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.

Blind Spot By: Dani Pettrey

Back of the book

FBI agent Declan Grey is in the chase of his life--but isn't sure exactly what he's chasing after. Threatened by a terrorist that "the wrath is coming," Grey fears something horrible is about to be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw to help him. She's sought justice for refugees and the hurting around the world, and if there's anyone who can help him, it's Tanner. 

Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan. But that tension also includes a spark she can't deny, and she's pretty sure Declan feels the same. But before anything can develop between them, they discover evidence of a terror cell--and soon are in a race against the clock to stop the coming "wrath" that could cost thousands their lives.

My thoughts

If you are looking for a novel that is perfect in every way, look no further!  Every Pettrey novel seems to get better and better, with plots full of twists and turns, and dialog unlike any other author.  Declan has always been a great character but in Blind Spot he is outstanding.  Tanner was in the background in the last book, but she is so well written and her characters backstory is spot on it was great to have her in the spotlight. The thrill of Blind Spot starts on the first page and keeps building until the very end leaving you begging for more. If you haven't read a Pettrey novel you NEED to start at the beginning of the series or you will not enjoy this book.  

Roping His Heart By: Jaclyn Hardy

Back of the book

The old mansion down the road from Rachel's ranch has always been her escape. No one has lived there for years, and she dreams of owning it herself someday. So when she finds a handsome city guy walking around inside who claims to own the home, her world turns upside down.

Patrick's career is just taking off in the city, and he couldn't be happier. The news of his father's passing brings a silver lining when he finds that he's left with a large mansion in a small ranching town—the perfect place to expand his business. 

But when Patrick meets the beautiful and fiery Rachel at the mansion, he begins to wonder if he made the right choice. Now he must decide if his business is worth going home to, or if he's willing to leave his city life for the woman who has roped his heart.

My thoughts

A refreshingly sweet romance set in a beautiful location with wonderful characters.  While considered a short novel, Roping His Heart is not short on a detailed plot, great scenes, and a romance full of depth and compassion.  Patrick is a perfect blend of kindness and loyalty with a desire to make everyone happy.  Rachel is also kind, hard working, and has a heart of gold, not only for her family, but the area she calls home.  Roping His Heart is the second novel in Destined For Love: Mansions, and while the first book was definitely worth reading, none of those characters appear in this novel.

Blue Moon Kisses By: Cindy Roland Anderson

Back of the book

At age twelve, Ashlee Nichols fell in love with her brother’s best friend, Beau Jacobsen. Everyone thought she was cute and that her crush was simply that…a crush. But her young heart had known he was the one, and she had planned on marrying him as soon as she was old enough. Unfortunately, when she confessed her feelings to Beau, he’d laughed, patted her on the head and told her he was flattered. Sure, Beau had been twenty-two at the time, but she knew she wouldn't always be a little girl. Just when she turned eighteen and was finally old enough to date him, Beau joined the Army and was deployed to Afghanistan. Now, six years later, Beau is back in Mitchel Creek, Georgia for a few weeks. He’s hotter than ever…and still ten years older, something he can’t seem to get past. He still sees Ashlee as a glorified little sister…or does he?

My Thoughts

The Perfect love story!  Blue Moon Kisses is a sweet, clean romance full of great family intervention.  Ashlee is a wonderful spunky person who is kind, loving, and loyal to her family.  Boa is the prefect description of an army man, he plans, ponders and does everything by the book.  What a perfect pair of opposites to fall in love. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed reading this book, I loved so many of the scenes it would be hard to pick a favorite.  Being the 3rd novel in the A Georgia Moon Romance series you will want to read the others.  Cindy Roland Anderson has again written an entertaining, sweet, & clean romance you will be sure to love.

Kiss Me in the Rain (Destined for Love: Mansions) By: Lindzee Armstrong

Back of the book

Cypress Grove has always been a treasured constant in Layla's perfect life. Now the mansion will be sold to the highest bidder if she doesn’t date an investor's son. The problem? The man she really wants just rolled into town.

Tyler is done being responsible and never going after what he wants. Layla's finally given him the courage to quit grad school and use his student loans to flip houses. And he's decided to move near Cypress Grove to do it.

When Layla happens upon suspicious ledgers at the mansion, her family's financial woes take a sinister turn. As Tyler and Layla work together to find the culprit, the attraction between them threatens to burst into flames. But admitting their feelings could spell disaster for Cypress Grove.

My thoughts

Kiss Me In The Rain is surprisingly full of great detail for a short story.  The plot is well thought out, and entertaining with the perfect conclusion.  Tyler and Layla are the perfect blend of personalities and while most short stories seem to lack back stories, Lindzee Armstong did an amazing job giving you enough information to understand the characters without wasting pages on useless facts.  While this is the first novel in the Destined for love: Mansions series there are a few characters from the Europe series so you might want to read those first.  

Hands down a wonderful novel that is perfect if you just have one day to read.

Horses, Hayrides and Husbands By: Jeanette Lewis

Back of the book

Enjoy this sweet romance from the Country Bride & Cowboy Boots series. 

Misty Epperson has her hands full with a toddler and a full-time job helping her billionaire brother, Ty, run The Epperson Foundation, a charitable organization he founded with his lottery jackpot. But all the chubby baby cheeks and conference calls in the world can’t drive away the emptiness hovering over her heart. She yearns for love, but Misty is wary. The last time she gave her heart away, it was returned to her battered and broken.

When Misty meets Clydesdale wrangler, Travis Harper, she’s drawn to his quiet strength and easy smile. But Travis quickly makes his hatred of rich people known and Misty’s brother is one of the richest men in the state. When Ty interferes with the Clydesdale’s grazing pasture in the name of environmental protection, will Travis consider it guilt by association or can Misty break this sexy cowboy with the giant chip on his shoulder?

My thoughts

More please?  Jeanette Lewis is a wonderful author and never shys away from writing characters with deep pasts and great emotion. Horses, Hayrides and Husbands tried to have all the depth, dialog and plot of a full length novel, but it left me wanting more.  Misty is such an awesome character with great personality, that I want more of her.  The same can be said for Travis, he is kind with a major chip on his shouder, and while you get a glimpse of their past I wanted more.  As a short story, this was a well written, cute story, I could feel Lewis wanted to add so much but was limited by pages.

Justice Buried By: Patricia Bradley

Back of the Book

In an effort to get her security consulting business off the ground, Kelsey Allen has been spending a lot of time up in the air, rappelling down buildings and climbing through windows to show business owners their vulnerabilities to thieves. When she is hired to pose as a conservator at the Pink Palace Museum in order to test their security weaknesses after some artifacts go missing, she's ecstatic. But when her investigative focus turns from theft to murder, Kelsey knows she's out of her league--and possibly in the cross hairs. When blast-from-the-past Detective Brad Hollister is called in to investigate, Kelsey may find that he's the biggest security threat yet . . . to her heart.

My thoughts

You can never go wrong with a Patricia Bradley novel.  Justice Buried has a unique plot with outstanding detail.  While it is part of the Memphis Cold Case series you can read it as a stand alone and not miss a beat.  Kelsey is an adventurous, creative, and well rounded character.  Brad was a little harder for me to understand at first, but as his character developed through the plot he became my favorite.  As the mystery twist and turns through the novel you will wonder if you really know anyone.  Justice Buried has the perfect blend of mystery and romance that everyone will enjoy.

Crisis Shot By: Janice Cantore

Back of the Book

Tess O’Rourke dreams of becoming the first female chief of police in Long Beach, California. As commander of the East Division, she is well on her way . . . until the night she responds to an officer-needs-assistance call and fatally shoots an unarmed teenager. Despite being cleared of wrongdoing by a grand jury, Tess is so hounded by the public that she takes a job in Oregon to escape the bad press.

Winning over the residents of Rogue’s Hollow might be more difficult than adjusting to her new role as police chief in the small, backwater town. Especially when her closest friend, the pastor’s wife, goes missing and the woman’s cousin is found shot. Tess finds an ally in sheriff’s deputy Steve Logan, but as they track down Rogue’s Hollow’s first murderer, she worries that she’s breaking one of her rules and getting too close to him.

My thoughts

Crisis Shot is a wonderful mystery with great twists and turns, you will need to read a few pages twice to catch on.  Janice Cantore has a writing style all her own, instead of weaving a characters backstory though the pages she has it all written up front which make the beginning of the novel a little slow.  Yet once the back story and main characters are introduced, you jump on a fast paced thrill ride as people go missing, murders are discovered, and lives are changed. Every aspect of the novel, from the small town to the people, was perfect for this type of novel.  I never once felt like saying "how could they not know that" as seems to be the case with so many other mystery novels.  

Crisis Shot is entertaining, clean, well written, and leaves you wanting more.

Freedom's Ring By: Heidi Chiavaroli

Back of the Book

Boston, 2015
Two years after nearly losing her life in the Boston Marathon bombing, Annie David is still far from “Boston strong.” Instead she remains isolated and defeated—plagued by guilt over her niece, crippled in the blast, and by an antique ring alongside a hazy hero’s face. But when she learns the identity of her rescuer, will he be the hero she’s imagined? And can the long-past history of the woman behind the ring set her free from the guilt and fears of the present?

Boston, 1770
As a woman alone in a rebellious town, Liberty Caldwell finds herself in a dangerous predicament. When a British lieutenant, Alexander Smythe, comes to her rescue and offers her employment, Liberty accepts. As months go by, Alexander not only begins to share his love of poetry with her, but protects Liberty from the advances of a lecherous captain living in the officers’ house where she works.

Mounting tensions explode in the Boston Massacre, and Liberty’s world is shattered as her brother, with whom she has just reunited, is killed in the fray. Desperate and alone, she returns home, only to be assaulted by the captain. Afraid and furious toward redcoats, Liberty leaves the officers’ home, taking with her a ring that belonged to Alexander.

Two women, separated by centuries, must learn to face their fears. And when they feel they must be strong, they learn that sometimes true strength is found in surrender.

My Thoughts

Freedom's Ring is a uniquely written novel from start to finish.  The beginning felt choppy and more like 2 separate novels as we learn the back stories of both Annie (Boston 2015) and Liberty (Boston 1770). Once the novel finally started to take shape and the past and the present slowly came together I was hooked.  Annie and Brad are a perfect blend, and as they dig into the past you can tell the amount of research Chiavaroli had to do to write this novel.  Liberty's life was told bluntly to a point it felt uncomfortable, which made her story harder to enjoy.

Freedom's Ring was an interesting, well researched novel but not an easy read and definitely not for younger audiences.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Chasing Secrets By: Lynette Eason

Back of the Book

Elite Guardians bodyguard Haley Callaghan may be in South Carolina, but when a photo leads investigators in West Ireland to open a twenty-five-year-old cold case, her life is suddenly in danger. Haley knows how to take care of herself; after all, she's made a career out of taking care of others. But after an uncomfortably close call, Detective Steven Rothwell takes it upon himself to stay with her--and the young client she has taken under her wing. A protector at heart, he's not about to let Haley fight this battle alone.

In a sweeping plot that takes them into long-buried memories--and the depths of the heart--Haley and Steven will have to solve the mystery of Haley's past while dodging bullets, bombs, and bad guys who just won't quit.

My Thoughts

After reading Moving Target I wasn't sure how Eason would be able to match not only the intensity but the thrill.  Yet just pages into Chasing Secrets I was hooked!  The plot of this novel was intense, thrilling, and gripping.  Every chapter added to the suspense yet Eason always finds a way to weave in a love story to soften the novel.  Steven was by far the best love interest I have read in a while, he is a compassionate and a true kind hearted person.  Haley has a history that pulls at your heart strings and makes you want to learn more.  I thoroughly enjoyed Chasing Secrets and have loved the Elite Guardians series.  Lynette Eason has such an amazing writing style I can't wait to read what she writes next.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

A Name Unknown By: Roseanna M. White

Back of the book

Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins that helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they concentrate on stealing high-value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. But when Rosemary must determine whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to Germany, she is in for the challenge of a lifetime. How does one steal a family's history, their very name?

Peter Holstein, given his family's German blood, writes his popular series of adventure novels under a pen name. With European politics boiling and his own neighbors suspicious of him, Peter debates whether it might be best to change his name for good. When Rosemary shows up at his door pretending to be a historian and offering to help him trace his family history, his question might be answered. 

But as the two work together and Rosemary sees his gracious reaction to his neighbors' scornful attacks, she wonders if her assignment is going down the wrong path. Is it too late to help him prove that he's more than his name?

My Thoughts

The plot is fantastic!  Great details highlight the amount of research White has done on the time period, A Name Unknown is a must for any historical fiction fan.  Rosemary is exquisite, her personality is bold yet kind, and the details written about her facial expressions are amazing.  Peter is a complex blend of an outgoing introvert, yet as the story progresses his character becomes even more complex.  A Name Unknown took me by complete surprise and I loved it.  You will not find another novel as well written and as entertaining as this.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

A Matter Of Trust By: Susan May Warren

Back of the Book

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson has left the limelight behind after the death of one of his fans. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, he's remade his life as a ski patrol in Montana's rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team. But he can't seem to find his footing--or forget the woman he loved, who betrayed him. 

Senator and former attorney Ella Blair spends much of her time in the limelight as the second-youngest senator in the country. But she has a secret--one that cost Gage his career. More than anything, she wants to atone for her betrayal of him in the courtroom and find a way to help him put his career back on track. 

When Ella's brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park's most dangerous peaks, Gage and his team are called in for the rescue. But Gage isn't so sure he wants to help the woman who destroyed his life. More, when she insists on joining the search, he'll have to keep her safe while finding her reckless brother, a recipe for disaster when a snowstorm hits the mountain. 

But old sparks relight as they search for the missing snowboarder--and suddenly, they are faced with emotions neither can deny. But when Ella's secret is revealed, can they learn to trust each other--even when disaster happens again?

My Thoughts

A Matter Of Trust is a perfect blend of adventure and romance with some drama on the side.  This is not a stand alone novel so you will definitely want to go back and refresh yourself with what happened in the past books.  Gage is the perfect blend of strength and humility which makes him a wonderful and entertaining match for Ella.  Like in Warren's past novels the main characters are just a small portion of the novel, the side characters are well written, and the transitions back and forth between scenes is smooth and never feels choppy.  I loved A Matter Of Trust and can't wait for the next novel.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

Dark Deception By: Nancy Mehl

Back of the Book

Kate O'Brien has been leading a quiet life in small-town Shelter Cove, Arkansas, for the past four years when her past suddenly comes roaring back to life. Four years ago, she and her twin sister were attacked by an elusive serial killer. Only Kate survived, and it was her drawing of the attacker--along with some last-minute evidence--that convicted the suspect. 

She's been in witness protection ever since, but new evidence suggests the convicted man isn't the murderer and she's been subpoenaed to testify in the new trial. Nervous about the risk, she'll only agree if the same Marshal who protected her during the original trial escorts her to St. Louis.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Tony DeLuca accepts the assignment to bring Kate to the trial, remembering how her strength impressed him. While in Shelter Cove, however, he gets a call from his chief, advising them to stay in Shelter Cove until a new development in the case can be straightened out. But when Kate's safety is threatened, Tony must race against the clock to keep her alive and put this ugly case to rest before anyone else gets killed.

My thoughts

Dark Deception is suspenseful from page one and never lets up to the very end.  Mehl has written yet another amazing, intense novel which I couldn't put down.  While I felt blindsided at many times as the story unfolded, I never felt lost as they blended easily into place as the case developed.  The side characters and their stories are unlike anything I have read in a suspense novel, it brought a unique charm to the book that I was not expecting.  Overall this is an intense, enjoyable and completely entertaining book on so many levels.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own

Under a Summer Sky By: Melody Carlson

Back of the Book

High school art teacher Nicole Anderson is looking forward to a relaxing summer in Savannah, house-sitting and managing an art gallery for a family friend. The house is luxurious in a way that only old money could make it, and the gallery promises interesting days in a gorgeous setting. Yet it isn't long before her ideal summer turns into more than she bargained for: a snooty gallery employee who's determined to force her out, a displaced adolescent roosting in the attic, and two of Nicole's close childhood friends--who also happen to be brothers--vying for her attention.

With a backdrop of a beautiful historical city, incredible architecture, and even an alleged ghost or two, combined with the opportunity for romance . . . anything can happen!

Bestselling and award-winning author Melody Carlson invites readers to spend the summer surrounded by beauty and tantalizing possibilities for the future.

My thoughts

Like a nice evening stroll, Under A Summer Sky is a smooth, comfortable novel.  The characters were easy to relate to, the conversations were enjoyable and the love story is like reading a hallmark.  While I enjoy books with suspense, sometimes I find the need to clear the tension and drama, this is the perfect novel to cleanse the readers palate.  I wholeheartedly recommend this novel.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own

Just Look Up By Courtney Walsh

Back of the Book

After tirelessly climbing the ranks of her Chicago-based interior design firm, Lane Kelley is about to land her dream promotion when devastating news about her brother draws her back home—a quaint tourist town full of memories she’d just as soon forget. With her cell phone and laptop always within reach, Lane aims to check on her brother while staying focused on work—something her eclectic family doesn’t understand.

Ryan Brooks never expected to settle down in Harbor Pointe, Michigan, but after his final tour of duty, it was the only place that felt like home. Now knee-deep in a renovation project that could boost tourism for the struggling town, he is thrilled to see Lane, the girl he secretly once loved, even if the circumstances of her homecoming aren’t ideal.

Their reunion gets off to a rocky start, however, when Ryan can’t find a trace of the girl he once knew in the woman she is today. As he slowly chips away at the walls Lane has built, secrets from his past collide with a terrible truth even he is reluctant to believe. Facing a crossroads that could define his future with Lane and jeopardize his relationship with the surrogate family he’s found in the Kelleys, Ryan hopes Lane can see that maybe what really matters has been right in front of her all along—if only she’d just look up.

My Thoughts

You can never go wrong reading a Courtney Walsh novel,  and Just Look Up is a clear reminder of this.  The story was wonderfully entertaining and heart warming.  Lane is an amazingly well written character with a personality and struggles that are easy to relate to.  Ryan is the epitome of peace and patience and as the story develops those qualities grow stronger and more endearing.  Walsh addresses real issues many of us face and shows them in an entertaining way and begs the question, how can our lives change if we Just Look Up?

I was given a complementary copy of this novel.

Weaver's Needle By: Robin Caroll

Back of the Book

Former Army MP Landry Parker fell into the recovery specialist role quite by accident—to help her ailing father. Now that she’s on her own, she is determined to prove herself and honor her family legacy.

After being shot in the line of duty, former police officer Nickolai Baptiste became a recovery specialist, and he’s good at his job—maybe even the best.
           
A potential client pits Landry and Nickolai against one another to find the Dutchman’s Lost Gold Mine map that was stolen from her murdered husband, and the potential payday is too enticing to pass up. The trail takes them from New Orleans to Weaver’s Needle in Arizona where legend claims the mine is hidden. Landry and Nickolai are no strangers to adventure, but the unlikely partners quickly discover there’s someone after the treasure and there are those who want to ensure the lost mine in Arizona’s Superstition Mountain stays lost forever.

Can Landry and Nickolai work together despite their distrust of each other to save the legend before more innocent lives are lost? Will they find the real treasure isn’t the gold, but something more valuable. . .true love and understanding?

My thoughts

Weaver's Needle is an intense entertaining novel with twist and turns that bring more questions than answers.  As Landry and Nickolai work to find who took the map a larger question becomes, who would kill to keep in hidden?  Amazing detail about the area and the culture by Caroll adds more realism and tension to the plot.  I loved every page and anyone looking for a clean novel and great adventure will love it too.

A Love So True By: Meilssa Jagears

Back of the Book

Evelyn Wisely has a heart for the orphans of Teaville and works at a local mansion that rescues children out of the town's red-light district and gives them a place to live. But her desire to help isn't limited to orphans. The owner of the mansion, Nicholas Lowe, is willing to help her try to get the women working in prostitution out of the district as well--if she can gain the cooperation and support of local businessmen to go against the rest of the community. 

David Kingsman has recently arrived in Teaville from Kansas City to help with one of his father's companies in town. While he plans on staying only long enough to prove his business merit to his father, he's shown interest in Evelyn's work and is intrigued enough by her to lend his support to her cause.

They begin with the best of intentions, but soon the complications pile up and Evelyn and David's dreams look more unattainable every day. When the revelation of a long-held secret creates a seemingly insurmountable rift between them, can they trust God still has a good plan for them despite all that is stacked against them?

My Thoughts

Any novel by Melissa Jagears is worth reading and A Love So True is no exception.  While I felt the plot sounded a lot like the first book in the series (A Heart Most Certain), I found myself drawn in from the first chapter to the very end.  There were a few times I felt I had it all figured out but Jagears has thrown in some unexpected twist that will not only entertain you, they bring a whole new level to the story.  Evelyn is an exceptional character with a well developed back story that seems to haunt both her and David through the entire book.  David is an outsider with a heart that is struggling under his fathers pressure.  Being the second novel in the series you might want to read the first to understand a few of the conversations but you can read this novel as a stand alone.

I was given a complementary copy of this novel from the publisher.

What Hope Remembers By: Johnnie Alexander

Back of the Book

When Amy Somers loses her job as a lobbyist, she moves to Misty Willow, well aware that she's crossing bridges she'd burned years before. With all the mistakes she's made and the uncaring things she's done--even to her own family--she can hardly believe that happiness will find her, especially when Gabe Kendall, her first crush and her first kiss, rides back into her life atop a buckskin mare.

A former Marine, Gabe is at loose ends after serving a prison sentence for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He sees beyond Amy's hard exterior to the girl he once knew and loved, and he longs to see her open her heart. Yet with his vision clouded by shame for his past and fears about the future, he finds it difficult to see the path ahead.

But the memory of that long-ago kiss just may have the power to reignite a romance that brings out the best in both of them.

My Thoughts

What Hope Remembers was surprising in a few ways.  The other novels in the series have been full of depth, strong backstory, and entertaining plot. While the characters have had great affliction in their lives, and they seem to be dealing with big emotional issues, the book never has any really pull that makes you feel remorse, or connect with the characters.  It was very entertaining, and it has a good plot, it just lacked the depth I like in a Johnnie Alexander novel.  I would still recommend this book and will probably read it again it just wasn't what I expected.

I was given a complementary copy from the publisher.

Catching The Wind By: Melanie Dobson

Back of the Book

What happened to Brigitte Berthold?

That question has haunted Daniel Knight since he was thirteen, when he and ten-year-old Brigitte escaped the Gestapo agents who arrested both their parents. They survived a harrowing journey from Germany to England, only to be separated upon their arrival. Daniel vowed to find Brigitte after the war, a promise he has fought to fulfill for more than seventy years.

Now a wealthy old man, Daniel’s final hope in finding Brigitte rests with Quenby Vaughn, an American journalist working in London. He believes Quenby’s tenacity to find missing people and her personal investment in a related WWII espionage story will help her succeed where previous investigators have failed. Though Quenby is wrestling her own demons—and wary at the idea of teaming up with Daniel’s lawyer, Lucas Hough—the lure of Brigitte’s story is too much to resist. Together, Quenby and Lucas delve deep into the past, following a trail of deception, sacrifice, and healing that could change all of their futures.

My Thoughts

Gripping, from the first word to the last.  Not to often do I find a novel that leaves me speechless with it's amazing writing, outstanding plot, and perfect characters, but this book is it.  Catching The Wind is a must read that will give you new perspective and insight into WWII, and the bonds from the era that are never broken.  Both Daniel and Brigitte's stories are touching, overwhelming and soul changing.  I will never look at WWII the same, and while the time frame is full of horrible grief, Melanie Dobson has found a perfect way to show that grief without burying you in it.  I will most definitely be reading this book again.

I was given a complementary copy of this novel by the publisher.

True to You By: Becky Wade

Back of the book

After a devastating heartbreak three years ago, genealogist and historical village owner Nora Bradford has decided that burying her nose in her work and her books is far safer than romance in the here and now.

Unlike Nora, former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient John Lawson is a modern-day man, usually 100 percent focused on the present. But when he's diagnosed with an inherited condition, he's forced to dig into the secrets of his past and his adoption as an infant, enlisting Nora to help him uncover the identity of his birth mother. 

The more time they spend together, the more this pair of opposites suspects they just might be a perfect match. However, John's already dating someone and Nora's not sure she's ready to trade her crushes on fictional heroes for the risks of a real relationship. Finding the answers they're seeking will test the limits of their identity, their faith, and their devotion to one another.

My Thoughts

Becky Wade's long awaited series The Bradford Sisters debut novel is finally here, and it was definitely worth the wait.  While there was a novella prequel to this series, you will get the same information in this novel that you do in the novella, and I liked to hear it in Nora's perspective.  Nora comes from money and tradition, yet lives her life in a way that makes it all seem so simple and right.  She is kind, smart, and has a unique blend of past and present.  Johns character is the perfect navy man on the surface, but as the book progresses you see a side that makes him more likable.  John and Nora's different personality and personal struggles make this novel entertaining, and gives it a depth that makes you want to read it again and again.

I was given a competently copy of this novel from the Publisher.

To The Farthest Shore By: Elizabeth Camden

Back of the Book

Acclaimed and Award-Winning Author's Talent Continues to Win Fans
It has been six years since army nurse Jenny Bennett's heart was broken by a dashing naval officer. Now Lieutenant Ryan Gallagher has abruptly reappeared in her life at the Presidio army base but refuses to discuss the inexplicable behavior that destroyed their happiness.

Ryan is in an impossible situation. One of the few men in the world qualified to carry out a daring assignment, he accepted a government mission overseas that caused his reputation to be destroyed and broke the heart of the only woman he ever loved. Honor bound never to reveal where he had been during those six years, he can't tell Jenny the truth or it will endanger an ongoing mission and put thousands of lives at risk.

Although Ryan thinks he may have finally found a solution, he can't pull it off on his own. Loyalty to her country compels Jenny to help, but she never could have imagined the intrigue she and Ryan will have to face or the lengths to which they will have to go to succeed.

My Thoughts

Elizabeth Camden has such an amazing writing style, her novels are always filled with great detail, knowledge, and emotion, with stories focused on brave strong women that prove their worth in their quiet everyday acts.  To The Farthest Shore is no exception, the story line is deep with emotion and toil as the characters deal with past mistakes that seem to hold them from continuing in life. Jenny is an outstanding character of both strength and struggle, and Ryan has a similar blend.  The story is definitely more about emotional drama than a dramatic plot, but it will pull you in and make you frustrated all at the same time.  While I usually shy away from drama this is an entertaining novel and one I will read again.

I was given a complimentary copy of this novel by the publisher.