Together With You by Victoria Bylin

When I first heard of Victoria Bylin's debut novel, Until I Found You, I jumped at the chance to read it because I love debut novels. It was so extremely good (read my review here) that when I was given the opportunity to read her second book, Together With You, I jumped at the chance.

Carly Mason is an ex-social worker, working as a manager in a toy store while going to school for her PhD. in Social Welfare. When the story begins a young girl with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) has been reported missing somewhere in the mall. When Carly hears the "Code Adam" over the Mall PA system she finds herself going back in time when one of her charges ran away and still hasn't been found. At a heightened alert she begins the Code Adam protocol in her store and finds Penny, a young girl who matches the Code Adam description. Soon Penny's father, ophthalmologist Dr. Ryan Tremaine shows up with his two sons to claim Penny. 

While talking with Carly, Dr. Tremaine explains to her that Penny suffers from FASD, but before he can explain what it is, Carly explains it to him. Dr. Tremaine is in need of a nanny. Someone who understands Penny's disorder would be icing on the cake. He asks her to come for an interview and at first Carly tells him no. But she soon changes her mind and accepts the interview.

This book explains a lot about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the reader is shown what the outcome can be and how children need be handled. Ms. Bylin treated the subject with sensitivity and care.

Ms. Bylin created very believable characters and I found myself wanting to reach out and hug little Penny. I know Ms. Bylin did her research and wouldn't be at all surprised if she observed children with FASD over a period of time.

This story was about forgiveness, trust, and learning to believe and trust in God. While it is a love story between Dr. Tremaine and Carly, it is also a love story between Dr. Tremaine and his kids. There is also a small suspense thread in the early part of the book.

If you enjoy a good contemporary inspirational novel you will love this one. 

On a 5-Star scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Bethany House for my free copy of Together With You. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Desperate Measures by Sandra Orchard

The third and final book in Sandra Orchard's "Port Aster Secrets" series, is Desperate Measures. The first book in the series is Deadly Devotions (read my review here) and the second book in the series is Blind Trust (read my review here). This is definitely a series that you need to read in sequence. 

The entire series is based around a 'miracle plant' that people are turning up dead over. From book one through book three the reader is pulled into a web of deception and secrets. Ms. Orchard has a talent of taking the reader on a journey of twists and turns allowing them to encounter surprises along the way.

Once again we meet Researcher Kate Adams who is trying to find her father, who she hasn't seen in twenty years, and find out more about the 'miracle plant' amendoso. But there are people who want the plant for themselves and they will do anything to get it. Even kill.

The romance aspect of this book is between Kate Adams and Detective Tom Parker. Throughout the first two books it's been touch and go and now that we find ourselves with the final offering in the series the question is, will Ms. Orchard allow their relationship to move forward or will they part as good friends?

As sad as it is that this is the last book in the series, Ms. Orchard tied the story lines up quite nicely. I would highly recommend this book (and this series) to anyone who enjoys a good clean suspense novel.

On a 5-Star scale = 5 Big Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for my copy of Desperate Measures. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Fatal Trauma by Richard L. Mabry, M.D.

I have quickly learned that when I pick up a book with Dr. Richard Mabry's name on the cover, I'm going to be in for a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat, can't put it down read. His newest book, Fatal Trauma, in my humble opinion, is his best.

Fatal Trauma begins when a gunman enters the ER  holding Nurse Kelly Atkinson at gunpoint as she pushes the gunman's brother into the ER in a wheelchair. The first thing Dr. Mark Baker thinks about is how to escape the area without being drawn into the situation. Unfortunately, the gunman notices Mark and asks if he is the doctor. This begins one of the most heart pounding book beginnings that I have read in a long time.  

The gunman is part of the Zeta drug cartel and by the end of the evening two of the cartel's members are dead and revenge is just around the corner. When the drug cartel begins their reign of retaliation, people are stalked, murdered, malpractice lawsuits are threatened and the twists and turns takes the reader on a wild trip in this wonderful new medical drama.

I have read all of Dr. Mabry's novels and I find with each book his talent for the craft of writing has grown. His characters seem real enough to walk off the page and into your world. I found that in Fatal Trauma I was rooting for Dr. Mark Baker as he reminded me of a doctor I once worked with in the operating room. 

If you are a fan of medical suspense novels, then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Fatal Trauma. I guarantee you that it will be well worth your time. With drug cartels, murders, stalking, false accusation, and a little romance it will keep you so entertained that you will lose track of time.

On a 5-Star scale -= 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Abingdon Press for my copy of Fatal Trauma. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Heart's Betrayal by Colleen Coble

For those of you who follow my blog, then you know I am currently reading books in Colleen Coble's six book series, "Journey of the Heart". These short books are a reprint of Ms. Cobles' first two novels, Where Leads the Heart and Plains of Promise. If I had to guess, A Heart's Danger is the end of her book Where Leads the Heart as everything seemed to tie up nicely. The fourth book in this series, A Heart's Betrayal is actually the first part of her original book Plains of Promise.

A Heart's Betrayal, is the story of Emmie Croftner, the sister of Rand Campbell's nemesis, Ben Croftner. If you read the first three books of this series you will recognize the name. As this segment of the series opens, we meet Emmie Courtney who has just became a widow and has now learned that her husband of three months was a bigamist. When her husband's 'real wife' shows up requesting everything that belonged to her husband be turned over to her, Emmie finds herself homeless. 

This story begins on a sad note. Imagine finding out that the man you loved wasn't who you thought he was and the home you live in doesn't rightfully belong to you. What would you do? Emmie decides to go out west to Fort Laramie, Wyoming to find her friend Sarah Montgomery Campbell. The journey is rough but when she arrives she is happily embraced by Sarah who is expecting her first child with her husband Rand.

Emmie soon meets Isaac Liddle, a soldier at the Fort. He takes a liking to her but she is on guard after having gone through a relationship and marriage of lies. Will Emmie open her heart up to Isaac? Will she share the secret she has just learned with him or keep it to herself? The answers can be found in this short little book of 96 pages.

I love Colleen Coble's work and I'm really enjoying this series. The characters are believable and Ms. Coble paints a picture of life in the old west that the reader can visualizw. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves to read a sweet historical set in the old west.

On a 5-Star scale = 5 Stars

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Thomas Nelson for my copy of A Heart's Betrayal. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,