Book Review ~ The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck ~ 12/16/15

 

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Blurb:

 

An old, forgotten chapel holds the key to love and forgiveness.

Retired hall-of-fame football coach Jimmy Westbrook never imagined anything would come of his labor of love—building a wedding chapel for Collette Greer, the woman he fell in love with in 1949. But now a realtor wants the land the chapel sits on, and he sees no reason to hang onto the past.

Photographer Taylor Branson is trying to make a life for herself in New York. Leaving her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, she put a lot of things behind her, including her family’s string of failed marriages. When she falls head-over-heels for Jack Gillingham, a top ad man, their whirlwind romance and elopement leave her with doubts. Jack, while genuine in his love for Taylor, can never seem to find the right way to show her he really cares.

When a post-mortem letter from Taylor’s Granny Peg shows up, along with an old photo, she is driven to uncover family secrets and the secret to her own happiness, starting with an assignment to photograph an unknown, obscure wedding chapel back in Heart’s Bend.

Taylor begins a mission to convince Jimmy that the chapel is worth saving—and that forgiveness and healing might happen within the chapel’s walls . . . for both of them.

 

My Thoughts:

 

 This book is told from the perspective of four very different people and spans over decades.  At first, I didn't think I would like reading so many POV's and was afraid it would be hard to keep everything straight.  I was so wrong!

 

I ended up loving the different POV's!  I couldn't wait to read to get to the next person's story and then the next and the next and the next.

 

I can't decide if I like Taylor and Jack's story more or Jimmy and Colette's.  I guess I'll go with Jimmy and Colette.  Their love story was EPIC!

 

I loved the "secret" and the family dynamics that were so much at play for all the characters.

 

And the Wedding Chapel!  What do I say about the Wedding Chapel other than I wish I could see it in person.  It sounds absolutely beautiful.

 

Great book by a great author :)

 

 

 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as part of a 

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour.  
 

Linking up to  WholeHearted Wednesday, R&R, Word Filled Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Ladies Collective,   Party in Your PJs,  The Mommy Club, Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and Wow Me Wednesday  , Women with Intention.

Book Review ~ Whispers in the Reading Room by Shelley Gray ~ 12/2/15

 

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Blurb:

 

Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart.

Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks—the man so many people fear—is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

 

My Thoughts:

 

The first thing that drew me into this book was the cover.  It is amazing!

 

After that, it was all storyline.

 

Sebastian Marks is a mysterious man who comes into Lydia's Reading Room.  She is drawn to the fact that he loves to read a diverse collection of books.  She is a book worm but sometimes seems a bit immodest about her intelligence.  More than once she proclaims how intelligent she is.  Lydia was also a bit naïve about the darker sides of her city and life in general.

 

Sebastian grew up in the darker side of the city.  He knew his way around and commanded respect.  He owned a bar and gambling den which is a bit out of the ordinary for a hero in a Christian based novel.

 

That brings me to the fact that there is very little about Christianity until the very end.  It was certainly a clean read but the redemption story almost seemed like a side story instead of having any real consequence.

 

That being said, you may be surprised that I loved this book!  The mystery, intrigue, setting and characters were all so interesting.  Once I really got into the book, I didn't want to put it down. 

 

I want to mention that this is the third book of the Chicago World Fair Mystery series but can definitely be read as a stand-alone book. 

 

 

 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as part of a 

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour.  
 

Linking up to  WholeHearted Wednesday, R&R, Word Filled Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Ladies Collective,   Party in Your PJs,  The Mommy Club, Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and Wow Me Wednesday  , Women with Intention.

Book Review ~ Dangerous Passage by Lisa Harris ~ 11/25/15

 

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Blurb:

 

When two Jane Does are killed on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, detective and behavioral specialist Avery North discovers they share something in common--a tattoo of a magnolia on their shoulders. Suspecting a serial killer, Avery joins forces with medical examiner Jackson Bryant to solve the crimes and prevent another murder. But it doesn't take long for them to realize that there is much more to the case than meets the eye. As they venture deep into a sinister world of human trafficking, Avery and Jackson are taken to the very edge of their abilities--and their hearts.

"Dangerous Passage "exposes a fully-realized and frightening world where every layer peeled back reveals more challenges ahead. Romantic suspense fans will be hooked from the start by Lisa Harris's first installment of the new Southern Crimes series. 

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

I love to watch Crime Dramas on TV.  (NCIS, Blindspot, Blacklist, etc.)  Reading this book made me feel like I was watching a really, really good show!

 

The book was fast-paced with lots of twists and turns and a few mysteries were left unsolved for the next books of the series.  This is Book 1 of "Southern Crimes" series.

 

The main character is a kick-butt, female detective, Avery.  She has so much going on in her life.  She is a widow with a preteen daughter who demands much attention.  Her father is a newly retired police captain and her mother is losing it!  (In typical motherly fashion)  hehe

 

The story is more about the crime that is being investigated than it is about the romance.  It was perfect that way.  I wouldn't have wanted the romance to take over and take away from the mystery and investigation.

 

There are strong Christian principals throughout the book which I thoroughly enjoyed.  That is one thing the TV Crime Dramas definitely DO NOT have.

 

Books 2 and 3 of this series are on my wishlist and I hope I can get ahold of them soon.

 

Loved it! 

 

Linking up to  WholeHearted Wednesday, R&R, Word Filled Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Ladies Collective,   Party in Your PJs,  The Mommy Club, Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and Wow Me Wednesday .

 

Book Review and Giveaway ~ A Thousand Shall Fall by Andrea Boeshaar ~ 11/20/15

 

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Blurb:

 

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off–only to find she’s fallen into the hands of the enemy.

 

Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they’re all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.

 

Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally–and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

 

Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, A Thousand Shall Fall is framed around compelling characters and a very romantic setting in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Andrea Boeshaar’s extensive research guarantees historical accuracy and romance genre enthusiasts and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Christian perspectives on actual historical events.

 

My Thoughts:

 

It had been quite a while since I'd read a book set during the Civil War.  I was really excited to get the chance to read this one the first in a new series!

 

I absolutely love history and books like this one remind me why I love reading Historical Fiction.

 

The setting is the Shenandoah Valley.  Most of the book takes place in Winchester which is a city that I've visited and isn't extremely far from where I live.  Knowing the area made this book all the more interesting to read.

 

Carrie Ann Bell is searching for her sister who ran off with a peddler.  Not a very smart move as there are soldiers from both sides of the war all around.  Carrie is very resourceful and full of faith even during the hard times.  She ends up in the care of Colonel Peyton Collier.

 

Colonel Collier is a man who is much changed by the war.  For the better.  He left his old lifestyle on the battlefield of Gettysburg.  Peyton was a great hero for this book.  He was strong, vibrant and dependable.

 

I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

 

 

 

 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review as part of a 

Litfuse Publicity Blog Tour.  
 

Book Review ~ Tried & True by Mary Connealy ~ 11/18/15

 

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Blurb:

 

Saddle up for a wildly fun ride with the Wilde sisters!

Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister—and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It’s a risk—they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as “boys”—but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.

Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future?  

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

Anytime I pick up a book by Mary Connealy, I know that I'm in for a fun read.  I knew just from reading the blurb that this book would be interesting.

 

I love starting a new series.  I love getting to know the characters and daydreaming about the future books in the series.  This book was about Kylie, the youngest Wilde sister, but I also got to know a bit about Bailey and Shannon.

 

Kylie was a great heroine.  She was tough but still vulnerable and liked feminine pursuits.  She had a hard time pretending to be a man and wanted to live in civilization.

 

Enter Aaron, the land agent.  He wanted nothing more than to move further into the mountains away from everyone.  Everything Kylie didn't want.

 

I found their love story to be a bit hurried.  It was more about physical attraction.  The author did a wonderful job writing about their physical attraction while still keeping the integrity of the book and not going overboard.

 

I loved that just when I thought the conflict was resolved there was another twist!  The ending scenes were my favorite.

 

I absolutely CANNOT wait to read about Shannon and Bailey in the next two books of the series.  They are already on my wish list :)

 

 

Linking up to  WholeHearted Wednesday, R&R, Word Filled Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Ladies Collective,   Party in Your PJs,  The Mommy Club, Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and Wow Me Wednesday .

 

Book Review ~ Canary Island Song by Robin Jones Gunn ~ 11/11/15

 

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Blurb:

 

When Carolyn's grown daughter tells her she needs to "get a life," Carolyn decides it's time to step out of her familiar routine as a single woman in San Francisco and escape to her mother's home in the Canary Islands. Since Carolyn's mother is celebrating her seventieth birthday, the timing of Carolyn's visit makes for a perfect surprise.

The surprise, however, is on Carolyn when she sees Bryan Spencer, her high school summer love. It's been seven years since Carolyn lost her husband, but ever since that tragic day, her life has grown smaller and closed in. The time has come for Carolyn to get her heart back. It takes the gentle affection of her mother and aunts, as well as the ministering beauty and song of the islands to draw Carolyn into the fullness of life. She is nudged along by a Flamenco dance lesson, a defining camel ride and the steady gaze of Bryan's intense blue-gray eyes.

Is it too late for Carolyn to trust Bryan? Can Carolyn believe that Bryan has turned into something more than the wild beach boy who stole her kisses so many years ago on a balmy Canary night?

Carolyn is reminded that Christopher Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands in 1492 on his voyage to discover the New World. Is she ready to set sail from these same islands to discover her new life?

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

I really, really liked this book as I have every one of Robin Jones Gunn's books that I've read in the past.  Robin has such a way of writing that it makes a person feel as if they are there in the setting.  The setting almost becomes a character of the story.

 

This book takes place, for the most part, in the Canary Islands.  I didn't really know anything about the Canary Islands before reading this book.  I learned so many interesting things as it is a place deep with history.

 

The main character, Carolyn, was very likable.  She was middle-age with a grown daughter which is different from the books I've read lately where the heroines are 18-22ish.  This brought out a very different outlook and POV.

 

What I loved most about this book were the relationships between the "Women of the Canaries".  They had such a strong bond with each other and looked out for one another.  I loved the mother/daughter relationships.  It made me think about my relationship with my mother and also with my daughters.  I'm so very blessed to have the best of each.

 

This is the second book of the "Hideaway" series.  Luckily, I have book 3 on my shelf :)

 

 

Linking up to  WholeHearted Wednesday, R&R, Word Filled Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Ladies Collective,   Party in Your PJs,  The Mommy Club, Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and Wow Me Wednesday .

 

Book Review ~ Butterfly Palace by Colleen Coble ~ 11/4/15

 

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Blurb:

 

When Lilly Donnelly arrives at the Cutlers' famed Butterfly Mansion in 1899, the massive house and unfamiliar duties threaten to overwhelm her. Victorian Austin is lavish, highly political, and intimidating, but with the help of the other servants, Lilly resolves to prove herself to her new employers.

Then, while serving at an elegant dinner party, Lilly recognizes one distinguished guest as Andrew, the love of her life, who abandoned her without a word back home. He seems to have assumed a new identity and refuses to acknowledge her, leaving her confused and reeling.

Before Lilly can absorb this unwelcome news, she's attacked. Could it be the sinister Servant Girl Killer who has been terrorizing Austin? Or is it someone after something more personal--someone from her past?

Does she dare trust Andrew to help or is he part of the danger threatening to draw Lilly into its vortex?  

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

 This was quite the mystery!  I confess that I had the killer somewhat figured out but I had no idea of all who were involved!  I was also surprised by a few who weren't involved!

 

I really liked Lily's character.  She was tough, compassionate and loyal.  She wasn't afraid to stand up for her friends even if it put her in danger.

 

"Drew" was a great hero other than the fact that he had run out on Lily four years earlier...  That made it hard for me to warm up to him.  But I eventually did as Lily forgave him.

 

The underlying theme of butterflies was quite interesting to read about.  I might have to do some research to find out if the era's butterfly obsession really happened.

 

This was a great read with twists, turns, unpredictable sidelines and some controversial topics as well.

 

I still can't believe the ending!  It would make a great period drama :)

 

 

Linking up to  WholeHearted Wednesday, R&R, Word Filled Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Ladies Collective,   Party in Your PJs,  The Mommy Club, Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and Wow Me Wednesday .

 

Book Review ~ The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen ~ 10/28/15

 

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Blurb:

 

Finding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried deep in her past.

Alec finds an unlikely ally in the matriarch's daughter. Though he's initially wary of Julia Midwinter's reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul--and hidden sorrows of her own.

Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master--a man her mother would never approve of--but she cannot imagine why Mr. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. With Alec's help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village. . .and to her mother's tattered heart?

Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a "good match" in Regency England.

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

I really don't know what I think of this book.  As with all of Julie Klassen's novels, it was well written and very interesting and educational.  She always finds interesting facts to include in her writing.

 

However, I wasn't really drawn to either of the main characters.  Alec seemed a bit too flaky and Julia was such a brat! Their characters did evolve throughout the book and I came to like them more as I finished reading.

 

I found myself more interested in Lady Amelia and John Desmond's story.  I eagerly read hoping to come upon more of their story as the mystery unfolded.

 

This was my first time reading a book where the hero was a dancing master.  It was a bit hard to really get into the dancing instruction scenes.  I just kept trying to visualize Maksim Chmerkovsky from Dancing with the Stars as Alec.  This helped.  hehe

 

Not my favorite Julie Klassen novel but she is still on of my favorite authors!

 

 

Linking up to  WholeHearted Wednesday, R&R, Word Filled Wednesday, Coffee and Conversation, Ladies Collective,   Party in Your PJs,  The Mommy Club, Works or Me, Wake-Up Wednesday and Wow Me Wednesday .

 

Book Review ~ Lady Anne's Quest by Susan Page Davis ~ 10/7/15

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Blurb:

Lady Anne Stone believes her prayers are answered and she’s at last found her long lost uncle. Unwilling to let her meet him on her own, Daniel Adams accompanies her to her uncle’s ranch. But instead of answers, Anne is left with more questions. Both Dan and Anne are convinced the man introduced as her uncle is an imposter and decide to continue the search for the new Earl of Stoneford.

But now the swindler is on their trail, hoping to steal Uncle David’s inheritance. Dan has his hands full trying to protect Anne, but he finds he must guard his heart just as carefully. Even though he’s good at keeping her safe, he knows he’ll never convince Anne to become a farmer’s wife in Oregon when she has her sights set on returning to her home in England. But as Anne’s quest becomes even more difficult — and dangerous — Anne begins to see Dan differently. Will she soon be envisioning a new life in America?

 

My Thoughts:

I'm glad I had this second book of the Prairie Dreams series on my shelf to jump right into after reading The Lady's Maid.  (Read my review HERE.)  I couldn't wait to see if David Stone was found.

This book is a series of misadventures.  Anne and Dan are tracking the last moves of Anne's uncle David.  It seems like each lead gets them a little closer yet so far away.  They have to travel through some pretty perilous conditions.

I'm sorry to say that I didn't care much for Anne.  I thought she was spoiled, pampered and stuck-up.  I thought this while reading the first book and my opinion didn't change much throughout this book.  I felt that she didn't really deserve the admiration she got from Dan other than from her pretty looks.

Dan is solid, steady and there for Anne no matter what comes along and a lot came along.  The author really didn't describe him very much which was a shame.  I would have liked to know him better.

In fact, more than half the story was from the POV of David Stone and Millie Evans.  I feel like I got to know them more than I did Anne and Dan.  This was a great set-up for book three, though.

Sadly, I don't have the third book on my shelf.  I'll have to wait patiently until I can get my hands on it.  I can't wait to see if David makes it back to England!

 

On to the Next Book!

Book Review ~ The Lady's Maid by Susan Page Davis ~ 10/7/15

 

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Blurb:

Travel along with Elise Finster and her British mistress, Lady Anne Stone, as they search for the new but missing earl of Stoneford. Determined to follow David Stone’s somewhat cold trail leading to Oregon, greenhorns Elise and Anne secure livestock and supplies to join a wagon train. Will the ladies succeed in their quest or succumb to the malfeasance of the mysterious man dogging their heels?

Scout Eb Bentley’s initial disgust with these ill-prepared women eventually turns into admiration for one lady in particular. Can he protect her long enough to win her over, or will prairie dreams turn into a Wild West nightmare?  

 

My Thoughts:

This book take you from the drawing room in England to the Oregon Trail.  I hadn't read a book about a wagon train in a really long time.  I forgot how much I enjoy them!

At first, both ladies seem really uppity but as they start to travel and learn their way they become lovable.  It sometimes irritated me the way an almost 40 year old woman always had to look to a 20 year old for direction but Anne WAS Elise's employer so I had to look past that.  Not to mention the fact that Elise had taken care of Anne from birth so she was very protective.  I think she even wiped her face off once!  lol

Eb seemed like a typical scout who was falling for Elise.  He was dependable, rugged and handsome.  Until...a piece of his history is unfolded and I was very surprised!

Throughout the book there is also a bit of danger, from the trail and also from a sinister person along on the wagon train.

I'm glad I have book number two, Lady Anne's Quest, on my shelf.  I'm going to jump right into it :)

 

On to the Next Book!

Book Review ~ A Reluctant Courtship by Laurie Alice Eakes ~ 10/3/15

Blurb:

  A woman without a prospect. A man without a homeland. Can love give them a future?

Honore Bainbridge has been courted by two men, one of whom turned out to be a traitor, the other a murderer. Banished to her family’s country estate, where she will hopefully stay out of trouble, she finally meets the man she is sure is exactly right for her: Lord Ashmoor. Tall, dark, and handsome—what more could a girl ask for?

But he too is under suspicion because of his American upbringing and accusations that he has helped French prisoners escape from Dartmoor Prison. If he’s to keep out of a British prison himself and secure his place in British society, Lord Ashmoor needs a wife beyond reproach—something the vexingly beautiful Honore certainly is not. Though they find themselves drawn to each other, family obligations may conspire to keep them apart forever.

For the sake of her heart, Honore determines to prove Ashmoor’s innocence—even if doing so risks her own life.       

 

My Thoughts:

I read the first book of this series and enjoyed it.  I haven't gotten to read the second book of this series so I was a little concerned hopping right to the third book of the series.  However, this book could perfectly well stand on its own.

There were references to Honore's family and hints at what had taken place in books one and two but it didn't detract from being able to figure out what was taking place.

Regency era is one of my favorite genres to read.  I grew up reading it and love it still.

I really enjoyed that the hero of the story was an American.  Meric wasn't at all cocky and sure of himself.  He was just learning the way of the peers.

Honore, who I remember slightly from book one, was brave but the book also showed her vulnerability.  Sometimes it was heartbreaking.  I especially wanted to slap her brother for his heartlessness.

This book was filled with danger and intrigue from the first scene to the last.

Definitely a good read!

 

On to the Next Book!

Book Review ~ Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren ~ 10/1/15

Blurb:

   Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor—oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake Resort, and doting father. But he’s also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near.

New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn’t know any better when she bids on Darek at the charity auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity’s death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she’s always longed for. And once she gets past Darek’s tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with. Which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife’s case.

Caught between new love and old grudges, Darek must decide if he can set aside the past for a future with Ivy—a future more and more at risk as an approaching wildfire threatens to wipe out the Christiansen resort and Deep Haven itself.        

 

My Thoughts:

Reading this book set in the town of Deep Haven was like visiting an old friend.  This is the first book in the Christiansen series but not the first book set in Deep Haven.

This book revolves around two couples:  Darek & Ivy and Jensen & Claire.

Darek and Ivy.  Their story was the main story.  I can't forget to add in Darek's son, Tiger!  What a kid!  I enjoyed their story but it felt a bit rushed.  I guess it was a fast growing love...  They didn't have much time to get to know one another, but I appreciated the way the author ended the story with this in mind.

Jensen and Claire.  Theirs was the side story but I found myself eagerly waiting to read more about them.  They had history which made their relationship believable and heart-warming.  I found myself rooting for Jensen from the beginning.  I loved the way the love story came together for Jensen and Claire.

The resounding theme for this book was forgiveness.  And there was a lot of forgiving to be done.  But then again, we all need forgiveness.

I can't wait to read next book of this series!  I hope I can get my hands on it soon!

 

On to the Next Book!

Book Review ~ Vanished by Irene Hannon ~ 9/30/15

Blurb:

   Reporter Moira Harrisons is lost. In the dark. In a thunderstorm. When a confusing detour places her on a rural, wooded road, she's startled by the sudden appearance of a lone figure caught in the beam of her headlights. Though Moira jams on her brakes, the car careens across the wet pavement--and the solid thump against the side of the vehicle tells her she hit the person before she crashes into a tree on the far side of the road.

A dazed Moira is relieved when a man opens her door, tells her he saw everything, and promises to call 911. Then everything fades to black. When she comes to an hour later, she is alone. No man. No 911. No injured person lying on the side of the road. But she can't forget the look of terror she saw on the person's face in the instant before her headlights swung away. The person she hit had been in trouble. She's sure of it. But she can't get anyone to believe her story--except a handsome former police detective, now a private eye, who agrees to take on the case.

From the very first page, readers will be hooked into this fast-paced story full of shocking secrets from fan-favorite Irene Hannon. "Vanished" is the exciting first book in the Private Justice series: Three justice seekers who got burned playing by the rules now have a second chance to make things right.     

 

My Thoughts:

When I was trying to pick out my next read, I decided I wanted something with mystery, intrigue and a fast pace.  I like to alternate my reading choices to keep it interesting.

This book started off high-paced, when Moira is in an accident and nobody believes her story about what happened.  Enter Cal and Phoenix Inc.  I loved learning about the PI aspects and the investigation. 

The author wrote the book with the mystery unfolding bit by bit throughout the book.  It was interesting to read as it was pieced together.

The only thing that bothered me was Moira being referred to as "hot" quite frequently.  It seemed a bit strange and got a bit old.

I really enjoyed getting to know the PI's of Phoenix Inc.  I can't wait to read more of this series.

 

On to the Next Book!

Book Review ~ The Kissing Bridge by Tricia Goyer ~ 9/26/15

Blurb:

   Rebecca is an Amish woman whose pained past compels her to leave everything to become a nurse---abandoning her family and community. Caleb is an Amish man who is counting down the days until hunting season. At a crossroads in his own life, the excitement of hunting game is all he looks forward to. All the while he wonders what to do with the rest of his life. Even though he likes the Amish lifestyle, what good is an Amish man without faith in God?

An unexpected meeting pushes them together, and they embark with friends on a two-week-long wilderness wagon journey. Hardship tears down the flimsy walls of protection they've placed around their hearts, and as their friendship grows they open up to each other and eventually reveal their deepest secrets.

While on the outside they appear to be traditional Amish people, inside they both know they are anything but that. Will their secrets pull them together or draw them apart? And will their faith in God grow? There is a bridge to cross at the end of the journey. Will true love take them across?     

 

My Thoughts:

After reading the first two books in this series, I knew that this book would be a good read.  I wasn't disappointed in the least.

I enjoyed the story of faith throughout the book.  Rebecca and Caleb were being called to be something other than what they were raised to be and were listening to that calling.

This book was full of adventure and went by very quickly.

One pet peeve:  Caleb is described in the book as blonde and the cover has him with brown hair.  I don't know why that bothers me, but it does!

This was a wonderful series and I highly recommend it.

 

On to the Next Book!

Book Review ~ Blowing on Dandelions by Miralee Ferrell ~ 9/25/15

Blurb:

  Do Dandelion Wishes Actually Come True?  

Katherine Galloway knew this moment of calm wouldn’t last, blown away like the dandelion seeds she scattered as a girl. In 1880, three years after her husband’s death, she struggles to run an Oregon boardinghouse and raise two girls alone. Things don't get easier when her critical, domineering mother moves in. Katherine must make the situation work, but standing up for herself and her family while honoring her mother isn't easy. And with a daughter entering the teenage years, the pressure on Katherine becomes close to overwhelming. T

hen she crosses paths with Micah Jacobs, a widower who could reignite her heart, but she fears a relationship with him might send things over the edge. She must find the strength, wisdom, hope, and faith to remake her life, for everything is about to change.    

 

My Thoughts:

Wow!  What a book!  I must say that I would give this book a 5/5.  I read the entire book in one evening and didn't once want to put it down!

I was drawn into the lives of the characters.  Katherine had two daughters, a teen and one younger, just like I do.  I have to say that some of her struggles as a mother were very understandable.

What she had that I do NOT have is a very critical mother.  There were times that I wanted to shout out in Katherine's defense.  Isn't that silly?  lol

The love story between Micah and Katherine was sweet but the resounding relationship struggles to me were mother/daughter which resolved rather nicely with each promising to "try" to do better.  After all, all we can do is try to change when we realize that we are doing wrong.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first book of the series and have the second book on my shelf waiting to be devoured!

 

On to the Next Book!

Book Review ~ A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano ~ 9/24/15

Blurb:

  Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. Her fortune was the last thing she had left after losing her father, her fiancé, and her faith. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner, governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

Mr. Hamilton Beckett, much to his chagrin, is the catch of the season, and all the eyes of New York society—all the female ones, at least—are on him. He has no plans to marry again, especially since his hands are full keeping his business afloat while raising his two children alone.

Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune unexpectedly put her right in Hamilton's path. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces and, before she knows it, Eliza has a whole retinue of people helping her. Eliza's determination not to trust anyone weakens when everyone's antics and bumbling efforts to assist her make her wonder if there might be more important things than her fortune and independence.

When all of Hamilton's and Eliza's best-laid plans fall by the wayside, it will take a riot of complications for them to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.     

 

My Thoughts:

Oh my!  The twists and turns and surprises within this book!  It was truly a historical romantic comedy.

Not only was this book highly entertaining it was downright funny :)  There were times that I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

I adored all the characters.  Eliza and Agatha were my favorites, though.  Even the older generation of "parents" were amazingly well-written.  And the children!  Hilarious!

This was a first read for me of Jen Turano, but I cannot wait to read more.  As soon as possible!

 

On to the Next Book!

Book Review ~ Fade to Blue by Julie Carobini ~ 9/23/15

Blurb:

   Suz Mitchell is the determined dreamer we should all be and won't allow her ex-husband Len's jail sentence to ruin their young son Jeremiah's life. An accomplished artist, she moves with her child across the country to California's central coast and lands a sweet job restoring priceless paintings at the historic Hearst Castle overlooking the ocean.

To her utter surprise, a serious old flame, Seth, is also now working at Hearst and jumbles the dreams inside Suz's heart. While sorting out the awkwardness of their past split and current spiritual differences, a repentent Len shows up eager to restore his family.

Suz must learn to let God be the true restorer of all that once seemed lost.     

 

My Thoughts:

I just finished this book moments ago and it will probably take me a while to pick out another book to read.  This book sucked me in to another place.  I adore Otter Bay and wish I lived there.

I really enjoyed all the art and color that filled this book.  All the talk of sketching and painting really reminded me of my oldest daughter's love of all things art.

The book was written in the first person POV so I got to know Suz more than the other characters.  I would have loved to get to know Seth from his perspective. 

I don't always like first person POV but I did with this book.

Definitely a good read!

 

On to the Next Book!

Book Review ~ The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer ~ 9/23/15

Blurb:

   Every year, young Amish men descend on the cozy little town of West Kootenai, Montana, arriving in the spring to live there for six months and receive “resident” status for the hunting season in the fall. They arrive as bachelors, but go home with brides!

In The Promise Box, the second book of best-selling author Tricia Goyer’s Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series, Lydia Wyse, a book editor from Seattle who grew up Amish, returns to the small community of West Kootenai to give comfort to her father after her mother’s death. She is drawn back to the familiar Amish ways after finding her mother’s most precious possession, a Promise Box of prayers and scripture. What her publisher sees, though, is an opportunity for a sensational “tell-all” book about the Amish.

Lydia soon finds herself falling in love with Amish bachelor Gideon Hooley. She wants nothing more than to forget her past and look forward to a future as an Amish bride. But will the pain of her childhood---and her potential betrayal of her community---keep her from committing her whole heart?     

 

My Thoughts:

I absolutely loved the first book in this series and I absolutely adored this second book of the series.

Lydia's Mem had recently passed away and she had gone home for the funeral and to stay a while to help her father get adjusted.  She hadn't planned on returning to the Amish life.

Gideon just planned on hunting and going home.  He never planned on staying.

They come together in the most beautiful way.

I love how Gideon felt the first time he saw Lydia.  He knew there was something special but at the time she wasn't Amish.  I liked that Lydia didn't just come back to the Amish for Gideon.  She returned and then they fell in love.

Beautiful!

I already have the third book, The Kissing Bridge on my shelf to read and am really looking forward to it :)

 

On to the Next Book!