Love , Naturally by Sophie Sullivan

Presley Ayers thought she had found the perfect birthday gift for her boyfriend of eight months. She booked a week for both of them at the Get Lost Lodge where she could try to enjoy the activities, he said he enjoyed including fishing, hiking and boating.  Never mind that her favorite activities included shopping.  When he told her he couldn’t see them spending a week together, she knew they had no future and decided to go anyways, alone.  Little did she know this one week would change her life. As it turned out, hers wasn’t the only life that changed.  Beckett Keller’s brother owned the Get Lost Lodge, and he was there to help get it into shape so that it could become a successful business.  Nothing mattered more to Beckett than family, that is until Presley came along.  Can these opposites find a way forward together?

Beautifully told and well plotted, the author brings together a large cast of well developed characters.  Their stories blend together perfectly and readers are treated to a delightful tale about self discovery and the importance of family.  Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s and NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The Wishing Bridge by Viola Shipman

How far would you go to save your job?  Are there any lines you wouldn’t cross?  These are questions Henrietta Wegner finds herself facing when her career as a mergers and acquisitions executive is threatened if she doesn’t do something impressive by the end of the year.  Perhaps without much thought, she announces she can talk her parents into selling their famous store in Frankenmuth, Michigan to a company who will mostly likely dismantle it.  Sounds simple, doesn’t it?  It isn’t.  Wegner’s Christmas store is the product of Henri’s father’s dreams and beliefs.  Raised in the culture of Christmas by family who believed kindness and good will should be embraced daily, how can she proceed with her plans? A long overdue trip home and a guilty conscience collide with her memories.

The author brings to readers a beautifully crafted story about the importance of family and friendship.  Henri is a well crafted protagonist who is in her early fifties when we meet her. Thirty years ago she made the decision to make her own way and is now reevaluating her decisions.  The secondary characters are a unique group and add depth to the narrative.

Told with wit and sensitivity, this book is a delight to read.  There are moments when readers will laugh out loud and others that are thought provoking.  As for the dialogue-it is often priceless. All this comes together to form a heartwarming and meaningful story.  Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin and NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Shadows at Dusk by Elizabeth Goddard Revell ISBN 9781493443505

It’s been a year since Montana Detective Trevor West’s sister went missing in Alaska. When he received information she had left something for him, he went to Alaska hoping for clues and answers.  What he found left him even more confused. Because he needed help, he hired Carrie James, an experienced bush pilot. She was doubtful she could help him, but agreed to try.  What followed no one could have foreseen.

Carrie and Trevor are interesting protagonists. Both had tragedy in their pasts, but had managed to have successful careers.  They were competent in their fields and as the story develops it becomes obvious they will need every skill they have to survive.  Expertly plotted, the story moves along at break neck speed.  Filled with twists and turns, danger and life threatening situations, the story keeps readers engrossed from start to finish.  Even with all the tension and danger, a romance develops.  Can they survive long enough to see if they have a future together?

I found this to be an exciting and well crafted story.  Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Against the Wind by Amanda Cabot

The story opens in the late 1880’s.  Louisa Vaughn is making a trip she never thought she would take. She didn’t want to return to her hometown of Sweetwater Crossing in the Hill Country of Texas, but her friend needed her help getting there and Louisa could not refuse her.  She had not left on good terms with her sister, and she had no idea how she would receive Louisa. All Louisa wants is to get back to her medical studies.  Her dream is to become a doctor.  While on the road Louisa finds Josh Porter on the side of the road and his leg is broken.  Upon returning to Sweetwater Crossing, using the training she has received she sets his leg.  He will have to remain in Sweetwater Crossing for six weeks.  Six weeks that will change the course of their lives.

The author has created compelling characters.  Louisa is worried the townspeople will never accept her as a doctor.  Josh, too, is trying to prove himself worthy of recognition.  While they see the best in each other, they struggle with their own self confidence.  Even though Josh is engaged, an attraction between them develops. Where is this relationship going?

In this beautifully told story, the author brings to readers themes of family, community and faith.  Added to the mix is unexpected romance and the power of acceptance.  It all comes together to give readers a story well worth reading.  Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner

The year is 1952 and the Harding family is living in a suburb of Detroit. Sixteen-year-old Bertha is admittedly a failure at all domestic chores. She excels at playing baseball. Her eleven-year-old sister, Flossie, is considered odd by her classmates. She has tried to make friends, but all attempts have failed. Books play a very important part in her life. The Harding’s are a close-knit family, just trying to live a good life. A vicious lie, in the form of an accusation that the father is a Communist, upends their life. Fearing for their lives, the family moves to a remote town where they are not known. It is there that their lives change in ways they never expected.

The story is alternately told in the voices of Bertha and Flossie. They are so well depicted that readers will come to know them quite well. The entire family is basically shunned once the accusation is made, and each member has to find their own way to cope, and this is when the strength of this family becomes evident. It is in their new surroundings that Bertha is given the opportunity to try out for a woman’s baseball team and where Flossie finds a friend. There are new possibilities and a hope for a better future.

This is a beautifully told story that is ultimately about the power of family. All the characters are three dimensional, but it is Flossie who makes the biggest impact. Bright, outspoken and perhaps precocious-she steals the show. Engrossing and packed with emotion, this book is well worth reading. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley

Phillip is dead and Phame is seeking revenge.  The target appears to be Alexis Stone, formerly an undercover detective and now the newly appointed chief deputy of her hometown.  Women who bear a resemblance to Alexis are being murdered.  Why?  Newly reunited with her former boyfriend Nathan Landry, now Chief of Police of a nearby town, they find themselves working together to stop a serial killer. 

This well plotted and fast moving story happens over a short period time.  Alexis and Nathan find themselves going from one harrowing situation to another. There is a sense of foreboding that is present throughout the entire story.  Filled with suspense, twists, danger, surprises, and even romance, readers will be engrossed from start to finish. Highly recommended. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own

Phillip is dead and Phame is seeking revenge.  The target appears to be Alexis Stone, formerly an undercover detective and now the newly appointed chief deputy of her hometown.  Women who bear a resemblance to Alexis are being murdered.  Why?  Newly reunited with her former boyfriend Nathan Landry, now Chief of Police of a nearby town, they find themselves working together to stop a serial killer. 

This well plotted and fast moving story happens over a short period time.  Alexis and Nathan find themselves going from one harrowing situation to another. There is a sense of foreboding that is present throughout the entire story.  Filled with suspense, twists, danger, surprises, and even romance, readers will be engrossed from start to finish. Highly recommended. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own

Phillip is dead and Phame is seeking revenge.  The target appears to be Alexis Stone, formerly an undercover detective and now the newly appointed chief deputy of her hometown.  Women who bear a resemblance to Alexis are being murdered.  Why?  Newly reunited with her former boyfriend Nathan Landry, now Chief of Police of a nearby town, they find themselves working together to stop a serial killer. 

This well plotted and fast moving story happens over a short period time.  Alexis and Nathan find themselves going from one harrowing situation to another. There is a sense of foreboding that is present throughout the entire story.  Filled with suspense, twists, danger, surprises, and even romance, readers will be engrossed from start to finish. Highly recommended. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own

In the Shadow of the River by Ann H. Gabhart; Revell

The story opens in 1881 on the steamboat that Irena works on. She wakens her five year old daughter, Jaycee telling her they have to get away because someone is trying to kidnap Jaycee.  Irena’s plan was to reach the showboat next to them because her father worked there. They did make it, but not before Irena was badly injured.  The story jumps ahead fifteen years and Jaycee is working on the showboat with her grandfather and their family of entertainers.  She has memories of the past, but many unanswered questions remain.  Suddenly, her life is threatened and the biggest question is why?

In this well told story readers meet a varied cast of characters and their lives on the river boat are vividly depicted.  Jaycee has a complicated past that she doesn’t fully understand. One evening, what appears to be yet another kidnapping attempt, she is taken to meet perhaps the one person who can answer her questions and she is warned she might be in danger. Should she believe what she has been told?  As the story races towards its conclusion a shocking secret is revealed.

Romance, suspense and danger all come together to create an engrossing story.  Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Second Time Around by Melody Carlson Revell ISBN9781493439683

Perhaps it was fate. Just after Mallory Farrell found herself living alone in her beautifully decorated large house, she received word that her grandmother had left her a tourist shop with an apartment above it in a beach community. After turning down Grayson Matthews offer to buy the property so he could build a mall, she decided she needed a change. She decided to sell her house and move.  She  would have the property renovated, open a design shop and live in the apartment. Initially, all went according to plan-until it didn’t. Would this successful and detail- oriented woman be able to adjust to chaos?

Second Time Around is a story about embracing change and somehow adjusting to the curves that can come along with that.  Mallory is a likeable protagonist and the author has skillfully placed her in a community of characters who are willing to help each other.  When an opportunity for romance presents itself, she isn’t sure how to proceed.  To complicate matters, there is competition.  Can things get any worse?

Skillfully crafted and well plotted, this book is a pleasure to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Targeted (Three Romantic Suspense Novellas) by Lynette Eason, Lynn H. Blackburn, Natalie Walters Revell

On the Run by Lynette Eason: Daria Nevsky, an FBI agent, is the daughter of a  dead mob boss.  Even from the grave, he places her life in danger.  But, why?  However, Dr. Ryker Donahue is determined to stay by her side as she tries to find answers.  Can he keep her safe?

Deadly Objective by Lynn H. Blackburn:  Emily Dixon, a physical therapist, has a special patient.  He is the teenage son of the Vice President.  Liam Harper, a member of his Secret Service detail is definitely interested in Emily, but there is one problem. She refuses to get involved with Special Agents, but when the Vice President’s son is in danger the dynamics between Emily and Liam change.

Caught in the Crosshairs by Natalie Walters:  When Claudia Gallegos, a CIA agent, responds to a strange phone call she walks in on a murder scene and somehow finds herself being investigated by the agency.  Her interrogator is the hunky agent Ari Blackman and Claudia is not happy about it.  She is determined to solve the case herself, but when Claudia’s life is threatened, Ari becomes more than professionally involved. Does this unlikely pair have a future?

All three novellas are well plotted and move rapidly.  They are packed with vividly depicted action scenes, a varied mix of characters and romance. With protagonists exciting stories, these novellas are well worth reading.  Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own,

Honor’s Refuge by Hallee Bridgeman; Revell ISBN 9781493438907

No one should have seen what Melissa Braxton had seen as a child.  It shaped her future  and now as an adult, she helps to run a domestic abuse shelter.  She has helped many people, but the one thing she hasn’t been able to do is find her sister who she was separated from as a child.  Phil Osbourne loves her, but feels she deserves more than he can give her.  In place of a commitment, he finds her sister and all their lives are forever changed.

Melissa is an endearing character in that she is kind, caring and sympathetic.  She is well liked.  Phil, on the other hand, can be grumpy and moody.  Skilled and capable, he carries a great burden.  When faced with a terrifying situation, can they do what is needed?

The author brings to readers a well plotted and fast moving narrative.  Difficult issues are handled with compassion and sensitivity.  Faith plays an important role in this immersive story. I found this to be an engrossing and moving story.  Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.  The opinions expressed in this review are my own.