A Bride of Convenience by Jody Hedlund - A Book Review

   

Zoe Hart, a passenger on a bride ship, landed on Vancouver Island in January of 1863. Not only was she seeking a husband, but also her twin brother who had fled to the area after being falsely accused of a crime in their hometown of Manchester, England. Little did she know that before finding either, she would become mother to an orphaned native child. Through Zoe's story, Hedlund tells a tale that explores the themes of God's calling on our lives and the difference between having religion and having a relationship with our heavenly Father. The story is filled with love, compassion, humor, adventure, and even a good dose of sensuality. It will be pleasing to a wide range of readers.

I am grateful to have received a copy of A Bride of Convenience from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

The Crushing Depths by Dani Pettrey - A Book Review

  

The Crushing Depths has two romantic suspense story lines, both involving members of the Coast Guard Investigative Services. Each story line is equally intriguing with lives at stake. The adventure-loving members of the investigative team and the beautiful North Carolina beach setting are perfect compliments to the story's plot. The Crushing Depths is the second book in Pettrey's Coastal Guardian series, but would work well as a stand-alone read. I would say that this book would make the perfect beach read, but since many of us won't be vacationing at the beach during the pandemic, let's just say it is a great summer read, one I highly recommend.

I received a copy of The Crushing Depths from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and I received no monetary compensation.

An Appalachian Summer by Ann H. Gabhart - A Book Review

   

I was so happy to revisit Mary Breckenridge's Wendover and the Frontier Nursing Service. This time we meet Piper Danson who volunteers to serve as a courier with the FNS for one very special summer. We once again get to experience the strong mountain people of Kentucky as Piper adapts to their ways. Piper's hopes for the summer were to do something different, something important, to experience life, but mostly to forget about men and her father's expectations. How surprised she was when not one, but two men follow her to the mountains of eastern Kentucky!

Ann H. Gabhart is a master storyteller. Her characters have depth and feel like real folks, like someone you might know. Gabhart draws you into the setting without lots of flowery words of description, something I really appreciate. I highly recommend An Appalachian Summer, and am grateful to have received a copy from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Legacy Redeemed by Robin Patchen - A Book Review

   

Each book in Patchen's Nutfield Saga has provided a wonderful reading experience. The suspense stories are both fresh and intense. The town of Nutfield, New Hampshire becomes one readers will want to visit, and the characters ones they will want to meet. Legacy Redeemed continues the saga with the same high quality writing. I recommend this author whenever asked about my favorite mystery and suspense writers.

Legacy Redeemed revisits the theme of human trafficking, highlighting the deep woulds inflicted on the hearts and souls of children, the desperation of families in poverty, and the amazing healing that the Spirit of God can bring. Patchen skillfully portrays the evil without infringing on the boundaries of Christian fiction. She displays the hearts of the victims without diminishing their humanity. She does this while weaving a tale of suspense that grips her readers' attention, and holds it fast. I am grateful to have received a copy of Legacy Redeemed from the author. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, and received no monetary compensation. A opinions stated here are my own.

No Place Too Far by Kay Bratt - A Book Review

   

As usual Kay Bratt has given her readers a story that is intriguing and well-told with characters whom they will care about. We met Maggie Dalton in Bratt's last book, True to Me,learning of how she had been stalked. Now Maggie has moved to Maui, hoping it would be a safe haven for her and her son, Charlie. No Place Too Far also continues her best friend Quinn's story, which will please readers of this series.

This story and the writing in general would be a five star read for a wide range of readers except for one thing. This book is heavily sprinkled with profanity, which is a shame because I doubt many of Bratt's readers would say that they wished one of her books contained more foul language, but I bet many will say they wish this one had contained less.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of No Place Too Far from the author via NetGalley. All opinions stated here are my own.

Closer Than She Knows by Kelly Irvin - A Book Review

   

Kelly Irvin is a new-to-me author, and I enjoyed my first encounter with her writing. The story of court reporter Teagan O'Rourke's being targeted by a serial killer is gripping and well-written. The intricacies of familial relationships were thoughtfully addressed and built empathy for Teagan and her friend, Max. The themes of fear and worry were handled carefully, not belittling the grip they can have on someone's life, but also directing attention to the source of peace, a peace that truly does pass all understanding. Mystery fans and fans of psychological thrillers will be happy spending time between the covers of this book.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Closer Than She Knows from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All opinions stated here are my own.

The Way of Love by Tracie Peterson - A Book Review

   

Having missed out on the first book in the Willamette Brides series, I was surprised to meet characters from Peterson's Heart of the Frontier series, a most wonderful series. The Way of Love focuses on Faith Kenner. Faith, long practicing the art of healing, is working towards achieving her surgeon's certificate, quite an accomplishment for a woman in the early 1880s. The only problem is the laws in Oregon relating to anyone with any amount of Native American blood.. They both limit her career options as well as her marriage prospects. Having inherited her looks from her mother, Faith has chosen to keep secret her ancestry from her father's side, and to function as a white woman in society, while using her knowledge and contacts to further the cause of Native Americans. Some very dangerous men in Oregon would much prefer that the Native Americans be silenced by whatever means necessary, putting Faith and her family at risk.

The theme of respecting God's sovereignty, and maintaining one's faith, while in the direst of circumstances is well developed in this story. There were many times when Faith, who was particularly well named, must live by faith and not by sight, when there is actually no hope to be found. While all fans of historical fiction will enjoy The Way of Love, it will speak to the hearts of those who are desperate for this type of faith. I am very grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

A Reckless Love by Beth White - A Book Review

  

Reckless, yes, Aurora Daughtry could be quite reckless, often speaking and acting before thinking. As the youngest of the Daughtry sisters, she might be just a bit spoiled and used to getting her way, but always with the best of intentions. US Deputy Marshal Zane Sager had never encountered anyone quite like her, and their personalities and backgrounds were quite opposites of one another, making him feel a little off kilter in her world, and also making it very hard to protect her as she so often dove right into circumstances where she didn't belong. In addition to Aurora and Zane, the cast of characters that White has included in this final book of the Daughtry House are lovable and fun. I've loved the series, and this book is just as wonderful as the first two. The research behind the book is top notch, and the plot well laid out and well played through. While I believe a reader would most enjoy the book as part of the series, they could read it as a stand-alone without feeling lost. I am grateful to have received a copy of A Reckless Love from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden - A Book Review

  

Book Two of Elizabeth Camden's Hope and Glory series focuses on Caroline Delacroix, sister of Gray whom we met in The Spice King. Caroline is the personal secretary to First Lady Ida McKinley. Her main duty is to calm the first lady and help her negotiate society's rules and expectations, not an easy job given Mrs. McKinley's temperament. The job became more difficult when Secret Service Agent Nathaniel Task came on board tasked with creating a plan to secure the president's safety beginning with a new list of rules to comply with. Elizabeth must hold on to her job and the McKinley's affections as a presidential pardon may be the only thing standing between her twin brother and a death sentence.

A Gilded Lady contains a lot of true history within the fictional drama. It also contains danger, mystery, and romance. The story is very well written, as are all of Camden's works. I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

A Dream Within a Dream by Mick Nappa and Melissa Kosci - A Book Review

    

A Dream Within a Dream is the third book in the Coffey and Hill series. I was so excited to see it on the list of new releases. The thing I like best about Mike Nappa's writing is the lack of predictability. Each story is unique, filled with his unique sense of humor, and plenty of intrigue. Melissa Kosci is a new-to-me author, and I am sure her contributions to this book were equally valuable. 

While this book would work as a stand-alone read, some dialogue will be best understood with having read the prior books in the series, the book as a whole will make sense and be an enjoyable read. I will admit I was into Chapter Four before I had a clear idea of what was transpiring, but I trusted Nappa enough to hang in until the picture became clear. I rate this book five stars for the enjoyment I had reading it, the plot, character development, and dialogue. I am grateful to have received a copy from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

Dead Silence by Robin Caroll - A Book Review

  

Elise Carmichael, an interpreter for the deaf, witnesses, by lip reading, one side of a phone conversation threatening her mother-in-law, Senator Lillian York. Efforts to silence her put both her life and her son Sawyer's in extreme danger. Robin Caroll has created a wonderful mystery without any romance to weave into the plot. While reading chapters one through thirty-two I was fluctuating between a four and five star rating due to the plot, dialogue and pacing. Chapters thirty-three through thirty-six almost seemed like they were written by a different author. The story became rushed and less believable. Enough so that my final rating is three stars, as I close the book feeling just a little let down.

I received a copy of Dead Silence from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.