Don't Keep Silent

 

Description

Justice comes easy for these two. But forgiveness? That's another matter altogether.

Investigative reporter Rae Burke will do anything to find her missing sister-in-law, even if it means facing Liam McKade, a man who almost lost his life saving hers. A former DEA agent, Liam thought he could find peace at his Wyoming ranch, but he doesn't feel at home anywhere anymore. When the reporter who blew his cover on an important investigation inserts herself back into his life, he's less than thrilled. But Rae's keen investigative skills have led her down the right path--and directly into the dragon's mouth--leaving Liam no choice but to protect her.

As the danger increases, the past they both tried to flee catches up to them, along with the feelings they once had for each other . . .

Review

Don't Keep Silent is a fast-paced thrill ride set in the snowy mountains of Wyoming.  From the first to the last chapter, Elizabeth Goddard's third novel in the "Uncommon Justice" series is full of suspense, detailing a mountaintop car chase, kidnapping, drugging, secret past, and a spider web of deception and crime.  While it did take me a few chapters to really connect with the characters, the story itself was quite intriguing as Rae and Liam searched for the truth, peeling back one layer of the mystery at a time.  With precious little to go on, the story took me on quite a journey with red herrings and random flying bits of the puzzle until coming together with a satisfying (albeit, climatic!) conclusion.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Line by Line

 

Back Cover

Since she was young, Alice McNeil has seen a career as a telegrapher as the best use for her keen and curious mind.  Years later, she doesn't regret her freedom in foregoing marriage, especially when she acquires a coveted position at an important trading firm.  But when the company's ambitious junior director returns to London, things begin to change in ways Alice could never have imagined.

For Douglas Shaw, years of hard work and ingenuity enabled him to escape a life of grinding poverty.  He's now determined to marry into high society - a step that will ensure he never returns to the conditions of his past.

He immediately earns Alice's respect by judging her based on her skills and not her gender, and a fast camaraderie forms.  However, when Alice accidentally angers a jealous coworker and his revenge threatens both their reputations, Alice and Douglas are forced to confront what is truly important in their lives.  Will their growing bond give them the courage to see the future in a different light?

Review

I have a soft spot for historical dramas  Our society has a way of romanticizing times past from Biblical times, the Roman Empire, the Age of Revolution, to the Western days, and everything in between.  Opening a historical novel can be likened to entering a time machine, whereby the traveler has the opportunity to explore eras gone by, and, in that way, Line by Line is no exception.

The setting for this story is London, England, 1880.  More women are in the workforce, but not without some prejudice and stigma levied against them.  One of the areas that accepted female workers was telegraphy.  Having a father and brother both telegraphers, it was a simple decision for Alice McNeil to enter that area of work as well. Alice is a strong-minded and independent woman who thrives on challenges and making her own way in the world.  A self-described spinster, Alice is career-driven and most definitely not husband-minded.  She is very content with her situation in life, believing circumstances couldn't be better upon landing a prestigious position at a trading firm.  If only her family would agree with her perceived eternal single status, then everything would be just fine and dandy.

But then enters Douglas Shaw.  He tips her world upside down with his good looks, charm, keen mind, and bolstering acceptance of her as an equal in the office, and not just as another subservient female worker.  Their conversations together equally challenge and inspire her, pushing her to go higher in her career ambitions.  But as their discussions grow more lively, so does Alice's once-spinster heart.  Despite her best intentions, Alice finds herself falling for Douglas - but will she choose her career?  Or a chance at love?

Line by Line was a wonderful historical romance, brimming with fascinating tidbits about telegraphy.  The characters were delightful and the romance oh so sweet.  I will be looking forward to the next instalment in this "Love Along the Wires" series!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Love and a Little White Lie

 

Back Cover

After a heartbreak leaves her reeling, January Sanders is open to anything - including moving into a cabin on her aunt's wedding-venue property and accepting a temporary position at her aunt's church despite being a lifelong skeptic of faith.  Choosing to keep her doubts to herself, she's determined to give her all to supporting Grace Community's overworked staff while helping herself move on.

What she doesn't count on is meeting the church's handsome and charming guitarist.  It's a match set for disaster, and yet January has no ability to stay away, even if it means pretending to have faith in a God she doesn't believe in.

Only this time, keeping her secret isn't as easy as she thought it would be.  Especially when she's constantly running into her aunt's landscape architect, who seems to know everything about her past-and-present sins and makes no apologies about pushing her to deal with feelings she'd rather keep buried.

Torn between two worlds that can't coexist, can January find the healing that's eluded her, or will her resistance to the truth ruin any chance of happiness?

Review

This novel read like a really great chick flick - and I  mean that in the highest form of praise!  A great chick flick is one that you watch over and over even after you have learned all the lines.  And no matter how many times you watch the movie, you still laugh at the same hilarious scenes and cry ugly tears at the sad moments.  In reading Love and a Little White Lie, I laughed and giggled my way through the story as the witty dialogue kept me in stitches.  This isn't just a comedy of a story, however.  There were plenty of sigh-worthy, emotional moments as well.  I love seeing the characters grow and develop, thereby adding an even greater richness to the story.

If this were a movie, I would place it proudly on my "classics" shelf alongside "Pride and Prejudice", "Ever After", "Nicholas Nickleby", and "A Walk to Remember".  But as it is a novel, it is destined to become dog-eared one day as it takes its spot in my "to be read over and over again" bookcase.  It is just that good.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.