Your Gonna Love Me By: Robin Lee Hatcher

Back of the Book

Who knew fate could twist a tragedy into a second chance at love?

Samantha Winters lives her life the way a good accountant should—measured, deliberate, and safe. After watching her father die in a tragic skiing accident, she decided never to allow risk into her life again. But she didn’t count on falling for Nick Chastain, who embodies everything she doesn’t want in her safely constructed world.

Against Samantha’s warnings, Nick plans a dangerous kayaking trip over spring break. Furious that he’s so careless with his life, she ends their fledgling relationship with harsh words.

Two years later, Samantha is desperately in need of a change. When she learns her grandmother has had an accident and is in need of a caretaker, Samantha quickly packs her bags and heads to Thunder Creek, Idaho. But nothing could prepare her for the surprise awaiting her in her grandmother’s hospital room . . . Nick.

With the charming backdrop of small-town friends, beloved cousins, and a whole church congregation rooting for them, can they set aside the disastrous ending of their first try at love? Has Nick changed enough to meet Samantha in the middle—and can she realize that a risk in love might be worth taking?

My Thoughts

One of the best romance novels I have read in a long time.  While the premiss of a past love coming back years later has been done, You're Gonna Love Me has some wonderful twists that add more depth to the story.  Samantha is an understandable, calculated character and while Nicks past was full of adventure he is a kind, patient, and humble person.  You will love every page and have a new view of an age old tale of past loves reunited.

Out of the Ordinary By: Jen Turano

Back of the Book

Miss Gertrude Cadwalader hoped her position as the paid companion to Mrs. Davenport would be easy. But as she becomes acquainted with her employer, she realizes the wealthy Mrs. Davenport has a strange tendency to be a bit light-fingered with other people's trinkets. Gertrude is relieved when Mrs. Davenport decides to have a quiet summer away from the social scene--until the woman changes her mind in order to help a young socialite launch into society. 

When Gertrude is caught in the act of trying to return one of the trinkets by Mrs. Sinclair, the mother of shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair, the woman jumps to an unfortunate conclusion. Harrison is determined to mend fences with Miss Cadwalader, but he's unprepared for the escapades a friendship with her will entail.

My Thoughts

While I am not a huge fan of historical fiction there are some authors I love, and Jen Turano is one of them.  Her entertaining dialog and period detail is not only educational but entertaining.  This attention to detail was almost too much for me in Out Of The Ordinary, as the first scene consumes over 150 pages and the entire 346 pages of the novel only covers a few scenes and an epilogue.  It feels like a slow walk for the first hundred pages and then a sprint from there.  That being said, Gertrude Cadwalader is a funny, kind, and well loved person.  Harrison Sinclair is patient, kind hearted, yet very eloquent.  I enjoyed reading all of their interaction just waiting to read what might happen next.  

   Out of the Ordinary is a clean, entertaining and well written novel with just a little too much detail in every scene for my taste.

Vanishing Point: A Nikki Boyd Novel By: Lisa Harris

Back of the Book

During Garrett Addison's first week on the job as a criminal investigator for the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, his team is called out to a murder scene of a young girl. She's the third victim in a string of disappearances with one thing in common--a Polaroid photo of each victim left behind at the crime scene.

The FBI is pulled into the case to help, and Garrett finds himself working with Special Agent Jordan Lambert, the woman he once loved. When yet another girl dies--number six--Garrett blames himself and believes he doesn't have what it takes to be an agent. What he'll discover is that, while he may be done with the killer, the killer is not done with him--or Jordan.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris unveils an unforgettable story of a case that has haunted the public and law enforcement for more than a decade. Fans of the Nikki Boyd Files will thrill to finally discover what actually happened to Nikki's sister, Sarah. New readers will become instant fans after devouring this chilling tale.

My Thoughts

Vanishing Point is an amazing display of Lisa Harris's ability to write a heart stopping plot and amazing details of each character.  Yet this novel took me by surprise with a plot written in such a unique way and over a longer period of time than any other Harris novel.  Harris also showed such a human side to the characters, bringing to light how officers really are affected by the cases they work, the struggles they have with faith, and finding justice in an unjust world.  

Dangerous Illusions By: Irene Hannon

Back of the Book

Trish Bailey is on overload trying to deal with a demanding job, an ailing mother, and a healing heart. When a series of unsettling memory lapses leads to a tragic death--and puts Trish under police scrutiny--her world is once again thrown into turmoil.

Detective Colin Flynn isn't certain what to think of the facts he uncovers during his investigation. Did Trish simply make a terrible mistake or is there more to the case than meets the eye? As he searches for answers, disturbing information begins to emerge--and if the forces at work are as evil as he suspects, the situation isn't just dangerous . . . it's deadly.

Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon captures readers with a mind-bending story that will have them doubling back to retrace their steps--and figure out what they missed!

My Thoughts

A thrill ride from the first chapter to the last.  Irene Hannon has yet again written an amazing novel with a few shocking twist that will keep you on your toes.  Trish is a very simple and likable character who's personality blended so easily with Colins from their first meeting.  Hannon has a few return characters from previous series so you can catch up on their lives as well.  Dangerous Illusions is a great start to what I think will be another great series by Irene Hannon.

Hometown Girl By: Courtney Walsh

Back of the book

Beth Whitaker isn’t supposed to be a small-town girl. She’s always dreamed of leaving Willow Grove, Illinois, for the big city, but she feels trapped, struggling to make up for a mistake that’s haunted her for years. Just when Beth is finally ready to break free, her sister impulsively buys a beloved but run-down farm on the outskirts of town, and she begs Beth to help with the restoration. Reluctantly, Beth agrees to help—and puts her own dreams on hold once again.

Drew Barlow hasn’t been back to Fairwind Farm since he was a boy, and he’s spent all these years trying to outrun the pain of a past he thought he buried long ago. When he learns that the owner has passed away, his heart knows it’s finally time to do the right thing. Returning to Willow Grove, Drew revisits the old farm, where he attempts to piece together his memories and the puzzle of the crime he witnessed so long ago.

Both on a journey to find peace, Beth and Drew are surprised when they begin to experience a restoration of their own. But when long-buried secrets break through the soil and the truth unfurls, will it threaten their budding relationship—and the very future of the farm?

My thoughts

What I was expecting and what Hometown Girl delivered were totally different, and I couldn't be happier.  This novel has all the things you expect from a Walsh novel, like amazing scenes that make you laugh even the second time around, and a love story that is so perfect you have no doubt it will last.  Hometown Girl added a level of mystery that kept me on my toes.  There is one scene that is written so well it will give you the chills as the pieces of the mystery start to come together.  If you want a little more suspense in your next love story this is the perfect novel for you.

Love Me At Sunset By: Lucinda Whitney

Back of the Book

Catarina Romano has lost everything: her husband, her house, her lifestyle. She flees to her cousin’s empty manor in the heart of Portugal, trying to find peace and to hide from the scandal spun by the media, only to discover she is pregnant.

Afonso Cortez is done with all the lies. Fresh out of prison for trusting the wrong person, he’s ready to leave the past behind and look ahead to new opportunities. The remote Sunset Manor, in need of a groundskeeper, is the perfect solution, promising to provide Afonso with the solitude he craves while he restores the grounds to their former glory.

Catarina avoids Afonso at first, not wanting to further complicate her life. But Afonso is intriguing, and she feels drawn to him. If only she didn’t feel guilty for all the secrets she’s keeping from him.

When suspicious accidents start occurring at the property, Afonso believes his past is catching up with him. Will he be able to protect Catarina or will he lose the woman who might restore his belief in love?

My Thoughts

Being a big fan of Licinda Whitneys past novels about the Romano family, I was eager to read Love Me At Sunset.  While it took a few pages to get going I soon found the plot fun, sweet, and entertaining.  While their backstory is slow coming through the book, I found having read the past novels about the Romanos very helpful when different family members are mentioned in the book.  This is a great addition not only to the Mansions series but also to the Romano family.

Mending Fences By: Lorin Grace

Back of the Book

All Mandy wanted was a couple of photos. Instead, she has a broken foot, a bodyguard, and a crush on one of the most eligible businessmen in the country. Memories of a summer long past complicate her resolve to forget about her handsome childhood friend Danny.

Daniel Crawford isn’t sure what to do with his grandfather’s Indiana estate and is tired of high-pressure tactics from potential buyers. When he discovers a woman scaling the fence camera in hand, he determines to keep her off his land. He is surprised to discover his trespasser is the little girl who climbed the fence two decades ago to become his friend.

Struggling to find common ground, neither one can deny growing attraction. But with the paparazzi following every move and bloggers anxiously spreading rumors, can Daniel and Mandy mend the fences that have come between them?

My thoughts

This was the first novel I have read by Lorin Grace and I can't wait to read another.  The plot was surprisingly original and entertaining.  Mandy is a fascinating character and I loved that she has such unique talents and career path.  Equally entertaining is her roommate, with her spunky personality she just added to the novel.  Daniel is a little harder to understand but he grew on me.  The side characters in Daniels life will not only help you understand him better but their text, emails and calls were hilarious.  A book definitely worth reading.