To a Brighter Tomorrow by Kari Trumbo

by | Feb 26, 2022 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western

MY REVIEW:

One thing I always enjoy is a good historical western romance novel. Kari Trumbo has provided just that in her latest novel To A Brighter Tomorrow. With its classic western trope with feuding sheep and cattle ranchers and a disputed tract of land, the story features the Johlman family and their rivals the Douglas family.

Younger son Gideon is a hard worker who is content following his father’s instructions but he has fallen head over heels for Josie, a half breed young woman his father would never accept as part of the family. They continue to meet secretly until their secret is discovered. Mischief is afoot with mysterious events that pit the two families against each other but Josie and her brother discover a sinister plot that no one would have suspected.

To A Brighter Tomorrow begins slowly but quickly works up to plenty of action, danger, romance, and faith. The author presented Josie’s situation with sympathy and I cheered for her as she bravely stood up for truth and justice despite her ill treatment. The dynamics within the Johlman family were believable and it was gratifying to watch certain attitudes change as the story progressed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

What’s a woman to do when she isn’t accepted?
Anywhere . . .

By the age of sixteen, Josephine Littlebear determined she was better off on her own. Her father’s hatred of her heritage sent her, alone and independent, to the cow town of Belle Fourche, SD. For years she worked hard and kept to herself, but that changed when she saved a man, and his sheep, from a chance encounter with a bear. Now she’s faced with having something she’s never had before: a friend.

Gideon has always done what his father asked of him.
Until now . . .

Being the second brother, Gideon’s life has always been planned out for him. He was destined to marry someone who could help their sheep ranch and build a family legacy. But when he’s trapped by a hungry bear and a woman he’s never seen before rescues him, sparks fly. Trouble is, his father will never accept a half-Indian bride.

The Johlman ranch is under attack, and no one seems to know by whom. Their faith is tested when proven friends turn to enemies. When Gideon’s older sister makes a surprising choice that could cost the family everything, he must choose which is more important—the family that’s given him everything, or the love of his life.

Order a copy HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Where western meets happily ever after.

Kari is a USA Today bestselling author who writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with detail and heart.

Her favorite place to write about is the place her heart lives, (even if she doesn’t) South Dakota.

Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one’s listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.

 

To Disguise the Truth by Jen Turano

by | Feb 24, 2022 | Books, Historical, Mystery, Romance

MY REVIEW:

To Disguise the Truth, final installment of the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency by Jen Turano is the perfect companion for a cozy winter evening by the fire. Easily stands on its own, this novel is even better if read following the first two books of the series.

Finally readers are offered the background of Eunice Holbrooke, the mysterious owner of the agency. Their latest client wants to hire them to find a missing heiress. It doesn’t take long to figure out that Arthur Livingston wants Eunice to help him find herself and from that point hilarity and mystery run amok.

I always love Turano’s books with their quirky characters, and the perfect blend of history, mystery, comedy, and romance. I know I can usually also expect a few dialogue interludes that can be both hilarious and frustrating as certain characters tend to get their wires crossed in their attempts to communicate.

Familiar characters as well as some new favorites fill the pages of To Disguise the Truth. The plot moves along at a mostly steady rate with so many twists and turns it is sometimes difficult to keep it all straight. A bit of action and danger add to the fun and a surprise or two are in store. All’s well that ends well and that’s all I have to say about it.

I loved this book but if you have not read the two previous books, I do recommend that you pick up the entire series and read in order. You will thank me later!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

When a man arrives at the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, anxious to hire them to find a missing heiress, Eunice Holbrooke realizes her past has finally caught up with her . . . and that she may no longer be able to hide under the disguise that has kept her safe for so long.

Arthur Livingston’s goal in life is to make his mark on the world as a mining industrialist, but after the man who could help him achieve his goal is murdered, Arthur feels compelled to seek justice for the family–but he’s left with more questions than answers after the eccentric Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency refuses to take on his case.

Desperate to conceal her real identity and avoid the irritatingly handsome Arthur, Eunice takes on a different case that requires her to go deep undercover and entangles her in one troublesome situation after another. When other secrets come to light, Eunice has no choice but to confront her past, hopeful that it will set her free but knowing it could very well place her life–and the lives of those she loves–in jeopardy.

Read an excerpt HERE.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Named one of the funniest voices in inspirational romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today bestselling author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publishers Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. She and her family live outside of Denver, Colorado. Readers can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and at jenturano.com.

A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz

by | Feb 16, 2022 | Books

MY REVIEW:

As a lover of historical fiction, I have always enjoyed books by Laura Frantz. I love history but do not love the cold, hard facts. I want to know about the people who lived it and Laura Frantz does a superb job of giving me a chance to experience history through her characters.

A Heart Adrift does just that for me. It was fun reading about the everyday life of a chocolate maker during that era. I was also given a glimpse or two of the lives of a lighthouse keeper, a privateer, and even how the colonial Virginia government operated.

A story of longing, love, grief, faith, second chances, and restoration, A Heart Adrift is a beautifully written tale that will touch readers hearts. A bit slow at the beginning, the pace does pick up as the tale progresses. Esmee and Henri’s characters are revealed a little at a time and both are so much deeper and admirable than they first appear. I heartily recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It is 1755, and the threat of war with France looms over colonial York, Virginia. Chocolatier Esmée Shaw is fighting her own battle of the heart. Having reached her twenty-eighth birthday, she is reconciled to life alone after a decade-old failed love affair from which she’s never quite recovered. But she longs to find something worthwhile to do with her life.

Captain Henri Lennox has returned to port after a lengthy absence, intent on completing the lighthouse in the dangerous Chesapeake Bay, a dream he once shared with Esmée. But when the colonial government asks him to lead a secret naval expedition against the French, his future is plunged into uncertainty.

Can Esmée and Henri’sshared vision and dedication to the colonial cause heal the wounds of the past and reunite them?

READ AN EXCERPT HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of a dozen novels, including An Uncommon Woman, Tidewater Bride, The Frontiersman’s Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel’s Lady, The Lacemaker, and A Bound Heart. She is a proud mom to an American soldier and a career firefighter. When not at home in Kentucky, she and her husband live in Washington State. Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

Sunrise by Susan May Warren

by | Feb 16, 2022 | Books

MY REVIEW:

Sunrise is another page turner from Susan May Warren, one of my very favorite authors. Sometimes I have to wonder how she finds the time to write so many books with so many different settings as well as characters with such varied occupations yet it always seems so spot on. Such talent!

Readers will find themselves in the wilds of Alaska in this one, riding a dogsled with Echo or in a plane with Dodge, or maybe fighting off a rogue grizzly or even a killer or two. I assure you, there isn’t much time to get bored with this book that moves quickly from one scene to another with more than enough action, adventure, and romance to keep most readers happy. The only negative for me is that I have to wait until the next installment, Sunburst to get answers about the cliffhanger at the end of Sunrise. This author seems to like to tease her readers with them quite often. Sure keeps me reading!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Coming home was never the plan

After a terrible family fight, pilot Dodge Kingston left home to join the Air Force. A decade later, he’s headed back to the destiny that awaits him as heir to Sky King Ranch. But that’s not all that’s waiting for him at home.

Echo Yazzie is a true Alaskan woman–a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. After her childhood best friend and former flame, Dodge, fled Denali, she settled into life on the Alaskan range. She’s made her peace with being left behind–by her mother and by Dodge. And she’s strong enough to live without them.

When one of Echo’s fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. What she doesn’t know is that there are more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

As Dodge sets out to find Echo, he can’t ignore the feelings he still has for her. But will he be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

READ AN EXCERPT HERE.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 85 novels with more than 1 million books sold, including the Global Search and Rescue and the Montana Rescue series, as well as Sunrise and Sunburst. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT Medallion and numerous Readers’ Choice Awards, Susan makes her home in Minnesota. Find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com, on Facebook @SusanMayWarrenFiction, and on Twitter @SusanMayWarren.

Life Flight by Lynette Eason

by | Feb 16, 2022 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Revell, Romance, Suspense

MY REVIEW:

I know I can always expect a page turner when I pick up one of Lynette Eason’s books. Life Flight did not disappoint. In fact the action and suspense were practically in overdrive for much of the book.

The story revolves around Penny, an EMS helicopter pilot whose copter is forced down during a storm. With her cell service inoperable, Penny leaves the rest of her team to tend to the patient and sets out to find a phone to get some help. That’s when the story begins to get really interesting! Penny encounters a serial killer on the run from the law and lives to tell about it with the help of Holt, an FBI special agent. From that point, the story takes quite a few unexpected turns and things are not always what they seem.   No spoilers here – you MUST read this one for yourself.

Life Flight is one great book and I am looking forward to the next installment of this series. It is definitely on my TBR list.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high-stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient–and a serial killer on the loose–tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield’s help. But she’s not out of the woods yet.

In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer–before the killer catches one of them.

READ AN EXCERPT HERE.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Life Flight and the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master’s degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.