Sins of the Past - by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey & Lynette Eason

What does Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason have in common? Simply put, Sins of the Past. When I first saw this book that contains three novellas by three wonderful authors I had to snatch it up. 

From the Back Cover

Secrets and Lies. Danger That Will Never Go Away. Join Three Beloved Masters of Romantic Suspense for Novellas Where the Past Will Not Stay Buried.

Dee Henderson - "Missing"
A Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing from her retirement community. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two soon launch into a race against the clock when they realize something dark may lie at the heart of the disappearance.

Dani Pettrey - "Shadowed"
Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young Alaskan fisherman nets the body of a Russian open water swimming dcompetitor. Another swimmer, who'd been the dead woman's roommate years ago, is pulled into the search for answers as it grows more and more clear that something sinister is at play.

Lynette Eason - "Blackout"
A young woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong finds herself at risk years later when the real culprit is up for parole. The loot taken that night has never been found and he believes she knows where it's hidden--only her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety?

My Thoughts

I loved this book! Each novella was written by three different writers, yet their voices are so similar that I found myself almost believing one person wrote all three novellas. I mean that as a total compliment to these wonderful authors, Bethany House did an awesome job of combining three authors who write similarly. It made one story flow to the next (even though the stories are all unrelated).

The characterization of all three novellas was excellent. Usually, because novellas are shorter in length, the reader doesn't really get to know the characters, but in all three novellas the characters seemed real and pulled me into their stories from the first page.

I would highly recommend Sins of the Past to anyone who enjoys a good clean Suspense novel and for all fans of Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey and Lynette Eason,.

On a 5 Star scale - 4.5 Stars!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for my e-copy of Sins of the Past. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

A Baby for the Rancher by Margaret Daley

As an avid reader, always look forward to books written by Margaret Daley. Her book, A Baby for the Rancher was released in March by "LoveInspired" and it was the sixth and final book in the "Lonestar Cowboy League" series which was written by six wonderful authors. I must admit, I haven't read the first five books in the series but references are made within this sixth book that keeps the reader in the loop as to what has happened in previous books.

This is the story of Ben Stillwater, a bachelor cowboy and Sheriff Lucy Benson. As the reader begins the book, Ben has just awakened from a coma to find that he is a father to a toddler. The myriad of emotions that Ben goes through is created very well by Ms. Daley. 

Ben was quite the ladies man prior to the injury that placed him in the coma, but now that he has recovered a major change has cause him to change his ways. 

Lucy has known Ben for many years and finds it hard to believe that Ben could change as much as he appears to have changed. She also doesn't know if the change will last.

With cattle rustlers on the loose, Lucy has her hands full, but will she be able to find time to open her heart up to Ben and will Ben see her as more than just an old friend? Those questions are answered in this wonderful conclusion to the "Lone Star Cowboy League".

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading good clean romantic fiction.

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

I would like to thank the author, Margaret Daley for my copy of A Baby for the Rancher. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

What does the Gettysburg Cemetery, a forensic anthropologist and a park ranger have in common? That's simple, Dani Pettrey's newest novel Cold Shot. This novel is the first in Ms. Pettrey's newest series, Chesapeake Valor and if the first book is any indication, the rest of the series will present more wonderful books from this author.

Blurb from the back of the book:

Four Best Friends. And Then One Went Missing...

In college, Griffin McCray and his three best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore Police Department. Declan Grey would head to the FBI and Parker Mitchell would study to become a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world--and friendships--crumbled.

Now years later, Griffin has left the police and his friendships behind. Still trying to forget a case that went bad wen he was a SWAT team sniper, he's living a quiet life as a park range in Gettysburg. Quiet until skeletal remains are uncovered near Little Round Top--and they aren't Civil War-era.

Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist, Finley Scott, discovers evidence pointing to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Grey steps in to take over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he'll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if e --and those he cares about--are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder.

* * * * *

My Thoughts:

While Cold Shot is Griffin and Finley's story, I love the way Ms. Pettrey introduces all the main characters that will soon populate the other books in the series. Some authors wait to fully flesh out other characters until "their" book but Ms. Pettrey gives us a wonderful introduction to her characters which only makes the reader want to read the next book all the more.

There is a sub-plot that begins in this book and I have a feeling it may carry out through the rest of the books, or who knows, it may be resolved by the end of Book 2. That sub-plot is what happened to Luke Gallagher?

Cold Shot is another wonderful and entertaining book from Dani Pettrey. The mystery surrounding the story kept me reading and guessing long into the night. Packed with some twists and turns I guarantee you will be taken on a wonderful journey within the pages of this book.

I fell in love with Griffin and Finley's characters and look to keep tabs on them in the coming books. They were well created and you almost feel that the characters are living and breathing and not just a creation in the author's mind. If you would like to get to know these characters a little more please visit the authors page here and you will be able to see the dossiers created for Griffin & Finley, as well as going on a virtual tour of the Chesapeake area where the story takes place.

I would highly recommend picking up a copy of this first book in the Chesapeake Valor series, especially if you love a good suspense novel.

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

I would like to thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for my e-copy of Cold Shot. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

Always Watching by Lynette Eason

I absolutely love the novels written by Lynette Eason so it was a given that when her newest book, Always Watching, the first book in her "Elite Guardians" series, came out I would have to read it.

This book is a fast paced suspense novel that takes the reader on a ride filled with twists and turns and leaves them breathless by the time they turn the last page.

Olivia Edwards owns a protection agency known as "Elite Guardians". She is hired by the father of radio personality, Wade Savage, because Wade is being stalked. Unaware that a protection detail has been put in place to guard him, Wade soon finds himself knee-deep in a quest to save his life and that of his young daughter Amy. 

The characters in this book are quite complex and I found it an added enjoyment that the reader is able to see who Olivia and Wade really are. Ms. Eason has a knack for creating well developed characters that pull the reader into their story.

Always Watching has been one of the most enjoyable books I have read this year. The second book in the series, Without Warning, is scheduled to release in the Summer 2016. That is not too far away and I can hardly wait!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romantic suspense. There are a few scenes that depict violence so this might not be a story for children.

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

I would like to thank Revell for my copy of Always Watching. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

Keeper of the Stars by Robin Lee Hatcher

When I saw the cover of Robin Lee Hatcher's newest book, Keeper of the Stars, I couldn't help but want to read it. First, the cover art is enticing and second, the title is the same as one of my favorites songs by country singer Tracy Byrd. Once I started reading I realized the song and book title were not a coincidence.

Keeper of the Stars is the third book in Ms. Hatcher's "Kings Meadow Romance" series, but while it is the third book it can be read as a standalone book. I must admit I haven't read the first two books in the series yet but didn't feel like I was missing anything.

This book is a story that deals with grief, remembrance, forgiveness and healing. It is the story of a young woman and her father who live in Kings Meadow, Idaho and for the most part are just moving through life carrying their grief baggage with them. You see, twelve years prior to where the story begins, Penny Cartwright, her brother Brad and her father Rodney, lost their mother and wife to pneumonia. All three had a hard time dealing with the loss but somehow pulled through. It is now twelve years later and Penny and her father are now trying to get over the loss of Brad who has died in a tragic car accident. Unfortunately, Penny blames Brad's boss, country singer wannabe, Trevor Reynolds for Brad''s death. Afterall, if Trevor hadn't hired Brad as his drummer, Brad might still be alive.

What I truly enjoyed about this book is the way Ms. Hatcher did flashback chapters from Brad's point of view so the reader was able to see him for who he was and how God had chosen him to be used to touch the lives of so many people.  She also allowed each character to show their grief and anger in such a realistic way that the reader can't help but feel it too.

Trevor comes to Kings Meadow at the request of Brad and is met with anger and contempt from Penny but is met with a caring warmth from Penny's dad. In time, God's hand is seen in the reason Brad requested Trevor to go to his home in Kings Meadow. This was a beautifully told story that showed how grief can be healed and forgiveness can be a gift.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good family love story. On a 5-Star scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Litfuse Publicity for my copy of Keeper of the Stars. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

If I Run by Terri Blackstock

Oh. My. Gosh. If you had told me I would pick up a full length novel and read it in one sitting I would have laughed. But, yesterday morning I decided to select a new book to read on my Kindle. I chose If I Run by Terri Blackstock. Let me tell you. That book grabbed me from the first line and by late afternoon I had finished this wonderful book.

If I Run is the first book in Terri Blackstock's new series and is due to release on February 16, 2016. I can honestly say that this is a powerful suspense novel that will grab you from the first sentence, "There's blood on the bottom of my shoes." and leave you wanting more by the time you turn the last page. 

The blurb on the back starts out, "Casey knows the truth. But it won't set her free." This is a story about Casey Cox, a young woman who at the tender age of twelve discovered her father's dead body. It was stated that her father committed suicide by hanging but she still doesn't believe it. She knows in her heart that he was murdered. Now she finds her best friend murdered and she decides to flee until she can uncover the truth. She can't trust the police so who can she trust.

Ms. Blackstock has written a fast paced, nail-biting suspense novel that takes the reader on an edge-of-your-seat ride until the very end. I have to say that I was so hooked at wanting to know what was going to happen next that before I knew it I had finished the entire book and now I will have to wait patiently for the second book in the series.

I highly recommend this book for adults who enjoy reading fast paced suspense novels with a Christian thread. Because of the subject content, it might not be suited for young readers.

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

I would like to thank BookLook Bloggers for my e-copy of If I Run. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give an honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,

The Perfect Arrangement by Katie Ganshert

Today I spent a wonderful couple of hours reading the novella, The Perfect Arrangement, by Katie Ganshert. This is the eleventh novella in "A Year of Weddings" novella series.

This is the story of a shy, small-town florist Amelia Woods and ghostwriter Nate Gallagher. They meet totally by 'accident' and go on to strike up a friendship via email. 

I found myself totally involved in this story and at times I laughed and other times I cried. I must admit that there is a character by the name of George that I totally fell in love with. I guarantee you will most likely do the same should you pick up this wonderful book.

I have read several books by Ms Ganshert and have truly loved each and everyone. She has a talent of creating true-to-life characters that still your heart leaving you wanting more.

I do enjoy reading novellas as they are always a quick read, however I sometimes feel I need a little more of the story for it to feel totally complete. I must say that is not the case with The Perfect Arrangement. Ms. Ganshert gave it all to us. However, in this case I do hope she creates a sequel letting the reader know what happens next in all her wonderful character's lives.

I would highly recommend picking up a copy of this wonderful book to anyone who likes to read 'feel-good' stories. On a 5-Star Scale - 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank BookLook Bloggers for my e-copy of The Perfect Arrangement. I received my copy for free in order to read it and give my honest review.

Smiles & Blessings,