Honor Bound

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It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. but all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a warlord's mortally wounded son.

As part of the Army Special Forces A-Team on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia's life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia doesn't want to life anything about Rick and his team - but an unexpected attraction is taking hold.

With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to drawn upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive...because he's beginning to think that, despite their differences, they just may be able to make a life together.

Review

This was quite the adventure story! Just when you think everyone is safe, yet another crisis happens. I thoroughly enjoyed this action-packed read supported by a strong cast of characters. Cynthia and Rick are the perfect juxtaposition of main characters. She's a pacifist and he's a soldier. Her Dad is the Vice-President of the United States of America, and could become his Commander-in-Chief. And yet, they develop feelings for each other. Given their vastly different backgrounds and beliefs, can they actually have a future together? And is their budding romance just a fleeting desire coming out of a near-death situation? Or something deeper and long-lasting? Not to mention - how are they going to get out of the jungle alive? These questions and more swirl together throughout the pages of this fast-paced suspense novel.  A fantastic read! I will definitely be picking up books 2 and 3 in Hallee Bridgeman's "Love & Honor" series.

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

To Win a Prince

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As a fashion aficionado and best friend of the queen of the African island country Oloro Ile, Iris Blakely dreams of using her talent to start a sustainable clothing line to help citizens in impoverished areas and honor the country's resources. But when she discovers that Ekon Diallo - the man who betrayed her best friend - will be her business consultant, the battle between her desires and reality begins.

Ekon Diallo has lost everything: his princely title, his material possessions, his friends, and the respect of his fellow Olorans. To pay for his actions against Oloro Ile, he's forced to assist the charismatic Iris Blakely - but he can't allow his hear to distract him from regaining his status.

Thought they come from vastly different worlds, Iris and Ekon are both determined to reach their goals, and the only way to do that is to work together - if they can just keep their hearts from getting in the way...

Review

Toni Shiloh delivers another delightful royal romance from the island of Oloro Ile. It was fun, well-written, and the characters were fantastic. My favourite part? Iris' strong Christian faith and relationship with Jesus. It bled through the pages, and while Iris is a fictional character, it was encouraging to read how she continually sought wisdom and direction from God for every problem that came her way. Some novels are "Christian" in name only, where the story is merely clean and there may be a line or two that reference someone saying a prayer when in trouble. But Toni Shiloh's novels? They are true Christian fiction where the characters have a deep abiding faith and God is at the center of their lives. I loved this book just as much as its precursor, In Search of a Prince, and hope to see another novel by Toni Shiloh soon!

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

By Way of the Moonlight

 

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For as long as she can remember, Allie Massey, a gifted physical therapist, has dreamed of making her grandparents' ten-acre estate into a trauma recovery center using equine therapy - a dream her grandmother, Nana Dale, embraced wholeheartedly. But when her grandmother's will is read, Allie is shocked to learn the property has been sold to a developer.

Decades earlier, headstrong Dale Butler's driving passion is to bring home the prized filly her family lost to the Great Depression, but with World War II looming, she's called upon in ways she never could have imagined. And while her world expands to include new friends and new love, tragedy strikes close to home one fateful night during the Battle of the Atlantic, changing her life forever.

As Nana Dale's past comes to light in Allie's search for answers, Dale's courage and persistence may be just what Allie needs to carry on her grandmother's legacy and keep her own dreams alive.

Review

By Way of the Moonlight is a sweeping tale that pulls on the heart-strings. As a horse-lover, I thoroughly enjoyed the central equine theme. I couldn't stop thinking about my own horse-filled days in my 20s and the richness my the feisty Thoroughbred mare had brought to my life.

This is a meaty novel, but in large part to the incredible unveiling of Dale's past. Dale's life journey takes on many twists and turns as she lives through the Great Depression and World War II. There are many little fascinating historical tidbits sprinkled throughout the pages of this book which highlight just how difficult those times were. Even within Dale's family, she struggles with her mother's expectations of their outward appearances to society even while Dale just wishes for endless days of riding with her beau. The familial and societal struggles brought such emotional depth to this story that kept me turning the pages until the satisfying end.

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

Where the Road Bends

 

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As Norah King surveys her family land in Iowa in 1880, she is acutely aware that it is all she has left, and she will do everything in her power to save it - even if that means marrying a man she hardly knows. Days before her wedding, Norah discovers an injured man on her property. Her sense of duty compels her to take him in and nurse him back to health.  Little does she realize just how much this act of kindness will complicate her life and threaten her future she's planned.

Norah's care does more than aid Quincy Barnes' recovery - it awakens his heart to possibilities. Penniless and homeless, he knows the most honorable thing he can do is head on down the road and leave Norah to marry her intended.  But walking away from the first person to believe in him proves much harder than he imagined.

Review

Where the Road Bends is a very enjoyable sweet, historical romance. I particularly liked the heroine, Norah. She's spunky and determined and doesn't let much faze her. Rather, despite the trials she encounters in life, she plows ahead with an admirable determination and strong faith. This isn't your predictable western romance - it's one that is full of heart and a unique storyline. The hero and heroine are equally strong characters and I loved the light-hearted banter between them.

A wonderful read!

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

The Sweet Life

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Dawn Dixon can't believe she's on a groomless honeymoon on beautiful Cape Cod...with her mother.  She was supposed to be here with Kevin, the man she loves. Still, Mom was the right choice. Dawn's heart may have been broken, but Marnie Dixon is in need of mending as well.

But Mom - being Mom - creates a mess when, on a whim, she buys a run-down ice cream shop in the town's tightly regulated historic district with big plans to fix it up. She's never remodeled anything. And she's never even made ice cream!

Dawn knows she has to stay and fix this fiasco. But her mother's money pit ice cream shop may have created da chance for a happy ending...one Dawn could never have expected.

Review

The Sweet Life had me craving ice cream the whole way through...and a quick road trip to give my own Mom a hug! This novel explores mother-daughter relationships in all its complexities. Dawn and Marnie are complete opposites, yet love each other fiercely.  They butt heads over everything. It made me a little weary at times just reading all their disagreements! BUT as the story progressed, so did Dawn and Marnie's character growth. I love stories where you can see exactly how the main characters change and allow God to work in their lives. It makes for such a satisfying read. 

The Sweet Life is a feel-good book perfect for a hot summer day at the beach - with an ice cream in hand of course!

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

When the Day Comes

 

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Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. While she's the same person at her core in both times, she's leading two vastly different lives.

In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives - and any hope of love - are put in jeopardy.

Libby's life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about - women's suffrage - is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.

But Libby knows she's not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other - but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

Review

Brilliant. Amazing. My brain is tripping over how to express how much I adored this book! From the strikingly unique premise, to the cliff-hanging conflicted, and strong message of resting in God's sovereignty, When the Day Comes has sky-rocketed itself to my favourite read of 2022 (and my top-ten list of all time). It's THAT good! With a story jam-packed with TWO thrilling adventures and more than a few surprises, this is far from your typical historical romance. The two timelines the author chose encapsulated countries on the cusp of war, cultivating a tense plot that made this book so hard to put down. I was growing rather unsatisfied with only being able to read snatches of the story at a time in my busy schedule, so I made a date with this book and parked myself in the patio chair one night, determined to not put it down until I finished the last page! Of course, finishing this incredible story brought rather turbulent emotions and my only consolation to my sadness was knowing this is the birth of a new series. I cannot wait to continue this time-travel journey! 

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

All That it Takes

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When the ever-cautious Val Locklier moves cross-country with her son for a secure job, everything she'd planned unravels within the first week. After Val reluctantly agrees to rent an apartment from her best friend's brother, an unexpected chance at an elite filmmakers' mentorship ignites fresh hope for a dream career. But as Val's community begins to expand, so do her insecurities, especially those heightened by her growing attraction to a certain friendly landlord.

Pastor Miles McKenzie returns home from a short-term mission trip to discover that not only does he have an intriguing new tenant living upstairs, he's also been reassigned to a local ministry on life support. Disillusioned and restless, he distracts himself by throwing his energy into a host of new projects - not the least of which is pursuing Val - without stopping to consider the future.

As Val struggles to stop hiding behind the camera and Miles wrestles with shattered expectations, they'll find that authentic love and sacrifice must go hand in hand.

Review

Nicole Deese is my new favourite author. I absolutely adored All That it Takes. It's poignant, heartfelt, and such a wonderful read. It gave me lots to ponder as it hit on "our plan v. God's plans", overcoming trials, looking out for others in need, and being selfless in a selfish world. Miles and Val both learn that the ordinary person (even those with limitations) can be a missionary in their own back yard. While some are called overseas, others are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their hometown. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. There are a lot of hurting people in this world and All That it Takes reminds us to look beyond ourselves to see the hurt of others and seek their needs above our own. We are commended to look after the "least of these" right down to the tiniest human. 

I loved this story and highly recommend it!

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

Sea Glass Cottage

 

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Christi Reece is desperate. The onetime golden girl's life has tarnished, and a cascade of setbacks has left her reeling. She needs help, and she's certain Jack Colby is in a position to provide it.

When she shows up in Hope Harbor, however, Jack wants nothing to do with the woman who betrayed him. He's built a new life on the Oregon coast - and there's no room in it for Christi, even after she takes refuge in a charming but mysterious cottage nearby. Yet it soon becomes apparent his opinion of her may need revising...especially when he ends up needing her help.

Can these two hurting souls open their hearts to a new beginning?

Review

There's a reason Irene Hannon is a three-time RITA award winner. I love her roller-coaster romantic suspense fiction, and her contemporary romances are simply timeless. When I pick up a Hope Harbor novel, I know I'm in for a sweet story full of hope, love, faith, and second chances. 

Sea Glass Cottage explores how people can truly change - and for the better. It's not easy to trust someone who betrayed you. Not to mention, trusting them with your heart? This is Jack's battle as he can't erase how Christi deeply hurt him. And on the flip side, Christi desperately wants her past to be left there - in the past - and to be known by who she is today. Irene Hannon does an incredible job fleshing out these struggles between Jack and Christi in the lovely seaside town of Hope Harbor. This is a story not to be missed by lovers of Christian contemporary fiction!

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

 

The Master Craftsman

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In 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in the House of Faberge, was charged to protect one of the greatest secrets in Russian history - an unknown Faberge Egg that Peter Karl Faberge secretly created to honor his divided allegiance to both the people of Russia and the Imperial tsar's family. When Alma and her husband escaped Russia for their native Finland in 1921, she took the secret with her, guarding her past connection to the Romanov family.

Three generations later, world-renowned treasure hunter Nick Laine is sick and fears the secret of the missing egg will die with him. With time running out, he entrusts the mission of retrieving the egg to his estranged daughter, Ava, who has little idea of the dangers she is about to face. As the stakes are raised, Ava is forced to declare her own allegiance - and the consequences are greater than she could have imagined.

Review

I felt like I was stepping into a National Treasure movie! This was quite the adventure story - or should I say, treasure hunt? I had heard of the Fabergé Eggs before, but the history Kelli Stuart fleshes out about Peter Karl Fabergé and the stories behind the famed eggs was beyond fascinating. Be sure to search the internet for photos of the discovered Eggs as they are absolutely breathtaking in beauty and detail. And while we have some Eggs today, there are some known to be lost. And off of this, the author begs the question, "What if there was another Egg?"

The Master Craftsman was an intriguing and thought-provoking story. And don't despair - this book is not just a history lesson about the Eggs.  It's an adventure story full of intrigue and danger with characters in the midst of relationships as complex as the Eggs themselves. An enjoyable read!

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

The Element of Love

 

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With their sharp engineering minds, Laura Stiles and her two sisters have been able to deal with their mother's unfortunate choice in husband until they discovered his plans to marry each of them off to his lecherous friends. Now they must run away - far and fast - to find better matches to legally claim their portion of their father's lumber dynasty and seize control from their stepfather.

During their escape, Laura befriends a mission group heading to serve the poor in California. She quickly volunteers herself and her sister to join their efforts. Despite the settlement being in miserable condition, the sisters are excited by the opportunity to put their skills to good use. Laura also sees potential in Caleb, the mission's parson, to help with gaining her inheritance. But when secrets buried in Caleb's past and in the land around them come to light, it'll take all the smarts the sisters have to keep trouble at bay.

Review

This was a fun adventure story following three quirky and brilliant sisters as they escape a horrid future laid out by their abusive step-father. Laura, Jillian, and Michelle hope to find honourable, God-fearing men to marry quickly in order to rescue them - and their mother - out of a plot by their stepfather to take over their inheritance. A shorter novel, The Element of Love is a quick and easy read and perfect for lovers of Western fiction. It has all the right "elements" (haha): dashing cowboys, strong women, and an evil villain threaded together with themes of romance and faith. Possibly because it was a shorter read, I did struggle a bit with the realism of the romantic connection between Laura and Caleb.  Perhaps a few extra chapters would have aided in that, but I understand given the plot line, quick courtships were necessary! I'm still intrigued about the future books in this new series, "The Lumber Baron's Daughters", surrounding Michelle and Jillian's stories.

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

Shaped by the Waves

 

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Cassie George is barely staying above water as she works to get her doctorate and raise her daughter. But she stubbornly keeps swimming to prove a few bad decisions haven't ruined her forever. Plus, it's all a great excuse to stay away from the small Oregon town she fled in shame years prior. But when she receives a call that the aunt who raised her has had a major health crisis, she knows it's time to return.

Cassie is surprised to be more welcomed by the quirky seaside community than she expected, even if there's still tension between her and her former classmate Nora Milford. But she still can't help feeling unsettled and is mystified by a mysterious package that appears, full of typed pages that tell the story of an anonymous woman's life. As her curiosity sends her on a journey toward truth, Cassie will discover that who she thought she was and what she wants for her life are both about to change.

Review

Moving. Remarkable. Un-put-down-able.  The latter might not be a real word, but it aptly describes Shaped by the Waves, the newest novel by Christina Suzann Nelson. I quickly became a fan of the author upon reading More Than We Remember, and was blown away with The Way It Should Be. 

I was captivated by the story of a single mom struggling to make ends meet and finish post-secondary education, while simultaneously running away from her past. Cassie's past confronts her when she decides to look after her aunt suffering from dementia and discovers that what she knows about her family and past may not be entirely true. The mystery unraveled page over page, and made it extremely hard to put the book down!

This novel is a story that compels you to hold all your family very tightly. It shows that family love grows beyond the biological ties and be shaped differently, but the love can be there all the same. Another excellent book by Christina Suzann Nelson that I will definitely be rereading again and again. 

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

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water

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When novelist Kendra Brennan moves into her grandfather's old cabin on Hidden Lake, she has a problem and a plan. The problem? An inflammatory letter from A Very Disappointed Reader. The plan? To confront Tyler, her childhood best friend's brother - and the man who inspired the antagonist in her first book. If she can prove that she told the truth about what happened during those long-ago summers, perhaps she can put the letter's claims to rest and meet the swiftly approaching deadline for her next book.

But what she discovers as she delves into the murky past is not what she expected. While facing Tyler isn't easy, facing the consequences of her failed friendship with his sister, Cami, may be the hardest thing she's ever had to do.

Plumb the depths of the human heart with this emotional exploration of how a friendship dies, how we can face the unforgiveable, and how even those who have been hurt can learn to love with abandon. 

 

Review

This novel is not exactly what I was expecting. Erin Bartels is a masterful author and story-teller, and her ability to draw characters that feel real and full-dimensional is amazing. Upon reading two of her previous works, We Hope for Better Things and All that We Carried, I quickly became a fan. However, the content of this book took me by surprise.

I was not expecting the story to be about childhood rape, molestation, and abuse. There was no indication that was what the story was about through the back cover description, so needless to say, I was not prepared for such disturbing, dark subject matter. I found myself skipping over some content that was just too detailed and uncomfortable to read. As you can't "un-see" what you watch, you can't unread what you've read. I struggled to finish the book, even while acknowledging that the story was well-written as it tackles the complexities of emotions within these tragic circumstances. The Girl Who Could Breathe Underwater shows the spiderweb impacts on relationships childhood rape and molestation can have and that not everything in these situations is "clear-cut". The darkness is magnified in the absence of faith and depicting none of the characters seem to have any relationship with Jesus.

I don't like to write a negative review, particularly when Erin reveals in the author's note at the end of the novel that she is drawing upon her own personal tragic experiences in writing this story. I've thought this before with other novels, and believe that perhaps books with such difficult subject matters should have a content warning so a reader can be fully aware and prepared should they begin reading the book. Similar to how movies have ratings systems and content warnings, it would be extremely helpful if books employed a content warning system as well.

That being said, I'm still a huge Erin Bartels fan, and will be keeping an eye open for her next work.

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

In Search of a Prince

 

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It seems like a dream come true...

Until it forces her to question everything.

Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha's Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops a bombshell - Brielle is really a princess in the island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, the king, is failing.

Distraught by all the secrets her mother kept, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before her coronation, or the crown will pass to another. Brielle is uncertain if she even wants the throne, and with her world totally shaken, where will she find the courage to take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring?

Review

First off, what a GORGEOUS cover! I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but as soon as I saw the cover, I knew I had to read this book - without even knowing all that it was about! The cover pulled me in and the entertaining storyline kept me intrigued.

When I was a little girl, I sometimes dreamed of one day becoming a princess and living in a fairy-tale of a kingdom. Toni Shiloh's In Search of a Prince imagines that type of scenario, but with a few added plot twists. Brielle discovers that she is in line to a royal throne, and after thoughtful and prayerful consideration, she decides to take on the responsibility of ruling "her" kingdom. But that gets complicated upon discovering a law whereby she must be married in order to rule. Thus begins her search for the perfect man - her royal prince. 

This was a really entertaining read and I thoroughly enjoyed how the author brought to life the beautiful island setting of the fictional Ọlọrọ Ilé. The characters in the story were well-developed, and I especially appreciated the strong emphasis of faith. Brielle never hesitated to bring her concerns to the Lord and seek His will in her life. It was refreshing to see how deep her relationship was to Jesus and it was an encouraging theme throughout the novel.

Love this novel and looking forward to reading more by Toni Shiloh!

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

Until Leaves Fall in Paris

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When the Nazis march toward Paris, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. The Germans make it difficult for her to keep Green Leaf Books afloat. And she must keep the store open if she is to continue aiding the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.

Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. But in order to carry out his mission, he must appear to support the occupation - which does not win him any sympathy when he meets Lucie in the bookstore.

In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail?

Review

This was a masterful piece of historical fiction that I polished off in a mere two days (and it's a beefy novel). To say I loved it is an understatement. I've read a few of Sarah Sundin's books, and have come to realize she has a knack for crafting highly intriguing and very unique storylines centered around World War II history. In Until Leaves Fall in Paris she brings to light the Nazi occupation of France, the Resistance, and what it meant to be a "collaborator". She captured the strain and stress during one of the most terrible times in history while created meaningful characters that you can't help cheering for. If you haven't read a Sarah Sundin novel, you are greatly missing out! I highly recommend Until Leaves Fall in Paris and will be eagerly waiting for Sarah's next novel.

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

Every Word Unsaid

 

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Augusta Travers has spent the last three years avoiding the stifling expectations of New York society and her family's constant disappointment. As the nation's most fearless - and reviled - columnist, Gussie travels the country with her Kodak camera and spins stories for women unable to leave hearth and home. But when her adventurous nature lands her in the middle of a scandal, an opportunity to leave America offers the perfect escape.

Arriving in India, she expects only a nice visit with childhood friends, siblings Catherine and Gabriel, and escapades that will further her career. Instead, she finds herself facing a plague epidemic, confusion over Gabriel's sudden appeal, and the realization that what she wants from life is changing. But slowing down means facing all the hurts of her past that she's long been trying to outrun. And that may be an undertaking too great even for her.

Review

Every Word Unsaid is another beautiful masterpiece by Kimberly Duffy. Through this and a previous novel of hers I've read, A Tapestry of Light, she has made me a lifelong fan of her books (Mosaic of Wings is in my TBR pile :) ). I love how rich and deeply textured she writes her stories. From teasing out fascinating historical detail, describing rich settings, to creating wonderful characters that I absolutely adore, Ms. Duffy is a magician with words. In Every Word Unsaid she brings Gussie on a huge journey of faith and self-discovery, taking her from her home in New York, that housed her critical and spiteful family, to India, a land full of adventures, culture, romance, and, as Gussie learns, true sorrow. 

I honestly did not want the story to end! It was rich, thought-provoking, and satisfying; a story I will revisit again and again.

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

The Lines Between Us

 

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Since the attack on Pearl Harbor, Gordon Hooper and his buddy Jack Armitage have stuck to their values as conscientious objectors. Much to their families' and country's chagrin, they volunteer as smokejumpers rather than enlisting, parachuting into and extinguishing raging wildfires in Oregon. But the number of winter blazes they're called to seems suspiciously high, and when an accident leaves Jack badly injured, Gordon realizes the facts don't add up.

A member of the Women's Army Corps, Dorie Armitage has long been ashamed of her bother's pacifism, but she's shocked by news of his accident.  Determined to find out why he was harmed, she arrives at the national forest under the guise of conducting an army report...and finds herself forced to work with Gordon. He believes it's wrong to lie; she's willing to do whatever it takes for justice to be done. As they search for clues, Gordon and Dorie must wrestle with their convictions about war and peace and decide what to do with the troubling secrets they discover.

Review

The Lines Between Us is an interesting read into a different piece of history surrounding World War II - the conscientious objectors during that time. They were treated by many as outcasts of society.  Many family members were ashamed of any who dared become a conscientious objector, which lead to bruised hearts and estranged relationships. And that's where we find Dorie and her brother, Jack. Jack being the black sheep of the family, and Dorie embittered against him (and his friend, Gordon) for their choice to not enlist in the war effort.

As the story begins, Dorie isn't the most likeable of characters. She's brash, sporting a "devil-may-care" attitude toward society and its strictures, is willing to colour the truth and lie in order to get her way, and is rather mean towards her brother. Jack comes across as the antithesis of Dorie: the quiet peacemaker, always stepping in to settle rifts between his fellow smokejumpers. Gordon, while struggling with demons in his past, admires Jack's ability to calm even the toughest of situations, and his unwavering bravery as they parachute out of planes into the midst of wildfires. When Jack is involved in a terrible accident, two unlikely partners are thrown together to figure out what happened and why. Through Dorie's pluck and determination, and Gordon's unwavering search for truth, they step into a web of secrets and get caught in more than one dicey situation.

This was a thought-provoking story into the complexity of relationships and beliefs that can divide us. Amy Lynn Green provides an interesting group of characters with an even more intriguing storyline that really captured my attention. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Green!

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

A Deep Divide

 

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After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel.

When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits.

Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can't let go of the deep-rooted fear that he's just like every other wealthy man she's known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true.

Review

This was a lovely novel to kick off a new series, "Secrets of the Canyon" by Kimberley Woodhouse. I absolutely loved the setting of the majestic Grand Canyon. Ms. Woodhouse' descriptions painted vivid pictures in my mind and made me wish on more than one occasion that I could experience the amazing scenery in person!

A Deep Divide was an easy read with very likeable characters. My favourite aspect of the book was the strong faith element and deep spiritual growth of Emma Grace. She faces down her battle with fear with many verses from the Bible, particularly leaning on, "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears". What a beautiful promise to be reminded of (and very timely in today's crazy world) that no matter what trial we are facing or fear we are experiencing, our Savior will surely deliver us!

I really enjoyed this novel and will be looking forward reading subsequent books this series!

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

Tacos for Two

 

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Food truck owner Rory Perez may not be able to cook, but she's determined to keep the family business out of the red. An upcoming contest during a food truck festival seems like the best way to do it. The prize money could finally give her solid financial footing, freeing up her time to meet the man she's been talking to via an anonymous online dating site.

Jude Strong is tired of being a puppet at his manipulative father's law firm, and the food truck festival seems like the perfect opportunity to dive into his passion for cooking an finally call his life his own. If he loses the contest, he'll be back at the law firm for good, so failure is not an option.

But things are about to get...complicated. Rory's chef gets mono, forcing her to cook after all. And Jude discovers that his stiffest competition is the same woman he's been falling for online. Will they sacrifice the futures they've envisioned for the sake of love? Or will there only ever be tacos for one?

Review

So fun! I loved Tacos for Two. It was light, flirty, witty, and hit me in all the feels. It read just like a favourite rom-com, and I seriously would love to see this made into a movie as it's something I could watch over and over again! Until that happens, I will just have to re-read the book until it becomes dog-eared (haha). 

Honestly, I found myself alternating giggling and swooning throughout the story as there is a dramatic push and pull of a relationship that seems fraught with problems from the start. From misunderstandings, complicated family dynamics, past trauma, clumsy mistakes, preconceived notions, and a little bit of pride & prejudice  - everything seemingly conspired to keep Rory and Jude apart. It made for a rather entertaining read that is making me eager to dig into other books by Betsy St. Amant. I can't believe I haven't read one of her stories before, but let me tell you, that is a mistake I am going to rectify pronto!

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

Lights Out

 

Back Cover

CIA analyst Brynn Taylor developed a new program to combat terrorism, and she invited members of foreign intelligence agencies to America to foster cooperation between countries. Now one of them, Egyptian spy Remon Riad, is missing.

Jack Hudson has been working for the Strategic Neutralization and Protection Agency for almost nine years and takes the lead in hunting down the missing spy. But he isn't at all pleased to find out Brynn is involved. It's hard to trust a women who's already betrayed you.

Every lead they follow draws them dangerously deeper into an international plot. Kidnapping, murder, explosions, poisoning - the terrorists will do anything to accomplish their goal of causing a digital blackout that will blind a strategic US military communications center and throw the world into chaos.

Can Brynn surrender control to a man who doesn't trust her? And can Jack ever get over what she did to him? The fate of the world - and their hearts - hangs in the balance.

Review

Oh. My. Goodness. If you read any book this year, Lights Out has to be the one. It is SO good! It's literally jam-packed with edge-of-your-seat action following an intricate plot that keeps you guessing on how all the pieces are going to fit together. It is also a story that appears incredibly plausible given how much our world relies upon technology. From communications, banking, work, travel, housing, etc., many aspects of our lives are connected and maintained through the use of technology. Chaos would ensue should any of those systems go down. And Natalie Walters imagines what that could possibly look like in Lights Out.

The character choices and development are perfect for the story. I loved the unique personalities of each member of the SNAP Agency (along with the heroine, Brynn, of course) and look forward to getting to know each one better in future novels in this series.

Smartly-executed, Lights Out takes readers on a thrill ride they won't soon forget!

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

Never Miss

 

Back Cover

Former CIA sniper Kadance Tolle possesses a special set of skills and a rare pedigree. She comes from a family of assassins, and by saving Lyndon Vaile's life she risks being found by them. Despite the danger, Kadance feels compelled to help Lyndon discover who is after him and his incendiary research, which indicates that the Ebola virus is man-made and about to be weaponized.

With shadowy figures pursuing them and a mastermind watching their every move, Kadance and Lyndon scramble to stop an impending bioattack at the State of the Union address. When their warnings fall on deaf ears, it becomes increasingly clear that there's no one they can trust - except perhaps each other.

Strap in for a breakneck story that will have you up all night, hurtling toward the last page as the clock ticks and time runs out.

Review

Never Miss reads like a summer blockbuster film: full of non-stop action and adventure that hardly allows you to catch a breath in between each explosive event. The subject matter creates a suspenseful and believable storyline given the fact that with today's advancements in technology and science, anything could happen! 

I could tell that the author is keen on details, and I appreciated every facet of her research that shone through her scenes of epic hand-to-hand combat and sniper shots. Punctuating those scenes were complex characters that you couldn't help but root for. I think this is the first book I've read whereby the heroine's pet cat enjoys just as much "screen time" as the two main protagonists - and I loved it! 

Never Miss is a great read for anyone who enjoys fiction with a punch!

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