Covert Amish Christmas ~ Review

Covert Amish Christmas

By Mary Alford

Victoria Kauffman has spent the last year running for her life. Since her partner and unit were killed on an operation gone horribly wrong she's been trying to stay one step ahead of rogue CIA operatives whom she believes are behind everything. She just needs to find the proof-there is just one problem she has no idea what she is looking for. And worse is the guilt over the life she has led as a CIA agent, the things she has done eat at her, stealing any hope for peace. 

Aaron Shelter has been living with his guilt over his wife's death, no matter what anyone thinks he knows it is his fault she didn't seek the help she needed sooner. When he finds a woman in need of his help he isn't about to repeat the mistakes of the past. But this time offering help could get him and those he loves killed.

As Victoria, Aaron, and his family spend Christmas trying to elude ruthless killers, Victoria's only hope lies with contacting her former commander. But when you are in the heart of Amish country communication is not easily accomplished. 

If you are a fan of Amish suspense that is a clean read you will enjoy this offering from the Love Inspired Suspense brand. At times Victoria and Aaron's dwelling on their guilt can be a little much but overall this was a good read. All the action takes place in approximately a day so there is a lot crammed into this time period but that is to be expected with these books. I will admit I had a few suspicions as to who was the guilty party so don't be surprised if you aren't surprised at the reveal of the mastermind.  

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Fleeing to Amish country

might be the only way to survive Christmas…

Hiding in Amish country, former CIA agent Victoria Kauffman’s determined to find evidence to catch the corrupt agents who killed her partner. But when her Christmas refuge is discovered, the sole person she can trust is Amish widower Aaron Shetler. With ruthless—and dangerously powerful—enemies after them, Victoria must use all her training to make sure they live through the holidays.

To Read or Not to Read ~ Review

To Read or Not to Read

A Literary Journal for the Lover's Soul

From Ink & Willow

This is a lovely book that is perfect for keeping track of your reading. You may want more than one if you are a reader who reads a lot during a year. Or if you only want to track those books that you want to reread (or avoid forevermore) this is the way to go. 

To journal your books one is given two pages in which to record all the important information. On the left side, there is a column to record the pub date, your read date, your rating (1-5 books - not stars), the reason you read it (book club, friend suggestion, etc.), what it inspired you to do after reading, and to whom you recommended it. Then you can record the book title, author, genre and subject matter, notes about the book, your review of the book, and your final takeaway. And even better the table of contents allows you to record the book title so you can easily find what you are looking for at a later date.

This book is soft-covered and has a pretty blue cover that is on the green-side of blue (at least to my eyes), the lettering has a gold-hue and would look lovely on any table or shelf (unlike a lined notebook, which I have used in the past to journal my book reading). 

I also think this would be a lovely way to share your favorite books with a loved one or a close friend. Think book exchange kind of like a cookie exchange where you share recipes with friends. Overall I think no matter how you use this book, it would be a perfect gift to share (or to keep). 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

To Read or Not to Read...

How is that a question?

Keep track of the books you read, record thoughts on your favorite books, get inspired for your next read, and reflect on your literary spiritual journey with this beautifully designed journal for readers.

The perfect addition to any personal library, To Read or Not to Read encourages readers of all genres to immerse themselves in a classically illustrated reading journal complete with DIY book review pages and inspirational reading lists. To Read or Not to Read allows readers to step into the book critic role and determine which books to recommend, and which ones to skip based on their reflections throughout the journal. It includes a "How Bookish Are You?" quiz and spotlights on authors such as Flannery O'Connor and Frederick Douglass, whose published works have greatly influenced the combined spheres of faith and literature.

With additional fun facts and helpful conversation starters for literary discussions, this journal will become the signature accessory at book clubs, on nightstands, and on every book lover's shelf.

Point of Danger ~ Review

Point of Danger

Triple Threat #1 

By Irene Hannon

Eve Reilly has angered someone to a new extreme - a package at her home that is more than a little suspicious. Even worse it is the first in a string of escalating threats and attacks. Someone wants to silence her forever - it's just a question of who. 

Brent Lange is a new detective with the police department when he catches Eve Reilly's case. But each incident provides more questions than answers. And with each incident, he finds himself more determined to catch her hater before it is too late. 

This is one case that will leave you guessing as to the final outcoming. 

Those familiar with Irene Hannon's previous works of Romantic Suspense won't be surprised that there is a fair bit of romance (all clean) throughout the suspense. But overall it is a fairly good read. When you think you know where the story is going it takes an unexpected turn and you are left wondering just how you got here. This book is the first in a new series - Triple Threat - but it is not a cliffhanger so no need to worry about the story leaving you hanging. The story itself is all wrapped up within the covers of this book. If you are looking for an escape into a world, not your own this could be your means to do so. So find a comfortable corner and grab your favorite cup of tea (or coffee) and a cookie or two and enjoy. 

And there may be a character or two from Irene's previous series - after all, it takes place in St. Louis.

About the Book:

Hate mail was one thing.

This was quite another.

Radio talk show host Eve Reilly is used to backlash from her pot-stirring on-air commentary and interviews, but now it seems a disgruntled listener is resorting to more than angry words to express their displeasure. When a suspicious package arrives on her doorstep, Eve turns to law enforcement for help.

Police detective Brent Lange can't find any evidence to link the string of unsettling incidents that follow, but he's convinced they're connected. As the harassment grows more menacing, it becomes clear someone wants Eve's voice silenced--permanently.

But unless he can track down her foe, fast, the gutsy woman who is willing to take risks for what she believes--and who is swiftly winning his heart--may not survive.

Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon is back with a heart-stopping new series that will have you turning pages well into the night.

Fascinating Bible Studies on Every Parable ~ Review

Fascinating Bible Studies on Every Parable

By Dr. William H. Marty

People like stories and parables are stories. But some stories have a deeper meaning than what one might first think. Even Jesus's own disciples needed help with discovering the deeper meaning behind Jesus's words. Fascinating Bible Studies on Every Parable offers today's reader guidance in understanding the meaning of the parables of the Bible.

What I found interesting is this book doesn't just look at the New Testament parables of Jesus but also two parables from the Old Testament. Parables are and were methods used to teach important truths. But Jesus used His parables to teach about His kingdom - a kingdom that was to come. What Jesus taught was a concept that was unfamiliar to the people of His day and He needed to explain it to them in a way that they could grasp. Even today we need this explanation to help us understand the Kingdom that is to come. 

Fascinating Bible Studies on Every Parable doesn't relay the parable and then state this is what it means. Rather it explains the setting (historically) and summarizes the parable. Then there is a section that helps the reader to reflect on what they just read and come to their own understanding. To truly understand something one needs to work through the information on their own (or in a group) and this book offers the tools to do this. This is an excellent resource for any believer (or seeker) who is reading and studying the Bible.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

A Change of Pace for Your Bible Study

Jesus knew the power of stories to touch people's hearts, so he used parables to teach his followers about the kingdom of God. If you want to know God better, the parables are a great place to start.

This book provides short studies on every parable in the Bible. You'll learn what God wants us to know from the prodigal son, the good Samaritan, the lost sheep, the talents, the sower, and many more.

Each study includes a summary of the parable, the Scripture reference where it can be found, information on the historical and cultural setting, and key points. At the end of each study are questions that open the door to discussion, reflection, or further investigation, and help you get to the heart of the parable.

A wonderful tool for small groups or to add variety to your personal devotions. Let these studies draw you nearer to God as they enhance your understanding of his Word.

Dr. William H. Marty taught at Moody Bible Institute for thirty-seven years. His main emphasis was teaching an Old and New Testament survey to freshmen at the Chicago campus, and the fruit of his focus on teaching the storyline of the Bible was published in The Whole Bible Story. Dr. Marty has also written The World of Jesus and The Jesus Story and coauthored A Quick-Start Guide to the Whole Bible. He lives in Colorado with his wife, Linda, and is an active triathlete.

Why is That in the Bible? ~ Review

Why is That in the Bible?

By Eric J. Bargerhuff

The most perplexing verses and stories--and what they teach us

The Bible often has passages that can leave a reader scratching their head and wondering what it was all about and even at times why it is in the Bible. But sometimes the meaning of the passage is twofold. It has bearing on the participants and the time in which they lived and it has an alluded to future bearing on the world that was and is still come.

This book is in no way an exhaustive overview of what one can find perplexing but rather it deals with some of the more well-known passages of both the Old and New Testaments. For instance, Abraham's sacrifice of Issac, who would willingly take a long-desired child and offer them as a sacrifice. Yet this is what Abraham did and he did it with a belief that he would still have a son afterward. This one of those instances of present and future meaning. And then there is the story of Jesus cursing the non-bearing fig tree. Reading passage one can be confused - why curse a tree that is not bearing fruit? But there is a deeper message that if directed at those who profess belief in Christ and His salvation - words are like the leaves of the fig tree and actions are like the fruit. Without actions behind our words, we are like a fruitless leafed-out tree. 

These various examples take the reader on a journey of discovery, one that can open the eyes, mind, and heart to the greater meaning found within the Bible. One just needs the means to see deeper and this book offers one help in doing so. This book as the author offers in his conclusion is to help combat the biblical illiteracy that is growing and to help "Christians to be known as people of the Book" for without this we will never God as He intended us to. Are you ready to understand God's story more fully?

This book is one that you will want to have on hand for looking back on what you read or even to reread sections when you come across these passages in your daily Bible readings. Would make an excellent gift for those with questions about why something is in the Bible.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

The Bible Passages You've Always Wondered about--Explained

What should we make of the Bible story about a talking donkey? What about the passage in Joshua where the sun and moon stood still? Should biblical practices like women wearing head coverings still be followed today? The Bible serves as the foundation for all of Christian life, crossing time and transcending cultures, yet many passages are perplexing.

Providing fascinating historical and scriptural insights, Eric J. Bargerhuff demystifies forty Bible verses and stories. Ranging from strange accounts, such as bears mauling forty-two boys (2 Kings 2), to hard-to-accept statements, such as Jesus saying we must hate our families in order to be his disciples (Luke 14), you will learn the context of each passage and how it applies to us today. Other fascinating accounts include

· The Finger on the Wall
· "Lead Us Not into Temptation"
· Jeremiah's Linen Underwear
· "No One Knows the Day or the Hour"
· The Battle for Moses' Body
· Death at Communion

In all, this book will help you be more confident about interpreting all of God's Word accurately.

Eric J. Bargerhuff, PhD, is a professor of Bible and theology and the associate dean of academic affairs at Trinity College of Florida. He served in pastoral ministry for more than twenty years in churches in Ohio, Illinois, and Florida. He received his doctorate in biblical and systematic theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Eric's passion is to write about the interpretation and application of biblical principles for the purposes of spiritual growth and reform in the church. He and his family live in Trinity, Florida.

Rebel in the Library of Ever

Rebel in the Library of Ever

The Library of Ever #2

By Zeno Alexander

Read by Emily Lawrence

It has been nearly a year, and Lenora is finally back in the Library but nothing is as it was. The Forces of Darkness have taken over and what's worse some of the patrons approve of the changes. Books are no longer on the shelves and the truth is being hidden by the false librarians of darkness. Book of falsehoods and hate have been released to the shelves. Librarians are being fired if they don't comply with this destruction of knowledge. 

The Library's only hope is Lenora and her inner strength. She is on a mission - save the Library, find a young girl (making sure only ever tells her the truth-no matter what), find an ancient librarian named Zenodotus. All while battling the Forces. Oh, and then there is the small matter of finding the largest known number for a young patron. All in a day's work for a librarian.

I listened to this book through the audio edition and Emily Lawrence's narration is fabulous. 

I have to say I'm hoping for a third Library of Ever book, as there are sure to be more adventures and questions in Lenora's future! And be on the lookout for a suspicious Koala. 

Burden of Proof ~ Review

Burden of Proof

By Davis Bunn

Ethan's life has been a course of missed chances. Now that he has the chance to look back upon it he has regrets, regrets that have just added one upon the other. His biggest regret, his brother's murder, and the anger between them that was never resolved before Adrian was stolen out of his life forever. Now Ethan has been given a chance to undo the past, but there is a catch. Saving the past for his brother will cost Ethan his future.

Burden of Proof has an intriguing premise one that most people would most likely be at least tempted by. Do you have regrets? Is there one incident in the past that you would undo if you could? If you could stop a loved one from making a choice that would destroy their life would you? And how would this change affect the world? I have to say I really enjoy books that make one think about what if. What if I could change the decision I made that put me on a specific life path. Would I seize the opportunity or would I rather live with the regrets I know? 

I will say the first couple chapters, to me, seemed to drag as we are introduced to Ethan in his "now" life, which is for the most part is a sad reflection on a life that never reached its full potential. This reflection sets us up for the choice Ethan's sister-in-law offers him - give up his future for the chance to stop Adrian's murder. He just needs to remember as he displaces his younger self. 

The majority of this book takes place in Florida, so I really liked taking a trip back to Jacksonville, a place that I was familiar with as a kid as I lived near there. Occasionally we took a trip into the big city and this literary visit reminded me of memories that included my grandparents and my dad. But it was fun reading a book in which I was actually familiar with the locale.

Overall I really enjoyed this book especially after Ethan made his transit to the past. It was interesting to see how the characters changed due to the change that Ethan's new perspective had on how he was living. That is the one thing I like with the various works that Davis Bunn puts forth one never feels as if it is all cookie-cutter cutouts that have been redecorated but rather a whole new recipe that is never to be repeated and therefore not to be missed when the opportunity to sample it is presented. Don't miss out on this newest literary delight that has a twist of the speculative thrown into a mystery.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Just weeks before his twenty-first birthday, Ethan missed the chance to save his brother's life when he was murdered on the steps of the courthouse in Jacksonville, Florida. Ever since that fateful day, Ethan has sensed a deep disconnect between the man he should have been and the one he has become. His days play out a beat too slow, his mind replaying the scene of his failure again and again.

But when his brother's widow appears, asking for his help in uncovering what was really behind his brother's death, Ethan is stunned to hear that she and her late husband were involved in a much larger case than he knew--one that threatens the global power structure. As Ethan joins the search for answers, he will enter into his own past--and discover a means of redeeming his future.

Bestselling and award-winning author Davis Bunn invites you into a world of intrigue as a man held captive by his failure learns how to move forward with hope.

Joy to the World ~ Review

Joy to the World

A Regency Christmas Collection

By Carolyn Miller,

  Amanda Barratt,

     and Erica Vetsch

Heaven and Nature Sing

By Carolyn Miller

Edith Mansfield broke the heart of the only man she ever loved. George Bannerman could not understand why Edith broke off the understanding they had but she had. Unfortunately through the machinations of their godmother, Lady Grantley, they are to spend the holiday together as invited members of her Christmas House Party. Could this Christmas get any worse?

What follows is a series of incidents that allow these two musically included hurting people to put the past behind them. There is just one little problem the Mansfield pride could once again stand in their way. But Christmas miracles can happen and with a little nudge from Lady Grantley this year wishes just might come true.  

Far as the Curse is Found

by Amanda Barratt

Jenny Grey's life has never been an easy one and all too often she has been a cast-off and those who have offered help from her earliest memories have never refrained from reminding her of this. Caring for a child on her own with her pittance of a wage is almost impossible. And when she is in her most desperate moment help finds her in the form of a masked and cloaked stranger.

Dwight Inglewood, the Earl of Amberly, has closed off the world. Scarred by the war, he has assumed the title that his brother was to hold. But his scars aren't the worst of it, he has to live with the guilt of his best friend's death. He lives in the darkness, away from the prying eyes that judge him. This escape allows him to offer a desperate young woman a place on his estate.

Could this act of heroism and kindness offer these two broken people a second chance at life? Or will the wounds of the past hold them too firmly in its grip of helplessness? With Christmas fast approaching could the season be what they need?

Wonders of His Love

by Erica Vetsch

Lady Priscilla Haverly was supposed to be the Duchess, but instead, she finds herself a young widow with a daughter who will never inherit, serving at the whim of her mother-in-law. Cilla longs to live but she's not exactly sure what that would even look like. With her sister-in-law, Charlotte expecting, Cilla finds herself sitting in for Charlotte as a model as her likeness is painted. 

Hamish Sinclair's dreams of being a sought after and commissioned painter are teetering on the edge. The commission at Haverly Manor is his last and unless he gets accepted into the Royal Academy of Arts it could very well be his last. As he paints Cilla he sees glimpses of a woman hidden within the structures that have shaped her life. The glimpses he sees make him wish for something more that he knows he can never have. A struggling artist, the son of a stable-master, who is he to even think of the widow of the nobility? But think he does.

Can love be an option for Cilla if her mother-in-law has determined she is to wed another of her choosing? This will be a Christmas not to be forgotten as Cilla determines if she will do as she ordered or to finally follow her heart.

These three stories are a delightful Regency assortment. And if you are unfamiliar with any of the authors a great way to be introduced to them. Having read Carolyn Miller's previous works I enjoyed a reference to a character in those books (no hints just read). These stories fall into the gentle read category in my opinion and are an excellent choice if you just need to take a break and sit-a-spell. No story is overly long and can easily be enjoyed over a long afternoon.

Grab a hot cup of tea and a favorite Christmas cookie or two and enjoy a season step back in time!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

Inspirational Regency romance with a Christmas twist from three best-selling authors

In Joy to the World, three popular authors come together to offer a heartwarming collection of holiday Regency romance. Based on lines from a beloved Christmas carol, these three novellas in one book have depth, faith, and satisfying stories all packed into the perfect length for readers to curl up and take a brief break from their holiday busyness.

"Heaven and Nature Sing" by Carolyn Miller
Two music lovers, deeply devoted to each other, were on the brink of engagement when family circumstances drove them apart. How can they ever overcome their obligations and fears to find their way back into each other's arms?

"Far as the Curse is Found" by Amanda Barratt
One winter night, a woman struggling to provide for her illegitimate child encounters a scarred veteran of the Napoleonic Wars on the streets of London. Can love conquer the darkness of two broken pasts?

"Wonders of His Love" by Erica Vetsch
A Scots portrait painter with a hidden identity finds work at a noble manor house over the holidays. He never imagined he'd fall in love with the emotionally frozen widow there. Now he wants nothing more than to thaw her heart.

The Cul-de-Sac War ~ Review

 The Cul-de-Sac War

 By Melissa Ferguson

Sometimes Love and Hate share a backyard

Bree Leake's first introduction to Chip McBride is when he comes to her "rescue" when her costume for A Midsummer Night's Dream has a wee problem. They just seem to click. But then life gets in the way and it is all-out war as Bree tries to force Chip to move out of the house he's just bought - the house next door to the one that belonged to her Nana. 

It's not that there is anything wrong with Chip, other than the fact that he has a monster killer dog that has taken an obsessive liking to Bree. Bree can't see how being tackled and drooled all over is proof of like and she is not putting up with it.

This is one Cute Meet doomed 30 seconds after it began. Or is it? As the neighborly pranks escalate Bree and Chip find themselves caught up in something neither expected.

With her job on the line, Bree is going all out to get a role in the upcoming production at The Barter. The very theater that Chip is hoping to win the reconstruction contract for. But to get his foot in the door means that Chip needs Bree's inside scope on how to get a foot up on the competition - competition that includes his father and older brothers. 

The Cul-de-Sac War is a change of pace read for me. This is a contemporary read with a rom-com thread running throughout. Chip and Bree are both carrying the pain of family loss and the need to prove themselves. After a first meeting that offers the potential for something more, everything between them swiftly goes downhill faster than a downhill skier chasing a world record. But their neighborhood war is soon the fodder of neighborly gossip. If you are looking for a fun and diverting story that will take you out of your day-to-day, look no further. This is my first time reading Melissa Ferguson and after this delightfully amusing read, I'm sure it will not be my last.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

All's fair in love and prank wars. 

Melissa Ferguson's new novel proves that good fences make good neighbors--and that sometimes love and hate share a backyard.

 

Bree Leake doesn't want to be tied down. She's had more jobs than she can count--and the next stop on her journey is The Barter, the nation's oldest live performance theater in Abingdon, Virginia. But just when it's time to move on again, Bree's parents make her an offer; hold steady in Abingdon for one full year, and they will give her the one thing she's always wanted--her grandmother's house. Her dreams are coming true . . . until life at the theater throws her some curveballs.

And then there's her new neighbor. Chip McBride.

Nothing Short of Wonderous ~ Review

Nothing Short of Wonderous

American Wonders Collection #2

By Regina Scott

Kate Tremaine is determined to defend the natural beauty that surrounds her hotel. But to do this she has to work with the US Cavalry that is stationed within Yellowstone, unfortunately, the Cavalry is considerably uneducated about the dangers that the wilderness hides.

Lieutenant William Prescott, needs to make up for the sins of the past and keep his men safe. But he needs help navigating his new temporary post and the materials he's been given just won't do. Seeking help from Mrs. Tremaine is his only hope to navigate the dangers and determine where to concentrate his efforts. With no way to pay Kate for her knowledge, he offers instead his assistance with repairing her hotel before winter sets in.

Kate's hotel sits in one of the most desired places within Yellowstone and someone seems determined to see her sell out her lease. But Kate has a secret that she is protecting, a secret that makes holding onto her lease imperative. But soon it becomes apparent that she needs help to protect that which she holds dear. Can a broken soldier help her?

Nothing Short of Wonderous is the second book in the American Wonders Collection and it can most definitely be read as a standalone time as the characters and setting are different. Both books in this series are equally good so if you haven't read the first book don't miss out on A Distance to Grand (featuring the Grand Canyon). After reading this book, I really want to see Yellowstone in all its natural glory. I loved the descriptions of the various geysers and painted pots. And I couldn't help rooting for Kate to be able to hold on to what she had been protecting for all those years. The guilt that Will Prescott bore kept him from what he needed most and would be his path to healing and forgiveness. It is amazing how feelings of guilt and unworthiness keep us from turning to God when we most need Him.

A lovely book that takes the reader to 1886. Fans of American Historical fiction and Romance Fiction will enjoy this newest offering from Regina Scott that delights in the glories of God's Creation. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.

Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. As they work together to protect the park and stand firm through injustice and tragedy, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control.

Besotted ~ Review

Besotted

The Fairest Maidens #3

By Jody Hedlund

In a land where being the fairest maiden is a curse . . .

Queen Aurora of Mercia has lived in hiding for all of her life, hidden away from her aunt. Queen Margery of Warwick seeks her niece, needing to find her before her twentieth birthday and before she assumes the throne. But the deeply hidden isolation of Inglewood Forest has proven a safe place. At least until a young woodcutter stumbles upon it while escaping a wild boar. 

Warned to flee all strangers, Aurora is unexpectedly drawn to this young man. But Kresten offers her a secret glimpse into a world she knows nothing of. And he makes her happy, but she knows if her guardians discover her secret not only will she be in trouble but Kresten will be in danger. 

Kresten has two months remaining in his testing to determine his eligibility to be named king of Scania. Being named king is not his desire. And he is sure one of his two brothers is more than likely to be named king. But tradition demands this of him. But a living as a woodcutter is no easy task and the poverty he and his scribe Jorg live in is definitely in keeping with his task - deny self.  A chance meeting with a beautiful young woman is about to test him in ways he never imagined. But Rory is unlike any young woman he has ever met, but a pauper would never be an acceptable match for a possible King of Scania. Denying self is much harder than he thought it would be.

Besotted is the third book in the Fairest Maidens series and it focuses on the youngest Scanian prince Kresten and Mercia's hidden Queen Aurora. One can connect with the characters and empathize with their plights. And then there is Queen Margery who is the ultimate villain, who has no redeeming qualities. Mother or Aunt of the Year she is not.

This is yet another delightful clean YA read from Jody Hedlund and a perfect series conclusion, though I have to admit I'm sorry that this series is ending. And the covers for this series are gorgeous making them a must for any bookcase. I like that there is a tie-in to Jody's previous series The Lost Princesses, which can be read before or after this series. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

In a land where being the fairest maiden is a curse . . .

A young queen trying to stay alive until she comes of age to rule,

and a prince turned into a pauper.

Queen Aurora of Mercia has spent her entire life deep in Inglewood Forest, hiding from Warwick’s Queen Margery, who seeks her demise. As the time draws near for Aurora to take the throne, she happens upon a handsome woodcutter. Although friendship with outsiders is forbidden and dangerous, she cannot stay away from the charming stranger.

Only two months away from completing his royal testing, Prince Kresten of Scania is ready to be finished with the poverty and hardships of being a woodcutter. When he meets a beautiful peasant woman, he doesn’t plan to fall in love, especially when he must soon leave and return to his homeland.

As Queen Margery’s forces close in, Aurora finds herself in mortal danger. Kresten knows a future with Aurora is impossible, but he is desperate to save her and bring an end to the queen’s threat. To do so, he joins the ultimate battle against the evil queen, risking everything, including his chance at true love.

The real Sleeping Beauty story.

Other YA books by Jody Hedlund:

The Fairest Maidens
Book 1: Beholden
Book 2: Beguiled 
Book 3: Besotted 

The Lost Princesses (This series returns to Mercia, and the events take place after the Fairest Maidens series)
Prequel Novella: Always
Book 1: Evermore
Book 2: Foremost
Book 3: Hereafter

The Noble Knights
Prequel Novella: The Vow
Book 1: An Uncertain Choice
Book 2: A Daring Sacrifice
Book 3: For Love and Honor
Book 4: A Loyal Heart
Book 5: A Worthy Rebel

For a complete list of Jody's novels, visit her website - jodyhedlund.com

Love and a Little White Lie ~ Review

Love and a Little White Lie

A State of Grace Novel #1

By Tammy L. Gray

January Sanders's life is a mess, she's a mess. The guy she thought was the one has dumped her and she needs to get her life and herself unbroken. Stuck in Texas after having left her life in Georgia behind she reaches out to her Aunt Doreen for a place to crash and then rebuild her life.

With a "bridal" cabin to call her temporary home and a temporary assistant job at her aunt's church January just might be able to get her life back together and save up enough money to get herself back home to Georgia. There is just one little problem she doesn't believe in God and working in a church is just asking for trouble. But as long as no one knows what harm could it do just faking the church stuff, after all, she's helping out a very overworked staff member.

And when she meets the perfect guy who just happens to work in the church's musical ministry, well he doesn't need to know just how her faith, or lack of faith, compares to his own beliefs. After sometimes the truth hurts a whole lot more than a little lie that is for the greater good. Now if only her aunt's overly obnoxious landscape designer/architect would quit making her business his. 

But Dillion Kyle tells it as he sees it and he isn't about to let January get away with the mistruths she is using to hide behind. And he knows just what to do to get her temper into a smoldering tempest. But there is something about him that captures her attention too. Dillion knows the pain that she is living through, even if she doesn't know the whole story (or even half of it). And even more interesting Dillion has a way of making her want to spend time with him, when he isn't making her mad.

I have never read Tammy L. Gray's work before and was well pleased with this introduction to her work. This book has a contemporary setting and is relatable whether or not one has found one's self in a similar situation. January is a character one can identify with in one way or another as she deals with disappointments, family issues, and life in general. I can actually see this book being a good fit for a Hallmark movie. This isn't all happy this is all good but it is a satisfying read and well worth the time spent between the pages. Would be an excellent book club selection.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but to provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

There's a Lot of Irony in

Hitting Rock Bottom

After a heartbreak leaves her reeling, January Sanders is open to anything-including moving into a cabin on her aunt's wedding venue property and accepting a temporary position at her aunt's church despite being a lifelong skeptic of faith. Choosing to keep her doubts to herself, she's determined to give her all to supporting Grace Community's over-worked staff while helping herself move on.

What she doesn't count on is meeting the church's handsome and charming guitarist. It's a match set for disaster, and yet January has no ability to stay away, even if it means pretending to have faith in a God she doesn't believe in.

Only this time, keeping her secret isn't as easy as she thought it would be. Especially when she's constantly running into her aunt's landscape architect, who seems to know everything about her past-and-present sins and makes no apologies about pushing her to deal with feelings she'd rather keep buried.

Torn between two worlds that can't coexist, can January find the healing that eluded her, or will her resistance to the truth ruin any chance of happiness?

Autumn Skies ~ Review

Autumn Skies
A Bluebell Inn Romance #3
By Denise Hunter

Autumn Skies is the third book in the Bluebell Inn Romance series and there has been approximately a year since the second book concluded. The Bennett siblings have continued working towards their dreams. Youngest sister Grace has started her business, skipping college to big brother Levi's consternation, and Blue Ridge Outfitters is doing well. Levi is just weeks away from his marriage to Mia, And Molly and Adam have been married for right at a year with Molly working towards her dream of owning and running a bed-and-breakfast in Italy.

The time has come for the Bluebell Inn to be put up for sale and to get the most profit they decide to sell it themselves, foregoing a realtor. But it isn't as easy as they expected. And with her rent-free space about to be lost to her Grace needs to find a new space to keep her dream alive.

In the meantime, they have an inn to run. And when a stranger, walks in, asking about an open-ended stay Grace is about to experience something she never has before. But she doesn't have time for an attraction to a guest. She has a business to run and needs to be proactive so that she has a place to call her own when Molly and Levi leave to continue the lives they put on hold for her. 

When Grace starts having issues with an event from her past she is determined to work through it. Unfortunately, she has a panic attack in front of their mysterious guest, Wyatt Jennings. Thanks to his training, Wyatt knows a thing or two about helping people deal with panic attacks, but dealing with his own issues isn't so easy. And he'll need Grace's skills as a mountain/trail guide to find what he is looking for. Can they find the healing they need to forgive themselves? 

This book is a good read and can be read on its own though it is better having read the first two books beforehand. This book focuses on Grace the youngest Bennett sibling but in no way ignores Molly or Levi whose stories were the focus of the previous books. It was interesting getting to know them and the town of Bluebell. This is the last book of the series but I can't help hoping that, at some time in the future, we might return for a quick visit to get reacquainted with the rest of the characters one has gotten to know. If you are looking for a contemporary escape that fits the season Autumn Skies is for you.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Facing the past is easier if

you don't have to face it alone.

But this might be the exception.

When a mysterious man turns up at Grace’s family-run inn, it’s instant attraction. But she’s already got a lot on her plate: running the Bluebell Inn, getting Blue Ridge Outfitters off the ground, and coping with a childhood event she’d thought was long past.

A gunshot wound has resurrected the past for secret service agent Wyatt Jennings, and a mandatory leave of absence lands him in Bluebell, North Carolina. There he must try and come to grips with the crisis that altered his life forever.

Grace needs experience for her new outfitters business, so when Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she’s more than happy to step up to the plate. As their journey progresses, Grace soon has an elusive Wyatt opening up, and Wyatt is unwittingly drawn to Grace’s fresh outlook and sense of humor.

There’s no doubt the two have formed a special bond, but will Wyatt’s secrets bring Grace’s world crashing down? Or will those secrets end up healing them both?

From the bestselling author of 
The Convenient Groom and A December Bride 
(now beloved Hallmark Original movies) 
comes the third and final novel in the Bluebell Inn series!

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Connect with Denise

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Denise Hunter’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, October 19th: Mom Loves Reading and @mom_loves_reading

Monday, October 19th: @niks_nook

Tuesday, October 20th: Books & Spoons

Tuesday, October 20th: @lifeinlit

Thursday, October 22nd: Bewitched Bookworms

Thursday, October 22nd: The Romance Dish

Friday, October 23rd: @angelareadsbooks

Friday, October 23rd: View from the Birdhouse

Saturday, October 24th: Nurse Bookie and @nurse_bookie

Monday, October 26th: Leighellen Landskov and @mommaleighellensbooknook

Monday, October 26th: Kritter’s Ramblings

Tuesday, October 27th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy

Tuesday, October 27th: @paperbacksandpeonies

Wednesday, October 28th: Into the Hall of Books

Thursday, October 29th: @bluntscissorsbookreviews

Thursday, October 29th: Moonlight Rendezvous

Friday, October 30th: What is That Book About

Monday, November 2nd: @pnwbookworm

Monday, November 2nd: Amy’s Book-et List and @amysbooketlist

Tuesday, November 3rd: Hallie Reads

Wednesday, November 4th: Audio Killed the Bookmark and @beritaudiokilledthebookmark

Thursday, November 5th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, November 9th: Girl Who Reads

Tuesday, November 10th: Blooming with Books

Wednesday, November 11th: Run Wright and @karen_runwright

Fatal Identity ~ Review

Fatal Identity

By Jodie Bailey

Dana Santiago has ended up in the crosshairs of foreign criminals and she has no idea why. But when her loyalties are questions she finds herself without the backup she so desperately needs if she hopes to stay ahead of the people who are after her. 

As a Deputy US Marshal, she's used to danger helping witnesses get into WitSec but now she has to rely on the help of Alex Richardson when she is targeted at her partner's wedding. Alex or Rich to his friends knows he has to do all he can to keep Dana safe. 

But why she's been targeted makes no sense. When danger follows them they need to go to the beginning of the story - Dana's past and her buried memories. But will uncovering the truth help or will it further cast doubts on her loyalty? 

Fatal Identity is clean page-turning suspense. This book can easily be read as a weekend escape and to be a pleasant diversion from the everyday. Jodie Bailey pens characters that one can connect with and enjoy getting to know. This book can easily be read as a standalone though references in the book hint at previous books in which secondary characters were featured. Sit back and enjoy.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but offering my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

Secrets from her family’s past thrust her into the crosshairs

At her partner’s Christmas wedding in the mountains, deputy US marshal Dana Santiago’s almost abducted—and only the quick actions of Alex “Rich” Richardson save her. Now Dana and Rich must work together to figure out why the kidnappers seem willing to go to any lengths to capture her. But to find the truth they must first dig up her family’s long-buried past…

From Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.