Hazardous Duty by Christy Barritt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 1 in the Squeaky Clean mysteries. From the get go Gabby thought she knew who the murderer was but is it who she thinks it is? Several times in the course of the book she is almost murdered. I was able to guess who the murderer was. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.


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Secrets at Cedar Cabin by Colleen Coble
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Secrets at Cedar Cabin is the third and final in the Lavender Tides series. I can always count on a Colleen Coble being suspenseful and I was not disappointed. This novel starts out with Bailey on the run after the execution style murder of her murder. She lands in Lavender Tides where she is closer to family than she realizes, family she did not know she has. This book got intense toward the end so I just had to stay up late to finish.


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Her Place in Time by Stephenia H. McGee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time travel novels are not usually the read and I wasn't sure how good the material covered could be done in a novella. I must say I was pleasantly pleased. I could not put this novella down once I started it. I was an enjoyable read. I must confess that I almost cried at the ending but they were happy tears. What could been really sad for her mother at the end turned out to be a good thing.


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Out of Darkness by Erynn Newman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To be honest I didn't like the first 40 percent of the book. It dealt with Elizabeth's grief at losing her husband Drew which was bad enough. Over a three year period she develops a strong bond with Gabe which leads to love. She got involved with Gabe because she thought her husband died on their wedding day. He died before they even had a chance to become one in the flesh. It's a really good thing she has a strong faith and did not engage in premarital sex with Gage. At around 45 percent in the book she finds out he is alive. At this point I could not put the book down. I was wondering if any of them, Gage, Drew or Elizabeth would come out alive. Their lives were in constant danger. Gage and Drew worked for the CIA and suspected a mole. Nobody was safe until this could be solved. Also I wondered if too much time had lapsed (three years) for Drew and Elizabeth to rekindle their love. I won't give hints. You will have to read for yourself. Erynn Newman is a talented writer. I hope she will continue to write suspense filled stories.


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My Not So Wicked Stepbrother by Jennifer Peel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Not So Wicked Stepbrother is Peel's first in the My Not So Wicked series. I could relate to the heroine Emma on so many levels. In most books the main female character is beautiful with not a bit of fat on her and she wears a size two. Not so with Emma Loveless. She is about 15 pounds overweight and loves food. She is more or less a tomboy. She even works in a mostly male career. She thinks her last name has doomed her. For the past year she has been in love with Sawyer but she thinks he could never be interested in someone like her. Furthering complicating things is that Sawyer is her step-brother. Her mother had not been deceased that long when he married Sawyer's mother. This book reminded me of a modern day Cinderella in that the step-mother was wicked. How in the world did she produce such a nice son like Sawyer?

I really like the flow of this book. It took the majority of the book to get to the kissing but the wait was worth it. This book had me laughing in several parts. I particularly though the camping scene where Emma had to teach a girl how to use the bathroom in the woods was hilarious. I loved all the supporting characters but wanted to slap her father for being such a doofus and not standing up to his evil wife for treating Emma so badly.

At the end of the book I read a preview for the next book. Looks like it will feature Shelby and her ex-fiance. I grew to love the character of Shelby in this book. I didn't at first but she grew on me.


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Mending Fences: An Amish Christian Romance Adapted from Romeo and Juliet by Sarah Price
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Minding Fences is an Amish adaption of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. But don't worry unlike Romeo and Juliet which had a tragic ending this one ends on happily ever after.


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I Know the Plans by Melissa Wardwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What would you do if your husband returned from war and had no memory of your life together? Brad was held captive by the enemy and was horribly mistreated. It was only by a miracle that he survived but one result is that he lost his memory. He lost the memory of his wife Tiffany. This couple had a great marriage before he left and when he returned they had to undergo many obstacles to find their way back together. This was a test of this couple to remain true to their vows of in sickness and in health. This was a well-written story.


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The Secretive Wife by Jennifer Peel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I knew when I read the previous book in this series that I wanted to read Delanie's story. I knew it would be a good one. I just didn't know it would be even better than the previous book. That girl Delanie deserves a reward for putting up with her mother-in-law. The rest of Peter's family were loving and great but emother! That woman was just downright hateful.

I loved how the story unfolded. Only her husband knew she was the writer of those popular books but how long can she keep up the secrets. There are other secrets that she is keeping that even her husband does not know. Will she ever get the nerve to tell him and how will it affect their marriage.

Loved the ending. Can't wait to read more in this series.


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Expecting Danger by Jennifer  Pierce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Danger lurks for Kate early on and continues to the rest of the book. She gets a slight reprieve when Jacob takes her to his home town where he thinks he can protect her but the bad guys find a way to locate her.

With this novel we get to catch up on Maggie and Cody. I thought it was cute that Kate had nicknames for everyone. jacob was Handsome and his sister Maggie was Auburn. She even had nicknames for the bad guys.

This book kept me in suspense until the very end. I hope the author writes some more books in this series.


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Hidden Danger by Jennifer  Pierce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book starts with suspense and keeps a steady pace of action and suspense until the end. I figured out who the villain was but didn't know how things would play out. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.


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Random Acts of Outrage by Christy Barritt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another suspense Holly Anna Paladin novel that I could not put down. This time Holly's foster daughter comes up missing. Of course she enlists the help of her ex-boyfriend much to the chagrin of her current boyfriend Drew. Holly has a checklist of the perfect boyfriend and Drew checks off on every item so why isn't she head over heels in love with him. Frankly even though is supposedly the perfect man for Holly he rubbed me the wrong way. There was something about him that I just did not like. One good thing about him that he is willing to commit to her now which Chase never could because of his past baggage.

Like all Holly books she was able to solved the mystery but another thing is unresolved which is who does she want to spend the rest of her live with. Is it Chase or is it Drew. I don't like it that book 7 has not been released yet. I binged read all 6 books in a couple weeks time and I'm so ready for the next one.


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Random Acts of Fraud by Christy Barritt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nothing like going on a blind date and having your blind date get murdered before she even meets her date. It's been a few months since Holly broke up with Chase and is just starting to date but it seems like trouble seems to show up wherever Holly is. Holly does start dating someone else and I'm not sure I'm liking her dating anybody but Chase but she does have to move on if Chase can't get past his past baggage. I am pulling for Chase and Holly but if he can't ever make a commitment I hope that the story goes that she is finally over him. As it is now she still have feeling. I enjoyed the story but one small part of the story was unresolved at the very end. I'm hoping that part will be addressed in future storylines.


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Random Acts of Greed by Christy Barritt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another suspenseful Holly Anna Paladin mystery. This time someone drops a baby on her doorstep and it doesn't take Holly long to fall in love with the baby. Lots of twists and turns in this book. Several villains. I had one pegged early. I loved this story. What I didn't love about this story is Holly and Chase stale romance.


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Random Acts of Scrooge by Christy Barritt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a quick cozy read. Nobody murdered. Unlike the other books in this series Holly's life was not in danger nor any of her loved ones. She did get caught up in a little mystery. She has such a tender heart for those less fortunate than her. A family desperately needs financial aid at Christmas and when some donations come up missing Holly sets out to find out who is responsible.


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Random Acts of Malice by Christy Barritt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another suspense filled book by Christy Barritt. Holly's boyfriend needs to leave town for a few days and will not tell Holly the reason. Holly can't stand not knowing so she uses an app on her phone to locate him. There is more than one villain in the story and I was able to guess who one was at 60 percent in the book but was surprised at who else was involved. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.


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Random Acts of Deceit by Christy Barritt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The books in this series are getting better. I enjoyed this one better than the first in the series. The book starts out with a stranger in Holly's bedroom making demand of her. She has to break up with her boyfriend and then accept a date with a stranger. Tell anyone about what she is told and expect something bad to happen.

This book kept me in suspense the whole time. I didn't know who to suspect and found out who the villain was when Holly found out. I love the supporting characters. I loved all of her family but my favorite was her best friend Jaime. Jaime was a hoot. I hope I see her character in all of the books. I plan on reading all that are available.


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Random Acts of Murder by Christy Barritt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just started reading this series and I think I am going to like it. I love the character of Holly Anna Paladin. She has a heart for those less fortunate although it does tend to get her in trouble. Her random act of kindness might just get her accused of murder. She has her own quirky sense of fashion. She likes to dress vintage 50s and loves to listen to vintage music. She lives life to the fullest since given some horrible news by her doctor. She has a developing love story with Chase but he comes with baggage. She has a supportive family but I don't think they always understand her. I love her best friend Jaime who accepts her as she is. Looking forward to reading the rest of the suspense-filled series.


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More Trouble in Loveland by Jennifer Peel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the sequel to Trouble in Loveland and this book had me laughing out loud a number of times. All Charlee wants is special time alone with her husband at Christmas but the people in her life are not going to let it happen. I recommend that you read the first book in the series to fully appreciate these characters and the struggles they went through to be together.


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With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander

With this Pledge is the first full length novel in the Carnton series. The story takes place after the battle of Franklin one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War which took place on November 30, 1964. I was interested in this historical novel because I was born in middle Tennessee and many of my ancestors lived in the area at the time this battle took place. One of my paternal ancestors even served under General Hood. While reading this novel I could tell that the author thoroughly researched this period and the events that happened. Even the main characters are based on real people. I read on Tamera's website that she interviewed one of the descendants of Captain Roland Ward Jones. This descendant shared with Tamera some love letters that Captain Jones wrote to Lizzie. 

The story starts off with Elizabeth Causen employed as a governess to Winder and Hattie McGavock, the two surviving children of John and Carrie McGavock.  On November 30, her world changed when she had to pitch in and help care for the wounded. Carnton plantation, located less than a mile from the battle became a hospital where the wounded were treated and many did not survive. Even the children were witnesses to the horrors of war. Elizabeth had to aid the doctor in amputations. Her father was a pharmacist who she had a tiny bit of medical knowledge.  She felt a connection with Captain Roland one of the soldiers severely but she did not want to act on this attraction she she was betrothed to a childhood friend.

People who love to read historical novels particularly those set in the Civil War will enjoy reading this book. The characters were well written and engaging. I am looking forward to reading more books in the Carnton series. I received an ARC book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.  This book will be released on January 8, 2019. 

A Faithful Gathering by Leslie Gould

A Faithful Gathering is book 3 in the Sisters of Lancaster Series and my favorite. I loved the relationship all three sisters had with each other. I loved how supportive of the sisters were when one of them came down with cancer. It has been four years since the death of her father and when Liesel left home and the Amish way to go to nursing school. She fully embraced the English life and even had a very supportive English boyfriend.  Her life is turned upside down when she returns home to care for Marie. I loved Aunt Suz, the storyteller in all three of the books and she had a story to tell Liesel which was the story of her father who was Liesel's grandfather. I enjoyed both stories and kept turning the pages to find out what happened. Would Liesel get frustrated and return to the plain life or would she continue her dreams as a nurse? What about Gus and his involvement with an army nurse? And what about the relationship the sisters had with their sour puss mother?I could not put this book down until I found the answers and I was satisfied with the ending. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers  through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This book  is due for release on February 5, 2019