by admin | May 30, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Once again Katy Lee has invited me to visit the Stepping Stone Islands where Gretchen Bauer has agreed to allow a home improvement television crew film an episode at her Victorian house in hopes that they can restore it in time to open her Bed and Breakfast. Unfortunately, it seems that her fellow islanders are not in favor of her plans and someone wants her dead or injured.
Irish television host Colm McCrae did not exactly impress me at the beginning because of his flippant attitude. It didn’t take very long, however, for Colm’s true colors to show themselves even if it took Gretchen awhile to trust him. Of course with her experience with men, who could blame her if she never trusted another one?
Katy weaves a fine suspense in this short Love Inspired novel with more than adequate character development and an attention-holding plot. With plenty of action, danger, romance, and surprises, “Permanent Vacancy” further convinced me that Katy Lee’s novels are not to be missed.
This book was provided for review by the author.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Gretchen Bauer begins renovating an old Victorian house to turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, she barely escapes several dangerous “accidents” at her home. Colm McCrae, host of the home improvement TV show helping her renovate, refuses to believe these aren’t on purpose. Could this be a harmful ploy by his boss to boost ratings? Yet with Colm’s smooth-talking Irish brogue, Gretchen wonders whether he could be involved. But with a whole town full of neighbors disgruntled about the inn bringing strangers to their shores, Gretchen has a list of more likely suspects. Now she must trust Colm if she wants to keep her new business venture from turning into a five-star death trap.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Katy Lee writes suspenseful romances that thrill and inspire. She believes every story should stir and satisfy the reader–from the edge of their seat. A native New Englander, Katy loves to knit warm wooly things. She enjoys traveling the side-roads and exploring the locals’ hideaways. A homeschooling mom of three competitive swimmers, Katy often writes from the stands while cheering them on.
Visit Katy at: www.KatyLeeBooks.com.
by admin | Apr 22, 2015 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Inspirational, Love Inspired, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Over the years I have found that Love Inspired Romances are the perfect choice when I want to relax with a good, clean, and inspiring novel that can be read quickly and will uplift my spirit. The May offerings for 2015 meet those requirements as expected. Each book has a unique story with characters from many different walks of life. Some include children and some feature widowed or divorced characters. At least one of the books contains a touch of mystery. The one thing that each book has in common is faith.
Most of us know that initially all Love Inspired books will include a romance. The thing that makes these books different is their focus on Christian morals and each one often includes opportunities for the characters to practice or renew their faith – often through forgiveness. I believe that most readers will find the characters and circumstances in these books to be realistic and easy to relate to.
For anyone looking for a good, clean romance that is also uplifting, Love Inspired books are available both in stores and online. If you’ve never read one, take advantage of the coupon below and join me and many others who have learned how good these little books can be.
By the way, I was not required to read all six books for this review, but I couldn’t stop with just one – I read them all!
Be sure and check out my contest HERE for your chance to win all six of the May 2015 books.
These books were provided for review by FlyBy Promotions.
ABOUT THE BOOKS:
6 new heartwarming and inspirational reads are available every month!
Love Inspired® books offer wholesome, faith-based entertainment for women that nourishes the soul as it affirms the values of devotion, hope and love. Books are available online and in-store.
Love Inspired readers believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.
Click HERE to receive a $1.00 coupon to use towards the purchase of a Love Inspired book.
Purchase these books as well as other Love Inspired books HERE.
Connect with Love Inspired Books:
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The Rancher Takes A Bride by Brenda Minton
His Secret Daughter
Duke Martin is a father! The former army medic is stunned when old love Oregon Jeffries tells him the news. Given his troubled past, the hardworking rancher and diner owner understands why Oregon kept his daughter a secret for twelve years. But now Duke desperately wants to make up for lost time. As he sets out to be a true father to Lilly, he soon realizes his feelings for Oregon are growing stronger. When Oregon’s health falters, he’s ready to care for her and prove that he’s worthy of her love. Could this be Duke’s second chance with the woman he never should have let get away?
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The Doctor’s Second Chance by Missy Tippens
The Bachelor’s Baby
Jake West’s troubled cousin leaves him with a most unusual parting gift—her newborn baby girl! And now the small-town contractor is forced to seek help from the very woman he resents—the new big-city pediatrician who practically stole his uncle’s practice, Violet Crenshaw. Violet knows she shouldn’t be consorting with the enemy. But she can’t resist the adorable baby and her handsome new caretaker. Violet traded her chance at motherhood for her career years ago. But raising a family with Jake could be everything she’s ever wanted.
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The Single Dad Finds a Wife by Felicia Mason
The Doctor’s New Family
Doctor Spring Darling has everything she needs. A wonderful family and a busy job helping the children of Cedar Springs, North Carolina. She’s given up on adding love to that mix. Until the moment David Camden and his adorable son appear in her exam room. Spring assumes David is another down-on-his-luck single parent at the free clinic—but looks can be deceiving. Because David has a job—he’s the architect proposing a new development in the middle of Spring’s land! When the truth is revealed, can Spring find a way to keep both her home and the blessing of new love?
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Winning the Teacher’s Heart by Jean C. Gordon
A Hometown Reunion
Single mom Becca Norton is surprised to discover her high school crush Jared Donnelly is back in town. The motocross champion hasn’t been home in years, but the former bad boy is as gorgeous as she remembers. And his kindness toward her kids melts her heart. But when she learns his true purpose in town is to build a motocross school on land near her home, she has to put on the brakes. Her children’s welfare is her priority, and her former in-laws have made it clear they don’t approve of Jared or his plans. Soon Becca may have to choose between her heart…and her home.
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Bachelor to the Rescue by Lorraine Beatty
Building a Romance
Young widow Lainie Hollings will do anything to protect her daughters—even if it means accepting help from Shaw McKinney. Though she blames Shaw for her husband’s death, he’s the only one she can turn to when a robbery forces her to take shelter in his home. Soon she’s surprised by the handsome contractor. He’s kind, charming and determined to protect her and her girls. Being with Lainie makes Shaw want to give up his bachelor life and become a family man. But he’ll need to win over the pretty librarian and prove to her he’s the right man for her future.
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A Firefighter’s Promise by Patricia Johns
A Hero for Her Son
When the baby he rescued seven years ago returns—with his widowed adoptive mom—Deputy Fire Chief Matt Bailey can’t turn them away. Desperate to escape the reminders of his failure in the line of duty, Matt is close to leaving town. But one look at Rachel Carter and her son, Christopher, has him second-guessing his plans. Rachel is a mom in need of a hero for her son. But as much as she wants the two to bond, she’s determined to keep her distance from Matt. After losing her husband on the job, she promised never to love another fireman. Yet somehow she finds herself drawn to the one man she should avoid.
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“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
by admin | Mar 16, 2015 | Books, ebook, Law Enforcement, Love Inspired, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
When I agreed to review the Texas K-9 Unit Series Books 1-3 Bundle, I was told I did not have to read all three books. Once I finished the first one, “Tracking Justice”, how could I not continue with the next two? Over the course of approximately two days, I completed the entire series and now I need to read books 4-6.
Although each book is written by a different author and can stand on its own with a resolution to each individual story, there is a continuing thread of a greater mystery to be solved that I assume will reach its climax in the final book. Each book features a different dog and its handler from the K-9 unit. Of course there is a romance involving each handler and someone involved in the case in some manner. The books are action-packed with edge-of-the seat suspense and unexpected twists.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent with the Texas K-9 unit. I loved reading about how each dog has its own unique purpose and personality and how its breed specially equips them for their jobs. I look forward to finding time to read the final three books of this series and am hoping to find them in a second bundle in the near future.
This book was provided for review by FlyBy Promotions Blogger Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Love Inspired Suspense authors Shirlee McCoy, Margaret Daley and Sharon Dunn will get your pulse racing with tales of Texas cops and their loyal K-9 dogs tracking down a crime ring. Enjoy three action-packed Texas K-9 Unit romantic suspense novels in one box set! When a boy goes missing from his bedroom, a police detective must assure a desperate single mother that he and his trusty bloodhound will find her son. A woman with amnesia has to rely on an officer and his border collie to stay alive when she can’t remember who tried to kill her. An FBI agent is called in to protect a single mother when the rookie K-9 officer witnesses a murder and becomes the killer’s target.
Purchase a copy of the Texas K-9 Unit Series Books 1-3 HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
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Shirlee McCoy
 Photo: Giordano Photographics Shirlee McCoy has always loved making up stories. As a child she daydreamed elaborate tales in which she was the heroine — gutsy, strong and invincible. Though she soon grew out of her superhero fantasies, her love for storytelling never diminished. Shirlee knew early that she wanted to write inspirational fiction and began writing her first novel when she was a teenager. Still, it wasn’t until her third son was born that she truly began pursuing her dream of being published. Three years later she sold her first book. Now a busy mother of four, Shirlee is a homeschool mom by day and an inspirational author by night. She and her husband and children live in Maryland and share their home with a dog and a guinea pig.
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Margaret Daley
 Margaret has been writing for over 35 years. She started writing in the late 1970s because she wanted to see if she could put a whole story down on paper. That book is still in the drawer and will never see the light of day. But she was able to finish a book, which was her goal. She loved teaching and working with students with special needs, and recently retired from teaching to write full-time. When she isn’t working, she loves to read, travel, and go to lunch and a movie with a friend. She and her husband, Mike, to whom she has been married for over 40 years live in Tulsa. Besides teaching and writing, she is also a mother of one. Her son, Shaun, is married with four daughters.
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Sharon Dunn
 Sharon Dunn first fell in love with mystery and suspense about the time she read Nancy Drew mysteries in the fifth grade. Her first book in the Ruby Taylor mysteries Romance Rustlers and Thunderbird Thieves was a finalist for the Romantic Times Inspirational Book of the Year. The second book in that series Sassy Cinderella and the Valiant Vigilante was voted Book of the Year by American Christian Fiction Writers. Her hobbies include reading, working out, hiking, trying to find things around the house and making pets out of the dust bunnies under the furniture. Before she started writing, she used to sew. Now she just collects fabric and patterns and fantasizes about projects. After nearly twenty seven years of marriage, Sharon lost her beloved husband in 2014. She lives with her three nearly grown children, two cats and a nervous border collie named Bart.
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by admin | Dec 5, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Military, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
I’ll be honest – my adult son laughed when he saw the title of this book. I will admit, the title gives absolutely no indication of the intense, suspense-filled content within the covers of this novel. I sincerely hope that other readers will not pass it by because they would miss a real page turner.
Imagine if you will that you are kidnapped by a drug cartel along with an extremely deadly toxin that could destroy thousands of people if released – and they want you to develop a means to detonate it so they can extract revenge against a rival cartel. You are all alone in a jungle compound with ruthless men when you discover that your very best childhood friend who you haven’t heard from in a decade has been sent undercover to rescue you. Can you forgive him for his disappearance from you life and allow yourself to trust him to get you out of a hopeless situation?
That is exactly the scenario Jess McCoy found herself in the middle of when Will Gumble suddenly appears as another prisoner of the cartel. As he was forced to help her in the lab, the two of them tried to develop an escape plan. As the days grew short, so did their hope of escaping alive.
“Navy SEAL Noel” has a fast-paced plot with a suspense that keeps building. Although I knew that everything would work out in the end (it almost always does), there were times I had my doubts. I thoroughly enjoyed this story about Jess and Will and their eventual realization that without God’s intervention they had no hope. Great book about forgiveness and dependence on the Lord.
A copy of this book was provided for review by the author.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A LETHAL REUNION
Abducted by a drug cartel, scientist Jessalynn McCoy’s orders are simple—release a deadly toxin, or be killed. Trapped with no options, she’s desperate for help…she just never expected it from Will Gumble. The boy who let her down years ago is now a navy SEAL. She trusts his skills, his experience. Yet trusting him is a struggle. Will’s Christmas wish is to heal their damaged relationship and get them to safety. But time is running out and someone is on to their escape plans. Any mistake could mean the difference between facing the holidays together or apart. Forever.
Links to retailers carrying the book:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
CBD
Book Depository
Excerpt From Navy SEAL Noel:
“Jess, calm down. I won’t hurt you.” The words made no sense to her muddled brain, but they continued, quiet and assured. “Don’t scream. It’s all right. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
It wasn’t the words that made her sink into him, but the voice that, even after all this time, she’d recognize anywhere. Her eyes hadn’t been playing tricks on her that afternoon. Will Gumble was in this compound. In her very room.
“I thought I saw you—I thought that was you, but…” Her words were little more than a whisper despite his assurance that it was safe to speak. Her stomach pitched, fear and relief mingling with alarm and the echo of a remembered betrayal. But dealing with her emotions would have to wait until she felt steadier on her feet. Exhaustion and the ebbing of her fight-or-flight adrenaline rush had left her legs like jelly. She leaned into Will. He held out his arms, as though he knew just what she needed. As though he was still someone who cared about taking care of her, being there for her.
But she didn’t want him holding her. She wanted answers. She wanted to understand what on earth was happening. Most of all, she wanted to silence the little voice in her head that kept saying Will’s appearance was simply a dream or hallucination.
Yanking herself upright at the last possible moment, she shoved his chest with both hands. “You scared me to death! Why did you break into my room? What are you doing here?”
His lopsided grin had always started with a little quirk to the left before spreading across his mouth. And that hadn’t changed, even as he looked down at the tiny black-and-white-checkered floor tiles.
He scraped his fingers over the black whiskers covering his chin. “Your dad sent me.”
“My dad?”
“Well, I couldn’t say no to my new XO, could I?”
“So you’re still in the navy?” Oh, she sounded bitter—so much more bitter than she wanted to. Why couldn’t her words be flippant and nonchalant, as if it didn’t really matter that she no longer knew even the most basic things about him? He’d popped back into her life, and she didn’t want it to matter.
But it did.
Maybe because of the extreme situation.
Sure. She’d just keep telling herself that.
His smile flickered for a moment before he nodded slowly. “I am.”
Forcing a chuckle, she said, “I figured when my dad realized I was missing, he’d send a SEAL team to bring me home.”
“Not a full team—he just sent one.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
By day Liz Johnson is a marketing manager for a Christian publisher. She finds time to write late at night and is a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Liz makes her home in Nashville, TN, where she enjoys theater, exploring local music, and making frequent trips to Arizona to dote on her nieces and nephews. She loves stories of true love with happy endings and shares about her adventures in writing at Facebook.com/LizJohnsonBooks and Twitter.com/LizJohnsonBooks.
by admin | Nov 5, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingSaved by the FiremanLove Inspired (October 21, 2014)byAllie PleiterABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and nonfiction. An avid knitter, harp player and non-reformed chocoholic, she spends her days writing books, doing laundry, running carpools and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in speech from Northwestern University and currently lives in suburban Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing eight years ago has blossomed into a career that includes numerous public speaking engagements, two books on parenting; Becoming a Chief Home Officer and Facing Every Mom’s Fears and now novels for Steeple Hill Books. She is the mother of two children and, most recently, a Havanese dog named Bella.
Learn more about Allie and her books on her Website.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Building their future
Charlotte Taylor isn’t good at playing it safe. Reeling from the sudden loss of her job and her beloved grandmother, Charlotte knows buying a dilapidated cottage in Gordon Falls isn’t exactly practical. Especially since she just hired the one man who may love the property more than she does to help renovate it. Volunteer firefighter and part-time contractor Jesse Sykes can’t stay mad at Charlotte for very long. Though she snatched up the home he’d planned on purchasing, Charlotte’s dreams are big enough for both of them…if only she’d let him in. Charlotte promised she’d never fall for a first responder, but is it already too late?
Gordon Falls: Hearts ablaze in a small town
If you would like to read the first chapter of Saved by the Fireman, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
Saved by the Fireman is a sweet contemporary romance in the Love Inspired series. Set in the small town of Gordon Falls, the story features Charlotte Taylor, a young woman whose life has suddenly tilted due to the death of her much loved grandmother and the loss of her job. With the money inherited from her grandmother, Charlotte purchases a run-down house in Gordon Falls where her best friend and two cousins live. Although she is not in the market for love, nevertheless it seems that God may have something else in mind for Charlotte.
As with most Love Inspired books, Saved by the Fireman can be quickly read and is a satisfying tale for those who love romance novels. I liked both Charlotte and Jesse as main characters and also enjoyed renewing my acquaintance with characters from an earlier novel in the Gordon Falls series. The plot moved along at a good rate and carried just the right amount of romantic tension. The author worked a nice spiritual message into the story without seeming to preach. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys short romantic novels.
by admin | Sep 8, 2014 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Love Inspired, Romance, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“Sunken Treasure” is the third novel in Katy Lee’s Love Inspired Suspense series set on Stepping Stones Island. A modern-day pirate tale, the plot is fast paced and filled with danger, suspense, and adventure as well as the requisite romance. The setting of Stepping Stones Island is perfect with its rich and mysterious history.
Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time! Rachelle Thibodaux found herself right in the middle of a high-stakes race to find a sunken ship that also involved revenge. Plenty of action, drama, and a few surprises kept me reading the entire book in one sitting. Realistically portrayed circumstances in Rachelle’s life made her character well-rounded and believable. I loved seeing how she slowly broke out of her self-imposed isolation and realized that her friends and neighbors did not blame her for the sins of her father. I really liked the characters and their connections to the previous books in the series.
“Sunken Treasure” is another riveting tale from Katy Lee and I highly recommend it and all her novels.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Danger on the High Seas
Shipwreck diver Gage Fontaine is used to modern-day pirates chasing after his boat and the buried treasure he salvages. But when he unknowingly leads a dangerous criminal to the waters off Stepping Stones Island, he puts a beautiful fisherwoman in grave danger. Rachelle Thibodaux has spent the past year hiding on her boat to avoid the town’s censure for her father’s crimes. But when she comes face-to-face with a gun-wielding pirate, she becomes a new kind of target. To save her own life, she’ll have to work with Gage to find the treasure before the pirates do.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
As an Inspirational Romantic Suspense author, Katy Lee writes higher-purpose stories in high-speed worlds. Through her writing, ministries, and teaching, she dedicates her life to sharing tales of love, from the greatest love story ever told to those sweet romantic stories of falling in love. Katy and her husband are born New Englanders, but have been known to travel at the drop of a hat along with their three children. But is where you can find Katy anytime.
