From the Start By Melissa Tagg

Back of the Book

Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley. 

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?

My Thoughts

From the start is one of those perfect books, the one you tell people they must read, but are reluctant to loan out your copy because you're afraid you won't get it back. Every scene in this book is spot on and hilarious, the scene when Colton and Kate met made me laugh so hard I had to go back and read it again.  Kate's family is just that, a family.  They have such normal family dynamics they were easy to understand and relate to. From the Start is clean, entertaining and fun.

Together With You By: Victoria Bylin

Back of the Book

When a Lost Child warning blares over the mall's PA system, Carly Mason finds the little girl playing with a stuffed rabbit. Something about Penny Tremaine is different. An ex-social worker, Carly recognizes that the child suffers fetal alcohol effects, and a piece of Carly's past suddenly confronts her. Never again will she become personally involved with a client. The risks are far too great. But something about Penny--and Penny's handsome father--tugs at Carly's heart.

Dr. Ryan Tremaine is trying to put his life back together. With his ex-wife remarried and on a trip far away, his two teenage sons and Penny are living under his roof full time. Ryan has put his faith in his Sink-or-Swim list, a plan to reconnect with his children. The first step: recruit Carly Mason to be Penny's nanny.

Ryan never anticipated being so drawn to Carly, an attraction Carly seems to fight as much as he does. Could Carly be the missing piece that helps his family stay afloat, or will their blossoming romance only complicate things further?

Known for her realistic and engaging characters, Victoria Bylin delivers an emotion-packed story reminiscent of The Sound of Music, one that reminds us all to believe in the power of faith and love.

My thoughts

Together with You was nothing like I thought it would be from the back of the book.  Ryan's divorce comes after he has an affair that results in a child with Fetal Alcohol Symptoms.  Ryan is gritty, strict and out of touch, Carly is smart, down to earth and loving.  In the beginning I wanted to tell Carly to stay away, but then as the story progresses and you see the changes in Ryan I wanted to push them together. Bylin does an amazing job showing the effects our choices have on others, and how powerfully guilt holds us back from growth.

Together with you is not a heartfelt hallmark type book, it deals with the aftermaths of some really bad choices and some tough issues on faith, I would recommend this book because it made me think and the writing was extremely good.

I was given this book free from Bethany House Publishing for my honest review.

Double Cross By: DiAnn Mills

Back of the Book

FBI Agent Laurel Evertson’s investigation into a scam targeting the elderly takes an unexpected twist when key evidence leads her to Morton Wilmington, a felon she arrested five years ago on her first undercover assignment. That case has haunted her since, and though she’s vowed to forget Wilmington—and what she sacrificed to put him away—he is now her best lead.

Houston Police Officer Daniel Hilton fears his grandparents may be the scammer’s next targets, and he’ll do anything to protect his family—even force interagency cooperation. But he’s quickly drawn to Laurel’s empathy and zeal and agrees to follow her lead . . . even if it means teaming up with a felon.

As the unlikely trio uncovers evidence suggesting the scam is more extensive and deadly than they imagined, both Laurel and Daniel find themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. Together they must decide if they can trust Wilmington’s claims of redemption, or if he’s leading them straight into a double cross.

My thoughts

Double Cross was entertaining with a solid DiAnn Mills plot.  It had intriguing characters and a few twists and turns.  As the story developed little clues were given so that I thought I had it all figured out but in the end I was wrong.  I enjoyed Daniels character, he was well thought out and easy to understand.  Laurel was harder for me to connect with, and if there were sparks between them I never felt it.  Even though all the twists and turns get straightened out in the end, the conclusion felt rushed and choppy.  This is the second book in the series, but I never found the connections to the first so you should be fine reading this even if you missed the first.

DiAnn Mills is a wonderful author, check out her website for other books.  Double Cross is a clean entertaining novel but not my favorite DiAnn Mills book.

I was given this book free from Tyndale Publishing for my honest review.

Buried Secrets By Irene Hannon

Back of the Book

After seven years as a Chicago homicide detective, Lisa Grant has hit a wall. Ready for a kinder, gentler life, she takes a job as a small-town police chief. But the discovery of a human skeleton by a construction crew at the edge of town taxes the resources of her department. A call for assistance brings detective Mac McGregor, an ex-Navy SEAL, to her doorstep. As they work to solve the mystery behind the unmarked grave, danger begins to shadow them. Someone doesn't want this dead person telling any tales--and will stop at nothing to make certain a life-shattering secret stays buried.

Master storyteller Irene Hannon is back with an exciting new series featuring former special forces operatives now in the thick of the action in civilian life. Hannon is at the top of her game in this can't-put-it-down thriller that will have readers up until the wee hours devouring every page.

My Thougths

Awesome, amazing, and highly entertaining!  I have been counting down the days for this book ever since I read the teaser at the back of Deceived and it was well worth the wait.  Buried Secrets has such a unique plot and I soon found myself totally engrossed in the story. Lisa was spunky and sharp, and Mac was sweet and understanding. As the mystery develops and the plot thickened, the book got better and better.   Like all her past books Hannon made characters you will love, a plot you can't stop reading, and an ending worth the wait.  Now the count down begins again for the next book.

I was given this book free from Revell Publishing for my honest reveiw.

By Your Side By: Candace Calvert

Back of the Book

ER nurse Macy Wynn learned essential, gritty lessons in the California foster care system: land on your feet and trust no one. She’s finally located the fellow foster child she loves like a sister, but the girl’s in deep trouble. Macy’s determined to help, no matter what it takes. Her motto is to “make it happen” in any situation life throws at her—even when she butts heads with an idealistic cop.

Deputy Fletcher Holt believes in a higher plan, the fair outcome—and his ability to handle that by himself if necessary. Now he’s been yanked from Houston, his mother is battling cancer, and he’s attracted to a strong-willed nurse who could be the target of a brutal sniper.

When everything goes wrong, where do they put their trust?

My Thoughts

By Your Side did not grab my interest at first, but then after about the 50th page I could not put it down. The story bounces around between people and that was sometimes hard to follow, as soon as I was really interested in a scene the author switched people and locations. Hence I could not put it down.  I loved the plot of this book, and watching the relationships develop between Macy and Fletcher, and some relationships I hope to see more of in the next book.

This was a great read, and really interesting after your get to know all the characters.

I received this book free from Tyndale Publishing for my honest review.

Where Rivers Part By: Kellie Coates Gilber

Back of the Book

Following in her estranged father's footsteps, Dr. Juliet Ryan has devoted her scientific acumen to corporate America, providing safe drinking water for millions--and affording her plenty of perks along the way. Then, without warning, a fast-moving disaster sweeps Juliet into a whirlpool of corporate scandal and puts lives at risk. As she scrambles to find answers, Juliet must face her deepest wounds and join forces with her father to expose a far-reaching conspiracy. Underneath it all, she struggles to forgive those who betrayed her trust--not least of all her own father.

My thoughts

Where Rivers Part was a surprisingly harsh look into the corporate food markets, and corrupt business practices.   This is a well written novel and  has a well balanced plot that kept me reading.    Gilbert put a lot of detail into the story that was both helpful, in some areas, but seemed to suffocate the story in others.  

Where River Part illustrates the realities of depression, addiction and forgiveness.  If you are looking for a sweet christian romance this is not the book for you.  

I was given this book free from Revell Publishing for my honest review.

Sabotaged By: Dani Pettrey

Back of the Boook

Finally Returned Home, Reef McKeena
Finds His Beloved Alaska Facing Its Greatest ThreatGrowing up, goody-two-shoes Kirra Jacobs and troublemaker Reef McKenna were always at odds. Now, working together as search-and-rescue for Alaska's arduous Iditarod race, a growing attraction seems to be forcing aside old arguments. Then Reef catches Kirra sneaking from camp in the middle of the night. 

Kirra's uncle, a musher in the race, has disappeared. Kirra and Reef quickly track the man, but what they discover is harrowing: Frank's daughter has been kidnapped. Kirra and Reef, along with the entire McKenna family, are thrown into a race to stop a shadowy villain who is not only threatening a girl's life--but appears willing to unleash one of the largest disasters Alaska has ever seen. 

Pettrey is the Winner of the 2014 Daphne du Maurier Award for Inspirational Romantic Suspense

My Thoughts

What can I say, this book was great!  If you have enjoyed Dani Pettrey's past novels you will love this one.  Sabotaged is definitely an example of saving the best for last.  It was fast paced, suspenseful, and kept me guessing.  Kirra and Reef make such a great couple.  Even though it is the last book in the series, the book doesn't attempt to wrap up everyone's life like so many final novels.  This is hands down my favorite in the Alaskan Courage series.

This is a clean book that I would recommend.

I was given this book free from Bethany House publishing for my honest opinion.