Body of Evidence ~ Review

Body of Evidence

Triple Threat #3

By Irene Hannon

Grace Reilly is the last Reilly sister without a man in her life - her sisters blame it on her career choice as she is highly unlikely to meet a living man as a pathologist. Cate and Eve were right until Grace became someone's target. And then she noticed a few deaths that raised questions in her mind. 

Sheriff Nate Cox is new to the job, but he is convinced that the "attacks" on Grace are more than a coincidence, especially when it looks like her suspicions might be something more. But with no evidence proving foul play is going to prove more than a little challenging.

In typical Irene Hannon fashion, we are taken on a winding road to get from page one to the conclusion. We are given a glimpse into the killer's mind, but the identity is kept hidden. We are offered several possible suspects but no clear clues. I will admit I had a few suspicions as to the killer's identity but nothing absolute. I loved the suspense - a couple of times, I was expecting something to happen, but nothing untoward occurred.

I love how the Triple Threat series has so many intersecting layers that could be connected to the main crime but, at the same time, are somehow unique and unto themselves. The Reilly sisters have each managed to get themselves into a mess, but each book could be read as a standalone, so if you haven't read the first two books, you'll be able to jump into this book without any issues. But I'd recommend going back to enjoy them later. Irene Hannon in no way disappoints with this book.

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

About the Book:

Forensic pathologist Grace Reilly has seen her share of unusual deaths in rural Missouri. But when she begins to notice a curious pattern in autopsies of elderly residents whose demise appears to be natural, she takes her concerns to Sheriff Nate Cox.

Nate is skeptical about the link Grace is seeing between the deaths--and her suspicions of foul play. But her persistence is compelling. Once she finally convinces him her theory is credible and they join forces to investigate, danger follows. Because exposing the truth could destroy several lives--including Grace's.

Queen of inspirational romantic suspense Irene Hannon closes out her bestselling Triple Threat series with this gripping tale of secrets revealed and romance sparked.

Honor Bound ~ Review

Honor Bound

Love and Honor #1

By Hallee Bridgeman

Honor Bound is the first book in the Love and Honor series, and in this book, Dr. Cynthia Myers is using her chance to serve in the mission field to hide from the mess her life in the US became. Her ex-fiancé, who managed to have his moment of running around captured by the media, and a father who is now the VP of the United States, yup, her life is grand. So to escape it all, she is working as an OB in a wartorn region of Africa.  

When a Special Forces team enters her village seeking her help for injured team members, she demands all weapons be left out of the village. Not the smartest move when a warlord operates in the area, one who has no issue stealing the local children, killing the men, and doing everything imaginable to the women. 

Soon the warlord's men are after Captain Rick Norton, his men, and the no longer anonymous Dr. Myers (daddy's identity has suddenly been discovered, making her a high-interest target).  They are now on a mission to make it to an evac point and get safely away. Of course, along the way, feelings of attraction occur, but circumstances and ideals being what they are, stand in the way of Rick and Cynthia. 

This is an interesting book and one that made me want to read the next in the series, where other members of Captain Norton's team will be taking center stage.  I can't say that I was particularly drawn to either main character where I got invested in their story, but it was a good read. I'm thinking this would be a book my sister would more greatly appreciate, as she is into military-themed fiction more so than I am. But this is a good diversionary read to get one out of the day-to-day normal, which, let's admit it, is the purpose of reading fiction.

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

About the Book:

You can't override the heart

It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. But all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a local warlord's mortally wounded son.

As part of the Army Special Forces "A-Team" on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia's life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia tries to hold on to her anger--but an unwanted attraction is taking hold.dady's 

With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to draw upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive . . . because he's beginning to think they just might overcome their differences and be able to make a life together.

Dangerous Beauty ~ Review

Dangerous Beauty

By Melissa Koslin

Liliana Vela has one chance to stay out of the clutches of the men who have destroyed her life. With no other safe haven or refuge offered her, Liliana accepts Meric Toledan's offer to keep her safe from those trafficking her by taking his name. 

Meric never wanted to get married, but he had to do anything possible to make sure that the young woman was not sent back to Mexico, where she would be an easy target for the men who were selling her. Someone with money had decided that they wanted her, and the only way to protect her was with his wealth and means.

Caught in a world she doesn't understand, Liliana is confused by Meric and why he would help her in such a way. He is haunted by some secret pain and holds himself apart while offering her a chance to heal from the evil she had faced.

Now I really can't say too much more about this book without revealing some major plot spoilers. But this book had some very unexpected plot twists that really made this into an I-can't-put-it-down-until-I-get-to-the-end book. Throughout, one is left wondering why. Why was Liliana targeted? Who would go to such lengths? This is romantic suspense at its best, and throughout, it imparts an important message that one is often unaware of - human trafficking. This is a moving and eye-opening book that is a must-read.

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:

Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She's not a victim, she's a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she's determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers in her poor Mexican village. But she can't stay safely over the border in America--unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.

Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Assessing the situation, he steps in to rescue Liliana from traffickers. If he can keep his secrets at bay, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.

Melissa Koslin throws you right into the middle of the action in this high-stakes thriller that poses the question: What is the price of freedom? 

A Quilt for Christmas ~ Review

A Quilt For Christmas

By Melanie Carlson

Vera Swanson recently lost her husband and has made a major life-changing event - selling her home and moving into a condo to be near her daughter and grandchildren. Well, that doesn't work too well as said daughter shortly thereafter moves far away because her husband got a job transfer. Now for the first time in like forever, Vera is less than all into Christmas.

But when her young neighbor across the hall makes a plea for help, Vera's life takes another turn, and this one is positive. Young Fiona's mother is seriously ill, and the family's finances are more than a little tight, but Fiona wants to give her mother a Christmas quilt for Christmas. What follows is a sweet story that affects more than one life when a community pulls together to grant a young girl's Christmas wish.

I always look forward to Melody Carlson's annual Christmas release. I love Christmas, and her books are always great at bringing a special touch to the season. A Quilt for Christmas does not disappoint at all. The characters are realistic and face many of the same challenges that one faces in the day-to-day of living.

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

About the Book:

Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson invites 

you to cuddle up this holiday season with this cozy story of 

giving, forgiving, and a little bit of romance.

Recently widowed Vera Swanson is having a hard time getting in the Christmas spirit in her new town. When asked to make a quilt for an ailing neighbor, she pulls together a diverse circle of quilters, including freespirited Tasha Ellison. The group becomes stitched together through shared stories, trust, and a little romantic weaving.

Christmas should be celebrated with family. But for Vera Swanson, that’s not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one–until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help. With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera’s help, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request–a Christmas quilt for Mama.

Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together in order to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all–and she may find herself a new family of friends along the way.

The Sweet Life ~ Review

The Sweet Life

Cape Cod Creamery #1

By Susanne Woods Fisher

Dawn Dixon's life is blowing up in her face - her wedding is off, her mom doesn't have cancer (at least not anymore), and she is tied to her work closer than two peas in a pod. She was in shock after Kevin, her long-time boyfriend/fiancee, calls off their wedding. The honeymoon is nonrefundable, so Dawn takes her mom, Marnie, on her non-honeymoon trip to Cape Cod. 

There, life takes another unexpected turn when her mom decides to drop everything into a run-down ice cream shop that is anything but successful. Determined to keep her mom from making the absolute worst mistake of her life Dawn does everything she can to stop the sale and when that fails to make the shop a quick success so they can do a quick sale to keep her mom from financial ruin.

But Marnie has plans of her own, and she's not about to let Dawn decide what is what. Nope, she's going to do everything she can to ensure that she succeeds, even if it means going behind her daughter's back ad reaching out to the one man she knows will give her an honest answer. But just because Kevin is willing to reach out to help Marnie doesn't mean he and Dawn can get a do-over, right?

The Sweet Life is the first book in Suzanne Woods Fisher's Cape Cod Creamery series. This book and series offer a chance at getting it right and making a fresh start. This is a contemporary setting that portrays a life ruled by work. Dawn is driven, and was encouraged to do so by her late father. But work can only offer so much, and when there is no life beyond it, it is a sad and lonely existence. Is it possible to discover what one has sacrificed in the pursuit of career and position and make a life-changing about-face? I think that is the true underlying feeling in this story - what do we value in life, and how can we rediscover it if we have gotten off track?

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

About the Book:

Dawn Dixon can hardly believe she’s on a groomless honeymoon on beautiful Cape Cod . . . with her mother. Sure, Marnie Dixon is good company, but Dawn was supposed to be here with Kevin, the love of her life (or so she thought).

Marnie Dixon needs some time away from the absolute realness of life as much as her jilted daughter does, and she’s not about to let her only child suffer alone–even if Marnie herself had been doing precisely that for the past month.

Given the circumstances, maybe it was inevitable that Marnie would do something as rash as buy a run-down ice-cream shop in the town’s tightly regulated historic district. After all, everything’s better with ice cream.

Her exasperated daughter knows that she’s the one who will have to clean up this mess. Even when her mother’s impulsive real estate purchase brings Kevin back into her life, Dawn doesn’t get her hopes up. Everyone knows that broken romances stay broken . . . don’t they?

Welcome to a summer of sweet surprises on Cape Cod–a place where dreams just might come true.

Crossfire ~ Review

Crossfire

Extreme Measures #2

By Lynette Eason

Julianna James is proof positive that a life going wrong can be turned around. Working with the FBI, she is one of their top hostage negotiators, and she takes pride that she has never lost a hostage during her years with the FBI. But she is haunted by an incident in her past, and with the 15th anniversary fast approaching, she's having to deal with the added stress to her already busy life. 

When a hostage situation arises during a courtroom trial, Julianna is called in to negotiate. Clay Snyder's younger sister, Reese, becomes the only eyes and ears available to law enforcement as the situation drags on. When Reese and the other hostages make it out alive, Julianna and Clay, along with Dottie (Julianna's teenage sister) and Reese, soon hit it off in the friendship department. Unfortunately, Julianna's past is about to put them all in danger - when a "hostage taker" begins to target Julianna and her perfect negotiation record.

Meanwhile, someone is determined to make threats against those nearest to Julianna. Can she keep her sister and friends safe while dealing with someone determined to destroy her?

Crossfire is the second book in the Extreme Measures series, and it is filled with intense action and suspense. And there is, of course, the makings of a romance if only the past and its regrets can be laid to rest. Both Clay and Julianna are dealing with past regrets that keep them from pushing past the guilt that has fettered them with its recriminations. Though this is part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone as each book focuses on a different main character. The friendship between Julianna and her best friends and their work seems to be the string that ties the series together.  I really liked Julianna's sister Dottie who is dealing with her own smorgasbord of troubles with school, her relationship with her mother, and did I mention school.

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

About the Book:

FBI special agent Julianna James is a top-notch negotiator who has never lost a hostage. Surely, she can manage to take care of her much younger sister, Dottie, who showed up unannounced to live with Julianna while she finished her senior year of high school.

A former sniper with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Clay Snyder left the army after a tragic incident that he can't get past. Now he's working as a high school resource officer until he can figure out what to do with the rest of his life.

Their paths cross when Julianna is called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation involving Clay's sister. Impressed and a bit intimidated by the calm, capable woman with dark hair and blue eyes, Clay invites her to speak at his school. Dottie's school.

But as the anniversary of a school shooting from Julianna's past approaches, it becomes clear that her perfect record is about to be tested and that Dottie is at risk. If Julianna and Clay can't figure out who's behind the attacks, more innocent people will die--and Julianna just might be one of them.

This intense story of revenge and redemption from bestselling author and master of suspense Lynette Eason will have you up all night as you race toward the explosive finish.

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip ~ Review

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip
By Sara Brunsvold

Clara Kip is dying, but she's not about to do so lying down. Nope, she has an appointment that needs to be met before she's ready to do so. But first, she has to convince a young reporter that sometimes the most important story is one that you need to discover for yourself.

Aidyn Kelley is ready to break out of the shadows and become a feature reporter rather than one that goes uncredited. But rookie reports aren't made for features, and Aidyn is about to learn that the hard way when she makes a muddle of everything and gets an assignment that is surely the absolute worst. She is tasked with writing the obituary for a dying woman - worse, she has to go to the facility where the woman is waiting to die.

But Mrs. Kip proves to be something that Aidyn was not expecting. But she has questions to run through and no time to listen until she does. Clara Kip might declare that she was and is a person of no importance, but there is more to the story than anyone knows.

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip is both lovely and heartbreaking. The deaths in the title have two meanings - the deaths that Mrs. Kip experienced in her own life and the deaths that come out of Aidyn and Clara's conversations. Mrs. Kip's love and compassion make her both endearing and for those who weren't ready for her style of care an annoyance.  The present-day portion of this story is set in 2016, while Mrs. Kip's back story is told in key moments starting in 1969 until 1983.  This is the story of a woman who lived her life like a warrior, who fought for what she believed in until she could fight no more. Don't be surprised if you are moved to tears. as several of the scenes are so well-written that one can feel the character's pain and loss.

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:

Frustrated reporter Aidyn Kelley begrudgingly agrees to help a hospice patient prepare her obituary. But old Clara Kip has some incredible stories—and some surprises up her sleeve—that promise to make this seemingly throwaway assignment a life-changing one.

Among the Innocent ~ Review

Among the Innocent

By Mary Alford

Ten years ago, Leah Miller was the sole survivor of an attack that stole the lives of her family. The police laid the blame on Leah's friend, who later died in an act of suicide. But it seems the police were wrong, and the killer is back, and he wants Leah to know.

Leah is now with the police, and she is determined to get justice for her family and the new victims. The new police chief Dalton Cooper is determined to prove that this new murder isn't a copycat but rather the work of the same man. But where has "John" been all these years, and why does he seem intent on not only targetting Leah but "connecting" with her?

Calling on all the forces at their disposal, Leah and Dalton work together to stop a killer who takes cruel pleasure in hurting the Amish and their daughters. But to take down this killer, the past and all its secrets must be revealed. Someone knows something - the only question is, who knows what?

I don't think I would call this book a gentle read or a cozy mystery. I wouldn't say it is overly graphic, but some of the imagery is detailed so that the horror of the crimes is more than hinted at. This book is classified as a Romantic Suspense, and as such, the two main characters are drawn to one another. Is it true romance or just a product of the stress and the personal nature of the attacks? That's something you'll have to discover for yourself when you read the book. The story's pacing is well suited to an almost desperate search for clues while not coming across as frantic. I have previously read the author's work from Love Inspired Suspense, and this is equal to those but with more to the story.

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

When Leah Miller's entire Amish family was murdered ten years ago, the person believed responsible took his own life. Since then, Leah left the Amish and joined the police force. Now, after another Amish woman is found murdered with the same MO, it becomes clear that the wrong man may have been blamed for her family's deaths.

As Leah and the new police chief, Dalton Cooper, work long hours struggling to fit the pieces together in order to catch the killer, they can't help but grow closer. When secrets from both of their pasts begin to surface, an unexpected connection between them is revealed. But this is only the beginning. Could it be that the former police chief framed an innocent man to keep the biggest secret of all buried? And what will it mean for Leah--and Dalton--when the full truth comes to light?

USA Today bestselling author Mary Alford keeps you guessing as two determined souls plumb the dark depths of the past in order to forge a brighter future--together.

Elysium Tide ~ Review

Elysium Tide

By James R. Hannibal

Dr. Peter Chesterfield may be the top neurosurgeon at the Royal London Hospital but his mouth and bedside manner have a knack for putting him at the bottom of everyone's least favorite person list. And now it has him forced to attend a "medical conference" (yawn) in Maui. His workaholic ways are standing in his way of enjoying the island paradise he's been forced to visit until he realizes that he needs to follow orders. But taking a stroll on the beach is anything but restful when he finds a woman in the water. Soon he is caught up in a murder investigation much to the annoyance of Detective Lisa Kealoha. 

Peter is determined to help Kelly get justice but getting involved puts him in the sights of the gangs that have moved to the islands from the mainland. Peter's insights and instincts might be helpful but they have also made him some major enemies - enemies who are determined to stop him and Lisa from getting to the truth. 

Elysium Tide is a bit different from previous books I've read by James R. Hannibal in that there isn't a "spy" component to the story. But there is the person who is out of their normal element in Peter coming from England to Hawaii. There are elements of mystery and betrayal going on. But who is betraying who is the big question?  There is a lot going on with plenty of potential targets and suspects and one needs to read carefully to try to figure out who is guilty before the conclusion (and it isn't easy). I liked how this book ended and that there was an opening left for the possibility of perhaps another book. I liked this book and even though, at times, the characters were a tad annoying I would love to take another book adventure with them.

 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:

Dr. Peter Chesterfield is the top neurosurgeon at the Royal London Hospital. He's also a workaholic, and after a blow-up with a colleague, his boss orders him to attend a medical symposium at the luxurious Elysium Grand on the island of Maui. During a midnight walk on the beach, Peter pulls a woman with a skull fracture from the water. Despite all his skill, she dies in his arms, leaving him with only one clue to what happened to her: the word "honu."

Obsessed with finding the cause of his patient's death--discovering what or who ripped the power over life and death from his surgeon's hands--Peter becomes entangled in an ongoing investigation. He also becomes a source of deep irritation to detective Lisa Kealoha, who has jurisdiction over the case.

The reluctant pair join forces, diving deep into Maui's evolving gang culture, and unearth a conspiracy that runs deeper than either could have imagined. Knowing too much is deadly--and they must catch the killer before the killer catches them.

Critical Alliance ~ Review

Critical Alliance

Rocky Mountain Courage #3

By Elizabeth Goddard

She thought her past was behind her - left behind in Montana along with her family - but her past misdeeds have caught up to her. Mackenzie Hanson's juvenile indiscretions cost her more than she expected but when she gets a warning she realizes she may have to pay an even higher price. Can she stop the attack and protect her father's legacy before it is too late? Not if the unknown threat has anything to say about it.

Alex Knight's last mission went wrong and now he's returned to the home he left years ago. He's supposed to relax but when he sees a familiar face from his time in D.C. he is unexpectedly drawn into a situation that will require all of his skills if he is to get the answers he needs and keep Mackenzie alive. Alex knows security but the trouble that has found Mackenzie may be more than he has previously dealt with. 

Critical Alliance is an engaging read that seemingly has layers upon layers of secrets that need to be peeled back and revealed. Because if Alex and Mackenzie can't discover what is truly at stake lives will be lost and they may not live to see their failure's true cost. The pacing is good - it keeps one's attention fully engaged. This is the third book in the Rocky Mountain Courage series and though it should be read in series order it can be read as a standalone book without any difficulty. I think I'd say this is a book of secrets and it is interesting how the more tightly a secret is held the more imperative that it be revealed. And just a word of warning - keep your eyes open for unattended drones - just saying after reading this book technology and smart devices won't look the same ever again.

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

About the Book:

She's seeking answers.

He's seeking respite.

The past is seeking both of them.

Mackenzie Hanson's special set of skills opened the door to a successful career as a professor of cybersecurity at a Michigan university, allowing her to put her criminal past behind her. But when a long-ago partner in crime delivers a cryptic message about her father's tech company being under cyberattack, she heads for Montana to secure exposed assets, close security breaches, and hopefully save lives.

Diplomatic Security Services special agent Alex Knight is back home in Montana to decompress from a mission gone wrong. But even as he's trying to relax, he's drawn into another mystery, complete with suspicious deaths, lethal threats, and whispers of espionage that all have one thing in common--a beautiful cybersecurity expert with a dark past.

When the situation turns deadly, Alex and Mackenzie will have to work together to find the answers they need--before someone silences Mackenzie for good.


USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard weaves a tangled web of nail-biting suspense and heart-stopping romance in this fast-paced conclusion to her Rocky Mountain Courage series.

Sunburst ~ Review

Sunburst

Sky King Ranch #2

By Susan May Warren

Ranger Kingston doesn't let people get too close, he made that mistake once and it nearly cost him his life and his career. And he forever lost his heart to the one woman who could make him feel. It's been years since Ranger has spoken to Noemi Sutton so when Ranger goes on a mission to rescue to his brother Colt he is more than a little surprised to discover Noemi among those captured with Colt.

But the rescue attempt doesn't quite go according to plan and Ranger, Noemi, and a young Nigerian girl are on their own in their escape. And their captor aren't about to let them go without a fight. And the only way to evade them is to take refuge with family Noemi has never met while posing as a married couple. It's just a small lie to get Ranger the help he needs. What could possibly go wrong?

As Ranger and Noemi work to stay ahead of the Boko Haram terrorists who are hunting them, they have to deal with the fallout of their heartbreak. As both deal with the feelings that they thought they had left behind they try to build up walls to keep it from happening again. But can you keep your heart from breaking when you are denying it what it wants? And where does duty end and love begin? If they can't figure this out and soon they may not get a third chance at love.

It is interesting to see how this series starring the Kingston family is unfolding. There are long held secrets and hurts that have divided the family for years. But as danger closes in around them they are drawn home to Alaska where it seems their hearts truly lie. Now they just have to come to terms with the past mistakes that drove a wedge between them and make peace to become the family they were meant to be. Because family can be your biggest ally and your greatest support.

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

About the Book:

When former Navy SEAL and lifelong bachelor Ranger Kingston is called upon to take part in a rescue mission to save his brother Colt, who has been kidnapped by terrorists in Nigeria, he is shocked to find among the hostages a woman he knows and could never forget.

Noemi Sutton was attempting to return a young girl to her family in Boko Haram territory when she and the girl found themselves taken hostage, along with several others.

And while Ranger Kingston may be able to get the hostages away from their captors, he'll need Noemi's help if he ever hopes to get out of Nigeria alive.

Her solution? Pose as husband and wife. But when her uncle discovers the union, he insists on a traditional Nigerian wedding--binding Noemi to a man destined to break her heart. Worse, she's discovered the real reason she was kidnapped, and anyone around her is bound to be caught in the cross fire. Including her so-called new husband.

She'll need to figure out a way to leave the man she loves if she wants to save his life.

USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren throws you into the thick of the action in this high-stakes, globe-trotting romance.

When the Meadow Blooms ~ Review

When the Meadow Blooms

Ann H. Gabhart

Rose Meadows finds herself in a sanatorium in hopes that she'll recover from tuberculosis and the weakness it has left her with. Her daughters Calla and Sienna have been left in the care of Louisville's West Side Home for Girls, a most miserable and uncaring place, during her recovery. But a plea for rescue to an unknown uncle is soon answered when Dirk Meadows arrives to bring them to his family home - Meadowland.

Twenty years ago Dirk Meadows lost his future when he was scarred in a fire, with scars that are both visible and invisible he has walled off his heart. Dirk is opening his home to Rose, Calla, Sienna but he doesn't want to open his heart. Open hearts are vulnerable and he doesn't want to be hurt again. But the only way he can close himself off is to avoid them as much as possible. 

When the Meadow Blooms is split between Dirk, Rose, and Calla's viewpoint. Though we get to know Sienna we never get inside her head. We feel Calla's fears as she and Sienna live through their difficulties at the Home for Girls. Her joy at getting to Meadowlands and her fears that it won't last. Rose is still struggling with her TB and the weakness that continues to curtail her activities. And then there is the whole mystery of Dirk's past that has sparked Calla's curiosity.  

This book is both sweet and tragic and well worth the time spent reading it. As a standalone title it is well developed and ends satisfactorily, though I wouldn't mind revisiting these characters at a later date because I can definitely say I felt a connection with them. I also wouldn't mind getting a story from Sienna's viewpoint - she's an intriguing character who was not your average child. 

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:

If any place on God's earth was designed to help one heal, it is Meadowland. Surely here, at her brother-in-law's Kentucky farm, Rose and her daughters can recover from the events of the recent past--the loss of her husband during the 1918 influenza epidemic, her struggle with tuberculosis that required a stay at a sanatorium, and her girls' experience in an orphanage during her illness. At Meadowland, hope blooms as their past troubles become rich soil in which their faith can grow.

Dirk Meadows may have opened his home to his late brother's widow and her girls, but he keeps his heart tightly closed. The roots of his pain run deep, and the evidence of it is written across his face. Badly scarred by a fire and abandoned by the woman he loved, Dirk fiercely guards his heart from being hurt again. But it may be that his visitors will bring light back into his world and unlock the secret to true healing.

Bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart explores the tender places within the human heart in this character-driven story of trusting God to turn our burdens into something beautiful.

Sea Glass Cottage ~ Review

Sea Glass Cottage

Hope Harbor #8

By Irene Hannon

Christi Reece never thought she'd track down the man whose heart she so cruelly broke more than a decade ago and beg for his help. Well, maybe not beg but ask until she has no hope of a positive reply. But Christi owes a debt she wants and needs to repay. But Jack Colby isn't about to be taken in by Christi's manipulative ways again. He's determined to say NO but waivers when she's standing just in front of him.

When Christi is offered a chance to make Hope Harbor her new home she can't say yes, or can she? Is this the answer to her prayers? Soon Christi has much to offer Hope Harbor and its residents. Now if only she can get Jack to see that she's not the same selfish, self-serving, spoiled, little-rich-girl who played him false. 

Soon Jack is faced with a situation he never expected and he is literally clueless about how to handle the situation. And when it goes from bad to worse, somehow Christi manages to be just where she needs to be to help him out. Which opens the door to be of further assistance to Jack when he most needs it. Could this be the chance Christi needs to show Jack that change for the better is possible? 

Sea Glass Cottage is the eighth Hope Harbor book that once again adds even more charm to this Oregon coastal town. Each new book includes scenes with Charley, Floyd, and Gladys, who I might add are my favorite Hope Harbor residents! And this time each imparts valuable advice (or examples in the case of Floyd and Gladys) to others in this coastal town - lessons that were badly needed. This is a small town (by some standards) that is filled with people who make mistakes and grow from the experience. No one is perfect, though some would love to present that facade to the world. This is a place you will enjoy visiting again and again. So sit back and spend some quality time in a place you wouldn't mind calling home.

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:

When painful pasts collide, 

Can love overcome heartache

 and triumph despite the odds?

Christi Reece is desperate. The one-time golden girl's life has tarnished, and a cascade of setbacks has left her reeling. She needs help, and she's certain Jack Colby is in a position to provide it.

When she shows up in Hope Harbor, however, Jack wants nothing to do with the woman who betrayed him. He's built a new life on the Oregon coast--and there's no room in it for Christi, even after she takes refuge in a charming but mysterious cottage nearby. Yet it soon becomes apparent his opinion of her may need revising . . . especially when he ends up needing her help.

Can these two hurting souls make peace with their past and open their hearts to a new beginning?

Come home to Hope Harbor--

Where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

Fatal Code ~ Review

Fatal Code 

The SNAP Agency #2

By Natalie Walters 

Her grandfather's death has rocked her world, making her feel abandoned, but at least Elinor Mitchell has her work and her grandfather's notebooks. And when she survives a near accident thanks to her neighbor, one of her grandfather's notebooks is almost lost in a muddy puddle. 

In the six months he's been living in his apartment, Kekoa Young hasn't really communicated with his next-door neighbor, but an inattentive bicyclist changes all of that when he nearly runs her down. Preventing a fall is the most interaction he has had with her to date, and then his less than stellar rescue of her notebook brings her to tears. Ouch!

When Kekoa learns that he is suppose to keep an eye on Elinor because his previous investigations skills (cryptography) have cast doubts on Elinor and her loyalties. There is just one problem Kekoa doesn't believe Elinor is guilty of selling company secrets to competitors or foreign governments even though his work that pointed SNAP in Elinor's direction isn't wrong.

As Kekoa deals with proving Elinor's innocence she discovers that she needs Kekoa's skills in helping her understand the hidden message in her grandfather's notebooks. But soon the two mysteries seem to be overlapping as danger seems to be lurking around the corner. Are the two related even though nearly six decades separate them? 

Fatal Code gives one an insight into Kekoa by sharing parts of his history. An incident in his past caused Kekoa to leave home and family behind. Kekoa is an interesting person - caring, intense, focused, and loyal. Elinor is a fairly private person who seems to trust people but only so far due to her relationship with her parents.

Fatal Code doesn't ignore the other members of SNAP and I have to admit I love Lyla's character. She is sassy, intelligent, capable, and caring. Her relationship with the other SNAP team members is interesting.

If you haven't read the previous book or novella in the series you can read this book and still follow along with no major problems. But I really think you will enjoy this book more fully if you read Lights Out (book one) and Intitium (series prequel novella) first.

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 1964, a group of scientists called the Los Alamos Five came close to finishing a nuclear energy project for the United States government when they were abruptly disbanded. Now the granddaughter of one of those five scientists, aerospace engineer Elinor Mitchell, discovers that she has highly sensitive information on the project in her possession--and a target on her back.

SNAP agent and former Navy cryptologist Kekoa Young is tasked with monitoring Elinor. This is both convenient since she's his neighbor in Washington, DC, and decidedly inconvenient because . . . well, he kind of likes her.

As Elinor follows the clues her grandfather left behind to a top-secret nuclear project, Kekoa has no choice but to step in. When Elinor learns he has been spying on her, she's crushed. But with danger closing in on all sides, she'll have to trust him to ensure her discoveries stay out of enemy hands.

Natalie Walters sucks you into the global race for space domination in this perfectly paced second installment of her SNAP Agency romantic suspense series. 

The Master Craftsman ~ Review

The Master Craftsman

By Kelli Stuart

Ava Laine hasn't seen her father for ten years. He was always too busy treasure hunting to settle down and be a present father. But he is dying, and she is his only chance to complete his last hunt - the missing fifty-third Imperial Fabergé egg. But this isn't just any Fabergé egg; no, this is one that was hidden away to preserve it and to keep Karl Fabergé's loyalties secret. And Nick Laine is convinced that the time has come to discover this lost treasure.

We are taken from the present to Imperial Russia (1904-1917) in an alternating chapter shift as these two timelines converge at the end of the book. We see Russia through the eyes of Peter Karl Fabergé as discontent grows towards the excesses of the Russian royalty and the rich while the common people struggle to survive from one day to the next. The inhumanity Karl observes inspires him to create one of his greatest works, but the very creation of such a piece endangers him. And as everything comes to a head, Karl is caught in the middle of everything. But he entrusts the protection of his creation to Alma Pihl.

Who is Alma Pihl? This is the question that will launch Ava's quest and place her in danger. But Ava has the drive and stubbornness of her parents and is determined to see it through to its success. 

I found this to be an enjoyable and engaging read. The Master Craftsman is a Split-time Romance set in early Twentieth-Century Russia and the present day. I loved the back-and-forth between the two timelines as the story progressed.  The characters have depth, and the settings are detailed without wordiness. But what is the treasure they seek? And will it be discovered? 

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:

When Ava Laine’s dying treasure-hunter father entrusts her with his mission to find a missing Fabergé egg, she has no idea how high the stakes will climb–or how her allegiances will be tested. Join the hunt in this lavish, dual-time narrative that plunges you into the 1917 Russian Revolution, the fall of the Romanovs, and long-buried Soviet secrets.

In 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in the House of Fabergé, was charged to protect one of the greatest secrets in Russian history–an unknown Fabergé Egg that Peter Karl Fabergé secretly created to honor his divided allegiance to both the people of Russia and the Imperial tsar’s family. When Alma and her husband escaped Russia for their native Finland in 1921, she took the secret with her, guarding her past connection to the Romanov family.

Three generations later, world-renowned treasure hunter Nick Laine is sick and fears the secret of the missing egg will die with him. With time running out, he entrusts the mission of retrieving the egg to his estranged daughter, Ava, who has little idea of the dangers she is about to face. As the stakes are raised, Ava is forced to declare her own allegiance–and the consequences are greater than she could have imagined.

This modern-day treasure hunt from award-winning author Kelli Stuart transports you into the opulent and treacherous world of the Russian Revolution to unearth mysteries long buried.

The Spark of Love ~ Review

The Spark of Love

Mesquite Springs #3

By Amanda Cabot

Alexandra Tarkington has fled from her home in New York, misdirecting her unwanted suitor while fleeing to her father's side in the hopes that he would keep her safe. Mesquite Springs, Texas, is far from New York and Alexandra is sure that she will be well hidden there. Unfortunately, her father is less than thrilled to see her and wants her to turn around head right back home. But Alexandra refuses to leave and begins to create a home and a life for herself in Mesquite. And then there are a few questions she needs answers to, answers that only her father can give.

Gabe Seymour is an investigator who has been hired to track down a swindler, a swindler who he believes lives in Mesquite Springs. When he shares a stagecoach with a delightful young woman, he is more than a little surprised to find that she is the daughter of the man he is seeking.

The Spark of Love is the third book in the Mesquite Springs series and is an excellent enjoyable read that takes one back to the Texas Hill Country. I love how some of the incidents of Dreams Rekindled are further delved into in this book - the ranches that were bought out, the house that Mrs. Lockhart sold, there is a bit of mystery there, and naturally, most people are looking for answers. But there is more to the story than questions about an unknown buyer and landmark house being sold; there is danger as Alexandra falls victim to "accidents" that seem too convenient. 

This is one book that I would highly recommend after reading the first two books in the series (Out of the Embers and Dreams Rekindled). There are references to events from those books, and, yes, you could probably read and enjoy The Spark of Love without reading them, but you wouldn't have the proper context to fully grasp the situation. And don't skip ahead; you will totally ruin the ending. So clear your weekend and plan a staycation read-in!

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:

When a spurned suitor threatens her, heiress Alexandra Tarkington flees New York for Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country, where her father is building a hotel. But the happy reunion she envisions is not to be as her father insists she return to New York. Instead, Alexandra carves out a niche for herself in town, teaching schoolchildren to paint and enjoying the company of Gabe Seymour, a delightful man she met on the stagecoach.

But all is not as it seems. Two men, each with his own agenda, have followed her to Mesquite Springs. And Gabe is an investigator, searching for proof that her father is a swindler. When a series of apparent accidents threaten her life, Alexandra and Gabe will have to work together to discover the truth. And perhaps along the way they will discover that the sparks of attraction they've felt from the beginning are more than sparks--they're love.

Bestselling author Amanda Cabot invites you back to 1850s Texas for this exciting and heartwarming tale of treachery, love, and learning to trust.

Until Leaves Fall in Paris ~ Review

Until Leaves Fall in Paris

By Sarah Sundin

Lucie Girard has spent most of her life dancing, most of which has been in Paris. Lucie has loved her life, but life is about to change with the Germans taking over Paris. To aid her dear friends in their escape, she buys their bookstore. But Lucie is no businesswoman, and keeping the Green Leaf Book store operational is more of a challenge than she thought it would be. And keeping it open is imperative to her customers and the resistance who make use of her location. When Paul Aubrey helps her with the business end of things, she's grateful but torn, accepting help from a collaborator. 

Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to his home and family in the United States with his daughter Josie. But the war effort needs him and could care less about his broken, grieving heart. But letting all his friends think he has become a collaborator, a Nazi sympathizer, is almost more than he can stand, especially when Josie suffers for his sacrifice. Meeting Lucie is a bright point in his now lonely life.  But with other activities it is only a matter of time before someone suspects something.

Until Leaves Fall in Paris takes place between May 1940 to March 1942 and is not to be missed reading. The story has depth and in no way feels as if it was rushed through. I have to say, I found Paul's situation to be of interest, widowed with a young daughter, working in secret to obtain information about German interests, all while dealing with the false assumptions and suspicions of his former friends. Then there is Josie and her Feenee stories; you have to read the book to truly appreciate the truth behind them and their role throughout. I'm not sure who is the greatest risk-taker between Paul and Lucie as they both do what they can to try to set right a world that has lost its way and is tearing apart. 

Sarah Sundin has once again created a story that will tug at your heart and is one that you will want to move to the top of your TBR list. There are moments of happiness, sorrow, fear, and uncertainty that we are all familiar with and can understand and empathize with. If you are a fan of Historical Romance or just WWII Fiction, you won't be disappointed with this one. 

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:

When the Nazis march toward Paris, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. The Germans make it difficult for her to keep Green Leaf Books afloat. And she must keep the store open if she is to continue aiding the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.

Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory as the war rages on. But in order to carry out his mission, he must appear to support the occupation—which does not win him any sympathy when he meets Lucie in the bookstore.

In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail?

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water ~ Review

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water

By Erin Bartels

Kendra Brennan told her story to the world, but then she received a letter that drove her back to grandfather's cabin - the setting for both her story and the most important place of her life. But going back means facing the past and seeing her story through the eyes of another. But to move forward in her life and her writing Kendra has to confront the past, the secrets, and the accusations that she has allowed to rule her life. 

This book deals with sensitive issues as Kendra confronts her past and the people who shaped her. She also deals with the friendship that died one summer - a friendship that she allowed to die. 

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water is well-written and it will be one of those books one either loves or hates. I will admit I had trouble getting into it at first but once past the initial issues I had, which I believe was purely my mental place at the time, I moved through the book rather quickly. This book is written in two distinct styles - first as if being told or written to Kendra's childhood friend Cami and second as actions as seen through Kendra's eyes. 

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 best fiction simply tells the truth.

But the truth is never simple.

When novelist Kendra Brennan moves into her grandfather's old cabin on Hidden Lake, she has a problem and a plan. The problem? An inflammatory letter from A Very Disappointed Reader. The plan? To confront Tyler, her childhood best friend's brother--and the man who inspired the antagonist in her first book. If she can prove that she told the truth about what happened during those long-ago summers, perhaps she can put the letter's claims to rest and meet the swiftly approaching deadline for her next book.

But what she discovers as she delves into the murky past is not what she expected. While facing Tyler isn't easy, facing the consequences of her failed friendship with his sister, Cami, may be the hardest thing she's ever had to do.

Plumb the depths of the human heart with this emotional exploration of how a friendship dies, how we can face the unforgivable, and how even those who have been hurt can learn to love with abandon.

A Heart Adrift ~ Review

A Heart Adrift

By Laura Frantz

Years ago Esmée Shaw thought she'd marry Captain Henri Lennox but she didn't want to share him with the sea. As the years have gone by they have managed to avoid one another for the most part. But Henri has returned to the York/Williamsburg area with hopes to finish the lighthouse he and Esmée had dreamed of completing.

Esmée has had a decade to rethink her break with Henri. She has her regrets and though she doesn't want to admit it her heart is Henri's. Society and its expectations have little bearing on her life as she is given over to her chocolate shop and her efforts for the alms house. She doesn't have time to deal with her feelings for Henri but someone has other plans as Henri and Esmée keep coming into situations that bring them together.

Henri has tired of his extended absences from home. He longs to settle down but war is threatening the peace. Could colonial America be drawn into the dispute between England and France? And will he be drawn back to the sea? Henri has some serious thinking to do both about where he will call home and his feelings for Esmée.

I really liked this book A Heart Adrift has an easy to get into it quality. The story is engaging and I love the historical aspects to it. Esmée is a caring person who allowed her observations of her mother's experiences with her father, a man of the sea, to decide her future with the man she loved. A Heart Adrift is a book of second chances. Uncertainty and danger is an aspect of any life and I feel that this was something that Esmée needed to realize and come to terms with.

 

I love Laura Frantz's work and have never been disappointed with her ever. Her characters have a depth that one can identify with. I love the rich attention to detail in the everyday operation of the chocolate shop and the historical settings. If you are a fan of Historical Romance you will not be disappointed.

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 1755, and the threat of war with France looms over colonial York, Virginia. Chocolatier Esmée Shaw is fighting her own battle of the heart. Having reached her twenty-eighth birthday, she is reconciled to life alone after a decade-old failed love affair from which she's never quite recovered. But she longs to find something worthwhile to do with her life.

Captain Henri Lennox has returned to port after a lengthy absence, intent on completing the lighthouse in the dangerous Chesapeake Bay, a dream he once shared with Esmée. But when the colonial government asks him to lead a secret naval expedition against the French, his future is plunged into uncertainty.

Will a war and a cache of regrets keep them apart, or can their shared vision and dedication to the colonial cause heal the wounds of the past? Bestselling and award-winning author Laura Frantz whisks you away to a time fraught with peril--on the sea and in the heart--in this redemptive, romantic story.