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Alaskan Grooms #3
A Match Made In Alaska
A Small-Town Rescue
Librarian Annie Murray hoped participating in Love, Alaska's "Operation Love" would lead to finding a rugged bachelor to call her own. But as her flight crash lands before reaching herdestination, she finds herself alone with her pilot, Declan O'Rourke.Annie's met charmers like Declan before--now she wants a man ofsubstance. Forced to survive with him in the snowy wilderness, Anniediscovers Declan's depth--and he begins to see the shy librarian's heart of gold. But once back in town, outside sources threaten their bond.It'll take all the bravery they had in the wild for Annie and Declan tofind love in small-town Alaska.
Librarian Annie Murray hoped participating in Love, Alaska's "Operation Love" would lead to finding a rugged bachelor to call her own. But as her flight crash lands before reaching herdestination, she finds herself alone with her pilot, Declan O'Rourke.Annie's met charmers like Declan before--now she wants a man ofsubstance. Forced to survive with him in the snowy wilderness, Anniediscovers Declan's depth--and he begins to see the shy librarian's heart of gold. But once back in town, outside sources threaten their bond.It'll take all the bravery they had in the wild for Annie and Declan tofind love in small-town Alaska.
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2016
40 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Belle Calhoune
95 books434 followersBelle Calhoune writes heartwarming, inspirational romance novels set in small, cozy towns. Married to her college sweetheart and living in southern Connecticut, she is the mother of two girls. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she is one of five children. Growing up across the street from a public library allowed her to become an avid reader who aspired to be a romance writer. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, spending time in Cape Cod, traveling and enjoying time with friends and family.
Belle hopes her books will provide readers with inspiration, entertainment and an escape from day to day life.
Belle hopes her books will provide readers with inspiration, entertainment and an escape from day to day life.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 11, 2016
The lovely cover did me in at first glance then as I flipped the back to read the preview, cannot help that I have to buy this book and start reading immediately.
Instantly I fell in love with Annie, from the moment she met Declan with her funny pyjamas on her way to Love, Alaska, then her perseverance and determination that she was not scared despite the crash and survived together with Declan in the middle of the woods. I never camped in the woods, but the author did wrote the part seems become fun yet scary.
And love how the author shaped Annie's character as the librarian, since I love being in a library beside a bookstore, leave me in either places and I am a happy girl...
And how the author described Love, Alaska makes me want to see Alaska, now has been added to my bucket list of travel destinations.
And then how Declan fall for Annie was so sweet yet at first mad at him after finding out that he was against the library in the first place, until he met Annie.
What a delight to read the book indeed.
Instantly I fell in love with Annie, from the moment she met Declan with her funny pyjamas on her way to Love, Alaska, then her perseverance and determination that she was not scared despite the crash and survived together with Declan in the middle of the woods. I never camped in the woods, but the author did wrote the part seems become fun yet scary.
And love how the author shaped Annie's character as the librarian, since I love being in a library beside a bookstore, leave me in either places and I am a happy girl...
And how the author described Love, Alaska makes me want to see Alaska, now has been added to my bucket list of travel destinations.
And then how Declan fall for Annie was so sweet yet at first mad at him after finding out that he was against the library in the first place, until he met Annie.
What a delight to read the book indeed.
June 23, 2016
Love a good family series and this one certainly fits the bill. And the whole modern-day mail-order bride twist is so much fun. Annie is on the adventure of her life -- a librarian with spunk. Sqqueealll...yes, I said librarian. Does anyone else swoon when library personnel take front and centre in a story? No? It's just me? Must be an occupation hazard. Well, anyway, I adore the librarian angle. And the fact that Annie's self-sufficiency comes from the pages of books. That girl knows how to do her research and it comes in handy a time or two.
Declan is definitely an opposites attract kind of hero. He loves women and he loves to flirt and sass them but he's not too keen on settling down...ever. But Annie was raised by her grandmother and longs to for the security of a warm and loving two parent family. She's looking for adventure and romance and Declan's just the man to give her both...maybe.
Love, laughter and faith combine to make this a heartwarming read.
Declan is definitely an opposites attract kind of hero. He loves women and he loves to flirt and sass them but he's not too keen on settling down...ever. But Annie was raised by her grandmother and longs to for the security of a warm and loving two parent family. She's looking for adventure and romance and Declan's just the man to give her both...maybe.
Love, laughter and faith combine to make this a heartwarming read.
December 17, 2022
I am loving everything about this series! The setting is fantastic, I adore the characters that make up the town and the storylines are lovely. This latest installment in the series thrilled my bookish loving heart. I really liked Annie-she and I share a love of books, so I really identified with her. I also loved the mystery aspect in the story. A great read for me!
September 22, 2022
This is the 2nd book I read by Belle Calhoune. I loved ❤️ this book's storyline. I loved ❤️ the Christian ✝️ theme in this story. I loved ❤️ Annie's character. I loved ❤️ Declan's character. I loved ❤️ the ending. Awesome job Ms. Calhoune.
July 5, 2016
A Match Made In Alaska a "Alaskan Grooms #3" by Belle Calhoune. Love Alaska is mainly men. Women are going there for "Operation Love", to find a husband. Librarian Annie Murray is moving to Love after her grandmother passes away. Her grandmother grew up in Love and left there when she got pregnant. Pilot Declan O'Rourke owns a small seaplane. He takes Annie from Anchorage airport to Love, It's a two hour trip. On the way they have plane problems. Declan has to land in the forest. After they get out of the plan it blows up. After that Declan is afraid to fly again. They find out it wasn't his fault. A bird had got in the engine. Annie is trying to find out who her grandfather is in Love. In the end we find out. A very good read. Very touching.
November 19, 2016
I loved this latest book about the Alaskan Grooms.
The storyline will have you guessing at the ending.
I loved how Anne found a place to call home.
Bring on the next story in the series.
The author gifted me a copy of the book but I review was not required.
My opinions are my own
The storyline will have you guessing at the ending.
I loved how Anne found a place to call home.
Bring on the next story in the series.
The author gifted me a copy of the book but I review was not required.
My opinions are my own
February 25, 2024
My mom recently read 15 books, and recommended this one to me as the best of the bunch, and so I read it after her.
I liked that Annie, the main character, is a librarian, and that her book knowledge translated well to survival knowledge.
I also enjoyed the descriptions of Declan's love of flying.
Plus, the survival story itself, after the plane crash, drew me in, and I am giving this book 4 stars. It was a fun read.
At one point in the book, Annie felt that Declan understood her unspoken thoughts perfectly, not just in that moment, but as a general statement. After only a couple of weeks (2 or 3 maybe?), I find that highly unlikely.
Also, it felt like bad advice, to me, that Declan urged Annie to proclaim her search for her unknown grandfather (who hadn't married her grandmother) publicly on stage, and accuse someone, who may or may not have wanted this to be public knowledge in front of the whole town. That mingled the search for truth with other social motives for him - embarrassment, possible relationship fall-out, etc - that might make it less likely for him to answer honestly. It also cast unnecessary shadow on his integrity in his current relationship with his wife. She, however, seemed to implicitly trust him.
I wouldn't have minded if Annie had been more open about her relationship to her grandma, and perhaps even her search for her grandpa, if it hadn't been done on a stage.
Besides which, as an introvert, I found the public stage for her search unnerving, even if I wouldn't have minded everyone knowing about the ancient-history relationship.
The author and characters kept referring to various characters as "eye candy," which, to me, felt demeaning, almost derogatory. The author did point out other positive character traits, so I don't think she wanted to minimize other aspects, but it seemed to me that the repetition of the "eye candy" theme made it a central focus, rather than deeper, soul-level character. That felt shallow to me.
I have friend who consistently points out in her reviews when a romance moves too quickly to marriage, when the characters don't really know each other yet. That would be a concern in this story, too. We know that the characters survived a crisis together, but we don't know if they have common interests or how well they relate in the more mundane, day-to-day aspects of life.
And finally, although this is Christian romance, we have no idea what the characters actually believe. There is no mention of Jesus, only of God. So they might be Deists, as opposed to Christians. We don't know. It might be more accurate to describe this as "wholesome romance" on the level of Hallmark movies rather than "Christian romance." Deists believe in God, but don't believe Jesus is divine, or that He died to save us from sins.
In fact, the characters do mention a missing hole in their hearts, but instead of filling it with God, they try to fill it with each other. It reminded me of the famous Blaise Pascal quote, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” So, the characters mentioning the hole was a perfect set up for that discussion, but they never "went there."
I liked that Annie, the main character, is a librarian, and that her book knowledge translated well to survival knowledge.
I also enjoyed the descriptions of Declan's love of flying.
Plus, the survival story itself, after the plane crash, drew me in, and I am giving this book 4 stars. It was a fun read.
At one point in the book, Annie felt that Declan understood her unspoken thoughts perfectly, not just in that moment, but as a general statement. After only a couple of weeks (2 or 3 maybe?), I find that highly unlikely.
Also, it felt like bad advice, to me, that Declan urged Annie to proclaim her search for her unknown grandfather (who hadn't married her grandmother) publicly on stage, and accuse someone, who may or may not have wanted this to be public knowledge in front of the whole town. That mingled the search for truth with other social motives for him - embarrassment, possible relationship fall-out, etc - that might make it less likely for him to answer honestly. It also cast unnecessary shadow on his integrity in his current relationship with his wife. She, however, seemed to implicitly trust him.
I wouldn't have minded if Annie had been more open about her relationship to her grandma, and perhaps even her search for her grandpa, if it hadn't been done on a stage.
Besides which, as an introvert, I found the public stage for her search unnerving, even if I wouldn't have minded everyone knowing about the ancient-history relationship.
The author and characters kept referring to various characters as "eye candy," which, to me, felt demeaning, almost derogatory. The author did point out other positive character traits, so I don't think she wanted to minimize other aspects, but it seemed to me that the repetition of the "eye candy" theme made it a central focus, rather than deeper, soul-level character. That felt shallow to me.
I have friend who consistently points out in her reviews when a romance moves too quickly to marriage, when the characters don't really know each other yet. That would be a concern in this story, too. We know that the characters survived a crisis together, but we don't know if they have common interests or how well they relate in the more mundane, day-to-day aspects of life.
And finally, although this is Christian romance, we have no idea what the characters actually believe. There is no mention of Jesus, only of God. So they might be Deists, as opposed to Christians. We don't know. It might be more accurate to describe this as "wholesome romance" on the level of Hallmark movies rather than "Christian romance." Deists believe in God, but don't believe Jesus is divine, or that He died to save us from sins.
In fact, the characters do mention a missing hole in their hearts, but instead of filling it with God, they try to fill it with each other. It reminded me of the famous Blaise Pascal quote, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” So, the characters mentioning the hole was a perfect set up for that discussion, but they never "went there."
September 16, 2022
A friend (MH) sent me this book in a box of books. It's rare that I give a Love Inspired Book more than 3 stars. Pretty much, when you pick up a Love Inspired book, you know that the featured couple are going to get together by the end of the book (whether it be serious dating, engagement, or a wedding/marriage). There's only so many stories you can tell around that plot.
I have read other books in this subseries (Alaskan Grooms) or that are set in Love, Alaska.
I liked both main characters in this book. Annie loves books and believes they are a great tool for learning and for having "adventures". I like her vintage style. What I don't like about Annie: her hidden agenda to find her family (I'm not sure why she just couldn't tell people after she had arrived that she was related to Aurelia Alice Murray and see what came of it.), her tendency to "fly off the handle" at some of Declan's omissions and the way he presents things to her.
Declan has flaws, but for all of that, he is a likable character. I understand his fears about piloting after a crash (though I do think he took a bit too long before someone forced him to fly again--then again, I don't know if the FAA policy forbid him to pilot until their investigation was completed. Declan does seem to have loyalty to those he loves and feels accepted by (The Prescott family) though his own brother (Finn) doesn't always seem to get the same consideration.
Both Annie and Declan have been hurt by life in the past so some of their dithering is understandable, but that same issue is very common in romance stories and gets old to read after a while. Sometimes I just want to shake the characters and tell them to talk honestly with one another and clear up the misconceptions between them.
I did feel sorry for Dwight and I do hope he eventually gets his own story. Annie's advice to be himself is probably good advice. I suspect Declan's brother Finn and the town doctor Liam will eventually get their own stories in this series too.
I have read other books in this subseries (Alaskan Grooms) or that are set in Love, Alaska.
I liked both main characters in this book. Annie loves books and believes they are a great tool for learning and for having "adventures". I like her vintage style. What I don't like about Annie: her hidden agenda to find her family (I'm not sure why she just couldn't tell people after she had arrived that she was related to Aurelia Alice Murray and see what came of it.), her tendency to "fly off the handle" at some of Declan's omissions and the way he presents things to her.
Declan has flaws, but for all of that, he is a likable character. I understand his fears about piloting after a crash (though I do think he took a bit too long before someone forced him to fly again--then again, I don't know if the FAA policy forbid him to pilot until their investigation was completed. Declan does seem to have loyalty to those he loves and feels accepted by (The Prescott family) though his own brother (Finn) doesn't always seem to get the same consideration.
Both Annie and Declan have been hurt by life in the past so some of their dithering is understandable, but that same issue is very common in romance stories and gets old to read after a while. Sometimes I just want to shake the characters and tell them to talk honestly with one another and clear up the misconceptions between them.
I did feel sorry for Dwight and I do hope he eventually gets his own story. Annie's advice to be himself is probably good advice. I suspect Declan's brother Finn and the town doctor Liam will eventually get their own stories in this series too.
October 5, 2017
A Match Made in Alaska: Alaskan Grooms Book 3 is by Belle Calhoune. Once more, Belle had captured the essence of Alaska in her story. The town of Love, Alaska comes alive as does the majestic beauty of the surrounding countryside. The romance of her book comes through from the first. Although it is predictable, it is still different enough to keep your interest. Through tears, I read the book in one short sitting as it tugged at my emotions.
Annie Murray was coming to Love, Alaska from Whimsy, Maine to become the librarian at the Free Library of Love. She was also coming to find love in the form of a husband through the Operation Love project started by Mayor Jasper Prescott. Annie wanted to make a difference in the lives of people through the use of books. Annie also had another reason to come to Love. Her beloved Gram who raised her had been born in Love and when she left Love, she was carrying Annie’s mother. Annie was determined to find some family in Love.
Declan O’Rourke was the owner and a pilot for O’Rourke Charters of Love, Alaska. He was a confirmed bachelor who enjoyed the attention of the many ladies who came to Love for the Operation Love project. However, he didn’t intend to marry any of them. He was carrying too much baggage from his childhood to see himself as a family man. He was a superb pilot and it was quite unusual for him to have any problems while flying much less to have to make a crash landing. Now that his plane, Lucy, was destroyed, he was at his wits ends as to how his business would survive. He did count among his luck that if he had to crash land with anyone, he was glad it was with Annie.
Could their attraction to each other be due to the crash or was it real? Could it endure the many problems that had to be solved? Could Declan help her find her past even if it destroyed the family who took him in after his own was destroyed?
Annie Murray was coming to Love, Alaska from Whimsy, Maine to become the librarian at the Free Library of Love. She was also coming to find love in the form of a husband through the Operation Love project started by Mayor Jasper Prescott. Annie wanted to make a difference in the lives of people through the use of books. Annie also had another reason to come to Love. Her beloved Gram who raised her had been born in Love and when she left Love, she was carrying Annie’s mother. Annie was determined to find some family in Love.
Declan O’Rourke was the owner and a pilot for O’Rourke Charters of Love, Alaska. He was a confirmed bachelor who enjoyed the attention of the many ladies who came to Love for the Operation Love project. However, he didn’t intend to marry any of them. He was carrying too much baggage from his childhood to see himself as a family man. He was a superb pilot and it was quite unusual for him to have any problems while flying much less to have to make a crash landing. Now that his plane, Lucy, was destroyed, he was at his wits ends as to how his business would survive. He did count among his luck that if he had to crash land with anyone, he was glad it was with Annie.
Could their attraction to each other be due to the crash or was it real? Could it endure the many problems that had to be solved? Could Declan help her find her past even if it destroyed the family who took him in after his own was destroyed?
February 27, 2018
Love, Alaska is trying to get more economy in town by having a matchmaking program called "Operation Love" for all of their single men. Women across the USA are finding there way here. Annie Murray is a librarian that is coming to find love, help the new library, and, hopefully find the secrets of her past. However, things don't go quiet as she plans when the plane crashes in the middle of nowhere.
I really enjoyed this book, and being a library worker myself, enjoyed that aspect. Annie is a smart character with great wit, and the pilot Declan O'Rourke is an interesting character as well. I liked the fact that both of them had things in their family history that they didn't want to repeat so they closed themselves off to love.
Overall: A good read!
I really enjoyed this book, and being a library worker myself, enjoyed that aspect. Annie is a smart character with great wit, and the pilot Declan O'Rourke is an interesting character as well. I liked the fact that both of them had things in their family history that they didn't want to repeat so they closed themselves off to love.
Overall: A good read!
June 19, 2017
Christian romance.
August 17, 2018
Loved this story! What a great read about overcoming past, life changing event!
September 8, 2018
A sweet read.
January 5, 2020
Great story!
June 16, 2020
great book
April 11, 2023
A nice addition to this series. I enjoyed Declan's story, however the plot lines (main and sub) were a bit obvious and developed predictably.
July 7, 2016
I've been waiting for Declan's story and Belle didn't disappoint! His story was fantastic! Declan is known for being a popular ladies man around the town of Love, Alaska. However, it hides the real story of his past. It was great to get to know his past and find the man within. When the story starts out with a plane crash, it grabs your attention right away! Declan has been the pilot of the charter sea planes in the all the other books in this series but in this one, his plane actually crashes - with the heroine, Annie, on board! I loved Annie too. She's going to break out of her comfort zone 100% and go from Maine to Alaska to live! She has no family since her grandma died so she's going to go to Alaska to find true love, open a library and try to find her lost family members! I enjoyed everything about this story. The characters were wonderfully written and I always love to interact, once again, characters from other books. Belle has a great way of bringing true emotions out through her characters and it's a joy to read any book she writes!
July 12, 2016
Everything about this book is delightful, from the cover to the plucky characters to the adorable small town in Alaska. I'm a sucker for matchmaking stories, and this one had a twist. Annie is moving from Maine to Love, Alaska as part of a matchmaking program and to become the town librarian. Declan is a confirmed bachelor and her pilot from Anchorage to Love. I felt like I was right in Alaska with these two, and I couldn't wait to see how these two unlikely people would overcome their obstacles. A great read!!
August 8, 2016
Declan and Annie's story is truly amazing. Both of these wonderful people have a empty spot in their hearts. The way these two help each other get over there past is remarkable. You will love all of the people in this story. God is working throughout this whole book. I had the honor to review this wonderful book for the author. This book deserves a higher rating than a five star review. You won't be able to stop reading this book.
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July 19, 2016"The author does a wonderful job of portraying the beauty of Alaska. Annie and Declan are both struggling to find their happy endings, which will be understandable for many readers" (4 stars @ RT Book Reviews).
Miniseries: Alaskan Grooms
Miniseries: Alaskan Grooms
August 18, 2016
A wholesome, sweet read about a librarian moving to Alaska to meet her distant relatives and falling in love with the pilot who crashes with her on his seaplane. Neither are hurt at all, hard to believe, but the setting and genuine warmth and wit make this story a fun gem.
January 11, 2024
Declan picked my interest in previous books and I wondered what kind of woman would see through him and break the barriers he had built throughout the years. And now Love, Alaska, has a librarian and a better than ever pilot.
Read
July 1, 2016received 4 stars @ RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Alaskan Grooms
Miniseries: Alaskan Grooms
July 27, 2016
This was a cute story. It was a bit predictable. I look forward to the next book in the series.
July 9, 2016
This is a sweet story with a little adventure plus the main character is a librarian.
July 13, 2016
Loved it. Can't wait for more Love, Alaska books.
October 9, 2016
OH how I LOVED this book!!!! I cheered at the end!!! It was funny & sweet & touching too. It was a lovely little Hallmark movie lol. I can't wait to get more books by this author!
March 21, 2018
This was a sweet, clean, easy to read Christian romance with a plane crash, a family genealogy mystery, and the beauty of Alaska mixed in. It was an enjoyable book; I wish it had been a little longer.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews