The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water ~ Review

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water

By Erin Bartels

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

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

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

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

About the Book:

The best fiction simply tells the truth.

But the truth is never simple.

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

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

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

A Heart Adrift ~ Review

A Heart Adrift

By Laura Frantz

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

About the Book:

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

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

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

The Lady of Galway Manor ~ Review

The Lady of Galway Manor

By Jennifer Deibel

Annabeth De Lacy has been groomed for a life in the British Court and when her father moves the family to the family estate in Galway boredom soon moves in. Annabeth's artistic leanings have her taking an apprenticeship in the jewelry shop of the Jennings family. The Jennings family has long been known for their workmanship and the Claddagh Ring. 

But the legend surrounding the ring and its tale of love has soured Stephen Jennings to its charm and even his life in Galway. Seeking to escape the pain of his past and his anger at the British, Stephen is less than pleased to discover that he will be training an apprentice. What's worse his apprentice is a  British lady and the daughter of their landlord!

1920's Galway is a place of unrest, simmering just below the surface. Ireland seeks its independence from British rule. Stephen harbors anger at what the British have taken from him. Anna has been taught that her refinement, her gentility, her Britishness, her presence will be a light among the Irish, who are little more than savages. Both are in for an eye-opening, heart-changing experience as they work together. But the past is not easily forgotten and both are Stephen and Anna caught in its grip, a grip that seeks to rob them of the future they both desire and fear.        

The Lady of Galway Manor is a delightfully engaging read. One is given a glimpse into the differing viewpoints on the Irish/British conflict concerning Irish independence. The characters are multifaceted with layers of depth that are slowly revealed as the story unfolds. I have to admit that I was a little surprised at Annabeth's situation in regards to a marriage match and the lack of say she really has in the matter. And then there is Stephen trapped in a life of making and selling a ring that symbolizes love's promise, a promise he no longer believes is true. I really liked Seamus, Stephen's father, who is a voice of reason amid all the chaos and upheaval that occurs during this somewhat volatile period. 

If you are love historical romances with depth, anything set in Ireland, and post WWI fiction you have found your next read. Jennifer Deibel has created a world that will come to life as soon as you lift the cover. And the cover is just a glimpse of what is to come so you know you will love what comes next.

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

About the Book:

In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy's father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family--descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.

Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family's jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the lies the Claddagh Ring promises.

Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the "other side" isn't quite as barbaric and uncultured as they'd been led to believe--and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner's fire.

Travel to the Emerald Isle for another poignant and romantic story from the enchanted pen of Jennifer Deibel.

In Search of a Prince ~ Review

In Search of a Prince

By Toni Shiloh

Brielle Bayo always thought she was your average American. Her mother raised her as a single parent following her father's death, all while putting herself through medical school. Impressive! Right? 

But now the truth is about to come out. Brielle's mother has been keeping a secret from her for 25 years! Not only did her father have a family BUT they are the ruling family of an island nation in Africa. Worse her grandfather is dying and Brielle has just months left to connect with what was denied her all these years. But the biggest shocker of them all is that she, Brielle Bayo middle-grade civics teacher, is next in the line to the throne!

Cue a major time-out to wrap her mind around the mere possibility if not the fact that she is in line to be queen. 

But does she want to be queen? She has to make a decision and to do so she must visit Ọlọrọ Ilé, Africa, and get to know the people, the culture, the language, and the history.  No small task for her summer break.  And if she accepts the future before her, she must marry before she can assume the throne. 

In Search of a Prince is a story of faith and trust. Brielle spends time in prayer, seeking the Lord's will. This is one choice that she doesn't want to make on her own. While dealing with the shock of learning who she is, Bri is also dealing with her feelings of betrayal at her mother's silence for 25 years. I can't even begin to imagine how I would be handling such a situation. 

When all of this first unfolds Bri wonders if she is about to find herself in a Princess Diary situation. I have not read the books but I did see the movies and in no way is this a redo.  There is a depth to the characters as they navigate and adapt to their changing world. 

I enjoyed this in both the print version and the audio. The audiobook is excellent. I like how Tamika Katon-Donegal narrates the book. The different characters are identifiable and I really appreciate the pronunciations of the names and places in Ọlọrọ Ilé so I did not have to struggle through it and probably mangle it thoroughly.  I can't say I have a preference for one over the other - audio with the pronunciations while the print version has the spelled-out words. Both together is the ideal in my opinion but this is one book you don't want to miss no matter how you enjoy it.

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

About the Book:

Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha's Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops the mother of all bombshells--Brielle is a princess in the kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, King Tiwa Jimoh Adebayo, is failing.

Distraught by her mother's betrayal, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before assuming the throne or the crown will be passed to another. Uncertain who to choose from the council's list of bachelors, she struggles with the decision along with the weight of her new role in a new country. With her world totally shaken, she must take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring.

Snowbound Amish Survival ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Snowbound Amish Survival 

by Mary Alford,

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Snowbound Amish Survival
By Mary Alford

Hope Christner never thought she'd be running to Hunter Shetler for help, not after the conflict that tore them apart. But when armed men come looking for her she does the only thing she can to save the life of her patient. 

But the men looking for her aren't easily dissuaded and will go to any measure to find her to get what they want. Murder, beatings, kidnappings - nothing will stop them not even a blizzard.

This is a story of survival and hope in the face of unspeakable terror. It is also a story of potential second chances. Hope and Hunter allowed a misunderstanding and false accusations between their families to drive a wedge between them. Loyalty to family hurt the other, breaking their love. Or did it? 

Hope's seeking out Hunter in the face of danger says something but has too much time passed? And how does one decide where loyalty lies? Does it lie with the family one was born into? Or does it lie with the one who holds your heart?

This book is perfect for February and the upcoming Valentine's holiday. Happy endings aren't always a guarantee but with Love Inspired Suspense you are guaranteed a satisfying ending though the path from beginning to end is fraught with dangers, bumps, and wrong turns.

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

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Snowbound Amish Survival
Author: Mary Alford
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: Jan 25, 2022
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Christian

 

She’s caught in a snowstorm…

with a target on her back. 

When armed men burst into her patient’s house looking for her, Amish midwife Hope Christner barely escapes with her pregnant friend. Now running through a snowy forest with enemies in pursuit and a blizzard raging, Hope has no choice but to turn to the closest neighbor, her ex-fiancé, Hunter Shetler. But facing the heartbreak of their past is just as frightening as the attackers on her trail…    

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookDepository | IndieBound | ChristianBook | BookBub

 

ALSO AVAILABLE

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Alford is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty novels. Her books have been finalists in the Selah Award, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and the HOLT Medallion Contest. As a writer, Mary is an avid reader. She loves to cook and can’t face the day with-out coffee. She and her husband live in the heart of Texas in the middle of 70 acres with two very spoiled cats and one adorable rescue dog. Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net.

CONNECT WITH MARY: Website | Facebook | Twitter

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon Gift card and a print copy of Snowbound Amish Survival! 
(2) winners will receive a print copy of Snowbound Amish Survival!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight February 1, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on February 8, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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TOUR SCHEDULE

Launch Post @JustReadTours

February 1 
Happily Managing a Household of Boys
Hallie Reads

February 2
I luv the books
Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic

February 3
Lisa's Reading
Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting
Remembrancy

February 4
Blossoms and Blessings
Blooming With Books

February 5
Reading Excursions
Reading Is My SuperPower

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Malicious Intent ~ Review

Malicious Intent

Defend and Protect #2

By Lynn H. Blackburn

When a seemingly random case of counterfeiting brings U.S. Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon to the home of his childhood best friend/first love he never expected to be drawn into a life-or-death case. Dr. Ivy Collins has spent most of her life trying to develop a prosthetic that can be controlled by the mind and her company is on the verge of releasing its prototype.

But someone has decided to target Ivy and they aren't about to be dissuaded by the presence of the Secret Service, the FBI, or the police. They want something from Ivy and access to her company's computer system seems to be their focus. But "Why?" is the question on everyone's mind. 

For the last fifteen years, Ivy Collins has been avoiding her best friends Gil and Emily Dixon. An incident from the summer that she and Gil discovered their love nearly destroyed her and isolated her from her dearest friends. 

Gil has never forgotten Ivy even though she ended everything between them with no warning. Could this case bring them back together? Or will it end in their deaths?

Malicious Intent is the second book in the Defend and Protect series and it is as intense as the first book Unknown Threat. The Secret Service is still recovering from the attacks that took the lives of several of its agents while dealing with the emotional repercussions. When this case places them once again in danger they have to scramble to not only keep Ivy safe but themselves. 

If you are looking for action that keeps you turning the pages and a second chance at love you will love Malicious Intent. This is a fairly clean read. There is a bit of violence but nothing graphic that will leave you cringing. There are suspects aplenty to keep the reader guessing. I really like that several characters from past books by Lynn H. Blackburn make appearances. This is a perfect weekend read that will keep your attention from cover to cover. My recommendation is to move this to the top of your February 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:

Driven by a traumatic event in her past, Dr. Ivy Collins is on the precipice of a scientific breakthrough after years of research and sleepless nights when dangerous circumstances demand that she give it all up--to save someone else. Can US Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon work with her to help save her work--and her life?

Dr. Ivy Collins, founder and CEO of Hedera, Inc., is ready to begin clinical trials of her company's cutting-edge prosthetic. Her work has been heralded by government, medical, and advocacy groups and everyone hopes the device will be a success. Well, almost everyone. Someone is trying to sabotage Hedera and the launch, but to what purpose--and how far will they go to get what they want?

Meanwhile, U.S. Secret Service Agent Gil Dixon can't believe he's finally been reunited with Ivy, his childhood best friend. Now that he's found her again, Gil intends to spend the rest of his life with her. But it will take all his skill to uncover the truth in time to save Ivy's life's work, her own life, and the innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

Perfectly balancing chilling suspense and uplifting romance, award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn delivers a story of revenge, greed, and overcoming that you won't want to put down no matter how late it gets.

Sunrise ~ Review

Sunrise

Sky King Ranch #1

By Susan May Warren

Ten years ago Dodge Kingston left home following a fight that nearly destroyed everything. He's back but not to stay. He left the past and his home behind, if only he could believe it once he gets back to Copper Mountain. His father was injured in an accident - one that they are calling pilot error. With the future of his family's ranch riding on him, Dodge agrees to fill in for his dad until he's recovered. 

But returning home opens old wounds and heartaches. Especially when he runs into Echo Yazzie the woman he thought he'd marry until she said no and betrayed him. But Echo needs his help and as much as Dodge would like to say no Echo is still the only one for him and he'd do anything for her even if it shatters his heart again.

Someone is causing trouble and everything points to the illegal kind. But with no solid evidence of poaching, there is nothing anyone can do. And then there is an angry grizzly on the prowl who when a DNR researcher goes missing just adds to the danger. 

Sunrise is the first book in the Sky King Ranch series by Susan May Warren and it is as good as her previous series. I like how there are hints at previous series (only noticeable if you've read the other books) but nothing to detract if you haven't read them. The underlying theme of this book is forgiveness. Anger, hurt, and fear have driven several of the characters - charting the paths their lives have taken, affecting their decisions. As one character says, "Forgiveness isn't for the person you're forgiving,... It's for yourself. It's what you do to be set free."  This is excellent reading and the ending sets up what one presumes will be the storyline of the second 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:

Coming home was never the plan...

Pilot Dodge Kingston has always been the heir to Sky King Ranch. But after a terrible family fight, he left to become a pararescue jumper. A decade later, he's headed home to the destiny that awaits him.

That's not all that's waiting for Dodge. His childhood best friend and former flame, Echo Yazzie, is a true Alaskan--a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. Most of all, she's living a life Dodge knows could get her killed. One of these days she's going to get lost in the woods again, and his worst fear is that he won't be there to find her.

When one of Echo's fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. Plus, there's more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

Will Dodge be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

Sunrise is the first explosive volume in a new nail-biting series from USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren.