London Beginnings #3

Cara Bernay has never fit in. At loose ends in 1881 London after a near tragedy costs her a job, she befriends a rising young artist. With his help, she begins planning a new life and developing her own artistic talent. But soon Cara finds herself at odds with the artist's brother—a handsome but serious-minded earl who wants to force his brother back to a "respectable" life.

Henry Burke, the Earl of Morestowe, feels the weight of growing financial burdens. His profligate and emotionally unstable brother is making matters worse, and Henry needs him back home. Despite misgivings about Cara's mysterious background, Henry sees she's a positive influence on his brother and on Henry's unruly young ward, and he strikes a deal with her to return with them to their estate.

But the family has their own secrets, and when Cara, drawn ever closer to Henry, stumbles onto the truth, she must choose between following her heart and pursuing a bold plan that could bring disaster.

Published April 2nd 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

My Thoughts:

This is a wonderful story that will immediately swept me to London in the late 1800's.  This is the first book I've read by this author, but not the last.  She brought the characters to life for me with her vivid descriptions and by conveying their raw emotions realistically.  Her characters are strong, complex and well developed.  The plot is a mix of faith, mystery, romance, and forgiveness, but it's also so much more. 

Cara Bernay has a heart of gold.  She has good intentions, but one misstep has her plagued with guilt and shame.  As the story opens she is the nanny of a very active toddler, but when the child is put in danger by her actions her position is terminated.  She has no place to turn except to her older sisters, which is not something she's excited about.  Her father's disappearance and loss of her mother at a young age plus her time spent in an orphanage has shaped her into a woman of great compassion. Cara's arrival in London is met with many challenges, but she puts her best foot forward towards a future that opens up to her. I truly liked and admired this character.  

This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves history, romance, or just a good clean read. 

*I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK

BOOKS-A-MILLION  BAKER BOOK HOUSE

Chandler Hill Series #1

In 1970, Violet Hawkins’ only wish at eighteen is to escape her life in the Dayton, Ohio, foster-care system and make her way to the west coast to enjoy a mellow life and find the love she’s been missing all her life. She makes it to San Francisco, but soon learns she needs a job if she’s to live properly. A kind, young man named Kenton Chandler offers her a sandwich and a job at his father’s inn and vineyards. With nothing to lose, Lettie takes him up on his offer and begins a whole new life in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. She immediately falls in love with the land and is fascinated with the idea of growing grapes in order to make wines. She, Kenton, and Rafe Lopez become friends as she learns about running the small inn on the property.
At the same time she marries Kenton, a stroke kills his father. And then before she can tell Kenton she’s pregnant, he dies in an automobile accident. Heartbroken and burdened with the gift of the Chandler Hill Inn and Winery, she’s left with the task of making them a success. Struggling to raise a child alone while working to grow the business, Lettie makes a shocking discovery that changes everything. 

Available for Purchase:

Amazon  Barnes & Noble  Kobo

My Thoughts:

Oh my what a wonderful story!!

I was immediately drawn into the story from page one.  Violet Hawkins, aka Lettie, is a strong character that easily pulls the reader in.  As a young woman she longs for a family, freedom, but most of all she's looking for love.  San Francisco in 1970 has much to offer, but when Lettie arrives reality smacks her in the face.  Finding an affordable place that's safe to live is easier said than done.  After 4 months meeting Kenton Chandler was her saving grace, because he offers her a job at his family's vineyards in Oregon.  What Lettie didn't expect was to find the beauty and fascination the land brings her.  

This captivating and heartwarming story of Lettie Hawkins flows effortlessly.  This spectacular read has engaging characters, captures time and place, shows realistic values and beliefs, and love.  This unexpected gem was hard to put down.  This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves a good story. 

I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  

High Sierra Sweethearts #3

They're as Different as Could Be.
But They'll Need to Trust Each Other to Survive
the Wilderness . . . and the Dangers Chasing Them.

Published March 5th 2019 

by Bethany House Publishers

City dweller John McCall never expected to be out in the High Sierras of 1868 on a wild-goose chase to find the Chiltons' supposedly lost grandson. But now that he's out here, things have gotten even more complicated, mostly due to wildcat Penny Scott. She's not like any woman he's ever met--comfortable in the woods, with a horse, and with a gun.

When Penny and John are taken against their will by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don't have, both realize they've stumbled into something dangerous. With their friends and family desperately searching for them, Penny and John must make a daring escape.

When they emerge back into the real world, they discover their kidnapper just won't stop. This city man and country woman must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, all while fighting a very inconvenient attraction to each other.

My Thoughts:

I was so excited when I received my book.  

Let me start by bragging about this beautiful cover.  It gives the reader a glimpse of th

e story it holds.  

Mary Connealy has been a favorite author of mine for some years.  She brings a story that captures both time and place.  I always know I'm in for a captivating story with elements or suspense, mystery, faith and romance. 

This historical is set in High Sierras during 1868.  This is the third book in this series, but I feel it's a stand alone story.  I would recommend reading the first two books to get the full impact of the series though.  

This story centers around Penny Scott and John McCall.  These engaging characters are complex and intriguing.  Penny is a no nonsese kind of woman who has learned to take care of herself.  Even being in hands of her capturers she still kept her head about her and knew it was only a matter of time until she could make her move. John McCall lives in the city, but he learned how to survive during the war.  He's been working for the Pinkerton Agency and is on an assignment to bring a young boy back east to his grandparents.  Penny doesn't like John, but when they escaped their kidnappers her one thought was their survival.  John realized quickly he was out of his element in this vast forrest and knows if not for Penny they may not survive.

I really liked Penny.  She has a good heart and is motivated by doing the right thing. I think she has spent many lonely years following her brother in the army, but if nothing else she has developed skills that will help her while living in the Sierras.  At first I wondered if I would like John.  He was a typical male who felt he needed to save the weak female, but was pleasantly surprised when he admits that she is more knowledgeable and better prepared that he is about the area.  Just one problem, there's a mystery surrounding their kidnapping and just when they think one mystery is solved another emerges.  

This book brings many twists and turns; romantic tension; characters with a softer side and tough exteriors; faith; and suspense.  What more could a reader want????

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves history, suspense, or just a good, clean read.  

I received this book from the publisher.  I was not expected to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK

BAKER BOOK HOUSE

Also, I want to mention that Goodreads is having a giveaway for this book that runs from March 1, 2019 through March 14, 2019. Here is the link if you want to enter:

GOODREADS

By the way if you want to read an excerpt then just click on this link:

EXCERPT

Between Two Shores

Published February 5th 2019 

by Bethany House Publishers

She Has Always Moved Between Worlds,
But Now She Must Choose a Side
The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval would rather remain neutral in a world tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the Seven Years' War against her wishes when her British ex-fiancé, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel claims he has information that could help end the war, and he asks Catherine to help him escape.

Peace appeals to Catherine, even if helping the man who broke her heart does not. But New France is starving, and she and her loved ones may not survive another winter of conflict-induced famine. When the dangers of war arrive on her doorstep, Catherine and Samuel flee by river toward the epicenter of the battle between England and France. She and Samuel may impact history, but she fears the ultimate cost will be higher than she can bear.

Available for Purchase:
AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK
BOOKS-A-MILLION  BAKER BOOK HOUSE


My Thoughts:

Wow!! What an amazing book!
I loved this story.
  This story takes place during the Seven Year's War in Kahnawake, Quebec.  This story follows the life of Catherine Stands-Apart.  Catherine's character immediately pulled me into this story.  She shows her strength of character in the first few pages.  With the death of her mother at a young age she leaves everything familiar and her tribe to go live with her father.  This was her choice and she did it because she didn't want him to be alone.  Catherine is a woman who lives in two very different worlds. She chose to live in her father's world, but easily moves within her mother's world.  She has essentially taken over the running of her father's trading post and with that it has become more profitable.  Catherine is a hard worker, but she has a tender heart.  As the story progresses Catherine must finally make a choice, British or French side.  All she knows is that she wants the war and strife to end.  Life is hard enough just living day to day, but add war into that and it's so much harder.  Choices can make life not only hard, but also deadly.  Catherine's choice shows her as not being a victim, but as being a survivor.  
This story is not a romance, but more of a drama as it centers around Catherine and her life choices.  It brings complex and engaging characters that will tug on her heart strings.  It brings elements of mystery, suspense, turmoil, romantic tension, and a rich backstory.  This historical captures time and place accurately. Once I started this book I didn't want to put it down.  
This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves historical or just a good clean read.  
**I received this book from the author via the publisher.  I was not expected to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.   

The Deacon's Family

Every saint has a past.

Every sinner has a future.

Published February 5th 2019 

by Fleming H. Revell Company

Luke Schrock is a new and improved man after a stint in rehab, though everyone in Stoney Ridge only remembers the old Luke. They might have forgiven him, but nobody trusts him. He has been allowed to live at Windmill Farm under two conditions. First, he must make a sincere apology to each person he's hurt. Second, he must ask each victim of mischief to describe the damage he caused. 

Simple, Luke thinks. Offering apologies is easy. But discovering the lasting effects his careless actions have caused isn't so simple. It's gut-wrenching. 

And his list keeps growing. Izzy Miller, beautiful and frustratingly aloof, also boards at Windmill Farm, and Luke's clumsy efforts to befriend her only insult and annoy her. Eager to impress, Luke sets out to prove himself to her by locating her mother. When he does, her identity sends shock waves through Stoney Ridge. 

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK
BOOKS-A-MILLION  BAKER BOOK HOUSE


My Thoughts:

Suzanne Woods Fisher has writtent he first installment, Mending Fences, in The Deacon's Family series.  This book takes the reader back to Stoney Ridge and introduces bad boy Luke Schrock.  After a year of exile and 3 stints in rehab Luke had not planned to return to the community, but his bishop, David Stoltzfus, thought for Luke to truly heal that he must first face his past.  Luke wasn't so sure about how welcoming the Amish would be to him considering his past, but he was willing to at least try.  So David arranged for Luke to live at Windmill Farm with Amos and Fern Lapp.  Of course Amos had his conditions and so did David.  One step out of line and Amos would turn him out.  
I really enjoyed this book!
I was immediately pulled into the story and couldn't put it down until I turned the last page.  This captivating story pulled on my heartstrings in so many ways.
Luke is a character that stole my heart.  He has a checkered past in Stoney Ridge where his childhood mischief led to becoming involved with alcohol as a way to escape his thoughts and feelings.  This character felt so real to me.  I can feel his anxiety about returning home and knowing he's really not welcomed or wanted which is only compounded by his mother not being their to meet his bus.  His one stability is David and his support on returning.  As Luke begins on his list of people to appologize to his eyes begin to open as to how his mischief could have a negative impact on people.  He honestly never dreamed the outcome of some and it deeply bothered him to the point he wanted to make amends. 
Isabella "Izzy" Miller was invited to stay at Windmill Farm by Amos and Fern.  She is not Amish, but as a child she lived next door to an Amish family and has fond memories of them.  In the year she has been staying at Windmill Farm she has easily adapted to the the plain life, but she has also been secretly looking for her mom.  She is looking for answers to questions that have plagued her life for so long.  She loves the farm and loves selling fruits/vegetables at the farm stand.  After everything she has heard about Luke's past and with his arrival at the farm Izzy refuses to let his drama have an impact on her life, even when he reaches out a hand in friendship.  
This is a wonderful story about second chances on many levels.
It includes elements of forgiveness, second chances, humor, engaging characters, turmoil, tension, faith, and love.  This is a book I would recommend to anyone who loves Amish stories or a good, clean read.  
**I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program.  I was not expected to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Uncommon Justice #1

Published February 5th 2019 

by Fleming H. Revell Company

The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up

Forensic genealogist Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from a hospital more than twenty years ago. When someone makes an attempt on Willow's life to keep her from discovering the truth, help will come from an unexpected source.

Ex-FBI agent--and Willow's ex-flame--Austin McKade readily offers to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget--and put Willow's tender heart at risk. 

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK  

BOOKS-A-MILLION  BAKER BOOK HOUSE

Meet the Author:

Elizabeth Goddard is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than thirty romance novels, including the romantic mystery, The Camera Never Lies—a 2011 Carol Award winner. A 7th generation Texan, Elizabeth graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and worked in high-level software sales for several years before retiring to home school her children and fulfill her dreams of becoming an author. 

Connect Online:

WEBSITE  FACEBOOK  TWITTER  INSTAGRAM

PINTEREST  GOODREADS  BOOKBUB

When I picked this book up I literally couldn't put it down.  I read through the entire book in one day and planned the next day to get my review posted, but unfortunately that didn't happen.  I ended up sick, thanks to my children, and in bed for a few days.  Yes, I know everyone has been there.  When I started feeling better I started to write my review, but didn't feel I could give it a proper review so I picked my book back up and read it again.  

My Thoughts:

This is suspense at it's best!!

I have been reading Elizabeth Goddard's books from LIS for years so I was excited to see she was writing a series for Revell.  Her books are best known for the edge of your seat suspense, complex characters, engaging plots, faith, and a touch of romance and that's what I like most.  Honestly, this book meets all that criteria and more.  

This story starts in Washington state where we meet Willow Anderson.  She is a Forensic Geneaologist who was raised by her grandfather after her parents was killed.  Willow followed in her grandfather's footsteps in her career and was also his business partner.  After his death she wants to honor his memory and begans to look at the last case he was working and hopes to close the case for him.  Unfortunately this one is a little different because it involves an abduction in Texas of a baby from years ago and this one involves living people which is something that very seldom happens.  Another thing that is of concern to her is the fact that her grandfather had contacted Austin McKade, who is someone from her past, but with his FBI contacts maybe he could offer clues of where to start with the case.  

Austin McKade has been out of the area for a while working on a case, but not for the FBI.   He's currently working with ex-agents called independent special agents.  He could investigate and provide protection, but he no longer arrest anyone.  He had received a message from J.T. Anderson about needing some assistance, but it would have to wait until he returned to Washington.  Unfortunately, before his return he received word of J.T.'s death and the explosion/fire at his home.  His thoughts immediately went to Willow and knew he wouldn't rest until he could talk to her.  

The house explosion/fire was suspicous and under investigation.  Austin knows there's more to this and plans to find answers while keeping Willow safe, whether she wants his help or not.  

This wonderful book has so many elements of mystery, suspense, and emotions that I was totally captivated by it.  Once I started it I couldn't put it down.  The author gives a rich backstory, an incredible setting, complex characters with real issues, romantic tension, twists and turns, faith, and a delicious tale where characters find things more complicated than they ever imagined.  This is a book I would recommend to anyone who love suspense.  

**I received this book from the author via the publisher.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  

Atlanta Justice #3

Corporate litigator Mia Shaw suffers the shock of her life when she finds her colleague and friend brutally murdered. Grief-stricken and furious, Mia vows that she will do anything to seek justice and make the killer pay.

The man accused of the murder is a friend of security tech guru Noah Ramirez, but the evidence just doesn't add up. To save his former ATF partner, Noah needs to convince Mia that the real killer is still on the loose.

Mia soon has more than the criminal prosecution to worry about, however. She is tasked with taking over her friend's last case and learns he was hiding secrets about his client. She thinks she may have stumbled upon corporate espionage that has turned deadly, but she has no idea of the danger involved. Her only ally is Noah, despite their difference of opinion on the homicide case. Can he win Mia over to his side and protect her from ever-growing threats? 

Publication: February 5th 2019 

by Bethany House Publishers 

Available for Purchase:

AMAZON  BARNES & NOBLE  CHRISTIANBOOK

BAKER BOOK HOUSE

My Thoughts

This is the third installment in the Atlanta Justice series and I think this is my favorite book in the series. Even though this book is part of a series I feel it is definitely a stand alone. Packed full of edge of your seat suspense and a mystery with twists and turns that keeps you guessing until the end. I loved these complex characters. Mia is strong and well developed character. She works for a big law firm, but readily admits that it's not her ideal job. Yet, she still gives 100% to every case she's given. When she finds her friend brutally murdered she show real and raw emotions, but instead of revenge she seeks justice. Noah, former ATF agent, runs a private security firm with two close friends. Noah receives a phone call from a former agent who happened to save his life and asks for help. Noah and Mia are on a collision course, but for different reasons. Mia has accused/believes David McDonald killed her friend, but Noah is convinced he's innocent. I like that Noah is upfront with Mia about the fact he's looking for answers to prove David's innocence and will leave no stone uncovered. When Mia starts asking questions the case heats up and suddenly she and Noah find things much more complicated that they ever imagined. 

This book has elements of mystery, suspense, romantic tension, faith, and love. This is a great book and I would recommend to anyone who loves a suspense or mystery. 

**I received this book from the author via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Meet the Author:

Rachel Dylan writes legal thrillers and legal romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade including being a litigator at one of the nation’s top law firms. She enjoys weaving together legal and suspenseful stories. Rachel writes the Atlanta Justice Series which features strong, female attorneys in Atlanta. Deadly Proof, the first book in the Atlanta Justice series, is a CBA bestseller, a Daphne du Maurier Finalist, a Holt Medallion Finalist, and an FHL Reader’s Choice Award Finalist. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids–two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. She is represented by Sarah Younger at Nancy Yost Literary Agency.  

Connect Online:

WEBSITE  FACEBOOK  TWITTER  

PINTEREST  GOODREADS