A Tender Hope

A Tender Hope

Cimaroon Creek Trilogy #3

Amanda Cabot

Thea lost her unborn baby and husband almost all at once. It's time for a change. She can't stay and be surrounded by all of the memories. So she takes a job as a midwife in Cimarron Creek. She has barely arrived when a Texas Ranger shows up on her doorstep with a baby. The child's mother has been murdered and Ranger Jackson is hoping that Thea can care for the baby until he can find the killer. Thea isn't sure she can take on a baby so soon after the loss of her own. 

I read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. Somehow I missed reading the second one, but was able to read this one without feeling like I was missing out. But since I enjoyed the third book, I'll be grabbing the 2nd one soon.

The author did a great job of creating a story full of romances, suspense, humor, and faith. I enjoyed how she created authentic and enjoyable characters. Even the characters that were abrasive were done well. Elements of faith are woven throughout the story. I enjoyed this new series and look forward to what the author has coming next.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Almost Home

Almost Home

Valerie Fraser Luesse

Life is changing because of the war. Farms are collapsing, men are leaving home, and the ones left behind are flocking to the munitions plants to keep their families afloat. Several families arrive at Dolly's family home turned bed and breakfast. Each person is fighting their own personal battle. But when disaster strikes the family home, the families rush to solve a previous generations mystery and rally around to save Dolly.

I'm not usually into these types of books. So I went into it with a bit of trepidation, expecting cheesy plots lines and predictability. And while there might have been a bit of that; this book was so much more. The author was able to draw out the different characters and their emotions so that the reader becomes completely engaged. It was like two separate stories were happening at the same time - the current one with the different boarders and the mystery from decades ago that had never been solved. There is a touch of miracles, lots of heart, and plenty of laughs. Even if this doesn't seem your style, I recommend giving it a try. It made me think long after I finished the book. 

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Code of Valor

Code of Valor

Blue Justice #3

Lynette Eason

Brady, a detective, is in serious need of a vacation. So he heads to a friend's cabin to spend some relaxing time at the lake. But when he hears a woman scream and sees an accident occur, he can't help, but rush to her rescue. What follows is definitely not relaxing or vacation like. But Brady St. John can't turn away from a person in need. 

The book started off with a huge bang and didn't let up the entire time. The characters were relatable, engaging, and had depth. The chemistry between the two main characters was great and fit well with the situation. I appreciated how the author wove subtle spiritual thoughts through the book without it becoming too strong or disturbing the flow of the plot. Somehow I missed getting my hands on the first two books of this series and so was a little worried that I would be lost coming into the middle. But that wasn't the case at all. While it was clear that there was a backstory to some of the secondary characters, it only added interest and depth, instead of losing me or distracting me. I've enjoyed everything I've read by this author and I think her books get better the more she writes. If you enjoy suspense, drama, and a little bit of clean romance then make sure you grab this book. But make sure you get the others in the series as well. 

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Dangerous Illusions

Dangerous Illusions

Code of Honor #1

Irene Hannon

Trish is overwhelmed with the deaths of her father and husband and helping her mother who is now disabled from the accident that killed their spouses. She's starting to forget some of the simplest things. But when a death is attributed to her forgetfulness, she will need the help of Detective Colin Flynn to sort out the strange occurrences that are happening all around her. 

This story was intriguing from the very beginning. The chemistry between the couples was sweet and clean. I enjoyed how the author portrayed friendships and loyalty. The book was full of suspense and twists. There was one that, despite clues, I didn't see coming. I'm going to have to go back and read the book now that I know what to look for. The Christian element wasn't strong in this book. It was more of an implied thought than a theme. The romance also took a back burner to the mystery and suspense. If you've read any of the author's other books than you'll know what I mean when I say this one followed her typical formula. But that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy the book. I enjoyed it immensely and read it all in one evening. If you enjoy suspense and mystery with a touch of faith and romance thrown in, than you'll enjoy another book by this great author.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Trusting Grace

Trusting Grace

Virtues and Vices of the Old West #3

Maggie Brendan

 Grace has always longed for children. But as a young widow, who is now managing her farm and taking care of her sick father, she knows it isn't likely to happen. 

Robert arrived in town with three bedraggled and dirty children. All of them, including Robert, are tired and resentful of the circumstances that forced them together. Robert takes a job as Grace's ranch hand, but doesn't let her know that he comes with three children. Both Grace and Robert must learn to trust again before they can be fully happy with the life God had blessed them with.

I loved this book. It checked all of the boxes for me. Sweet romance, likable characters, beautiful setting, just a small amount of drama, clean, faith filled plot, and some adorable children thrown in for extra fun. The author wove humor and provoking thoughts into what at first seemed a light story. I couldn't put the book down and am now eagerly waiting the next book.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

What Hope Remembers

What Hope Remembers

Misty Willows #3

Johnnie Alexander

Amy Somers is now back home in Misty Willow. She's staying in her grandmother's cottage while she regroups and tries to figure out where she's headed in life. She misses the big city in some ways, but she can't go back to who she was and what she did. When she sees Gabe again after many years, she pretends she doesn't know him. It isn't because of his recent release from prison. It's because she needs to protect her heart. And who would want her anyway, when they realize what type of person she is.

This was a sweet, but complicated story. I've read one of the previous books, so I knew the characters. But it took me a few chapters to refresh my memory and place everyone again. There are still complications going on with the land and the people who live there. The author added drama, a little bit of mystery, and lots of faith and romance. The characters fit their parts well and played off of each other to the benefit of the plot. I enjoyed the story, although it did have some sad elements. Overall, readers who enjoy Christian fiction with a touch of drama and sweet romance will enjoy this book.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Friends, Partners, & Lovers

Friends, Partners, & Lovers

Kevin A. Thompson

There are three components to making a marriage a success. You must be three things to your partner, a friend, a lover, and a partner. Each of those things plays a very important part and can't be neglected. The author has taken from his own marriage and his experience as a pastor and speaker to write a book that is informative and honest. His counseling has shown him that these three parts of a marriage are essential for any marriage to flourish. The book is divided into three sections and each chapter ends with discussion questions to make the material intentional and doable.

The book was well laid out and interesting to read. The questions at the back were often thought provoking and inspiring. I thought the author did a great job of addressing many of the issues within each section without going overboard with too many details. He shared honest stories about his marriage and things he has taken from his counseling sessions and talks with other married couples. This is a great book for a newlywed or someone who has been married for many years. I would definitely recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from Revell. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Sandpiper Cove

Sandpiper Cove

Hope Harbor #3

Irene Hannon

 Lexie returned home after the death of her husband. She manages to hold the job of police chief and raise her son as a single mom. She's not remotely interested in dating again. Right now all she wants is to catch the person or persons responsible for the vandalism that has been happening in her small town. When Adam, a man with a criminal past, becomes one of the victims of vandalism, Lexie enlists his help to catch the people. She doesn't expect a friendship to grow.

I've always been a fan of the suspense novels by this author. But I'm really, really enjoying this series by her. The stories have heart. They can definitely be read as stand-alone, but I have enjoyed each book and recommend starting at the beginning. The characters are quirky, funny, authentic, and heartwarming. The author does a wonderful job of giving them depth and making them come alive. Her writing style makes me feel like I'm in the small town and I know the residences. The elements of faith, the importance of family, the sweetness of romance all come together to create a beautiful story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

A Stolen Heart

A Stolen Heart

Cimarron Creek Trilogy #1

Amanda Cabot

Lydia packs up her entire life and moves to Cimarron Creek to be with her fiance, Edgar. But when she steps off of the stage coach, she's met by the sheriff who informs her that Edgar is missing and his pregnant wife is very worried about him. Lydia manages to hide her dismay and soon learns that the town has many secrets and a not so secret dislike of Northerners. But she shoulders on and insists on calling this small town home.

The story started out with rich details and captured my attention immediately. I've read a series by this author before, but it was a contemporary setting. So this was a change for me. I enjoyed this book even more than her previous ones. The characters were very well defined and stood out. They all had flaws and quirks that made the story come alive. The romance was clean and the plot had elements of faith woven throughout. There was a little mystery mixed in with the romance and drama that added a touch of suspense. The author did a great job of tying everything up together in the end, while leaving an opening for the next book. I loved how she set the scene and found my self wishing she'd hadn't limited herself to only three books by calling this a trilogy. I can see an entire line of books with different characters from the town. Can't wait to read the second book. 

 

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Rescue Me

Rescue Me

Susan May Warren

Sam Brooks, a deputy and member of PEAK rescue, is determined to make his relationship with Sierra work. But when her younger sister Willow keeps showing up, he has a hard time accepting that the perfect life he had outlined, might not be what's best for him. Willow shows him how to live life to the fullest and to forgive. Willow might be showing Sam where he needs to change, but she has some changes in her own life that desperately need to happen before she can move on as well.


The author has a pattern of writing about multiple couples in each book. A two in one romance type of thing. But this worked against me this time. I really couldn't keep everyone straight. I had to keep stopping to remind myself who went with whom and who was mad at whom again and again. It was incredibly confusing. I'd read the first book in the series, but it's been long enough that I'd forgotten portions and had to go back and flip through to remind myself what happened. So I wouldn't recommend this book as a stand-alone. Overall it was well written and had an interesting plot. I liked the spiritual thoughts that were spread liberally throughout the book. But the multiple characters and massive amounts of emotional drama just didn't do it for me this time. Because I couldn't connect with the characters, I felt more frustration at their antics than empathy. If you enjoy lots of angst and emotional drama with a splash of suspense and lots of spiritual moments than this would definitely be a book you would enjoy.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Another Day Another Dali

Another Day Another Dali

Serena Jones Mystery #2

Sandra Orchard

Serena Jones, an FBI agent, investigates a missing painting as a request from her grandmother. Her grandmother's friend had some artwork appraised, only to realize that it had been replaced with a forgery. But the deeper Serena digs into the case, the more it looks like this case is linked with another case. The Dali isn't the only painting that has been stolen and replaced with a forgery. The forgeries are good and are often not noticed for quite some time. 

I didn't notice when picking this book that it was the second in the series. I was able to follow the plot and the mystery without having read the first book. But I do think a couple of things would have been more clear had I read book one first. The plot moved quickly and the characters were well defined. I liked the energy and quirkiness of the main character, Serena. While this book is labeled as Christian fiction, I didn't really get a sense of that. It is definitely a clean novel with no bad words or sex, but there isn't really an element of faith other than the occasional quick prayer or mention of faith. So this book would appeal to people who enjoy a good mystery, but don't want to read about the faith talked about in the typical Christian fiction books. Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to picking up the first book and also reading the next books in the series.

I received a copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wild Montana Skies

Wild Montana Skies

Montana Rescue

Susan May Warren

Kacey's career as a helicopter pilot in the military has been derailed by a terrible crash. She decides to come home to Mercy Falls to lick her wounds and reconnect with her daughter. She doesn't expect to run into the man who broke her heart so many years ago.

Ben, a country music star, returned home at his father's request to help manage the business while his father heals from an injury. But his father might be butting his nose where it doesn't belong, because somehow Kacey, the woman who broke his heart, is also helping.

I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of broken relationships because of misunderstanding that years and years later come together and realize that both of them viewed the break up completely different and if only they'd communicated better or been more mature. . . And that is exactly what this book is about. It took me a long time to get into the book. But once I did, the author's excellent writing captured my attention and kept me. There is a lot more to the story than just the two main characters. The plot was detailed and the characters had great dimension which added to the story and overshadowed my dislike of the romance part. Overall, definitely give this book a try, even if you share my views on that particular plot style. You won't be disappointed.

I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. All thoughts expressed are my own.

When Love Arrives

When Love Arrives

Misty Willows #2

Johnnie Alexander

 Dani lost her mother in an airplane crash years ago. In the time since she's suffered at the hands of her step-father and grieved her mother. So when she finds a youtube video of a guy blaming her mother for the plane crash she is livid. Brett Somers also lost his parents in that crash and has led an wild life since then. He's a wealthy bachelor who hasn't exactly led a good life. But he recently became a Christian and is working to turn his life around. Dani meets him when stalking him outside a hospital. Brett thinks Dani is a cute girl he just happened to run into. What happens next is the story of their mix-ups and the family that stood by them through it all.

Somehow I missed that this was the 2nd book in a series I'd started earlier. So I know it can be read as a stand-alone. Although I enjoyed the first book and would recommend reading it first to get the whole story. The characters were well developed and the author did a great job of creating chemistry and tension between them. I liked how she inserted the elements of faith and showed how it can turn a life around. The book deals with forgiveness, faith, and family. I enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian fiction, clean romance, and family stories.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Tangled Webs

Tangled Webs

Men of Valor #3

Irene Hannon

Finn, the youngest McGregor brother, is borrowing a friends cabin for a month to see if he can get back on track. A former Army Ranger that is now out due to injuries, he's suffering from smothering big brothers and some PTSD. When he's awakened by screams in the middle of the night, he goes into defense mode. He finds another cabin with a young woman, obviously suffering from her own tragic past. Her nightmares drove her to seek refuge in her grandparents cabin in hopes that the peace and quiet would calm her. But an Army Ranger breaking into her home in the middle of the night is not exactly calming. 

I love how this author starts out her books. The plot grabs you and sucks you in. The parts suspense, part romance novel was fast paced, but had some sweet moments as well. I loved the two characters, I felt like they fit well together. The author did a great job of portraying the effects of PTSD. The secondary characters were small town and sometimes hilarious. I also liked the inclusion of the other two brothers from the previous books. While this is in a series, it can definitely be read as a stand alone. Also I was so sure I knew how it would end. But it wasn't guy rescues girl like most romances are, so I was surprised, but loved it. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you like suspense, clean romance, and christian elements.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I Wish He Had Come With Instructions

I Wish He Had Come With Instructions

The Woman's Guide to a Man's Brain

Mike Bechtle

 

Tons of books have been written about men by men for women, something the author acknowledges. But his intend in writing was to show men how men think and bring home the point that woman can learn to communicate and live with a man without trying to change him or be confused by his action or inaction. He starts off by saying that this book is designed for women with mentally healthy men. It doesn't address abuse or mental instability. The book is divided into five main parts and each part deals with a different aspect, such as communication, thoughts, or actions. The author draws from personal experiences and uses his stories to bring out his points.

I was really excited to get this book, but just couldn't get into it. The information was good, the stories were interesting, but I had to force myself to finish it. All of the information was the same stuff I've heard before, but presented with the author's unique style. The author did a great job of talking about almost anything a woman might have a questions aobut. I think this would have been incredibly helpful during my first few years of marriage, but twenty years down the road, not so much. Overall, this was a nice book, just not for me. I would recommend it to young woman starting to date, newly married, or in a rough relationship and confused about their husband.

I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

The Christmas Angel Project

The Christmas Angel Project

Melody Carlson

Abby started a book club years ago. Her ability to listen and give sound advice, her nurturing personality, and her caring demeanor made her a favorite among the attendees. When she passes away suddenly the four remaining women are lost. But Abby's last gift to them, little angel ornaments inspires them to do some things they've never done before. The little group of friends will find their lives have changed for the better thanks to the blessings of their caring friend.

This was a beautiful, heart-warming story. The point of view jumps back and forth between the four main characters. It flowed smoothly for me and I loved hearing what each woman had accomplished and was feeling about the projects as the story turned back to her.  I think every reader that picks up this book will be able to relate to at least one of the women in some way. The author wove an authentic faith, flawed humans, and redemption into a charming Christmas story. While it has moments of the magical, if slightly unrealistic, it is touching and is the perfect story for the Christmas season.

I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.

Hope Prevails

Hope Prevails

Insights from a Doctor's Personal Journey through Depression

Dr. Michelle Bengtson

Dr. Bengtson is not only a neuropsychologist, but has also suffered from depression. She noticed that doctors rarely included the spiritual aspect of healing when dealing with a patient's depression. Since this played a huge part in her recovery, she wrote a book so that others could benefit from her journey. There are questions, prayers, and playlists at the end of each chapter that help make the chapter relevant and offer hope.

Pros:

I loved the cover. It's beautiful and calming. The author has a doctor's background as well as personal experience, something that all of us want when we go to talk to someone about our experiences and problems with depression. She is honest and open about her own experiences and how they shaped her. The last chapter shares some insights that deal with all forms of help, such as medication, therapy, health, etc. So the book isn't just touching on the spiritual aspect, but also the physical. The book is well written and the author shares stories and personal experiences to make it interesting to read.

Cons: 

These are my feelings, so in no way should take away from what the author is trying to accomplish. I truly hope this book is what others will find extremely helpful. 

It felt to me like the author was saying that a spiritual need is the basis of all depression and if we can get that aspect inline correctly that the rest of our depression issues will go away and we can "recover". This wasn't something that I could relate to at all. I clung to God the most and felt close to Him when in my darkest moments. I did not ever feel like the devil was whispering lies in my ears. My symptoms were mostly physical and while I knew that I was blessed and had a great life, I felt like my brain fog was not allowing me to enjoy it. This isn't the direction of the book at all. And so reading it was not helpful and actually made me feel anger and frustration while reading. I read this with a friend who also suffers from depression and she experienced the same thing as I did. So my recommendation would be to read this book with the mind set that some of the things might not apply, but there are some great take-a ways if you want to read through everything to get to them.

I received this book free of charge from Revell Reads in exchange for my honest review.