Vendetta: A Novel (The Nikki Boyd Files) By Lisa Harris

Back of the Book

No one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel on the Tennessee Missing Person Task Force. The case of her own missing sister, still unsolved after ten years, is the driving force in her work. When a Polaroid photo of a missing girl shows up at a crime scene, Nikki quickly recognizes similarities to the past. The closer she gets to the abductor, the more she feels that this case is getting personal, and that she is not the hunter at all--but actually the one being hunted.

With this explosive first book in the new Nikki Boyd Files, Lisa Harris takes readers on a fast-paced pursuit of justice that will have them holding their breath until the heart-stopping finish.

My Thoughts

Oh, this is a good book!  Its fast past action, twists, and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat.  With accurate detail and amazing hints you will think you have it all worked out, until you turn the page and once again are proven wrong.  Nikki is a great character, with a likable personality, and a well written back story that makes her actions easy to understand. I was only a little lost by some of Nikki's family relationships but by the end they were all cleared up.  This is the first book in the Nikki Boyd Files, even though there are some things left unanswered, it has enough of a wrap up it doesn't feel unfinished.

I was given this book free from Revell Publishing group for my honest review and I honestly loved this book.

Deadlock (FBI: Houston Book 3) By Diann Mills

Back of the Book

Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?

That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.

When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.

My Thoughts

I have found you can never go wrong with a DiAnn Mills novel and this book is no exception.  Mills has a way of dropping you right in the middle of the action, but you never feel like you have missed anything. The back story on the characters seems to just mold into the story and add to the mystery of the plot.

Deadlock is a page turner and will be a hard one to put down or not think about.  Just as I thought I had it all figured out, bam!  I'm right back were I started with no idea who is good and who is bad.  Thatcher and Bethany make a great team, while they start out like water and oil, as the pot got stirred up they blended perfectly.

I would definitely recommend this book, and can't wait to see if I get more of the clues the second time around.  If you want to learn more about DiAnn Mills or see her other books check out her Webpage.

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

The Lost Heiress By: Roseanna White

Back of the Book

Roseanna White Debuts Sparkling British Historical Romance

Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. Though raised in the palace of Monaco, she's British by birth and was brought to the Grimaldis under suspicious circumstances as a babe. When Brook's friend Justin uncovers the fact that Brook is likely a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea to the estate of her supposed family.

The mystery of her mother's death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook's life is threatened do they draw close--but their loyalty may come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother.

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved this book.  I usually don't read historical fiction but the plot of this book really intrigued me, and I was not disappointed.  The Lost Heiress has mystery, suspense, and great dialog.  As a historical fiction novice I usually get lost in the historical dialect, but not in this book.  Brook and Justin are both spunky, entertaining, and their thoughts and actions were easy to relate to.  This is the first book I have read by Roseanna M. White, but it definitely won't be my last.

I would recommend this book to anyone, whether you are a historical fiction fan or not you will find something to love in the novel.

I was given this book free from Bethany House Publishing.

Last Chance Hero (A Place to Call Home #4) By: Cathleen Armstrong

Back of the Book

The inhabitants of Last Chance, New Mexico, could not be more pleased. Dr. Jessica McLeod has opened an office right on Main Street. Andy Ryan, the best athlete the little town ever produced, has ended his short career in the NFL and has come home to coach the mighty Pumas of Last Chance High. Unfortunately, Dr. Jess immediately gets off on the wrong foot when she admits that she's never seen a football game, isn't really interested in doing so, and, in fact, doesn't know a first down from a home run. Meanwhile, Coach Ryan is discovering that it's not easy to balance atop the pedestal the town has put him on. When this unlikely pair is drawn together over the future of a young player--whose gifts may lie in the laboratory rather than on the football field--they begin to wonder if they might have a future together as well.

With the flair that has made her Last Chance books a favorite among readers of contemporary fiction, Cathleen Armstrong draws on the passion Americans have for the traditions of small-town high school football.

My thoughts

I wanted to love this book, it has all the makings of an extraordinary, entertaining novel, but somehow it missed the mark.  You never get to understand Jess and Ryan's characters, and the time frame when their relationship was developing is skipped over.  On the flip side, many of the characters from the last 3 books are entertaining, well written, and their interactions enjoyable.   Last Chance Hero is light hearted, clean, and entertaining, just don't expect to much from Jess and Ryan but enjoy the other Characters.

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

Through Waters Deep By: Sarah Sundin

Back of the Book

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on theAtwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.

Sarah Sundin takes readers to the tense months before the US entered WWII. Readers will encounter German U-boats and torpedoes, along with the explosive power of true love, in this hopeful and romantic story.

My thoughts

This is such an amazing book, I never thought about all the conflict going on in the US before WWII.  The story moved along at such a perfect pace, and while I never felt I was getting a history lesson, I learned so much and gained such understanding about the turmoil of the time.  Mary is such a perfect character and was well balanced by Jim.  Their personal struggles were so understandable, the love story was so sweet I just want to start reading it again.  Sara Sundin's research and understanding of the subject was so evident in the pages of this book.  I am ready for the next one.

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

Hope Harber By: Irene Hannon

Back of the Book

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life--and love--altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter's. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives--including their own.

Fan favorite Irene Hannon brings a whole new cast of characters to life in a charming Oregon seaside village. Emotional and heartwarming, this story invites readers to come home to Hope Harbor, where love and hope bloom--and hearts heal.

My Thoughts

I have always loved Irene Hannon's books, her thrillers keep me on the edge of my seat.  I'm just not 100% sure I love her other books.  Hope Harbor is an emotional story of forgiveness, fixing regrets and moving forward through life's trials.  There was so much drama in the story that it went past believable to thinking 'what else could go on'.  Small towns do seem to spread gossip which can cause more drama, but nothing like this.  While the writing was done well, and the characters were well thought out, and the book had several good scenes, I just could not seem to get past all the other stuff to really enjoy this book.

I was given this book free from Revell Publishing for my Honest Review.

A Bride at Last By Melissa Jagears

Back of the Book

Abandoned by his mail-order bride, Silas Jonesey has fought an uphill battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices. Now his prayers for reconciliation have finally come true and his estranged wife has contacted him with her whereabouts.

Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but upon realizing she'd been deceived about her intended groom, she's now settled into life as a schoolteacher. When the mother of a student passes away, Kate assumes she'll take on care of nine-year-old Anthony--until two men suddenly show up in town, claiming to be the boy's father.

Silas can see Anthony loves Kate, so he enlists her help in reaching out to the boy and attempting to prove his paternity to the court. When a common interest in Anthony leads to an interest in each other and Silas and Kate begin to think they can overcome their rocky start, neither is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony's wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?

My Thoughts

This is definitely my favorite book by Melissa Jagears.  After overcoming his drinking addiction Silas has become a hard working, kind and peaceful character and was just hoping to fix his past actions. Kate is a sweet, independent and hardworking woman.  Silas and Kate's personalities are a great match as they work together to let go of the past and put their trust in the future.   A Bride at Last is definitely worth reading, Jagears did a wonderful job at addressing the struggles one faces even years after overcoming an addiction.  While this book takes place in the same city as Jagears past books, it can be read as a stand alone novel, and while I would suggest reading the other books first, it is not necessary.

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