You'll Think of Me ~ Review

You'll Think of Me
By Robin Lee Hatcher

Brooklyn Myers left Thunder Creek, Idaho, behind forever when she was 17 years old. But soon after leaving everything from her life behind, her husband of a few months abandons her when he learns they are soon to have a baby.  Chad's abandonment is nothing Brooklyn shouldn't have expected - after all her mother left her and her father has wanted nothing to do with her her entire life. But Chad's abandonment was especially harsh as he was leaving not only her but their baby behind.

Eleven years have passed since Chad Hallston and Brooklyn Myers have eloped, leaving Thunder Creek and the Hallston property behind. The Hallston property is just what Derek Johnson hopes to soon add to his own land - expanding his organic farming business. After all, Chad promised him the opportunity to buy the land as soon as he had saved up the down payment. Derek is close to his goal when he receives word that his best friend has died, leaving his family home and property to his abandoned wife and the daughter he never met. In an instant Derek's plans for the future are frustrated and once again Brooklyn has come between him and something he valued. But he has been given a final request from Chad - to be the father to Alycia that he refused to be.

Moving back to her childhood hometown is the last thing Brooklyn wants, but this may be her only chance to give her daughter Alycia any type of life that is better than the paycheck-to-paycheck existence that she has had. And Brooklyn is no longer the frightened, abused girl she was when she left home. She's got a plan to make a life that is beyond what she ever dreamed was possible.

But moving back home means that Brooklyn must also face the father who convinced her that she was worthless. And facing the pain of the past is the only way she can truly move forward in her life. As Brooklyn creates a place for both her and Alycia, she finds a place where she might truly and finally belong. And Derek may learn that sometimes God's plans for us are not what our plans are. And sometimes learning to wait is the best thing in the world when there is someone special to think of at the other end.

This is a book that focuses on the absence of a father figure in the life of children (especially girls) - the absence can be physical or emotional.  A powerful message is wrapped up in these pages, one that will make the reader stop and think about those around them who are in a similar situation. This is a book that entertains while making the reader stop and think. I highly recommend this book.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher Thomas Nelson through BookLook with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:
Her mother abandoned her, her father disowned her, and her husband left her. Can Brooklyn be convinced that it is possible to forgive the greatest of betrayals?

Brooklyn Myers escaped her broken home and her embittered, unloving father by eloping to Reno at the age of 17. But when she was pregnant with their first child, her husband abandoned her as well. Not welcome back home in Thunder Creek, Brooklyn stayed in Reno and raised her daughter Alycia on her own, doing her best to make sure Alycia never knew the heartache and rejection Brooklyn herself had known.

When her estranged husband Chad Hallston dies, he leaves the family home in Thunder Creek to his daughter. Believing it is the best way to give her daughter a stable home, Brooklyn does what she thought she would never do. She goes home to the orchard and wine country of Southwest Idaho. There, she encounters Chad’s best friend, Derek Johnson, a part time sheriff's deputy who also owns an organic produce farm next door. Derek was never a fan of former bad girl Brooklyn Myers, but he made a promise to his dying friend that he would be the father to Alycia that Chad had never been.

Although Derek and Brooklyn get off to a bumpy start, he and Alycia quickly form a bond. And soon, Derek realizes that he wants Brooklyn to trust him too . . . even knowing that her trust won’t come easily. And then he realizes he wants even more than her trust. He wants to win her love.

While Brooklyn may be tempted to give her heart to Derek, risking her daughter’s happiness is another story. Will Brooklyn hold onto her self-reliance for dear life, or will she come to understand that the greatest gift she can give her daughter is showing her how to love and trust others?

Beyond Justice ~ Review

Beyond Justice
By Cara Putman

Hayden McCarthy is all about doing her job and doing it well. She doesn't have time for a personal life at the moment as her focus has to be her job if she's to make partner at Elliott and Johnson and be the youngest to do so. When Hayden is given a case that could make or break her career she determines to bring this case before a judge and win justice for her client - the mother of a young man murdered while in US custody.

This case doesn't fit any particular mold making it a challenge. Add to that her client's obvious reluctance and fear and Hayden knows more is at stake than she first imagined. And time is short as the evidence trail will soon vanish if she doesn't act. But someone seems intent on ending her case and anyone connected to it is in danger.

But who is trying to end this case? Is it someone in the US government or someone with far-reaching power who is pulling strings he should never have had access to?

Thanks to her roommate Emily, Hayden has another distraction in her life - Emily seems intent on playing matchmaker between Hayden and her cousin Andrew Wesley.  And Emily seems purposefully oblivious to the fact that Andrew and Hayden aren't keen on her attempts. But when Hayden's case seemingly has links to Andrew's work this case and their non-relationship are about take an unexpected twist.

Looking for a legal thriller to read Beyond Justice is worth giving a try.  This was my first time reading any of Cara Putman's work and it was well worth the time spent perusing the pages.  Fans of Randy Singer and Robert Whitlow will enjoy Cara Putman's work and attention to details.  I personally look forward to reading more of this author's work in the future.

I was provided a review copy of this book by the publisher through BookLook with no expectations of a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own.


About the Book:

Hayden McCarthy is on track to become the youngest partner in her prestigious D.C. law firm . . . if the case she's just been handed doesn't destroy her first.

Hayden McCarthy knows firsthand the pain when justice is not served. It's why she became an attorney and why she's so driven in her career. When she's assigned a wrongful death case against the government, she isn't sure if it's the lucky break she needs to secure a partnership—or an attempt to make sure she never gets there.

Further complicating matters is Andrew, her roommate’s distractingly attractive cousin. But Andrew’s father is a Congressman, and Hayden's currently taking on the government. Could the timing be any worse?

The longer she keeps the case active, the higher the stakes become. Unknown enemies seem determined to kill the case—or her. Logic and self-preservation would indicate she should close the case. But how can she, when justice is still just beyond her reach?

"Cara Putman's expert legal mind shines in Beyond Justice as she weaves a gripping, suspenseful tale of intrigue that takes on one of the hardest issues of our time. Hayden McCarthy is one feisty heroine that doesn't let anything get between her and the truth." —Jordyn Redwood, author of the Bloodline Trilogy and Fractured Memory

The Domino Effect ~ Review

The Domino Effect
By Davis Bunn

Esther Larson is the top risk analyst at her bank, which also happens to be one of the largest within the US. Her job is, officially, to warn the investment powers that be of any foreseeable risks before investments are made. Unofficially she's supposed to find high-risk investments with big quick returns and not mention the potential downside.

But when a series of banking investments start pointing to a potential financial disaster Esther has to come out of the shell she's constructed around her life. To truly help prevent this looming and imminent threat she'll need to let someone into her life - someone who can help her get the word out before it is too late.

The Domino Effect takes the reader into the high risk world of speculative investing where everything is one trade away from bringing down not only a bank or a nation but the world's financial infrastructure. This is a world most are unfamiliar with so this is an enlightening reading experience even as the suspense builds with each flip of the page.

This was my latest up all night reading choice which may or may not be a good thing if you plan on getting a good night's sleep in. This is an excellent book if you are looking for suspense with a twist. Even as Esther attempts to prevent the disaster she sees coming someone is determined to stop her - silencing her voice permanently before she can reveal their darkest secrets.

An Uncommon Protector ~ Review

An Uncommon Protector
A Lone Star Hero's Love Story #2
By Shelley Shepard Gray

Laurel Tracey has inherited her family's ranch and she is carrying the burden alone. But several 100 acres would be daunting to manage even if she were a man with no other problems. But she's dealing with squatters, 2 useless, opinionated step-siblings, unwanted marriage proposals, purchase offers, and normal day-to-day upkeep. All Laurel wants to do is run her family's ranch, carrying on the dream she shared with her late parents and brother.

When the opportunity to acquire the services of a convict for one year presents itself Laurel is desperate enough to do so. But is this truly the wisest choice - after all the man was in jail? This decision is about to make her the fodder of the newest Sweetwater gossip, but Laurel needs the help if she hopes to keep her ranch and make it in any way profitable.

But just who is Sergeant Thomas Baker?

Thomas has once again made a decision that has cost him. He never claimed to be a good man, just a man who tried to do the right thing when it mattered. And gambling wasn't one of his finest moments and the debts he accrued landed him in jail. When presented with an opportunity to work off the rest of his sentence by working for one year, Thomas accepts. But the job that he agreed to is about to because much harder when someone starts targeting Laurel's cattle. Can Thomas keep the woman needs him safe? Or will they both become the next targets of whoever wants Laurel gone?

If it becomes more than he can handle on his own will Thomas reach out to the men who were there for him during his imprisonment on Johnson's Island? And if he does will they keep the promise they made to one another? And will they get to Thomas's side in time to save Laurel and her ranch?

This book flashes back to 1865 and Thomas's time on Johnson's Island in Ohio as a Confederate prisoner of war. The present story is set in 1867 Texas and surprising covers just a few days time. (I personally thought the romance moved a little too quick.) There is a whole lot of story packed in between these covers. Fans of post-Civil War historical romance fiction will enjoy this book.

This is the second book in A Lone Star Hero's Love Story series and I have not read the first book. But that didn't keep me from easily following this book from the opening page. I'm interested in reading about the others that Thomas served with.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the Fiction Guild with no expectation of a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.

About the Book:

Overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a ranch 

on her own, Laurel Tracey decides to hire a convict—

a man who’s just scary enough to take care of squatters 

and just desperate enough to agree to a one year post.

The years following the war have been hard on Laurel Tracey. Both her brother and her father died in battle, and her mother passed away shortly after receiving word of their demise. Laurel has been trying to run her two hundred acre ranch as best she can.

When she discovers that squatters have settled in her north pasture and have no intention of leaving, Laurel decides to use the last of her money to free a prisoner from the local jail. If she agrees to offer him room and board for one year, he will have to work for her to pay off his debt.

Former soldier Thomas Baker knows he’s in trouble when he finds himself jailed because he couldn’t pay a few fines. Laurel’s offer might be his only ticket out. Though she’s everything he ever dreamed of in a woman—sweet and tender-hearted, yet strong—he’s determined to remain detached, work hard on her behalf, and count the days until he’s free again.

But when cattle start dying and Laurel’s life is threatened, Thomas realizes more than just his freedom is on the line. Laurel needs someone to believe in her and protect her property. And it isn’t long before Laurel realizes that Thomas Baker is far more than just a former soldier. He’s a trustworthy hero, and he needs more than just his freedom—he needs her love and care too.

The Dog Who Was There ~ Review

The Dog Who Was There
By Ron Marasco

This is an Easter book unlike any I have ever read. This is an emotionally moving book that follows the journey of a small dog by the name of Barley. Barley's life takes several dramatic turns throughout the story. There are flashes showing Barley's early life and how he came to be where he calls home when the book opens. The book is set in Israel on the outskirts of Jerusalem during the final days of Jesus life.

The book is told entirely through Barley's perspective. And due to an unforeseen happening Barley finds himself in Jerusalem at the same time as the Teacher that everyone is speaking of. Barley observes the brutality of a land under Roman rule as well as unexpected pockets of kindness. And he observes the transforming power of the Teacher, the triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, and the cruelty of the Crucifixion.

The loyalty, the love Barley displays is touching even to the point of moving the reader to a tear or two. These two emotions are the catalysts that propel the story to its conclusion - a conclusion that will leave the reader satisfied and rejoicing in the transforming power of Messiah's message. This cover perfectly depicts this book.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher through the Fiction Guild with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.



About the Book:
No one expected Barley to have an encounter with the Messiah. He was homeless, hungry, and struggling to survive in first century Jerusalem. Most surprisingly, he was a dog. But through Barley’s eyes, the story of a teacher from Galilee comes alive in a way we’ve never experienced before.

Barley’s story begins in the home of a compassionate woodcarver and his wife who find Barley as an abandoned, nearly-drowned pup. Tales of a special teacher from Galilee are reaching their tiny village, but when life suddenly changes again for Barley, he carries the lessons of forgiveness and love out of the woodcarver’s home and through the dangerous roads of Roman occupied Judea.

On the outskirts of Jerusalem, Barley meets a homeless man and petty criminal named Samid. Together, Barley and his unlikely new master experience fresh struggles and new revelations. Soon Barley is swept up into the current of history, culminating in an unforgettable encounter with the truest master of all as he bears witness to the greatest story ever told.

The Promise ~ Thoughts on Sacrifice

The Promise

THE PROMISE, an epic and poignant film starring Academy-Award winner Christian Bale, Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Nativity Story), Marwan Kenzari and Charlotte Le Bon.

The PROMISE is a touching story about sacrifice and love.  The film portrays two heroes – one with the courage to stand-up for the truth and speak out against injustice – and the other, a friend willing to pay the ultimate price to do what’s right.

Sometimes it is our friends who are the everyday and little known heroes who strengthen and nourish us.  Their presence is a blessing – whether as a shoulder to lean or as a literal lifesaver.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Have you ever known a person in your own life who was willing to sacrifice for another? A sacrifice that affected the life of others? I have ~ here is a glimpse at what he gave.

J was faced with a decision he could reenlist or he could get out of the military. He was promised that if he reenlisted he would not be sent into the war zone. J needed this assurance with the promise of his first child on the way and his wife's fragile condition. With the assurances that he would stay where he was for the foreseeable future J signed the dotted line so to speak.

Less than a week after reenlisting J's assurances were gone and he was going to be deployed into the war hot zone. His wife was understandably distraught, but there was nothing that J could do. He had reenlisted and his future was no longer his choice.

But J had a friend - one who saw the situation J now found himself in. R was determined to do all he could to make right the situation J now found himself in. R offered to take J's place in the war and surprisingly his offer was acceptable to those who had the final say in deployment. R experienced the war that J was meant to see and to live. But R did what he did for J, his wife and the child they would soon welcome. R made it through the war but at a cost to his own health. But he did it for his friend and he never expressed a regret for the sacrifice he made. 

Sometimes a simple word of encouragement makes a world of difference in someone's day. A helping hand, a listening ear, an offer of a shared lunch, a warm pot of soup. One may never know how a simple kindness and a smile can change another's world.

“Greater love hath no man than this, 

that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

- John 15:13  (KJV)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Synopsis:

It is 1914. As the Great War looms, the mighty Ottoman Empire is crumbling. Constantinople, the once vibrant, multicultural capital on the shores of the Bosporus, is about to be consumed by chaos.

Michael Boghosian (Oscar Isaac), arrives in the cosmopolitan hub as a medical student determined to bring modern medicine back to Siroun, his ancestral village in Southern Turkey where Turkish Muslims and Armenian Christians have lived side by side for centuries. Photo-journalist Chris Myers (Christian Bale), has come here only partly to cover geo-politics. He is mesmerized by his love for Ana (Charlotte le Bon), an Armenian artist he has accompanied from Paris after the sudden death of her father.

When Michael meets Ana, their shared Armenian heritage sparks an attraction that explodes into a romantic rivalry between the two men. As the Turks form an alliance with Germany and the Empire turns violently against its own religious and ethnic minorities, their conflicting passions must be deferred while they join forces to survive even as events threaten to overwhelm them.

Promises are made and promises are broken. The one promise that must be kept is to live on and tell the story.

THE PROMISE is directed by Academy-Award winner Terry George (Hotel Rwanda, Hart’s War).

Click here to read about the Special Vatican Screening

Movie trailer:

Pursued ~ Review

Pursued
The Nikki Boyd Files #3
By Lisa Harris

The first 48 hours are most critical...

Nikki Boyd is anticipating her landing in Nashville and her reunion with Tyler Grant after his three-month stint overseas. But before the plane can touch down they have a sudden crash landing. The passenger next to Nikki disappears in the chaos. Nikki is determined to find her seat mate but no evidence of her presence on the flight can be found.

What Nikki never expected was getting caught up in a federal case before she has a chance to regroup and recover.  Her family and her personal life will have to wait.  Add in a health issue and Nikki is going to be running on adrenaline and determination before this case wraps-up. Time is of the essence and the clock is kicking down - if they don't find Erika Hamilton within 48 hours it will be too late and criminal will walk.

Someone is determined to silence everyone involved in this case and Nikki may have just become a moving target in this case.

Pursued is one you don't want to miss if you've read any of Lisa Harris's previous books. This is suspense and excitement bundled up perfectly between these covers. Bring on book 4!


About the Book:

Nikki Boyd's flight into Nashville was routine--

until the crash landing at the airport. 

When the dust settles, Nikki discovers that the woman who had been seated next to her on the plane is missing--and no one will admit she was ever there. When she learns that Erika Hamilton had been flying to Nashville with an air marshal as a key witness in an upcoming grand jury trial, Nikki wonders if her disappearance from the crash site means she's running from trouble--or straight into it. Before Nikki can even see her family, she and her team are pulled into a missing persons case where the motives are as unclear as the suspects.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris has planted danger around every turn in this can't-put-it-down thrill ride that will leave you stunned.