The Bookseller's Promise by Beth Wiseman

 

This seemed like a very odd story at first but as I got into it I really enjoyed it.  Beth Wiseman is a great teller of Amish tales and she really picks out interesting issues to write about.  Apparently this is the first in a series so it will continue to be interesting.  Jake Lantz runs a bookstore that he inherited from his grandfather.  His employee Eva is a few years younger than him and came to work for him when she was just a teen.  There is romantic interest between both of them but there are doubts on both sides about how to transition into a relationship.  Meanwhile, Yvonne flies in to try to talk Jake into selling an old book he has in the basement that he promised his grandfather he would never sell.  Yvonne has a client who is very anxious to own this very rare book.  The story goes from there into a very twisted and complicated tale that still keeps you reading to the end.  If you were wanting an uncomplicated, feel good tale, move away from this one.  If you want an intriguing, thought-provoking story, grab this one.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.  All views expressed are only my own honest opinion.

Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

 

This is a wonderful historical romance.  Lucie Girard is a ballerina who has bought her Jewish friends' American bookstore in Paris to allow them to escape the Nazis.  Paul Aubrey is a widower who runs a branch of his family's automobile manufacturing company in Paris.  Both are part of the underground resistance, unbeknownst to each other.  When the United States finally enters the war they are to be put into interment camps and it becomes imperative that they escape the country and flee back to the US.  

There is so much history her but also a great family story.  This book is culturally rich and a well crafted tale.  I highly recommend it.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.  All views expressed are only my own honest opinion.

Stolen Angels (Detective Ellie Reeves #5) by Rita Herron

 

It's a few days before Christmas and a six year old is abducted from the school bus stop.  The whole town is in an uproar and it is up to Detective Ellie Reeves and her colleagues to find the girl and solve the mystery before Christmas.  The story explores both child trafficking and missing children.  It is heartbreaking what the families go through both victims and perpetrators.  This is a gripping story and very well researched and written.  I have found a new favorite suspense author!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.  All views expressed are only my own honest opinion.

Kiss Me, Cowboy by Diana Palmer

 

This is two stories in one book -- a sort of series.  In the first one a Colorado rancher meets a local waitress that is new in town.  She is really a television series writer who s hiding from a scandal involving her father who is a star of a series.  Both are trying to avoid publicity and are working in the small ranching community.  The second story involves a wildlife rehabilitator that we met in the first story who takes in injured animals and nurses them back to health and reintroduces them to their wilderness environment.  He finds a nearly frozen girl in the snow in his front yard.  She is running from the person who killed her mother and now wants her inheritance. Both stories are set in the same community in Colorado ranch country. I love the setting, the characters, and this author's way of telling a story.  I highly recommend this book for some enjoyable reading time.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Life Flight (Extreme Measures #1) by Lynette Eason

 

Penny Carlton drives a rescue helicopter, sometimes in horrendous weather conditions.  When Penny has to do an emergency landing she finds herself on a mountaintop in a storm with no way of notifying anyone of the emergency landing.  She has to leave her two co-workers and the patient in the bird and go on foot to find help and contact her office.  Meanwhile, a fugitive is loose in the same area.   There is a lot of action and suspense in this story and it is nail-biting at times, which makes for a great read.  I love this author and follow her.  I can't wait for the next piece of the story!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Sunrise (Sky King Ranch #1) by Susan May Warren

 

Dodge Kingston is a bush pilot who is returning to Alaska to help his father after his military service.  His former girlfriend is Echo Yazzie who is a dog sledding expert in the area.  They team up again to solve some situations that are occurring in the bush and find each other again and reestablish relationships from the past. This story is action packed and since it is first in the series I am guessing the other two books in the series will be about Dodge's two brothers.  They were triplets and all went into different branches of the military.  I love stories about the Alaskan wilderness and also love stories about military heroes so this book has double appeal for me.  

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Lights Out (The SNAP Agency #1) by Natalie Walters

 

Brynn is a CIA Agent working on an international program that has members of other countries' intelligence agencies in the US for training. Now one of those spies is missing. So, in order to avoid an international terror incident, other agencies and private organizations are consulted and SNAP (Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency) is given the case of finding the gentleman and assessing the terror threat. Jack is the lead on the case with the SNAP team and Brynn's boss sends her to be part of the team until the case is solved. Jack and Brynn were in love at one time and classmates at the CIA's training facility but their time there came to an end whey Brynn moved onto the coveted position that she now holds but Jack quit and went to another agency, feeling that Brynn had betrayed him. That's my feeble attempt at putting this in a nutshell, but it's more interesting than that.

I loved this story so much that I went looking for this Author's other work and discovered that there is already a Prequel to this story available for my Kindle so I promptly got it and read it. And I also found out that Book #2 is in the works for later this year. I can't wait to read that one! I love it when I find a new-t0-me author that I can get excited about.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Love in Plain Sight (An Amish Mail-Order Bride #3) by Kathleen Fuller

 

An abusive fiancé makes Katharine flee her family home in Wyoming and go to an Amish community in another state.  There she meets Ezra, a bachelor with no intention of courting at the moment.  Katharine is shy and tries to keep a low profile.  The two are part of the same Amish congregation and work at the same Inn and cross paths frequently.  This is a nice, feel-good story. This is third in a series and it was fun to see some of the characters from the first two books of the series and also to have a little mystery solved at the end that was with us from the beginning.  

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.  All views expressed are only my honest opinion. 

The Knight's Pledge (Sons of Scotland #4)

 

This is a delightful romp in medieval Britain and Scotland that is rich in history and the culture of the time.  This is my first introduction to this author and this series so it took me a while to figure out some of the twists and turns but once into the story, I could not put it down.  I love reading about this period in history but I have no desire to time travel back to it.  I don't think I would last five minutes.  But reading about it is a delicious experience. 

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Under a Broken Sky (Emma Lawson #2)

 

Emma Lawson is an Ethics Investigator in Sacramento, California.  Her boyfriend is the head of the homicide section of the Sacramento Police Department.  Their cases and happenings around them are overlapping and in a very short period of time (a couple of days) there are a lot of complications and new happenings.  The story is very fast paced and full of surprises.  It kept me guessing.  I loved the characters and their different personalities and was overjoyed to find a book where people were somewhat "normal" and good-hearted (except for the villains of course).

This is one of the best suspense books I've read in a while.  Now I have to go pack and read the previous book of the series to get up to speed because I am now following this author on Amazon and eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.  

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.  All views expressed are only my honest opinion. 

Shortbread Shakedown (Christmas Cookies) by Sofia Aves

 

Acting Brigadier General Dominic Cage returns from deployment ro Afghanistan and is met at the airport by a mysterious blonde bombshell that kisses him and presses some cookies into his hands and then disappears.  Crusty Cage returns to his old office and digs in to spend the rest of the holiday leave catching up on work.  But soon one of his friends introduces him to a relative who just happens to be VIolet.  She proceeds to include him in Christmas plans with her family and has the man head over heels for her but very dubious about the whole famliy thing.  It comes around to them making a commitment to each other and him buying in to the whole house and furniture and belongings thing that he has avoided all these years with multiple warzone deployments.  

I felt like this could have been a full fledged, fleshed out story.  It was too condensed.  I loved the premise and the characters but the plot could have been more developed.  A happy story that left me wanting more . .

Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope by Janice Lynn

 

Morgan is a widowed mother of a five year old boy.  She has moved to Pinehill, KY, so her son can be raised around family.  Her son would love to be a firefighter when he grows up so he attaches himself to Andrew, a local firefighter.  Andrew is not looking for a relationship because he knows he can't do the family thing because he is planning to become a smokejumper which is a dangerous job and requires long periods of time away from home.  He is however, very attracted to Morgan and to her little boy.  Morgan doesn't want another relationship right now and especially not with a man with a dangerous job -- her first husband died that way.  But Morgan is also very attracted to Andrew.  This is a sweet Christmas tale about Christian values, family bonding, camaraderie between fellow workers and Christmas joy.  This is a great book to read during this holiday season for some fun relaxation.  

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.  All views expressed are only my honest opinion. 

Ever Constant (The Treasures of Nome Book #3) by Tracie Peterson, Kimberley Woodhouse

 

This is another wonderful book in this series set in Nome, Alaska. Whitney's two younger sisters are married, her father and his family have joined them in Alaska, her mother and grandfather have died and Whitney is finding the stress of being the oldest, but still unmarried, and ostensibly the head of the family, a little too stressful. Add to it the local unscrupulous owner of almost every property in Nome who is trying to court Whitney to get his hands on her inheritance. Whitney is more interested in the local doctor, Peter Cameron and helping him with all the deadly diseases spreading through the indigenous villages and the gold camps. This is an interesting slice of Alaska history and just an engaging tale. I suggest you pick up copies of Books 1 and 2 along with this one and have a reading marathon over the holidays.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Her Darling Mr. Day (American Royalty #2) by Grace Hitchcock

 

Theodore "Teddy" Day has returned to New Orleans to his family's luxury riverboat business to try to heal from being jilted (for the 2nd time in his recent life) in New York. Flora Wingfield is a New York heiress that convinces her parents to visit a great aunt in New Orleans for the purposes of finding husbands for the five Wingfield daughters, of which Flora is the eldest. Flora's father is all in with this as he would like more connections to further his business interests. Flora has had a crush on Teddy for years. They have always been friends but soon they become business partners as well. Teddy is great at designing riverboats and Flora also has an interest in design. Together they are an unbeatable combination in designing boats for Teddy's business. They both realize they are in love but other suitors, more approved by Flora's father, are causing ripples in the process. This is a fun and exciting story full of interesting insights into the foibles of high society in the early 1900s.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

To Treasure an Heiress (The Secrets of the Isles #2) by Roseanna M. White

 

Beth Tremayne is an heiress in the Isles of Scilly. around 1900 who is interested in the pirate tales told by her grandparents told her along with other local lore.  She has enjoyed trying to track down pirate treasure and follow clues from records and stories.  Lord Sheridan. is a recent houseguest who is also fascinated with the tales Beth is researching and has the funds to get more exploration done.  Meanwhile, some less scrupulous aristocracy is trying to steal information from them and beat them to their dig sites.  As they work out this mystery with family and friends, they find an affinity for each other -- they are perfectly suited to each others' life styles and enjoy the same things.  This is a very entertaining story because Lord Sheridan has a marvelous sense of humor and also is a bit of an introvert that blurts out what he is thinking.  Totally enjoyable read!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. 

All the Good Girls (Harry Hunter Mystery #1) by Willow Rose

 

The Harry Hunter Mystery Series contains 4 books:

1 - All the Good Girls

2 - Run Girl Run

3 - No Other Way

4 - Never Walk Alone

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.  This book contained a teaser for the next book and the next book also had a teaser so I ended up reading all four.  This was a great series!

I especially liked that Harry is a Christian with Christian mores and values.  He is also a loving and compassionate individual.  And he has more heartbreak than the average hero. His wife is in a coma when the story begins, his widowed father is helping him raise his daughter and his daughter is going through the usual teenage angst.  Harry is a dedicated homicide detective but in hindered by corrupt colleagues, office politics and a propensity for following leads he sees as crucial even against orders.  All Harry's family are likeable characters and this series kept me story bingeing right to the end.  I highly recommend this series.

Never Leave Me (Waters of Time #2) by Jody Hedlund

 

This is the second book in this series about time travel and a magic healing elixir. Ellen Creighton and Harrison Burlington were characters in the previous book and they are the focus of this one. This is a fascinating story which has some improbable twists that don't make it any less entertaining. If you're into time travel books, this series offers a different view of it than I have seen elsewhere.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Bone Deep: Untangling the Betsy Faria Murder Case by Charles Henry Bosworth, Joel Schwartz

 

This is a True Crime book about the murder of Betsy Faria in 2011 in Missouri. Her husband Russell was originally charged with the crime despite lack of evidence and even evidence to the contrary. Telling the tale is the actual defense attorney. This is a story that will make you angry that justice is not what it is purported to be in our country these days. But this story is written like the very best True Crime stories I have read and I can't fault the style or the research. I would recommend this book to all lovers of the True Crime genre.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Proposing Mischief (The Joplin Chronicles #2) by Regina Jennings

 

This is the second book in the delightful series by Regina Jennings highlighting the history of Joplin, MO.  Of course it is a work of fiction, but it includes some facts about Joplin's history and gives you the feeling of Joplin around 1900.  Maisie Kentworth, one of the Kentworth cousins we met in the last book, meets Boone Bragg, the owner of the mine skirting the Kentworth property.  She is trespassing in his mine when he discovers her.  She has just discovered a crystal cave.  Boone is being pursued by women looking for a rich husband and Maisie is being pursued by a man of questionable character and she longs to be free to go about as she wishes.  Her family is so set on protecting her from the man that she can't go anywhere.  Boone and Maisie come to a contractual agreement whereby they get married to protect each other.  You can imagine where that leads and I will leave it to your imagination.  The actual story is hilarious and I highly recommend you search it out for yourself.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

 

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper D. Basham

 

This story was highly entertaining! I don't know the last time I got so many giggles from a book. Grace is an American heiress whose father has made an agreement with Lord Frederick’s Percy -- his daughter's dowry for the Lord's title and position. The problem is Grace's older sister was to be the bride but she backed out at the last minute. Grace, always up for an adventure, volunteered to take her place. What ensued was all sorts of shenanigans and attempts to murder them both. Grace and Lord Frederick are both up for the task! I loved the characters in the story and the devotion of the two main characters to God and to each other. Such a fun book!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Calder Grit (Calder Brand #2) by Janet Dailey

 

The Calders are well known to Janet Dailey fans and so I'm sure that's why they dominate the title.  However, in this story they are minor characters.  Blake Dollarhide,and his family are the focus of this book.  When, Blake's half brother gets a local girl pregnant and leaves town, Blake steps in at his father's behest to marry Hanna Anderson’and secure the fate of his grandchild.  This is a cattlemen vs. farmers story that takes place around 1900 in Montana.  Even though this book was actually written by others since Janet Dailey is now deceased, it had all the great story telling of Janet's novels and I am anxious to follow this series.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Marry Me, Millie (Paradise Valley #1) by Amy Lillard

 

Millie has moved to Paradise Valley to help her aunt with her Bed and Breakfast.  Millie was recently widowed and realized very soon after that she was pregnant.  Henry King has come to Paradise Valley to help his grandfather on his farm and also get his grandfather ready to move to Oklahoma with the family and sell his house.  Throw in a local whoopie pie baking contest for fun and you have a great story.  I have to say all the whoopie pie flavors the ladies tried made me hungry.  I can't wait for the next book in this new series.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Afraid by Lisa Jackson , Alexandra Ivy , Lisa Childs

 

In this series of suspense novellas, we meet three girls from wealthy families who were sent to St. Cecilia’s School for Girls in Austria by their families after family tragedies.  Now they are grown up and back home where their childhood traumas come home to roost.  I love how all three stories come together -- all three of these girls were friends at the school and all have to face their particular family problems in their adulthood.  Each story is well crafted and compelling in its own right.  I highly recommend this book for the great stories and for the fact you can read each one separately and not have to do a marathon to finish the book as with most suspense novels.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

And By Fire by Evie Hawtrey

 

Nigella Parker, Detective Inspector with the City Police and Colm O’Leary of Scotland Yard have been assigned to work on an arson / murder investigation in London that is in both of their jurisdictions. They used to be lovers, but now are strictly platonic. They know the suspect is an artist and they believe this all has something to do with Sir Christopher Wren’s work and other architects from 1666 after the Great Fire. There are many twists and turns here and the story goes back and forth between London in 1666 and London in present day. There is a lot of interesting history here. And, for my taste there is too much illicit sex.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I Know You by Claire McGowan

 

Rachel / Casey came from the UK to USA at 19 to be a nanny to a family in Hollywood. It ends up with the family murdered and she falsely accused of the crime. About 20 years later she is back in UK after some prison time and then a successful appeal. She is living under a different name in a different part of UK just enjoying her freedom when suddenly she is set up to take the fall for another murder.

This book was hard to get into at first but after a few chapters I got the rhythm of it and enjoyed the suspense. The story goes back and forth between the crime in the US and the present day in the UK, explaining a little more of the details as it goes along.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

19 Yellow Moon Road (Sisterhood #33) by Fern Michaels

 

This is another of Fern Michael's great sisterhood books.  I love these!  Right and truth prevail and the villains get their just desserts.  It's a little improbable, but who cares!  It's highly entertaining.    In this one, Maggie's friend Gabby has joined a meditation cult of some sort and leaves Maggie a disturbing voice mail saying she is in trouble.  Maggie asks her friends of the Sisterhood to intervene.  What ensues is another rollicking sprint to track down the bad guys and rescue their victims.  These are so much fun you should read all 33. and any more that come out.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.     

You Can Run (Laurel Snow #1) by Rebecca Zanetti

 

Laurel Snow is an FBI profiler who gets pulled in on a case when she goes home to check on her mother.  Huck Rivers is a local Fish and Wildlife officer who usually stays to himself and does search and rescue, but his unique skills and familiarity with the mountain in question draws him into the case as well.  Family situations for Laurel in the area complicate things and strange happenings that keep occurring make it all the more puzzling.  They know they are after a serial killer but the answers keep eluding them.

This is a very well written thriller and I learned some interesting stuff too reading this book. It kept me up late last night waiting to see who the killer was and how other situations would turn out.  I have a feeling I'm going to have to wait for the next book in the series to get a couple of those answers.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Kids Cook Dinner: 25 Healthy, Budget-Friendly Meals from the Best-Selling Cooking Class Series by Deanna F. Cook (

 

This is a great instruction book for kids.  I love the fact that they go over basic safety and kitchen etiquette first and then tackle food prep..  They offer step by step pictures for each recipe.  There are great recipes for kids in this book!  I highly recommend this to homeschoolers for starting to teach you young kids how to navigate the kitchen and learn to cook.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

An Amish Bride (Joyful River Book 2) by Rosalind Lauer

 

Sadie Beiler is Essie Lapp's best friend.  She practically grew up in the Lapp household and was great friends with Essie and her brother Sam.  Sadie starts to realize at Essie's wedding that Mark, her current beau is not the person she wants to marry.  But Mark doesn't want to break it off.  In the meantime, Sadie realizes that Sam is actually her heart's desire and Sam already knew she was his.  This book is chock full of family, love and God.  This is the ideal Amish romance.  It is part 2 of a series and I'm looking for part 1 to read.  I will be following this author from now on.  I highly recommend this book.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Crosshairs (Natchez Trace Park Rangers #3) by Patricia Bradley

 

Ainsley Beaumont is with the Park Service and is an Investigative ranger. She has been sent to her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a young girl at a campground. Lincoln Steele, her former boyfriend, who used to be an FBI sharpshooter, has now been employed by the Park Service and is doing tours. The chief asks for him to partner with Ainsley in investigating this murder. They are both still suffering from the breakup but are apprehensive about the close proximity of working together. Add in Ainsley's grandmother and her grandmother's elderly sister, and you have all kinds of drama and suspense. This has concurrent suspense threads which makes it more interesting. I like this author! I'm going to look for her two previous books in this series.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Deadly Target (Rocky Mountain Courage #2) by Elizabeth Goddard

 

Erin Larson is a criminal psychologist and cold case blogger, who is suddenly back in Montana to help her mother after an attempted suicide. Nathan Campbell is a police officer in Montana whose father, also a police officer, unexpectedly arrives from his home in Boston and gives Nathan an unexpected mystery to solve. There are a lot of twists and turns to this story and way too many catastrophic events all of which should have been fatal. Not very believable that they survived all three in close succession. I did enjoy the book though. I just think it could have used some tweaks.


I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Dinner on Primrose Hill by Jodi Thomas

 

I have read other novels by Jodi Thomas and enjoyed revisiting one the the couples from before in this one. This is about two professors at a small college in a small town who work together on a research project relating to what attracts people to other individuals of the opposite sex. There are three couples (including the professors) who are personally exploring this question in addition to the actual survey that goes with the research study. They eventually meet to help solve the mystery of who is planting bombs in various places around town. So this book is like a smorgasbord. You have a whodunit, and three separate romances happening all in one delightful read. I recommend this for some light reading -- but only if you have a large block of time to sit down to read because you won't want to put it down.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Find Me in the Dark (Detective Harlow Durant Book 1) by Dea Poirier

 

Harlow Durant is a detective in upstate New York. She and her partner are working with the local police force to find out who is killing college co-eds and burying them in snowplow "mountains" to hide them through the winter. Harlow is the child of a serial murderer so she has a vested interest in preventing more victims and bringing a little bit of "closure" to the families. The local police are resistant to help from the state and also resistant to female officers. There are a lot of conflicts, twists and turns, thrills and chills here. The perfect "whodunit."

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

 

Sarah, Rosemary and Glory Ann are three generations of a family that has always ran a small grocery store in a small rural town. Sarah got married and moved away but now she is back and anxious to bo at "home," which means the Old Depot Grocery store. Rosemary stayed all her married life and helped her mother run the store but she is wanting to sell out and do something else for a change. Glory Ann has run the grocery store all of her adult life, first with her husband (now deceased) and then with her oldest daughter. She isn't ready to let it go.

This is a wonderful story about family, small town living, hurts and healings. I would recommend this to anyone! Put it on your reading list. You won't be sorry.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Tacos for Two by Betsy St. Amant

 

his book is so much fun.  Computer dating, food trucks, tacos -- all fun subjects to explore..  I couldn't put this one down.  Rory has inherited a food truck from her Aunt and she can't cook but she can't bear to part with it because it was her Aunt's.  Jude is part of his father's law firm but he would rather cook like his beloved Maria, the housekeeper that raised him.  Jude buys a food truck and tries to start a new career.  Meanwhile, both of them are sharing their hearts with a stranger online..

This is a delightful book and I recommend it to anyone who just wants something light and entertaining to read.  It's squeaky clean and that's one of my favorite things too.

  I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.  All views expressed are only my honest opinion.                 

Dead Fall (The Quantico Files #2)

 

This second novel in the Quantico Files series brings back profilers Kaely, Alex and Logan and Noah, all FBI agents that we have met in earlier books along with an interesting cast of characters.  In this story, someone is targeting profilers.  They appear to have a list of victims in mind and the profilers are trying to rush to make a profile on the killer before he kills the next person on his list.  Reading this I gained a lot of insight into how profilers work and how they help their counterparts track down the criminals.  I enjoyed the FBI theme, which is one of my favorites.  There is plenty whodunit in this book, suspense and twist.  I always enjoy Nancy Mehl's books and this one is no exception.  I love that these FBI personnel are on the side of good and not evil and all have found a relationship with Jesus or are pursuing one.  I like that the story is all about the plot with no salacious personal details.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.  All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

L.A. Burning by D.C. Taylor

 

This book was different than most books I read but I found it really intriguing. This is about Cody, a beautiful young female who just got out of prison for something she did in her teens. Her mother is a famous movie star and her identical twin sister, Julie, was murdered while Cody was in prison. She comes out with the burning desire to find out who killed her sister. This is a thought-provoking look into the life of Hollywood moguls, stars, and their families. It is also full of suspense and action. I would recommend it to anyone who wants an exciting read.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A Stranger's Game by Colleen Coble

 

Torie Bergstrom goes back to Jekyll Island in GA, where she was raised, to try to find out what happened to her best friend.   Joe Abbott is living there with his daughter and they feel an instant bond.  Torie is the daughter and heir of the owner of the resort, Anton Bergstrom.  She is to stay under the radar while she is investigating her friend's death so she is working as an IT specialist at the resort in the same position her friend was in when she died.  There is all kinds of chicanery afoot and Joe helps her sort out what happened along with Craig, his friend with the State Police.  Lots of action, twists and turns.  It keeps you on your toes through the whole story and totally excited about this couple getting together.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.  All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy

 

Much to the chagrin of Gussie's parents, she is traveling all over the country writing under a nom de plume for a women's magazine.  Her parents and all other NY society elite are scandalized by this when her identity comes out.  Instead of going into seclusion at her Aunt's in Chicago at the behest of her parents, she takes off on a new adventure -- to India.  India is where Gussie's childhood friends, Specs and Catherine live.  Specs was her childhood sweetheart.  He now goes by his given name of Gabriel instead of the fond nickname Gussie gave him and he is a doctor doing missionary work.   

This is a sweet tale of women's rights and women's hearts and minds.  So much love and so much forgiveness!  And a few hardheads.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley.  All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin

 

This book is rich in portrayals of the Scottish culture during the WWI time frame.  Rose and her friend Tilly work in a munitions factory.  That's about all I can tell you about the story without giving spoilers, but I highly recommend this book!  It is intriguing and there is a lot of action and suspense included in a sweet story of friendship and family ties and belonging.  It has every element to make this historic novel a great read.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A Flicker of Light by Katie Powner

 

This is a beautiful novel showing the relationships and loves of four generations of a family.  The setting is Montana ranch / farm country. Bea and her husband of one year come to stay with her dad, Mitch, a widower, when they suddenly find themselves expecting a child and without jobs.  They plan to stay only 3 months to get back on their feet but life happens.  Mitch's mother, June, is suffering from memory problems and bouts of confusion.  Rand, Mitch's father, is having difficulty taking care of his wife's medical issues.  The family is sweet and loving and interesting from the beginning of the book to the end.  Sometimes they are at odds with each other but no one can deny how much they love each other. Their Christian faith also comes into play.  The way they resolve the issues and their love of "home" is endearing.  

Please read this book.  It's worth putting at the top of your "to read" list.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

The Shadow of Memory : A Kate Hamilton Mystery by Connie Berry

 

Kate is an American antiques dealer who is in England helping a British dealer, Ivor with his business. She has become acquainted with local Detective Inspector Tom Mallory and they have become engaged. They are both parents of grown children and they need to decide whether they will live in England or the U.S. after they are married. Meanwhile, someone is murdered nearby and an entity that Ivor and Kate have been hired by to arrange an antiquities auction has some irregularities. It appears that there may be a connection. What develops is a mystery that both Tom, in his official capacity, and Kate in her civilian role work to solve together.

I love these types of stories and this one has all the elements I like. I highly recommend this book to my mystery fan friends.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Trust Me by Kelly Irvin

 

Laney's brother, Corey, was murdered ten years ago and Laney's boyfriend and her brother's best friend, Hunter was tried and convicted of the murder. On the day Hunter gets out on parole, another friend (Corey's girlfriend and Laney's best friend) is brutally murdered, also by stabbing. Hunter becomes an immediate suspect but he is determined to find out who did it and who murdered Corey so he can prove to Laney that he didn't do it. Laney's not too sure about whether Hunter was guilty either so they try to find out who the culprit was, much to the chagrin of the officer that had Corey's case and now has the new case.

This is full of questions about who could be responsible, close calls, boiling emotions and just a wonderful suspense read. I really enjoyed this one!

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Waiting on Love (Ladies of the Lake #3) by Tracie Peterson

 

Elise's father is the Captain of the Mary Elise, a cargo ship on the Great Lakes.  Elise has lived on the boat with her family all her life and now that she is grown up and her mother is deceased, she does all the things her mother used to do, including cooking, laundry and other chores on the ship.  

Nick Parker hires on as the First Mate.  He grew up in priviledge and then followed his heart and became a ship's captain.  After some set backs, and meeting Elise and her father, he asks to be hired on the Mary Elise.  

There are a lot of circumstances that need to be resolved to include sheltering Elise's sister from an abusive husband, a possible murderer on the crew and rough weather.  This is a great story and I am especially happy about the fact that the main characters had strong Christian ethics and a love for God and the Bible.  

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A Time to Love (The Time Travel Journals of Sahara Aldridge #3) by Tracy L. Higley

 

Part 1  A Tune to Seek

Wow! Just Wow! That's my first reaction. This book is very difficult to put down so I suggest anyone who reads it makes a block of time for it ahead of diving in. The research that was done on this was extensive and in depth. The characters were wonderful. The sense of ancient Egypt history is unbelievable. But the story itself is riveting. Time travel is always a fun concept and it is interesting to see different author's thought processes on how this would work.

Sahara was the daughter of two archeologists whose specialty was Egypt. They disappeared on a trip to Venice when Sharah was 15. Sahara became an archaeologist as well who specialized in Ancient Egypt and became part of digs of the Pharoahs' tombs. She had always wondered what happened to her parents and about the clues she had found in their belongings. She also wondered about unexplainable things that had happened to her. She was about to get some more clues.

 Part 2  A Time to Weep

Sahara Aldridge continues her search for her parents and sister in the annals of time in this time travel story.  No matter how much she tries to make the connection she seems to just barely miss contacting them.  This time it is Rome in the time of the Emperor Nero.  

Part 3  A Time to Love

Sahara's search continues and this time she and her parents and her fiance are all trying to figure out ways they can be together.  

I can't say enough about this series and Tracy Higley's expertise and artistry.  Trace Higley never disappoints and this series is a blockbuster.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I purchased on Amazon.  All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

The Heart of a Cowboy (Colorado Cowboys #2) by Jody Hedlund

 

I feel the need to repeat a little about book 1 before I review book 2 of this series.  I am anticipating at least 5 books before this series is over and I wish I had them all at hand right now!  This is such a fun saga.  

In book 1, Greta accepted a request from Colorado for a mail order bride hoping the climate would be better for her little sister with consumption.  When she arrived, however the prospective groom was missing.  A fellow traveler who lived in the same town, arranged for Greta to marry Wyatt, a struggling local rancher. 

Wyatt had left a bad situation back at his family farm in the East to try and find a new situation for his mother and younger siblings.  

Meanwhile, (Book 2), Flynn, his next younger brother was left holding the bag on the family farm with an abusive stepfather and an ailing mother and all his other siblings to take care of..  His mother died and his stepfather kicked them off of the family farm that had been in their family for several generations.  The Civil war was heating up and one of his brothers snuck off and joined the Union Army.  Flynn took the other two siblings and headed to Colorado driving some cattle Wyatt had bought.  He met up with Linnea and her grandfather when he saved Linnea from drowning during a river crossing.  Linnea's grandfather and herself and the other botanists who made up their expedition started traveling in the same group with Flynn just for protection from outlaws and Indians and other perils of the trail.  

Book 1 was wonderful and exciting.  Book 2 was even more intrigue and action.  Book 3 should be a dandy along with hopefully a 4 and a 5 if there is one for each sibling.  You  need to read these two and put Jody Hedlund on your favorite authors list so you can keep aware of when the next book in the series will be available..  

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. 

Foundation of Love by Amy Clipston

 

Crystal Glick is in her 30s and never married because the man she thought she was going to marry moved to Ohio instead of staying and settling down with her. Then her father died and she moved in with her brother and his ever growing family. She was pretty resigned to her lot until Duane Bontrager and his sons came to work on the roofs on her brother's farm. Duane was 14 years her senior but there was an instant connection on both their parts. Crystal has to work through her ex-boyfriend suddenly moving back after 5 years away and trying to restart their relationship, exhaustion trying to keep up with her brothers 8 children -- all young -- two sets of twins, and the input of everyone around her. Duane also has to put up with the opinions of his bishop and his friends and deal with the reactions of his grown sons who are still mourning this mothers death two years earlier. This is a fun book with lots going on. I enjoyed it thoroughly and read right through it in a day.. Amish fiction is getting more diverse and much more fun to read and I especially like Amy Clipston's take on Amish life.

I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.