“She embodied laughter and optimism and steadfast determination. Being with her felt like wind in his sails, filling him with buoyant optimism.”
Elizab“She embodied laughter and optimism and steadfast determination. Being with her felt like wind in his sails, filling him with buoyant optimism.”
Elizabeth Camden has done it again! What a fascinating story from the beginning to end! This beautifully written and masterfully crafted tale takes us first to 1900 Alexandria, VA as Gray is building his spice trade empire and Annabelle is starting a new life in Washington DC as a botanical specialist in the Smithsonian. As Annabelle and Gray meet while she’s searching for the original vanilla orchid, their lives intertwine to include intrigue, romance, betrayal, and matters of national security. There are plenty of plot twists to keep you on your toes and there is still a smoldering question unanswered by the end of the book, which should make the sequel very interesting. I really enjoyed learning about the spice trade, the intricate process of making vanilla extract, the beginning of quality control in processed food items spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, and how our scientists went all over the world looking for seeds and fruits to diversify our food supply. The premise and plot are quite original and captivating, as is the storytelling.
Equally captivating are the characters in the story. Gray, the sober and disciplined businessman, and Annabelle, the bright and sunny botanist with an expertise in cereal grasses, are absolute opposites in personality and outlook on life. Yet they’re drawn like magnets to each other and learn what grace, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness really mean through trials and tribulations. Gray’s brother Luke and sister Caroline are also fascinating; I can’t wait for the next book to get to know Caroline better.
Truly this is a historical fiction not to be missed. I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
Another fabulous read by Nichole Van! This book is not a time travel novel and doesn't have any supernatural involved in the plot, but is a delicious Another fabulous read by Nichole Van! This book is not a time travel novel and doesn't have any supernatural involved in the plot, but is a delicious story set in Regency England of how two people can grow, mature, and find themselves and each other. The writing, as always, is clever and witty and so much fun. The dialogue, especially between Colin and Belle, is wickedly funny and wonderful. The story spans some seven plus years and quite a bit of the plot is revealed through Colin and Belle's letter correspondence. Belle starts out the story as introverted, easily forgotten heiress but develops into a beautiful, confident, gifted entrepreneur when she meets Colin again. Colin, the Lord Blake, is thoroughly likable, intelligent, humble, honorable, loyal, and tender-hearted. Their shared love and compassion for the down-trodden and the poor brings them together in heart and mind, even though Colin doesn't realize who his business partner is for most of the seven years he is away in India. Their romance is sweet and tender, though fraught with obstacles, deception, and shattered feelings. If you enjoy Regency romance, this novel is a must-read. I was given a copy of the book through Kathy at I Am a Reader and was under no obligation to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
What a fantastic debut novel! Abigail Wilson is a gifted writer who is able to transport the reader back into Regency England, full of pomp and circumWhat a fantastic debut novel! Abigail Wilson is a gifted writer who is able to transport the reader back into Regency England, full of pomp and circumstance but also filled with mystery, intrigue, and dark shadows in the midst of an intelligence war against France. Though the writing is in the first person narrative from Sybil, the story flows smoothly and the writing is easy to understand. The plot is detailed and well-crafted and has delicious twists and turns as everyone has a secret and an ulterior motive for being at the Croft Towers. And since it’s written from Sybil’s perspective, the reader can never be sure who the villain is until the end. If you enjoy historical mystery/suspense, you will absolutely love this book.
Sybil is a kind-hearted soul, though somewhat lost in the world since she’s an orphan and her greatest wish is to find her parentage. This desire drives her to Croft Towers to be an aging woman’s companion, where she meets an interesting and diverse set of people who turns her world upside down and sideways. She’s also spirited, determined, and resourceful. Curtis (or Mr. Sinclair, as he’s addressed mostly) is a gallant gentleman, thoughtful and tender, yet shrouded in mystery, especially given how he and Sybil meet. The entire story clicks into place one piece at a time as Sybil unravels the threads of secrecy tangled up in the Croft Towers.
I can’t wait for her next book!
I was given a copy of the book from Thomas Nelson via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
Wow. What an intense psychological thriller. Nancy Mehl creates a world of FBI profiling that is chilling and totally gripping. The title is incrediblWow. What an intense psychological thriller. Nancy Mehl creates a world of FBI profiling that is chilling and totally gripping. The title is incredibly appropriate. The book is extremely well-written with a plot that has the reader constantly guessing at who may be after Kaely, the FBI profiler being targeted. The plot has multiple points of view, including the villain's, and has many details that somehow all pull together to point to the person responsible and yet the reader can't be completely sure until the very end of the book. If you enjoy a well-crafted psychological thriller, you will love this book.
Kaely is a talented FBI profiler with a terrible family history and background. She is talented but has unorthodox methodology in getting her results and suffers from distrust in people. She is a bit difficult to connect with at first because she is so different and almost lives inside the heads of those she profiles; her thought processes and her reading of others can be somewhat disturbing. Yet she has a rock-solid faith that she is comfortable talking to Noah about and her faith is genuine, plain, and honest. Noah is lead agent on the case when Kaely gets threatened. He is a loyal, intelligent, hard-working FBI agent still suffering from the loss of his wife. Noah is easy to like and his affinity for Kaely as the book progresses helps the reader understand Kaely better. The author really draws the reader into Kaely and Noah's world, not just in trying to identify and apprehend the perpetrator in their professional world but also into their personal worlds where past events and the emotions tied to them collide to pave a more hopeful future.
I am already holding my breath for book 2 in Kaely Quinn Profiler series. What can surpass Kaely's ordeals and genius that were presented in this book? Waiting is so difficult....
I was given a copy of the book by Bethany House (Baker House Publishing) via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
I remember being wowed by the first book in the series Beneath the Surface. This second book In Too Deep gets a double wow. Lynn H Blackburn spins an I remember being wowed by the first book in the series Beneath the Surface. This second book In Too Deep gets a double wow. Lynn H Blackburn spins an incredible and fast-paced romantic suspense complete with non-stop action, an intricately and tightly woven plot with gasp-worthy twists, a thought-provoking look at modern-day slavery, and wonderfully memorable characters. If you enjoy contemporary inspirational romantic suspense, this book is a must read!
In this book, we get better acquainted with Sabrina, the brainy, dedicated, and somewhat socially awkward professor of tech and cyber security and Adam, our diver team homicide investigator who comes from money and privilege. If you read the first book, you would already know that there is definite attraction brewing between these two but their story can definitely be read as a stand-alone. Adam is incredibly sweet but so insecure and hesitant because he’s never been wanted for who he is, only for his family’s name and money. Sabrina and Adam are thrown together again as Sabrina’s life becomes threatened and a homicide investigation spins out of control. Such nail-biting suspense!!
I can’t wait for Gabe’s story next. Hopefully it will be Gabe and Anissa....?
I was given a copy of this book from the author and Baker Publishing Group and was under no obligation to to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
This is the first full-length novel from Regina Jennings that I have read and I’m totally hooked! If you enjoy historical romance, you will definitelyThis is the first full-length novel from Regina Jennings that I have read and I’m totally hooked! If you enjoy historical romance, you will definitely enjoy this one. The writing is fluid and easy to follow, the characters are endearing, and the plot is fun with a bit of suspense and intrigue thrown in.
Hattie, an aspiring artist, gets robbed on a coach heading to Denver and is rescued by an Indian tribe working in tandem with the US government as reservations are being created. Jack, a lieutenant in the US Army that is serving the reservation, has always admired Hattie from afar while growing up and seizes the opportunity to “rescue” her from the Indian tribe. Misunderstanding and miscommunication bind them as husband and wife as they both try to figure out why they hold on to the dreams that they have. Hattie is strong-willed, stubborn, and somewhat immature and spoiled in the beginning but is also tender, vulnerable, and has a huge heart and an infinite capacity to love. Jack has always been a nerd with a nose buried in a book but has grown up to be a confidant man, interested in the welfare and preservation of the tribe even as they are forced to assimilate. As they struggle together to sustain a school for the tribe’s children and find out who had robbed the coach, their friendship and love bloom.
Even though this is book 2 in the series, it can totally be read as a stand alone. But now I need to go back and read the first book, Holding the Fort!
I was given a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers (Baker Publishing Group) and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
"Do not make the mistake of believing that all you see now is all there really is. That is the Illusion's foundation. There is so much more - a realit"Do not make the mistake of believing that all you see now is all there really is. That is the Illusion's foundation. There is so much more - a reality that will blow your mind, heal your heart, and give you that home you so deeply long for. But you have to believe before you can begin to see."
Jennifer Rodewald yet again weaves an incredible tale that is action-packed, full of surprises with a fast-moving plot and brimming with wonderful characters who are deeply layered. Though it's told from first person limited narrative through Abrielle's eyes, the characterization of each main and supporting characters is detailed and exquisite. If you enjoy young adult dystopian novels, you will absolutely love Emerald Illusion. If you've read the author's Uncloaked Trilogy and enjoyed the books, you do not want to miss this one.
The author's beautiful and lyrical writing style grabs the heart strings from page one. Abrielle is a tender-hearted yet broken soul who is always doubting herself and despising her perceived weaknesses. Her twin brother Brogan, their dad, and younger brother Matteaus, have survived the last few years since the death of their mom but each of them have been affected deeply. The family moves out to Kansas and are ready to settle in when a huge windstorm sweeps Abrielle and Brogan to another world. As they attempt to search for Matteaus who is missing, they meet Levi and his people in a world that has no color and is filled with tragedy and sadness. Levi, a loyal, tender, and faithful warrior, guides them in their search for the missing younger brother and their adventure - both physical and spiritual - begins. It is an amazing allegory about God's Kingdom, our lives here on earth, and what we are to be and what we are to be looking and working for.
And the ending! I can't tell if it's a cliff-hanger or truly the ending! I'm hoping for another book to continue Abrielle and Levi's story.....
I received a copy of the book from the author and was under no obligation to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
"'You don't have ugly hands,' he said quietly, his eyes reassuring me that I didn't need to be a perfect woman for him to accept me, that he wouldn't "'You don't have ugly hands,' he said quietly, his eyes reassuring me that I didn't need to be a perfect woman for him to accept me, that he wouldn't let my scars define who I was. 'I would touch them if you'll allow it.'"
Jody Hedlund once again delivers such tender Medieval romance laced with terrific writing and fantastic dialogue and infused with solid spiritual truths. There is plenty of action and battle scenes, great character development, gentle twists and turns in the plot that will have you turning the pages, and skillful interweaving of Scripture into the characters' lives and conversations. The theme of faithfulness and overcoming evil with good is prominent in the plot and plays a big role in Izzy and Cole maturing.
The year is 1395 and Izzy, Olivia's younger sister (featured in A Loyal Heart which is An Uncertain Choice book #4), has had their wealth and prestige ripped out from under her family due to her deceased father's treachery against the king. Izzy is sensitive, tender-hearted, emotional, fragile, kind, and compassionate and cannot stand that she needs to marry a wealthy but cruel neighbor to rescue her tenants and family. Izzy is beautiful on the inside and out, but people only see her outward beauty. As her journey unfolds, she must learn who she is and figure out what she stands for. Cole is a peasant woodworker in Izzy's neighbor's jurisdiction and he is loyal, strong, and trained to be fighter. Unfortunately his need to lead a peasant's uprising is fueled by hatred and need for revenge and this darkness pushes him into numbness and fearlessness. When Izzy runs away from her cruel almost-betrothed, she finds herself in the circle of the peasants and discovers joy in simplicity.
Although it's book #5 in the series, this book can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I do need to go back and read books #1-3 since I'm now so emotionally invested in these characters! If you enjoy historical romance, you will absolutely love this book. Jody Hedlund will transport you to a land and time far away where noble knights conquer evil and fair maidens are rescued for a happily ever after.
I was given a copy of the book from the author/publisher and was not obligated to write a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
“Sometimes you just have to extend a little grace to people. Not because they deserve it - but because we don’t deserve it either.”
This third installm“Sometimes you just have to extend a little grace to people. Not because they deserve it - but because we don’t deserve it either.”
This third installment in Denise Hunter’s Blue Ridge Romance series can definitely be read as a stand-alone (though I’ve read many of Denise Hunter’s books, I haven’t read the first two books in this series). The author once again captivates the reader with her easy-to-read fluid writing style, emotionally raw scenes that make the plot, steady and swoon-worthy hero, and a deep life and faith lesson that touches universally. Extending and accepting grace is a big theme for quite a few characters in the book. If you enjoy contemporary romance, you will definitely want to read this book.
Pastor Jack finally gets his own story, after having appeared in all the books in the series and then some. He’s kind, tender, compassionate, funny, and intelligent yet often insecure around women. He’s been in love with Daisy for quite some time now but isn’t sure how to make his feelings known. Daisy is a fun, loving, and generous part-owner of a florist shop whose world is turned upside down in a short span of time due to family secrets being unearthed. Their friendship/relationship is slow, sweet, and lovely even with all the hiccups and stumbling blocks along the way. I love the way the author pulls together a group of wonderful and memorable characters into a charming small-town atmosphere to create a world in which the reader can love, weep, and rejoice with our fictional friends.
I received a copy of the book from the author and Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. I was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
"Because I love you, Conner Duncan," she shouted into the serenity, fists now waving. "I'll always love you. And because marriage isn't about avoiding"Because I love you, Conner Duncan," she shouted into the serenity, fists now waving. "I'll always love you. And because marriage isn't about avoiding discomfort. It's about commitment!"
This book was my introduction to Cynthia Ruchti's writing and now I understand what everyone is raving about. Cynthia Ruchti has a unique style of writing that reads like stream of consciousness with lyrical, flowing, heart-rending prose. Though it's written in limited third person narrative, it reads like a first person narrative and allows the read to get into the heart, mind, and spirit of the main characters. Though Connor and Mallory's thoughts, perspectives, and memories are heartbreaking, there also are humorous and funny dialogue and thoughts even in the midst of their tangible and real struggles. As they travel together with a temporary foster preteen in tow, Connor and Mallory learn to find themselves and each other in the journey that engages their bodies, hearts, minds, and souls. This deeply emotional and soul-bearing story is indeed thought-provoking and had me contemplating my own marriage and spiritual journey and how we have also come many miles from where we started.
I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
“We’re all stuck, a little bit, in the valley between who we want to be and who we are.”
What an exciting conclusion to The Summer of the Burning Sky s“We’re all stuck, a little bit, in the valley between who we want to be and who we are.”
What an exciting conclusion to The Summer of the Burning Sky series! This third and final book is totally not what I expected. The bulk of the second book in the series, The Heat Is On, was a recap of the events from the first book but seen from the eyes of different characters. It was still a great read and I expected the third book to be similar. Susan May Warren surprised me once again! Some Like It Hot has a new plot line and subplot lines that merge seamlessly into the original storyline plotted out in the first book. There are some recaps of several events told through Riley and Larke’s perspectives but the majority of this book has fresh events, tons of action and adrenaline-filled scenes, gripping and tender moments, sigh-worthy romance, notable and applicable spiritual epiphanies, incredibly broken yet malleable and lovable characters all wrapped up with fast-paced and easy to follow writing.
Riley is a fun-loving, charming smokejumper who has much more depth to his personality than he lets on. He feels deeply, loves fiercely, and shows up consistently when he’s needed. Larke is an ex-combat medic now flying planes with her dad’s business. She’s seen her share of war, heroics, and earth-shattering pain and does not want any of that repeated..... yet can’t help herself from falling for Riley. With the backdrop of a raging wildfire in Alaskan wilderness, a hunt for fugitives escaped from a minimum security prison, and a race to find a smuggling and trafficking mob boss, Riley and Larke’s romance is a sweet and heart-jarring light in the midst of evil and fear trying to overtake all the characters. Some Like It Hot is another Susan May Warren winner!
I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
I love Susan May Warren books, though I’m sort of a newbie in her fan club with only having read Montana Rescue series so far (no worries, I have mostI love Susan May Warren books, though I’m sort of a newbie in her fan club with only having read Montana Rescue series so far (no worries, I have most of her other series lined up to be read on my bookshelf or on my Kindle). This sequel to Light My Fire in the Summer of the Burning Sky series surprised me a bit because a good portion of this book is a rendering of all that happened so far in the first book but told from two other perspectives. Though a bit different from what I expected, I still enjoyed the book and loved getting to know Skye and Rio.
As the fire rages on in Alaska, there are prisoners who break free and are on the run. The Heat Is On focuses on Rio who is an undercover FBI agent, attempting to take down a trafficking and smuggling ring while disguised as a prisoner. He’s strong, solid, and protective as the defender of justice even as he struggles with the darkness that he lives with day in and day out. Only his faith shines a little light into his life of duplicity until he meets Skye, a smokejumper who is everything kind, loving, sweet, and tender as well as determined. Plenty of twists and turns in the new plotline makes the story fascinating and the adrenaline of fighting fires and chasing down the bad guys is high and alive in this book. I particularly enjoyed how Skye and Rio clung to Psalm 23 even in their darkest and most threatening trials.
“No one can stop this music. Its journey continues, I think, throughout the earth and up into the heavens. An eternal, sacred song.”
Hidden Among the S“No one can stop this music. Its journey continues, I think, throughout the earth and up into the heavens. An eternal, sacred song.”
Hidden Among the Stars is another winner from this masterful author. Melanie Dobson’s haunting, lyrical, and musical voice is powerful and beautiful. She creates a vivid world of 1938 Vienna and Austria - its music, beauty, and culture clashing against hatred and anger against the Jews. This dual timeline story unites 1938 Austria with present day Ohio and one antique book brings strangers and families together for an unforgettable journey. The slow unraveling of the past and present as they intertwine is delicious and full of intrigue and anticipation. The multiple twists and turns in the plot heightens the anticipation. The present day is from Callie’s first person perspective in present tense. The past is from Max, Luzi, and Annika’s limited third person perspective in past tense. The writing switches perspectives and times fluidly to create an incredible tale. I loved the way the author used well-known quotes from children’s books in the story and how the antique books central to the story are also children’s books.
The characters Callie and Josh from present day Ohio will charm you. The characters Max, Luzi, and Annika from pre-WWII Austria will make you cry and hurt and love with them. The themes of sacrifice, justice, full trust in our God, and letting go of fear are real and prominent in all the characters’ lives.
If you enjoy historical romance, especially dual timeline ones, you will absolutely love this book. It’s a must-read!
I received a copy of the book from the author/publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to write a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
"It's perfectly obvious that you can't go forward while your past is chasing you down. Big Heart Ranch is all about that. This is the place where we l"It's perfectly obvious that you can't go forward while your past is chasing you down. Big Heart Ranch is all about that. This is the place where we let go of our past. New beginnings. Like the birth of our Lord at Christmas."
Man, Tina Radcliffe really knows how to pull those heartstrings, wind them tight, and then let them fly without warning. The entire Big Heart Ranch series is heart-breaking, heart-tugging, and heart-warming all at the same time but I really identified with this third book in the series (but, of course, I loved the first two books as well). Zach is the strong and silent type former Navy SEAL visiting the Big Heart Ranch for Christmas holiday to see his twin nieces and his sister-in-law Emma who is still grieving the death of her husband Steve, who was Zach's half-brother. Zach has had a rough childhood and has always loved Emma but backed away and stayed away when his brother Steve started dating her. He's gruff, action-speaks-louder-than-words Scrooge that scoffs at Emma's Christmas spirit and enthusiasm. But when he starts to soften.... he becomes this swoony, considerate, thoughtful man able to steal Emma's breath away. Emma is a smart, efficient, loving therapist who works with the abused and neglected children whom she and her family serve at Big Heart Ranch. Both Zach and Emma need to heal from their pasts and accept/extend forgiveness so that they can move ahead into their future. Dialogue is fantastic, sassy, and fun; Zach and Emma had me laughing out loud so much that my sides hurt!
If you enjoy contemporary romance, you will definitely enjoy this book. Though it's book #3 in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone. But you need to read the entire series! The Maxwell family is incredible and you have to experience each of the character's stories!
I was given a copy of the book from the author/publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
“Love gives us power, makes us risk everything we have, everything we are. Love is not for the weak. It’s for the strong.”
This first novella in the th“Love gives us power, makes us risk everything we have, everything we are. Love is not for the weak. It’s for the strong.”
This first novella in the three-part series called Summer of the Burning Sky continues the adventure of the Jude County Smoke Jumpers, which actually started in the Montana Fire series. I haven’t read the Montana Fire series and, man, have I missed much! After reading Light My Fire, I need to read all the books in the Montana Fire series. This newest offering has everything I’ve come to expect and love about Susan May Warren’s books - great writing, emotionally-charged dialogue, sharp twists and turns to the plot, a healthy dose of suspense, fantastic characters, and a solid theme of redemption, forgiveness, and God’s grace.
In Light My Fire, a smokejumper Tucker and a US Marshal Stevie are thrown together as they battle Alaskan forest fire as well as a prison break. Tucker is a dependable, loyal, tender-hearted swoon-worthy hero (who reminds me a lot of Ty Remington from the Montana Rescue series). Stevie is a regret-filled, hurting law enforcer trying to reconcile her past with the present. Stevie’s history is unearthed in this novella and Tucker’s is somewhat revealed....I’m hoping the next installment in the series will give us more glimpses into his story.
The action and suspense are intense in this one! So hold onto your hats and purses because it’s a wild, thrilling ride, for sure!
I was given a copy of this book by the author and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own and subjective....more
Lindsay A Franklin combines an interesting and detailed medieval dystopian world with good character building, fluid and down-to-earth writing, a hintLindsay A Franklin combines an interesting and detailed medieval dystopian world with good character building, fluid and down-to-earth writing, a hint of mystery, and a fascinating plot line. This book is the first in a trilogy and the next installment promises more adventure and deeper insight into the battle between good versus evil in this kingdom of Tir. Anyone who enjoys a well-written YA dystopian novel will absolutely love this book.
Tanwen is a funny, big-mouth, impulsive storyteller who has a tender heart. She has a way of bumbling and fumbling that is almost embarrassing but endearing to the reader at the same time. Her childhood and parentage are a mystery to her and she gets into trouble with the king of the land which prompts her fleeing and hiding. The way that she can crystallize a story into something solid is quite fascinating and adds that dose of magic to this novel. As the story unfolds, we meet the supporting cast of characters who hold up the plot line. The switch from first person limited point of view from Tanwen's eyes to third person limited point of view of Princess Braith and a mystery character is fluid and well-executed.
The first half of the story moves a bit slowly due to the world-building, but half-way through the story, the plot picks up speed and gains momentum. Several mysteries are unraveled but the ending..... it leaves us with a cliffhanger much in line with some of the Star Wars or Marvel Avengers movies and leaves us with more questions than answers! I can't wait for book 2 and 3 so that I can figure out who really is behind such evil plaguing the land of Tir. And what will happen to Tanwen and her friends?!?! Augh, the agony of waiting.....
I received a copy of the book from author/publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours and was under no obligation to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own and subjective....more
"But perhaps that was what love looked like too. Not perfect, but raw and jagged and terrifying and wounding...and beautiful and overwhelming and comp"But perhaps that was what love looked like too. Not perfect, but raw and jagged and terrifying and wounding...and beautiful and overwhelming and completely, wonderfully out of her control. Because love gave all."
What an incredible conclusion to this epic series! As always, Susan May Warren packs in action, suspense, harrowing brushes with death and disaster, and quite a few twists and turns in the story to make you stay up way past your bedtime reading....and thinking, just one more page.... And the raw emotional intensity of the main characters is completely heart-wrenching and real. If you've read the previous books in the series, you've been impatiently waiting for Pete and Jess to have their story. Even if you haven't read any of the previous books, this particular book can be read as a stand alone because there are many flashbacks that make up the bulk of Pete and Jess' story that even the die-hard followers of the series have not be privy to in the other books.
Pete is a changed man and gone are his wild ways. He's still heroic, protective to a fault, and passionate but he's completely undone and broken and wounded by Jess who has returned to her glamorous lifestyle in NYC. Jess doesn't know who she is or what she wants and feels trapped. Felipe, Jess' previous fiance, actually plays a bigger role in the story than I thought he would and became quite likable even though he's competing against Pete for Jess. And then there are Ned and Shae. Ned is the younger version of Pete and so incredibly heroic. Shae has finally returned home to Mercy Falls, Montana not just to attend Ben and Kacey's wedding reception but also to find closure in her run from the man who killed her previous boyfriend. Each of these characters must learn to fight their fears to conquer them but also learn to ask for help from their friends, family, and God in conquering these fears. What a satisfying finale to an adrenaline-packed series full of rescue, grace, hope, love, joy, and faith.
I received a copy of the book from Baker Publishing Group via LibraryThing and was under no obligation to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
Nicely done, Ms. Patricia Bradley! I have been a fan of her romantic suspense for a while now and she never disappoints. This third book in Memphis CoNicely done, Ms. Patricia Bradley! I have been a fan of her romantic suspense for a while now and she never disappoints. This third book in Memphis Cold Case series can definitely be read as a stand-alone. There are cameo appearances from the two main characters from book 2 in this book but they only help to further along the plot and you won't get bogged down with questions about who they are and what happened earlier in the series. Anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, grab-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense with a hint of romance and a nice underlying theme of faith will absolutely love this book.
The twists and turns in the plot as well as the constant guessing of the villain's identity keep the pagers turning faster and faster. The writing is easy to follow and the dialogue among the characters is real and informative. The subtle theme of needing to trust God even in the worst circumstances pops up in both Boone and Rachel's lives and nudges them toward finding peace.
Boone and Rachel both have deep hurts and guilt from their pasts. Boone has dealt with his ghosts better than Rachel has. As they're thrown in to discover a killer who may have ties to a cold case involving Rachel's mother, they both discover their strengths, their weaknesses, and how to lean on each other for help. Boone and Rachel are both intelligent, stubborn, tough law enforcers who have tender hearts underneath their toughness required in their field of work. Their camaraderie is evident in how well they work together as detective and lieutenant in the Homicide division and their romance, though only a very small part in the story, is sweet. The storyline also pulls Rachel's federal judge father and her two grandmothers into the mix which is a lot of fun.
Will there be a fourth book in the series? I surely hope so!!
A copy of the book was provided from Baker Publishing Group through Interviews and Reviews. I was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own and subjective....more
What an incredible second book in the Nantucket Legacy series! Minding the Light can definitely be read as a stand-alone, especially since this book fWhat an incredible second book in the Nantucket Legacy series! Minding the Light can definitely be read as a stand-alone, especially since this book features characters one generation removed in time from the first book. But if you haven’t read Phoebe’s Light, you must read it!
Suzanne Woods Fisher combines great writing with wonderful dialogue, sprinkles intrigue and mystery within a well-plotted and well-executed storyline, enchants with beautifully real and lovable characters, and convicts with reminders of what faith is really about. She addresses difficulty issues like racism and addiction which are so prevalent today as they were back in 19th century Nantucket. And to realize that the author used many historical facts and people to craft this story is astounding! The fictional diary of Mary Coffin Starbuck (though she indeed was a real person on Nantucket), Daphne’s ancestor, from 17th century provides a semi-dual timeline of sorts within the story and correlates well with Daphne and Ren’s story in 19th century.
Daphne is an outspoken, intelligent, loving, compassionate, insightful Quaker who lives under a pretentious mother. Ren is a kind, generous whaling ship captain who is married to Daphne’s older sister, and the story begins when returns home after a six year whaling voyage. Ren is bereft when he returns home and faces emotional, financial, and spiritual crises simultaneously. His sorrow, pain, and desire to do right are palpable and he’s such a strong, dependable yet vulnerable hero. Ren’s twins are amazing and fun and the secondary characters add depth and dimensions to the story.
Anyone who enjoys a historical romance would totally love this book. If you’re a fan of Suzanne Woods Fisher, this is a must read!
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher through Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to write a favorable review. All comments and opinions are solely my own....more
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