Tag: Trinity Lakes Romance

20 December 2024

First Line Friday #370 | Always In My Heart (Trinity Lakes #14) by Iola Goulton

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. I admit: this isn’t actually the book I’m reading today. But it is the book I’ve read over and over this year, because it’s my second book, and it’s releasing on Christmas Eve!

You can preorder from Amazon for 99 cents (the price will go up to the regular $3.99 right after release).

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Always In My Heart

Sparks fly when an aspiring attorney comes face to face with his past mistakes.

Broke solo mother Maya Allen is raising her daughter, Sarah, as well as her dead best friend’s daughter … who just happens to be her own daughter’s half sister (thanks, cheating college boyfriend). When her lowlife landlord doubles her rent, she realizes it’s time to make a new plan and return to New Zealand with her children. First she has to do the make contact with her ex and compel him to relinquish his parental rights so they can legally leave the country … and not let her still-strong feelings for Trent get in the way.

Trent Thomas is an intern competing for a role in a prestigious Seattle law firm known for their family values. He figures he’s got the job sewn up when Sterling, Noble and Wright send him to his hometown of Trinity Lakes to research a dodgy property deal under the guise of offering the townsfolk pro bono legal services. After all, no one will know the ins and outs of small-town Trinity Lakes gossip better than a lifelong resident.

But he hadn’t bargained on Maya, Sarah, and Kacey stealing his chance to get his dream job, stealing his opportunity to leave Trinity Lakes behind forever, or stealing his heart.

A second-chance small town contemporary Christian romance.

Find Always In My Heart online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

21 May 2024

Bookish Question #331 | What’s the most recent book you’ve bought?

I often preorder ebooks, which means there are two possible answersto this question: the most recent book I’ve ordered, and the most recent book that has landed on my Kindle.

Funnily enough, both are from the same series: Trinity Lakes Romance.

The most recent book I’ve ordered is Blue Skies Dreaming by Amanda Deed, which releases at the end of May. It features Nick Gordon, an Australian skydiving instructor who travels to Trinity Lakes because he’s chasing a girl: online influencer Violet Reynolds.

And the newest release to land on my Kindle is In Truth and Love by Jenny Glazebrook, which brings together responsible pastor’s daughter Jodie and somewhat less responsible Brandon Taylor, son of Luke Mcaffrey, better known as the Junk Man.

And the most recent book I’ve downloaded to review …

Before We Were Us by Denise Hunter, an amnesia story I’m looking forward to reading.

What about you? What’s the most recent book you’ve bought? (Or borrowed. Or downloaded.)

16 February 2024

First Line Friday #325 | Over the Rainbow (Trinity Lakes #8) by Meredith Resce

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m sharing from the next book in the Trinity Lakes contemporary Christian romance series, Over the Rainbow by Meredith Resce.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Over the Rainbow

What a difference a year makes.

Last year, Arianne Rayne was playing college basketball and looking forward to a permanent future with her boyfriend.

This year, she is learning to live with disability.

After walking away from an accident he’d caused by reckless driving, her boyfriend walked away from her. The uncertainty of how life would look now that she had lost mobility was enough for him to break the relationship, and her heart.

Coming to Trinity Lakes to live with her stable, unflappable grandparents is hope for a new beginning and a chance to heal her heart. Away from her parents’ cloistered, cotton-wool approach, she hopes to learn how to live independently with the help of physiotherapist and trainers at the local gym.

Until she meets Matthew Kennedy. He might be buff and good looking, but he has no idea about how to relate to someone living with disability. He’s eligible, and he is certainly accessible, given he is one of her personal trainers, but will he ever see beyond her wheelchair? Arianne’s heart tells her it’s unlikely.

Until she is stranded, and Matthew is her only hope of getting home.

Find Over the Rainbow online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

1 September 2023

First Line Friday #301 | No Matter How Far by Sara Beth Williams

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. No Matter How Far by Sara Beth Williams is the seventh book in the Trinity Lakes multi-author contemporary Christian small-town romance series. Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About No Matter How Far

He ran away to escape his fear. She faces her fear every day.

After the death of his late wife, associate professor Dylan Mackay never thought he’d fall for another woman, until the stubborn and beautiful Jocelyn rescues him from the top of a ski slope—though he needed no such rescuing. The blissful whirlwind week spent together at Trinity Lakes Ski Resort is one of the happiest in recent memory.

After a messy breakup followed by her parents’ sudden divorce, local Trinity Lakes paramedic Jocelyn Monroe had sworn off dating, until she is forced to rescue an injured Australian against his will while volunteering for the mountain ski patrol. Dylan is stubborn, handsome, intelligent and honorable, with a swoony Aussie accent to boot and she finds herself falling head over heels before the week is out.

Once down the mountain, the spontaneity and carelessness of their rushed relationship comes full circle in devastating blows. Each one grapples with life-altering decisions that would result in moving out of Trinity Lakes—her a short distance away, him across the world. Neither one wants to leave the other, nor do they want to leave the charming town itself. Can they lean on God and trust that He will hold onto them no matter how far they go?

A second chance, opposites attract, small town Contemporary Christian romance.

Find No Matter How Far online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

7 August 2023

Book Review | Where Our Hearts Lie (Trinity Lakes #6) by Jenny Glazebrook

Where Our Hearts Lie is the sixth novel in the Trinity Lakes Romance series, and it’s my favourite so far—I inhaled the entire story in one sitting.

Hallie is an easy character to like, and many readers will relate to her.

She grew up as “the genius missionary kid”, and has never felt like she fit in. The older I get, the more I realise I even the teens in the “cool crowd” sometimes felt like they didn’t fit in. I could relate to Hallie and I’m sure many other readers will as well.

Josh is a little harder to relate to.

He suffered a head injury which left him unable to read. As a reader, that’s something I’m happy I can’t relate to, but which I can sympathise with. Even if I wasn’t a keen reader, I would sympathise, because the ability to read is so central to modern life.

Josh, understandably, tries to hide his disability. He works a minimum wage job in a grocery store, which means a lot of people look down on him because they think he should be doing something better (like being a preacher, like his father). But Josh is hiding other secrets that remind us that God measures using a different standard to man (or woman).

A bad relationship causes Hallie to lose trust in herself, in her judgement, and in men in general. She wants openness and honesty in relationships, not secrets. That, of course, puts her on a collision course with Josh and his secrets. But Hallie has secrets of her own …

I loved the way Jenny Glazebrook has combined two hurting characters and brought them together into the Biblical threefold cord.

Where Our Hearts Lie reminds us that God needs to be at the centre of our relationships, and that all things are possible with Him in charge.

Recommended for fans of small-town contemporary Christian romance with a strong Christian message.

About Where Our Hearts Lie

Can two hurting hearts find where they belong?

Hallie Hollaway is the daughter of missionaries and a child prodigy who desperately wants to fit in. When her first meeting with an internet boyfriend goes horribly wrong, she escapes to her childhood home of Trinity Lakes. The only place she has ever felt safe and loved.

Josh Ladan is the pastor’s kid who once dreamed of following in his father’s footsteps. Until one tragic summer in Australia changed everything. Now Hallie, his clever childhood friend, is back in Trinity Lakes. Josh is closely guarding a secret that he fears will disappoint Hallie, but he is determined to prove himself to her.

Hallie is drawn to Josh, but holds herself back, believing she is unworthy of love. Can Hallie and Josh allow God to work in their hearts and lives to restore trust and hope for a future together?

Find Where Our Hearts Lie online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

About Jenny Glazebrook

Jenny Glazebrook is an Australian author of inspirational Christian fiction for young adults. She and her husband Rob have four children and live in the country town of Gundagai with their many pets.

Jenny had a difficult childhood struggling with medical issues (including a cleft lip and palate and type 1 diabetes) and she came to a point of complete brokenness when she was 13. It was at this point God reached in, showed His love for her through Jesus, and gave her a reason to live. Jenny is now passionate about helping people understand what it means to have a deep and real relationship with God and sees writing fiction as an enjoyable way to show others how to live with joy and purpose in this broken world.

Several of Jenny’s novels have been finalists in the CALEB awards for faith inspired writing.

Find Jenny Glazebrook online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram

28 July 2023

First Line Friday #296 | Where Our Hearts Lie by Jenny Glazebrook

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. The sixth book in the Trinity Lakes Romance series released this week, so that’s what I’m reading and sharing: Where Our Hearts Lie by Jenny Glazebrook. I think this is my favourite book of the series so far.

Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Where Our Hearts Lie

Can two hurting hearts find where they belong?

Hallie is drawn to Josh, but holds herself back, believing she is unworthy of love. Can Hallie and Josh allow God to work in their hearts and lives to restore trust and hope for a future together?

Find Where Our Hearts Lie online at:

Amazon | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

26 June 2023

Book Review | Love Somebody Like You (Trinity Lakes 5) by Carolyn Miller

Lexi Franklin has returned to Trinity Lakes after an incident on the job in Australia. She needs somewhere to rest and recover, but still wants to be able to make herself useful. So when she realises she can use her nursing skills to help a local family, she’s only too happy to offer.

Jackson Reilly runs the family ranch outside Trinity Lakes with help from his sister—who would rather not be stuck on the ranch—and his mother, who has health issues. He also has a stud bull who’s not doing his job, and a black hole in the ranch finances, and no idea how to fix any of his problems.

As with Carolyn Miller’s other novels (both historical and contemporary), Love Somebody Like You has great characters, strong writing, and a solid faith thread.

Love Somebody Like You is the fifth book in the Trinity Lakes Romances series (following mine!), but it can easily be read as a standalone. In fact, I think it was the first book in the series I read. It also involves characters from some of Carolyn Miller’s other series, but you don’t need to have read them either (although a couple of Reilly brothers do make a cameo appearance, which fans will appreciate).

Recommended for fans of contemporary Christian romance who like a solid faith element and characters overcoming true-to-life problems.

About Carolyn Miller

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia. She is married, with four gorgeous children, who all love to read (and write!).

A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. Her favourite authors are classics like Jane Austen (of course!), Georgette Heyer, and Agatha Christie, but she also enjoys contemporary authors like Susan May Warren and Becky Wade.

Her stories are fun and witty, yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus ‘true love’, and other challenges we all face at different times.

Find Carolyn Miller online at:

Website | Facebook | Goodreads| Pinterest | Twitter

About Love Somebody Like You

For Lexi Franklin, returning to Trinity Lakes feels a little like running home with her tail between her legs.

But what’s a girl to do, when her life has been turned upside down on the other side of the world? She needs a place to regain hope and healing – just didn’t count on meeting a cowboy whose own battered heart might need nursing back to health too.

Jackson Reilly has his own set of troubles, between caring for his ranch, his mom, and the black hole of finances. So when a pretty redhead with a sassy tongue offers some distraction – and a potential solution to one of his most pressing concerns – he’s not going to say no.

But as they spend time together, questions soon rise about their future, and whether faith can truly win over fears. Will Jackson be able to save his ranch, and his hopes and heart, before Lexi returns to Australia?

An opposites attract, small town contemporary Christian romance. Book five of the Trinity Lakes Romance series (can be read as a standalone). Visit Trinity Lakes and meet the fun and quirky characters who value family, faith, and happily-ever-after.

Find Love Somebody Like You online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

31 May 2023

Introducing … Always By My Side by Iola Goulton

My debut novel is now on sale!

I tend not to share my own writing journey on this website (an error I do need to rectify). Yes, I have been writing. Yes, I have completed a novel. Yes, that novel was published on 30 May 2023.

If you want to make sure you don’t miss out on my book news, subscribe to my newsletter>>

If you pre-ordered from Amazon, thank you so much for supporting me! The story should now be on your Kindle … so happy reading!

If you do read Always By My Side, please consider leaving a review on your favourite online retailer—reviews help other readers discover stories they will love.

And if you have read Always By My Side, please leave a comment and let me know your favourite scene or line. I love sharing my favourite lines from the novels I read, and I would like to share your favourite lines from my novel.

Here’s more about the book:

Always By My Side

A hardworking introvert meets a handsome adventurer longing to settle down.

Tabitha Thomas longs to leave Trinity Lakes and travel the world in honor of the beloved grandmother who raised her and her siblings. But she’s needed at home—she’s the responsible triplet, the one who stayed home to run the family inn while her brother and sister left to live their dreams.

Kiwi Logan Wylde doesn’t call any place home. When an injury frustrates his travel plans, he accepts an invitation to return to Trinity Lakes and recuperate at the Lakeview Inn, where he hopes to rediscover his purpose in life.

When Tabby and Logan find a property deed while cleaning out Gran’s rooms, Tabby embraces a new challenge—to solve the mystery of the floodplain and renovate the old boatshed. Working with Logan reignites long-suppressed feelings, but will their differences drive them apart?

An opposites-attract, friends-to-more, small town contemporary Christian romance.

Welcome to Trinity Lakes, a warm and welcoming small town in east Washington, filled with charm, family, and friends, where fresh starts, second chances, and romance abound. You’ll meet swoony bachelors, cowboys, and adventurers, sweet and sassy ladies, and your new best friends. This series of standalone Christian romances will warm your heart, inspire your faith, and bring a smile to your soul.

Always By My Side is on sale for 99 cents wherever ebooks are sold for one week only.

Then the price will go up to 3.99, and it will be available to borrow free for members of Kindle Unlimited.

Amazon | Other ebook stores (until 8 June)

26 May 2023

First Line Friday #287 | Always By My Side by Iola Goulton

It’s First Line Friday! That means it’s time to pick up the nearest book and quote the first line. Today I’m doing the final proofread of my debut novel, which releases next Tuesday (Yay! Whew!). The upload deadline is tonight … Here’s the first line from the Chapter One:

What’s the book nearest you, and what’s the first line?

About Always By My Side

A hardworking introvert meets a handsome adventurer longing to settle down.

An opposites-attract, friends-to-more, small town contemporary Christian romance.

Welcome to Trinity Lakes, a warm and welcoming small town in east Washington, filled with charm, family, and friends, where fresh starts, second chances, and romance abound. You’ll meet swoony bachelors, cowboys, and adventurers, sweet and sassy ladies, and your new best friends. This series of standalone Christian romances will warm your heart, inspire your faith, and bring a smile to your soul.

Find Always By My Side online at:

Amazon | Books2Read | Goodreads

Click here to check out what my fabulous fellow FirstLineFriday bloggers are sharing today.

And you can click here to check out my previous FirstLineFriday posts.

Share your first line in the comments, and happy reading!

Don’t forget to click here to check out my Amazon shop for my top picks in Christian fiction!

1 May 2023

Book Review | I’ll Always Choose You (Trinity Lakes #3) by Lisa Renee

Leah Thompson has spent the last two years building her business, Trinity Organics. She’s fallen for Justin Perry, the town’s one-time bad boy (literally). But her father, the local sheriff, hasn’t forgotten Justin’s past, and won’t allow Leah to date him.

Leah is torn between wanting to date Justin, and honoring her father … who she trusts, and therefore who must have a good reason for wanting to keep them apart. The sheriff suggests Leah date other guys, no doubt hoping that will distract her from Justin.

Justin is serious about dating Leah, so comes up with a foolproof plan.

(Yes, well all know what happens with foolproof plans.)

Justin decides Leah should date someone who is even less suitable than Justin. Leah should start a fake relationship with Marcus, the tattooed Australian chef working at Trinity Lakes Summer Camp.

Everything goes as predicted … which provides lots of fun for the reader (and a lot less fun for Leah and Justin). there are plenty of fun moments, embarrassing moments, and a few misunderstandings in the path of true love.

What makes I’ll Always Choose You different from most romances is that we don’t see Leah and Justin meet or their initial attraction – they’re well on the way to love before the story even begins. But, predictably, the path of true love does not run smooth, and that’s what I’ll Always Choose You focusses on.

It’s a fun, quick read, recommended for fans of contemporary Christian romance.

About Lisa Renee

Lisa Ren’ee is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Omega Writers, Australia.

Lisa adores babies enough to have seven of her own. Recently, Lisa has taken up breeding Ragdoll cats instead of breeding humans.

The tribe lives in Australia, where Lisa and her husband enjoy their writing projects and publishing.

Find Lisa Renee online at:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

About I’ll Always Choose You

Leah Thompson is the Sheriff’s daughter of Trinity Lakes, Washington state. No one is good enough for his baby girl. At twenty-four, she should be able to choose who she wants to date, but her dad holds Justin’s past against him.

Justin has loved Leah for years, the woman where no guy has been brave enough to pursue. Who would want the grumpy sheriff as their future father-in-law? No one is that crazy. Except Justin is crazy in love and willing to do anything to win Leah’s heart, even to set her up on a fake date with his neck-tattooed mate from Australia. Surely the sheriff will see Justin is the better choice for his daughter. Until the fake love triangle goes terribly wrong.

A forbidden love, love triangle, small town contemporary Christian romance.

Visit Trinity Lakes and meet the fun and quirky characters who value family, faith, and happily-ever-after.

Find I’ll Always Choose You online at:

Amazon | BookBub | Goodreads