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.