Who I Am With You by Robin Lee Hatcher - A Book Review

  

Who I Am With You is the story of Andrew Henning who lived in Kuna, Idaho and married Helen Greyson in 1929. The Great Depression had a profound effect on the Hennings' lives, but together they recovered emotionally and spiritually. It is also the story of Andrew and Helen's great-granddaughter, Jessica Mason, who, pregnant and widowed, lived in Hope Springs, Idaho during current times. Jessica lived for a long time acting a part and pressing down true feelings, but through her great-grandfather's Bible and her new neighbor, Ridley Chesterfield, is ready to allow God to do a new work in her. Ridley, too, is seeking a new direction after being falsely accused of underhandedness, and having his integrity questioned. He felt that a time apart from society and alone with God would provide that direction, but was totally amazed at where God lead him, and with whom.

Who I Am With You is a tale about who we can be through God in spite of our mistakes and circumstances. It is about the person we can be aided by those whom God places in our lives, about deciding to love and to allow ourselves to be loved, and deciding to forgive and trust again. I recommend this book to those who love a sweet, heart-warming story, and especially to those who need hope in their lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Lieutenant's Bargain by Regina Jennings - A Book Review

   

Hattie Walker had quite an independent streak for a woman living in 1885. Not willing to marry just because it was expected, preferring to hone her artistic skills, Hattie had come to an agreement with her parents. They would allow her to go to Denver and try to find success as an artist, but if she failed, she had to return home and settle down. Neither she or her parents had been aware of the dangers that she would encounter on her trip west.

Lieutenant Jack Hennessey had gone to school with Hattie. After having joined the cavalry, he had written to her a few times with no response. Now he was serving in an area known as the nations, studying and assisting with the Arapaho and Cheyenne. There was no way he could have foreseen Hattie's arrival or the impact it would have on his ability to do his job.

In her notes at the end of the book, the author explains some of her research and why certain events in the story were included. She says that she hopes the reader finds them plausible, but if not then she hopes they found them entertaining. While I was reading I found the book quite entertaining with truly likable characters, while not exactly plausible, but after reading the notes about her research, I found the plot to be much more plausible than I had at first. Either way, this book has entertainment value, and I would recommend it as a fun read.

I thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishing for providing me with a copy of The Lieutenant's Bargain in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Mind Games by Nancy Mehl - A Book Review

  

This is the most intense book that I have read in a very long time. Finally in chapter twenty-four I flipped to the back and set my mind at ease so that I could enjoy the rest of the book. Mehl included so many feasible suspects, some the reader would truly not want to be the guilty one. If you have something important to accomplish, you may want to wait to begin reading this book because you are likely to be consumed with it.

Kaely Quinn's father was convicted as a serial killer when she was a child. Kaely,now grown up, is an FBI agent who specializes in profiling. Now there is a serial killer targeting people associated with her, even if indirectly. His end game is to cause Kaely's suicide. While she is allowed to remain on the case, Kaely has difficulty trusting those around her; that and her unorthodox profiling methods complicate matters.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of Mind Games in exchange for my honest opinion. I highly recommend this book to fans of psychological thrillers and suspense. I was not under any obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Searching for You by Jody Hedlund - A Book Review

Searching for You is the third book in Jody Hedlund's Orphan Train series. It is the story of the youngest Neumann sister, Sophie, for whom the older sisters had been searching since she ran away taking with her two young orphaned siblings for whom she had been caring. Sophie, Olivia, and Nicholas had been living on the streets, in juvenile asylums, and in tenements. She had done things she was not proud of in order to keep her charges fed and clothed, but now it seemed like she was out of options. They, and their friend Anna, joined the Orphan Train, fully expecting to slip away once they reached Chicago, but life, and maybe God, had other plans.

Searching for You is a very well-written story of broken lives made new. Sophia and her longtime family friend, Reinhold, learn that it is only in surrendering to God that the pieces can be put back together in a way that forms something new and beautiful. It is a story of both mercy and grace, God's giving us what we don't deserve and not treating us as we do deserve.

I highly recommend the Orphan Train series, and suggest reading the books in sequential order for the best reading experience. I am grateful to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of Searching for You in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

The Bride of Ivy Green by Julie Klassen - A Book Review

  

The Bride of Ivy Green is the third book in Julie Klassen's Tales from Ivy Hill series. The small village of Ivy Hill is filled with characters that will become dear to your heart. Most are selfless and each has their own very distinct skill set and interests, and even the most cantankerous ones have their lovable side. While having multiple story lines, this book focuses on Mercy Grove, a schoolteacher who has lost her school. Thirty-one-year-old Mercy had almost given up hope of marrying for love, but would she settle for a marriage of convenience? After so many years without a suitor, how would she now manage two? These questions will keep the reader turning pages along with the many questions about Ivy Hill's newest resident, Madame Victorine, the new dress-maker. She doesn't appear to be at all what she presents herself to be.

Julie Klassen places her readers right into the 1820s, feeling the jolting rides across the fields and the wet walks through the village. She helps them feel like they are a member of the Ladies Tea and Knitting Society, and causes them to root for love to win in many different circumstances. I highly recommend The Bride of Ivy Green.

I thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall - A Book Review

Emeline Baratt has a reserve of strength of character beyond anything she thought that she possessed. Her friend, Hannah Keate, saw what was dormant within Emeline, and had the unique ability to bring it to life. The character traits that Emeline's father seemed to most dislike, the ones she tried hardest to squelch, were the ones that were most needed when she, Hannah and the crew of her father's ship were taken captive by the British man-of-war Marauder.

Owen Masters had received a commission into the British Royal Navy eight years ago. For those eight years he had served well with no one realizing that he was an American spy. Eight years living under the rules of the Royal Navy was a very long time to wait for a valuable piece of intelligence, one important enough to deliver to the Americans and to earn the ship of his own promised by his uncle. Now his time had come, but things were complicated by the presence of Emeline Baratt.

MaryLu Tyndall addresses the importance of having an accurate view of God. Both Emeline and Owen believe there is a God, but have difficulty forming a relationship with Him because they view Him as a strict father just waiting to punish anyone who breaks one of His long list of rules. God hasn't given up on them, and lovingly teaches them of His care and mercy.

I do recommend The Liberty Bride to fans of historical fiction and to those who seek to find the loving, forgiving side of God's personality while keeping His holiness in clear view. I thank NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

A Love Restored by Kelly J. Goshorn

     

This historical novel will touch the hearts of many today as more than ever people struggle with issues of self-worth and the power of hurtful words. In her dedication and acknowledgments, the author explains the personal nature of this story, and I applaud her willingness to share it with others whom she does not even know, but who will received encouragement from her responding to God's call on her life.

Ruth Ann Sutton is a woman of many fine qualities. She is pretty, thoughtful, courageous, funny, and smart to name just a few. Unfortunately, all too often she, along with others, fails to look past her generous figure to appreciate all of those positive attributes. Benjamin Coulter is new to town, working for the railroad. He is smitten by Ruth Ann the moment he meets her, but has self-worth issues deeply rooted in his childhood. Will he be able to overlook the comments of his peers and that wounded little boy inside his head in order to pursue a relationship with Ruth Ann? Will she be able to trust her heart to him?

A Love Restored is a very well written story that deals not only with the theme of understanding the influences that impact self-esteem or self-worth, but also the worth of all people as children of God. The author also deals with the importance of standing up for what one believes. This is truly a story for today though set in the 1870's, and I highly recommend it.

I thank Kelly J. Goshorn and the Pelican Book Group for providing me with a copy of A Love Restored in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Dancing With the Sun by Kay Bratt - A Book Review

    

This is such an emotion filled book that I felt like I had to slowly emerge from it as I finished the epilogue. To close the covers and quickly reenter real life would have been jarring and unsettling. Sadie's story plumbs the depths of emotion from intense love to the deepest grief, from self- recrimination to self-sacrifice to self-preservation, from the dark of night to dawn to dancing with the sun. Kay Bratt skillfully knits together several weighty themes in Dancing With the Sun: dealing with the death of a child, creating a family bond with an adopted child, forgiving oneself, holding a family together while navigating life-altering events, letting go of the past without losing the special memories, and holding on to gratitude when being thankful seems almost impossible.

It is difficult for a review to do this book justice. A synopsis of the story seems so shallow when the reviewer knows the depth that is awaiting future readers of this book, and truly the same could be said of every book that I have read by Kay Bratt. If you are looking for a lighthearted, feel-good read, this book is not for you. If you are looking for a meaty book that gives you much to think about, welcome to Dancing With the Sun.

I thank NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to write a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

An Agent for Audrey by Laura Beers - A Book Review

    

I enjoyed listening to An Agent for Audrey as I sewed on a cold, icy fall morning. This book is well suited to just such a day, but would be equally well suited for a light vacation read in warmer climes. It was a sweet, quick read, reminiscent of The Pinkertons television series.

Audrey Hardwick was not drawn to her parents' high society lifestyle. Her love of science, mathematics and solving puzzles lead her to volunteer with the Cincinnati Police Department, and then to training as a Pinkerton agent. Due to society's norms at the time, Audrey actually had to wed the male agent with whom she traveled, even if it was in name only. Their first case took them to the Wyoming Territory to investigate counterfeiters purported to be working in the area of Hickory Creek. The mystery will hold the reader's interest, and the romance is along the lines of what would be expected. An Agent for Audrey is a clean read, and I would try other books in this series which has multiple authors, as well as other books by this author.

I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Wildflower Heart by Grace Greene - A Book Review

     

Wildflower Heart is a poignant tale, a sentimental journey through the life of Kara Lange Hart. Kara's dad described her as resilient, a characteristic that stood her is good stead during her life's many lows with far too few highs. Kara was a survivor, and each time she got back up after being knocked down, she was better and stronger. Kara learned to see herself, other people, and circumstances for what they were, learning to accept each for the positive things they held, but not blinded to shortcomings, yet not controlled by them either. At first I thought that this story was best read by someone who was in a good place in their own life, someone who would not be depressed by the sadder parts of Kara's story, but then I realized that someone in not such a good place would benefit greatly from the hope Kara found as she moved through life, allowing herself to grow.

Grace Greene is an accomplished author; Wildflower Heart showcases her ability to use the beauty of language to capture her readers' hearts and to lead them to embrace her characters. I am sure others looking for a book with depth will gratefully spend time between the covers of this of Wildflower Heart. I anxiously await the next book in this series, and was privileged to be asked to read this book in exchange for an honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

A Season of Grace by Lauraine Snelling - A Book Review

    

I jumped into the Under Northern Skies series with book three, A Season of Grace. While I could tell as I read that Snelling assumed her reader was familiar with the characters and their background, it did not keep me from understanding and enjoying this story set in 1910 Minnesota.

Nilda Carlson and members of her family had immigrated from Norway. Nilda may have hoped to escape the memories of being assaulted by her employer's son, but those memories engulfed her as her assailant, also an immigrant, began to attend social events sponsored by her new employer. Nilda, torn between sharing his history with her employer and allowing him to prove himself a changed man, was not prepared for the events to come.

I was especially drawn to the character of Tante Gerd in this story. An elderly aunt who had lived for decades under the negativity and controlling thumb of her husband, Tante Gerd's loving and cheerful personality was blossoming in her widowhood. She took full pleasure in all the blessings presented to her rather than allowing herself to be robbed of them by dwelling in the past.

To the best of my memory, this is the first book that I have read by Lauraine Snelling. I do have several more in my Kindle library, and now look forward to reading them. I thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishing for providing me with a copy of A Season of Grace in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

In Too Deep by Lynn H. Blackburn - A Book Review

  

Blackburn has definitely done her research on underwater criminal investigation and cybersecurity. She uses this knowledge to enhance the mystery as she takes on the issue of human trafficking. We hear and read a lot about sex trafficking but less about labor trafficking which is the main topic of In Too Deep. The reader will be made aware of the types of jobs these people do among us as well as the types of things to notice as we encounter people from all walks of life.

Dr. Sabrina Fleming may not be good at reading people, but she is a master at mining data from a computer and from the internet. This skill makes her an invaluable resource in certain crime investigations. Her friends, however, believe that this time it has also made her a prime target for people with things to hide. Police investigator Adam Campbell doesn't know what to think when it is revealed that a dead woman pulled from a lake has written him a message in permanent marker on her abdomen. Most of the time he doesn't know what to think about how Sabrina reacts to him either. During this case it is essential to figure out both of these situations and to decide what is next to be done.

I believe Blackburn's readers will truly enjoy this story as many unexpected events arise and it becomes clear that not everything or everyone is what or who they are thought to be. I thank NetGalley and Revell Publishing for providing me with a copy of In Too Deep in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Chosen People by Robert Whitlow - A Book Review

   

Robert Whitlow's legal suspense stories never fail to intrigue. His knowledge of our country's legal system adds credibility to his novels. In Chosen People Whitlow demonstrates that his knowledge is not limited to our country's borders, as this book is set in both the U.S. and the Middle East. Whitlow confronts the need to hold those who fund terrorism accountable. He also gives his readers a glimpse into the complexity of being a Christian of Middle Eastern heritage.

Hana Abboud, a Christian Arab Israeli, practices law at a firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Because of her knowledge of the languages and cultures of the area, Hana is asked to represent the firm in a case involving the death of an American woman killed by terrorists in Jerusalem. Hana would be working with an attorney from a small firm, Jakob Brodsky, a secular Jew from a Russian background, who had approached a senior partner of the larger firm about being co-counsel in the case. Their first order of business would be to uncover connections between the terrorists and a funding entity who would then be sued. Little did Hana and Jakob know the impact this case would have on their own lives.

I would recommend Chosen People, and indeed any book by this author, to fans of mysteries and suspense. Whitlow's work appeals to both men and women. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Silent Days, Holy Night by Phyllis Clark Nichols - A Book Review

I am so happy to have discovered this new-to-me author. Silent Days, Holy Night is a poignant story told by Julia Russell as she remembers meeting Henry Lafferty as a ten-year-old girl and their growing relationship. Ever the inquisitive one, Julia was more than excited to meet the reclusive Mr. Lafferty, and was astonished to learn that he could neither walk, hear or speak, but after discovering their shared love of music, Julia was determined to learn to communicate with the man who would become her closest friend.

This story is reminiscent of the children's classic Pollyanna, made into a family favorite movie. It too has movie potential, but far beyond a predictable Hallmark Christmas movie. Silent Days, Holy Night deals with the messiness of growing up, reaching out to others and not giving up when it is difficult, and selflessness. Adults will enjoy this story, but it would also make a great family read-aloud during the holidays, providing great fodder for conversation.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Gilead Publishing for providing me with a copy of Silent Days, Holy Night in exchange for my honest opinion, which is that this is a wonderful holiday story. I was under no obligation to write a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Stratagem by Robin Caroll - A Book Review

     

This novel is sort of a psychological thriller, but it is the psychologist who plays the mind games on others who is being framed for the murder of his ex-wife. Grayson Thibodeaux, encouraged by his then-wife, Anna Belle, left his consulting job with the New Orleans Police Department for a more lucrative partnership in Game's On You, a company that creates customized games that bring out an individual's strengths and weaknesses. His ex-wife is found murdered while participating with others competing for a promotion in a game that he created for the company for whom she worked. While there is no shortage of suspects, Grayson tops lead investigator Danielle Witz's list, and the evidence keeps piling up.

Readers will enjoy this fast paced suspense story that will keep them guessing until they reach the final chapters. There is encouragement to be found in both Grayson's faith and in the fact that there were those who stood by him, confident in his innocence in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Other than the physical features of the house in which the game took place, the story line and dialogue are quite believable, enough so that the reader is likely to allow for some leeway on the game's setting.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent reading Stratagem and believe other fans of suspense will as well. I thank NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not under any obligation to write a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Christmas on a Mission by Hannah R. Conway - A Book Review

     

     Christmas is filled with joy for so many, but with grief and despair for so many others. After two years Audria was still grieving the Christmastime death of her fiance. She did her best to channel her emotions into relieving the holiday sadness for the homeless students of the community. While she was not wallowing in her grief, she was not yet prepared to move on.

     Quinton Nolan was deployed with Maddox, Audria's brother. While Maddox was Quinton's boss, he was also his friend, and he saw in Quinton the type of man his sister needed. Although he was not your typical matchmaker, Maddox worked hard to introduce them and give them the opportunity to get to know one another, so see if there was a spark.

     In Christmas on a Mission, Hannah Conway deals with the tough topics of grief and fear, tempered with faith, love and humor. She allows her character the space to learn just what it will take for her to be able to “open up” and “move on,” and the freedom to do so at her own pace. Readers will laugh and cry as they are touched by the active expressions of love in this story.

     I received an advanced reader copy of Christmas on a Mission as a beta reader and member of the launch team for this book. I was asked for an honest opinion and was under no obligation to write a positive review.

The Sound of Distant Thunder by Jan Drexler - A Book Review

   

The Sound of Distant Thunder is Drexler's first book in her The Amish of Weaver's Creek series. Set during the Civil War, Drexler tackles the theme of dealing with warring moral values. While Jonas Weaver was committed to the Amish view on nonresistance and living separate from the world, he also abhorred the institution of slavery and longed to do something to help those held captive by it. Having not yet been baptized into the Church, Jonas had fewer restrictions and responsibilities than his older, married brother. Wanting to spare his brother who had been drafted into the Union Army, Jonas took his place.

Katie Stuckey had long loved Jonas Weaver. Her frustration with her father's insistence that they wait until she turned eighteen to marry turned to loneliness and worry as Jonas left to join the army. Her worry was amplified by her memories of something that had transpired several years prior, worries that logic could not shake.

A secondary story line in The Sound of Distant Thunder, one that is still grappled with today, is the conflict within the church between those who advocate for change and those who value a slow approach to change, and then only once the change is proven to stand in the light of God's Word. Many denominations today still struggle in this area, including my own.

I recommend this book not only to fans of Amish fiction, but also to Civil War era fiction fans as well as to those who like to examine social themes that span the decades. I thank NetGalley and Revell Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson - A Book Review

   

It has been a very long time since I have read a book about a treasure hunt. A Sparkle of Silver was about finding one of the greatest treasures there is to be found, true love, and this on the heels of finding mercy. This isn't really a spoiler because we all know how romance novels are going to end, but you will have to read the book, with all of its twists and turns, to find out if Ben and Millie find the hidden treasure they initially set out to find, and if so, if it lives up to their expectations.

At the same time that I was nearing the end of this book, I read an article in a magazine written by a Christian with stage IV cancer. Her premise is that Christians, even those who do not adhere to a prosperity theology, often have an underlying idea that if their faith is strong and their actions good enough that life will work out for the best. I was seeing that play out in A Sparkle of Silver until the moment when Millie's Grandma Joy, in a particularly lucid moment, discusses her loss of memory and God's role in it. The wisdom poured out in that moment is worth the time given to reading this book. It is a gift when out of time given over to pleasure reading, a diamond of wisdom, the treasure we seek, is found amongst the trappings of a romance novel.

I thank Revell Publishing and LibraryThing.com for providing me with a copy of A Sparkle of Silver in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Christy by Catherine Marshall - A Book Review

Originally published in 1967, Christy is a historical fiction novel based on the experience of the author's mother teaching at a Christian mission in the Smoky Mountains in the early 1900s. Both the real Leonora and the fictionalized Christy at 19 leave their homes in North Carolina to teach children of poverty in the mountains of Tennessee. Having grown up with Leonora's stories, Catherine Marshall was able to make the people of Appalachia come alive. She told the story of their hardships, but also of their hearts and spirits. Marshall allows us to experience vicariously the difficulty of living without basic necessities in situations we would find primitive and grossly unclean. She then leads us to see the mountain people as valued individuals rather than being identified by group stereotypes. We celebrate their achievements, sorrow over their losses, and cheer on their best efforts. The mentoring character of Miss Alice Henderson, a Quaker mission worker from Pennsylvania, helps Christy, the young pastor David Grantland, and the reader come to deeper spiritual understandings.

Christy is not a book that you will soon forget, and is likely one that you will want to reread from time to time. I owe, in a large part, my going into the field of education to having read this book while in high school. Having read it again over the years, it was like coming together with old friends as I read it again five years into my retirement. While the book is based on the community of Chapel Hollow in the Morgan Branch Valley of Tennessee, I am always transported back into the book each time I visit Cades Cove just outside of Gatlinburg, Tennessee and near the town of Townsend where the television story based on this book was filmed. The cabins there are much as I picture those belonging to the book's characters.

I highly recommend this book to all readers, no matter what genre one usually prefers to read in. This timeless classic is too good to miss, and will live in your heart for years to come.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Evergreen Farm an imprint of Gilead Publishing for providing me with a copy of Christy in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

The Christmas Heirloom (Four Novellas) - A Book Review

These four novellas are tied together by a luckenbooth brooch that was passed down through the generations of the family of Lady Densbury. In the 1700s Lady Densbury received the brooch from her husband as a token of his unending love for her. It became an omen of the promise of true love for the ladies who came to possess the brooch. We read of Sarah, a lady's companion, who received the brooch in the 1820s; of Ruth, a widow with a young daughter, in the 1890s; of Fleeta, an orphan, in the 1950s; and finally of Maddie who finds the forgotten brooch in her parents' attic during contemporary times.

While these stories each take place at Christmastime, they could as easily have taken place in another season. Christmas is not an integral part of most of the stories. This is a collection of sweet romances, the type I like to read following the intensity of reading a suspense novel. Using the luckenbooth brooch to tie the stories together, and to link the characters over time, was a delightful touch. I enjoyed stumbling across characters I had encountered in an earlier book by Sarah Loudin Thomas. Other readers may have a similar experience.

I recommend this book to readers who are in the mood for an uplifting, sweet romance. I thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of The Christmas Heirloom in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

The Shipbuilder's Wife by Jennifer Moore - A Book Review

   

I have read lots of Revolutionary War and civil War stories, but to my best recollection this is the first story I've read that takes place during the War of 1812. At the end of chapter three I had to take a little detour on-line to reacquaint myself with the basics of that war. I was glad that I did because it aided my understanding of the rest of the story.

While I typically read and review Christian fiction, I thoroughly enjoyed this clean historical romance. Jennifer Moore's research, character development, well-paced story line, and sometimes humorous story drew me in and kept me entranced, allowing me to complete it in one day. I will be on the lookout for other books by this new-to-me author and from this new-to-me publisher in the days to come.

In The Shipbuilder's Wife, Lydia Prescott, a southern debutante, is released from her engagement following an explosion that left her face scarred. Believing no one will ever want her, Lydia is surprised and bewildered when her father arranges her marriage to Jacob Steele, a shipbuilder from Annapolis. As far as she can remember Lydia has only met the gentleman once before, and they didn't exactly take to one another. As Lydia and Jacob learn to live in the same house they consistently misread both circumstances and one another, causing the reader great angst, and a desire to read on.

I thank NetGalley and Covenant Communications for providing me with a copy of The Shipbuilder's Wife in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under not obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

Hidden Peril by Irene Hannon - A Book Review

Hidden Peril is the second book in Irene Hannon's Code of Honor series. Her meticulous research ferreted out from law enforcement officers gives her stories a ring of truth. This book confronts the realities of terror cells among us in this day and time. Kristin Dane is helping the world in her small corner of it. Following a stint in the Peace Corp, and some time to learn how to successfully run a business, she opened WorldCraft, a store that sells fair trade items and fosters community economic development in third world communities. Little did she know that her business was unintentionally helping to fund terror cells much closer to home. Detective Luke Carter was still grieving three years after the death of his wife. He struggled with the idea of “replacing” her, but his sister and his growing feelings for Kristin helped him to realize that our hearts have a limitless supply of love and that we can love additional people without replacing the ones we have loved before. Now that he was willing to risk his heart again, he must see to the safety of his new love.

Irene Hannon is a skilled writer of romantic suspense. The romance features of her stories play well against the suspense without detracting from it. Her suspense stories always keep their promise of being an edge of your seat, page turning, wild ride read. My advise is to give up on getting anything else accomplished once you pick one up. I thank NetGalley and Revell Publishing for providing me with a copy of Hidden Peril in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation

Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin - A Book Review

    

Reading a Lynn Austin book is always a treat. In Legacy of Mercy Austin seamlessly stitches together two strong story lines, honoring each without detracting from the other. In the late 1800s women of society were not expected to marry for love, but for joining families to the mutual benefit of both. So, Anneke (Anna) Nicholson had resigned herself to the necessity of her marriage to William Wilkinson. The marriage would help her adopted parents both financially and socially. Still her mind, and her heart, could not help but wonder what life as a minster's wife would be like if her and Derk Vander Veen's circumstances were different. While Anna loved her parents and appreciated all that they had provided for her, the simpler, God-focused life of her recently discovered grandmother, Geesje de Jonge, spoke to her.

Cornelia Den Herder had known great loss in her seventeen years. She had lost her immediate family to a fire, everyone who loved her. Forced to live with a cold and distant grandfather and his extensive list of rules,Cornelia was bereft. Now she and her grandfather had fled their native Netherlands for an uncertain future in America. While searching for jobs and a place to settle, Cornelia had come to live with Anneke's grandmother, while her grandfather resided next door with Derk Vander Veen and his father. Geesje longed to help the deeply saddened young woman to repair her relationship with her grandfather, but Cornelia held deep secrets and her grandfather resented Geesje's meddling.

The need to accept and extend forgiveness and mercy is the theme that runs throughout this story. As always Austin has developed characters whose lives will matter to her readers as they, while set in another time and place, reflect elements of the readers own needs and desires. The need to be truly accepted for oneself is another strong theme in this story, one that resonates in today's society. I thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of Legacy of Mercy in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear - A Book Review

   

The Cumberland Bride is the latest installment in The Daughters of the Mayflower series. Each book in the series works well as a stand-alone read. While several authors have been part of this project, they do well speaking with one voice. The styles of writing employed do not vary hugely. This book, like the others is very well researched, and surely places the reader in the characters' shoes. This book in particular especially evokes empathy for both sides involved in the conflict.

Thomas Bledsoe was hired by Karl Gruener to scout for his family as they made their way through the Cumberland Gap on their way to Severns Valley where Elizabethtown, Kentucky now stands. This having been my home for many years now, added to my interest in this story. Thomas had encountered many hardships in life, and held a bitterness in his heart toward God. While he loved his sisters and their families, Thomas had developed a preference for making his way alone. That is until he met Gruener's daughter, Kate. Strive as he may to keep his distance, circumstances or God worked against his purposes in this matter. Historical fiction fans are sure to love Thomas and Kate's story.

I thank NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for providing me with a copy of The Cumberland Bride in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

The Cost of Betrayal by Henerson, Pettrey and Eason - A Book Review

The Cost of Betrayal consists of three novellas focused on betrayal. The first of which is Betrayed by Dee Henderson. Ann Falcon, a retired police investigator, unearthed a murder weapon in a box of miscellaneous dresser drawer items she had purchased at an auction. Looking into the case convinced her that an innocent woman was behind bars. Once she had convinced her husband, who ran the Chicago FBI office, of this they pursued the release of the wrongly convicted woman and justice for the victim. While this story is set in America rather than Europe, fans of Julianna Deering's Drew Farthering series will likely enjoy this story. It had a fresh plot and was well written. While I would like to comment on the ending, I will avoid the spoiler.

The second novella is Deadly Isle by Dani Pettrey. Tennyson Kent, better known as Teni, owened Talbot Island which had been passed down in her family through generations. Members of the community leased their property from her. While Teni had the best interests of all the residents at heart, it was impossible to please everyone. The stress this caused, however, was currently second to the stress in her personal life as her engagement was unexpectedly broken. That coupled with the presence of Callen, her former boyfriend, who had betrayed her and fractured her heart, was just the background noise to the clamor inside her head wanting to know who was responsible for her cousin's death and the attacks on her own life. Even with the restrictions placed on her by a novella's length, Pettrey fleshed out a wonderful mystery with characters one wants to root for, and others one wants to see taken down.

The final novella is Code of Ethics by Lynette Eason. It was great to be back with the St. John family, this time focusing on the only person in the family with a non-law related career. Fortunately, Ruthie has picked up a lot from her mother and siblings over the years, and could therefore handle herself in dangerous situations. After surgically removing a bullet from a police detective, Ruthie interrupts someone in his room with murderous intentions. Detective Isaac Martinez is no longer sure who he can trust as he investigates corruption within the police department. Knowing his life is in danger, Ruthie chooses to spirit him away from the hospital thus becoming embroiled in his case. As always Lynette Eason hits the mark.

The Cost of Betrayal with its three novellas based upon that theme is a good read. All three award winning authors live up to their reputations. I recommend this book to their fans and to those mystery fans who have yet to discover these talented writers. I thank NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.