Jody Hedlund

“You have to decide whether you’ll hurt yourself more by pushing forward or by holding back.”

Get your cowboy hat, a cozy reading space, & lots of good snacks cause the McQuaids are back & better than ever! After reading the Colorado Cowboys series, I was so sad to leave this historical romance family behind. Now Jody Hedlund’s continuing their family legacy of falling in love fast & deep with their modern day descendants. Spurs & Sparks is the first in the Healing Springs Ranch show more series & a delicious enemies to friends to more romance that had me devouring the pages.

Tyler McQuaid’s been busy managing the Healing Springs Ranch, passed down through the generations & now a luxury resort. After a disastrous first marriage, the last thing on his mind is falling in love again. But, when his father receives a devastating pancreatic cancer diagnosis & his young son keeps asking him about dating, he begins to reconsider. When his father’s gorgeous new traveling nurse arrives, they really get off on the wrong foot. The sparks definitely fly between them, but as he recognizes she’s really a fabulous nurse & isn’t afraid to stand up to him, his grumpy attitude begins changing. Suddenly, he can’t seem to get enough of her presence. But, pursuing anything with her is fruitless especially when she’ll eventually leave.

Kinsey Wingrove lost her sister to cancer, & has never been the same. As a traveling nurse, she’s one of the best. Despite the loneliness & difficultly of leaving, she prefers it to putting down roots & risk getting her heart broken. From the get go, Tyler pushes all her buttons. The man is infuriatingly attractive & the chemistry between them is undeniable. As they get to know each other & with his family’s matchmaking, the walls start to come down. But, will she have the courage to risk her heart?

I loved Kinsey & Tyler! Their witty banter, smoldering attraction, & enemies to more vibes had me hooked from the first. Both are so sympathetic with difficult pasts to overcome. I loved seeing their story unfold & that first kiss!

The modern McQuaid family is adorable! Can’t wait to get all of their stories. I especially loved Tyler’s resilient, matchmaking father. Highly recommend to closed door Western romance fans! I received an advanced copy from the author. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. show less

Jody Hedlund has wowed me again! Did I hum “Matchmaker, matchmaker make me a match. Find me a find. Catch me a catch” while I was reading? Yes, yes I did. Let me tell you, the matchmaker in this book is a young, mischievous man who has more tricks up his sleeve than Yenta. I was blown away by the unique storyline, the passionate yet clean love story, and the heartfelt drama as two endearing Irish young people with messy pasts deal with an arranged marriage. Set in St. Louis, Missouri in show more the 1840’s when the question of slavery was building to a fervor and cholera posed a deadly threat, the author completely captures the sights, smells, and history that made me feel like I was there. It’s a story that was so difficult to put down and I can’t wait for more!

Finola Shanahan is determined not to marry, especially after the tragic death of her sister. She wants to become a nun and continue helping those living in the Irish slums. Her family has other plans for her. Though she’s managed to reject one suitor after another, she’s finally met her literal match in Riley Rafferty. Their hilarious meet-cute leads to them becoming the latest match orchestrated by the matchmaker, Bellamy. Despite Finola’s tricks to get out of the betrothal, Riley sees through it all. As they become closer, Finola’s in danger of losing her heart, but her determination to remain single may threaten her chance for real happiness.

The charming Riley fell hard for Finola after he rescued her. He wants to become the town’s next mayor, but is pressured to take another wife after his previous wife died. Their marriage was complicated and RIley’s not interested in marrying again. But, a deathbed promise makes him seek out the matchmaker and when he’s matched with Finola, he’s not disappointed one bit. Can he convince her to give him a chance?

I loved Finola and Riley! The sizzling chemistry between them was off the charts. Their attraction was palpable and there were a few scenes where I needed a fan. Yet, the author keeps things very much closed door. I loved that while there was strong physical attraction, their friendship and bond was strong as well. They respected and challenged each other to be better. Both suffered from mistakes and hurt in the past and I enjoyed how they helped one another see through their problems. I also enjoyed the side characters, especially Bellamy. He’s a charming if sneaky matchmaker and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book with the captain.

I found the historical aspects so interesting. Most of the books I’ve read involving Irish immigrants are set in railroad communities or New York. It was a refreshing change to read about how the Irish fared in places like St. Louis. I also appreciated the issues Riley faced while running for mayor, especially slavery. The cholera epidemic was so sad, especially looking at it from a modern perspective where the solution is easily found in proper sanitation.

This must read story is the beginning of a new series and I’m already anxiously anticipating the next book. Highly recommend to historical romance fans. There are elements of faith brilliantly woven into the story, but they’re subtle and expressed in a natural way. If you only want a chaste kiss or two in your romance, this may not be the book for you, but if you like a little sizzle while keeping things firmly closed door, I highly recommend this! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided. show less

“Only when I’d let go of my selfish ambitions and been willing to embrace His greater plans, had I found true contentment.”

The Lost Princesses series just keeps getting better. And each princess’ journey is unique as are the princesses themselves and their heroes. The series should be read in order though. The prequel sets the stage well and each consecutive book spurs the overarching theme and plot forward with intricate details, beautifully crafted characters, and plenty of action show more and suspense. Jody Hedlund is a master storyteller and her gift in weaving YA medieval fairytales is a true gem to behold. If you enjoy medieval fairytales, you will absolutely love this book and the entire series!

This book focuses on Maribel, the older of the twins, who has been raised by nuns and aspires to be a nun-physician (healer). She’s stubborn like her older sister Constance Adalaide but is also impulsive, more tender-hearted, and compassionate. Edmund is an orphan of noble blood who has grown up with Maribel in the convent and has always loved her. Taught to be an animal trainer and a soldier, he’s the perfect guardian for Maribel with his intelligence, patience, and undying devotion but is a very different kind of hero, certainly different from Lance and Christopher whom we’ve met from the previous books. In the midst of trying to locate the clues to King Solomon’s treasure, they battle monsters, a confusing and deadly underground labyrinth, men sent by the evil king, and a terrible disease even as they battle their feelings for each other. It’s a fast-paced adventure ride a bit reminiscent of an Indiana Jones movie, filled with wonder, excitement, anticipation, innocent first love, and firmly grounded faith. I can’t wait to meet Emmeline in the next book, for it promises a very interesting twist to a main theme running throughout the series!

I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own. show less

Wow! I am so glad Jody Hedlund continued the Waters of Time series! Sybil & Nicholas were such intriguing characters from the previous books and were just begging for their stories to be told. This book does not disappoint! I admit I stayed up past 1:30 am reading because it was so hard to put down.

We get more of Sybil’s backstory as we find out her mother who was working for the government disappeared several years ago and is presumed dead. Sybil’s brother, Dawson, injured in show more Afghanistan has become despondent not only because of his blindness, but his mother’s death. Seeking the holy water to cure her brother, Sybil tests the liquid and is transported back in time to 1382 England. There she finds Nicholas Worth languishing in his brother’s prison. She vows to come back and rescue him as soon as she locates more holy water. She keeps her promise and soon finds herself back in medieval times with the handsome man.

There’s an instant attraction there that’s pretty scorching! The author keeps it clean, but it’s sizzling. Their attraction is believable as they experience so much in so little time. There’s plenty of action as Sybil uses her kickboxing skills to free Nicholas and they escape from his brother. There’s a bit of a RobinHood feel as they escape to a secret village full of endearing people considered outlaws.

As she tries to navigate this time period, circumstances convince her to marry Nicholas. As the two get to know each other, it’s clear they’re perfect together. But, how long will Sybil be able to stay in this time period? Their troubles continue to multiply as Nicholas intercepted an important message he must deliver regarding a French invasion and his brother is still out to get him. It’s a nail biter as Nicholas and Sybil try to avoid danger and stay one step ahead of his brother.

Nicholas is amazing! Despite the customs of the times, he’s completely respectful of Sybil. He admires her strengths and is even able to teach her a few skills she doesn’t have like horseback riding and archery. I loved the banter between these two and the underlying romantic tension. The ending will leave you with even more questions and surprises. I can’t wait to read Dawson’s story and find out what happens next!

Definitely put this on your Christmas list especially if you love time slips, medieval romance, or Christian romance. Though this could be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the previous two books. While the author does a great job bringing new readers up to speed, it’s more enjoyable if you’ve read the first two. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review. show less