A January Bride, By Deborah Raney

What will happen when novelist Madeleine Houser's 'pen pal' friendship with a lonely widower takes an unexpected turn?
Who can work in a house that's overrun by contractors and carpenters? Not Madeleine Houser, a successful novelist who gladly accepts the help of her octogenarian friend, Ginny, to arrange for a temporary office in the charming bed and breakfast owned by Ginny's friend, Arthur. Maddie's never met the innkeeper---but a friendship grows between them as Maddie and Arthur leave messages for each other each day. To Maddie's alternate delight and chagrin, she seems to be falling for the inn's owner---a man who's likely many years her senior---and who she's never even met.
Arthur Tyler is a college professor who lost his young wife to cancer. Together they ran the bed and breakfast where Art lives, but without his wife, the house is missing warmth and cheer. He jumps at the chance to have author Madeleine Houser use the space that was once filled with guests. He, too, begins to enjoy the daily exchanges with Maddie, but a series of misunderstandings lead him to believe she's far from being a prospective date---even if he were ready to date again, which he's not.
When Maddie and Art finally meet and discover one another's identity, sparks fly. Even so, they each have obstacles to overcome in order for this winter romance to blossom.

In this book I thought it was really sweet how the characters met.  And being able to watch as their relationship grows from just a friendship to something more, was done extremely well.

This was another great regular old fashion sweet romance.  Art and Maddie spent the time to get to know each other.  Even after all the “tricks” were played upon them.  They still took the time to get to know each other before they moved forward with any type of relationship.

I do think Art was confusing as heck during this story and I do understand completely why Maddie was confused!  The back and forth that he was going through was just instance.  While I do understand with his past, of course he was going back and forth.  But I still felt sorry for the poor girl!!

But I am glad that he was able to screw his head on straight and was able to move past his past and head to the future. 

The one character that I completely enjoyed was Jenny.  Even though she wasn’t actually brought into the story a lot, but when she was, you could tell that she was a little old lady with that “glint” in her eye.  I think she did really well at playing the matchmaker.  I think that the author adding her to the story was a really good move.

Overall this is another great gentle romance that if you’re looking for something sweet is sure to check it out!