Lone Witness by Rachel Dylan

SHE'S THE ONLY WITNESS TO A BRUTAL CRIME. NOW SHE CAN'T OUTRUN THE TARGET ON HER BACK.

PROSECUTOR SOPHIE DAWSON has taken a new role at the Fulton County DA's office, and her first case involves a local bank employee who may be cheating customers. She's determined to bring justice to those who've lost their savings...but her life is turned upside down when she becomes the only witness to a double homicide involving a vengeful gang.

With her life at risk, friends and family convince her that she needs protection, and private security guard Cooper Knight is hired as a bodyguard. But as threats escalate, neither Cooper nor Sophie knows whom they can trust.

Unwilling to back down on either case, Sophie pursues the truth at any cost. But her bank litigation gets more complicated by the day, and the gang will stop at nothing to keep her from taking the stand. With all sides closing in, steadfast Cooper is the only man she can lean on. But drawing close may be the distraction that costs both of their lives.

MY THOUGHTS:

Oh, how I love a good suspense novel! Rachel Dylan's newest book in her "Atlanta Justice" series has everything I love in a good suspense novel... tense moments, sitting on the edge of my seat and jaw-dropping moments when everything is revealed. Lone Witness is the second book in the series, following behind Ms. Dylan's debut novel, Deadly Proof, but while it is the second in the series it can be read as a stand-alone.

I am a big fan of characterization...good characterization. Ms. Dylan has created strong and believable characters in prosecutor Sophie Dawson and private security guard Cooper Knight. They both are carrying past "baggage" and fight the growing feelings that are happening between them. I loved the tension Ms. Dylan created between the two.

While the bad guys were known pretty much from the beginning, you were still left with questions regarding who did what and why they did it. In the end, I experienced a jaw-dropping moment when something out of the blue was revealed. I loved it.

If you love a good legal suspense novel, I guarantee you will love Lone Witness. I highly recommend it.

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

I received a complimentary copy of Lone Witness from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing and was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

Smiles & Blessings,

Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan

STANDING FOR WHAT'S RIGHT COULD COST HER EVERYTHING

Tapped as lead counsel in a corporate cover-up lawsuit against Mason Pharmaceutical, Kate Sullivan knows this case could make her career. What really drives her, though, is getting justice for the victims whose lives were ruined by the company's dangerous new drug. But when a whistleblower turns up dead, it paints a target on the back of everyone involved.

Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James steps in to handle security for Kate. He's still haunted by mistakes in his past and is determined never to let something like that happen again. But it soon appears someone is willing to do anything--even commit murder--to keep the case from going to trial.

As danger closes in, Landon can't help but admire Kate's courage and resolve--but will her determination not to back down become too great of a risk?

MY THOUGHTS:

Deadly Proof is the first book in Rachel Dylan's "Atlanta Justice" series and it is the first book I have read by this talented author. But I can honestly say it definitely will not be the last, I can hardly wait for the second book in the series. Ms. Dylan pulled me into this legal thriller and kept me flipping pages long after I should have stopped for the night because I not only wanted but needed, to know what was going to happen next.

I don't always choose legal thrillers basically because the legal terms can sometimes be confusing. However, Ms. Dylan explained things in such a way it makes the reader understand without having to look the terms up. It also gives the reader an insight into the legal system and how it works.

This was a story about Big Pharma and how one corporation was more concerned with the all mighty dollar instead of caring for the people using their products. Actually, I found it a little scary to think that this actually could happen in real life. 

Ms. Dylan did an excellent job of creating tension both with the suspense and the romance. She allowed the romance thread to develop slowly and it captivated me from start to finish. I didn't feel like the author was trying to rush the romance and neither the suspense or romance overshadowed each other.

I would highly recommend Deady Proof to anyone who enjoys a good thriller laced with romance.

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

I would like to thank Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my copy of Deadly Proof. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

Dark Deception by Nancy Mehl

I am quickly becoming a big fan of author Nancy Mehl who writes wonderful Christian suspense novels. Her latest novel, Dark Deception, is the second novel in her Defenders of Justice series. The first in the series was Fatal Frost.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Kate O'Brien's quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, is shaken when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and she's been in witness protection ever since.

When new evidence arises to suggest the convicted man wasn't the murderer, she's subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Afraid to go back into that world, Kate only agrees if Tony DeLuca, the deputy Marshal who protected her during the original trial, escorts her to St. Louis.

Tony readily takes on the assignment; Kate's beauty and inner strength made more of an impression on him than he expected. But when Kate's safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed.

MY REVIEW

While this book can be read as a stand alone book, I wish I had read Fatal Frost first because many of the characters that are in Dark Deception were first introduced in Fatal Frost.

In Dark Deception, the author takes the reader into the world of serial killers and the witness protection program leaving them breathless by the time the last page is turned. Her lead characters, Kate O'Brien and Detective Tony DeLuca, are well developed and complex. I cared deeply for both of these characters and rooted for them throughout their story.

Ms. Mehl truly takes the reader on a roller coaster ride with twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing as to who the real B.E.K. (Blue Eyed Killer) is. Just when I thought I had things figured out, there was another turn of events that took me in a different direction. I loved it because it really made me engage my mind to try to figure things out. 

I would highly suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a good suspense novel that will engage you in the chase for the killer. 

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

I would like to thank Bethany House for my copy of Dark Deception. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears

To say that I loved Melissa Jagears newest book, A Heart Most Certain, is an understatement. I treasured this book. Ms. Jagears is a gifted author and in my opinion, this is her best book yet. It is the first book in her "Teaville Moral Society" and the start of what I am sure will be an excellent series.

Blurb from the back

Lydia King knows what its like to be in need, so she joins the Teaville Moral Society hoping to help the town's poor. But with her father's debts increasing by the day and her mother growing sicker by the week, she wonders how long it will be util she ends up in the poorhouse herself. Her best chance at a financially secure future is to impress the politician courting her, and it certainly doesn't hurt that his mother is the moral society's president. Lydia's first task as a moral society member--to obtain a donation from Nicholas Lowe, the wealthiest man in town--seems easy...until the man flat-out refuses.

Despite appearances, Nicholas wants to help others but prefers to do it his own way, keeping his charity private. When Lydia proves persistent, they agree to a bargain, though Nicholas has a few surprises up his sleeve. Neither foresees the harrowing complications that will arise from working together, and when town secrets are brought to light, this unlikely pair must decide where their beliefs--and hearts--truly align.

My Thoughts:

As mentioned above, I loved this book. It is a story about redemption and trust. It's a story that is filled with prostitution, dirty politicians, a church filled with hypocrites and people turning blind eyes to sin for their own benefit. Now all those things in themselves doesn't necessarily make for a good Christian book, however, Ms. Jagears has taken the sins of Teaville and allowed her two lead characters to pull back the ugliness of sin and let God's light shine in leading many of the sinful characters out of their sin.

The character of Lydia King was well crafted and earned my admiration from the first page. While she has people pushing her towards their way of thinking, Lydia fights back trying to do what she believes is right. Every time she encounters Nicholas Lowe, sparks fly. Early on she finds him exasperating and he finds her feisty. In time will those sparks lead to something else? Only time and you picking up a copy of this wonderful book will tell. I will say that this story showed how two people from different worlds can come together in unity working towards the same purpose and be successful with God's help.

It saddened me to read some other reviews in which they claim the book is too "preachy". It is a story about sinful people that need to find redemption. How will the people of this world find redemption if Christians do not share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe Ms. Jagears wasn't preachy, she simply told a story showing that sinners can have hope to move beyond their situations. 

I would highly recommend A Heart Most Certain to any adults who enjoy a good Christian novel. Do to subject matter I wouldn't advise it for younger people.

On a 5-Star scale - 5 Huge Stars!!!!! The best historical I have read this year!

I would like to thank the author, Melissa Jagears, and Bethany House for my copy of A Heart Most Certain. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

When I am looking for a book to read, I am usually drawn first to the cover even before looking at the book title or author's name. Looking at the cover of Victoria Bylin's newest book, Someone Like You won me over at first glance. Isn't the cover absolutely beautiful?

Someone Like You is a story of second chances between Julia Dare and Zeke Monroe. It is a story that shows what can happen when we let go of our past and problems and allow God to come in and take full control of all areas of our lives.

This is a story of love, forgiveness, family and faith. The characters were well developed and they handle their life issues in a realistic manner. I must say some of the characters were more enjoyable than others, especially the character of Ladybug, who just happened to be a goat. I must say she was quite entertaining.

Ms. Bylin took us on an emotional journey through the lives of Julia and Zeke as they faced love, forgiveness and fighting their self-doubt. Her characters played their parts well and had this reader believing they were real.

I would highly recommend picking up a copy of this wonderful book, especially if you enjoy a good romantic read regarding second chances or if you are like me and just love the cover. 

On a 5 Star Scale - 4.5 Stars!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House for my copy of Someone Like You. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

  

Her One and Only by Becky Wade

Becky Wade's fourth novel in her "Porter Family" series, Her One and Only, was a wonderful read. I only wish I had read the first three books in the series prior to reading this one. While the book reads fine by itself, I felt like I missed a lot by not reading the others first.

This book surprised me. The cover conveys that it is a fun, sweet romance but the first page told me something totally different. It has suspense written all over it. Here is the first line of this novel:

"Dru lifted her handgun, leveling it on Gray's stalker as she rushed forward through the crowd."

Yep! It definitely was suspense filled and I loved it! The first sentence pulled me into the story where I stayed, happily turning each page until the very end.

The characters of Dru Porter and Gray Fowler were well created. Dru, while trying to prove she's tough, is also sweet with a love of family, friends and others. Gray is a professional NFL player who has a stalker on his heels but he isn't really keen on having a female body guard. At least not in the beginning.

If I had to say one negative thing about this book it is the cover is misleading. But that is still okay because I do love a good suspense novel.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good clean read with a little bit of suspense mixed in.

On a 5-Star Scale - 4.5 Stars!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House for my copy of Her One and Only. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears

I am so excited to tell you about Melissa Jagears newest book, A Bride at Last. This is the fourth offering in her "Unexpected Bride Series" and in my humble opinion, it is her best yet. 

The story begins in Missouri in September 1885 where we meet schoolteacher Kate Dawson, the heroine of the story, and her student Anthony Riverton. In time we meet homesteader Silas Jonesey, the story's hero. I must say he is definitely swoon-worthy. The picture on the cover of both characters serve them well.

I want so much to tell you everything about this wonderful story but I never give out spoilers. I can tell you this, there are mysteries hidden within the covers of this book. While it is a historical love story, the reader is drawn into a story that has a few twists and turns that lead the reader deeper into the story. If I had had the time, I would have read this book in one sitting. As it is, once I began reading I lost all track of time and when I had to pull myself out of the story I was quite reluctant to do so.

This is a story about forgetting old hurts, learning to trust, and reaching out to others. The characters in this book were so lifelike that they became real to me and I truly hated to see them go. There are times when I finish a book I begin to wonder after I finish what happened next. Of course I have to remind myself it is just a story. But in A Bride at Last, Ms. Jagears offers the reader an Epilogue that allows us to see eight years into the future. I truly appreciated being given that gift.

Would I suggest this book to others? Definitely. I would suggest it to anyone who loves a good clean love story.  The Christian theme that flows throughout the book is not overpowering but adds to the story quite nicely. 

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

I would like to thank Ms. Jagears and Bethany House for my copy of A Bride at Last. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Harvest of Hope by Lauranine Snelling

When I first opened up my copy of A Harvest of Hope I was briefly overwhelmed when I saw the Bjorklund Family Tree. If I counted correctly there are four generations and 56 names on that tree. But I soon found myself referring back to it so I could keep everyone straight.

The setting for A Harvest of Hope is Blessing, North Dakota in the year 1905. It is the story of Miriam Hastings and Trygve Knutson. While the city is a fictional city, the characters bring it alive to the reader. 

Blessing was a Norwegian settlement and Trygve's parents, aunt and uncle came from Norway to farm the land in Blessing. Fast forward to the early 1900's and immigrants are still coming to Blessing and living in a tent city until houses can be completed. Some of the towns people embrace the immigrants whild others wish they would leave.

Miriam came to Blessing to train as a nurse at the Blessing Hospital. When her mother becomes gravely ill, she is called back home to Chicago. There she is torn between staying with her family or going back to be near Trygve in Blessing. Trygve is waiting for Miriam to return as he loves her and wants to marry her. Miriam does return to fulfill her one year nursing commitment but she tries to not to encourage Trygve as she knows she must return to Chicago. The question is, will she or won't she stay in Blessing?

If I had anything negative to say about this book it would be the fact that is is the second book in Ms. Snelling's "Song of Blessing" series and I haven't read book one, To Everything a Season yet. I felt a little in the dark at times but I still enjoyed the journey Ms. Snelling took me on.

Ms. Snelling has created a town of well developed characters who are filled with faith in God and love for family and friends. She has allowed her characters to roam through the town of Blessing intertwining their lives to form this wonderful story.

On a 5-Star scale - 4 Stars!!!!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction with a Chrisitian thread. However, I would suggest you read book one first.

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

Smiles & Blessings,

  

Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey

Sabotaged is the fifth and final book in Dani Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series. I must say that I am truly saddened that this wonderful series has come to an end. Besides the wonderful life-like characters within each book, the reader is also introduced to the wonderful state of Alaska. For those of you who have yet to read any of Ms. Pettrey's books about the McKenna family you are truly missing out. All of them can be read alone but it is more fun reading them in order. The books in the series are Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced and now Sabotaged.

This book is Reef McKenna's story. He is the youngest of the McKenna siblings and he has finally come home to Alaska. In his youth, Reef was always getting into trouble but he is now all grown up and settled down in his ways. The female lead in this story is Kirra Jacobs, who just happened to be on the receiving end of some of Reef's antics in their youth. They are thrown together during the Iditarod race when Kirra's Uncle Frank doesn't report in during the race. Reef and Kirra go out looking for him and when they finally find him they learn that Frank's daughter, Meg, is being held hostage and demands have been made of Frank. Before they can learn more, Frank takes off and a mysterious man on a snowmobile shows up demanding to find out what Frank had told them. Reef and Kirra are able to flee but soon find themselves hiding in a cave for the night in temperatures well below zero. This is where the story truly begins. 

Ms. Pettrey has a wonderful talent of creating believable characters that come to life on the written page. Her way of showing the Alaskan wilderness is absolutely amazing and it becomes another major character in the book. 

I would highly recommend Sabotaged and the entire Alaskan Courage series to anyone who loves a good clean suspense novel packed with twists and turns and lots of adventure.

On a 5-Star scale - 5 HUGE Stars!!!!! I absolutely LOVED this book!

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

Smiles & Blessings,

  

A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings

I always like to read books by authors I have never read before. Sometimes I am extremely happy with my choice, other times I'm not so happy. I can honestly say that from the first page to the last, I was extremely happy with my choice to read Regina Jennings' book A Most Inconvenient Marriage.

The book begins in the last few months of the Civil War, in St. Louis, Missouri. Abigail Stuart is a nurse at the Gratiot Street Prison where she tends to Confederate prisoners of war. Her family has turned her out and the only place she has is the prison, at least until they transfer the prisoners out and close down the prison. As the story begins, she is tending to a man who calls himself Captain Jeremiah Calhoun. He has lost an arm in the war and has developed gangrene. Knowing he will be dead soon, he proposes to Abigail offering her a marriage of convenience which includes his farm, livestock and horses, providing she will look after his ailing sister, Rachel, and his mother. Abigail agrees and after a quick wedding, Jeremiah dies and she leaves for the Ozarks to begin her new life on Jeremiah's farm.

Her new life isn't going to be as easy as she thought as she has to confront Laurel, Jeremiah's former fiancee, Rachel, his temperamental sister, and his family and friends who all feel Abigail is telling a tall tale about marrying Jeremiah. But the biggest confrontation is when the real Jeremiah Calhoun shows up quite alive. Will Abigail pack her bags and leave? Will the real Jeremiah fall in love with Abigail? Will Abigail fall in love with him? Or will Laurel capture Jeremiah's heart all over again. These answers can all be found inside the covers of this wonderful book, A Most Inconvenient Marriage.

Ms. Jennings has created strong believable characters in Abigail and Jeremiah and the tension between these characters is quite palpable. There are a lot of moments that tickle the funny bone in this book as well. I would highly recommend A Most Inconvenient Marriage to anyone who enjoys reading a good clean historical novel.

On a 5-Star scale - 4 1/2 stars!!!!

I would like to thank Bethany House for my copy of A Most Inconvenient Marriage. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

  .

Playing by Heart by Anne Mateer

Reading Playing by Heart by Anne Mateer was my first experience with this author. While I enjoyed this book, I'm not sure I really enjoyed the 'first person' telling of the story. Each chapter has a header of who's mind we are in throughout that chapter. I have read some books before written in first person but the author left it to the reader to know whose head we were in and I prefer that form of first person writing.

With all that said, the story in Playing by Heart was well told. It is the story of Lula Bowman, a mathematics teacher and student working towards her PhD and Chet Vaughn, a teacher and basketball coach.  Lula's sister loses her husband and she is called back to her Oklahoma home town to help her sister get through this rough time. Lula's other siblings believe Lula should give up her dream of obtaining her PhD in order to help their sister Jewel. All her siblings appeared to be very selfish and self-absorbed. Chet Vaughn lived in Lula's hometown and while he would have loved to gone to war like his brother, he stayed behind to tend to his mother.

The characters were well developed and the reader is drawn into their world easily. Lula's character was based on both of Ms. Mateer's grandmothers, which I found quite interesting.

In my opinion, the love story between Lula and Chet took a little longer than I would have liked but the important thing is it did happen eventually. 

There are some plot twists in this story that were unexpected but added to the story quite nicely.

While it wasn't one of my favorite books, I would recommend Playing by Heart to anyone who enjoys reading Christian historical romance novels.

On a 5-Star Scale - 4 Stars.

I would like to thank Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, for my copy of Playing by Heart. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Tried & True by Mary Connealy

When you pick up a book by Mary Connealy, you pretty much know what to expect, a good clean read filled with humor, love and excitement with a few cowboys thrown in the mix. Her newest book fits that description to a T.  Tried & True  is the first book in her Wild at Heart series.

This first book in the series is about Kylie Wilde, the youngest of the sisters and Aaron Masterson, the local land agent. Sparks fly between these two from the first moment they meet. I couldn't help but fall in love with these two masterfully created characters.

Ms. Connealy has a talent for creating humor within her stories and let me tell you, a giggle slipped out a few times as I read this wonderful book. I also found myself on the edge of my seat when some 'surprises' presented themselves.

I have to say that one of the things I enjoyed the most about Tried & True is the wonderful cast of characters. Ms. Connealy has created a cast that makes the reader eager to read the rest of their stories. 

Tried & True is a well paced story that entertains the reader from start to finish. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading clean, fun, historical novels.

On a 5-Star scale = *****

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House for my copy of Tried & True. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Moment in Time by Tracie Peterson

Tracie Peterson is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. When I had the opportunity to read and review A Moment in Time, her second book in her "Lone Star Brides" series I jumped at the chance. The first book in the series is A Sensible Arrangement (read my review here) and I loved it. But I must say, A Moment in Time was just as good. 

For those of you who read the first book, you'll remember that Martha Dandridge, known as Marty, left her home state of Texas to be a mail order bride to Jacob Wythe, known as Jake. Jake's dream was to leave his job as a banker and move back to his home state of Texas and get a ranch. Well, in A Moment in Time, the reader meets up with these two wonderful characters once again. The bank is closing its doors and Jake leaves Marty and Alice, their former maid, and now friend, to move back to Texas to find some work ranching. Once he can afford to send for them he will.

Marty doesn't want to go back to Texas because she lost her first husband when a Texas Longhorn gored him. She and Alice move into the orphanage to help take care of the children. All the while, Mr. Smith, a nefarious person is after Alice as he thinks she has something that he wants. In time, Marty's sister and brother-in-law give money to Jake to send to Marty and Alice for train passage to Texas.

In the first book, Alice and her father were attacked by Mr. Smith. Her father died and she was badly scarred on her face. She feels no man would want to marry her because she was disfigured. But enter, Marty's nephew, Robert Barnett who quickly captures her heart as she captures his. There are several things that tend to keep Alice from allowing Robert to get close. Through it all she comes to terms with her past, learns how to forgive and finally places her trust in the Lord. 

Ms. Peterson has created characters that have quirks and mannerisms that captured my heart. They are believable and have stayed with me even after turning the last page. I can hardly wait for book three, A Matter of Heart which comes out in October 2014.

I would highly recommend picking up a copy of A Moment in Time if you enjoy reading good clean historical romance novels. This is a keeper!

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

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

Smiles & Blessings,

For Such a Time by Kate Breslin

 I have always been a fan of debut novels. One thing I love about them is the opportunity to discover a new voice, someone I will want to follow in their future novels. So when given the opportunity to read and review For Such a Time by Kate Breslin, I jumped at the chancce. I can honestly say her book touched my heart at the deepest level and I can hardly wait to read more by this very talented debut novelist.

For Such a Time is set during World War II and takes place over a little less than a months time in the year 1944. It is the story of SS Kommandant Aric von Schmidt and Hadassah Benjamin, who early in the novel, goes by the alias of Stella Muller in order to protect herself because of her Jewish heritage. Aric rescues Stella from being shot while she was a prisoner at Dachau. He takes her to his aunt's house where she is kept locked in a room. In time, Aric comes and takes her to the camp he is the commandant for, Theresienstadt, another prisoner camp that is known as a paradise ghetto, but it is just as bad as the rest of the camps that kept the Jewish people prisoners simply because they were Jewish. Aric tells her she is to be his secretary and will live in his home outside the walls of the 'ghetto'. 

Stella's parents died when she was very young and she was then raised by her uncle Mordecai. She soon finds out that her Uncle Morty is a prisoner in the Theresienstadt prison camp. She is able to see him on rare occasions and in the end they work together to escape the camp.

Aric is an Austrian who has had a difficult life. Stella is a Jew who is living a difficult life. Together they find that barriers between the Nazis and Jews can be torn down and they can coexist, after all, they are both human. 

Ms. Breslin based her story on the Book of Esther in the Bible. It's almost as if she used the Book of Esther as her outline for her masterful first novel.  She did a phenomenal job!

I could go on and on about all that happens but I don't believe in handing out spoilers, but I will say one thing, Please take a look at the cove on the novel. You will find that the red hair, pearls and the tattered Bible all play a significant part in the telling of this wonderful story.

I would highly recommend For Such a Time to any adults who love a good, well researched historical novel. Due to the topic of the killing of the Jewish people, I wouldn't suggest this to younger children.

I would like to say one more thing, this is without a doubt, the best book I have read since reading Francine Rivers' book, Redeeming Love. It is a book filled with forgiveness, trust, perseverance and love. I loved all the characters but I was particularly drawn to Aric. Ms. Breslin's words brought him to life for me. Remarkable!

I would like to thank the publisher, Bethany House, for my review copy of For Such a Time. I received my copy for free in order to read and give my honest opinion which I have done.

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

Smiles & Blessings,

A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson

I have to say that I love a good "Mail Order Bride" story and A Sensible Arrangement, the first book in Tracie Peterson's "Lone Star Brides" series,  was absolutely wonderful!

Martha Dandridge Olson's mother died when she was born and her father died when she was only five years old. She and her brother Andy, were raised by their older sister Hannah.  Andy now lives with his family in Wyoming. Martha, or Marty, as she is called, was given part of the family ranch in Texas. She married and unfortunately never had children due to several miscarriages with her husband Thomas.

As the story begins, Marty is a widow, having lost Thomas to the goring of a Longhorn Steer. She has come to hate her ranch and her native Texas and can only think to escape by moving away. She answers an advertisement for a Mail Order Bride in which one Jacob Wythe, a widower from Colorago was looking for a girl from Texas to marry him in a marriage of convenience. Without letting her family know she lies and tells them she is going to Colorado to visit some old friends.

Jacob Wythe, who goes by Jake, is a Banker but his heart lies in his native Texas. He hopes to one day save up enough money to buy a ranch in Texas but for the time being he has to continue working for Mr. Morgan and his bank.

Marty take the stagecoach to Denver and just before arriving a couple of robbers try to commandeer the stage, shooting both the driver and the shotgun rider.  Marty pulls a revolver out of her carpetbag and begins to shoot at the would-be robbers. Once the robbers flee, Marty climbs up on top and drives the stagecoach the rest of the way into Denver. This makes for a grand entrance on her part.

Being a bank manager put Jake and Marty in a higher class of society and it seems Jake's boss, Mr. Morgan, while he is good to Jake financially, he demands a lot from him and Marty. I personally did not like Mr. Morgan.

Marty has a bad habit of telling lies or not divulging information that should be told. Such as the fact that Marty owns a ranch and Jake yearns for the day to have enough money to buy a ranch back in Texas. Marty finally asks her sister if her husband would buy Marty's ranch. The guilt begins to eat her up inside and she battles with herself on whether she should let Jake know about the ranch. Once she realizes that she loves Jake and he loves her she tells Jake about the ranch and well, lets just say she broke his heart.  

There is a small suspenseful thread that ran through the book and unfortunately it wasn't totally tied up by the end of the book. Which of course means I can't wait to read book two in the series, Moment in Time, which is scheduled to release June 3, 2014.

Ms. Peterson has created extremely believable characters who both had their demons to battle.
I would highly recommend A Sensible Arrangement  to anyone who loves good clean fiction and especially Mail Order Bride stories.

On a 5-Star Scale = 5 HUGE Stars!!!!!  I loved this book!

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

Smiles & Blessings,

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance review of A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

A Bride for Keeps

Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2013)

by

Melissa Jagears


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 


A Word From The Author:

I am a stay at home mother on a tiny little farm with a fixer-upper house. As much as I love writing and reading about homesteaders, I am so glad I’m a homesteader during an era with modern grocery stores to take up for my slack. I am an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher by trade, and I still work occasionally in that field along with being my church’s financial secretary and writing novels.

My husband and I have been married since 2001 and have a daughter and two little boys. My husband shares my fascination with traditional living except for being more hands on. He loves blacksmithing, knife smithing, traditional archery, hunting, etc. Generally whatever a mountain man does, he does it or has or wants to attempt it. He comes in handy for research! And of course, the rest of the family gets involved. I have my own blackpowder rifle, named Calvin, that my husband made for me. And I’m pretty sure my daughter is probably one of very few her age who can instruct adults how to shoot a longbow properly. The boy digs random holes in my yard to make “cement” with dirt and water making our yard a tripping hazard. The baby does what babies do. 


ABOUT THE BOOK

A Tender Tale of Love on the Prairie Perfect for CBA Readers!


Although Everett Cline can hardly keep up with the demands of his homestead, he won't humiliate himself by looking for a helpmate ever again--not after being jilted by three mail-order brides. When a well-meaning neighbor goes behind his back to bring yet another mail-order bride to town, he has good reason to doubt it will work, especially after getting a glimpse at the woman in question. She's the prettiest woman he's ever seen, and it's just not possible she's there to marry a simple homesteader like him.


Julia Lockwood has never been anything more than a pretty pawn for her father or a business acquisition for her former fiance. Having finally worked up the courage to leave her life in Massachusetts, she's determined to find a place where people will value her for more than her looks. Having run out of all other options, Julia resorts to a mail-order marriage in far-away Kansas.


Everett is skeptical a cultured woman like Julia could be happy in a life on the plains, while Julia, deeply wounded by a past relationship, is skittish at the idea of marriage at all. When, despite their hesitations, they agree to a marriage in name only, neither one is prepared for the feelings that soon arise to complicate their arrangement. Can two people accustomed to keeping their distance let the barricades around their hearts down long enough to fall in love?


If you would like to read the first chapter of A Bride for Keeps, go HERE.



MY THOUGHTS:

I love reading debut novels, especially when the voice is so fresh and exciting that I can't wait until the author has a new novel on the shelf. That is how I feel about a new favorite author, Melissa Jagears.  

First, I would like to say, I love the cover of A Bride For Keeps, it depicts the story well. But what lies within the covers of this book is truly magical. The mail order bride story was fresh, the characters were believable and I found I was drawn in from the very first page. I fell in love with Julia and Everett. They were well written and were real enough to walk off the page and into my heart. 

I think the one thing that touched me the most was how Ms. Jagears had Everett lead Julia to the Lord. She wrote it in such a way that a unsaved person could actually be led to the Lord through her words. Masterfully done!

I would HIGHLY recommend A Bride For Keeps to anyone who enjoys reading Historical Romance and if you know of someone who likes to read and you've been praying for them to get saved, this book could help.  Believe me, the story has elements of truth for today and could help someone who thinks they aren't worthy of His love to realize that they are.  

On a 5-Star Scale - 5 HUGE stars! Well done Ms. Jagears!

I would like to thank Christian Blog Alliance and Bethany House for my review copy.  I received my copy for free so that I could read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden - A Must Read!!!

When choosing a book to read and review I first look at the author's name, then the cover art and I then read the 'blurb' on the back. If one of those doesn't draw me in then I usually pass on the book. When given the opportunity to read and review Into the Whirlwind I was drawn in by all but the author's name. Yes, you guessed it, Elizabeth Camden is a new author to me but with her newest novel, Into the Whirlwind she captured me a new fan. By the way, I love the cover art!!

Into the Whirlwind takes place in Chicago in 1871 during the Great Chicago Fire.  It obviously was an event in history that was extremely devastating for the people of Chicago. Ms. Camden created such an image in my mind that I almost felt I was there on the street of Chicago as the city burned. I felt the heat, smelled the smoke and fought off the drifting embers.

This is the story of Mollie Knox, the owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company. I fell in love with this character from the very beginning. She has spunk and a driving force within her that kept her from giving in to the perils that surrounded her. During the course of the story, she has two men vying for her affections. Zack Kazmarek, an attorney who has influential ties in the city and beyond, and Colonel Richard Lowe, a former officer in the Civil War. One of these characters I grew to love the other I grew to really dislike, I'm glad Mollie chose the one I liked. Which is which?  You'll have to read the book to find out who wins the heart of Miss Mollie.

This story is about compassion, determination and love with a little misunderstanding and forgiveness blended in. The faith thread was masterfully woven within the pages and wasn't overpowering.  All in all, this was an excellent book that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves to read good clean historical fiction. I felt I learned a lot about the Great Chicago Fire and what it must have been like to have lived through that devastating night and the months of rebuilding the city.

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

I would like to thank Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group for my review copy.  I received my copy for free so that I could read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

Smiles & Blessings,

Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer - a review

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a talented author that creates believable characters that pull you into the story, make you cry, make you laugh and then unfortunately you have to say goodbye to them.
But isn't that what a good book is supposed to do?  Yes, dear reader it is exactly what they are supposed to do and Kim Vogel Sawyer does exactly that in her newest release, Sweet Sanctuary.

The story is set during Word War II in 1944.  The setting moves back and forth between Queens, New York, the home of Dr. Micah Hatcher and Boston, Massachusetts, the home of Lydia Eldridge.  These two people first met in Hawaii, five years prior to the start of the story.  They are brought back together when Micah receives a letter from Lydia's father accusing him of being the father of Lydia's young son Nicky.  Micah knows it is impossible because he and Lydia were only acquaintances. But he decides he needs to follow up on the accusation and he gets on a train to confront his accuser face to face.

Lydia is raising the young son of her very best friend who died in child birth.  She and her parents are living in fear that the biological father will find them and demand they give him Nicky so he can sell him to support his Morphine habit.  Micah is drawn into their concern once he meets the adorable Nicky.

The story will touch your heart at so many levels as you grow to love these characters.  I don't know if Ms. Sawyer plans a second novel with these characters but I sure hope she brings them back to let us know what happens after the War is over.

Sweet Sanctuary  is a story of love, hope, and salvation.  I found myself saddened because of the atrocities of the War.  I cried because of the situations Nicky was put into and I laughed because of an adorable little boy of four years teaches a little three year old from Poland how to speak English.  This part is at the very end of the book and I laugh long after I turned the last page.

If you want to read a good clean Christian story Sweet Santuary is a must read.

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

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House for my review copy of Sweet Sanctuary.  I received my copy of free in order to read it and give my honest review, which I have done.

* * * * * * * * * * 

To celebrate the release of  Sweet Sanctuary Kim Vogel Sawyer is giving away a Cupcake Club membership (monthly cupcake delivery!) from the amazing Magnolia Bakery in New York and hosting a Facebook Author Chat party {4/30}!







One "sweet" winner will receive:



• Cupcakes from NYC’s Magnolia Bakery delivered to your door every month. (Eat them all yourself or share!)


• Sweet Sanctuary by Kim Vogel Sawyer for you and four of your friends. (Start a book group — cupcakes and a "sweet" read!)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 29th. Winner will be announced at the "Sweet Sanctuary" Author Chat Party on 4/30. Connect with Kim, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be fun giveaways - gift certificates, books, and more!




So grab your copy of Sweet Sanctuary and join Kim on the evening of April 30th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 30th!

Smiles & Blessings,