I have been a fan of Robin Caroll’s novels since I first discovered them through a Love Inspired books subscription. Those novels were enjoyable so I was happy to see her later novels released in trade fiction format. When “Weaver’s Needle” showed up in my Amazon Vine queue it was a no-brainer to request it immediately.
“Weaver’s Needle” is a modern suspense novel based upon the legend of the lost Dutchman’s gold mine believed to be located somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. Two recovery specialists are hired to find a stolen map believed to lead to the mine by the widow of the man who owned the map. There is one catch though. The only one who will be paid is the first to find the map. Both Landry Parker and Nickolai Baptiste are good at their jobs and they both desperately need the $40,000 offered by the client. Which of them will prevail?
As is always the case with Caroll’s novels, I found myself immediately snared by the story. It was exciting to read about the individual progress Landry and Nickolai made in their quest for the lost map as the competition grew more heated. Several surprising twists kept me engaged and the Indian lore that was inserted occasionally into the narrative made it all the more interesting. There was never a time that I had it all figured out and I love it when that happens.
Strong characters, a well-planned plot, and plenty of drama, danger, and romance combined with a strong message of faith worked together to earn “Weaver’s Needle” a permanent space on my keeper shelf.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Amazon Vine. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Two recovery specialists.
One murder.
A hunt for the Dutchman’s Lost Gold Mine becomes a race of survival.
Former Army MP Landry Parker fell into the recovery specialist role quite by accident—to help her ailing father. Now that she’s on her own, she is determined to prove herself and honor her family legacy.
After being shot in the line of duty, former police officer Nickolai Baptiste became a recovery specialist, and he’s good at his job—maybe even the best.
A potential client pits Landry and Nickolai against one another to find the Dutchman’s Lost Gold Mine map that was stolen from her murdered husband, and the potential payday is too enticing to pass up. The trail takes them from New Orleans to Weaver’s Needle in Arizona where legend claims the mine is hidden. Landry and Nickolai are no strangers to adventure, but the unlikely partners quickly discover there’s someone after the treasure and there are those who want to ensure the lost mine in Arizona’s Superstition Mountain stays lost forever.
Can Landry and Nickolai work together despite their distrust of each other to save the legend before more innocent lives are lost? Will they find the real treasure isn’t the gold, but something more valuable. . .true love and understanding?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
“I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I’ve never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in.” ~Robin Caroll is definitely a contradiction, but one that beckons you to get to know her better.
Born and raised in Louisiana, Robin is a southerner through and through. Her passion has always been to tell stories to entertain others. Robin’s mother, bless her heart, is a genealogist who instilled in Robin the deep love of family and pride of heritage–two aspects Robin weaves into each of her 30 published novels.
When she isn’t writing, Robin spends time with her husband of twenty+ years, her three beautiful daughters and two handsome grandsons, and their character-filled pets at home–in the South, where else?
She serves the writing community as Executive Director/Conference Director for ACFW.
Her books have finaled/placed in such contests as the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, RT Reviewer’s Choice Award, Bookseller’s Best, and Book of the Year.
On her faith, Robin says, “I love Jesus and will follow Him wherever He leads me.”
An avid reader herself, Robin loves hearing from and chatting with other readers. Although her favorite genre to read is mystery/suspense, of course, she’ll read just about any good story. Except historicals! To learn more about this author of deep South mysteries of suspense to inspire your heart, visit Robin’s website at www.robincaroll.com.
“Cinderella Texas” is a contemporary western romance with an unexpected twist. Imagine if you will an extremely wealthy Texas ranching family who have decided to forego all the modern trappings of electricity, cell phones, television, etc. except for what is required for business – and that at a different location than their home. Then imagine a 100% citified young woman accepting a job as teacher to two young children of the rancher but doesn’t realize how they live until she arrives at the ranch. Uh-huh, makes a pretty interesting scenario, doesn’t it.
Needless to say, the scene was obviously set for some humor, especially when heroine Alyson seemed to be somewhat accident prone. Of course a little romance would also be expected. Rancher Quatro Greene was pretty appealing despite his somewhat antiquated living conditions and he found Alyson equally attractive. This always entertaining novel was laced with conversations about faith which led Alyson and Quatro to greater understanding of each other.
I particularly liked that each of them was willing to not only listen to the other but to learn from each other as well. As a result, positive changes were made by both without compromising their beliefs.
“Cinderella Texas” is a fun book with plenty of “meat” to chew on. I recommend it to those who enjoy westerns but also for those looking for something a little different.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Opposites attract. Or do they? Alyson Spencer hoped to teach school in her beloved Dallas and didn’t particularly like cowboys or a rural lifestyle. The last thing she expected to do was accept a teaching job homeschooling the children of widower, Robert Lee Greene IV, called Quatro, a handsome rancher and one of the richest men in Texas. Sparks fly when daily life on his cattle ranch is not what a city-girl like Alyson expected. She is unwilling to admit that a mutual attraction has developed between her and Quatro and plans to quit her job. How can they find love and a lasting marriage when their goals in life are so different?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Molly Noble Bull, Christian novelist, might be called a Genre Jumper because she enjoys writing everything from Christian romances to adventure stories to humor to books and stories for children to scary Gothic novels to western romances to non-fiction, and she is a wife, mother, grandmother and former elementary and early childhood teacher. A native Texan, she is also a graduate of Texas A&M University at Kingsville.Molly has a Texas cattle ranch background, and When the Cowboy Rides Away, her historical western with a touch of romance, won the 2016 Texas Association of Authors contest in the Christian Western category. Other of Molly’s westerns include Love Inspired’s The Winter Pearl and Brides And Blessings and also, The Rogue’s Daughter–first published by Zondervan.
Molly’s father and maternal grandfather were ranch managers, making them real Texas cowboys, and she spent part of her growing up years on a 60,000 acre cattle ranch. She and her husband have three grown sons and six grandchildren, and all three of their sons are involved in ranching in Texas today.
“Peace in the Valley” is one of those books that really tugged at my heartstrings. I found myself tearing up over and over but not for sad reasons. I was so touched by the relationship that developed between Trey and Lucy’s children and the love and trust they had for him.
Trey Stafford is the kind of man most women dream about but not for the obvious reasons. Trey is a man who has known tremendous success and has been living his dream. He is also a man who has known tragedy from a very young age when he lost both parents and has also lost his wife – all to drugs. Through it all he has maintained his integrity and faith and is dedicated to doing the right thing.
Lucy Carlton is a woman who has known nothing but hardship. She left her childhood home with a self-centered father and entered a marriage to a man who turned out much like her father. Now a widow with three children, Lucy is barely making ends meet but believes that hard work might just take care of her beloved children. A close call places her in the position of having to accept help from Trey and the much despised Sam Stafford. Frequent contact with Trey and his family begins to change Lucy’s opinion of them and puts her heart at risk.
I have very much enjoyed each and every one of the books in this series but “Peace in the Valley” is one that will remain in my memory for awhile. A beautiful story of faith, trust, love, and emotional healing, this book is one I will want to read again. Please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy soon. It is now available in stores where mass market novels are sold as well as the usual online vendors and the price is right.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Blogging for Books. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In spite of their differences, Trey Walker Stafford knows he owes his life to cowboy and legendary rancher Sam Stafford—the uncle who rescued him after his parents’ death. Trey had left the Double S Ranch to pursue music against Sam’s wishes, but returns to central Washington when he learns he’s the best match for a procedure that could save Sam’s life. Although Trey’s found country music fame and success, he’s also endured the tragic loss of his wife. He croons about love, but struggles with a yawning emptiness he can’t explain.
Overwhelmed by a growing list of challenges, but mistrustful of Stafford men, single mother Lucy Carlton reluctantly accepts Trey’s help to revive her crumbling farm when Sam instructs him to repay the overdue debt to her family.
As the two grow closer, Trey slowly begins to open his heart to this beautiful woman and strives to let go of the grief he’s held for years. Lucy has a complicated history of her own. Can Trey accept her as she is, learn to forgive the past, and find the elusive peace he’s sought for so long?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
With more than half a million books in print, RUTH LOGAN HERNE is the popular author of fifteen Love Inspired contemporary novels, three self-published novels and contributed to two novella collections. She lives on a farm in upstate New York with her husband and has six adult children.
“On Love’s Gentle Shore” is the third and final book in Liz Johnson’s Prince Edward Island Dreams series. I have been privileged to read and review each of the books and loved them all. It would be difficult to choose which one I enjoyed the most but if I had to choose I would probably choose this one. There is just something about stories about the reunion of past love. And no, I don’t think that is a spoiler. All of us who have read numerous romance novels know how a book will usually end. It’s the pages in between the beginning and the end and how it all comes about that keeps us reading. Natalie and Justin getting back together is a given but how it all transpires is the mystery. And what a story it is!
Fifteen long years of hurt feelings and misunderstandings stand between Natalie and Justin. Natalie was content with her life in Nashville and never planned to return to Prince Edward Island but somehow found herself agreeing to having her wedding in her hometown. Her fiance books an entire summer at the Red Door Inn so they can plan and facilitate the wedding. When the inevitable happens and Natalie and Justin can no longer avoid each other, each must come to grips with their past and find healing (and love).
This was a beautiful story and I was rooting for Justin from the beginning. It was easy for me to see that Russell was absolutely not the right man for Natalie. I really found it difficult to like him at all. He was way too self-centered from the beginning – love himself way more than he loved Natalie.
Liz Johnson writes so naturally that the entire story flowed. It was almost impossible for me to put the book down to take care of mundane tasks. I didn’t want to miss a minute of the story but of course the end came much too quickly. One of these days I may be able to learn to slow down and savor a story but there are still so many books to read and my time grows shorter by the day. It is a blessing and a curse that my favorite authors just keep cranking out books. I’ll never catch up but I’ll keep trying!
Loved “On Love’s Gentle Shore” and look forward to whatever Liz Johnson has to offer her readers next.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Fifteen years after she left Prince Edward Island, Natalie O’Ryan had no plans to return. But when her fiancé, music producer Russell Jacobs, books their wedding in her hometown and schedules a summer at Rose’s Red Door Inn, she sets out to put the finishing touches on the perfect wedding. But she can’t possibly prepare for a run-in with Justin Kane–the best friend she left behind all those years ago after promising to stay.
Justin’s never forgotten Natalie or the music career he always dreamed of pursuing. He’d been prepared to follow her off the island until his dad died and he was left to run the family dairy farm. He’s done the best he can with the life that was thrust upon him–but with Natalie back in the picture, he begins to realize just how much joy he’s been missing.
After Natalie’s reception venue falls through, she must scramble to find an alternative, and the only option seems to be a barn on Justin’s property. As they work together to get the dilapidated building ready for the party, Natalie and Justin discover the groundwork for forgiveness–and that there may be more than an old friendship between them.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Liz Johnson is a full-time marketing specialist for a Nashville-based publisher. She has been a freelance writer and editor for several publications, including CBA Retailers+Resources, Christian Fiction Online magazine, and Storytellers Journal. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she is the author of several books, including The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn (an ACFW Carol Award finalist) and A Star in the Night, which was part of the New York Times and ECPA bestselling A Log Cabin Christmas Collection.
Although I have been a fan of Lisa Wingate books since the very first one I picked up several years ago, I was particularly interested in reading “Before We Were Yours”. I have lived my entire life on the outskirts of Memphis and over the years since my childhood have sometimes heard talk among family members that an adopted relative may have come from Georgia Tann. No one ever knew for certain and all those who may have known the truth are now long gone. It is the mystery in my own family that enhanced my interest in this novel.
As always, Wingate’s writing is exquisite. She pulled me right into the story and I felt as though I was experiencing it along with Rill and her sisters and brother. Some readers may find it just a bit slow at the beginning but I encourage persistence. This book is definitely worth your while and you will be glad you kept with it until you are hooked like I was. Although the story took place in two different eras, I easily moved from one to the other with no difficulty. I loved the way that the two stories were woven together so well by the end and especially loved a few surprises along the way.
It was heartbreaking to read Rill’s narration of the horrors experienced by herself, her siblings, and other children in one of Georgia Tann’s institutions. Before reading “Before We Were Yours” I had no idea of the extent of mistreatment the children endured. Reading about it was often difficult, especially while wondering if my relative had experienced the same abuse. The contrast between Rill’s life and Avery Stafford’s life was striking. I had to admire Avery for her persistence in getting to the bottom of the mystery she had inadvertently stumbled upon despite the discouragement that came from every direction.
“Before We Were Yours” is a story about family secrets, both past and present and the long-lasting effect on the lives of those family members. It was a riveting tale based on a true scandal. We can only hope that our society does not produce any more Georgia Tanns but I am afraid there will always be more people like her to take her place. I loved this book and cannot wait to see what the author has planned next for her readers.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Lisa Wingate’s Book Ambassadors. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For readers of Orphan Train and The Nightingale comes a “thought-provoking [and] complex tale about two families, two generations apart . . . based on a notorious true-life scandal.”*
Memphis, 1939. Twelve-year-old Rill Foss and her four younger siblings live a magical life aboard their family’s Mississippi River shantyboat. But when their father must rush their mother to the hospital one stormy night, Rill is left in charge—until strangers arrive in force. Wrenched from all that is familiar and thrown into a Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage, the Foss children are assured that they will soon be returned to their parents—but they quickly realize the dark truth. At the mercy of the facility’s cruel director, Rill fights to keep her sisters and brother together in a world of danger and uncertainty.
Aiken, South Carolina, present day. Born into wealth and privilege, Avery Stafford seems to have it all: a successful career as a federal prosecutor, a handsome fiancé, and a lavish wedding on the horizon. But when Avery returns home to help her father weather a health crisis, a chance encounter leaves her with uncomfortable questions and compels her to take a journey through her family’s long-hidden history, on a path that will ultimately lead either to devastation or to redemption.
Based on one of America’s most notorious real-life scandals—in which Georgia Tann, director of a Memphis-based adoption organization, kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country—Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong.
Lisa Wingate is a former journalist, an inspirational speaker, and the bestselling author of more than twenty novels. Her work has won or been nominated for many awards, including the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize, the Oklahoma Book Award, the Utah Library Award, the Carol Award, the Christy Award, and the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in the Ouachita Mountains of southwest Arkansas.Lisa’s Website:http://lisawingate.com/
I have read and enjoyed several novels by Jennifer Beckstrand and fully expected “Return to Huckleberry Hill” to be as entertaining. Although the story was a bit different from the others, it was definitely entertaining. I couldn’t help laughing each time one of Anna’s new recipe creations was mentioned. Who would ever think of actually combining some of those ingredients?! On the other hand the romance was a bit frustrating. Then there were those “mean girls”. I never imagined that you would find their type among the Amish. Goes to show how much I know.
Reuben had to be one of the most annoying romantic interests of any book I have ever read. He was so full of himself that he often neglected to think of others. It was a bit difficult to understand why Fern was willing to sacrifice so much to help him when he seemed to look down on her and her family so much. But as can be expected from most good books, circumstances eventually forced Reuben to examine himself and realize how much his actions had hurt others.
“Return to Huckleberry Hill” is an excellent story of forgiveness, reconciliation, and love. Reuben turned his life around and as we all know, found his happy ending with the girl he really loved.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Click here to purchase
When it comes to matchmaking, Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin’s unstoppable octogenarians Anna and Felty Helmuth never seem to run out of opportunities—or grandchildren…
Reuben Helmuth is plenty bitter. John King, his best friend—or so he thought—is engaged to the girl Reuben loved. Humiliated, Reuben flees from Ohio to his grandparents’ home on Huckleberry Hill, where he knows he’ll find comfort. He’s enjoying wallowing in his misery—until John’s sister, Fern, shows up. She won’t stop pestering Reuben about forgiveness—or trying to help him find love again. Yet Fern’s efforts only reawaken Reuben’s long-buried feelings—forher…
With her brother too ashamed to face Reuben, it’s fallen to Fern to help mend fences. But as she and the Helmuths do all they can—even organizing a knitting club event filled with eligible girls—it may take one more challenge to inspire Reuben to forget his heartache, recognize his own blunders, and embrace the true love that’s right in front of him…
Jennifer Beckstrand is the award winning Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hillseries and The Honeybee Sisters series for Kensington Books. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth and the Honeybee sisters’ aendi Bitsy. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a passion for Jane Austen and Shakespeare. She and her husband have been married for thirty-two years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and soon-to-be six adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.
GUEST POST FROM JENNIFER BECKSTRAND:
Anna Helmuth is starting a knitting club, but that’s not all she’s got up her sleeve.
My family. I have five sisters and no brothers. I think my mom made every dress in this photo, including her own.
In Return to Huckleberry Hill, Anna Helmuth and Fern King decide to start a knitting club in order to introduce Anna’s grandson Reuben to some girls from Bonduel, Wisconsin. Anna is a very good knitter, with years of practice making baby blankets, scarves, mittens, and potholders. One of Anna’s scarves actually saved someone’s life, and her potholders have helped her make many a match.
When I was a young teenager, I learned how to knit and crochet. My mom taught me how to sew and quilt, and I made several of my own dresses in high school. I never learned to love sewing, but it was an invaluable skill that I am so grateful to have. Now that I’m a little older, I love putting together simple quilts for baby gifts and making quilts for the local children’s hospital. There is nothing like a homemade gift to say, “I care about you.”
I have a friend who is a wonderful cook. Making a delicious, beautiful meal is how she tells her family she loves them. I don’t consider myself a great cook, but I still take pride in putting something nutritious and satisfying on the table for my family.
It seems to me that some of the “home arts” that our mothers and grandmothers practiced are dying out. Who knows how to tat anymore? Or embroider? Some of these arts have died because of expediency. Who doesn’t think today’s stocking choices are more comfortable and practical than knitted wool ones? Others have died out because so few people want to learn.
What about you? Do you still practice any of the home arts that your grandmother did? What do you want to pass on to the next generation?
To celebrate her tour, Jennifer is giving away a $15 Amazon gift card to three lucky winners!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/b3b2
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Many links on this site are supplied by the Reviewer groups that provide the books I review. Occasionally other links may be my personal associate links.
“I love boxing. I love Hallmark movies. I love fishing. I love scrapbooking. Nope, I’ve never fit into the boxes people have wanted to put me in.” ~Robin Caroll is definitely a contradiction, but one that beckons you to get to know her better.
Molly Noble Bull, Christian novelist, might be called a Genre Jumper because she enjoys writing everything from Christian romances to adventure stories to humor to books and stories for children to scary Gothic novels to western romances to non-fiction, and she is a wife, mother, grandmother and former elementary and early childhood teacher. A native Texan, she is also a graduate of Texas A&M University at Kingsville.Molly has a Texas cattle ranch background, and When the Cowboy Rides Away, her historical western with a touch of romance, won the 2016 Texas Association of Authors contest in the Christian Western category. Other of Molly’s westerns include Love Inspired’s The Winter Pearl and Brides And Blessings and also, The Rogue’s Daughter–first published by Zondervan.
With more than half a million books in print, RUTH LOGAN HERNE is the popular author of fifteen Love Inspired contemporary novels, three self-published novels and contributed to two novella collections. She lives on a farm in upstate New York with her husband and has six adult children.
Liz Johnson is a full-time marketing specialist for a Nashville-based publisher. She has been a freelance writer and editor for several publications, including CBA Retailers+Resources, Christian Fiction Online magazine, and Storytellers Journal. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she is the author of several books, including The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn (an ACFW Carol Award finalist) and A Star in the Night, which was part of the New York Times and ECPA bestselling A Log Cabin Christmas Collection.
Lisa Wingate is a former journalist, an inspirational speaker, and the bestselling author of more than twenty novels. Her work has won or been nominated for many awards, including the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize, the Oklahoma Book Award, the Utah Library Award, the Carol Award, the Christy Award, and the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award. She lives in the Ouachita Mountains of southwest Arkansas.Lisa’s Website: 
Jennifer Beckstrand is the award winning Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hillseries and The Honeybee Sisters series for Kensington Books. Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth and the Honeybee sisters’ aendi Bitsy. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a passion for Jane Austen and Shakespeare. She and her husband have been married for thirty-two years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and soon-to-be six adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.
