A Warrior's Heart by Misty M. Beller - A Book Review

   

I am totally hooked on this series, and cannot wait for the second installment. Set in 1814 in the Rocky Mountains of Canada, the story follows female warrior Brielle Durand and US Army spy Evan MacManus. In an effort to protect the village of Laurent, Brielle takes Evan captive, but will he end up being the invader or the protector of Laurent? Will Evan decide to rely on his own strength and reasoning, or is there someone else on whom he can safely rely? Readers will greatly enjoy discovering the answers to these questions.

Misty M. Beller has a unique voice within the genre of historical fiction. She creates strong protagonists through allowing their vulnerabilities to show alongside their strengths. She squarely places her readers within the stunning beauty as well as the harsh realities of life in the mountains, shoulder to shoulder with her characters. I am grateful to have received a copy of A Warrior's Heart from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Gold in These Hills by Joanne Bischof - A Book Review

  


This lovely story centers around Juniper Cohen's life in the early 1900s and Johnny Sutherland's in contemporary times. Both lived in the same place, both searched for hope and God's presence. The patient reader will also discover hope and will find encouragement in Juniper and Johnny's stories. I say the patient reader because this novel moves at a slow pace, and it took me a bit to become comfortable with the author's rhythm. Maybe that is part of this book's purpose, both in story and pace the reader is reminded to notice their blessings and to attend to God's presence rather than to allow the pace of life to blind them to those things; this awareness being the true treasure in our lives.

I am grateful to have received a complementary copy of The Gold in These Hills from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden - A Book Review

   

A kidnapped heir presumed dead, a young widow trying to save her father's legacy, an older widow struck by a horrible disease, and an attorney striving to survive and succeed while serving New York's downtrodden people. All of these elements work together to create a compelling tale, but fans of Elizabeth Camden would expect nothing less. Once again she has used an important, historical social concern as a backdrop for a bit of suspense and romance. I highly recommend this new series, The Blackstone Legacy, as well as this author.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Carved in Stone from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Yours Is the Night by Amanda Dykes - A Book Review

  

Great depth, that is the treasure of Yours Is the Night. Amid the terrors of war, or the terrors of day to day life, Dykes leads us to realize that it isn't so much about the anguish, but rather about the presence of God. She demonstrates that conflict arises and is sustained because we are unable to physically see the universe of stories and emotions that live within each of us, nor can we see the hopes and possibilities we each possess. As you read Yours Is the Night I pray that it reaches into the great depth of your soul with an even greater light.

I am extremely grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this amazing novel from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano - A Book Review

   

After reading several rather intense books, To Write a Wrong was the perfect break. As usual, Jen Turano provided a great mystery with plenty of comic relief. I as pleased to once again experience her wonderful sense of humor and quirky characters set in the Gilded Age. Turano's writing is not all light hearted though; she does address serious topics, in this case sexual abuse, taking advantage of the vulnerable, and having the courage to stand up for oneself.

I am very grateful to have received a complement copy of To Write a Wrong from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation, and cannot wait for the next installment in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Hostile Intent by Lynette Eason - A Book Review

   

Another wonderful addition to Eason's Danger Never Sleeps series! Her books are always action packed with just a tough of romance, and Hostile Intent is no different. Ava Jackson has kept her father's secrets since she was fifteen. Now those secrets may have to be revealed as someone is killing families, and it appears her father is the link between them all. FBI Special Agent Caden Denning has had eyes for Ava since they were teens, never realizing she had a crush on him way back then as well. Now he hopes to develop a meaningful relationship with her, if he can keep her alive long enough to make that a reality. If you are a fan of romantic suspense, you will love Hostile Intent along with Lynette Eason's other books.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of the book from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse - A Book Review

   

Tender is the best word I can think of to describe this excellent novel. Under the Bayou Moon is a tale of beauty, love, and acceptance. The characters are unique, the setting wild and exotic, and the plot slow and easy, a pace readers will appreciate as they will want to linger in the bayou.

I give this novel five stars, and am so grateful to have received a complimentary copy from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Cryptographer's Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander - A Book Review

 

 Fans of Roseanna M. White's World War II books will love this well-written story by Johnnie Alexander. FBI Agent Phillip Clayton is frustrated that his color blindness has prevented him from joining the Air Force, and isn't satisfied to remain stateside as other young men are overseas fighting. Eloise Marshall, grieving over her brother's death at Pearl Harbor, was recruited as a cryptographer for the Navy. She was happy to serve in her brother's stead, but could not resist the challenge involved in accepting the transfer being offered by the FBI, an offer to break codes and track down a possible traitor who is feeding information to the nation's enemies. I was intrigued to find out in the author's notes that the story is based on a true FBI investigation. The author was careful to tell which aspects of the story were fictionalized. She skillfully combined the real and the imagined to create a compelling and highly entertaining tale.

I am grateful to have received a complementary copy of The Cryptographer's Dilemma from Barbour Publishing without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.