Life, Love and Books

To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette   I love reading stories written in the bible times, Connilyn Cossette has became one of my favorite authors to read. She takes stories out the bible and helps us to see it in a very different outlook. Her latest series Israel had any Kings and the Prophet Samuel still leading them. We meet 2 philistine siblings, a young brother and sister; who were directed by their beloved nurse to follow the ark. Their journey takes them far from the homeland to a very strange land with customs that are very foreign to them. When an Israelite family take Eliora and her brother as their own, she finds hope and safety for the first time in a long while. But she still struggles with feeling like she does not belong. When tensions start rising in the nation of Israel, over the current resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. A group of Hebrews  come to Kiryat-Yearim under the guise of attending the festivals. Levite Musician Ronen ...

Don't Keep Silent by Elizabeth Goddard In the third installment of the Uncommon Justice series, we return to the McKade ranch in snowy Wyoming. Liam Mckade has returned to his childhood home to find out what he want to next in his life. Never did he ever think when he came back home to see his brothers did he think he would run into the one woman he didn't want to see again. Rae Burke's sister in law has disappeared for the second time and Rae's investigative reporter skills have been called upon by her brother. The clues lead her to the wintery Wyoming and its busy  ski slopes. But she was not prepared to run into someone from her past, that she has caused pain in their life. As Rae discovers clues along the way about her sisters in law past, that make her wonder if she ever knew  her sister in law at all. Her search starts to lead her down some very dark  twists and turns that lead her head on into danger....

The Runaway Bride By Jody Hedlund In the second installment to The Bride Ship series, we return to the colony of British Columbia. With the shortage of women to men, the bride ships brought over eligible women that would marry the men in the colony. We meet wealthy Arabella Lawrence, who has ran away on her wedding day from the man she does not love. Her hope is she will find a  gentleman in her social circles, who will provide for her and love her. But she does not want to rush into a marriage and make the same mistakes she did before. As the town baker, Peter Kelly has put his all into building his business, now he has his eyes set on finding a bride from the newly arrived bride ship. When he meets Arabella for the first time, he is taken by her inner beauty. Peter than resolves to pursue Arabella and woo her, but his pursuit for her is thwarted by the savvy Lieutenant Richard Drummond. When the Navy Lieutenant Richard Drummond starts sh...

End Game by Rachael Dylan This author does not disappoint a suspense reader, she writes a book that  you will not be able to put down. In the installment of Capital Intrigue we meet so many cool new characters, that I hope we will get to know more about in the next book. We meet FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini as they are dealing with a killer who is targeting elite members of the military. When all the evidence starts pointing a member of the elite SEAL team, but something does not still seem like they have found there suspect. As the team is formed to dive deeper into the evidence, they started to realize that they may have found a bigger mystery than just a few murders. As Marco and Bailey start finding more clues that are pointing to a bigger cover up, then just several murders. When Bailey is targeted by someone, it becomes clearer that whoever is behind all of this is willing to do anything t...

Protecting Tanner Hollow By Lynette Eason Lynette Eason brings four suspense filled novellas in one book. From a old flame returning home, a witness to a murder, a mother on the run to protect her children and a forensic supervisor with a target on her back. Each of these stories interconnect thru out the book, bringing it to the end with the last story.  You do not feel as if you are left wanting to know where the other couples have went in life, they each have a cameo in the next novella till the end. This is something I loved about this book, Lynette gives you glimpses into the lives of the couples. This book will keep you turning the pages till the end of the book. "I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher. A favorable review was not required, all views expressed are my own." 

. Always Look Twice by Elizabeth Goddard In the second installment to the Uncommon Justice series, we return to the wilderness of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  It opens with a bear, a camera and a eyewitness to a murder! Harper Reynolds is on a sabbatical from her job, when in the midst of getting a award worthy shot  movement catches her eye. Now she is running from the killer that she just witnessed shooting a unknown woman. Heath McCade is now a reserve sheriff deputy in his home county, but he did not expect to have a witness fall right into his path. While he is out with a wilderness group from his ranch retreat;  something catches his attention in the woods. His dear childhood friend, Harper; was back in his life as fast as she had disappeared years before. Harper is devastated to hear that all the evidence of  the crime that she has witnessed has  disappeared. Now she is determined to ...

Unscripted by Davis In the latest release by award winning author Davis Bunn, we meet the main characters Danny Boyd and Megan Pierce. It delves into the glittering world of Hollywood with the storyline. Both characters are dealing with brokenness and seeking redemption in their lives. Danny is a line producer who is well known in the movie production world for being savvy and creative in getting projects done. As a LA lawyer, Megan has put her all into proving to impossible bosses that she can get the job done. When life throws these two go-getter a curveball, they each have to take a second look at their careers and lives. With his reputation in tatters, Danny is given the one chance to redeem himself and restore what was lost.  An unbeatable opportunity drops into Megan's lap, she realizes that she needs to grab it.  Megan has to take Danny's case and defend him in court; but they didn't realize that they bo...

       

Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette In the second installment of the Cities of Refuge series, we find the young Eitan as an adult living in Kedesh. The last eleven years he has been haunted by the tragedy from his childhood, while struggling with the boundaries placed on him by his mother's husband. When his life is suddenly changed when two young women are brought into the city of Refuge. Sofea has grown up with the freedom of the ocean around her, never realizing it might save her cousin's and her life. One day their village was attacked and they was kidnapped by the marauders that wiped out the village. When Sofea and her cousin escape they find themselves being rescued by a band of warriors from Kedesh. This city has provided a refuge for so many that have came thru its gates, now it has become a  safe haven for Sofea and her cousin. While Eitan considers the city of refuge his prison, all he has ever wanted is to train and become a warrior to pr...

Under a Cloudless Sky by Chris Fabry The present and the past meet in this book about a Southern Coal mining town fighting to survive in a time where the big companies rule. We meet several very interesting characters in this storyline. Two of them are  Hollis Beasley, a landowner who is fighting to keep the land that his family had owned for years. Also feisty Ruby Handley Freeman whose children think that she is need of some fresh direction her life. Two very different people both taking a stand for something in their lives, paths that have crossed in the past. The storyline goes back and forth from 1933 to 2004, telling a story from the childhood of dear 83 yr old Ruby.   A story that has been hidden for years and is now begging to be told to her loved ones. The truth that has been kept quiet of what happened the day of the Massacre of 1933. Hollis's granddaughter has a interest in writing a article for the memorial that is being set up for the victi...

Blind Spot  by Dani Pettrey Chesapeake Valor is back with the newest instalment Blind Spot, FBI agent Declan Grey and Tanner Shaw team up to chase down a threat. This is not what Tanner wants when she joins the FBI as a crisis counselor.  But when the best clue to the investigation leads Declan to an immigrant community. He realizes that Tanner may be more of a help than he realized. Her experience with her work for justice for the refugees and the displaced around the world has prepared her this job.  The more they uncover the deeper they get into danger, creating more tension between the two. Racing against time to save the city they love so dearly, will they be able to find who is causing the danger? Also, will Tanner and Declan realize that they have feelings for each other Dani Pettrey has written another spine-tingling mystery with a side of romance. She takes a storyline and weaves it into a book that grabs you and will not let you go. ...

Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette The sequel to the Out From  Egypt  is Wings of the Wind, just like the first two books we are introduced to some very amazing characters. Several characters from the first two books have a part in this book, along with meeting Tobiah and Alanah. The dedication and love of Tobiah is very touching to the heart. A man who would choose to take a stranger as a wife,  to provide protection for her from the dangers around them. Alanah is very strong and determined woman who has never seen what true love looks like in her life. Raised in a household full of men, with not knowing a touch of a woman since she was a little girl. Two very different characters that meet in a very dangerous situation and overcome many obstacles in their path to love.   I love reading biblical fiction, Connilyn Cossette takes a fresh look into the bible stories of our childhoods. As I was reading this book, I delighted in learning more abou...

Deep Extraction: An FBI Task Force Novel by Diann Mills  Deep Extraction brings another thrilling read that dives into the deep world of oil drilling. The story follows an FBI agent and US Marshall who are investigating the mysterious death of a businessman and friend. When an oil and gas magnate Nathan Moore is found dead by his wife, she becomes the main suspect in the murder case.  Special Agent Tori  Templeton is torn between choosing to stand by her dear friend Sally's side or focus totally on finding the person who has killed Sally's husband. Joining Tori and her partner is recently reinstated Deputy US Marshall Cole Jeffers, who has just come back from a time away.   As more clues are unearthed that reveal a secret lifestyle that was unknown by victim's family it gets to be more difficult for those investigating the case. The more the team sift thru the clues it seems they are finding that the case may be more of a maze of bad new...

Love Bears All Things (An Amish Secrets Novel) by Beth Wiseman In the second installment of the An Amish Secrets series, we find Charlotte Dolinsky needing time to recover from a bad breakup with her boyfriend. When suddenly the answer to her troubles shows up on her doorsteps in the form of her Amish friend's brother. Turning away from all of her life issues, she focuses on helping this young man in his time of struggle. In the midst of all the things going on. Charlotte chooses to be very deceptive of what is going on. But she is not the only one that is hiding secrets from their friends. Daniel Byler lives with a struggle to heal every day in his beloved Amish community, after being betrayed by his fiance. Now his pain has turned to fear after he discover's that another of his family members is in danger of being shunned.His only hope is to turn to the most unlikely person for help, an  Englisher, Charlotte Dolinsky. As the two spend time together,...

Grace and the Preacher by Kim Vogel Sawyer The newest book from Kim Vogel Sawyer was very much one of the most interesting ones I have read. She pulled a storyline together and was able to share the message of standing up for what was right in the face of wrong. I love that there were two romances in the storyline, an older couple and the younger couple.  Grace gave up on finding her true love and had settled in her position as the postmistress for the town of Fairland. But when her beloved uncle chooses to step down from the pulpit and let a younger preacher take over his congregation. When the responsibility of corresponding to the new preacher was handed over to Grace, she took it on like all of her other duties. As time passed the letters increased, Grace grew eager to meet the new preacher. Theophil made a choice and now his past is trying to catch up with him. Ten years ago his cousins planned a train robbery and convinced Theo to help them. B...

Shadow of the Storm by Connilyn Cossette This is the first book I have read written by Connilyn Cossett, the first thing that interested me in reading her books was the biblical aspect of her story line. From the moment I picked up the book to the end I was hooked to the story. Getting to take a step back into the time period of Moses was a delight for me. It gives me a different look at the scriptures and helped me to understand some of the events that happened  during the long journey to the promised land. This is the second installment to the Out Of  the Egypt series, it continues with the Israelite's journey to the promise land. Shira now is living in freedom with her family at the foot of Mt Sinai.When the opportunity comes along for Shira to learn a new trade, it awakens a new desire in her. Going against her mother's wishes to continue in the families weaving trade; she pursues the calling of becoming a midwifes apprentice.  When a delivery goes wro...

Shine like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky Carrie Turansky brings us a very beautiful story that is set in time of  Edwardian Northern  England, Margaret Lounsbury life was uprooted four years ago when tragedy struck in the form of a boating accident taking the lives of her parents and older sister. Her grandmother took in Margaret and her younger sister providing them with a roof over their head and food on the table. Their days are spent with Margaret working in her grandmothers Millinery Shop, while she helps to raise her younger sister. Even though she is willing to do anything to protect her sister, her heart still weighs heavy with the loss of her parents and sister.  When Nathaniel Harcourt receives news from his stepmother telling him of his father's illness. He returns  back home to Morningside Manor in time to say his last goodbyes to his father. Now he is the heir to the partial control of his father's engineering company and the duty of repaying ...

Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall With the second installment of The Amish of Summer Grove, we return to find the lives of Ariana Brenneman and Skylar Nash turned all upside down. Both girls have found out that they had been switched at birth and now are to spend a whole year living with their birth families. With only one link to there old lives, each of these girls have to take another look at the world around them. Each from very different worlds now having to take another look at their lives and decide what is the next step to take.   Cindy Woodsmall has brought us another very heartwarming series, that reaches out to each one of us and pulls us in. The story line is about two babies switched at birth, that both come from two very different backgrounds. It is not easy to be uprooted from all you ever known and be placed in a total opposite lifestyle. The way Cindy takes each of the families and intertwine each of their stories, while keeping us turning each ...

Take Your Life Back:  How to Stop Letting the Past and Other People Control You by Stephen Arterburn , M.Ed.  and David Stoop, Ph.D. Just as the title says is what this book truly about, making the choice to take your life back and to become the person you are to be in life. If you are looking for hope in your life of overcoming feelings and habits that have controlled you for a long time look no more. Overcoming the hurts and habits that are keeping us from moving forward, while taking new and very positive steps toward change in our lives.Getting healing from the hurts, setbacks and broken relationships that have effected every day of our lives. As I was reading this book, I myself had to take time and look at my past to see the issues that was holding me back from going further in my life. I found this book to be very helpful at working on the problems that I felt I was stuck on and could not find the freedom from. To anyone that needs or is looking for a way ...

Wild Montana Skies by Susan May Warren I was blessed with the opportunity to meet Susan May Warren in person, recently at our local community library. She had chosen our library as one of her stops on her book tour for Wild Montana Skies. Her visit to our little local reading spot was a bright spot for several of our regular patrons. Susan spent some of her time with us telling us about her newest series and giving us some tips on becoming an author. In her newest series called Montana Rescue, Susan introduces us to a new group of unsung heroes. A SAR  (Search and Rescue) team that has been put together by a very wealthy benefactor in the town of Mercy Falls, Montana. In Montana Rescue we meet a former military search and rescue pilot Kacey Fairing who has returned home on a leave. During her time home she has accepted an offer to fly for the local SAR team, with the hopes of reconnecting with her teenage daughter. At the same time Ben King has placed his dreams and c...