Review: A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck

A Royal Christmas Wedding is a novella by Rachel Hauck.  It's the story of Avery Truitt, an American from Georgia, and Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom, a fictional European principality.  Our protagonists used to be an item when Avery was 17, and Colin was 21, but he broke up with her then because of their youth.  Now, five years later, they are reunited when Susanna, Avery's sister, and now Queen of Brighton, invites Avery and their mother to celebrate Christmas with her in Brighton. 

Avery hasn't quite gotten over Colin, but Colin is now linked with Lady Jordan Skye, a favourite of Colin's parents and Brightonian society. Hosts of a television talk show hound him about whether he will restart a Brightonian tradition of ringing the ancient bell at Pembroke Chapel.  In the past, whoever did this would propose to the woman he wished to marry and that they would marry by Christmas Day. 

Apparently Colin hasn't quite gotten over Avery either; he considers her to be the girl who he had given up due to parental pressure.  While hiding overnight in the ruins of Pembroke Chapel, Colin prays about his love life:  he tells the Lord that he will ring the bell for Avery if she'll become his wife...and the bell spontaneously begins to ring without anyone touching it. 
 
However, the path to the altar is not smooth for Colin. There are many obstacles that he has to overcome before he can convince Avery to become his wife.  Will there be a royal Christmas wedding in Brighton?

I really liked this story.  It had royalty, ancient ruins with historical folklore attached to it, grand romantic gestures, and God moments.  Colin may have gotten direction from the Lord, but he still had to act, and the question was whether he would follow through on the guidance that he received and soldier his way through the obstacles that were blocking his way. 

A Royal Christmas Wedding is part of the Royal Wedding Series, which also includes Once Upon a Prince, Princess Ever After, and How to Catch a Prince. 

Review: Strength Training: Staying Fit and Fabulous by Cris Caivano

Strength Training:  Staying Fit and Fabulous, by Cris Caivano is a book that caught my eye, because it is geared for the more mature reader.  This means that the target audience is someone who is entering their 50's.  Now, I'm not quite 50...yet.  And...I'm definitely not a spring chicken anymore.  Years of sedentary living have resulted in the development of batwings for my upper arms.  Workout books with extremely young and fit models who are a half generation younger than me...are intimidating to crack open.  So, yes...I like the idea of a workout book with a healthy looking older person in mind. 

The book starts off with an introduction that has a comfortable, encouraging, and down to earth tone.  In fact, sensibility rings throughout the whole book.  Reading the book took me back to my high school Physical Education classes; the author wasn't saying much that was different than what my P.E. teachers were saying about health, fitness, and strength training.  The exercises that are described in this book were also familiar to me.  Also, I am left with the impression that getting fit is quite an accessible goal without the need to spend oodles of money on expensive exercise equipment.  There are photos and descriptions of exercises, and encouragement to just get going on the road to fitness, especially if one is not already physically active.

I like the book, and would seriously consider buying it to add to my own personal library. 

Disclaimer:  I received an e-copy of Cris Caivano's Strength Training:  Staying Fit and Fabulous from NetGalley, in exchange for a review.  All opinions stated in this review are mine.