by admin | Jan 9, 2018 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
Heather Blanton has become a new favorite author of mine because of her down-to-earth western romances that have just the right amount of mystery and suspense and are often sprinkled with witty dialogue and situations that keep me laughing. In no way does that detract from her great stories and romance.
“Mail Order Deception” has a brilliant plot of mistaken identities. Reporter Ellie Blair accepts an assignment in which she must pose as a mail order bride, hoping to make a name for herself. Little does she know that her “husband” is not who he claims to be either. Despite their suspicions, Ellie and Jim West find themselves more and more attracted to each other but will true love win when all their secrets are revealed?
This was such a fun book with plenty of action, danger, humor, and romance to keep me turning those pages. I loved Jim and Ellie’s characters and their determination to see justice done. Even though as an avid reader, I pretty much knew how things would turn out, Blanton managed to keep me wondering a few times along the way.
If you have not read any books by Heather Blanton, do yourself a favor and try one or three. “Mail Order Deception” might just be a good place to start.
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:
Secret identities lead to stolen hearts. Can love survive the truth? Intrepid reporter Ellie Blair wants a story–the one story–that will make her name bigger than Nellie Bly’s. She’ll do anything to get it. Lie, masquerade as someone else … even walk away from a man she could love. Treasury Agent Jim West has to break the back of the Irish Mob and will do anything to make it happen–lie, masquerade as someone else, even sacrifice his heart to see justice done. Blinded by ambition, these two stumble into each other on a Wyoming ranch…so what will it take for them to see past the masks they’re wearing and discover true love?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A former journalist, Heather is an avid researcher and skillfully weaves truth in among fictional story lines. She loves exploring the American West, especially ghost towns and museums. She has walked parts of the Oregon Trail, ridden horses through the Rockies, climbed to the top of Independence Rock, and even held an outlaw’s note in her hand. You can learn more about her and her work at https://ladiesindefiance.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/heatherfreyblanton. Sign up for Heather’s email newsletter to receive the latest book release updates, as well as info about contests and giveaways (https://ladiesindefiance.com/).
Heather is the independent bestselling author of several Christian Westerns, including the Romance in the Rockies series, which has sold over 40,000 copies. Intrigued by the concept of three good sisters stranded in a lawless Colorado mining town, a few notable Hollywood producers have requested the script for her first book in that series, A Lady in Defiance. Heather’s writing is gritty and realistic. In fact, her books have been compared to AMC’s Hell on Wheels series, as well as the legendary Francine Rivers book, Redeeming Love.
She writes Westerns because she grew up on a steady diet of Bonanza, Gunsmoke, and John Wayne movies. Her most fond childhood memory is of sitting next to her father, munching on popcorn, and watching Lucas McCain unload that Winchester!
She can be reached several different ways:
Author Heather Blanton
https://www.facebook.com/authorheatherblanton/?ref=hl
https://www.pinterest.com/heatherfblanton/
Christian Westerns is the genre that lets her write about strong pioneer women and men who struggle to find God and then live out their faith in real ways. Romance is always a strong element in her stories because it is such a beautiful gift from God, and a perfect reflection of how he loves His children: sacrificially and lavishly. Heather’s stories aren’t preachy or cheesy, but she hopes they are heart-warming, realistic, illuminating, and glorifying to God. Like good old fashioned Westerns, there is always justice, a moral message, American values, lots of high adventure, unexpected plot twists, and more than a touch of suspense.
“I believe Christian fiction should be messy and gritty, because the human condition is … and God loves us anyway.” — Heather Blanton
by admin | Jan 4, 2018 | Books, California, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Finding Love in Eureka, California” was a thoroughly enjoyable novel that had both light-hearted and thoughtful moments. I loved the fact that both primary characters had flaws which made them all the more life-like and easy to identify with.
Heroine Genevieve is a feisty young woman with many good character traits but because of her background she is afraid to love. Her crush on pilot Matt Lake seems safe enough – until she gets to know him better. Matt is practically engaged to a beautiful woman who is near perfect but tries to ignore the fact that he really doesn’t enjoy her family’s lifestyle that is so important to her. When he finds Genevieve constantly on his mind instead, Matt must make some difficult choices about what is most important to him.
The story-line is wonderful with a vast array of interesting characters, some of whom have disabilities that are not usually featured in the books I often read. This author is not afraid to push the envelope by featuring people who are frequently overlooked and helping her readers to actually see past outward appearance to the inner person. I particularly liked Rosie’s character and the wisdom she had developed as a result of her own struggles.
At times poignant but often laugh-out-loud funny, “Finding Love in Eureka, California” was a joy to read and filled with surprises. I love the way Strong manages to weave so many different elements together to create an entertaining novel that leaves her readers with plenty of food for thought. If you have not read anything by Angela Ruth Strong, I heartily encourage you to do so.
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:
Raised in a family of six adopted siblings, Genevieve Wilson fights to keep her dysfunctional brothers and sisters together, but everyone still seems to leave. If she’s not good enough to prevent her birth parents or siblings from abandoning her, then there’s no way she would ever be enough to have a lasting relationship with the successful pilot from work…which is exactly what makes him a safe subject for her daydreams.
Matt Lake is dating the perfect woman and working a great job. Life is easy until he starts to enjoy hanging out with the airline employees more than with his girlfriend—one redhead in particular. He tells himself he’s only intrigued by Gen’s quirkiness, but nobody else makes him smile the way she does.?
Can Matt give up the flawless life he’d planned in exchange for the messiness of love? And if so, will Gen risk her heart on reality when it’s never paid off in the past?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Angela Ruth Strong writes light-hearted and life-changing love stories. The “light-hearted” part comes from her ability to get into interesting situations–such as a hamster ball race or riding on the shoulders of a unicyclist. The “life-changing” part comes from the power of God’s love and the beauty of her very own romance. The “story” part comes from her passion for books that she got from her writer mama. And there’s nothing else she’d rather do than share these stories with you. Find out more (than you ever wanted to know) at www.angelaruthstrong.com.
by admin | Jan 4, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, FBI, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
“The Baby Assignment” is a fast paced mystery/suspense that kept me engaged to the very end. When a hero and heroine who were previously engaged agree to help protect a baby left at the Houston FBI office, their lives become connected again. Despite danger at every turn and a mystery to solve, Tanner and Macy manage to rediscover the spark between them but is it strong enough to keep them together this time?
I enjoyed this book with multiple plot twists and surprises sprinkled throughout. Dialogue was excellent and helped keep it interesting. Loved how quickly Macy became attached to the baby and how protective Tanner was of them both. A major plus was that I didn’t have it all figured out before I was halfway through the story.
As always, this novel by Christy Barritt was entertaining yet contained a faith-filled thread that was encouraging to this reader. I recommend “The Baby Assignment” to anyone who enjoys a short but action filled suspenseful read.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tasked with figuring out who left a baby at the Houston FBI office, Special Agent Tanner Wilson has only one clue — his ex-girlfriend’s name written on a scrap of paper. But Macy Mills doesn’t recognize the little girl, and soon someone’s dead set on abducting her…even if it costs Tanner’s and Macy’s lives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Christy Barritt loves stories and has been writing them for as long as she can remember. When she’s not working on books, Christy writes articles for various publications. She’s also a frequent speaker at various writers groups, women’s luncheons and church events. She’s married to Scott, a teacher. They have two sons, two dogs and a houseplant named Martha. For more information, visit her website at: www.christybarritt.com.
by admin | Dec 28, 2017 | Adventure, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I MUST obtain each and every one of Susan May Warren’s books as soon as it is available and if at all possible, I love to have an advanced reader’s copy. I love her books so much that she would have to be superhuman to write them fast enough for me. I was blessed to receive and early copy of “Troubled Waters” which totally reinforced my love of her writing skills. I am in awe! If only I could write a review that does it justice.
I am certain that most readers who have been following the entire Montana Rescue series have been eagerly awaiting this book, hoping to finally find out what happens between Ian Shaw and Sierra Rose. The wait is over and in my opinion it was well worth it. Mysteries were solved and secrets revealed along with nail-biting adventure filled with extreme danger and exciting rescues. And of course we finally found out the rest of Ian and Sierra’s story but you need to read that for yourself.
“Troubled Waters” was so good that I’d love to go back to read it again if my review schedule would allow. Meanwhile it will hold an honored spot on my bookshelf waiting for me to find that chance. I loved catching up with the rest of the PEAK rescue squad, especially Pete and Jess. I am looking forward to reading their story next. In my opinion, “Troubled Waters” may have been the most suspense filled novel from this author yet. It certainly held my attention. I really love reading these exciting suspense filled stories that are so filled with a strong Christian message and quotable lines.
If you are not already a Susan May Warren fan, you need to give her novels a try. “Troubled Waters’ might be a good place to start but I would advise at least beginning with the first book of the series and carry on from there. You may just become a fan like me.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants–except a happy ending. Or at least that’s what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.
Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.
When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore.
It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra’s relationship.
Read an excerpt from “Troubled Waters” HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Susan May Warren is the ECPA and CBA bestselling author of over fifty novels, including Wild Montana Skies, with more than one million books sold. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT and numerous Readers’ Choice Awards, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, romantic comedy, and novellas. She can be found online at www.susanmaywarren.com, on Facebook at SusanMayWarrenFiction, and on Twitter @susanmaywarren.
