess, Zoe, and Clare Thomas discover a pair of dog tags belonging to their grandmother's first love---and determine to find this man and reunite the couple. But will the four Thomas women also be smitten by their own men along the way?
Average Customer Rating:
(30 Reviews) 30
Rating Snapshot (30 reviews)
5 stars
14
4 stars
12
3 stars
4
2 stars
0
1 star
0
29 out of 3097%customers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Review 1 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
4.5 if I could
Date:May 9, 2013
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
This is the first anthology fiction book I've read. I know. Where have I been, right? I was pleasantly surprised. Four very different authors with very different voices came together and pulled off a terrific book. I thought it was thoroughly enjoyable how each author wrote about a specific character and how each had their own twist to the short story. My time is excruciatingly limited, and at first, I was a little concerned at how thick this book was. All that for nothing. Each story was well written and I found myself flying through the book. Each character was well-rounded and likable with her very own traits that endeared them to the reader, and each hero was a perfect match. No one fell in love too quickly, and there was just enough romantic angst to keep you reading. It was a gently told story that weaved in much truth ~ each person, no matter what family they were born into, is different ~ with their own personality and worth. It's a keeper and I will read it again. If I could, I'd give it 4.5 stars.
~ I received a complimentary copy of this book, thanks to Thomas Nelson, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. ~
~ I received a complimentary copy of this book, thanks to Thomas Nelson, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. ~
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Review 2 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Sweet Collection
Date:May 6, 2013
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Fun-filled easy to read stories!
This was a delightlful collection of stories and I loved how all of the main characters from each of the stories really interacted with each other throughout all of the stories, because they are all a family so it was like a whole inter-connected series in one volume!
I loved how these stories were so well written and fun to read, and relax with. There was a mystery that wove all four of the stories together, and alot of love and laughter. I absolutely loved this small-town romance novella collection. I think you will to!
Overall, a lovely read that is wonderfully enjoyable. I loved visiting Smitten and I can't wait to go back!
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
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Review 3 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
A great set of short stories!
Date:April 30, 2013
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
I have read the first book in the Smitten series and loved it. This book is a great addition to the series. I like how each author's personality and writing skill can be seen in these stories. From the ice cream shop to the gardening center to the knitting & yarn shop this book delivers a great group of stories that uplift and entertain. If you are looking for christian romantic fiction that makes you smile look no further than the town of Smitten. This former logging town turned romance capital is a fun place where I would love to visit if it really existed....
I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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Review 4 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
"Secretly Smitten" Review
Date:April 19, 2013
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
In Secretly Smitten, each author tells the story of one of the women in the Thomas family. The small resort town of Smitten, Vermont, is the setting for each of these tales, and it was fun to revisit this quaint town.
I thought Smitten was a fun read, and Secretly Smitten was the same. The authors’ writing styles are similar enough that each story flowed into the next one, which made for a smooth and easy read. Each character had her own insecurities to work through, and this was done well, especially considering that this had to basically be done within a novella.
Colleen Coble’s story was my favorite, but this is probably just because I am used to her style of writing, since I have read many of her other books. I also felt more connected with her characters for reasons that I can’t seem to put my finger on.
The mystery aspect to this novel is told well throughout all of the stories, but these stories are mostly based on the romance. As I said in my review of Smitten, this novel was a little bit too perfect and syrupy-sweet at times, but it was a nice diversion from some of the overly emotional and more drama-filled books I’ve been reading lately. And I always like a little mystery added to any story!
Secretly Smitten is a collection of fun, easy-to-read romantic stories with a little bit of mystery woven in.
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Review 5 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Great book
Date:February 27, 2013
deanna13
Location:Jonesboro, LA
Age:Over 65
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Secretly Smitten by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt is a collection of four novellas about three generations of women living in Smitten, Vermont. The mystery of the story begins when the young daughter of a cousin finds a pair of dog tags in Grandma Rose’s attic. The dog tags belonged to Grandma Rose’s first love but he was killed in Korea during the Korean War so the dog tags should not have been in the attic. Tess, Clare, and Zoe are determined to solve the mystery of the dog tags but their mother warns them against meddling.
In Love Between the Lines, Colleen Coble tells the story of Tess who puts everyone else before herself and has no thoughts of marriage until Ryan, a widower with a young daughter, enters her life and then things start to change. Kristen Billerbeck continues the saga in Make Me a Match with the story of Zoe. People seem to think that Zoe has no ambition and are quite surprised when she opens her own business which is a match mating service. Through a freak accident, William, the new city manager, enters Zoe’s life and then the excitement begins. Anna’s story is told by Diann Hunt in Knit One, Love Two. Anna is the mother of the three girls and since her husband left her for a younger woman, she has put all thoughts of love and romance out of her mind. Life gets interesting when Michael comes into her knit shop to pick up some yarn for his mother. The last story, Love Blooms by Denise Hunter is the story of Clare who works in a landscaping business. On a stormy night she discovers Ethan in the back of a storage shed and even though he looks like a disreputable biker, she hires him to help in the business. Clare has low self-esteem but a fantastic gift for landscaping and Ethan urges her to open her own business.
Sometimes when a book of novellas has more than one author the story line can become rather confusing. These four authors did such a fine job that I moved from one novella to the next forgetting that I had started reading the writings of a different author. The plot was well developed and the dialogue was so real and true to life. Through the character development in each story, I felt that each character was a personal friend. All human emotions were covered in the descriptions and scenes making me feel as if I were living each character’s life. The romance in the stories made them great stories but the mystery of the dog tags just added to my enjoyment of the book. I did not want the book to end for I felt as if I were leaving my friends and wanted to know more about their lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend to everyone who likes a great romantic story that also has an intriguing mystery. I plan to go back and read the first book in the Smitten series and am eagerly awaiting the third book.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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Review 6 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Secretly Smitten
Date:March 22, 2013
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
I was a huge fan of the first book in the Smitten series and was very excited to read the next book.
Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter are some of my favorite authors and together they write a fun, energetic, interesting and creative book!
I enjoyed reading about other characters in Smitten and how the dog tags tie so many of them together. Each individual story is a great read. My only complaint is that I wish each story could have been longer! I wanted to know more about their stories but I understand the concept of the 4 short stories making one book.
I love the town of Smitten and the quaintness of the buildings, the parks, the people and the businesses. Each story makes me want to drink some coffee with them and take a walk around Smitten!
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Review 7 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Sweet and entertaining
Date:February 1, 2013
KidOfTheKing
Location:South Carolina
Age:35-44
Gender:female
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Secretly Smitten is Christian fiction and this is a genre that isn't my typical read. I was pleasantly entertained by this book which is actually considered a novella. If you are not familiar with the term, novella is fiction that is shorter than a novel but longer than a short story. Secretly Smitten is a collection of four novellas each written by a different author. The stories are “Love Between the Lines”, “Make Me a Match”, “Knit One, Love Two”, and “Love Blooms”. The stories have the same characters just with a shift in the main characters. Each is a romance. The book is number two in the Smitten Series but it can be read on its own. At the back of the book is a reading group guide. I’m thankful for the Christian-minded romance stories of Secretly Smitten; it was sweet and entertaining. This was the first book I read on my Kindle and that made it quite fun, too!
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Review 8 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Date:March 16, 2013
LoveToLearn
Age:45-54
Gender:female
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
2
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
3
out of
5
Secretly Smitten: Love Changes Everything by Kristen Billerbeck, Colleen Coble, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter. This is really 4 novelettes all rolled into one book. I really enjoyed the writing and love the story line. I just wish that each of the 4 separate stories had been developed further and the characters story line taken to a further place. I felt that each of the individual stories kind of left you hanging - looking for more info. There is a main story line that involves a mystery of how dog tags were left in Grandma's attic from a man that supposedly died 50 years ago. That storyline is continued and talked about in varying degrees throughout all 4 of the novelettes. The other 4 stories are love stories involving the mother, Anna and her 3 grown daughters, Zoe, Clara, and Tess. The book does refer to characters that we should know about from the first book in the series - I had not read the first book and there were times when I felt like a character just plopped into the book with no introduction. Still, it was a delightful book and I found that once I got into the story I couldn't put it down.
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Review 9 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Enjoyable Anthology
Date:March 14, 2013
ChristianFictionLover
Quality:
4
out of
5
Value:
4
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
4
out of
5
I like novellas because they’re bite-sized stories. They read fast, they’re romantic, and they’re satisfying. I liked this sequel to Smitten!
The setting—small-town Smitten—is delightful. The setting ties these novellas together, as does the family connection. Each story zeroes in on one of the sisters, and one tells the mom’s love story. I related with every single heroine, at least in some respect. One of the other elements that tied the stories together was the grandmother’s love story. Her granddaughters (all adults now) discover her first love’s dog tags in the attic. But the grandmother hasn’t ever seen them. How did they get there? Hadn’t the man died in the war? This mystery kept me reading through the novellas as well. I especially enjoyed the introduction to the underlying (first love) thread in novella one, the tenderness of story two, that story three centered on a mother of 20-somethings and turned a cliché situation (not wanting to trust in love following divorce) into a believable and heartfelt storyline, and the setting and hero of story number four.
I gave the collection four stars because I was lost a few times in the first story (due to POV) and had a hard time getting past the overuse of "that" (around location #970-#980 e-Book) in the same story, etc.
Looking forward to any further Smitten books that come along. Enjoy!
The setting—small-town Smitten—is delightful. The setting ties these novellas together, as does the family connection. Each story zeroes in on one of the sisters, and one tells the mom’s love story. I related with every single heroine, at least in some respect. One of the other elements that tied the stories together was the grandmother’s love story. Her granddaughters (all adults now) discover her first love’s dog tags in the attic. But the grandmother hasn’t ever seen them. How did they get there? Hadn’t the man died in the war? This mystery kept me reading through the novellas as well. I especially enjoyed the introduction to the underlying (first love) thread in novella one, the tenderness of story two, that story three centered on a mother of 20-somethings and turned a cliché situation (not wanting to trust in love following divorce) into a believable and heartfelt storyline, and the setting and hero of story number four.
I gave the collection four stars because I was lost a few times in the first story (due to POV) and had a hard time getting past the overuse of "that" (around location #970-#980 e-Book) in the same story, etc.
Looking forward to any further Smitten books that come along. Enjoy!
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Review 10 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Date:March 5, 2013
Secretly Smitten
By Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt
Book Description
Summer, fall, winter, spring—Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!
There’s a secret in Grandma Rose’s attic—a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?
The mystery intrigues Rose’s three granddaughters—Tess, Clare, and Zoe—and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?
Join popular romance novelists—and real-life BFFs—Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter for four delightful intertwined tales of mystery and sweet intrigue.
This book is delightful and easy to read. The characters are approachable, charismatic and easy to relate to. Even though there are four different authors, the book is seamless and the end result is impressive.
Sometimes when a book of novellas has more than one author the story line can become rather confusing. These four authors did such a fine job that I moved from one novella to the next forgetting that I had started reading the writings of a different author. The plot was well developed and the dialogue was so real and true to life. Through the character development in each story, I felt that each character was a personal friend. All human emotions were covered in the descriptions and scenes making me feel as if I were living each character’s life. The romance in the stories made them great stories but the mystery of the dog tags just added to my enjoyment of the book. I did not want the book to end for I felt as if I were leaving my friends and wanted to know more about their lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend to everyone who likes a great romantic story that also has an intriguing mystery. I plan to go back and read the first book in the Smitten series and am eagerly awaiting the third book.
I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”
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Review 11 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Date:March 3, 2013
I had the pleasure of reading the first book in this series called “Smitten” and enjoyed my visit back to Smitten just as much. The focus of these four novellas was on the Thomas sisters, their mother Anna and their Grandma Rose. The story begins with the dog tags of Grandma Rose’s long lost love, David Hutchins, being found in her attic. How did David’s dog tags end up in the attic if he was killed in action and never returned to Smitten? Rose’s granddaughters were determined to find out how this happened. While trying to solve this mystery the girls find themselves on their own journey to love.
I really enjoyed the stories and felt they flowed very well for being written by four authors. I found the book to be a very light-hearted read but it did have some depth as the family dynamics came to light. I believe the stories gave a realistic view of what happens when families love but also experience hurt. I personally would love to see these stories turned into a movie. I recommend this book and look forward to the new release in January 2014. Also, be sure to check out www.smittenvermont.com to listen to the Smitten song, recipes and more.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Review 12 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
It was a fun read.
Date:February 27, 2013
Lori
Location:Anchorage, Alaska
Age:55-65
Gender:female
I was drawn to this book because I read the first Smitten book and because Colleen Coble wrote one of the short stories. I think the stories were cute and it was neat the way the authors put them together.
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Review 13 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Secretly Smitten: Love 'Really' Changes Everything
Date:February 25, 2013
Annie
Location:Texas
Age:18-24
Gender:female
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Secretly Smitten is an amazing hope filled book that has four stories dealing with one family and a terrible secret that will shake their foundation. This book brought three daughters and their mother on a world wind adventure that also told the possibility of another story being told in the background surrounding some old dog tags that belonged the grandmother’s old beau.
After the first story, I didn’t think the book would progress as it did. The slow forming of the missing veteran/dog tag story slowly built in the background as the daughters and their mother found love of their own. The suspense of that one story kept me reading, as the stories began to change one by one I noticed a little heartwarming sensation that I hadn’t with any other book thus far; My shear resemblance to the middle daughter, last story, Clare Thomas. Reading her story was a good end for the book. I see how God works differently in others lives. God’s the only one who knows what approach to use best.
Secretly Smitten is an amazing read for someone who is smitten or better yet secretly smitten. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fun, romantic, short reads. It isn’t melodramatic but has the appeal of real life. Also, The first book, Smitten, is not recommended to read before this, but do read it.
---
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
---
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Review 14 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Light-hearted Read
Date:February 13, 2013
Quality:
3
out of
5
Value:
3
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
3
out of
5
Secretly Smitten is the light-hearted follow-up compilation of short stories to Smitten, and it re-invites readers into the quaint small town life of Smitten, Vermont. The discovery of new or lost love is the focus of each of the stories; and in these four feel-good novellas, the conflict is resolved rather quickly and easily. These are stories to be read when you want a happily ever-after escape.
I have to admit that I found the plots and characterization of the first three stories to be less developed than I expected. The mystery of grandma Rose's long-lost love adds depth to the overall story; but as a reader, I felt a detachment to the characters and their emotions at times. Secretly Smitten does conclude on a strong note with Denise Hunter's final novella about Clare. Denise Hunter proves that novellas can be written so that the characters are developed and well-rounded. As a reader, I felt sympathetic to Clare's feelings and struggles. Denise Hunter was not only able to pull me into Clare's world, but she also provided a satisfying resolution to grandma Rose's past as well.
Overall, Secretly Smitten is a light and fluffy read; so if you are ever looking for a brief escape from reality, it just might be the right fit for you.
I received a complimentary e-copy of this novel from BookSneeze, courtesy of Thomas Nelson. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. 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.”
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Review 15 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Date:February 4, 2013
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Secretly Smitten: Love Changes Everything, by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter, is a collection of four stories, all set in the town of Smitten, Vermont. While the town of Smitten is attempting to make a name for itself, the members of the Thomas family find themselves trying to solve a very old mystery.
In Love Between the Lines, by Colleen Coble, the family discovers a pair of dog tags in the attic belonging to Grandma Rose’s first love, a man who died in the Korean War, whose dogs tags were never found. Tess Thomas begins the search for the answer to the mystery, ending up finding proof the man never died and finding love in the process. In Make Me a Match, by Kristin Billerbeck, Zoe Thomas begins a matchmaking business, only to be hounded by the new town manager about her wiring issues. The sisters dig further into the mystery of the dog tags, and Zoe finds a match for herself. In Knit One, Love Two, by Diann Hunt, Anna Thomas finds herself young enough for romance after all. In Love Blooms, by Denise Hunter, Clare Thomas discovers love with a complete stranger, and the sisters find the answers to the mystery.
I enjoyed this book. Despite the four authors and their various writing styles, the story flowed well and unfolded a little at a time until the very end. I would recommend this book to all who enjoy a good romance or a good mystery!
Kara
I received this book free from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review.
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Review 16 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
a delightful romance
Date:January 31, 2013
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
The intrigue begins when dog tags are found in Grandma Rose's attic. They were the dog tags of a man Grandma had loved long ago. But he had been killed in the war and had never come back. How did those dog tags get in Grandma's attic?
Tess, Zoe, and Clare Thomas are not going to let the issue go. But Tess is distracted when a handsome man and his young daughter shop at her bookstore. She is also working extra hard at seeing to it that the train will stop at Smitten. That would help the town so much.
And Zoe has other things on her mind as she is getting her new matchmaking business going. Unfortunately, the new city manager, a stickler for making sure businesses adhere to all the city ordinances, is getting to her.
Anna Thomas, the girls mother, is thinking about raising sheep so she can spin her own wool. That would be a nice addition to her knitting shop. Then Michael, a retired military man, shows up in Smitten to take care of his ailing mother. He offers to help Anna but she is not so sure she should allow herself to get close to this man..
And Claire, she loves her routine at the nursery where she works. She wouldn't even think of rearranging the shop. But when she hires a homeless man, she wonders if she could dare risk love.
Tess, Zoe, and Clare Thomas are not going to let the issue go. But Tess is distracted when a handsome man and his young daughter shop at her bookstore. She is also working extra hard at seeing to it that the train will stop at Smitten. That would help the town so much.
And Zoe has other things on her mind as she is getting her new matchmaking business going. Unfortunately, the new city manager, a stickler for making sure businesses adhere to all the city ordinances, is getting to her.
Anna Thomas, the girls mother, is thinking about raising sheep so she can spin her own wool. That would be a nice addition to her knitting shop. Then Michael, a retired military man, shows up in Smitten to take care of his ailing mother. He offers to help Anna but she is not so sure she should allow herself to get close to this man..
And Claire, she loves her routine at the nursery where she works. She wouldn't even think of rearranging the shop. But when she hires a homeless man, she wonders if she could dare risk love.
What a treat, this second book about Smitten, Vermont. And you certainly don't have to read the first one to thoroughly enjoy this one. The four stories written by the authors flow well. The authors, who are themselves friends, really did a great job in creating a fun to read collection of romance stories. And it all comes out in the end – the dog tags, I mean. What a fun read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.
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Review 17 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Four Romances, Mystery and Great Storytelling
Date:January 30, 2013
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt and Denise Hunter in their new book "Secretly Smitten" Book Two in the Smitten series published by Thomas Nelson takes us back to Smitten, Vermont.
From the back cover: Summer, fall, winter, spring--Smitten, Vermont, is the place for love . . . and mystery!
There's a secret in Grandma Rose's attic--a forgotten set of dog tags belonging to her first love. But David Hutchins was killed in action and never returned to Smitten. How did the dog tags end up in the attic?
The mystery intrigues Rose's three granddaughters--Tess, Clare, and Zoe--and they decide to investigate, though their mother, Anna, warns against meddling. But as the seasons turn and the mystery unravels, the three young women and their mother encounter some intriguing mystery men of their own. Has a sixty-year-old puzzle sparked something new for this close-knit family of women?
The four authors have joined together to bring us four stories about four friends that give us one complete story about one town that stretches over the four seasons. Colleen Coble starts it off with the story about Tess: Love Between The Lines. Then Kristin Billerbeck picks it up with the focus on Zoe: Make Me A Match. Diann Hunt takes the story over to Anna: Knit One, Love Two. And finally Denise Hunter rounds it out with the spotlight on Clare: All Along.
Once again we fall in love with the town of Smitten and its people and wish there really were such a place to visit. It really is a terrific idea that these four friends had when they created this town that it is so easy to fall in love in. Technically, "Secretly Smitten" is one story that lasts a whole year told through the lives of the four women. So that means we get four tales of romance as we watch the town change and grow. All four authors know how to write characters that come alive off the page. While the stories focus on Anna and her three daughters the real mystery is with Grandma Rose and the dog-tags. Great storytelling, mystery and romance, what more could you ask for? I know: one more sequel! I recommend this book highly!
Secretly Smitten | An Evening of Giggle, Gab & Prizes
The "gals" are celebrating the release of Secretly Smitten with a fun Live Webcast on February 5th. They'll be debuting the *NEW* animated Smitten trailer, giving away tons of prizes, dishing on the book and their friendship. They'll also be wrapping up the Secretly Smitten blog tour, answering audience questions and testing your trivia skills. Don't miss the fun and bring your friends. Click here to RSVP and set up a reminder.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."
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Review 18 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Smitten Indeed
Date:January 28, 2013
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
If you haven't ever read one or any of these Authors, this is a FABULOUS way to introduce yourself to them! Now then, if you are familiar with them, you know how awesome their books are, right?!!!! Well, these BFF's have done an AMAZING job writing 4 novella's and making the stories flow from one to the other just perfectly!
I just love it when someone has pretty much given up on love, and then suddenly, they find themselves falling, and falling hard, don't you!?!? Well in Smitten Vermont, love & mystery are in the air and the Thomas sisters are hard at work hoping to solve the mystery and to prove, it is never too late for love. But as each sister will find out, love can come when you least expect it and in ways you never could have imagined!
Smitten is a cozy town filled with such precious people! I would love to just pick up and move there and you might just be ready to do the same after you read Secretly Smitten!
Secretly Smitten is a DEFINITE 5 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥'s for me!
Thank you so much to LitFuse for allowing me this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you so much to LitFuse for allowing me this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review!
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Review 19 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Secretly Smitten ~ Four Stories in One
Date:January 28, 2013
Quality:
5
out of
5
Value:
5
out of
5
Meets Expectations:
5
out of
5
Smitten is the place for romance and new beginnings. Grandma Rose is unaware that her three granddaughters, Tess, Zoe, and Claire are secretly trying to dig up information about her first love. But the military told Rose and his parents he was missing in action/dead. The girls especially Tess want to learn more about the man her Grandmother lost to the war so many years ago. The girls mother, Anna thinks it needs to be left alone so as not to bring up the hurtful memories Rose had endured.
The book follows Cupid's Arrow as it hits it's first target. Tess Thomas is always trying to solve a mystery. For some reason she thinks there is a mystery concerning her Grandmother's old beau. But she does not want to harm the memory of her grandfather. She wants her Grandma Rose to love again. In searching information about the soldier Tess finds out her best friend, Ryan from childhood has bought the old house that the soldier's parents had lived in. She wants to search the attic of the old house to see if there is anything there about the soldier. This will give her a chance to spend some time with Ryan. We are sure Tess is smitten now we need to find out if Ryan is smitten.
Cupid's arrow hits it's second target! Zoe Thomas is know best for not being able to figure out what she wants to do with her life. The one thing she is sure of is she wants to do whatever it may be in Smitten. With the possibility of the town becoming a train stop she has decided to start a dating service of sort for the Smitten singles. But could it be she herself might be smitten before she even gets the doors of her new business open that is if the old building can pass a safety inspection. It is the responsibility of a newbie to Smitten to determine whether or not it will open. But will his decision be swayed by his attraction to Zoe?
Could Cupid really be targeting Anna the girls' mother? Seems so, Cupid's arrow is aimed directly at Anna and her new neighbor, Michael Conners. His mother, Emma comes to her shop for group knitting and to buy supplies for her knitting projects. Anna can't deny he is a looker but she is not looking. Then she becomes the good Samaritan when Michael gets injured in a skiing accident and Emma asks if Anna can drop in on him to make sure he is okay or might possibly need something. She is sure she can handle his flirtations and get back to her own business. Oh no, is she smitten?
Has Cupid ran out of arrows? Nope he has a quiver full! This next arrow is aimed at Claire. Surely Claire is to quick for Cupid's arrow! She has ran off every guy that has gotten too close. She is always busy working at potting plants or delivering mulch for the Smitten community. But things are just too hectic and her boss has told her to hire someone to help out with the deliveries. Her new employee is a drifter she stumbled across in the Nursery tool shed. At first she felt threatened by the drifter but for some reason she felt like he could be trusted and he was there looking for employment. He was very kind and worked hard at his job. She even saw him at her church. He seemed to have secrets but who doesn't. He had a close relationship with God and was not embarrassed to share his what he believed. He sounds more like an Angel sent from God.
The author's worked these characters together like they were at a quilting bee adding their special pieces to create a mystery family quilt and then adding their fine stitches to top it off and rounding it off by starting and ending with Grandma Rose. All pieces are original. Making this book a keepsake for me and other readers.
Please don't ask who was my favorite character or my favorite author. It's my secret!
I have several daughters and granddaughters and will pass this book to them. I am sure it will warm their hearts as well. I found the mystery of this book to be LOVE.
I highly recommend this book.
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson/Litfuse Publicity Group for review. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my honest opinion.
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Review 20 for Secretly Smitten - eBook
Overall Rating:
Return to Smitten with this collection
Date:January 20, 2013
Secretly Smitten is a collection of four novellas that return to the authors' created town in Vermont. The town is still trying to find ways to stay alive. And four young women are on their way to discovering romance. These novellas tie together with those in Smitten, the other collection by these authors and friends. Have no fear, you can read this collection on its own.
I love how real the characters are and the way I want to join them at Mountain Perks for a good conversation and update on their romantic adventures. I also enjoy the cameo appearances by characters in the earlier collection and the way the characters carry over from story to story. Because there are four novellas in this book, each can be read in a long sitting and it's the perfect book to take along on a spring break trip. Easy to put down when you need to do something else, but also engaging enough, you'll want to return often to this delightful town.
Do keep in mind that this book contains four shorter works. While longer than a short story, they are not full length novels. Yet each story gives a full romance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but the opinion is mine alone.
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