The Runaway Bride ~ Review

The Runaway Bride
The Bride Ships #2
By Jody Hedlund

Arabella Lawson is fleeing the life that she knew and the marriage she doesn't want. The Bride Ships offer her the chance at a new life away from the pain and fears of the past. But can she find the life she seeks - one to which she is accustomed to or will she be forced to accept the first offer of marriage that comes her way?

Pete Kelly has regrets but he is no longer the young man who left his family behind in anger all those years ago. He is a changed man and he credits this change of heart to the Lord and natives who saved his life. Pete is determined to get a wife from one of the ladies who has come over on the bride ship. When he sees Arabella he knows that she is the one for him even though he is of a lower class. Unfortunately, he isn't the only suitor seeking Arabella's hand and the man seeking it is someone Pete has had conflicts with in the past.

The Runaway Bride is the second book in the Bride Ships series and while it can be read as a stand-alone title, it is best read as part of a series. The main characters from the first book A Reluctant Bride are secondary characters whose story is more fully developed. This book deals with prejudice against the indigenous peoples who called the area home, against lower classes, and women's abilities and rights. The setting is Vancouver Island in Canada in 1862 with brief flashbacks to Arabella's life in England.

I like how Arabella slowly changes and in several cases the catalyst to change is her care and concern for others. Her biggest obstacle to change is her desire to reclaim her place as a gentlewoman of society. Overall a good and satisfying read perfect for fans of historical fiction who don't want just fluff. Jody Hedlund's fans won't be disappointed in her newest offering and will be waiting for this summer's release of the next book in the series. A perfect book club selection.

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:

Haunted by mistakes in her past,

will she ever again

trust her heart to another?

Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.

Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town’s baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella’s affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.

As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need–a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter’s advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what’s right cost both her and Peter everything?

Lake Season ~ Review

Lake Season
Bluebell Inn #1
By Denise Hunter

Molly Bennett has a crush on bestselling author Nathaniel Quinn, his true identity is a mystery, but his words speak to her, give words to her feelings.  And since her parents' death, Molly has been living with the guilt of not making time for their last conversation. She along with her older brother Levi and her younger sister Grace has taken on their parents' dream of turning their home into a Bed-and-Breakfast.  Putting their plans on hold they plan on making a name for the Bluebell Inn located in Bluebell, North Carolina.

Adam Bradford is sure once his identity gets out all his fans will be disappointed in him, after all, he isn't athletic like his dad, uncles, and cousins. Writing isn't a manly occupation and his father was more than a little disappointed in his chosen career as a writer of fiction. He is nothing like his heroes and he just can't let his identity get out. And his fears of inferiority are starting to have an effect on him in the form of writer's block. But when he seeks lodging at the Bluebell Inn he thinks Molly's vitality just might be the inspiration he needs.

Thinking that their new guest might help determine where to start her search for the writer and intended recipient of a long lost letter, Molly approaches Adam with her find. Adam is drawn to the letter and the story that it hints at. A love lost, a misunderstanding, did Lizzie and Benjamin get their happily-ever-after or were they forever parted with words of anger?

This is a book that is told in two eras - the present and the past (the 1960s). As these two stories work closer together the reader won't see what is coming. Not to give anything away but it is an ending that will appeal to those who hope for a satisfying conclusion. The threads that tie this book together are family, trust, honesty, and hope. This is the first book in the Bluebell Inn series that follows the Bennett siblings as they navigate their world following their parents' death and their opening of the inn. This promises to be a delightful series for those looking for a few hours of bookish escape.

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


About the Book:

When their parents die in a tragic accident, Molly Bennett and her siblings pull together to fulfill their parents’ dream: turning their historic Bluebell, North Carolina home back into an inn. The situation would just be temporary—three years at the most—then they would sell the inn and Molly could get back to chasing her own dreams.

Adam Bradford (a.k.a. bestselling author Nathaniel Quinn) is a reclusive novelist with a bad case of writer’s block. Desperate for inspiration as his deadline approaches, he travels to the setting of his next book, a North Carolina lake town. There he immediately meets his muse, a young innkeeper who fancies herself in love with his alter ego.

Molly and Adam strike up an instant friendship. When Molly finds a long-lost letter in the walls of her inn she embarks on a mission with Adam to find the star-crossed lovers and bring them the closure they deserve. But Adam has secrets of his own. Past and present collide as truths are revealed, and Molly and Adam will have to decide if love is worth trusting.

Flight Risk ~ Review

Flight Risk
Cara Putman

Savannah Daniels is a successful lawyer who has worked hard to make a name for her practice. The one failure that has broken her is her marriage that failed, a marriage that she never wanted to leave. But 9/11, work, and betrayal brought it down. The only good thing she got out of it was Addy Jo, a niece that she loves and who needs her when life at home just gets to tough.

When Savannah's ex, Dustin Tate, becomes the feature of an exposé, she has to wonder if she ever truly knew him. But regardless she'll be there for her niece. When Dustin and one of the others named in the exposé are on an outgoing flight that crashes Savannah finds herself having to deal with Dustin face-to-face for Addy's sake. Dustin claims that he has evidence that the allegations against him are false. 

Jett Glover is committed to the truth and he puts in the research behind every story he puts his name to. He stands behind the exposé he wrote. After all, he'd never want to put someone through what he went through when his father was the victim of a false newspaper report. But when those named in the exposé start dying he fears that his story may behind it.

Savannah's current case is soon entangled with the downed plane and Jett's exposé but trust isn't something she is willing to give after Dustin's betrayal. But someone seems to be targeting her too so working together to get to the truth is something she has to do.

Now I can't see anywhere that this book is part of the Hidden Justice series but it seems to go with as most of the same main characters from the other books are in this book (working with Savannah in her practice). This book can easily be read on its own as the story is contained within the covers but if you want to read it as if it is part of the series it would be book 4 chronologically. This book has a good dose of mystery and legal suspense with a medium-sized pinch of romance. If you are familiar with Cara Putman's previous works you will not be disappointed in this one. Also, it was interesting to get a glimpse into Savannah Daniels's life as she has been a background character in the first three Hidden Justice books. Overall a good read perfect for a weekend escape from the comfort of your favorite reading corner.

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

About the Author:

Cara Putman is the author of more than twenty-five legal thrillers, historical romances, and romantic suspense novels. She has won or been a finalist for honors including the ACFW Book of the Year and the Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Cara graduated high school at sixteen, college at twenty, completed her law degree at twenty-seven, and recently received her MBA. She is a practicing attorney, teaches undergraduate and graduate law courses at a Big Ten business school, and is a homeschooling mom of four. She lives with her husband and children in Indiana.

Connect with Cara

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor ~ Review

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor

The Cornwall Novels #2

By Sarah E. Ladd

It is 1818 and Julia Twethewey needs a distraction for her heart's been broken and going to Cornwall, England is just she needs for a change and a chance to begin again. Unfortunately for Julia her first encounter in Cornwall is being attacked in the local pub by bandits. Coming upon the scene, Isaac Blake stops the bandits from doing more than steal the few possessions Julia has in her bag.

Isaac works hard to keep Wheal Tamsen, the mine that his brother inherited, productive and profitable but there is not enough work for all those seeking work. And with Bal Tressa shutdown indefinitely, the Lambourne family is not the most loved in the area as the mining families suffer the loss of work.  This very shutdown, in Isaac's opinion, is why Miss Twethewey was targeted. Everyone knew that the Lambournes' niece was coming for a visit.  What Isaac didn't anticipate was that Julia Twethewey was about to steal his heart.

Coming to stay with her cousin as a companion during her confinement, Julia didn't anticipate becoming the the new object of her aunt's matchmaking. And Aunt Beatrice is looking not for a match of the heart but one that will elevate Julia's social and economic standing. And in her eyes the only possible suitor worthy of her designs is Matthew Blake - Isaac's older twin brother.

Noises in the night. Missing silverware. Jewelry gone. A cousin ill. With no one else to turn to Julia finds herself confiding in Isaac. And if the answers they seek aren't discovered soon all could be lost and hearts could be broken forever.

This is the second book in Sarah E. Ladd's Cornwall series and it follows the oldest daughter as she finds her way in the world.  Julia is an interesting character who comes into her own in this book. We were introduced to Julia and the Twethewey siblings in The Governess of Penwythe Hall following the death of their father. Again there is mystery surrounding the situation and a bit of romance making for an enjoyable read. Those who have not read the first book will have no problem getting into this book as it could easily be a standalone title. An excellent read and one that would lend itself well as a book club selection.

About the Book:

In Regency England an advantageous match could set up a lady for life. 

Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine owner and 

very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes upon. 

But why can’t she steal her gaze away from 

his younger brother, Isaac?

Cornwall, England, 1818

Julia Twethewey needs a diversion to mend her broken heart, so when her cousin invites her to Lanwyn Manor, Julia eagerly accepts. The manor is located at the heart of Cornwall’s mining industry, and as a guest Julia is swept into its intricate world. It’s not long, though, before she realizes something dark lurks within the home’s ancient halls.

As a respected mine owner’s younger son, Isaac Blake is determined to keep his late father’s legacy alive through the family business, despite his brother’s careless attitude. In order to save their livelihood—and that of the people around them—the brothers approach the master of Lanwyn Manor with plans to bolster the floundering local industry. Isaac can’t deny his attraction to the man’s charming niece, but his brother has made clear his intentions to court the lovely visitor. And Isaac knows his place.

When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and valuables go missing, Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl of strange circumstances, but despite their best efforts to bow to social expectations, their hearts aren’t so keen to surrender.

Author Q&A with Bonnie Leon ~ Interview

Today Blooming with Books is hosting Bonnie Leon author of One Hundred Valleys.

1) If you had to pick another format for your books to be shared what would it be -
musical, movie, public readings, serial release(a chapter at a time), graphic
novel?

I would choose movies. I love movies, all sorts of genres, except horror. Often
times while watching a well-done movie I pay close attention to how a scene is
set up, how characters communicate through body language, and how tension
builds through a scene. There is a lot to learn from a good movie. Plus settling
down in my comfiest clothes with a blanket and possibly a bowl of popcorn, then
allowing myself to be caught up in the story playing on the screen is always fun.
Still, I prefer novels, but occasionally a movie is better than “the book”.

2) What one author past or present would you like to mentor you?

John Steinbeck is at the top of my list. Many of his stories are dark and tend to look at
the underbelly of humanity, but I love the depth of his writing. It often feels melodic to
me, like a composition by Beethoven or Bach. It’s not unusual for me to read and reread
a portion of his work to get a better grasp of how he created the emotion and intensity of
a scene. He could take the simplest thing, like a fly, and use it to create tension. In my
mind, he was a writing genius.

3)  What one book would you recommend that everyone read?

Hinds Feet On High Places is the first book that comes to mind. It is an allegory, something I’ve never written, and it has been many years since I read the book, but I can still feel the power and impact of the story. Through the years, I’ve purchased many copies and have given them to people I thought could use the blessing of the truths it contains. I’ve lost count of how many.

It is a book with the capacity to change lives.





Oh, I love that book and its sequel Mountains of Spice. You are right this is an excellent book and for me to it has been several years since I've last read it.




4)  Do you have a favorite author that you would recommend?

Choosing only one favorite author is so difficult. There are many wonderful, creative and gifted writers. This is an agonizing decision.

If I must choose only one, it would have to be Lynn Austen. She creates entertaining
and heartfelt historical novels. Once I begin reading I cannot walk away from the book.
She always hooks me from the very beginning and the story is never a disappointment.
Ms. Austen packs a great deal of historical detail into her books and manages to do so
without intruding on the story. I always come away from one of her books not only
inspired but better educated.

5) What one question do you wish you would be asked and how would you answer it?
“Is being a writer a gift or a curse?”

It is definitely a gift, but I cannot deny that sometimes it can feel like a curse.
I am thankful for the gift of writing, which was given to by God when I most needed
something in my life that required creativity, dedication and purpose. And I am forever
grateful for His mercy and provision.

Through the years, because of writing, I’ve met some of the most interesting people.
Writers and others in the industry are truly fascinating. They are thoughtful, sometimes
quirky, and always intelligent. Many have kindness at their core and some have become
dear friends. My readers have been a huge source of blessing to me and because of
the magic of social networking, I hear from them often. They write to tell me they are
praying for me. Or they want to share a part of their life with me. Sometimes, something
I’ve written has touched their life in a special way and they just want me to know.
Hearing from them is always an encouragement.

There is a special beauty in being a writer. Crafting a novel is hard work and requires
hundreds of hours. Even so, creating characters and their story fulfills something deep
in my spirit that is more satisfying than most everything else in my life. I think it must be
very much like the work of an artist who creates a painting or a sculpture or a piece of
music. Crafting what we hope is a thing of beauty is our joy.

Well, thank you, Bonnie, for taking the time today to visit and share with us. 

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

More about Bonnie Leon:
Bonnie Leon is the author of twenty-two novels, including the recently released One
Hundred Valleys, the popular Alaskan Skies and bestselling The Journey of Eleven Moons.

Bonnie’s books are being read internationally and she hears from readers in Australia, Europe, Poland, and even Africa. She enjoys speaking for women’s groups and mentoring up and coming authors.

Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

Unveiling Truth Through Fiction

www.bonnieleon.com

Now Available for purchase: One Hundred Valleys

After the death of her mother, Emmalin Hammond discovers she is not the heiress she’d always assumed she’d be. The revelation exposes her fiancé’s true intentions when he withdraws his marriage proposal, leaving Emmalin heartbroken and humiliated. When she discovers the father she believed to be dead is still alive and living in the Oregon Territory she decides it is time to meet the man who has been hidden from her all of her life.

Accompanied by her Uncle Jonathon, she sets out for the Oregon Territory in search of answers and hoping for a renewed relationship with her father. When tragedy strikes, she confronts the terrifying challenge of completing her quest alone. Faced with few options, she entrusts her life to a mountain man named Jacob Landon who agrees to transport her to a small settlement in Southern Oregon called Deer Creek, a place also known as the Land of One Hundred Valleys.

Emmalin is not prepared for the hardships of life in the Oregon wilderness. Each day presents a new challenge. Newfound friends, including the reserved Jacob Landon, who unexpectedly stirs her heart, come alongside to help her adapt. Yet she feels out of place. Should she brave the arduous journey back to Philadelphia for the life she once knew or remain and hope for something better in the Oregon wilderness?

Other titles by Bonnie Leon:

              The Journey of Eleven Moons  

              Return to the Misty Shore

              In the Land of White Nights, book two in the Northern Lights series.

              To Dance With Dolphins

Smoke Screen ~ Review

Smoke Screen
By Terri Blackstock

Fourteen years ago their lives were shattered. Brenna Strickland and Nate Beckett weren't supposed to fall in love. Brenna was a PK and Nate the son of the town drunk and when Brenna's father confronted Nate's that night everything changed. Pastor Strickland's murder resulted in Roy Beckett going to jail.

But now Roy Beckett has been pardoned and Nate finds himself heading home for the first time in years. He had no intention of returning home to the rumors and innuendo, but an injury has put his fire-fighting on hold until he recovers. And when he learns that Brenna is back in town he has to see her, to know how she is handling the news of his father's release.

Brenna Strickland's life moved past her first love and she is now Brenna Hertzog, divorced and caught in a custody battle for her young children. And she is not handling the separation from her children well - turning to alcohol to numb the pain. Nate sees how Brenna has changed and the pain she's living with is pulling her further down. Nate wants to help Brenna but he knows that unless she admits that she needs help nothing he does will be enough. And more than anything he sees that she needs to return to the faith she shared with him when they were teens.

Roy Beckett has never stopped claiming he never killed Pastor Strickland and he wants his sons Drew and Nate to look over the evidence to help him prove his innocence. What they never expected was that their father may have been telling the truth. But can they prove who may have been behind the murder or will their evidence go up in smoke?

Smoke Screen is a contemporary read that is a well-blended mix of mystery, suspense, and romance fiction. The who-dun-it doesn't reveal too much too soon so the reader's attention is well engaged as Brenna deals with what life has recently sent her way as she struggles to keep her children in her life while dealing with her own weaknesses and insecurities. Nate is dealing with his feelings concerning his father and the distrust that drove him from home. Overall a good read that will keep the pages turning.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book through Amazon's Vine Program with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion ~ all thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

One father was murdered. 

Another was convicted of his death. 

All because their children fell in love.

Nate Beckett has spent his life-fighting wildfires instead of the lies and rumors that drove him from his Colorado hometown. His mother begs him to come back now that his father has been released from prison, but it isn’t until he’s sidelined by an injury that he’s forced to return and face his past. But that means facing Brenna too.

Fourteen years ago, Nate was in love with the preacher’s daughter. When Pastor Strickland discovered Brenna defied him to sneak out with Nate, the fight between Strickland and Nate’s drunken dad was loud—and very public. Strickland was found murdered later that night, and everyone accused Roy Beckett. When the church burned down not long after, people assumed Nate set the fire to get even for his father’s conviction. He let the rumors fly and left town without looking back.

Brenna is stunned to learn that the man convicted of murdering her father has been pardoned. The events of that night set her life on a bad course, and now she’s fighting a brutal custody battle with her ex and his new wife where he’s using lies and his family’s money to sway the judge. Brenna is barely hanging on, and she’s turned to alcohol to cope. Shame and fear consume her.

As Nate and Brenna deal with the present—including new information about that fateful night and a wildfire that’s threatening their town—the past keeps igniting. Nate is the steady force Brenna has so desperately needed. But she’ll have to learn to trust him again first.

Tracking Game ~ Review

Tracking Game
Timber Creek K-9 Mystery #5
By Margaret Mizushima

First I'll say when I got this book I did not know that it was the fifth in a series but I did not have any trouble getting into the book. Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo are about to have a case on their hands (or paws) that is about to shake up the community of Timber Creek. The Summer of Romance dance is interrupted by an explosion - and explosion that critically injures a friend, leaves behind a murder victim, and attempts to destroy evidence of another crime. 

Every potential witness or associate of the victim leaves Mattie and Timber Creek police force with more questions than answers. But when one of their potential suspects turns up dead Mattie quickly realizes they have a bigger, deadlier problem than a killer in their midst. 

Tracking Game, for the most part, was fairly good. I'm not a fan of the ending or all the personal life stuff that was going on in Mattie's life. I think this is okay as a standalone read and to be honest I did not get attached to any of the characters or hints at what had previously happened to want to read any other books in the series. I like mysteries but I got clogged down over the personal life stuff so I actually found it to be a distraction. The mystery part was good and I did enjoy it and the who-dun-it was well concealed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Amazon's Vine Program with no expectations but that I offer my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:
Two brutal murders, a menacing band of poachers, and a fearsome creature on the loose in the mountains plunge Mattie Cobb and her K-9 partner Robo into a sinister vortex.

An explosion outside a community dance sends Mattie Cobb and Cole Walker reeling into the night, where they discover a burning van and beside it the body of outfitter Nate Fletcher. But the explosion didn't kill Nate--it was two gunshots to the heart.

The investigation leads them to the home of rancher Doyle Redman, whose daughter is Nate's widow, and the object of one of their suspect's affection. But before they can make an arrest, they receive an emergency call from a man who's been shot in the mountains. Mattie and Robo rush to the scene, only to be confronted by the ominous growl of a wild predator.

As new players emerge on the scene, Mattie begins to understand the true danger that's enveloping Timber Creek. They journey into the cold, misty mountains to track the animal--but discover something even more deadly in Tracking Game, the fifth installment in Margaret Mizushima's Timber Creek K-9 mysteries.