Because Your're Mine by Colleen Coble

Because Your Mine is another winner by Colleen Coble. I think it may even be the best one yet written by her. It sort of has that gothic flair that you see in books by Phyllis Whitley and Victoria Holt. You have the run down mansion, secrets of people in the mansion, a dangerous swamp inhabited by alligators, crazy people and a marriage of convenience.

Allana is in a Celtic band and she loses her husband in a horrific accident. A friend, Jesse was in accident but survives despite disfiguring facial injuries.  Alana is carrying her husband's child but is forced into a marriage of convenience with a man she does not love in order to keep her father-in-law from getting custody of her baby once the baby is born.

It does not take long to realize who the evil people are. I guessed fairly early but what I did not guess what the string of events that took place in the story. I love twists and turns in a novel and Colleen Coble does this well. I don't know if this book is part of a series or not but I look forward to reading more if there are. This book kept me up about two hours past my bedtime reading. I had to know the end. I must say I was pleased with the ending.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for providing me a digital copy of this book to review. This book will be released on January 10, 2017. Already I'm hoping that there will be more sequels.

Amish Weddings by Leslie Gould

Amish Weddings is the last book in the Amish Neighbors series. When we first met the Becks and the Lehmans in the first book the Becks and Lehmans were children. Now most of them are all grown up and making adult decisions. Zane Beck the son of the English family has decided to go Amish. He is very much in love with Lila and they plan on getting married. Rose is the next oldest daughter. She is currently dating Reuben who was previously in love with Lila in the previous story. There are some life-changing events that stand in the way of Lila and Beck getting married. I loved watching how the characters were able to overcome these obstacles. This life-changing event cause a ripple effect and other characters were affected. One character made some very unwise decisions. I could see what was going to happen and could predict. I wanted to reach out through the pages and warn this character. Stay away! Run!  I loved that this character has the loving support of the community. Overall I was very pleased with the ending.

Some of the reviews state that they were confused by all the characters. Since I have read all the previous stories I did not get confused at all but I could see where one could get confused which is why I think these stories should be read in order. It would be more enjoyable to the reader and the reader would have less confusion.

This book is due to be released on January 3, 2016. Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House for providing me a digital copy of this book to review.

The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Julianne Chevalier is a midwife in France. When a woman tragically dies in childbirth Julianne is blamed for the woman's death and is thrown in prison. She receives a reprieve from prison but it comes with conditions. She will be forced to leave France and travel to New Orleans. One of the conditions for being able to travel to New Orleans is that she marry a complete stranger and immediately start procreating. She picks out Simon. If Julianne thought she would be escaping her troubles in France she would be wrong. Many trials ahead for her.

I did not know very much about the history of Louisiana even though I have lived here since marrying my husband. I suppose had I grown up here I would have learned all about the history. The author does a very excellent job of educating the reader on historical facts that happened.

The storyline kept me engaged. I loved it that there were twists and turns in the story that I did not expect. This is the first book I have read by this author but look forward to reading more of her works.

This book is to be released on January 3, 2017. Thanks to Bethany House and LibraryThing for providing me a copy of this book to review.


View all my reviews

The Angel of Forest Hill by Cindy Woodsmall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Angel of Forest Hill was a sweet little Christmas novel. Rose is from a large family, the only girl of 12 children. Her mother was unloving and demanded a lot from her. She was sent to a neighboring community in West Virginia to help out a family where the mother had just given birth. When she gets there she finds that the women died in childbirth. She quickly agrees to enter into a marriage of convenience with Joel, the grieving husband for the sake of the children. She quickly becomes mama to his three kids. Will he ever love her the way he loved his deceased wife.

I loved how Rose took over the raising of his kids without complaint. I loved how she loved them like her own. I loved the friendship she had with Elise, a veterinarian. Elise was a shoulder to cry on and gave her good advice.

I can't say that there was anything I disliked about this novel except that I wish it could have been longer. I would say the author did a good job developing the story in a 200 page novel.


View all my reviews

If I'm Found by Terri Blackstock

If I'm Found is the second book in the If I Run series. Casey Cox is still on the run and dirty cops Keegan and Rollins are still in pursuit of her. If they find her she will be instantly dead. She knows too much. If you are expecting the story to resolved in this book you will be disappointed. It will not be resolved until the next book comes out. If you are hoping for a suspense-filled story you will not be disappointed! This book was even better than the last. Casey is still the same person who will go out of the way to help someone in need. She risks her freedom to help people.

I love it that the relationship between Casey and Dylan grew in this story but Casey discovered the most important relationship of all, a relationship with the Lord!

As I stated before the story is not resolved. The dirty cops are still after her and she will have to continue to run but more evidence was collected in this story and hopefully we will see the end in the next book. I am already looking forward to reading the next one. I just know it will be even better.

If I'm Found will be published on March 21, 2017. Thanks to Netgalley and Zondervan for providing me a digital copy to read and review.

My rating:  5 stars

An Amish Family Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An Amish Family Christmas is the last book in The Charmed Amish Life. I think this one may have been my favorite of the four. This one focuses on Levi Kingsinger. He was the brother who escaped to Pinecraft Florida after the tragic fire that claimed the life of his father. He's back in Charm and living in a rundown neighborhood on Juniper Street. He meets Julia, a woman with a young child who has secrets. We learn in the first chapter that Julia is an unwed mother who has escaped an abusive fiance. I liked this part of the story that it portrays the Amish as real people who make mistakes and has the same problems as non Amish.

Another thing I enjoyed about this story is the back story around Tess. Tess is Simon's sister who we met in the previous book. Simon and Tess continue to reconnect in this book. Tess leaves her job and sets up a refuge in Charm for abused women and children. I love it that in this book Tess even found love. Enough on that. You will have to read to find out.

Overall, I was satisfied with this series and the ending. I'm looking forward to reading Shelley's next series which is the Amish of Hart County. There is a preview ate the end of this book and it looks like there will be a stalker in the next book!




View all my reviews

A Baxter Family Christmas by Karen Kingsbury

When I saw that there was a new Baxter novel coming out for the Christmas season 2016 I thought people were going to have to read the previous 24 novels she wrote about the Baxter/ Flanigan family to know what was going on. Guess what? You don't have too. Before the story even begins there is a two page summary of what has happened to each of the family members followed by a family tree. You could read and enjoy this book without even reading the previous 24 books which really should be read in order but not this one. 

To be honest I did not like Karen Kingsbury killing off one of the daughters and most of her immediate family in the last novel which was "Coming Home". I told myself I was not going to read another Baxter family novel again but I changed my mind and I'm glad I did. The aftermaths of that tragedy is handled by nicely in this book. It has been two years now and the family still has pain. Some of the family members are not handling too well when John Baxter, the patriarch of the Baxters wants to invite the recipient of Erin's heart to the Christmas Eve gathering. He has a couple of good reasons to invite her but I won't spoil it by revealing. You will have to read for yourself. There was also a sideline story that I also enjoyed and involved Brooke Baxter West's daughter Maddie. It has been 13 years since her sister nearly died from drowning in a pool and she feels responsible. She meets a Flanigan boy but does not feel worthy of a relationship with a boy. I think I enjoyed Maddie's story best.

Thanks to Howard Books and Netgalley for providing me an Ebook to review. A Baxter Family Christmas is due to be released October 25, 2016 and is surely going to be a bestseller!

Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Not one of Spark's best books

Please don't judge the rest of the books Nicholas Sparks has written by this one. Much of the book is depressing. I loved the relationship the main character had with his daughter and the relationship he had with his sister. Up until his daughter was six his wife Vivian was a stay-at-home mom. Then she decides to go to work and then proceeds to treat Russ like crap. She was a self-centered shoppaholic woman. Russ was left with the child while she worked on her career. Nothing he did was good enough for her. She was critical of everything she did. Despite she did to him he wanted the marriage to work. She worked in PR for a billionaire. It was not a shocker when it was later revealed that she was having an affair with the billionaire. There were other things in the book that will move the reader to tears but I've said enough already so I won't reveal. Another thing that bothered me about the book was the characters had a low opinion of God and the church. I do appreciate the language was mainly clean. Not many sexual situations either but they did exist.

I have read reviews that many people have regretted spending money on this book. I'm happy that I did not. I was able to read a download from Overdrive.




View all my reviews

Taylor Lynne by Jennifer Peel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Taylor Lynne is book 2 in The Women of Merryton series. I had read the first book but I think I enjoyed this one better. I enjoyed re-visitng all the women of Merryton especially Jessie Belle. It was great to get caught up with what was happening in their lives. And that Cheyenne is a hoot. She kept me laughing. I hope Cheyenne finds love and gets her own story.

Taylor and Easton had once been married and had a daughter together. Taylor had left Merryton because she thought he was having an affair with his nurse. He loves her but does not fight the divorce and makes a mistake in marrying the woman he was having an emotional affair with later divorcing the second one years later but not before producing a child in the second marriage. Taylor moves back to town to that her daughter can get to know her father better. The second wife was a horrible person and stood in the way of Easton having a relationship with his daughter or even members of his family.

I loved the relationship between the two half-sisters. It was so natural and loving. Taylor's daughter was so sweet and mature. The younger daughter had emotional baggage having been damaged by biological mother who did not really love her. I love how Taylor loved Eaton's other child and treated her with kindness and love even though the child was the offspring of the woman who broke up her marriage.

I loved it that Easton realized the errors of his ways in not treating his wife the way he should have when they were first married. I love it that he pursued her but I also loved it that she did not give in easily.

Themes in this book were forgiveness. Taylor had to forgive her abusive father, her ex-husband Easton and finally herself. This was not easy for her to do. Forgiveness is not easy but it is healing.





View all my reviews

Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl

I've been reading Nancy Mehl's Mennonite romantic suspense novels for years. She wrote three romantic suspense series centered around the Mennonite communities and I've read every last one. Well, with this novel she takes a different path. No Mennonite in site in her Defenders of Justice series. I started this book and I could not put it down. This book is very similar the the writings of Lynette Eason or Robin Carroll.  The characters are well-developed and the plots moves quickly. You think the characters are out of danger but don't breathe. Don't take your eyes off the page because they are very quickly in danger again. You will not regret reading this suspense driven book! You will probably stay up late reading. I'm already looking forward to reading Dark Deception which will be released sometime in May 2017.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House for providing me an e-copy of this book to review. This book is due to be released November 1, 2017.

Celtic Tales: Fairy Tales and Stories of Enchantment from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Wales by Kate Forrester

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I love the beautiful cover of this book. I have the hardcover of this book for review. The book came with an attached ribbon so you could mark your place. The illustrations are outstanding. I was drawn to this book because I've always liked fairy tales and my ancestors came from Ireland, Scotland and Britain, the areas covered in this book. Some of the tales are better than others. Some are just okay. I would not recommend reading this book to young children as there are tales of feeding young maidens to sea monsters.

I highly recommended this book for anyone who likes fairy tales of any kind.


View all my reviews

Guide Me Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I did not enjoy this one as much as some of her other works but it was still a good read. I really admired Rebekah Hardin's work ethic and wanting to help out her family as much as possible. Living near Mammoth Cave in Kentucky she goes to work there as a guide. At first she dresses like a boy in order to get a job there but she does not fool the main man who does the tours, a kind older black man who lets her keep working anyway. She meets Devlin Bale, a college student who comes to map the caves. He was in a different social class than her and I was wondering how they could ever work out.
Growing up in Nashville, Tennessee I have visited Mammoth Cave a couple of times so this story was enjoyable to read.



View all my reviews

A Sister's Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Amelia Kingsinger is the youngest of the four Kingsinger siblings. The Kingsingers had lost their mother several years ago and just recently had lost their father so they were very protective of Amelia, a little overprotective I would say. Even though they liked Simon they thought he was not good enough for Amelia because of his past. He was a loyal and hard-working employee but still not good enough for their sweet Amelia. I like it that Amelia developed a backbone and stood up for herself. There are several things in Simon's past that needed to be worked out. I would have liked to see a storyline on his two siblings who left the Amish.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the Charmed Life series which will focus on Levi. He was the one who had left home. This book, An Amish Family Christmas is due out mid-October.



View all my reviews

Perfectly Pretend by Jenn Faulk

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


We first met Craig Lucas in "Home to You" which was Faith Hayes's story. In that story Faith dumps her fiance Craig when she discovers that she still has feelings for Sam Huntington. This story centers on Hope Conner. We've already met some of her siblings in a previous book. I liked the character of Hope a lot better than Faith. She was a better fit for Craig than Faith ever was. I didn't like Craig in "Home to You". I thought he acted juvenile about the split. In "Perfectly Pretend" we get a glimpse of what made him the way he is and I was a lot more sympathetic toward him when I learned about his background. He felt like he was a loser but Hope continually was building him up. I really liked Hope and could not find much to fault with her character. I loved the tension in the book with them pretending to be engaged and their growing feelings toward each other. I'm looking forward to reading some of the other books Jenn has written that center on the other Lucas brothers. I really do enjoy Jenn's writings.










View all my reviews

The Heirloom Brides Collection: Treasured Items Bring Couples Together in Four Historical Romances by Kim Vogel Sawyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


These stories were just okay. With the length of the novellas I didn't feel there was enough time to develop the romance part of the story. My favorite was the one by Kim Vogel Sawyer where the Mennonite community came together to help a reclusive father and daughter after the father broke his leg and could not get his crops in.



View all my reviews

Stolen Child: Do You Know Who You Are? by Kimberly Rae

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was an outstanding book! I felt it was very much similar to the Bible story of Joseph being sold into slavery in Egypt. What man meant for evil God meant for good. Asha learns more about the circumstances of her birth. For a while she is bitter about the whole thing but eventually comes to realize that had all this not happened to her she would have never had the opportunity to know the Savior and in turn introduce the Savior to her birth family. I loved the sweet reunion with Mark. He was so supportive of her even when she acted like a spoiled brat at times. I'm looking forward to reading the last book in the Stolen series which is Stolen Future. I hope the character grows up and is less impulsive.



View all my reviews

Dance and Be Glad by Melissa Wardwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


After Emma broke his heart in "What God Brings Together" I was hoping Dr. Mike would get his own happy ending and he does in this book. The road to his happiness is not smooth and several bumps in the road have to ironed out. I enjoyed re-visiting some characters from the previous book. Very good to see what is happening with Emma and Ryan and their family. Looking forward to reading more from the extended family and friends of Emma and Ryan.




View all my reviews

Beyond the Game by Jenn Faulk

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I had read "Resolutions" last week and really enjoyed it so I was looking forward to reading the next generation which would be Emily's daughter Sadie. I did not enjoy Sadie's story as much as Emily. For one thing it was not as humorous. Trent and Sadie just did not have the chemistry that Josh and Emily had. It was still a decent and clean story and had the happy ending.



View all my reviews

Home to You by Jenn Faulk

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I have enjoyed all of Jenn Faulk's books I have read so far but I have to say that Faith Hayes has been the most unlikeable heroine of all the ones I've read. I won't go into the things she did since I don't want to spoil it for the reader so I'll just leave it at that. Now Sam Huntington on the other hand was the ideal man. Who could be hateful to a man like Sam? I did like the happy ending but Faith with her tude almost ruined it for me.



View all my reviews

Resolutions by Jenn Faulk

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this book! Emily and her family kept me laughing but then of course there were some sad moments in the book particularly when a family member starting getting dementia. Emily and her two best friends Sara and Melissa got together and made these New Years resolutions. I can't remember them all but one was to improve their health by doing something physical, travel someplace exotic, and do something to improve their house or apartment. Emily decided to take up running as a part of her resolution to improve her health. On her runs she develops a friendship with a bi-vocational pastor. To amp up her love life she thinks she is suppose to pursue the associate pastor at her church but they don't really have any electricity going on there.

I love Jenn Faulks books in that she adds quite a bit of humor in there. I like it that she writes the stories in a way that you can connect to the characters. I like it that the characters are deeply grounded in their faith but yet they are normal people. They are not perfect and suffer the same kinds of temptations we do. I like it that her characters that eventually fall in loved develop a best friend relationship first. I like Jenn Faulk books and hope to read more. This was the fourth one that I have read but I hope to read more.



View all my reviews

Protecting Her Daughter by Lynette Eason

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Lynette Eason books have the reputation of continuous action and this one did not disappoint. From the first chapter there was action. All Zoe Collier wanted to do was protect her daughter even if it meant constantly being on the run. She lands in Wrangler's Corner and gets the help of the handsome Aaron Starke who is the local vet. In the previous two books we have already met Clay Starke and Seth Starke. I'm looking forward to read the next in the series which will feature Amber Starke.



View all my reviews

Best Day Ever by Jenn Faulk

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book is a little different from her other works. The story is told in first person by Chloe Thibideaux. Chloe is 21 and has flunked out of college. She has been around the block several times. Very promiscuous. She does not play her bills and depends on her rich parents to bail her out. Her folks have had a enough so they take away her credit cards and car and tells her she is on her own. It is only at the mercy of her sister-in-law that she has a place to stay. If it were up to her brother she would be out on the street. Until 40 percent of the book she was a spoiled brat until she met someone and it wasn't a man. It was the Lord Jesus and she starts turning her life around. She finds out that she is worth something and goes to school to learn a skill that she is good at and enjoys. Oh, there is a man in the picture and it is an unlikely match but they do click. It bothered me at first about the age difference. He was 14 years older than her but they seemed to have chemistry.

Jenn Faulk wrote a story that I could not put down. She wrote a story with likeable characters and the story made me laugh at times, particularly the scene where Chloe is doing a pedicure on her brother's toenails and decided to paint them. Her brother's reaction was hilarious. I loved it that the family stood by her and cheered her on when a disagreeable woman tried to put her down and make Chloe think she was still trash.

I'm hoping to read several more of Jenn Faulk's works. I've already read three and have another one on my kindle.





View all my reviews

Wild Montana Skies by Susan May Warren

I started reading Susan May Warren with her Christianson series. I started with the first book and read the entire series in a month's time. I didn't think it was possible for her to write a series better than her Christiansen series but she did. I'm really enjoying the Montana Rescue series. Reading the prequel I got introduced to many of the characters and got the background of how the rescue started. I would advise anyone to read the prequel if you can. This book focuses on Ben King and Kacey Fairing who were high school sweethearts but had not seen each other for 14 years. I loved seeing how their love story came together. They had such great chemistry but there were obstacles in the way. I won't go into what they were. You will just have to get the book and read for yourself.

I really enjoyed this book. It had all the elements I enjoy in a book such as romance, mystery and suspense. There was s scene toward the end of the book where a character's life was in danger. I stayed up well past my bedtime wanting to finish this book to find out what happened.

There is a mystery that started in the prequel. A young girl goes missing. Did she meet her death or did she run off with a boyfriend? I have a feeling that this question will not be answered until the last book but there were a couple of clues given out in this book as to what happened to her.

I look forward to future books featuring Ian, Sierra Rose, Willow, Sam and Jess. Wild Montana Skies is due to be released on October 18, 2016. Thanks to Netgalley and Revell for providing me a digital copy of this book to read and review.

The Five Times I Met Myself by James L. Rubart

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Five Times I Met Myself was different from most of the books I've been reading lately. It is good for me to step out of my comfort zone and read something different and this certainly was different but in a good way. The main character Brock has some difficulties in his life. The coffee business that he is in partnership with his brother is about to go under. Also his wife is feeling neglected in the marriage and wants some time away from him. Brock has these dreams which he calls lucid dreams. He is able to visit his younger self in these dreams and advise the course of action that his younger self should take to affect the future. Each time he awakes from these dream he finds that things have change and not even in a good way. Sometimes the changes are disastrous.

What I like about this novel is that it kept me guessing. Was he really dreaming? Did he really change the future? Was he dreaming that he was dreaming? Was everything a dream? I kept asking myself these questions and so kept turning the pages to find out. I won't tell you what happened. I don't want to spoil it for you. You really must read this novel. You won't regret the time spent reading it. One thing I can say is that you will be pleased with the outcome.




View all my reviews

With All My Heart Romance Collection: Five Novellas of Living Love to the Fullest by Karen Witemeyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


With All My Heart is a collection of novellas that were previously published as ebooks. I'm not really a fan of novellas unless the book is well written and the characters developed. I felt some of the novellas in this collection were lacking these elements. If the characters were developed then the plot suffers. If the plot is good then the characters are not developed enough. Some of these were better than others. I particularly like the one by Jen Turano. The character in that novel was a hoot and the plot was okay.




View all my reviews

A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck

A Royal Christmas Wedding is the fifth book in the Royal Series. This book is Avery Truit and Prince Colin's story. Their love story actually started in the first book in the series, Once Upon a Prince when her sister Suzanne fell in love Prince Nathaniel the heir to the Brighton Kingdom throne. This was five years earlier and they fell in love in short time but something happened and hearts were broken on both sides. You know this is a fairy tale and the young couple will get back together but it was fun seeing it all come together and all obstacles gone.

Even though I'm not really a fan of modern fairy tales this story was an enjoyable read. The only criticism would be the two morning show hosts Maddie and Hyacinth. Their dialogue added nothing to the story and could have be eliminated or minimized.

Thanks to Netgalley and Zondervan for providing me a digital copy of this book to read and review. This book is due to be released on October 18, 2016.

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens By Colleen Coble

Twilight at Blueberry Barrens is third in the Sunset Cove series. If you can it is better to read the first book in the series, The Inn at Ocean's Edge so you can understand the history behind Claire and Kate. They are biological sisters but did not know about each other. It is not as important to read the second book in the series as that story does not involve Kate or Claire. In a few of Collen Coble's books I have been able to guess who the bad guys were. Not so in this book. I was puzzled until the very end. This book starts out with a mystery. Kate and her sister Claire spot a murdered couple on the beach. From all appearances it looks like a murder/suicide. The police believe the husband murdered the wife and then killed himself. The man's brother Drake does not believe his brother would do such a thing. Drake becomes the caretaker of his brother's children and hires Kate to be their nanny.
This book had me guessing from the beginning. Kate is being stalked. Is it her uncle Paul who has escaped from prison or someone more sinister? And what about the murder of the couple on the beach? Who is responsible for this? I would have one theory and then one theory would be be blown when the answer was revealed. As in any Colleen Coble novel there are twists and turns. You don't want to miss this one if you are a fan of romantic suspense.

This book is due to be released on September 20, 2016. Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Company for providing me an ARC of the book to review.

End of Watch by Stephen King

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


All the favorites from Finders Keepers. I love Holly and her neurotic ways. Bill is very ill but he wants to bring Brady to justice before he even thinks about treatment. Brady has been in a coma. He's awake but how is he able to do all the evil from a hospital bed and incapacitated. You won't believe what he is able to do and it's not normal. It is paranormal. You will not believe what he is capable to doing with just his evil, twisted mind.



View all my reviews

If Ever I Would Leave You by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a prequel to Susan May Warren's Montana Rescue series. Ian is in love with Sierra Rose and Sierra Rose is in love with Ian but they don't let each other know! I'm loving it. I can't wait to get started on the series to find out what happens.

There are a lot of loose ends in this story that will be solved in future novels. Book 1 is due out in October 2016. Can't wait!




View all my reviews

You're the One that I Want by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I have disliked Owen through all of the Christiansen books but my opinion changed with "You're the One That I Want". You could say this final book in the series is a retelling of the prodigal son. Like the prodigal son in the bible Owen comes home and is welcomed and loved by his family. His mom even cooks him his favorite foods. His older brother Casper sulks and is very harsh with his brother. Owen finally meets the precious little girl that he fathered from the one-night stand with Raina. Will he demands his rights as a father or let his brother raise the child as his own. This issue will be resolved in this book but you will have to read to find out. There is also a sideline story I enjoyed which was that Casper was accused of murdering someone who was harassing his fiance. It is always a plus for me when suspense is added to a storyline.

I'm looking forward to reading her Montana Fire series which will be begin in Fall 2016.



View all my reviews

The Wonder of You by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I loved this 5th book in the series. I love how the author keeps us up to date at what is happening in the character's lives. "The Wonder of You" focuses on the youngest Christiansen sibling Amelia. She had been in Europe studying photography and returned back to Deep Haven with a broken heart. Roark who was who she met in Europe comes to Deep Haven to pursue her. Of course he has an excellent explanation but he feels that telling her the whole truth would drive her away. I love how the story unfolded. I believe Roark has to be one of my favorites of the boyfriends of the Christiansen women. Also in this story we learn that Grace and Max have secretly married. They don't tell the parents so Max sleeps in the den while Grace sleeps in her old bedroom. I didn't like it that she had to sneak around and do her "wifely" duties in the den. Max even wanted to get it on in the bathroom but Grace refused. I don't think it was necessary to put that in a Christian romance novel. Other than that I loved this book and can't wait to read the final book in the series.





View all my reviews

Always on My Mind by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Fourth in the Christiansen Family series "Always on My Mind" focuses on the love story of Casper. Some will say that you don't need to read books in order but with this series of books you really need to do just that. If you don't want to start with book one at least read book 3 "When I Fall in Law" since their story really starts there. Casper returns to Deep Haven only learn that Raina the woman he loved is pregnant with another man's baby. If you read book 3 you know who the baby's daddy is and it's quite shocking. Raina had a one night stand with the baby's father. She really had no morals but she did not have a relationship with Christ so how could you expect her to behave differently. All changes in this book when she draws closer to God. I loved visiting most of the Christiansen family members again although I'm still not a fan of Owen! I'm looking forward to the next book "The Wonder of You" which will feature Amelia.



View all my reviews

When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Grace gets to go to a cooking school in Hawaii compliments of her family. Love is in the air . She meets Max Sharpe there. Max played with her brother on the hockey team. Max quickly fall a in love with Grace but is hiding a secret about his health. Back in Deep Haven Raina catches the attention is Casper Christensen. There is mutual attraction between the two but Raina has a secret of her own that could affect several people. The storyline of Casper was not resolved but will be in the next story which is "Always On My Mind". I'm still not a fan of Owen and if you read this story you will find out why I think he is an unlikable person.

Many reviewers will say that the book's in this series can stand alone not I suggest that the books be read in order to get the most enjoyment.



View all my reviews

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I'm hooked on this series. I don't know what took me so long to discover Susan May Warren. Second in the Christiansen Family series this book focuses on the oldest Christensen daughter Eden. Eden is an aspiring writer and feels like she is stuck writing orbits. She lives in the same town as her brother Owen who is a hockey player. She is more or less her brother's keeper. She is always there to get him out of trouble when he gets in a bar room brawl and willingly does his laundry at his beck and call. At this point I'm not liking Owen Christensen too well. He gets into an accident and blames everyone but himself. Owen is not liking it too well when Jace, a player on his team starts showing attention to his sister. Owen is just a big spoiled brat who runs roughshod over his family.

I really enjoyed the sweet love story and am looking forward the stories of the other Christiansen siblings.




View all my reviews

Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Just started this series. I've checked out the entire series out of the library and can't wait to get started on the next one. So glad I discovered this author.



View all my reviews

Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter

Just a Kiss is third in the Summer Harbor series featuring the Callahan brothers. I feel in love with Riley when he was introduced in the first book. I wanted to see him have his happy ending and I was not disappointed. When we first meet Riley in book 1 he was in love with his best friend Paige but Paige was dating his oldest brother at the time. Heartsick he enrolls in the army. In this book he returns home from Afghanistan after suffering a serious injury. He had lost part of his right leg. He does not want to but has no other choice but to stay at Paige's home because hers was the only one that was handicap accessible. After his brother had broken up with Paige and hooked up with another gal he had intending to pursue Paige but the loss of the limb made him feel like less of a man. I think the author did an excellent job of portraying how someone would feel losing a limb.

Paige still regards him as her best friend but 40 percent into the book her feelings begin to change. She only confided in Lucy and Eden about her growing feelings. He loved her but she did not know and and she loved him but he did not know it. This kept me in suspense on wondering who would be the one to make the first move toward getting together.

I believe this last story has to be my favorite of all the three but I enjoyed them all. A little sad that this is the last we will hear from the Callahan clan. I'm looking forward to reading any future books Denise will write. I'm sure they will be good. She writes likeable characters.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me an ARC for me to read and review. This book is due to be released on September 6, 2016.

Deep Shadows by Vannetta Chapman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is not the typical Vannetta Chapman novel which are usually Amish mysteries. This book causes you to think and to examine yourself on what would you do in this situation. How would you handle it if all the power was off. Anything digital would not work anymore. You have limited access to grocery store items, limited access to your funds in the bank. If you have a newer automobile with all the digital gizmos like wireless keys forget about it. They won't work. What would you do if you could not easily obtain the medicine your child needed to stay alive? What would you do if suddenly all your neighbors turned on each other? If you live in the country and have land you are one of the lucky ones since you can grow much of your own food. These are all questions that the heroine in this story has to deal with. Shelby Sparks is a widow living in Texas with a son who has a serious medical condition. She would do anything to keep her son alive. Deep Shadows is the first in the Remnant series. I look forward to reading more books in this series to find out how Shelby will continue to cope and protect her family.




View all my reviews

Whispers of the Past by Lena Roach

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


We first meet Tessa as she finishes up the last day in her antique shop that has been in the family for over a 100 years. She and her family are nearly bankrupt but are trying to pay off creditors who are hounding their back. Her reputation as an authority as an antique's expert is in danger due to her uncle mishandling the business due to his gambling habits and other shady dealings. She may have lost her business and damage to her reputation but her faith in God remains steadfast. On her last day she meets Brian, a wealthy business looking for a rare chair. He eventually hires her to restore the family mansion after a fire destroyed may of it's valuable antiques. Brian is bitter against God and Christians after suffering a tragedy in his life.

This story kept me turning the pages. There are a couple of people in this story who do not want Tess to restore the mansion. She had to battle many obstacles in accomplishing her goal in restoring the mansion. She finds herself growing closer to Brian but she has suffered a bad relationship in the past and besides she and Brian do not agree on matters of the Lord.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a free download. I went on Amazon looking for other works by her but this must be her first. This book was just released April 2016 of this year. I hope the author writes more stories that take place in Louisiana. I would not mind re-visiting these characters in a sequel. How about a story around her best friend Adrienne?




View all my reviews

The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck

If you read "The Wedding Dress" and "The Wedding Chapel" you will definitely love "The Wedding Shop". It is not really necessary to read the previous two books as this book can stand alone but I think you would really enjoy this book more if you read "The Wedding Dress" as Charlotte in that book has a significant role in "The Wedding Shop" toward the end of the book. I won't tell you what since I don't want to spoil the book for you the reader.

This book has a dual timeline. Both stories take place in Hearts Bend Tennessee. The first one is Cora Scott who has inherited her aunt's wedding shop. Cora is a sweet girl who knows the business and cares about her customers. Her one fault is that she pines for a good for nothing riverboat captain. Everyone in the town can see that he is a scoundrel but she is oblivious. She is starry-eyed and in love. I had to keep turning pages to find out how her story ended. Did she have the happy every ending?

The second timeline and the modern one was Haley. She returns to Heart's Bend after being in the military and really doesn't know what she wants to do. Her best friend from Heart's Bend had died a few months earlier. She finds out the old wedding shop is vacant and wants to restore it in memory of her best friend who had died. Her best friend's fiance turns up but can she start a relationship with her best friend's fiance? Her best friend is deceased so the fiance is free but she finds it difficult. Also she had secrets from her past that she must deal with before she can find love.

There were many questions running through my mind as I was reading this book. I was wondering how the stories would connect. Keep reading. You'll find the connection in the end. Many twists and turns in this book made it quite interesting.

Thanks to Netgalley and Zondervan for providing me a digital ARC of this book to read and review. This book is due to be released on August 16, 2016

Without Warning by Lynnette Eason

When I pick up a Lynette Eason book I know I am in for constant action and for the heroes and heroines to be in constant danger. I was not disappointed in the second in the series of the Elite Guardians. This book features Katie Singleton, one of the partners of the Elite Guardians. Her assignment is Daniel Matthews. Someone is out to harm Daniel, his business and his niece Riley. I loved the character of Riley. She showed so much maturity for a girl her age. I like the relationship of Katie and Daniel better in this book than the relationship in the previous book. It seem to be better developed.

About 80 percent into the book you learn who the culprit is and his motives. What keeps you guessing is who is aiding the culprit. I had to keep turning pages to find out! I'm looking forward to the next book in the series which will feature Maddy and Quinn. Maddie was the one who was attacked in the first book and almost died. That book will be released early in 2017.

Thanks to Netgalley and Revell books for providing me a digital copy of this book to review. This book is due to be released on August 2, 2016

Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter by Carrie Fancett Pagels

I loved reading about the Hugenots and what they went through in this book.  The year is 1742 and the Hugenots in France are suffering persecution. The Hugenots were a protestant group in France and were persecuted by the Catholic majority. Suzanne’s family suffered persecution and even though Suzanne did not share her parent’s faith her life was in danger.  Loved the character of Johan and how he was committed to protecting her and seeing her to safety. Loved seeing how Suzanne came into her own faith. Lots of adventure in this book.  I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes historical romance.

Thanks to Netgalley and Pelican Book Group for providing me a digital copy of this book to review.

Bridge to Haven by Varina Denman

We first meet Lynda Turner in book 3 of the Mended Hearts series. This story focuses on Lynda and Clyde Felten. I loved the character of Clyde when he was first introduced in the second book. Clyde got introduced to Christ while in prison serving a sentence for statuary rape. Clyde lived his Christian faith but he was human and sometimes let the evil Neil Blaylock stir him to anger. I felt it harder to like Lynda. Didn't really like her in the first two books. She was burned by the church and was very bitter against the church who believed the worst of her. She was unwilling to forgive the people who hurt her. Still bitter against God in the third book but Clyde had a wonderful influence on her and bitterness slowly melted away.

There was a mystery in the book that kept me turning pages. At the beginning of the book some bones were found. I had my theory as to who the bones belonged too and I kept reading wanting to know if my theory was right.

A lot of the reviewers are saying that you don't have to read the previous books to understand what is going on but I highly recommend that you do read the previous novels. Reading the previous novels were give you a better understanding of the characters and a better grip on the background of characters. This is particularly true of the character Neil Blaylock who plays an important role in all three of the books.

Thanks to Netgalley David Cook publishing for providing me a digital copy of this book to review. This book was released on June 1,2016. I plan on reading future works this author may produce.

My Sister's Prayer by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould

My Sister's Prayer is second in the Cousins of the Dove series by Mindy Starns Clark and Leslie Gould. Like the first book in the series this book has the dual timeline storyline, one current and one historical. The historical one is the next generation of Talbots and the first of the Talbots to come to the United States.  They are two Talbot sister, Celeste Talbot and her younger sister Berta. Against her parent's wishes Celeste falls in love with Jonathon. She defies her parents and runs off and boards a ship indenturing herself in exchange for passage. Jonathon is supposed to redeem her once she reaches the new world. While on the ship she realizes her sister is also on the ship and supposedly kidnapped against her will. Berta did not fare well on the ship. At one point they thought she would not make it.  Celeste did everything she could to take care of Berta. Things to not go as planned in the new world and the sisters face many hardships.  well on the trip across. She fell ill and  I will not go into details as I do not want to spoil this excellent story but I can tell you that the historical one keep me reading. I wanted to know if both survived the terrible ordeal they had to go through. There are many twists and turns in the historical one.

The modern one picks up where the first one left off. There is still the mystery of what the four girls witnessed almost 20 years ago. In this story more pieces of the puzzle are put into place but the mystery is still not solved. I'm looking forward to reading the last book in the series to find out what happened.  This story also includes two sisters who were two of the four girls. Madeline Talbot had taken on the task of looking after her sister Nicole who is recovering from a serious car accident. She also needs to make sure that Nicole stays in recovery from her addiction to drugs. This part of the story kept me reading. I wanted to find out if Nicole would stay off the drugs.  Also, there is a good looking doctor that Maddie is interested in. I wanted to keep reading to see how that would pan out.

In both stories there were two sisters and one sister taking care of the other. In both stories there was the sister who was deceitful but there was the bond that existed between the sisters in both stories.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harvest House publishers for allowing me to review an e-copy of this novel. This book is due to be released September 1, 2016. I look forward to reading the third novel in the series.

A Daughter's Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I must admit that I usually don't read Amish fiction very much but I do enjoy and have read every Amish fiction book that Shelly Shepard Gray has written. I love the way she writes her characters. This book is the second in The Charmed Amish Life series. This book focuses on Rebecca Kinsinger. Rebecca has always wanted to be a teacher so given an opportunity to sub for a close friend she does. Problem is that she is not very good at it and doesn't even enjoy it all that much. While subbing she meets Lily Yoder and Lily's uncle Jacob. She becomes friends with Jacob and he is pretty much in the same boat as her. He recently moved to Charm to help his grandparents raise the orphaned Lily. He is farming with his parents but he is not good at farming nor does he enjoy it either.

There are a couple of other side stories that was started in this book that I am looking forward to seeing completed in the next book like what happened to Levi Kinsinger? Why did he leave and will he return in the last book? Will the Kinsinger siblings Rebecca and Luke allow Simon to court their sister Amelia. The answers to these questions will be answered in the next book due to be released int he Fall 2016.




View all my reviews