The Roaming Adventurer ~ Review

 

The Roaming Adventurer
Colter Sons #2
Karen Baney

Boone Colter has finally decided to open his own office as a surveyor and needs to hire a crew. Time is of the essence as he has a job that needs to be done as soon as possible, routing a new railroad line. When Jack Bennett applies for the job, he seems a perfect fit with his experience. There's just one problem "Jack" is actually Jaclyn.

Jaclyn's plan is working perfectly, and her disguise has fooled everyone. Until she gets hurt and her secret is revealed. With Jaclyn's reputation ruined, Boone does what he can to protect her by offering to marry her. 

Marriage wasn't something either Boone or Jaclyn was contemplating when suddenly it was thrust upon them. Can they make it work, or will the entire situation make them resent one another and their marriage?

The Roaming Adventurer is the second book in the Colter Sons series, and it picks up a couple years after The Reluctant Cattleman. It is interesting to revisit the Colter family and see how it has changed. The relationship between the brothers is definitely a tangled mess, and one has to wonder just what makes them each the way they are. Overall this is a good story with emotional peaks and valleys as life unfolds. 

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

About the Book:

Prescott, Arizona Territory, in 1890–1891.

Boisterous Boone Colter settled into his career as a surveyor when his older brother approached him to survey a route for a new railroad. When Boone hires Jack Bennett, he never expected to be forced to choose between his desire for independence and protecting Jack. Will he rise to the occasion? Can he find a way to strike a balance? 

Jaclyn “Jack” Bennett spent the last six years apprenticing as an assistant surveyor under her father. When her father asks her to give up her dreams, settle down, and get married, Jaclyn disguises herself as a man and flees to Prescott, Arizona. Except she never thought through how her choice would destroy the lives of those around her. Will she find a way to reconcile broken relationships?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

With Every Memory ~ Review

With Every Memory

By Janine Rosche

Ten months ago, Lori Mendenhall's life stopped, she didn't die, but she was in an accident that put her in a coma and stole years of memories from her. And it cost her the life of her son Austin. When she awakes, she struggles to make sense of the life she now lives from the one she remembers.

But as her memories slowly return in small pieces that are out of order, she begins to realize that the life she lost might not have been the one she was expecting. Worse, she senses that a lie has made its way into her family. A lie that could rip them apart if she remembers it. But when one's mind, one's brain has been damaged, how do you know which memories you can trust? 

With Every Memory is an exploration of family, love, and commitment. When one's life has been drastically altered, how does one deal with it? And when one has been betrayed by the very person you've given your heart to, what do you do next?   

Ten months ago, Lori Mendenhall's life stopped, she didn't die, but she was in an accident that put her in a coma and stole years of memories from her. And it cost her the life of her son Austin. When she awakes, she struggles to make sense of the life she now lives from the one she remembers.

But as her memories slowly return in small random pieces, she begins to realize that the life she lost might not have been the one she was expecting. Worse, she senses that a lie has made its way into her family. A lie that could rip them apart if she remembers it. But when one's mind, one's brain has been damaged, how do you know which memories you can trust? 

As Lori deals with everything, her husband Michael and daughter Avery are also dealing with all that has changed over the last year. Can they all come together again and become the family that they need to be? Or have the losses been too drastic? 

This is a book that deals with difficult issues, ones that could be triggers. Considering this, I feel the author did a good job in presenting them while allowing the characters to deal with the emotions each could elicit. Overall this was a good read that tackled everyday life.

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:

Is the Life She Can't Remember One She'd Rather Forget?

One year after her family was in a tragic car accident that killed her teenage son, Lori Mendenhall returns home with a traumatic brain injury that has stolen the last eight years of memories from her. She is shocked that the life she led before the accident is unrecognizable. Her once-loving husband, Michael, is a distant workaholic she isn't sure she can trust, and her once-bubbly daughter, Avery, has spent the last year hidden away in her room.

For Avery, life stopped when she lost her twin. If she wants to graduate high school, she'll have to accept help from Xander Dixon, her brother's best friend and the boy who relentlessly teased her for years. And if Lori wants to reconnect with her husband, she'll have to grapple with information her brain is trying to keep secret. With every memory that returns, she can't help but wonder if the life she can't remember is one she'd rather forget.

Committing to the Cowgirl ~ Review

Committing to the Cowgirl 

Colorado Cowgirls #1

By Jody Hedlund

In the Colorado Cowboys series, we were introduced to Astrid Nilsson, a young girl whose only hope of living was to move to Colorado. Well, Astrid is now all grown up, and she is a doctor. When she hears of an opening for a doctor to join an existing practice in Fairplay, she knows she has to apply. She needs to return to the clean, healing air of Colorado, hoping to fight back against the consumption trying to gain hold of her again.

Years ago, Logan Steele left Fairplay and Astrid Nilsson behind. He never expected to see Astrid again, but his mother's health brought him home. Logan knows he's not going to stay in Fairplay, but he doesn't want to leave the town without a doctor. He never expected a woman, much less Astrid, to apply. Fairplay isn't ready to accept a woman doctor, but Logan is desperate to make his mother's final weeks happy, and until he is married, or at least courting, she won't be. 

When Astrid is confronted with the narrow-mindedness of Fairplay's residents, she reluctantly agrees to Logan's offer. Neither Astrid nor Logan expected everything to get out of hand. Soon everyone thinks the two of them are unofficially engaged. Could a fake engagement rekindle their long-ago feelings into something more? Or will the secret Astrid has been keeping prevent them from having a tomorrow?

Committing to the Cowgirl is the first book in Jody Hedlund's newest series, the Colorado Cowgirls. It's interesting to see Astrid all grown up. And even more interesting is comparing her in this book to Falling for the Cowgirl, book 4 in the Colorado Cowboys series. Just saying it is interesting. Astrid is a determined and compassionate young woman with a heart for healing. But the culture of the day looks down on or with suspicion on someone who doesn't fit the expected mold. And Astrid is her own person, the suffering she experienced has given her a unique perspective as a patient.  

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:

After years away, Astrid Nilsson has returned home to Colorado, hoping to become Fairplay’s second doctor . . . and to find healing for her reoccurring consumption. Spirited and independent, Astrid doesn’t want her illness to be a burden to those she loves, so she has resisted getting serious about any man.

As the current doctor of Fairplay, Logan Steele is seeking to hire a male physician to take over his clinic after he goes back East. When Astrid, his childhood sweetheart, insists that she’s the one for the job, he offers her a bargain she can’t refuse: pretend to court him to appease his mother and he’ll give her the doctor position on a trial basis.

Astrid accepts the arrangement even though she’s reluctant to be in a sham relationship with a man who’d once broken her heart. She tries to keep herself from falling for Logan again but soon finds herself getting much more than she bargained for. With the clock ticking for both of them, can they commit to real love before it’s too late?

Pretend courtship
Fake engagement
Childhood sweethearts
Meddling mother
Co-workers in proximity
Bargain benefits both

Operation Find a Guy ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Operation Find a Guy

by Amy R. Anguish, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Operation Find a Guy

Roadtrip Romance #3

By Amy Anguish

Skye Jones just wants to have fun and enjoy life - if she has to work she doesn't want to do anything boring or be stuck in an office. Unfortunately her father doesn't see things her way. In fact he's threatened to take her away her car if she doesn't have a full time job by summer's end. 

What's a girl to do? Take a temporary job with her sister's bridal shop, which is conviently located in another state. 

Benjamin Smith has an appointment at Happily Ever After when a fancy red sports car almost takes him and his bicycle out. Imagine his surprise when he finds the same young woman helping out in the shop where he has an appointment. 

Benjamin is everything Skye isn't looking for in a man. Starting with his job - a lawyer with a desk. And he wears bowtie! But preconceived notions are about to be turned around when Benjamin doesn't fit into the mold she placed him in.

Skye has equally baffled Benjamin with her need to have fun. But there more to her than she is presenting to those around her. And her father seems to be the driving force in why she doesn't want to be trapped in a world where THE JOB is everything even sacrificing family to achieve it.  Nope not her! 

This is cute read that has depth. The characters are all remarkably likeable, which wouldn't seem to be the case given Skye's personality. But as one gets to know Skye it all makes sense. And what better way to meet a nice guy than while working at a bridal shop. This a perfect summer release/read if you are looking for a clean contemporary Christian romance.

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:

Title: Operation Find a Guy
Series: Roadtrip Romance #3
Author: Amy Anguishkoi
Publisher: Scrivenings Press
Release Date: June 13, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

Skye Jones has one goal for the summer—keep her father from taking away her convertible. That’s the only reason she’s agreed to work at her sister’s bridal shop in Boulder, Colorado. It will buy her some time to figure out if there’s a non-boring job out there. Why else would she have anything to do with weddings when she has no interest in marriage? 

Benjamin Smith can’t quite figure out how he ended up a groomsman in two different weddings over the summer, but with his sister and a cousin both getting married, he’s spending a lot of time at Happily Ever After events. Falling for a blonde with no dreams of settling down wasn’t in his five-year plan, but the more he sees Skye, the more he wants to figure her out. But all she sees him as is a boring attorney and her complete opposite. 

Romance was supposed to be for Skye’s friends. But Colorado might hold more than she knew she was looking for.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

More Books in this Series

 

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About the Author

Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

Connect with Amy by visiting abitofanguish.weebly.com to follow her on social media and sign up for newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will receive a print copy of Operation Find a Guy by Amy R. Anguish!

(2) winners will receive an ebook copy of Operation Find a Guy by Amy R. Anguish!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 12, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 19, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

What Happens Next ~ Review

What Happens Next

By Christina Suzann Nelson

Faith Byrne's life has taken an unexpected turn, one that finds her on the other side of a divorce. Worse, her ex is getting remarried in Hawaii and has decided that their daughters will spend the entire upcoming Summer vacation there with him and his new(almost) wife. With her summer open except for her podcast, which ironically looks for the happy, the triumph after tragedy, she's at loose ends.

But a letter draws her back to her childhood, to her happy summer. But what she didn't know was that the summer that meant everything to her until she was once again uprooted ended with questions and sorrow for those she left behind. Her best friend of that summer, and possibly of her entire life, went missing, and still no one knows what happened to Heather. Can Faith's skills in searching out the truth, of digging deeper, help her bring Heather home and closure to a family needing to know the truth?

What Happens Next is a powerful and moving story as one woman holds out hope that someday her daughter will return. But what does such hope cost? Dora's family has crumbled around her as she stubbornly, in their opinion, refuses to accept the truth - the truth that Heather is never returning. 

This is a situation that I think no one can know how they will respond to it. When someone we love is suddenly missing, how long do we hold out hope that they will be found, that they will walk through the door? The author presents well the various characters in both the past and the present day, giving us a look at the summer leading up to the moment when Heather disappears and the present-day search for the truth. This is an emotional story with depths and twists as everyone works through the pain they were left with. This would make an excellent book club selection, and as the setting is summer, would make a perfect summer read too.

What Happens Next will be what you are wondering throughout!

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:

Everyone has a story, 

and maybe everyone needs a little help toward healing.

Popular podcaster and ex-reporter Faith Byrne made a name for herself telling stories of greatness after tragedy--but her real life does not mirror the stories she tells. While her daughters spend the summer in Hawaii with her ex-husband and his new wife, she must manage life on her own. All of that changes when she's asked to spotlight her childhood best friend's missing person case on her podcast.

Dora Crane has never accepted that her younger daughter could be dead, keeping her home looking the same as when her daughter disappeared. But when her husband leaves her and her older daughter intervenes, she agrees to counseling and to pack up her missing daughter's belongings under one condition: Faith Byrne comes to Deep Valley and sheds light on the cold case.

As the long-abandoned investigation moves forward, old wounds and long-buried secrets are exposed. Will these two women, whose lives have never been the same, finally get the answers they need to reconcile the past and the future?

Clarissa ~ Review and Author Interview

 

Clarissa Chronicles of the Hudson River Valley #1 By Jean Jacobsen I love historical fiction and often wonder how different my own life would be living within the structures of society and its expectations. Don't get me wrong, it seems on the surface to be a simpler time, with no technology and dresses all day long being the norm. But being forced to marry because, as a woman, you can't work; you must get married or face destitution and ruin. That would be hard. And Clarissa Tanner is faced with just such a fate following the death of her parents. This book follows Clarissa and how she has to take such drastic measures to save her family's home and horse farm. Though I will admit, I would probably have done the same thing for my horses and dogs. But is she willing to marry someone solely to save her home? And what will a marriage of convenience cost her? But to accomplish her goal, she'll need help, and that is where Nicholas Granger comes in. A struggling artist who can help her polish her dance skills and provide a ready escort to both Clarissa and her grandmother, as they enter New York's Social Circle. But like so many things, there is more to Nicholas than is first apparent. And this is where the heart of the story comes in. So find a comfortable corner, have a cup of tea, and take a step back in time. This is a book that fans of clean romance and historical fiction will enjoy. It is one of those books that doesn't require deep thought, just some quiet. 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jean Jacobsen's novel offers a beautifully descriptive and immersive portrayal of life in the 1800s, where societal norms dictated much of one's life. She weaves in historical elements that add depth and richness to the narrative. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Book Title: Clarissa: A Clean & Wholesome American Historical Romance by Jean Jacobsen Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 324 pages Genre: Historical Romance Publisher: Jean Jacobsen Release date: Feb 2020 Content Rating: G: Wholesome Book Description: Tragedy brings them together. Will love tear them apart? New York City, 1832. Clarissa Tanner is carefree and lighthearted until the sudden death of her parents. Forced to pay off family debts or lose her horse farm, she's given one choice: auction off her beloved horses or reluctantly enter 1830s New York Society social season to face the dreaded marriage market. Nicholas is a man on a mission, searching for his missing brother. Fearing Liam may be the victim of foul play, Nicholas needs to keep a low profile while conducting his search. He takes a position as a dance instructor, providing refresher lessons to the beautiful but distracted Clarissa. ​Clarissa and Nicholas find a connection through grief and movement as they fight their attraction to one another. Will they give in to their desires and find true love or will family obligations keep them apart? Buy the Book: Amazon  Bookbub ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meet the Author: Jean Jacobsen is an award-winning storyteller of Sweet, Historical Romance. Featuring strong female characters, roguish heroes, and 19th Century adventure tales. She pens stories that transcend the heart and always have a happy ending. Because of Jean’s deep passion for history, she includes real events from the time period, making her stories come to life as they transport you to a by-gone era. Join her on the next adventure. Connect with the author: website ~ Facebook ~ Bookbub ~ Goodreads ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Author Q and A with Jean Jacobsen Q-What advice would you give to aspiring historical romance writers? A- My advice would be to read as much as you can in the genre and to do your research. There's so much history to explore, and the more you know, the better your writing will be. Also, don't be afraid to take risks and try new things. The best stories come from taking chances and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Q- How do you approach writing strong and independent female characters in a historical setting? A- The characters must be believable, not subservient. They each have their own personality. Q-What is your writing process like? A- I usually start with an idea or a character, and then I do a lot of research. I read books, watch movies, and visit museums to get a sense of the time and place. Then I start drafting, and I revise and edit until I'm happy with the story. I try to write every day, even if it's just for a few minutes. Q-What do you think sets your books apart from other historical romances? A- I think what sets my books apart is the focus on adventure and action. I love a good romance as much as the next person, but I also want my readers to be on the edge of their seats, wondering what's going to happen next. I try to balance the romance with plenty of excitement and danger. Q- Can you share a sneak peek or hint about any future projects you are working on? A- “Liam,” a story about a missing brother in the Hudson River Valley, is straight out of the first book, “Clarissa.” He called to me to tell his story, which is quite an adventure of a treasure hunt and so much more! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tour Schedule: ​May 8 – Cover Lover Book Review– book spotlight / guest post / giveaway May 8 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway May 9 – Liese's Blog – book spotlight May 10 - FUONLYKNEW - book spotlight / author interview  giveaway May 11 – Character Madness and Musings – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway May 12 – Book Corner News and Reviews - book review / giveaway ​May 12- Rockin' Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway May 15 – MacKade – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway May 15 - Splashes of Joy - book review / giveaway May 16 – @regallywritten– book spotlight / giveaway May 17 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway May 18 – Celticlady's Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway May 19 – mamof9 – book spotlight May 19 - Diane’s Book Journal - book spotlight May 22 - Older & Smarter? – book review / author interview / giveaway May 22 – Novels Alive – book spotlight / giveaway May 22– Novels Alive – book review  May 23 – Sandra's Book Club – book review May 23 - Locks, Hooks and Books - book review / giveaway May 24 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway May 25 – Blooming with Books - book review / author interview / giveaway May 26 – Pause for Tales – book review / giveaway May 26 - Bizwings Book Blog – book review / giveaway May 26 - History from a Woman’s Perspective – book spotlight Enter the Giveaway:

The Swindler's Daughter ~ Review

The Swindler's Daughter

By Stephenia H. McGee

All her life Lillian Doyle thought her father was dead, that is until she was informed by a lawyer that her father had just recently passed away. Worse, her mother may have exaggerated the marital ties between them. Soon Lillian finds herself on her own for the first time in her life to settle her father's estate before returning to Atlanta.

But nothing is ever easy, and the house that her father left to her has been claimed by another. A widowed mother tells Lillian that the property was promised to her son. What's a young lady to do but stay in the middle of nowhere and try to unravel the mess that her life has now become. 

As Lillian works through everything, she is pleased to discover she has family and that she and her mother are no longer alone in the world. But as everything unfolds, Lillian has to wonder whether the family she just discovered is as genuine as they seem or if they are like the society women she's known her whole life, manipulated and back-stabbing. Only time will tell.

Working to discover who her father was, Lillian makes a friend in Jonah, the young man to whom her father's home had been promised. But secrets threaten not only her understanding of her father but all she is hoping to achieve in this new life that is hers for the taking if only she is willing to step into the unknown and the freedom, the friendships, and the love it offers.

The Swindler's Daughter is a lovely book with several interesting threads running throughout it. This is as much Lillian's story as it is Jonah's. Both are seeking a new beginning, a chance at something more. It is a story of courage and determination. Embracing the unknown is always frightening, but it is often the only way to become our true selves, and this is their chance!

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:

A surprise inheritance. 

A cache of family secrets. 

A choice that will change her life forever.

Lillian Doyle has lived her entire high-society life with her widowed mother, believing her father died long ago. But when news arrives that her estranged father only recently passed away--in jail--Lillian is startled to find that the man has left a business and all of his possessions to her, making her a rather unusual heiress.

When she goes to take possession of her father's house in a backwoods Georgia town, the dilapidated structure is already occupied by another woman who claims it was promised to her son, Jonah. In her attempts to untangle the mess, Lillian will discover not only a family she never knew she had but a family business that is more than meets the eye--and has put a target on her back.

To discover the truth and take hold of the independence she's always dreamed of, she'll have to make friends with adversaries and strangers--especially Jonah, the dusty and unrefined cowboy who has secret aspirations of his own.

The Secret to Happiness ~ Review

The Secret to Happiness

Cape Cod Creamery #2

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Callie Dixon has always been a thorn in her cousin Dawn's side, and now she is coming to Cape Cod. Dawn is less than pleased to have her cousin staying with them at the Creamery. But her mother, Marnie, won't hear any differently. She knows Callie needs her family, and they'll welcome her as long as she needs them.

Dawn knows something is wrong with Callie and is determined to fix her, despite Marnie and Kevin's advice to let her be. But all of Dawn's efforts seem useless. Callie just doesn't appreciate her efforts. 

Concern is weighing on Callie, and the pressure from her Dad to get another job is just adding to it. But Callie refuses to let anyone see the cracks in her life. But when Dawn drags her to a happiness class, Callie is challenged by the teacher, Bruno Bianco. How do you find happiness in the everyday, every single day? 

The Secret to Happiness is a journey of self-discovery as Callie learns to let the pressures and grief of the past go. But it is more than that as she learns the simple things in life can give the greatest joy. I really liked Callie from the first. What I found interesting was that Dawn, who had improved as the first book went along, seemed to reverse when Callie came to the Creamery. So this book is as much Callie's story as it is a continuation of Dawn's. Overall this is a good read and provides a satisfying continuation of what started with The Sweet Life. I mean, who wouldn't find reviving an old ice cream shop interesting? Especially when you combine it with finding a new focus in life. This is a lovely series and should be enjoyed in order, but this book can be read as a standalone title.

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:

Escape to Cape Cod--where you just might find the secret to happiness

Callie Dixon had the world by the tail . . . until it all slipped away. Fired from her dream job after making a colossal mistake, she's escaped to her aunt's home on Cape Cod for time to bounce back. Except it isn't a home, it's an ice cream shop. And time isn't going to help, because Callie's bounce has up and left. There's a reason she made that mistake at work, and she's struggling to come to terms with it.

Things go from bad to worse when Callie's cousin Dawn drags her to a community class about the secret to happiness. Happiness is the last thing Callie wants to think about right now, but instructor Bruno Bianco--a curiously gloomy fellow--is relentless. He has a way of turning Callie's thoughts upside down. Her feelings, too.

Bruno insists that hitting rock bottom is the very best place to be. But if that's true, how is it supposed to help her figure out what--or who--has been missing from her life all along?

Beauty Reborn ~ Review

Beauty Reborn

By Elizabeth Lowham

Beauty's name draws attention to her outer appearance, ignoring her thoughts, her words. Until Stephan, her name was merely a word, something those around her used to discount her thoughts and words. And catching Stephan's attention at first was an honor until he wouldn't stop trying to claim her for himself.

When her family lost everything, Beauty welcomed it, hoping it would steal her beauty. And when her father stole a rose, she took the opportunity to pay the cost of his theft. For a beast such as he described would surely end her life, ending her pain, her anger, her shame.

Beauty Reborn is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that offers a twist to the typical retellings. Beast is cursed, and to break the curse, he must get a young woman to agree to marry him. But marriage isn't something Beauty wants; she just wants to pay her father's debt. Her reasons aren't noble but selfish; she knows this but needs to hide away from the outside world. And the isolation of an unknown lost castle with only Beast as a companion seemed perfect. But then she got to know him. A beast he might be in appearance but not in his heart.

Beauty's story is slowly told throughout the book in short snippets within other scenes. It's as if certain actions bring forth memories she's tried to bury. 

Beast's story is more interesting and original. How he came to be cursed, living in an enchanted castle, and isolated, hidden away from everything. There is a moment when Beauty suggests the two should exchange names, which isn't too far-fetched when one gets glimpses at their hearts. I find the interactions of Beauty with her family to be rather telling. I can't say that I'd have wanted to be friends with any of the sisters. I have to be honest Beauty's brother, Rob, is who I am most sympathetic with, and I hope he gets his heart's desire.

This is a book that, depending on the individual, will either be loved or treated with indifference. Beauty's memories of Stephan sometimes jump out without warning that a break is coming. But I think this is what the author was going for, as Beauty is haunted by what happened and what she perceives as her role in what unfolded. Overall, I feel this was a good read, especially when one considers the subject matter. That being said, I would recommend this to older teens and adults.

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:

Fantasy and reality collide in this retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” about a young woman’s heroic quest to save herself.

Beauty’s life is the stuff of fairy tales. The youngest in her family, Beauty isn’t trying to catch Stephan’s eye. He is the lord baron’s heir, well above her family’s modest station, but when he kisses her hand at a party, Beauty is swept away by his charm, his wit, and his passionate declarations of love.

Hearts can be untamable creatures, especially when touched by the fires of first love, and Beauty doesn’t see the truth of Stephan’s intentions until it is too late. Until he stops asking for Beauty’s love—and simply takes it from her one night despite her refusal.

Beauty locks away the secret of what happened to her, and when her father emerges from the enchanted forest with a stolen rose in his hand and the tale of a vicious beast on his breath, Beauty seizes the chance to run as far from Stephan as possible.

She has some experience with beasts, after all. Certainly, the one in the forest couldn’t be any worse than the one she’s already encountered.

Breaking the Beast’s curse might be the key to discovering her own path to healing—and finding the courage to allow herself to feel reborn.

After the Shadows ~ Review

After the Shadows

Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing  #1

By Amanda Cabot

A year ago, Emily Leland left Sweetwater Crossing as a newlywed bride. Today she is returning as a widow, one with a secret. But the home she left is filled with sorrow following the death of her mother. And then there is her sister's anger - anger and resentment at the situation. 

Emily's homecoming is anything but happy when her father is found dead. Emily alone feels that someone took her father's life, but anyone with any authority thinks it is just her grief speaking. But in the midst of her grief, Emily continues to honor her father's memory by opening her family's home to those in need of housing, including the newly arrived school teacher.    

This is an excellent book that touches on several serious topics, including suicide and abuse. These are approached both delicately and thoughtfully, presented as they were handled at the time this book is set. There are concerns that Emily raises that, for the most part, are ignored by all except the new school teacher Craig Ferguson. I think Craig is more open to Emily's assertions because he has recently lost his own wife in tragic circumstances, and his less humiliating disciplinary measures have marked him as possibly unsuitable too. But whatever the reasons Craig has for believing Emily, they work to solve the mystery that Emily feels needs to be answered. 

What they uncover is rather shocking, and would be interesting to discover why it happened. What was the triggering event that made this course of action seem acceptable? This is the question that so many times we all ask after an event, "Why did they do this?" This is the first book in the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series, and if this book is any indication, it should prove to be an excellent series. Amanda Cabot presented a well-spun story with characters who had depth as they dealt with difficult situations, a testament to her skills.                                                                                                                                                                         

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:

A brighter future awaits--if she can escape the shadows of the past

Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First, she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the new schoolteacher and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boardinghouse, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town.

Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father's death--and to aid Craig Ferguson, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. Together they must work to unmask a killer and escape the shadows of their own pasts in order to forge a brighter future.

Bestselling author Amanda Cabot transports you to 1880s Texas Hill Country for a brand-new series that will have you flipping pages to solve the mystery and get to the happily-ever-after you long for.

Daughter of Eden: Eve's Story ~ Review

Daughter of Eden: 

Eve's Story

By Jill Eileen Smith

First off, let me just say, Biblical Fiction isn't really my thing as it is so subjective to imagination to fill in the in-between bits that may or may not be plausible in my opinion (or denominational upbringing). But I was curious about how Eve's life would be portrayed. 

We are first given a glimpse of Creation with the waking of the angelic beings, specifically Michael, and from there, the world we know, but in its infancy - perfect and unmarred. When Adam was brought forth he worked this new world, enjoying its beauty, naming the animals he lived with, and talking with the Creator. His singleness resulted in one last creation - the first woman. Together she and Adam tended the world and animals around them, enjoying perfect joy and love, no strife until Lucifer sought to inflict great pain upon the Creator. Through deceit, he convinced her to disobey, to eat what was forbidden, and to offer Adan the same.

What follows after takes us through a narrative of Eve's life - her pain, her struggles, her shame, and her guilt. Everything changed, including her relationship with her husband. No longer the happy, loving man she had always known, their relationship is now laced with guilt and blame.

I will admit when I first started reading it I was a little surprised that the author had Adam and Eve competing with one another as they ran or swam. Competing seemed out of place in a world that was perfect and without greed or strife. But after the first sin, it made more sense because now there was resentment. Eve was now under Adam's authority, whereas before, they had been equals, partners.

This book is Eve's story, the story of humanity's story, but it is also the story of the unseen. The birth and fall of Creation and humanity were entwined from their earliest moments. Both fell when jealousy was allowed to grow within Lucifer; he stoked it - desiring more for himself than what was given. This is the story of the ultimate longing of the heart, the separation of what should be.

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:

The first time she opens her eyes, Eve gazes on One whose beauty nearly blinds her, whose breath is in her lungs. Her Creator takes her hand and gives her to one like her and yet different. Together, she and Adam experience pure joy as they explore Eden. But her favorite moments are when the Creator comes to walk with them, day after day.

Until everything changes. With one act of disobedience, Eve finds that her world is no longer a friendly place. With remorse in her heart, she must face the unknown future--the births, the deaths, the sacrifices, the loss of the one home she has ever known. Perhaps worst of all is the loss of trust, not only with her Creator but with the man who shares her life. How will they ever survive out of Eden?

Bestselling biblical fiction author Jill Eileen Smith imagines the life of the first woman to ever live, unspooling a story of love, loss, and the promise of redemption.

Miss Newbury's List ~ Review

Miss Newbury's List

By Megan Walker

Rosalind Newbury is soon to be married, and she has a list things she is determined to accomplish before her wedding day. Rosalind is convinced that once she accomplishes these ten things, she'll be ready to marry, allowing her to find happiness in the arrangement with the Duke of Marlow. 

But three weeks to accomplish everything will take some strategic planning to keep her family in the dark about what she is about. After all, the future wife of a duke should not be learning to swim. or any of the other things Ros has determined to do. But she needs help, and unfortunately, the one person most likely to aid her endeavor is her best friend's cousin. 

Mr. Charles Winston has made a mess of his life. And he isn't about to improve it anytime soon, but he never planned on meeting Rosalind Newbury. When she manages to convince him to help her, in exchange for her silence, how can he refuse her? What neither expected was a friendship that would threaten Rosalind's future.

Miss Newbury's List is a lovely and delightful read. It is a standalone title that is full of depth that explores the expectations of duty versus the desires of the heart. How does one decide whether elevating one's family is more important than love? This is the decision that Rosalind faces. She knows her duty and is content with it until she meets Charlie, a man who sees her for who she is and not who she is expected to present herself as. 

I really enjoyed Miss Newbury's List, and I have to admit I was not sure where Rosalind would direct her future. She obviously cared about her family and wanted to help them, so she was torn when she met Charlie. And then there is Charlie, who is slipping lower in his family's estimation due to his behavior. Two more unlikely people in the estimation of those who knew them, but the heart isn't always to be understood by others. I would love to have a sequel that would follow Rosalind's brother Ben. Ben seemed more in tune with his sister's feelings and put this first in his thinking. Overall this is a book I have no reservations in recommending to fans of clean reads and Regency Romance.

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:

England, 1820

Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice. The marriage is more an agreement between two families and less a romantic connection between two hearts, but Rosalind becoming a duchess will elevate her family’s status to dizzying heights. And the duke is a kind man who will care for Rosalind, even if he doesn’t love her.

She only has three weeks before her life changes forever, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her days. As a child, Ros was inspired by her adventurous Aunt Alice and created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day. So far, Ros has done none of them.

She is determined to tackle each item, though she’ll have to accomplish them all in secret. After all, a soon-to-be-duchess is not usually allowed to bury treasure in the pasture, eat sweets all day, or learn how to swim. She enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, who brings along her cousin, Charlie, a prodigal son-turned-boxer who has come to the countryside to mend his reputation and learn how to be his father’s heir.

Together, the three of them work to complete the list, and as each item is crossed off, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Ros and Charlie. The more time they spend together, the more Ros falls in love with this imperfect man and his good heart.

With the wedding looming, Ros must decide to either admit her romantic feelings for Charlie and risk her family’s future, or keep her promise to marry the duke and start a new life as a noblewoman.