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?

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.

A Novel Tea Evening with Authors ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors including Lynn Austin, Susie Finkbeiner, Jocelyn Green, Laura Frantz, Kate Breslin, Amanda Barratt, and Joanna Davidson Politano, sponsored by JustRead Publicity Tours!

You are Invited

A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors
September 2, 2023 at 7 p.m. 
Palmer House Hilton Hotel, Chicago

Join us at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 2, at Chicago’s historic Palmer House Hilton Hotel for a tasteful evening with tea and talk of books, writing, history, and the power of story. Emceed by Chris Jager of Baker Book House, seven novelists will share what inspires them, tales from the research files, what they’ve learned on the journey, and their hope for readers.

Learn More about A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors

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About the Authors

LYNN AUSTIN, whose titles include Long Way Home, Chasing Shadows, and If I Were You. 

Connect with her at LynnAustin.org.

AMANDA BARRATT, whose titles include Within These Walls of Sorrow, The White Rose Resists, and My Dearest Dietrich. 

Connect with her at AmandaBarratt.net.

KATE BRESLIN, whose titles include In Love’s Time, As Dawn Breaks, and Far Side of the Sea. 

Connect with her at KateBreslin.com.

SUSIE FINKBEINER, whose titles include The All-American, The Nature of Small Birds, and All Manner of Things. 

Connect with her at SusieFinkbeiner.com.

LAURA FRANTZ, whose titles include The Rose and the Thistle, A Heart Adrift, and Tidewater Bride. 

Connect with her at LauraFrantz.net.

JOCELYN GREEN, whose titles include The Metropolitan Affair, The Windy City Saga series, and The Mark of the King. 

Connect with her at JocelynGreen.com.

JOANNA DAVIDSON POLITANO, whose titles include The Lost Melody, A Midnight Dance, and The Love Note. 

Connect with her at JDPStories.com.

Purchase Tickets to Attend A Novel-Tea Evening with Authors

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The Lost Melody

A Midnight Dance #2

By Joanna Davidson Politano

Vivienne Mourdant is finally free of her father. But his death has forced her into a time of mourning, preventing her from performing as she wants; no, she needs to. When she receives word that she now has a ward in Hurstwell Asylum, she makes inquiries. But the woman she seeks is not there, nor has she ever been there. Her curiosity piqued, Vivienne decides to find the answers she seeks herself. 

Working at the asylum under a false name, Vivienne soon finds herself getting lost in the darkness that has taken hold of Hurstwell. And unless she guards herself well, she may never leave the place alive.

The Lost Melody is a true Gothic novel. It will drag you into it as a willing victim to its haunting call. Who are all these people trapped within its walls? You, like Vivienne, will be unable to pull yourself away. I have always enjoyed books with a Gothic thread throughout them. An unexplained abandoned tower. Unexplained music in the night. Whispers. And treacherous people undermining your very sanity. There is something to be said for reading these books late into the night as the night closes in around you. And Joanna Davidson Politano does an excellent job setting the mood and feel to create just such a story that one cannot help to be drawn to the plight that Vivienne finds herself in. I highly recommend this book and would say it would make for an intriguing Book Club discussion. 

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:

"Haunting. Riveting. Filled with hope."--Michelle Griep, author of Lost in Darkness

When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. Vivienne had no idea the woman existed, and yet her portrait is shockingly familiar. When the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.


The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know.

But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?

Joanna Davidson Politano casts a delightful spell with this lyrical look into the nature of women's independence and artistic expression during the Victorian era--and now.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository |Bookshop.org | Christianbook | BookBub

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About the Author:

Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, The Love Note, and A Midnight Dance. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone's story. She lives with her husband and their children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. 

Connect with Joanna by visiting jdpstories.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

                                                         JustRead Tours

Windswept Way ~ Review

Windswept Way

Hope Harbor #9

By Irene Hannon

Ashley Scott's life took a major hit both personally and professionally, but rather than let it rule her life, she's embraced the opportunity it presented her. Reaching out, she makes an offer on a house that years before captured her imagination. A house she wishes to return joy and happiness to. But first, she has to get Rose Fitzgerald to accept her proposal. 

Jonathan Gray has been hiding away in Hope Harbor since he moved there. It has been a refuge of sorts keeping his wounds hidden and avoiding any close connections with people. His landscaping company has been tending Edgecliff, and with Ashley's proposed changes, this could be the contract that takes his company to the next level.

Ashley, Rose, and Jonathan are all hurting. Betrayal has made trust a precious commodity that all three are closely protecting. But their plans for Edgecliff could change everything. All they have to do is risk their hearts.

Windswept Way is a book about second chances and healing. There is also a bit of a mystery surrounding Rose, which will definitely hold your interest. As always, with Hope Harbor, my favorite character is Charley, who is a fount of wisdom, making everyone think or rethink decisions that have shaped their present. As Ashley, Rose, and Jonathan work together to make something new of their lives, one is rooting for them to all succeed. I love books with second chances.

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:
Buying a haunted house was never in Ashley Scott's plans, but when an intriguing opportunity drops into her lap after a major setback, she finds herself trekking cross-country to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast to launch a new life.

Wounded warrior Jonathan Gray isn't sure what to make of the attractive woman on his reclusive older neighbor's isolated property, but her presence is none of his business--until she enlists his help with an ambitious project. When Jonathan finds his interest in the new arrival becoming more personal than professional, however, his defenses go up. There's no room in his life--or his heart--for romance.

Yet, as these three hurting people join forces to restore life, laughter, and love to a historic estate that has known too much sadness, they may also find healing, hope, and happiness for themselves.

Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites you back to Hope Harbor, where hearts heal and love blooms.

Second Time Around ~ Review

Second Time Around

By Melody Carlson

Malloy Farrell's youngest has just married and left home, leaving Mallory the chance to visit Portside, Oregon, and see the tourist knick-knack shop her late grandmother left her. With every intention of selling the old shop, Mallory instead does a 180 and decides to give the old shop a makeover and repurpose it as a home decor shop. 

Of course, her childhood crush Grayson Matthews has absolutely nothing to do with her decision to put down roots in the small town that was a second home to her while growing up. But when her plans start to go mostly great she starts to relax a little, except for the secret she's hiding in her living quarters. A secret that could ruin everything.

As with all of Melody Carlson's books, this is a sweet read. Yes, there are problems, but such is life. But sometimes you just want a feel-good book, one that you know the author always manages at the end to leave you with a smile on your face. Yes, there are difficulties and a few tense situations that could ruin everything, but this all comes together to present a believable and relatable reading experience. This is a second-chance story, and who hasn't wondered what if I had done such-n-such instead? Well, Mallory gets just such a chance to chase a long-held dream. This a lovely read, perfect after a long day at work.

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

About the Book:

 Who doesn't love a second chance?

When empty nester Mallory Farrell inherits her grandmother's run-down tourist shop in Seaport, Oregon, it seems the only sensible thing to do is to sell it. But when her former secret crush, Grayson Matthews, wants to buy the property in order to complete his plans to redevelop the funky town's business district into a soulless, cookie-cutter outdoor mall, Mallory digs in her heels and decides to renovate the property herself.

With a lot of hard work and a little bit of help, Mallory makes incredible progress turning the store into an eclectic home décor shop called Romancing the Home--all while trying to ignore the depressing and decrepit apartment she's living in on the second floor. When the shop catches the eye of a popular renovation TV show producer, Mallory is thrilled--until it becomes clear that her apartment is to be part of the segment as well.

She's tempted to abandon her dreams and the town under a cloud of shame. But perhaps there's more to Grayson than meets the eye. Can he swallow his pride, change his plans, and help Mallory romance her own home--and possibly her life?

Under Fire ~ Review

Under Fire

Defend and Protect #3

By Lynn H. Blackburn

Special Agent Tessa Reed had a problem that was a major stumbling block in her chance of more than friendship USSS Special Agent Zane Thacker. But Zane put them firmly in the friend zone as he knew the demons Tessa battled were more important than anything else. He needed to be there for her as a friend and as a support for her.

After six months in D.C., working as hard at protecting the President, Zane is back in Raleigh, N.C., working with his friends and former colleagues in anticipation of the President's visit. The Raleigh office has had its share of trouble over the last couple of years, and this protection/security detail could be just the thing to push the past firmly into the past. And working with Tessa again is something Zane wouldn't miss for anything.

But chasing down threats to the President in the days leading up to his visit takes an unexpected turn when someone starts threatening Tessa. Is it just random? Or is it something more serious? 

Under Fire is the third book in the Defend and Protect series that brings new danger to the Raleigh Secret Service office. There are plenty of intense moments of action while Zane and Tessa deal with their complicated friendship and past. And they have an interesting past, one which keeps Zane firmly in the friends-only camp, though he would've liked to be more. (And this plays a big part in this book while explaining things in the previous book.) Overall this was a good read and an excellent series conclusion. Yes, conclusion, and I really dislike conclusions, especially when I like the characters. But the nice thing is the characters could show up later in another series as a fun surprise. There were a few guest appearances in this book from the author's Dive Team Investigations series. I love Sabrina, btw! If you are a fan of Christian Romantic Suspense you will want to read this book (and series). The book can be read as a standalone, but reading the previous books will help out with the backgrounds of the other characters who play supporting roles in the book. But no matter how you read this book, I recommend you add it to your TBR list.

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:

USSS Special Agent Zane Thacker has landed his dream assignment - protecting the president of the United States. When the president plans a fundraiser at the exclusive estate of a political supporter in Raleigh, Zane is thrilled to be working again with Special Agent Tessa Reed, his best friend--and the woman he desperately wishes could be more.

Though Tessa almost lost everything, she battled her demons and came out on the other side healthy and healed. But when her role as the liaison between the Raleigh office and the president's protective detail wrenches her past back into the present, her greatest failure threatens to come to light.

Zane refuses to let Tessa go through this alone. But can he stand by the woman he loves and protect the president from a mounting threat at the same time?

Sparks fly as award-winning romantic suspense writer Lynn H. Blackburn closes out her Defend and Protect series with this explosive tale of secrets kept, lies exposed, and relationships restored.

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.

The Sound of Light ~ Review

The Sound of Light

By Sarah Sundin

What is courage, and what is cowardice? The line that divides them is what is at the heart of this book by Sarah Sundin. Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt and Dr. Else Jensen are both faced with this question as the Nazi's occupation of Denmark continues. What is more effective silent resistance or open opposition? Denmark has adopted a policy of offering "the cold shoulder" to the Nazis, but it has not made them leave. Rather, it appears as if they are allies instead. 

As both Henrik and Else work through what they feel they should do, they are faced with what the consequences will be if they do decide to take a more active, less silent role. Because every action has a reaction, and some are more difficult to live with.

The majority of this book takes place in 1943 Copenhagen, which is a new setting for me in regard to this historical period. So it was interesting to see how the Danish people viewed the situation they found themselves in. Do you take a public stand that could cost you everything? Or do you offer silent disapproval, so that little disruption to your life takes place? It is an interesting concept to contemplate. How do you measure success or failure?

Sarah Sundin's books have never disappointed, and this book is no exception. I like how she offers lesser-known glimpses into this historical period. The characters are well-written and ones with whom I could connect and sympathize with as they made the choices they did. I don't know that I would have been able to be as "quiet" as Else was as she was continually put down by her "boss," but I did appreciate how she took it as an opportunity to both grow and make a difference. I would recommend this book as there is so much depth to it. It would make an excellent book club selection, in my opinion.

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 Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden.

American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research--her life's dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement's legendary Havmand--the merman--and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.

When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. Bestselling author of more than a dozen WWII novels, Sarah Sundin offers pens another story of ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.

The Maid of Ballymacool ~ Review

The Maid of Ballymacool

By Jennifer Deibel

All her life Brianna Kelly has called Ballymacool home, she is treated as a nobody and expected to do more work than anyone else. She is forbidden to leave the grounds and is at the mercy of her guardian, Maureen Magee. But until Michael Wray came to Ballymacool House and Boarding School to attend his cousin Adeline, she didn't realize how much her life lacked.

Michael is part of Ireland's gentry but feels that those in service should be respected and acknowledged for their work. He is more than appalled when he sees how Brianna is (mis)treated. 

The Maid of Ballymacool is set in 1935, County Donegal, Ireland. And there is both mystery and tragedy connected to Ballymacool House and Brianna. Who is Brianna, and why was she left with Maureen Magee? 

I have to admit I really disliked Mistress Magee in her opening scene, and she did not grow more likable at all, in fact, she grew more unlikeable as the story progressed. There were moments when one could have experienced sympathy for her, but her personality kept me from such feelings. And her intense dislike and cruelty of and to Brianna was such a contrast to Michael's behavior. The story reads like a Cinderella-like story, a poor orphan who is overworked and abused and in need of a champion to protect and save her. But can Michael save Brianna from the woman who is her guardian? 

This is a book I would highly recommend. It is an attention grabber. I read it over an eight-hour period and didn't want to put it down. This was the perfect after-work escape. So find a favorite reading corner and get ready to take a step back in time to Ireland for a lovely visit and a 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:

Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School as an infant. She has worked there since she was a wee girl and will likely die there. Despite a sense that she was made for something more, Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds, looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.

When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, he finds himself drawn to Brianna, immediately and inescapably. There is something about her that feels so . . . familiar. When Brianna finds a piece of silver in the woods, she commits to learning its origins, with the help of Michael. What they discover may change everything.

Fan favorite Jennifer Deibel invites you back to the Emerald Isle in the 1930s for this fresh take on the Cinderella story, complete with a tantalizing mystery, a budding romance, and a chance at redemption.

Everything Is Just Beginning ~ Review

Everything is Just Beginning

By Erin Bartels

Michael Sullivan wants to write songs and play his music, but life and his former band have other opinions. That is until he meets Natalie Wheeler. 

Fortunately, first impressions didn't make a permanent impression, as Michael and Natalie's first meeting was less than stellar. Though borrowing a New Year's party invite is certainly a unique way to meet the person about to change your life for the better. 

I loved how each chapter was numbered as a recorded track. This added a special touch, in my opinion. I found all the recording lingo/jargon interesting. 

The story takes place mainly in 1990, though the pivotal moment that starts everything is New Years Eve 1989. This is a story of second chances, endings, new beginnings, and discovery. Who are we? And who do familial ties affect us? These are but a couple of questions that Michael finds himself confronted with in this entertaining book that focuses on music but is oh so much more. 

There are lighter moments mixed in with the more serious ones. But I think it just added more depth to the characters and the overall story. I liked Everything is Just Beginning better than The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water only because I was more comfortable with the underlying story. I think this would make an excellent choice for a book club selection. And for those who remember and miss the early 1990s, I would highly recommend this book.

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:

An Immersive Story of Music, Struggle, 

and Starting Over from an Award-Winning Author

Michael Sullivan is a talented lyricist and a decent guitarist, but since he was kicked out of his band (and his apartment), he's not sure he'll ever get a record deal. Living with his loser uncle in a beat-up trailer and working a dead-end job, Michael has little reason to hope for a better future. Until the invitation for a swanky New Year's Eve party shows up in the mailbox. It's for his uncle, with whom he shares his name, but his uncle is going out of town . . .

On the effervescent night of December 31, 1989--as the Berlin Wall is coming down, the Soviet Union is inching toward democracy, and anything seems possible--Michael will cross paths with the accomplished and enigmatic young heir to a fading musical dynasty, forever altering both of their futures.

Award-winning novelist Erin Bartels enchants with this story of two lonely souls who have exactly what the other one needs--if they could simply turn their focus from what is ending to what is just beginning.

Cold Light of Day ~ Review

Cold Light of Day

Missing in Alaska #1

By Elizabeth Goddard

Police Chief Autumn Long calls the town of Shadow Gap, Alaska, home. But local politics are threatening her job, and when a woman is found in Lewis Inlet, a worrisome series of events begins to threaten the peaceful security of the community. If Autumn can't get ahead of whoever is behind the murders, she might find herself out of a job sooner than expected. 

Autumn needs help, and the only impartial person she can call on to help is newcomer Grier Brenner. For the last four months, Grier has been hiding from the people he once worked for, and he needs to stay under their radar if he hopes to stay alive and clear his name. 

Cold Light of Day quickly draws readers into the action with the book's opening. This book will keep you up late into the night reading. In no way does the suspense lag, in fact, each chapter seems to up it as the danger and mystery increase. But what the killer's end game is in regards to Shadow Gap remains the big question throughout. 

This is the first book in the Missing in Alaska series and promises to be a series that won't let you ignore it.  This is one book you won't be disappointed in if you are looking for suspence that slowly builds to the climax. And what a climax! But while the action is a major component of the story, character development doesn't lack. Autumn has a lot going on in her life, and we are allowed glimpses of what has made her into the person she is now. And then there is Grier, a man with a whole lot of baggage attached to him, but someone who can't ignore those in need even if it places him in danger. So, I would recommend this book to fans of Elizabeth Goddard and those who are unfamiliar with her writing.

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 Day:

Police Chief Autumn Long is fighting to keep her job in the quiet Alaska town of Shadow Gap when an unexpected string of criminal activity leaves her with a wounded officer, unexplained murders, and even an attack on her own father. Despite her mistrust of outsiders, she turns to Grier Brenner, a newcomer who seems to have the skills and training Autumn needs to face this threat to her community.

Grier is in Alaska for the same reason so many others are--to disappear--when Chief Long enlists his help. He emerges from the shadows and proves his mettle, but his presence in her life could be a deadly trap for them both. If his secret is exposed, all will be lost. And he's not sure even Autumn could save him.

As the stakes rise and the dangers increase, Autumn and Grier must rely on each other to extinguish the deadly threats.

Her Heart's Desire ~ Review

Her Heart's Desire

A Season in Pinecraft #1

By Shelley Shepard Gray

Mary Margaret Miller needs to escape her Amish community. A community that has judged and condemned her based on an incident in her past, an incident that was exacerbated by the malicious lies spread by others. A vacation in Pinecraft, Florida, seems the perfect way to escape her past and allow her to be herself. Perhaps even make a friend, someone who doesn't judge her before she has a chance to meet them.

Jayson Raber has decided to make his life better than it has been. His younger sister will be provided for, and he'll have a steady job. The only catch is he has agreed to marry a girl back in Kentucky. This vacation in Pinecraft will be his last on his own. But then he meets Mary. Surely a vacation friendship is okay. 

Her Heart's Desire is the first book in the A Season in Pinecraft series. For those who don't know, Pinecraft, Florida, is a vacation destination favored by the Amish because of the small Amish / Mennonite community that calls it home. This community offers the various characters who have made this vacation destination a safe place to leave their cares and worries behind. But all too soon, the past has a way of catching up.  Each character - Mary, Betsy, Lilly, Esther, Jayson, and Michael - faces choices. Choices to remain trapped by the past with its judgments, fears, and hurts or to embrace a new future one not dictated by what was but rather what will be. I enjoyed getting to know each character as they tried to decide what would come next. Taking an honest look at one's life is often a difficult thing to do. They needed friends to help them see themselves. 

This is a contemporary fiction with a touch of romance. In my opinion, friendship is the many focus of the book. Everyone needs a friend. Friends help us deal with times of pain. They accept us for who we are, but they also help us grow to our fuller potential. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series and just what comes next for these new friends.

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:

What happens when we allow our 

pasts to define our futures?

Mary Margaret Miller needs an escape from her small Amish community. She boards a bus, all alone, for a vacation in Pinecraft, Florida. Meeting Betsy and Lilly on the way, she's amazed to find two kindred spirits. They become fast friends and determine to have the best two weeks of their lives. For Mary, it starts when she meets Jayson Raber. The handsome and charming carpenter is taken by Mary from the get-go, but he has responsibilities back home in Kentucky--including a girl he's supposed to marry.

When someone from Mary's past shows up in Pinecraft, it seems like her perfect vacation is ruined. But that's nothing compared to what's coming when she realizes what Jayson has been hiding.

Take a vacation with New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray as she explores what happens when we allow our pasts to define our futures in this story of friendship, romance, and new beginnings.

The Secrets of Emberwild ~ Review

The Secrets of Emberwild

By Stephenia H. McGee

Nora Fenton wants to decide her own future; she wants to train and race her colt, Arrow. But society frowns upon such action, and the men who work at Emberwild are less than helpful when she tries to break out of the mold her family is forcing her into. 

When her father dies, Nora is the only one to hear his confession, a confession that is left half unsaid. But the only thing Nora knows is that a lie has embittered her father's last years. And if the lie is what she suspects, everything around her will come tumbling down around her. 

Seeking answers, Silas Cavallero returns to the place his father died, was it indeed an accident? Or was it something more sinister? Feeling that the answers he needs may be found at Emberwild, Silas offers his skills as a trainer. Skills that Nora may need if her dreams for Arrow are to come true. 

But the secrets that Emberwild hides are deeply seeded and nearly impossible to uncover. And worse, discovering just what those secrets are could cost Silas and Nora their lives.

The Secrets of Emberwild is the perfect book. I've always loved books that featured horses, and this one does that while adding both mystery and romance to a historical backdrop. This was my first-time reading Stephania McGee's work, and I wasn't disappointed. The characters were well-written and the pacing was excellent. I can honestly say this is one I didn't want to put down it was that good.

If you judge a book by its cover, you won't regret picking this one up and getting lost amongst the pages. And it would make an excellent book club selection.

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 gifted trainer in a time women are not allowed to race, Nora Fenton prefers horses to men. They’re easier to handle, they’re more reliable, and they never tell her what to do. After her father’s passing, Nora is determined to save her struggling horse farm, starting with entering her prize colt into the harness races at the 1905 Mississippi Fair. If she wins, she may have a chance at independence. But when a stranger arrives and starts asking disconcerting questions, she suspects he may have other motives than unseating her in the training job that is rightfully hers.

Silas Cavallero will do whatever it takes to solve the mystery of his father’s death–even if it means training an unwieldy colt for Nora, who wants nothing more than to see him gone. But when mysterious accidents threaten their safety and circumstances shrouded in secrets begin unlocking clues to his past, Silas will have to decide if the truth is worth risking ruining everything for the feisty woman he’s come to admire.

Critical Threat ~ Review

Critical Threat

Extreme Measures #3

By Lynette Eason

A serial killer has made the northeast region just outside of Washington, D.C., his new home. Is it a copycat of Peter Romanos? Or is it something worse? FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley has been tasked with working up a profile. What she didn't expect was prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe being called in to consult. But Sam has a unique perspective on serial killers and possibly this case.

When Grace draws the killer's interest, her life is in danger. But Grace refuses to be intimidated or put her life on lockdown to keep a killer at bay and free to kill more women. But when a personal crisis arises, she has to split her time between work and family, making her an easier target for a man who is now obsessed with her. 

Critical Threat finds both Grace and Sam dealing with their pasts and the regrets they carry. This is the third book in the Extreme Measures series, and it in no way lets up on the intense suspense that kept the first two books as a can't-put-it-down-read. The killings are a tad gruesome but occur off-page, so there aren't graphic details to wade through. There are some unique twists that keep the reader guessing as to just who is guilty. It is interesting to get the mindset of the killer while not knowing who he is. The overall story is completed within this book, so if you haven't read the first two, you won't have any problem reading this book. If you have not yet read Lynette Eason, this would be a good book to start with, and then you can read the first two books in the series (Life Flight and Crossfire). This is a book I would recommend to most readers (but not if you only want gentle reads).

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:

FBI Special Agent Grace Billingsley tracks serial killers, using her skills as a psychiatrist and behavioral analyst to get dangerous people off the street and safely behind bars. But prison psychiatrist Sam Monroe knows that just because a killer is incarcerated doesn't mean they're not a threat. His own father, Peter, is a serial killer--in prison but certainly not out of Sam's life, as much as he wishes he was.

When bodies start showing up with Peter's MO, Sam and Grace are both called in to consult. They've met before--and though Grace thought they'd made a real connection, Sam ghosted her. They'll have to get past the awkwardness and mistrust to solve this case--especially because it's about to get personal.

Targeted ~ Review

 

Targeted by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn,     and Natalie Walters Targeted is the perfect weekend read (or 3 weekend reads). When you put three equally good novellas in one book, you can't go wrong.  In On the Run, Daria Nevsky's past has caught up to her. Or rather her late father's criminal past has caught up to her, and it could cost her her life. But Daria isn't about to ask anyone for help. Unfortunately for her, Dr. Ryker Donahue insists on helping her. But maybe that isn't such a bad thing when things go wrong. ------ Anyone who has read Lynn H. Blackburn's Defend and Protect series will love that Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon's sister Emily gets her turn as the main character. And On the Run finds Emily exactly where she doesn't want to be - smack-dab in the middle of a dangerous situation. And worse, to get through everything alive, she's about to leave her comfy indoor living behind to help her teenage patient and Secret Service Agent Liam Harper, who she is not interested in, no really, she's not.     ------ And the final story of this book, Caught in the Crosshairs, finds CIA officer Claudia Gallegos caught in a big international situation when she walks into a murder situation in which she manages to be the number one initial suspect. And when she is less than helpful to the former Army officer charged with investigating her role in everything, she finds herself in even more trouble. Could Ari Blackman actually be her greatest ally as things go from bad to worse? She's about to find out, but she's not going to make it easy for him. I really enjoyed all three of these novellas, which are up to the standards one would expect from these three authors. The suspense is felt throughout each story. So if you, like me, enjoy well-written romantic suspense that isn't overly graphic anything you will want to read these stories. This is also a great way to introduce one's self to a new author if you are unfamiliar with any or all of these authors.  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: Get ready for triple the excitement, intrigue, and romance with three heart-stopping stories from your favorite romantic suspense authors! In On the Run, Lynette Eason introduces you to IT Specialist Daria Nevsky, a highly skilled FBI agent with the ability to hack any computer. She must go on the run to find out who wants her dead--and Dr. Ryker Donahue refuses to let her do it alone. In Deadly Objective, Lynn H. Blackburn throws physical therapist Emily Dixon and Secret Service Agent Liam Harper into an impossible situation. They don't know why the vice president's son seems to be in the crosshairs of a killer, but they'll sacrifice anything to keep him safe. In Caught in the Crosshairs, Natalie Walters pits former Army PSYOPS officer Ari Blackman against his colleague, CIA officer Claudia Gallegos, when Claudia is implicated in the murder of a Saudi prince. Can he prevent a coup that would put America at risk?

Sundown ~ Review

Sundown

Sky King Ranch #3

By Susan May Warren

Colt is hurting. His recovery from the beating is taking much longer than he'd like, but he's a Kingston and former military. But when he gets the chance to be a hero, he's not about to turn down the opportunity.  

Taylor "Tae" Price is either the world's biggest liar or a woman with some serious trouble following her. And with what she claims, Colt would rather she be a liar, but he wants to believe her. 

Tae is running from the people who want her dead, or maybe they just want her in their custody. She's not really sure - all she knows is they have the power to bring the world to an end. 

Yup, Colt and the Kingston clan have just landed themselves into a whole mess of trouble. And the bad guys mean business, and they won't be stopped. But the Kingston brothers being who they are, won't let that get in their way. But this time, they just might not be able to walk away.

This book continues the thread that has run throughout the series (Sunrise and Sunburst), adding to the mysterious goings-on that has plagued the rural Alaskan region that the Kingston's call home. A Russian threat, an attack in Africa, a mysterious plague it all comes together in an action-packed romantic conclusion. 

This is the concluding book in the series, and I think the series was perfectly named as it takes the reader through the day with the individual titles. The Kingston boys have finally all come home, but they are not yet fully healed, and this book takes us further into their journey. But this journey has been a long time coming and, in Colt's case, more than a decade. But how do you heal from a broken heart while you are trying to save the world? Well, you're just going to have to find out for yourself. And this is one series that reading all the books in order is a must!

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

About the Book:

He doesn’t trust her . . . but he can’t let her go it alone

Former Delta Operative Colt Kingston knows when someone is lying. He may not know the truth, but he sure doesn’t trust Tae, the mysterious woman his family rescued from an Alaskan blizzard. Behind those beautiful blue eyes, Colt can tell there is a troubled–and smart–woman.

A few of her stories prove true–they found the crashed plane and the dead body inside. Still, her tale of survival seems too incredible to believe . . . until the thugs she claims to be hunting her across Alaska show up and threaten Sky King Ranch. Now Tae must disappear, along with her secrets.

Colt will have to track her down and earn her trust before it’s too late. It’ll take the entire family to save the world from disaster.

The epic conclusion to Susan May Warren’s Sky King Ranch trilogy.

Anything But Plain ~ Review

Anything But Plain

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

Lydie Stoltzfus has always been the "trouble child" in David Stoltzfus's family, and the scrutiny she was under only grew once he was bishop. She knows her intentions might be good, but somehow, something always goes wrong, getting her into a mess. Worse, she can't keep a job - some last mere hours before she's asked to leave (or, in some cases, ordered away).

As Lydie struggles with her inability to fit in, her neighbor, Nathan Yoder, wants to use organic farming methods on the family farm. But change doesn't come easy, and Nahan's family is all into pesticides and thinking more is better.

Anything But Plain is a standalone title set in Suzanne Woods Fisher's much-loved Stoney Ridge community. But when her "non-Amish" Aunt Ruth (aka Dok) discovers Lydie's struggles, she could hold the key to helping Lydie, giving her hope that leaving all she knows and loves might not be her only choice.

This book looks at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its effects on not only the life of the person with it but how it affects those around them - friends and family. But the secondary storyline of organic farming versus pesticides/herbicides is timely and important. And somehow, the author manages to weave these two threads into her story so that it doesn't feel forced or preachy. I appreciated the insights this book offers. This would be an excellent book club selection as there is much to discuss.

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's not easy being the bishop's daughter, especially for Lydie Stoltzfus. She's not like other Amish girls, as much as she wishes she were. The only thing she does well is disappoint others. Leaving her family and church seems unbearable, but staying might be worse.

Knowing Lydie is "between" jobs, the local doctor asks her to fill in at the front desk for a few months. To Lydie, this is a boon. It gives her time to figure out how she's going to say goodbye to her neighbor, Nathan Yoder--the main reason she needs to leave Stoney Ridge. Nathan claims he's in love with her, but she knows she's not good enough for him. If in doubt, Nathan's father reminds her frequently.

As Dok spends time with Lydie, she recognizes symptoms of a disorder rare among the Amish. She offers treatment for Lydie. But will it be enough to make her stay? Or has help come too late?

Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge, a small town that feels like an old friend.