Review: Her Cowboy Hero by Carolyne Aarsen

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Montana rodeo star Tanner Fortier is a good man. A man Keira Bannister never stopped loving. But when he shows up at Refuge Ranch looking to have his late brother's saddle repaired in time for the championships, he's the last person Keira wants to see. For years, she's kept hidden the real reason for breaking their engagement—and Tanner's heart. But now, with him at the ranch, she's tempted to reveal the truth—one that could destroy him. But she knows that to have a future with the man of her dreams, she has to settle the past…

My Review

There is plenty of emotion in this story of reconnection and reconciliation. I was frustrated for Tanner that he never had closure after Keira broke up with him. She is obviously struggling to forget issues of the past and her vulnerability is apparent to Tanner. The way they slowly warm up to each other is realistic-it doesn't happen overnight which enhances the tension. I enjoyed their banter once they fell back into a comfortable rapport and they become sweet to each other. The reveal of Kiera's devastating secret throws everyone and creates new decisions to be made. There is definitely more than meets the eye to this story and I couldn't put it down until I finished it :)

(Thank you to Harlequin and Love Inspired Books for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Book Blast & Giveaway: Lost King by H.B.Moore

From USA TODAY bestselling author H.B. Moore Undercover agent Omar Zagouri has been ordered to Giza. A prominent Egyptologist was murdered, and a priceless artifact—the only complete version of the Book of the Dead—is missing. Omar is still reeling from the recent disappearance of his girlfriend, Mia Golding, but he puts his quest to find her on hold to track down the lost piece of history. Omar’s mission is not just to locate the sacred book; he must also rescue the two archaeologists kidnapped and forced to translate its hieroglyphics under threat of death. Their kidnapper is determined to discover the text’s rumored explosive revelation: that Moses did not receive the Ten Commandments from God but instead copied them from the Egyptians. Though Omar’s need to find Mia grows more urgent, he must focus on finding the enemy who will stop at nothing to ignite a controversy that will change history, and the world, forever.

Author H.B. Moore H.B. Moore is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than a dozen historical novels set in ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She attended the Cairo American College in Egypt and the Anglican International School in Jerusalem and received her bachelor of science degree from Brigham Young University. She writes historical thrillers under the pen name H.B. Moore, and romance and women’s fiction under the name Heather B. Moore. It can be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Blog

 

Book Blast Giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/30/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: 12 Brides of Summer Collection #3 by Margaret Brownley, Miralee Ferrell, Pam Hillman

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Love Is Buzzing in the Good Old Summertime!  Spend the sunny days of summer relaxing with an ice cold glass of lemonade and revel in the dreams of twelve brides who are a bit surprised by how the men of their dreams come into their lives.  Journey to the Old West, stay on the prairie, and visit quaint small towns. . . without leaving the comfort of your own front porch!

The dog days of summer are here, but love is still in full bloom with Novella Collection #3:

Dog Days of Summer Bride by Margaret Brownley
Music teacher Miralee Davis and blacksmith Tom Colbert don’t realize they’ve been sharing the same dog until. . .it digs up a stash of stolen loot. The reward will go to the dog’s owner—if only that can be decided.

The Dogwood Blossom Bride by Miralee Ferrell
Gracie Addison is a tree-climbing tomboy, and practical Will Montgomery objects to her unladylike influence on his niece. Will his judgmental attitude come back to bite him?

The Lumberjack’s Bride by Pam Hillman
Chicago transplant, Lucy Denson cooks for a logging crew in the Mississippi backwoods until she can return to her idea of civilization. Can Eli Everett help her rethink her ideals?

My Review

These are some sweet novellas to read on a hot summer day! It starts out strong with Dog Days of Summer, a humorous tale of the frustrations of two strangers who unknowingly share custody of a dog, who switches households partway through the week. Tom's bulk and dustiness starkly contrast Miralee's prim and cultured tidiness. They butt heads over the dog, but form a friendship despite their differences. Some small-town drama intervenes, however, and the road to romance is not smooth. (3 stars)

The Dogwood Blossom Bride also had a couple with a love-hate relationship, this time disagreeing over Will's headstrong niece. Grace and Will struggle with giving each other the benefit of the doubt, jumping to conclusions, and unrealistic expectations. Not much depth to their characters though. (3 stars)

My favorite of the collection was The Lumberjack's Bride, the sequel to The Evergreen Bride from the 12 Brides of Christmas Collection. Lucy is a city girl who grows to love the forest and a particular lumberjack who not only is sweet on her but rescues her from various mishaps. Even though she is completely out of her element, she reaches out to others and pitches in to help with a compassionate nature. (4 stars)

(Thank you to Barbour Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: Expert Witness by Rachel Dylan

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Minutes after testifying in a murder trial, sketch artist Sydney Berry is almost killed in a drive-by shooting. United States Marshal Max Preston saves her life then whisks her away to safety. She's his first protected witness, and he'll do everything in his power to keep her safe. But Sydney doesn't want to hide from danger. She is determined to finish her testimony and put a killer away. With potential suspects coming from all corners, Sydney will have to trust Max with her deepest secrets—and her life.

My Review

Non-stop action kept me reading to find out what would happen next. Max and Sydney had to move quickly to stay ahead of the various assassins sent after her. The Christian element was strong, with Sydney not shy about sharing her reliance on God, although I felt that Max's quick about-face with his spirituality didn't quite fit his character.The romance definitely took a back seat to the plot with several twists and turns leading to an exciting climax, but the attraction and admiration between Max and Sydney simmers throughout the book. Highly recommend to fans of Christian suspense!

(Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Review: Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life–and love–altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter’s. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives–including their own.

My Review

There is a solid foundation of background story and current plot lines from various characters' points of view, mainly Tracy and Michael's. The romance between the two of them alternated with too much holding back, then methodical rationalizing. Both were equally burdened with grief and guilt from their past relationships which helped with the give and take balance of support they shared. When they finally moved past the issues restraining them, the chemistry was pretty good, but still tempered by caution due to their fragile hearts. There are also tender mercies from heaven sprinkled in their experiences together and with other friends in the town.

I loved the cast of community members and their influence on the different facets of the story. There is a real lesson of lifelong regret from the life experience of Anna, Michael's reclusive landlord that shares her tragic secret with a family in need to prevent them from making the same mistake. Another favorite is Charley, the fish taco food truck vendor who unobtrusively shares pearls of wisdom along with his unconditional friendship.

(Thank you to Revell Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

Are You a Bushel or a Candlestick? by Eric D. Richards

This is an inspirational talk on CD by a friend I grew up with! He is an amazing man and teacher. It is geared toward teens but can be enjoyed by adults as well, of any Christian denomination. Use Promo code "FALL15" for 25% off at Deseret Book (expires 9/6)

Synopsis

Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but have been afraid to try? Everyone has unique talents and abilities, and the Lord can use each one, no matter how random it may be. In this inspiring talk, Eric D. Richards shares a message that will motivate listeners to develop their talents so they can bless the lives of others. He says, “The Lord wants us to light the flame of our talent and place it on a candle and then invite the Lord to put it on a candlestick so it can give light to another person’s life. As others look at us and see our good works, they will want to give glory to their Heavenly Father.” With stories from the lives of outstanding Latter-day Saints who have “let their lights shine,” Brother Richards illustrates this message: “Your ability is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift to God. You may feel invisible or inferior, but you are invaluable to Him. Discover your gifts, let them shine, and watch how the Lord uses your talents to bless others around you.”

About the Author

Brother Richards is here today because two missionaries chose to go tracting one day in San Diego. Later, his own mission began in Honduras and ended in Alabama (due to a bone tumor).  He played water polo and volleyball in college, during which time he met wife Megan as they worked as EFY counselors; the two were married in the San Diego temple and have 4 children.
His current assignment is writing church curriculum in addition to being a Seminary Principal;  in the summertime, he directs at EFY and speaks at BYU Education Week. Also, Deseret Book carries his audio CDs.
Brother Richards loves cooking for people, photography, remote controls, ice cream and iPhones.  He loves connecting with people on Instagram and on his Facebook page.
And, on a side note, he loves chocolate more than most women do.
Most of all, he loves teaching and being with valiant Latter-Day Saints.

E-book sale: Three amazing books for only $1.99!

(Be sure to check the price since e-book sales are for a limited time)

 

Only $1.99 for Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund. This book is on my to-read list but anything by this author is amazing :)

Synopsis
Lily Young longs to find her lost sister or will die trying. Heedless of any danger, she searches logging camps and towns, posing as a photographer's assistant. And then she arrives in Harrison, Michigan--and the sights of Connell McCormick.
Connell is determined to increase the fortune of his lumber-baron father and figures as long as he's living an upright life, that's what matters. But when Lily arrives in town she upends his world, forcing him to confront the truth that dangerous men have gained too much power while good men turn a blind eye.
Vexing but persuasive, Lily soon secures Connell's help, drawing them ever closer to each other. Will standing for what's right cost them both everything?

Only $1.99 for Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden. I rated this book 4 stars, I really liked it!

Synopsis
As a child, Lydia Pallas became all too familiar with uncertainty when it came to the future. Now, she's finally carved out a perfect life for herself--a life of stability and order with no changes, surprises, or chaos of any kind. She adores her apartment overlooking the bustling Boston Harbor, and her skill with languages has landed her a secure position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.
However, it is her talent for translation that brings her into contact with Alexander Banebridge, or "Bane," a man who equally attracts and aggravates her. When Bane hires Lydia to translate a seemingly innocuous collection of European documents, she hesitantly agrees, only to discover she is in over her head.
Just as Bane's charm begins to win her over, Lydia learns he is driven by a secret campaign against some of the most dangerous criminals on the East Coast, compelled by his faith and his past. Bane forbids any involvement on Lydia's part, but when the criminals gain the upper hand, it is Lydia on whom he must depend.

Only $1.99 for The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller. This is one of my 5 star favorite books- highly recommend!

Synopsis
The Civil War has ended, but in Katie Calloway's Georgia home conflict still rages. To protect herself and her young brother from her violent and unstable husband, she flees north, finding anonymity and sanctuary as the cook in a Northwoods lumber camp. The camp owner, Robert Foster, wonders if the lovely woman he's hired has the grit to survive the never-ending work and harsh conditions of a remote pine forest in winter. Katie wonders if she can keep her past a secret from a man she is slowly growing to love.
With grace and skill, Serena Miller brings to life a bygone era. From the ethereal, snowy forest and the warm cookstove to the rowdy shanty boys and the jagged edges of the saw, every detail is perfectly rendered, transporting the reader back to the time when pine was king, men were made of iron, and rivers were choked with logs on the way to the sawmills. Readers will have a hard time leaving the Northwoods when they turn the last page.

E-book sale: $1.99 for Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Be sure to take advantage of this fabulous deal! Only $1.99 for the e-book of Anna's Crossing by Suzanne Woods Fisher. I absolutely loved this book and gave it 5 stars- read my review here.

(Check the price before buying since e-book sales are for a limited time)

Synopsis

When Anna Konig first meets Bairn, the Scottish ship carpenter of the "Charming Nancy," their encounter is anything but pleasant. Anna is on the ship only to ensure the safe arrival of her loved ones to the New World. Hardened by years of living at sea, Bairn resents toting these naive farmers--dubbed "Peculiars" by deckhands--across the ocean. As delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions afflict crew and passengers alike, Bairn finds himself drawn to Anna's serene nature. For her part, Anna can't seem to stay below deck and far away from the aloof ship's carpenter, despite warnings.  When an act of sacrifice leaves Anna in a perilous situation, Bairn discovers he may not have left his faith as firmly in the past as he thought. But has the revelation come too late?
Amish fiction favorite Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her fans back to the beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating glimpse into the first ocean crossing as seen through the eyes of a devout young woman and an irreverent man. Blending the worlds of Amish and historical fiction, Fisher is sure to delight her longtime fans even as she attracts new ones with her superb and always surprise-filled writing.

Review: A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas. He never comes home empty-handed. So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan’s Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the little girl entrusted to her care after her mother’s death. Charlotte promised Lily’s mother she’d keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge. Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When the teacher he’s after produces documentation that shows she’s the little girl’s legal guardian, Stone must reevaluate everything he’s been led to believe. Is Miss Atherton villain or victim? She acts more like a loving mother than an abductress, and the children in her care clearly adore her. Should Stone break his perfect record?

Then a new danger threatens, and Charlotte is forced to trust the man sent to destroy her. Stone becomes determined to protect what he once sought to tear apart. Besides, he’s ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte’s heart.

My Review

Boy, does Karen Witemeyer know how to write her heroes! I loved the strength, honor, humor, and hint of vulnerability that made Stone a man that Charlotte could finally count on. He has a soft spot for kids and the truth of the situation along with Lily's safety quickly becomes more important than his tracking record. The story is one of adventure, with some twists and plenty of action. What endeared this story to me though are the small details that subtly deepen the reader's understanding of each character and make them unique. Charlotte playing passionately on the piano to express her anxiety. Lily's obsession with dime novels of frontier heroes. The way that touch affects Stone at a deep level.

The relationship between Stone and Charlotte builds steadily as they learn to trust each other and overcome their own hesitations. Their romantic moments are heightened by the emotion of the desperate circumstances, but prove to be based on a love that each is yearning for. There are also two other couples that have roles in the mission to protect Lily who totally need novellas written about them (hint, hint Karen...)

(Thank you to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)