by admin | Mar 4, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance, Texas, Western
MY REVIEW:
If I had my way, Amanda Cabot’s Texas Crossroads series would continue for several more volumes. The Rainbow’s End Resort is such a special place – not only for romance but for emotional healing. How wonderful would it be to be able to escape there for awhile!
What an unexpected romance! Who would ever think to pair a scruffy loner on a motorcycle with a former concert pianist – especially a pianist with such a strong aversion to motorcycles? But somehow it worked beautifully even if both Gillian and TJ had tons of excess baggage to sort through before they could admit and act on their true feelings.
Amanda Cabot is able to capture the true essence of her characters and bring them to life for her readers. Every nuance is important and I was able to experience both joy and pain, trust and doubt, right along with Gillian and TJ. “On Lone Star Trail” is a beautiful romance with a redemptive message for us all. I truly hate to see this series come to an end.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A woman without a future. A man running from the past.
One enchanting place where broken dreams are mended.
If there’s one thing Gillian Hodge never wants to see again, it’s a man on a motorcycle. Her last encounter with one left her right hand crushed, ending her promising career as a concert pianist. Unsure about the next phase in her life, she heads to Rainbow’s End Resort for some R&R when a sudden thunderstorm causes a motorcycle to crash right in front of her.
When TJ Benjamin’s wife died, he lost more than his best friend; he lost his faith. He has spent the past year wandering the country on his motorcycle, trying not to think about the future. When he finds himself stranded with a busted bike and a reluctant rescuer, he has to wonder about God’s sense of humor.
As these broken people collide, they find that a bright future is still ahead–it just might not be the one they imagined for themselves.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of the Texas Dreams series, the Westward Winds series, Christmas Roses, At Bluebonnet Lake, and In Firefly Valley. Her books have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Awards and the Booksellers’ Best. She lives in Wyoming. Learn more at www.amandacabot.com.
by admin | Mar 4, 2016 | Books, Historical, Montana, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
A sucker for historical romance with a western setting, I have always enjoyed novels by Maggie Brendan. As expected, I found myself escaping for a few hours to old west Montana withing the pages of “A Sweet Misfortune”.
Although this novel might never win awards for serious literature, it certainly had its strong points. From the exciting “kidnapping” scene at the beginning until the conclusion, both Rachel and John’s characters grew on me. Although Rachel was fiercely independent, she had a compassionate heart and did whatever she could to help those around her, sometimes to the disapproval of others. John was overly ambitious and focused on building a small kingdom for himself in Montana. There was no time for involvement with Rachel, even if she was his best friend’s sister – not to mention the fact that there was just something about her that captured his heart.
I enjoyed “A Sweet Misfortune” with its steady plot and intriguing characters. I found just the right blend of drama, humor, and romance to make it worth my time. I am in hopes that I will find some of the secondary characters with primary roles in future books in this series.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Rachel Matthews isn’t one to rely on others to take care of her. Homeless and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money to buy back the family ranch–even if she’s forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel’s brother, who is away mining for gold, sends a friend to rescue her.
Cattle baron John McIntyre is focused on acquiring as much land as possible in Montana and has little time to deal with a dance hall gal. Rachel isn’t sure she can take one more day in John’s home–especially once she discovers that he’s the one who holds ransom the key to her family’s future.
Sparks fly between this spunky, independent heroine and the ruggedly handsome hero as they navigate the snarled terrain of pride, greed, faith, and love in Maggie Brendan’s delightful series set in the Old West.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Maggie Brendan is the CBA bestselling author of the Heart of the West series and The Blue Willow Brides series, as well as The Trouble with Patience. Her books have received the Book Buyers Best Award from the Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America and the Laurel Wreath Award. A member of the American Fiction Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, Georgia Romance Writers, and Author’s Guild, Maggie lives in Georgia.
by admin | Feb 25, 2016 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Law Enforcement, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Having enjoyed Pettrey’s Alaskan Courage series, I was excited to have the chance to review the first book of her new Chesapeake Valor series. As the initial book of the series, “Cold Shot” spends a fair amount of time laying the foundation with background of the primary characters for the series. As a result, the story may seem to have gotten off to a slow start but I feel that the author will continue to add to this information as the series progresses and readers will become more invested in what happens with these four men.
Pettrey’s writing skills are excellent with strong , realistic characters and a suspenseful plot with well researched details. I particularly found Griffin’s insights about snipers to be interesting. Fortunately, it is not something I have had a need to know and hope I never have need of it. The requisite romantic element of the story was handled well and was mostly believable within the plot. There was plenty of drama, danger, and action to hold my attention and a touch of humor and romance helped to relieve the suspense at just the right time. Multiple twists and surprises rounded out the story.
I enjoyed getting to know Griffin and his friends Declan and Parker and hope to meet their other buddy Luke in an upcoming sequel. I also liked Finley and hope she will also appear in the rest of this series.
Readers who enjoyed the Alaskan Courage series should also enjoy “Cold Shot”. I also think Dee Henderson fans would enjoy it.
This book was provided for review by
Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Four Best Friends.
And Then One Went Missing . . .
In college, Griffin McCray and his three best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore Police Department, Declan Grey would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would study to become a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world–and friendships–crumbled.
Now years later, Griffin has left the police and his friendships behind. Still trying to forget a case that went bad when he was a SWAT team sniper, he’s living a quiet life as a park ranger at Gettysburg. Quiet until skeletal remains are uncovered near Little Round Top–and they aren’t Civil War-era.
Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott discovers evidence pointing to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Grey steps in to take over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he’ll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he–and those he cares about–are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: © Michael Pettrey Photography
Dani Pettrey is a wife, home-schooling mom, and the acclaimed author of the Alaskan Courage romantic suspense series, which includes her bestselling novels Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, and Sabotaged. Her books have been honored with the Daphne du Maurier award, two HOLT Medallions, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing’s Best Award, among others.
She feels blessed to write inspirational romantic suspense because it incorporates so many things she loves–the thrill of adventure, nail-biting suspense, the deepening of her characters’ faith, and plenty of romance. She and her husband reside in Maryland, where they enjoy time with their two daughters, a son-in-law, and a super adorable grandson. You can find her online at danipettrey.com.
by admin | Feb 22, 2016 | Books, Historical, Romance, Western
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingRobinWings of Hope Publishing Group (November 15, 2015)byJulane HiebertABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Julane is first of all a child of God. She is also a wife to Bob, mother to two living sons,Kip and Rob, two daughters in heaven, two wonderful daughters-in-law, Becky and Tami, and grandmother to six perfectly wonderful grands, as well as an additional three ‘other grands’. She lives with her husband in a wee cottage by a small lake nestled in the beautiful Flint Hills of Kansas.
Though encouraged by many to pen the story of raising two daughters with an incurable disease, she has chosen to incorporate the lessons learned into the lives of her not-too-perfect characters. Her passion is to present the promises and hope found in God’s Word in down-to-earth, everyday experiences through her stories.
Julane loves reading, decorating, junking, antiques, and chocolate! No particular order, but one would be safe to insert chocolate between all other interests.
ABOUT THE BOOK
In 1877 the Wenghold sisters inherited an overwhelming debt with their father’s passing. An uncle they’ve never met offers a solution—come help on his Kansas cattle ranch. The oldest sister, Robin, agrees to go.
Ty Morgan has suffered through a year of misery after being jilted by the town beauty a few months before their wedding. But a tornado whirls an unexpected breath of hope into his heart when he rescues Robin, his neighbor’s newly arrived niece, and a small boy who was orphaned by the storm.
Robin’s crippled leg prevents her from being a real help to Uncle John, but she seems to be exactly who Ty needs to heal his broken heart. Until his former fiancée returns and a mysterious, elusive stranger casts worry over the entire community.
A woman determined to honor her obligations, a man entangled in a long ago-made commitment, an orphaned child in need of security . . . Can God guide these three souls to peace and fulfillment together?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Robin, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
I had never read a book by Julane Hiebert and was unsure what I would find when I opened the cover of “Robin”. It was not long at all before I found myself captivated by the story and finished reading it within a day.
Robin had been born with a crippled leg but that didn’t stop her from living life to its fullest. Her inner beauty and caring spirit drew others to her and they couldn’t help loving her. In fact, before the book was over she had two men wanting to marry her. I loved all the other characters, especially rancher/preacher Ty Morgan, Uncle John, Emma, and little Jacob.
With plenty of action, drama, humor, romance, and even a bit of mystery, “Robin” moved along at a good pace and also contained a strong message of faith. I thought the series title “Brides of a Feather” was clever and look forward to reading Wren and Lark’s stories.
