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.

Pursued (The Nikki Boyd Files #3) By Lisa Harris

Back of the Book

Nikki Boyd's flight into Nashville was routine--up until the crash landing at the airport. When the dust settles, Nikki discovers that the woman who had been seated next to her on the plane is missing--and no one will admit she was ever there. Erika Hamilton had been flying to Nashville with an air marshal as a key witness in an upcoming grand jury trial. When she flees from the crash, is she running from trouble or straight into it? Before Nikki can even see her family, she and her team are pulled into a missing persons case where the motives are as unclear as the suspects. 

Bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris has planted danger around every turn in this can't-put-it-down thrill ride that will leave readers stunned.

My Thoughts

Wow!  Pursued is an intense thrill ride from the first page to the last.  With an amazing plot and gripping story you will not be able to put this latest addition in the Nikki Boyd Files down.  Hands down this is my favorite book by Lisa Harris, I have enjoyed the past Nikki Boyd books but this one was far above the others.  Nikki is really the focus character in this novel and her life is expounded more than in past books.  Pushed to her limits to find what really happened to the passenger next to her on the plane, she discovers more about herself and her relationship with others.  You will definitely want to read the past Nikki Boyd books before you grab this one or you will be totally lost.

I was given a complemeltry copy of this book from the author.

Deep Extraction By: DiAnn Mills

Back of the Book

A pacemaker should have saved oil and gas magnate Nathan Moore’s life. Instead, it provided his killer with a seemingly perfect means of execution.

A bombing at one of Nathan’s oil rigs days earlier indicates his death could be part of a bigger conspiracy, a web Special Agent Tori Templeton must untangle. But her first order of business is separating the personal from the professional—the victim’s wife, her best friend, is one of the FBI’s prime suspects.

Clearing Sally’s name may be the biggest challenge of her career, but Tori finds an unexpected ally in the newest member of the task force, recently reinstated Deputy US Marshal Cole Jeffers. As Tori and Cole dig deeper into Nathan’s personal and business affairs, they uncover more than they bargained for. And the closer they get to finding the real killer—and to each other—the more intent someone is on silencing them for good.

My Thoughts

Deep Extraction is an extremely gripping, intense drama with great twist, turns and an ending that will drop your jaw.  Tori and Cole are both well rounded characters with great backstories that add to the plot and their growing relationship. Along with Tori's partner Max who is the glue that holds the plot together and helps build the suspense.  Diann Mills typical intense writing style will keep you turning the pages wondering what could happen next.  This is the second book in the FBI Task Force Series but you will not miss anything if you read this book without reading Deadly Encounter (the first book) but it is equally good and would be worth the read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this novel by Tyndale Publishing.