Review: The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Former Navy SEAL Hamilton Jones thought that the love of his life was dead. But when a girl claiming to be his daughter shows up with a dire message from his wife, Ham knows he will stop at nothing to find her and bring her home.

Kidnapped by rebels while serving as an interpreter in Ukraine, Signe Kincaid has spent the past decade secreting out valuable information about Russian assets in the US to her CIA handler. Fearing for her daughter after being discovered as an operative, Signe sends her to Ham for safekeeping. She's ready to give her life for her country, and she can hardly expect Ham to rescue her after breaking his heart over and over.

When Ham discovers the reason Signe has kept her distance, he must choose between love for his wife and love for the nation he has vowed to protect. Will he save the many? Or the few?

USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren takes you on a global search and rescue mission where the stakes are higher than ever in this final installment of her popular series.

My Review

Another non-stop action/adventure/suspense filled ride with the heroes of the global rescue team! I'd definitely recommend reading these in order since the subplot of the each previous book leads into the main plot of the following. There's an overarching political intrigue that ties them together, and I appreciate that the books don't end on cliffhangers even if all the threads aren't wrapped up. Ham is united with his daughter at the end of the previous book, and I loved seeing his relationship with her and how easily he falls into the role of father. Signe is more difficult to understand, and her layers are revealed slowly throughout the book. The thought processes of the characters are a bit choppy, as that seems to be the author's writing style, but it was more prevalent in this book. The rocky relationship of team members Orion and Jenny is explored along with Ham and Signe, and just as tumultuous is  unexpected natural disasters which provide contrast with the spy drama. It was satisfying to have the mysteries answered and  also fun to see the cameos of SAR and special op friends and colleagues from the author's other series.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous books in the Global Search and Rescue series . . .

Review: To Know Miss May by Deborah M. Hathaway

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

He's supposed to convince her to marry someone else. What happens if he falls for her instead?

Living on the small tidal island of St. Michael’s Mount, Miss Livvy May has the freedom to do as she wishes and go where she pleases, thriving in harmony with the Cornish seas. As much as she loves living on the Mount, however, there is one thing she wishes she could the fact that everyone wishes to know everything . In an effort to help, Livvy’s father encourages her to find a spouse off of the Mount, but the very thought of leaving her home is unbearable—even if that home includes people who constantly misjudge and misunderstand her. But such a matter is hardly important when she has her books to keep her company. After all, reading is far easier than acknowledging the secrets she is desperate to keep to herself. Secrets about her past, about her family, about her heart—and whom she holds inside of it.

Known as the Mount’s Charmer, August Moon has it all—a promising occupation as the castle’s undergardener, a family who loves him, friends who support him, and a community that adores him. The only thing that could make his life better? Finding a wife whose cheerful temperament and sense of adventure match his own. Such a thing is easier said than done, however, when his time is unexpectedly usurped by his supervisor, Mr. May, and a shocking August must help the unsociable Livvy May to find her place in Society or risk losing his place of work at the castle. Spending any amount of time with the woman will most assuredly be a waste of August’s time, but how can he willingly give up his position at the castle when he’s spent his whole life working to get there?

With no choice but to accept Mr. May’s demands, August is determined to make quick work of the situation. But assisting the woman proves more than difficult as she refuses to comply with Society’s standards, putting his job—and his future—at risk. Livvy can’t begin to understand why the man is suddenly paying attention to her, but she is determined to keep her secrets to herself, especially the ones that involve August. And yet, when a fraction of the true Livvy shines forth, both of them must decide if their futures are better left spent apart or if falling in love is worth the risk of everything changing—and not entirely for the better.

My Review

Such a unique setting! I loved the moody vibe of the island and Livvy's appreciation of all its seasons. There's an element of unrequited love here, until circumstances change and August takes notice of Livvy. There's something irresistible about August, and it's so sweet that he finds Livvy irresistible! Social and family dynamics make their budding friendship and romance complicated, but the author weaves in beautiful moments for them to share their hearts with each other. For fans of Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson, this book has a similar quality of delicious anticipation and romantic tension, even though the stories are very different... but then again, there are subtle parallels when I look close enough. Highly recommend!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the other books in the Castles and Courtship series . . .

Review: Forever Phoebe by Chalon Linton

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

At the dignified age of eighteen, Phoebe Jamison knows she should behave in a manner befitting her station, as her three loving elder brothers often tease. Unfortunately, the lively young woman has a personality every bit as fiery as her red hair, a fact brought to her attention in the criticism from the gentleman she has long pined for. But not every man is of the opinion that a woman should be decorous above all else. The newest resident of Somerset, Mr. Franklin Everly, is considered a most eligible bachelor, and he is immediately drawn to Phoebe’s spirited nature as he becomes acquainted with the delightful Jamison siblings of Primly Park.

Franklin embarks on a friendship with Phoebe that quickly deepens into a warm and thrilling connection. But even as he fights for Phoebe’s attentions, a very real danger is revealed: girls in neighboring villages have gone missing, and the kidnapper is moving ever closer to Primly Park. Despite the guard of her fiercely protective brothers and Franklin, Phoebe must rely on her own strength when she finds herself in the sights of the Bride Snatcher.

My Review

Phoebe, her brothers, and Mr. Everly are all easy to like in this sweet Regency romance. They share a fun camaraderie whether riding, shooting, dancing, or just visiting. The love triangle didn't make much sense to me since Mr. Mason was not likeable, and didn't treat Phoebe well, but she persisted in holding onto her longtime crush. It seemed a bit out of character for her to accept that kind of treatment. Her swift friendship with Franklin and their budding romance was a pleasure to read, and the kidnapping of local young women provided a bit of suspense. Overall the elements of the story were a bit disjointed, but I enjoyed the characters and their interactions as Franklin established himself at his estate and in the neighborhood.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous connected book . . .

Review: The Power of Flowers: Turning Pieces of Mother Nature into Transformative Works of Art by Vicki Rawlins

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

From field to forest and stream to sky, capture the harmony and beauty of the natural world with just some paper, flowers, leaves, and twigs.

Creating stunning yet fleeting works of art, artist Vicki Rawlins of Sister Golden defies the notion that art should be permanent. Using only the natural world and its gifts as her medium, Vicki forages for her materials and arranges them into stunning works of art.

Equipped with just scissors and tweezers, and using gravity as her glue, Vicki creates magical scenes and detailed portraits out of twigs, leaves, and flowers. After documenting her finished piece with a photo, she gifts her materials back to Mother Nature, or repurposes them in her next creation. The process is therapeutic, and the possibilities are endless!

A charming exploration of imagination and possibility, The Power of Flowers offers a window into the creative process behind these natural artworks and abundant inspiration with a striking kaleidoscope of art pieces, including:
- Famous faces, like Frida Kahlo, John Lennon, Einstein, Diana Ross, and more
- Whimsical scenes featuring blooming gardens, moonlit forests, seaside cottages, and woodland animals.
- Seasonal pieces inspired by the magic of the holidays
- Contemplative art reflecting love, inner strength, and positive energy.
 

With her uniquely imaginative artistic vision, Vicki takes you deeper into her world by sharing her process, her sustainable approach to art, and anecdotes about what inspired her to create. Let yourself get lost in The Power of Flowers.

My Review

I've admired this artist's work as I've come across photographs of various pieces online, and I was excited to be able to look at a whole book of her creations. The scenes are sweet and nostalgic, and the portraits creative and fun. The author shares some of her history with a health crisis and the way working with nature helped restore her. It's somewhat disappointing that live plant creations are difficult to preserve or share other than from a photo. I was surprised to learn that she doesn't use any adhesive but just freely lays down the pieces of plant matter in her composition (careful to have no fans or open windows). There's not much in the way of tutorials or instruction, but the artist shares a paragraph or two of her thoughts about each artwork or series of art pieces. The variety of matter is inspiring and I loved the contrasts of colors and textures. A wonderful source of inspiration for foraging and creating!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Groundcover Revolution by Kathy Jentz

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Tired of spending your weekends mowing, trimming, and edging? Then it’s time to say goodbye to your standard grass lawn and join the Groundcover Revolution!

Turns out you’re not alone in your desire to ditch the lawn and replace it with something prettier, more diverse, lower maintenance, welcoming to pollinators, and good for Earth’s climate health. Reducing the lawn is among the biggest trends in homeownership, with an endless stream of homeowners looking for an eco-friendly alternative to a traditional turfgrass lawn. In the last few years alone, over 23 million American adults converted part of their lawn to a natural landscape, and now they’re looking to do even more.

The biggest challenge to adopting this new ideal of the perfect lawn? Knowing how and when to replace your turf, and which plants are the best ones for the job. Groundcover Revolution is here with all the answers you need (and some you didn’t even know you needed!).

Those answers include: 

- How replacing a lawn with groundcovers reduces resource consumption on a significant level
- Why groundcovers require far less long-term maintenance than turf after establishment
- The many additional benefits of groundcovers, including erosion control, a reduction in chemical usage, a boost in biodiversity, and mitigation of climate change as a carbon sink
- The ways groundcovers overcome challenges such as tree roots, compacted soils, poor drainage, and dense shade
- The step-by-step mechanics of how to get rid of your lawn, how to place and plant groundcovers from seeds, plugs, or transplants, and how to care for your new “quilted lawn” once it’s in place

Also included are 40 in-depth profiles of plants that are perfect choices for replacing a grass lawn. There are options for sun, for shade, for dry and wet sites, and for various climates around the globe. There are choices that bloom, options that are evergreen, and selections that are deer resistant. Author Kathy Jentz has also included an incredibly useful chart that gives youall the specifics on each of the 40 choices for quick reference and to make your groundcover selection process even easier.

Don’t let a lack of information stop you from creating the no-mow groundcover lawn of your dreams. Join the revolution and say goodbye to the burden of lawn care and hello to summer weekends relaxing by the pool or camping with family and friends. Whether you want to replace the entire lawn or just reduce the amount of land dedicated to turf, it’s time to usher in a new and improved idea of what a beautiful lawn should be.

My Review

I learned new information and was reminded of things I knew as I read this light book on groundcovers. It only took about an hour to make my way through the author's delightful narrative and peruse the forty plants she selected to spotlight. Because she focused on a smaller number I was able to get a good feel for the plants and which would work in my landscape. Because I live in a climate that often has drought conditions, not many of the specimens featured would be ideal, but I enjoyed learning about the variety she presented and the lovely photographs.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Step by Step by Candace Calvert

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Three years after a tragic accident left her a widow, ER nurse Taylor Cabot is determined to move on, checking off one item after another on her survival list. Her relationship with a handsome plastic surgeon even gives her hope for the last point--"fall in love again." At least until crisis chaplain Seth Donovan steps back into her life, reawakening unanswered questions about her husband's death.

While in San Diego to train community volunteers, Seth hopes to learn why Taylor is backing away from the crisis team and from their friendship. But nothing prepares him for the feelings that arise when he sees Taylor again . . . and sees her moving on with another man.

When a community crisis hits home and puts lives at risk, emotions run high and buried truths are unearthed. Will hope make the survival list?

My Review

I loved San Diego as the setting for this book! It was pretty authentic to the vibe of the city and it was fun to recognize streets, landmarks, and neighborhoods. I wish that I had read the first book in the series before this one so I could have read about Taylor and Seth's previous experiences together, but I didn't feel like I was thrown in the middle of an ongoing story. Themes of grief and trauma are front and center in the lives of the crisis team members and ER nurses, as well as hope for the future and moving on- especially in Taylor's case. The pace of the book starts quickly, but then settles into a much slower pace as the thoughts and angst of the characters are explored - mostly through the viewpoints of Seth and Taylor, but we also have scenes from the perspective of ER nurses Sloane and Kasie. They provide a subplot, which also has an impact of the climax of the book. I wasn't a fan of the love triangle, and wished that the majority of Seth and Taylor's time together wasn't so platonic- although their friendship was great once she decided to stop being so cold to him. I feel like Taylor's need for control to overcome her grief prevented her from feeling emotions, especially ones she didn't understand or want to feel or fit into her vision for the future. It's one of the lessons she learned in the story, but it also had the side effect of dampening the romance until the very end.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Check out the other books in the Crisis Team series . . .

Tour Spotlight: Expired Hope by Megan Besing

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Expired Hope by Megan Besing & Lisa Phillips, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Expired Hope 

Series: Last Chance Fire and Rescue #2 

Authors: Megan Besing & Lisa Phillips 

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing 

Release Date: April 25, 2023 

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

She battled every fire she ever faced.

He’s risking everything for the chance to belong. 

Veteran and therapist Natalie Atkinson watched her Army career explode in her face. All she ever wanted was to help people carry their burdens. Seeking a new future in Last Chance County doesn’t start so well when she’s the one being rescued from a client’s burning house. To make matters worse, now she’s stuck evaluating the truck and rescue squads for the fire department. When the chief overhears why she left her last job, she’s determined to prove to him and her boss that she’s still the right therapist to assess his crew. 

No matter if success takes everything she’s got. Fire Chief Macon James is the right man for the job. He doesn’t need a therapist interfering with the running of his crew or putting his position in jeopardy when a counselor is what tore his family apart. He’s got to get his firefighters to be a team, and he can do it without Natalie’s help. After an explosion destroys her car, it quickly becomes clear she might need him as much as everyone thinks he needs her. If these two stubborn hearts will surrender, they could have everything they want. 

Or it could all go down in flames.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

Excerpt

“Joey, we’ve got to go.” She gulped as darkness feathered on the outside of her vision. “There’s a fire.”

“Hold on a sec.”

She leaned into the storage compartment that was longer than any normal closet. “No, now. Fire—”

He did a fist pump. “Gold level! Take that, Simon.” He stuck the edge of his tongue along his cheek. “Dad usually has a fire when he cooks. He burned nuggets in the microwave once. That’s why we order takeout. Is that where we’re going? I’d rather have your pretzels.”

Natalie didn’t wait to explain. She crawled in farther and grabbed his earphones and the gaming device.

“Hey!”

“We’ve got to get out. There’s an actual fire in the kitchen. Your dad needs our help.”

Joey blinked at Natalie and then nodded. Natalie had a harder time moving backward in a skirt and the cramped space. She reached the closet door and was hit with another wave of heat.

Joey yanked on his gaming system, and it fell from Natalie’s fingers.

She gaped. Joey’s curtains were on fire. So was the basketball goal. The posters on his door curled and turned to ash. Flames flickered up from his trashcan.

She threaded her fingers through Joey’s. “We need to get out of here.” But the door and window were blocked by hot flames. Please, God, not again.

Joey gripped her hand. “What do we do?”

More Books in this Series

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About the Authors

Lisa Phillips is a USA Today and top ten Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over 50 books that span Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line, independently published series romantic suspense, and thriller novels. She’s discovered a penchant for high-stakes stories of mayhem and disaster where you can find made-for-each-other love that always ends in happily ever after.

Lisa is a British ex-pat who grew up an hour outside of London and attended Calvary Chapel Bible College, where she met her husband. He’s from California, but nobody’s perfect. It wasn’t until her Bible College graduation that she figured out she was a writer (someone told her). As a worship leader for Calvary Chapel churches in her local area, Lisa has discovered a love for mentoring new ministry members and youth worship musicians.

Connect with Lisa by visiting authorlisaphillips.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.  

Despite adoring happily-ever-afters, Megan Besing didn’t unlock a love for reading until her mid-twenties, which quickly expanded into writing. Her stories have won many awards, but her most cherished achievements are being a wife and mother. She lives in a pocket-size Indiana town, centered around extended family. She’s always planning a road trip with a view, yet her favorite place may just be on her front porch drinking tea.

Connect with Megan by visiting meganbesing.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates. 

Discover the world of Last Chance County at www.lastchancecounty.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback of Expired Hope and a $10 Gift Card to the Sunrise Shop!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight April 26, 2023 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on May 3, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!