Claiming Her Cowboy by Tina Radcliffe

Her Temporary Cowboy

Attorney Jackson Harris regularly goestoe-to-toe with the world's toughest lawyer--but none of them compare to Lucy Maxwell. The feisty director of Oklahoma's Big Heart Ranchfor orphans is as stubborn as she is pretty. But Jack must stay focused; he's only thgere to ealuate the ranch's funding. Falling for Lucy and the sweet children she protects is out of the question. Though Lucy is determined to keep the ranch, she's not about to give control to a city slicker--even a devastatingly good-looking one. But as they bump heads, Jack and Lucy gradually nudge open their hearts. Could a temporarty cowboy become a permanent part of Lucy's life?

My Thoughts

I loved this book from start to finish! The characters the setting, the plot all grabbed me from the beginning and hasn't let go of me yet. Claiming Her Cowboy is the first book in Tina Radcliffe's new "Big Heart Ranch" series and I can hardly wait for the next book in the series!

The main characters are Lucy Maxwell, the director of Oklahoma's Big Heart Ranch, a ranch for orphans, and Jackson Harris, a lawyer that has been appointed to the Brisbane Foundation to make a decision regarding the funding it will or will not donate to the Big Heart Ranch. When these two get together sparks fly and it is so much fun to watch the sparks and the unfolding of their relationship. But the one thing that tied it all together for me was Dub, one of the orphans. I could just picture him with his cowboy boots and Resistol straw hat on standing next to his buddy, Jack. Oh how I fell in love with this little boy and I guarantee you will too.

This book is one that will cause you to laugh and to cry. It stirred up emotions in me and made me appreciate all that I have in life. It is a book for anyone who enjoys a good clean read, especially with a hunky cowboy and his little cowboy buddy. It is a January release for Love Inspired Suspense so it is on the bookshelves right now.

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

I would like to thank the author for my complimentary copy of Claiming Her Cowboy. I received my copy for free with no expectation for a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Smiles & Blessings,

The Lawman's Yuletide Baby by Ruth Logan Herne

Her Holiday Hero

Corinne Gallagher's plans for a peaceful Christmas with her kids go astray when longtime crush Gabe Cutler moves in next door. As if having the hunky state trooper in snowball-throwing  distance isn't distracting enough, Gabe suddenly has custody of an orphaned infant--and is in need of Corinne's help! She agrees, but her heart draws a line--she can't fall for another lawman. After a devastating loss, Gabe has avoided fatherhood and love. Yet filled with Corinne and the children, his new house is starting to feel like home. Will Gabe run again, or finally fulfill his secret Christmas wish for a family?

MY THOUGHTS

I love Love Inspired books set during Christmas, especially when the book also has the name Ruth Logan Herne on the cover. The Lawman's Yuletide Baby is Ms. Herne's November release from Love Inspired and I LOVED it.

The main characters are Corinne Gallagher, a widow with two young children and Gabe Cutler, a state trooper who has loved and lost as well. Gabe also is a coach in the community and Corinne's kids love him. Corinne and Gabe are both afraid of getting involved for fear of being hurt again. But their journey is worth taking as the walls are stripped down and they learn to love again. This is truly an inspirational story and I loved it. 

The characters are all quite believable and I found myself caring more and more as I turned each page. Ms. Herne has a true talent for creating believable characters and places them into a setting that makes the reader want to become a part of the story. Grace Haven is a town that anyone would love to visit. 

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good clean read!

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

I would like to thank the author for my copy of The Lawman's Yuletide Baby. I received a complimentary copy with no expectations for a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Smiles & Blessings,

Imperfect Justice by Cara Putman

The police say the woman was a murderer. Emilie Wesley knows they can't be talking about her client...can they?

To the world it seems obvious: Kaylene Adams killed her daughter and then was shot by police. Attorney Emilie Wesley knows a different story: Kaylene would never hurt anyone and was looking for a way out of a controlling, abusive relationship. Her death shakes Emilie's belief that she can make a difference for women in violent marriages. Self-doubt plagues her as she struggles to continue her work in the wake of the tragedy.

Reid Billings thought he knew his sister--right up until he learned how she died. He discovers a letter from Kaylene begging him to fight for custody of her daughters if anything should happen to her. No attorney in her right mind would support an uncle instead of the father in a custody case, but Kaylene's letter claims Emilie Wesley will help him.

Thrown together in the race to save Kaylene's surviving daughter, Emilie and Reid pursue the constantly evasive truth. If they can hang on to hope together, can they save a young girl--and find a future for themselves in the process?

My Thoughts:

I love suspense novels and while I haven't read many legal suspense novels I'm quickly becoming a fan. Especially after reading Cara Putman's newest release Imperfect Justice, which is her second release in her "Hidden Justice" series. I haven't had the opportunity to read the first book in the series, Beyond Justice,  but that's okay as Imperfect Justice can be read as a stand-alone novel.

With the death of Kaylene, Emilie's client and Reid's sister, a romance seems out of the question as they are both living through a tragedy. Emilie feels guilty that she couldn't do more for her client and Reid feels guilty for being so career driven that his sister didn't feel she could confide in him. I enjoyed watching this relationship develop.

Ms. Putman has created a multi-layered suspense novel with a little romance and a secondary suspense plot laced in. She had me riveted to the edge of my seat and at times I found myself holding my breath. The plot was drawn out in perfect timing and held me captive from start to finish.

Since I enjoyed this book so much, I'm anxious to read the first book in the series and can hardly wait for book three.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel. While it is a legal suspense novel, the author writes it in such a way that the reader thoroughly understands what is going on.

On a 5-Star Scale - 4 1/2 Stars!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity Group and Thomas Nelson for my Advance Reader's Copy of this book. I received a complimentary copy with no expectations for a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Smiles & Blessings,

He Holds My Hand - Experiencing God's Presence & Protection by Carol Kent

I CLING TO YOU; YOUR STRONG RIGHT HAND HOLS ME SECURELY. Psalm 63:8

CAROL KENT wrote this 365-day devotional during a time in her life when she was desperate to hear God's voice and feel His comfort. Now, she shares the encouragement she received from God.

LISTEN TO GOD'S VOICE IN SCRIPTURE. REMEMBER, HE HOLDS YOUR HAND, AND HE WON'T LET GO.

MY THOUGHTS:

He Holds My Hand is a beautiful 365-day devotional that originated out of a tragic experience in the author's life.

This devotional begins with January 1st and ends with December 31st. Each day's devotion is titled with the month and date, as well as, a title. For example for today, the title is "The Best Defense". The author has collected numerous quotations from various Christians, many names quite well known, and she has started off each day's devotion with a quote that is relevant to the title for the day. The body of the devotion reads as if God Himself is speaking to you and at the end, we are given a pertinent Bible verse. In the back of the book, there is a Scripture index which will lead you to the date(s) the Scripture can be found.

What I really like about this devotional is the way Ms. Kent wrote it as if God Himself was speaking. In her acknowledgment, she said this devotional came out of her practicing a new way of responding to God's Word. As she meditated on Scripture, she wondered if the way she conversed with God would be something that others would find helpful in their quest for renewed hope and fresh faith in their walk with God.

The only thing I would change about this devotional is I would have added a ribbon marker to keep the user's place. I chose a magnetic bookmark to use so I don't have to thumb through the pages to find the correct date.

I would highly recommend this devotional to anyone who would like to enrich their time studying the Bible.

On a 5-Star Scale - 4 1/2 Stars!

I would like to thank Tyndale Momentum for my copy of He Holds my Hand. I received a complimentary copy with no expectations for a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Smiles & Blessings,

Vanishing Point by Lisa Harris

SIX GIRLS MISSING...
AND EVERY CLUE LEADS TO A DEAD END

     During Garrett Addison's first week on the job as a criminal investigator for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, his team is called out to a murder scene of a young girl. She's just one in a string of disappearances with one thing in common--a Polaroid photo of each victim left behind at the crime scene.
     The FBI is pulled into the case to help, and Garrett finds himself working with Special Agent Jordan Lambert, the woman he once loved. When yet another girl dies, Garrett wonders whether he really has what it takes to be an agent. Maybe he should just walk. But while he may be done with the killer, the killer is not done with him--or Jordan.

MY THOUGHTS:

I have loved every book I have read by Lisa Harris and I could hardly wait to receive her newest suspense novel, Vanishing Point. While this is the first book in the "Nikki Boyd" series, it follows behind the three books offered in "The Nikki Boyd Files" series. For those of you who have read the Nikki Boyd Files series, you'll be glad to know that the disappearance of Nikki's sister Sarah will be solved in this novel. The question is, will she be found alive or dead? While this book is technically the 4th book in the Nikki Boyd Files series, it can be read as a stand-alone novel.

I love the fact that Lisa Harris creates strong, believable characters that pull the reader into their world. In the case of Vanishing Point, the character's world is a little dark and nefarious. I was glad they were the ones who had to solve the mysteries.

This was a riveting, fast-paced suspense thriller with a small romantic thread that was just enough. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced Christian Suspense Thriller.

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

I would like to thank Revell Publishing for my complimentary copy of Vanishing Point. I received my copy for free with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Smiles & Blessings,

Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon

     Trish Bailey is on overload trying to deal with a demanding job, an ailing mother, and a healing heart. When a series of unsettling memory lapses leads to a tragic death--and puts Trish under police scrutiny--her world is once again thrown into turmoil.
     Detective Colin Flynn isn't certain what to think of the facts he uncovers during his investigation. Did Trish simply make a terrible mistake, or is there more to the case than meets the eye? As he searches for answers, disturbing information begins to emerge--and if the forces at work are as evil as he suspects, the situation isn't just dangerous...it's deadly.
    
MY THOUGHTS:

As a huge fan of Irene Hannon, I was anxiously waiting for the release of her new book, Dangerous Illusions, the first book in her new series, "Code of Honor". As per usual, it was an excellent read filled with twists and turns along the way.

When reading a suspense novel, I enjoy trying to figure everything out before the author reveals it. I have to say Ms. Hannon totally had me fooled. Just when I knew I had it all figured out, she proved me wrong.

With strong believable and likable characters, Dangerous Illusions is a fast-paced suspense novel with romance and a Christian thread mixed in. The story was perfectly balanced with enough suspense and romance to keep me tuned in flipping pages as fast as I could.

I would highly recommend Dangerous Illusions to anyone who enjoys reading a fast-paced romantic suspense novel. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

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

I would like to thank Revell Publishing for my copy of Dangerous Illusions. I received a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Smiles & Blessings,