Monday, March 28, 2016

Stuck Together by Mary Connealy - Review of the third book in the Trouble in Texas series




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(copied from Amazon.com)
Now that she's settled in town, Tina Cahill is determined to get Broken Wheel's saloon closed for good. To that end, she pickets outside the place every afternoon. Unfortunately, so far no one has paid any attention.

Vince Yates earned the nickname "Invincible Vince" because of his reputation for letting absolutely nothing stop him. but Vince is about to face his biggest challenge yet, his past has just caught up with him. His father, mother and the sister he didn't now he had show up in Broken Wheel without warning. His father is still a schemer. His mother is showing signs of dementia. And his surprise sister quickly falls for one of Vince's best friends. Vince suddenly has a lot of people depending on him, and Tina doesn't approve of how he's handling any of them.

With nearly every other man in town married off, Vince finds himself stuck with strong-willed Tina over and over again. Of course, Tina is the prettiest woman he's ever seen, so if he could just gether to give up her crazy causes, he might go ahead and propose. But he's got one more surprise coming his way. Tina's picketing at the saloon has revealed a dark secret that could put everyone Vince loves in danger.


MY  REVIEW
I started this series a LONG time ago, like about three years ago. But as my TBR pile grew it never seemed to make it to the top, I finally 'picked' it. After reading a few pages I was right back into the story of the Andersonville Four, as I think of them. The book has a lot of action along with the direction Vince's life and continues the story of how four prisoners become brothers. I really enjoyed this book as well as the series, Mary always does a fantastic job of writing. I would recommend that you read this series starting with the first book and yes, I highly recommend this book/series.

Fair Play by Deeanne Gist - Review



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SADDLED WITH A MAN'S NAME, the captivating Billy Jack Tate makes no apologies for pursuing a man's profession. As a lady doctor at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, she is one step closer to having her very own medical practice--until she doctors an imposing man who threatens the fulfillment of her dream.

Hunter is one of the elite. A Texas Ranger and World's Fair guard specifically chosen for his height, physique, character, and skill. Hailed as the toughest man west of any place east, he has no patience for big cities and women who aspire to walk in a man's shoes.

But the abandoned baby Hunter discovers at the Fair finds him teaming up with the good doctor to give the foundling a better future than the slums of Chicago, where the children play on flea-infested, garbage-strewn streets. As Billy and Hunter fight for the foundling's welfare, their hearts warm to the precious child--and to each other. Soon their concern grows to encompass the Nineteenth Ward's burgeoning population of street children. In the interest of fair play, Billy and Hunter let nothing stand in their way as they labor to build a park for them, birthing Chicago's first playground and a national movement that will sweep the nation.

But the Fair is coming to an end, posing impossible decisions for Bill and the man who has won her heart. Will they become a footnote in the Fair's history books, or will what they discovered in Chicago be longer lasting than the World's Exhibition?


MY  REVIEW
Deeanne is one of my favorite writers even though it's been a while since I've read one of her books. She does a great job of pulling you into the story and making you feel for the characters. This one was so interesting that I even read the 'Author's Note', which was seven pages! The note tells about Chicago at that time and enlightens about that time period, very interesting. This book comes highly recommended from me.

I purchased a print copy of this book but I also got an e-copy from Net Galley in return for an honest review.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

The Lady and the Mountain Promise by Misty M Beller - Review of the fourth book in the Mountain Dreams series




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(taken from Amazon.com)
Lilly Arendale has fought the anger of prejudice all her life. Her Guatemalan mother and wealthy English father were very much in love and gave her the best of upbringings, but their family was never accepted in either country. Now, orphaned and alone in the mining town of Butte in the Montana Territory, the effects of racism have left Lilly with a one-year-old daughter and a fierce desire to avoid men at all costs.

Marcus Sullivan is a born adventurer, and the new preacher in town. He's not afraid to take a few risks and his ways may be unconventional, but he's determined to add some joy into the lives of these townspeople. Especially the beautiful young mother who won't have anything to do with him.

When the threat to Lilly intensifies and her worst fears come true, how can she find the strength to release control of the one thing that matters most--her daughter's life? As Marcus steps in to help, the danger only escalates. Has he finally taken a risk he can't overcome?


MY  REVIEW
This is such an enjoyable series and Misty does a fantastic job of making you feel like you are right there living the story with the characters. I found myself trying to help Lilly, but she couldn't hear me, lol. I am so looking forward to the next book, "The Lady and the Mountain Call" to come out on April 5th. Yes, I have pre-ordered this book, which I think I have only done 2, maybe 3, times. This book, this series, is highly recommended by me.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller - Review of the second book in the Amish of Birch Creek series




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One minute, Joanna Schrock was arguing with her parents and the next, her parents' lives were claimed in a hit-and-run buggy accident. Her body is broken but her heart is in even deeper pain--after all, how do you cope with your parents' deaths when your last words were spoken in anger?

After an extended stint in a physical rehabilitation center, Joanna re-enters her Amish life. But nothing is the same--not even her feelings for Andrew Beiler.

Joanna has loved Andrew since the age of twelve, and her feelings have not changed throughout the years. She is thrilled when Andrew wants to get married, but she wonders whether it's love he's feeling, or pity. As the couple's wedding date approaches, Joanna isn't overcome with the deep joy she was hoping to feel; instead, she's wracked with anxiety and guilt. Joanna hears God whispering to her, Be strong and courageous, but she's afraid that courage looks a lot like walking away from her dreams and into the plan of her Heavenly Father.

If Joanna takes the first step toward healing, will it cost her everything she's ever wanted? Or could God be changing the desires of her heart?


MY  REVIEW
Oh yes! Joanna's story is one I'd never want to live through myself but she handles it with courage and strength from deep within herself. You can see/feel her inner turmoil as you are yearning for her to share her feelings with someone other than herself. Kathleen does a wonderful job of pulling you into this story and wondering how you would handle yourself if you were in that position. This has been a great series, I would expect no less from Kathleen, and I'm looking forward to "A Love Made New" to come out in September. I can highly recommend this book to others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Home by Dark by Marta Perry - Review of the first book in the Dark series




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Rachel Weaver Mason is finally going home to Deer Run, the Amish community she left behind so many years ago. Recently widowed, she wants desperately to create a haven for herself and her young daughter.

But the community, including Rachel's family, is anything but welcoming. The only person happy to see her is her teenage brother, Benjamin, and he's protecting a dark secret that endangers them all.

Determined to keep Benjamin safe from a suspected killer, Rachel has no choice but to turn to the one man she wanted to get as far away from as possible. Colin McDonald was her late husband's friend, and the man who came between them. He's never forgotten her and would do anything to keep her and her family safe.

Rachel doesn't know if she can trust Colin, or her growing feelings for him. but as they hunt for the killer, the tension between them builds and soon both their lives, and their hearts, are on the line.


MY  REVIEW
An intriguing story, lots of mystery with a touch of Amish. A real page turner at times and an interesting story about the past. If you like mysteries and/or Amish books I think you will enjoy this as much as I did. Marta did a great job as usual.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Calico Spy by Margaret Brownley - Review of the third book in the Undercover ladies series




BACK  OF  THE  BOOK  BLURB
(taken from Amazon.com)
Pinkerton operative Katie Madison's newest case takes her to Calico, Kansas, where two Harvey House restaurant waitresses were murdered in mysterious circumstances. Calico's sheriff, Branch Whitman, has never met a Pink he liked and is stunned to learn the pretty redhead's true identity as she works undercover as a Harvey girl. A tornado hits town, and a past deception puts Branch's eight-year-old-son in danger. Now the Sheriff has no choice but to work with Katie--or chance losing everything he holds dear.


MY  REVIEW
Another winning story by Margaret about the Pinkerton detectives and an added  bonus of the Harvey girls! I really enjoyed this story, I admire the ladies that were detectives in that period, very unheard of then. I can highly recommend this book as a good read!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from the publisher through the NetGalley  <http://www.netgalley.com/> book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”