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Playing by Heart #1-2
Playing for Keeps
Playing for Keeps is the brand-new sequel to Playing by Heart.This new collection contains both of these charming novellas in one volume.
In Playing by Heart, young English professor Arthur Tyler struggles to manage the bed and breakfast he and his wife, Annie, owned before her untimely death. Lonely, he jumps at the chance to offer temporary office space at the inn for the new neighbor of his elderly friend Ginny. It turns out Madeleine Houser is a successful author whose novels Annie had read voraciously. Since Art is always teaching when Maddie is writing at the inn, they’ve never met, but learn to know each other through daily notes and text messages. A major misunderstanding takes a decidedly romantic turn when Art and Maddie finally meet and discover each other’s true identity. Even so, there are obstacles to overcome before their romance can blossom.
The love story of Art and Maddie continues in Playing for Keeps. But their fledgling marriage faces challenges when expectations collide. Now, newlyweds Art and Maddie are struggling to find their way together. When Maddie is offered a chance to take a research trip to Paris, it appears a short separation might help them both figure out what happily-ever-after looks like for them. Yet even the beautiful City of Lights is lonely without the man she loves with all her heart, and with five thousand miles separating them, how can they ever work things out when different time zones and frenzied schedules conspire to keep them incommunicado?
Playing by Heart, a Carol Award winner and Christy Award finalist, was originally published in 2004. In 2014 the story was revised and published as A January Bride, part of the Winter Brides collection. Now, two decades later in 2024, Raney Day Press is delighted to offer Playing for Keeps, the all new sequel to Playing by Heart, both collected in this two-novella volume.
In Playing by Heart, young English professor Arthur Tyler struggles to manage the bed and breakfast he and his wife, Annie, owned before her untimely death. Lonely, he jumps at the chance to offer temporary office space at the inn for the new neighbor of his elderly friend Ginny. It turns out Madeleine Houser is a successful author whose novels Annie had read voraciously. Since Art is always teaching when Maddie is writing at the inn, they’ve never met, but learn to know each other through daily notes and text messages. A major misunderstanding takes a decidedly romantic turn when Art and Maddie finally meet and discover each other’s true identity. Even so, there are obstacles to overcome before their romance can blossom.
The love story of Art and Maddie continues in Playing for Keeps. But their fledgling marriage faces challenges when expectations collide. Now, newlyweds Art and Maddie are struggling to find their way together. When Maddie is offered a chance to take a research trip to Paris, it appears a short separation might help them both figure out what happily-ever-after looks like for them. Yet even the beautiful City of Lights is lonely without the man she loves with all her heart, and with five thousand miles separating them, how can they ever work things out when different time zones and frenzied schedules conspire to keep them incommunicado?
Playing by Heart, a Carol Award winner and Christy Award finalist, was originally published in 2004. In 2014 the story was revised and published as A January Bride, part of the Winter Brides collection. Now, two decades later in 2024, Raney Day Press is delighted to offer Playing for Keeps, the all new sequel to Playing by Heart, both collected in this two-novella volume.
232 pages, Paperback
Published March 8, 2024
143 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Raney
76 books699 followersDEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Twenty-five years, forty-plus books, and numerous awards later, she's still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. Her novels have won RWA's RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is a recent Missouri transplant, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard. Visit Deb on the Web at www.deborahraney.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 5, 2025
I barely remember Playing by Heart--it's been a few years. Ahem. LOL. So picking it up and reading it like this felt like maybe reading the second book before the first. But it worked out well. Raney did a fabulous job of giving us everything we need in the second book so we wouldn't feel lost if we hadn't read (or didn't remember) the first.
I kind of agreed with Art that Maddie was being a bit ridiculous in her overreaction to the party situation (at the beginning of the book) BUT... I do understand her irritation. Had she not pouted and put words in his mouth, I could've supported her in her frustration. But she was a bit juvenile.
That said, this is partly what the book is about--two people with different life experiences and expectations having to learn to navigate as one. I mean, that's kind of the definition of marriage.
So the story was lovely, there was a great reminder that we need to work through things, and it ended well. Lessons for all (including me). Nothing earth-shattering, but does every book NEED to be? I don't think so. I'm grateful for authors who write "everyday" stories that kind of feel like a favorite t-shirt--super comfy and easy to wear. Um, read.
I kind of agreed with Art that Maddie was being a bit ridiculous in her overreaction to the party situation (at the beginning of the book) BUT... I do understand her irritation. Had she not pouted and put words in his mouth, I could've supported her in her frustration. But she was a bit juvenile.
That said, this is partly what the book is about--two people with different life experiences and expectations having to learn to navigate as one. I mean, that's kind of the definition of marriage.
So the story was lovely, there was a great reminder that we need to work through things, and it ended well. Lessons for all (including me). Nothing earth-shattering, but does every book NEED to be? I don't think so. I'm grateful for authors who write "everyday" stories that kind of feel like a favorite t-shirt--super comfy and easy to wear. Um, read.
March 20, 2025
A Charming Read
Playing for Keeps contains a complete story on these two novellas. Maddie and Art are a wonderful couple who meet in such a cute way. I recommend this book.
Playing for Keeps contains a complete story on these two novellas. Maddie and Art are a wonderful couple who meet in such a cute way. I recommend this book.
July 14, 2024
My momma does it again (yes my mom is an author, and yea it’s as cool as it sounds)! I got to edit this one for her and it was such a delightful read! The sweetest little novella that shows the power of fighting for your marriage, good communication, and loving your spouse for who God made them to be! Sweetest ending!
April 1, 2024
I enjoyed both of these novellas. Besides great human characters, there's a wonderful cat! The second novella is especially good in portraying how to reconcile when husband and wife run into differences. There's also a trip to Paris!
January 23, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed the two novellas in this collection! I especially loved the sweet storyline in the first book, Playing by Heart. It was so fun watching the hero and heroine write notes back and forth, not knowing anything about one other and assuming the other's age (incorrectly).
The second story, Playing for Keeps, was fun too, except the couple wasn't as sweet to each other as they were in the first book. A majority of this book was set in Paris, which was a cool reminder of my and my husband's trip there in 2008.
If you love happily-ever-after romance with a spiritual thread, I highly recommend you give this a read!
The second story, Playing for Keeps, was fun too, except the couple wasn't as sweet to each other as they were in the first book. A majority of this book was set in Paris, which was a cool reminder of my and my husband's trip there in 2008.
If you love happily-ever-after romance with a spiritual thread, I highly recommend you give this a read!
February 24, 2026
Two novellas in one book. A sweet story about a widower and an author who meet and work through the challenges of a new love against a previous love and the hurdles that come with it. A bit predictable but I liked the realness of relationship struggles and working through them. This is a faith based story but not in a preachy way.
August 7, 2025
This is such a sweet, sweet story.
October 28, 2024
once again Deborah has hit a homerunner
Loved the story line. The way the story flows, you feel you have made new friends. How Deborah pulls your feelings and emotions in is amazing. I love that it's wholesome but keeps you finding it hard to put down. She does all this without being smutty and I appreciate that. The only thing I don't like is when story ends, I have lost my friends.
Loved the story line. The way the story flows, you feel you have made new friends. How Deborah pulls your feelings and emotions in is amazing. I love that it's wholesome but keeps you finding it hard to put down. She does all this without being smutty and I appreciate that. The only thing I don't like is when story ends, I have lost my friends.
June 2, 2024
Playing for Keeps
The stories were really interesting. Emotions were very real in a defining way. Each, Art and Maddie, were holding back in explaining their feelings and coming to an understanding.
The stories were really interesting. Emotions were very real in a defining way. Each, Art and Maddie, were holding back in explaining their feelings and coming to an understanding.
February 1, 2026
she was living in ny but her sister is having her come stay at their house while they are gone. its being remodeled. but its closer to their mom who is in a care home due to her memory loss.
she is a writer with a book deadline and cant work with all the construction. the eldery neighbor found a bed and breakfast that will let her go there during the day. the husband is a english teacher and his wife used to run the b&b till she passed 2 yrs ago
they write each other notes thanking each other, her for letting her write there, him for her dusting and cleaning up. they each think each other is old. her proof reader quit and she asked if any of his students can do it, but he offered to do it , even tho he never read any of her books. his wife read them all
they met and found out they were both young. they went on a date and married a few months later.
she moved into his basement apt and they ran the b&b upstairs. she continues to write
they have a fight when she went to the first faculty party, he didnt tell her to dress up when she asked and she felt out of place. she over heard them talking badly about writers like her, and her husband didnt defend her, he laughed along with them. during their fight he called her by his dead wifes name
she got a book tour in paris, he didnt go
but their time apart made them miss each other
after she got mugged , he flew there and surprised her
when they got home she told him she thinks shes preg and they are closing the inn to raise their family
she is a writer with a book deadline and cant work with all the construction. the eldery neighbor found a bed and breakfast that will let her go there during the day. the husband is a english teacher and his wife used to run the b&b till she passed 2 yrs ago
they write each other notes thanking each other, her for letting her write there, him for her dusting and cleaning up. they each think each other is old. her proof reader quit and she asked if any of his students can do it, but he offered to do it , even tho he never read any of her books. his wife read them all
they met and found out they were both young. they went on a date and married a few months later.
she moved into his basement apt and they ran the b&b upstairs. she continues to write
they have a fight when she went to the first faculty party, he didnt tell her to dress up when she asked and she felt out of place. she over heard them talking badly about writers like her, and her husband didnt defend her, he laughed along with them. during their fight he called her by his dead wifes name
she got a book tour in paris, he didnt go
but their time apart made them miss each other
after she got mugged , he flew there and surprised her
when they got home she told him she thinks shes preg and they are closing the inn to raise their family
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2024
Another great book by Deborah. I loved the way they "met"! It was really cute the way they each thought the other was old. It did, however, give them a chance to "get to know" one another and become friends before they actually met in person. I loved both characters. It had a wonderful happily ever after in the first Novella. Oh this book contains two novellas.
The second novella starts after they are married. We all love happily ever after but this one going to their lives after marriage showed how soon the happily ever after can disappear. Part was lack of communication. They both grew spiritually and since they had vowed there would never be a divorce, they were committed to restoring their marriage. Great read.
The second novella starts after they are married. We all love happily ever after but this one going to their lives after marriage showed how soon the happily ever after can disappear. Part was lack of communication. They both grew spiritually and since they had vowed there would never be a divorce, they were committed to restoring their marriage. Great read.
March 17, 2025
Maddie ❤️ Art
Somehow this book opened to the second story first. A great read and love story. Maddie in Paris, alone and Art, lonely at home, It kept referring back to times not mentioned in this book but still made sense. With a satisfying deep breath at the end and looking forward to the next book, I opened the next book and found out it was actually the first book. Confusing but a really good story. I will come back to this book and read it correctly next time. I liked that this is actually one book that didn’t end with the wedding. 🤗
Somehow this book opened to the second story first. A great read and love story. Maddie in Paris, alone and Art, lonely at home, It kept referring back to times not mentioned in this book but still made sense. With a satisfying deep breath at the end and looking forward to the next book, I opened the next book and found out it was actually the first book. Confusing but a really good story. I will come back to this book and read it correctly next time. I liked that this is actually one book that didn’t end with the wedding. 🤗
April 9, 2025
Romantic, delightful and so very real
This boom makes me realize shy Deb Randy has beco.e my favorite author. I read about 20 novels a month and so far this year have read 33. This is the first I have submitted a review, why? Because she truly has a Gift of Prose. I'm 86 nearly 87 and have dreamed of writing but too fearful to try. Her descriptions are like a painting a masterpiece . Of course she always gives the glory to God with life lessons and good co.monsdnse. Yes I am a dedicated Fan
This boom makes me realize shy Deb Randy has beco.e my favorite author. I read about 20 novels a month and so far this year have read 33. This is the first I have submitted a review, why? Because she truly has a Gift of Prose. I'm 86 nearly 87 and have dreamed of writing but too fearful to try. Her descriptions are like a painting a masterpiece . Of course she always gives the glory to God with life lessons and good co.monsdnse. Yes I am a dedicated Fan
December 27, 2024
Pages of one word all the way down the page
Not sure if it was meant to be this way or not but most of the pages just had a word or two repeating all down the page. Only a few had the two main characters exchanging a conversation back and forth. Not sure what happened when they finally met and it appears that they started dating and possibly got married??? Would really liked to have read the complete story.
Not sure if it was meant to be this way or not but most of the pages just had a word or two repeating all down the page. Only a few had the two main characters exchanging a conversation back and forth. Not sure what happened when they finally met and it appears that they started dating and possibly got married??? Would really liked to have read the complete story.
February 26, 2026
Playing for Keeps
Playing for Keeps was excellent! I didn’t want to put it down. The emotions of newly weds captured so well and the guilt after fighting. So many moments that comes with marriage and separation still wanting your own way. The loneliness of leaving for your job and knowing that you needed space.
Many adventures and surprises occurred to make this a very enjoyable read. There is also a wonderful cat named Alex. Enjoy!
Playing for Keeps was excellent! I didn’t want to put it down. The emotions of newly weds captured so well and the guilt after fighting. So many moments that comes with marriage and separation still wanting your own way. The loneliness of leaving for your job and knowing that you needed space.
Many adventures and surprises occurred to make this a very enjoyable read. There is also a wonderful cat named Alex. Enjoy!
April 2, 2025
So sweet plus April in Paris
This book deals with delicate issues in a very interesting way. Loss of a spouse to cancer is difficult enough. Add in all the other elements of these two novellas and you have a delightful time of reading and thinking.
I've read a few books by Deborah Raney and none have disappointed.
This book deals with delicate issues in a very interesting way. Loss of a spouse to cancer is difficult enough. Add in all the other elements of these two novellas and you have a delightful time of reading and thinking.
I've read a few books by Deborah Raney and none have disappointed.
February 20, 2026
I have enjoyed every book I have read by Deborah Raney. I was glad both of Maddie and Art’s stories were included in one book. The first book was about their sweet romance and the second book focused on their struggles and their path to forgiveness. This was a delightful read. I didn’t want it to end, but I loved the ending. Thank you Deborah for a wholesome God honoring story.
March 29, 2024
Another excellent Deborah Raney book. It grabbed me and held my interest throughout both stories. A good Christian book. I was thrilled at the ending. I like that both books, Playing by Heart and Playing for Keeps were together. Thank you, Deborah Raney.
March 11, 2025
This is a lovely double novel, one following right after the other, about historic fiction writer, Maddie, and Art, an English professor who owns an inn and lets her use it during the days to write while the house she’s staying in is remodeled.
May 5, 2025
Delightful
Any relationship we form and want to flourish requires hard work, commitment, sensitivity and respect. When goals or directions are headed oppositely, understanding and compromise are needed as well. This romance about 2 more mature persons illustrates this well
Any relationship we form and want to flourish requires hard work, commitment, sensitivity and respect. When goals or directions are headed oppositely, understanding and compromise are needed as well. This romance about 2 more mature persons illustrates this well
February 5, 2026
Love a Deb Raney book
Not sure how I missed these! I love Deb Raney’s books! I actually taught with her daughter T for a few years, and my daughter babysat for 2 of T’s boys! Deb’s books are always well written and bring a message home! High praise for these two books!!
Not sure how I missed these! I love Deb Raney’s books! I actually taught with her daughter T for a few years, and my daughter babysat for 2 of T’s boys! Deb’s books are always well written and bring a message home! High praise for these two books!!
February 25, 2026
Great read
I like how we had the courtship and the marriage both. Maddie and Art had issues to work out but they did in in a Godly way. They good friends to go to for wise advice and a wonderful setting. I would recommend this story to any reader who enjoys Godle romances.
I like how we had the courtship and the marriage both. Maddie and Art had issues to work out but they did in in a Godly way. They good friends to go to for wise advice and a wonderful setting. I would recommend this story to any reader who enjoys Godle romances.
March 1, 2026
A beautiful love story.
A lovely read, mixing love and loss and forgiveness. March and Art are great characters, both with their own issues towards relationships, but finally finding out what truly matters. I see a book in there for March involving notes🙂
A lovely read, mixing love and loss and forgiveness. March and Art are great characters, both with their own issues towards relationships, but finally finding out what truly matters. I see a book in there for March involving notes🙂
March 17, 2025
Short and sweet stories in one book. I think I liked the first story best.
March 25, 2025
Heart warming
These two stories quickly caught my attention.
But more than that tugged at my heart strings.
God works out all things well
These two stories quickly caught my attention.
But more than that tugged at my heart strings.
God works out all things well
March 27, 2025
Two novellas tell one progressive story.
April 10, 2025
Wonderful story!
July 16, 2025
Delightful Read!
The characters were likeable & flawed just as we all are. Both books were very enjoyable as all of Deborah Raney's books are.
The characters were likeable & flawed just as we all are. Both books were very enjoyable as all of Deborah Raney's books are.
February 1, 2026
Please see individual stories for review.
February 3, 2026
Beautiful story
This was a good clean romance. I absolutely loved the writing style and it was a beautiful story. I look forward to reading more from Deborah Raney.
This was a good clean romance. I absolutely loved the writing style and it was a beautiful story. I look forward to reading more from Deborah Raney.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews