Life, Love and Books

                            Her Secret Hope                                 By Shelley Shepard Gray In book 3 of A Season in Pinecraft, we find Lilly Kurtz returning to live at Pinecraft to be closer to her friends and their families. Wanting to start afresh as a new and improved, Lilly accepts an position as a housekeeper at the inn. Excited to spend time with her friends, she does not expect to make a new friend along the way.  Eddie Byler came to Pinecraft with his eccentric grandmother for a long awaited vacation. One day he runs into Lilly and is very intrigued by this newcomer to the inn. Her personality and love of life brings a breath of fresh air to him. Lilly's struggle with being adopted has held her back all of her life, now its something she has to face down as she may have found the love of her life in Eddie. But Eddie i...

  Letters From My Sister                                  by Valerie Fraser Luesse This is the first book I have read by Valerie Fraser Luesse, the title drew me in and I was hooked from page one. This is one book I would recommend to anyone who loves to read an historical read.  As we open the book we meet the Bullock sisters Emmy and Callie who live a very rich and fulfilled life. One day their lives are turned upside down, when their family opens their home up to the granddaughter of one of their servants. Lily McGee was born with an exotic beauty and has a secret of her own she is trying to protect; her unborn baby.  Shortly after Lily has her little girl, terror visits the Bullock household and Callie suffers from short memory loss. The only image she can remember is an image of her sister Emmy standing on the riverbank holding Lilys baby girl in her arms. Having to take the steps to...

                              Countdown  Countdown                                     By Lynette Eason In book 4 of the Extreme Series we get to find out the story that flight paramedic Raina Price has been hiding from all of her friends. To escape the danger that was facing her and her family, Raina took steps to disappear and build a new life for herself with the help of a dear friend from juvie. Raina found hope and encouragement  in using her abilities to help others in their time of need.   But when Riana's life is threatened, she has to face down the fear that she has kept at bay for years and trust those close in her life to help her thru this difficult time. One of those friends is  Vincent Covelli. As US Marshall Vincent Covelli  has made it his job to hunt down fugitives and protect t...

The Story of Love  by Beth Wiseman We return to Montgomery Indiana in the An Amish Bookstore series, where we find Yvonne Wilson starting a new chapter in her life. Her dear friends have offered her a job at their little bookstore, a place where Yvonne can start to heal after the loss of her fiancé. Her return stirs up feelings for the handsome police officer Abraham Byler. Abraham is in the middle of a dilemma himself, he is dating the vibrant Brianna, but his heart belongs to another.  Beth Wiseman writes some very delightful reads, she weaves faith and family all into a beautiful story. If you love reading amish books this series is a must read.  I was provided a complimentary copy of this book the publisher and did not receive anything in return  for  my honest opinion of the book. The opinions expressed here are completely of my own are without any influence.

  Counter Attack  by Patricia Bradley In the latest series by Patricia Bradley we are taken to Pearl River, an quaint little town in Russell County, Tennessee. Alexis Stone has other plans than coming back home to fill in as interim chief deputy after  her grandfather collapses. But when the Queens Gambit Killer follows her to her hometown, Alexis has to join forces with Pearl Springs Chief of Police Nathan Landry to solve this case. Nathan is surprised to see his high school sweetheart back in his life, but now has has to protect her from the danger that has come to their beloved hometown. If you are looking for an book that not just checks all the boxes, but also keeps you turning the pages to the end this the one for you. I have to say I was not able to put this book down, without wanting to know what was going to happen next. I truly cant wait for the next book in this series comes out. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book the publisher and did not receive...

  The Swindler's Daughter  by Stephenia H. McGee This is the second book that I have read by Stephenia H. McGee and I have to say that her  books are very much a delight to read. In The Swindlers Daughter we meet a precious young lady,  Lillian Doyle who has just  learned the truth about her father. Her journey to see the inheritance left behind, turns into a path of  finding her freedom and following her dreams. Along the way she finds the love of family and the hope of having a future with Jonah. But there is some obstacles in Lillian and Jonahs path that they each have to face down. Wil they each be able to place their hope in God as they face down what is in front of them? Oh my, I loved reading this book!! It has a mix of romance, mystery and action all rolled into one. I didn't want to put it down, before I got to the last page. I would recommend this book to all who loved reading a mix of romance with a dash of mystery. I  was provided a complim...

Anything But Plain by Suzanne Woods Fisher In Anything But Plain, Suzanne Woods Fisher takes the reader back to our dearly loved Stony Ridge. We meet the bishops daughter Lydie Stolzfus; a delightful young lady who has struggled with understanding where she belongs. She does not feel like she fits in with the other Amish girls and secretly plans to leave. When Lydie is given an opportunity to work for the local doctor for  few months, she sees it as chance to form her goodbye to a dear friend. Nathan Yoder has been more than just an next door  neighbor to  Lydie; their friendship has grown over the years until recently. Nathan is confused by Lydies actions and has started to believe that his childhood friend is in love with his brother. After spending time with her niece, Dok has come to a realization that Lydie may have a rare disorder. Will her brother allow her to take the steps to help Lydie or will he reject her assistance. Will Lydie come to see that her home is wit...

Dangerous Beauty  By Melissa Koslin  Fighting for her life was what Liliana knew she had to do, so when she found a way of escape she took it. But she did not expect to run into the arms of someone who could give her an a way to find her freedom. Meric Toledan has been an man of mystery for years, marrying the beauty that  ran into his arms is a daring move for him. But Meric felt like it was the best move to provide for this young woman. As time passes them  danger seems to be  around every turn, can Meric protect Liliana from the mysterious buyer. Or is he going to put her right in the arms of the man that funded her capture? Will Meric and Liliana realize that their marriage of protection has turned into a marriage of love? Oh my..... this book hits on a very heavy topic for this day. But I love that an author chose to dive deep into this topic with a storyline like this. I can say this is the first book I have read by Melissa Koslin and it truly was very fre...

Sunburst By Susan May Warren  In the second novel of the Sky ranch Series we find Ranger Kingston on a mission to rescue his brother Colt. To his surprise he recognizes one of his brother's fellow hostages; the one woman he has not been able to forget. Noemi Sutton is on a mission of her own, she was taking her young charge back to be reunited with ther family. But then they was captured by a group of terroiusts that very dark plans for their captives.  Putting the skills that her father drilled into her over the years, Noemi  puts together a plan to escape to get help. But unbeknownst to her, there is a team out  there that is working towards rescuing the captives. Ranger and his fellow team members are able to rescue the captives, but in the midst of the chaos someone falls behind. Noemi is not willing to let her charge fall prey to the terrorist's, so she fights Ranger to go back and help her. This causes them to miss their  pickup time and sends them on a jo...

The Booksellers Promise By Beth Wiseman In the newest series by Beth Wiseman we meet three very unique characters; Yvonne Wilson, Jake Lantz and Eva Garber. Sent on a trip by a collector to obtain a very rare book, Yvonne travels to Indiana; where she meets the owner of the bookstore and his assistant. Jake Lantz has inherited the rare book from his grandfather, who he promised to never sell the book. But when Yvonne Wilson comes from Texas to asking about the book, Jake starts to wonder what is in this book that makes it  so valuable. Eva Garber has worked for Jake for years and has loved him from day one. But when the beautiful Englisher walks in the bookstore, it seems that she might have caught Jake's eyes.  Eva has to think of a different way to spend time with Jake. So she suggests that they read the book that has caused a big stir recently. To the trios surprise  the book leads them on a journey of discovery,  healing and love.  This book leads you on a j...

Where The Road Bends  Rachel Fordham As her wedding day gets closer Norah King is struggling with the decision to marry a man she barely knows.  As she is out surveying her families land she finds a injured stranger. Her act of kindness in nursing the injured man in her home ends up turning into a bad situation. Realizing that his being around Norah is damaging to her reputation, Quincy Barnes makes a decision to move on.  After being nursed back to health, Quincy chooses to turn his life  around and make something of himself.  He devotes his life to helping others in their time of need, while becoming a very successful businessman. When he decides to go back and repay Norah for her kindness, he finds that her life is very different than when he left her.  Norah's life has taken a drastic turn and she has had to make a  dire choice to be able to keep living. One day her rescue comes in the form of the same man that she nursed back to health. Will Norah...

          The Lady of Galoway Manor by Jennifer Deibel In this novel we go back to the 1920's Ireland; where we meet Annabeth DeLacy, a young lady whose family moved from Britain. Having an interest in working with craftsman, her father gets her an apprenticeship with the family who descended from the creator the famed Claddagh ring. Stephen Jennings has grown up with the shadow of romance and love all around him. After having his heart broken he no longer want to follow in his fathers footsteps of creating jewelry.   When Annabeth walks into his family's workshop, Stephen  is not happy take on a privileged young lady as others in his village are struggling to survive. After being appointed by his father to teach the jewelry making to Annabeth, Stephen choses to do his best to see that she is bored of it. But what he did not realize is that Annabeth is thrilled with a challenge. The more time Stephen spends with Annabeth, he starts to se...

Sunrise By Susan May Warren We return to Alaska in the newest series by Susan May Warren;  where we meet one of the three  Kingston brothers, Dodge.  His fathers recent accident has brought Dodge back home to give his dad a hand with the family business. His return back to Sky King Ranch brings back many memories, good and bad. Echo Yazzie is a true Alaskan, raised by a father who made sure she knew how to live off the land. The love of her life walked out of her life several years ago, so Echo chose to  dedicate her life to being a research guide.  Coming back home has not t been easy for Dodge, the memories from his past are still fresh in his mind. When he sees Echo for the first time, his feelings for her return full force. Dodge does not fully approve of Echo's choice of work. But when  one of Echo's fellow researchers goes missing, Echo is   determined to find her. Dodge longs to protect Echo from the dangers that are in the Alaskan wildern...

Never Leave Me By Jody Hedlund We return to the Waters of Times series and find Harrison Burlington caring for the dying Ellen Creighton. While Ellen has accepted that she is dying, she is still struggling with the deaths of her sister and father who have been taken by the quest for the healing waters. Harrison has kept hidden his true feelings for Ellen; so he desperately continues the search for the Holy Water to save his one true love. . But when he finds 2 more vials, Ellen is still not convinced that they actually contain the Holy Water. Harrison makes a decision to demonstrate his everlasting love by drinking one of the vials. When she witnesses the healing properties of the Holy Water, Ellen is unable to  deny the truth in front of her.  But there some dangerous criminals that will do anything to get their hands on a vial of Holy Water. Harrison and Ellen soon learn they will do anything, even sending Ellen back to the past to get more of the Holy Water for them.  ...

At Lighthouse Point By Suzanne Woods Fisher In the last installment of the Three Sisters Island, we find the youngest Grayson sister Blaine coming back home from Paris. She is ready to fulfill her dream of bringing culinary flavor to Camp Kicking Moose. But to her dismay the kitchen has been remodeled into a chef's worst nightmare. Unable to tell her family, Blaine throws herself back into working at the Lunch Counter. Her time in Paris has taught her so much that she wanted to give back to the friend that pulled her back from the edge. But life in America has not been very nice to her friend Jean- Paul. It seems that around every turn is a mishap for her dear friend. Along with those mishaps brings a very familiar face, along with a very cold shoulder from Dr Artie Lotosky. Artie and Blaine's friendship started in college, but when Blaine took time off from culinary school their relationship fizzled out.. Elated to see her beloved friend Artie, her joy shattered upon the coldn...

Present Danger By Elizabeth Goddard In the first installment in the Rocky Mountain Courage series, we meet Terra Conner a US Forest Service Special Agent. Terra has chosen to honor her mother thru her choice of a career path, by followin in her mothers footsteps. But her career choice keeps her close to the mountain that took her mom from her. When an old flame walks back in her the lead detective on the investigation of a mysterious plane crash that turns into a murder scene. Jack Tanner has walked away from his job as a FBI Special Agent to take care of his dear aunt. But when he took the job as detective; he did not think he would run into the love of his life.   Working alongside Terra, reawakens the feelings that Jack had pushed down years ago when he walked away last time. But his choices have changed him and he needs to protect her from the  danger that has reared it's ugly head.  The more clues they uncover the more it seems the danger is getting closer to th...

Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz Historical fiction is on of my favorite genres to read, so when I picked up this book I was excited to read this book. Tidewater Bride is set in the colony of Virginia, in a time period where there was too few women to the ratio of men. Bride ships were something that the men looked forward to each time one came into harbor.   We meet the Selah the daughter of merchant in Jamestown, who has her hands full running her fathers shop. When she is given the duty of looking after latest incoming ship of Tobacco Brides. Selah finds herself with the unwanted attention from one of the owners of a Tobacco Plantation. But her heart belong to another man noticed Selah for years. Xander Renick has been one of the most eligible  gentleman since the death of his wife. His plantation is vast with crops that  are prized by many. His position as a mediator between the colonists and  powerful Powhatan nation has ke...

A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson When I picked up this book, the title was not something I was looking to read at this time. But then I opened it to the first page and was hooked. The storyline hooked me line and sinker, so that I did not want to put this book down. The friendship between Tucker and Penelope is a breath of fresh air for all of us. It reminds us that friendships are something important and they can overcome so much in our lives. Our hero and heroine have both overcome so much as a team that they have a bond that is so deep that it has built their love for each other. Life has not been easy for Tucker, so he has had to fight for what he wanted to do in life. But with the pretty Penelope by his side, he has had the courage to face so much. As the owner of a security systems, Tucker has been able to see the need for a new sheriff in town. So when he is challenged to run for Sheriff, he jumps to the challenge. But what Tucker did not see ...

A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham This is my first time ever reading a book written by Rachel Fordham, I truly love getting to read new to me authors. The first thing that draws me to this book is the cover which portrays an genre that I have loved since I was a little girl, the genre historical.  As you open to the first page you are drawn back to a time when things were very different than they are know. A time when things were more simple, but also women  only had some many choices of what they could do in their life. Our heroine Agnes Pratt has a deep secret that sent her running away from the life that she had dreamed of. It has led her to the small  town of Penance, where she has established herself as the beloved schoolteacher of the their kids. Life has settled into a rhythm for Agnes and she has built friendships in the six years in her new home. But when her life is upset by the arrival of her childhood friend, things turn upside d...

The Way Of The Brave By Susan May Warren This book was one I have been  looking forward to reading and it was so worth the wait. So I was very delighted to get the chance to review this book. Jenny Calhoun is a former CIA profiler and psychiatrist, whose way of easing her guilt from her time  overseas is to bury it. Now each year she and her two best friends embark on a extreme challenge, this year they are climbing the Denali in Alaska. What she never thought would happen was her past would be standing in front of her again. Orion Starr is a former pararescue jumper who wants to just not deal with the past that haunts him each day. Now he is being bugged to join up with his friend's Hamilton Jones's elite rescue team. So when he hears that three climbers are lost on Denali, he feels called to assist the rescue team on the rescue.  When the long awaited climb turns into the worst nightmare for Jenny and her friends. She has to put he...