Book Review ** Prison by Toni V. Lee

Prison by Toni V. Lee was an interesting read. I enjoyed the interaction between the hero and heroine and could totally understand the dialogue in spite of the cultural and racial differences between the characters and myself. Set in my home town, it was neat to read about towns that I know so much about.

Undercover detective Sonja Grey is partnered with fellow undercover detective Max Trent to take down a drug dealer, Johnny “Rock” Stone, who has been running his operation at Sonja’s church. She isn’t a bit happy about the fact that Max introduces himself as her fiancé after she specifically told him that he wouldn’t play the part of her boyfriend. To make matters worse, he dresses as if he has no sense of fashion whatsoever. She ends up introducing him as Max Peacock due to his outfits.

Max has been in love with Sonja since soon after he met her, but Sonja just keeps pushing him away. When she finally realizes that there are many layers of Max that she has overlooked because of her preconceived notions about him, she begins to realize that she is pushing him away because she could like him a lot.  She finally sees that she needs to forgive a former boyfriend, so that she can finally allow God to heal her and let love in for Max.

When it comes time to make the arrest on Rock, things get a little hairy. You’ll laugh right out loud at the descriptions of Sonja’s “Aunts” and Max as the story moves along.

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review ** Married 'til Monday by Denise Hunter

Married ‘Til Monday by Denise Hunter was an amazing read. It keeps you wondering what will happen next and grabs your emotions. I really enjoyed reading this book and was emotionally involved in every scene.

Ryan McKinley misses his wife Abby. They have been divorced for three years but lots of little things remind him of her.  When the phone rings one day and it is Abby’s mother inviting him to come with Abby to their 35^th anniversary celebration, Ryan realizes that Abby hasn’t told her folks the whole story.

Abby has left Ryan behind and moved on with her life, she thinks. When Ryan shows up at her apartment, and tells her he wants to go along with her to her parents, she tries to push him away.  Just seeing him again has awaken lots of memories and she doesn’t think that she can deal with another heartbreak.  She finally agrees to let him come with her and they agree to pretend they are still married until Sunday when they leave her parents. One thing after another happens to extend their trip by a few days, and they are able to get some of their issues out in the open.  Ryan lets Abby know that he still loves her and wants her back, but Abby has some other issues that she is still dealing with and isn’t willing yet to let Ryan know that she still loves him too.

 Will Abby finally come to the place where she can identify what her hang-ups are and fully trust Ryan not to break her heart again? Will Ryan be able to tear down the walls that Abby has rebuilt around her heart? Or will Abby’s promotion in her job take her farther away from Ryan?

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review ** Horse in the Wilderness by Debbie Eckles

Horse in the Wilderness by Debbie Eckles was an amazing read. I enjoy reading horse stories and this one has enough intrigue in it that you don’t want to put it down.

Autumn Parker feels like her life is at a dead end. She spends her days working in her father’s feed store and then goes home to her parents, brother, and horse.  One of her brothers is a teacher and he and his wife invite her to go riding out at the old family cabin outside of town during spring break. While she’s riding, she contemplates asking her parents if she can move into the family’s rental home across the road from where they live. When she gets home, her mother informs her that the new music teacher at the school has just rented the home. Feeling let down, Autumn isn’t really thrilled when her mother asks her to make the new renter feel welcome.

Brent Travis is trying to put his life back together after a devastating situation where he lost his wife, yet he feels attracted to his landlord’s daughter even though he wants nothing to do with “Christians”. Unbeknownst to the Parker family, he had been a gospel singer and song writer.  Autumn’s younger brother gets Brent to help him with the piano so that he can play for the choir at church and one of the songs he wants help with is one of Brent’s songs.  When Brent learns that Autumn thinks that a saxophone part would sound good with the song, he sits down and writes out the part.  Autumn’s brother, begins to do some research and figures out who Brent really is.

Throughout the story, strange things are happening out near the cabin, and Autumn’s horse gets loose and they can’t find it. What is really going on? Will Brent realize that God isn’t done with him yet and turn his life back over to Him? Will Brent and Autumn finally allow their feelings to grow?

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review ** The Inn at Ocean's Edge by Colleen Coble

The Inn at Ocean’s Edge by Colleen Coble was an amazing read. Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors and this book is an easy read that you don’t want to put down. There is plenty of intrigue to keep you interested in finding out what will happen next.  I had to take breaks several times, but would have kept on reading if I could.

Claire Dellamare came to the Hotel Tourmaline, southeast of the Schoodic Peninsula to help her father with a business merger. Claire has barely entered the hotel, checked in, and is heading to her room with her father, when she starts having a panic attack in the elevator.  Escaping from the elevator, she goes outside to get some fresh air when she sees people with an orca baby and goes to confront them. Luke Rocco and his sister, Megan, had found the injured baby orca nearly lifeless and had brought it in to rehab and release back to its pod. When Claire is returning to the hotel, she witnesses a murder. She recognizes the victim and calls for help but is knocked out and when she comes to, the victim is gone. Little did she know that this was not the first murder that had occurred here and that her life was unknowingly entwined in all that would be revealed!

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review ** A Heart's Obsession by Colleen Coble

A Heart’s Obsession by Colleen Coble was an amazing read. Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors and this novella is an easy read that you don’t want to put down. Less than 100 pages, there is just enough intrigue to keep you interested in finding out what will happen next.  The only disappointment is that this is part two of a six part series and the end leaves you hanging. You have to read the next part of the series to find out what will happen next. You can read my review of part one of the series here.

Rand Campbell has gone to Fort Laramie, Wyoming and Sarah Montgomery is determined to stay home with her dying father. Before her father dies, he encourages Sarah to take her younger brother and go to Wyoming after Rand, because he realizes that Rand really cares for her, unlike Ben Croftner. After her father dies, Sarah’s older brother is determined to see Sarah married to Ben Croftner. Sarah realizes that she and her brother need to sneak away and go to Wyoming with Rand’s brother and his new bride.  When they get to Wyoming, Sarah finds Rand engaged to the daughter of one of the officers at the fort.  Sarah agrees to teach the Indian children, but what will happen when Ben shows up? Will Rand continue with his plans? I have to wait until the next book to find out.

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review ** A Heart's Disguise by Colleen Coble

A Heart’s Disguise by Colleen Coble was an amazing read. Colleen Coble is one of my favorite authors and this novella is an easy read that you don’t want to put down. Less than 100 pages, there is just enough intrigue to keep you interested in finding out what will happen next.  The only disappointment is that this is part one of a six part series and the end leaves you hanging. You have to read the next part of the series to find out what will happen next.

Sarah Montgomery is engaged to Rand Campbell before the Civil War, but after the war, she gets word that Rand has died.  Even though she still loves him and has questioned herself many times as to if he is really dead, she agrees to marry Ben Croftner, a long-time rival of Rand’s. The problem is that Ben has led Sarah to believe that Rand is really dead, even when he knows that it isn’t true and is pressuring Sarah to rush and marry him. Sarah is torn between keeping true to Rand and marrying Ben, since her dying father seems to think he’ll be good for her.  When Rand comes home and the truth comes out, Ben, Sarah, and Rand are left with decisions to make.

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review** The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson

The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson was an interesting read. I had a bit of a hard time getting into the book but once I did, it was hard to put down. This book is full of intrigue and makes you want to know what is going to happen next.

Margaretha is the princess of Hagenheim Castle in the German village of Hagenheim Burg. She is often accused by her brothers of being too talkative, but her current suitor, Englishman Rowland Fortescue or Lord Claybrook, leaves her speechless with his silly hats and possessive streaks. Lord Claybrook is pursuing her intently, but Margaretha must decide if he is more passionate about her or her father’s wealth and title. As Margaretha is pondering her choices, she notices vultures circling in the sky, sees a cart belonging to the potter come through the castle gates, and realizes that there is an injured person on board. The potter’s apprentice takes the person to the healer and Margaretha goes to see what is going on. The injured man is Colin, an English nobleman she later finds out, who is seeking justice for the murder of his sister’s friend. The person that Colin is seeking is none other than Lord Claybrook. Colin confides in Margaretha and asks her to spy on Lord Claybrook, but what will happen when she hears what Lord Claybrook intends to do? Can Margaretha and Colin save the day before Lord Claybrook does his dirty deeds, or will Lord Claybrook have his way?

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review ** A November Bride by Beth K. Vogt

A November Bride by Beth K. Vogt was a very enjoyable read and probably my favorite story in this series. I like to read books about brides and this book is another one of the books in the Year of Brides series.  Here you can read my review of A December Bride, A January Bride, A February Bride, A March Bride, An April Bride, A May Bride, A June Bride, AJuly Bride, An August Bride, A September Bride, and An October Bride.

Sadie J. McAllister is a personal chef. She loves her but can’t seem to find her Mr. Right. In fact, her last three boy friends have all broken up with her by text. The only guy that seems to be a permanent fixture in her life is Erik Davis, her best friend. He was her science-lab partner in middle school when they were both thirteen. She asked him to the Sadie Hawkins dance and he turned her down. When they both arrived at the dance alone, they began talking and became friends. Now 17 years later they are still best friends.  Erik jokingly tells Sadie that she’ll get married by text after hearing that another boyfriend has broken up with her by text. Sadie thinks that Erik is afraid of commitment since he never dates a girl longer than three months. What will happen when one of Sadie’s best clients asks her to move from Colorado to Oregon with them to become their permanent chef? Will Erik and Sadie realize that the reason that they can’t find happiness with anyone one else is because they are meant to be together? Can Sadie and Erik go from being best friends to bride and groom?

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review** An October Bride by Katie Ganshert

An October Bride by Katie Ganshert was a very enjoyable read. I like to read books about brides and this book is another one of the books in the Year of Brides series.  Here you can read my reviews of A December Bride, A January Bride, A February Bride, A March Bride, An April Bride, A May Bride, A June Bride, A July Bride, An August Bride, and A September Bride.

Emma Tate realizes just how quickly life can turn itself on end.  Two years ago, she was planning her wedding when her father was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  The diagnosis makes her realize that she didn’t really love her fiancé and so she breaks things off.  Fast forward two years. Emma is taking care of her parent’s cats while they are away for the weekend and she accidentally knocks her father’s journal off of his desk, exposing his bucket list. He has crossed most of the items off the list, but the last one on the list throws Emma for a loop. “Walk Emma down the aisle” When Emma sees this she decides that this is one thing she can do for her father. When she gets home she decides she will call up her old fiancé and suggest they go ahead and get married, so her father can walk her down the aisle. Before Emma is able to call her former fiancé, Jake Sawyer, her brother’s friend, offers her a solution. Jake suggests that the two of them get married rather than call her old fiancé. Emma agrees and before they know it and are ready, everyone in town knows, too. Emma has had a crush on Jake since she was in second grade. Will they make it through the fake wedding or will things fall apart before then? Will Jake admit to Emma the real reason he suggests they get married or will he keep it to himself.

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review ** A September Bride by Kathryn Springer

A September Bride by Kathryn Springer was an enjoyable read. I like to read books about brides and this book is another one of the books in the Year of Brides series.  Here you can read my review of A December Bride, A January Bride, A February Bride, A March Bride, An April Bride, A May Bride, A June Bride, A July Bride, and An August Bride.

Anne Price has recently moved to Red Leaf and taken a position as manager of Second Story Books. She hopes that this move will allow her to become involved in the community and help her feel like she belongs.  Her boss and landlord, Lorna Kent, met Anne through her online book group and decided to give Anne a chance at a new life.  Anne has become involved in the historical society and the museum that they are creating about the town founders. The historical society has decided that they will have a reenactment of the founders wedding at the grand opening of the museum. When the bride’s wedding dress arrives, the only person who can wear it is Anne.

Jesse Kent, Lorna’s son, is a police officer in Red Leaf and has just returned from training in Arizona. On his first day back on the job, who should he pull over but newcomer Anne Price? Jesse has a hard time trusting newcomers to town after things that have happened in his past. When Jesse gets roped into playing the part of groom to Anne’s bride at the reenactment, sparks begin to fly. Will Jesse and Anne make this September wedding a personal commitment or will it just be a reenactment?

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review ** An August Bride by Debra Clopton

An August Bride by Debra Clopton was an enjoyable read. I like to read books about brides and this book is another one of the books in the Year of Brides series.  Here you can read my review of A December Bride, A January Bride, A February Bride, A March Bride, An April Bride, A May Bride, A June Bride, and A July Bride.

Ever since Kelsey Wilcox’s fiancé jilted her at the altar, she has hated weddings. On top of being jilted at her own wedding, Kelsey’s rancher father loses the family ranch to foreclosure a few months later. As a result, Kelsey ditches ranching, cowboys and the Texas hill country and moves to Corpus Christi, Texas to start over. She opens her own restaurant called the Sunflower Bistro and begins to branch out into catering as well. Life is good for two years until she has to take part in her cousin Tiffany’s wedding to …gasp…a cowboy, of all people, at the beach! Also attending the wedding are Kelsey and Tiffany’s Aunt Esther Mae Wilcox and her aunt’s best pals, Norma Sue and Adela, who are known as the “Mule Hollow Matchmaking Posse.” As Kelsey is conversing with “the Posse” before the rehearsal dinner, her aunt’s dog, Millie, runs into the waves and Kelsey dives in to save her. Kelsey becomes entangled in her dress and is struggling to save the dog and extract herself from the dress that has trapped her. Enter Brent Corbin, a Corpus Christi rancher, who is a groomsman in Tiffany’s wedding. He sees Kelsey in trouble and dives in to save her.  Sparks fly between Kelsey and Brent, but will he be able to overcome her aversions to cowboys and ranching, and win her heart and hand?

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review ** A July Bride by Beth Wiseman

A July Bride by Beth Wiseman was a pretty good read. I like to read books about brides and this book is another one of the books in the Year of Brides series.  Here you can read my review of A December Bride, A January Bride, A February Bride, A March Bride, An April Bride, A May Bride, and A June Bride.

Alyssa Pennington is all set to marry Brendan Myers. The church is decorated, she’s in her gown, and has walked down the aisle, when Brendan decides he can’t go through with the wedding and bolts out of the church. Two months later, Alyssa is trying to put her life back together by returning her wedding dress and trying to forget Brendan.

Brendan, on the other hand, regrets his cold feet at the wedding and the fear that his marriage would turn out as bad as his parents, and will try anything to win Alyssa back, including hiring a crop duster to pull a sign asking Alyssa to marry him. Meanwhile, Alyssa’s brother’s best friend, Dalton, decides to see if he can win Alyssa’s hand. When will Alyssa see Dalton for the man he truly is and learn to forgive Brendan? Will there be any hope of a happy ever after for Alyssa and Brendan?

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review** A June Bride

A June Bride by Marybeth Whalen was an alright read, and I definitely don’t agree with everything in it. I like to read books about brides and this book is another one of the books in the Year of Brides series.  You can read my review of A December Bride here, A January Bride here, A February Bride here, A March Bride here, An April Bride here, and A May Bride here.

Wynne is a young woman whose high school sweetheart and fiancé, Callum, had broken up with her. When her best friend, Picky, aims a camera at her she bare her heart about her recent break up, and in a weak moment, allows Picky, to submit the video to The Rejection Connection, a dating show that pairs recently dumped women with eligible bachelors. Wynne was selected to be on the show and has chosen a bachelor, Andy, to give the key to her heart to.  Now they are planning a wedding to be filmed and featured on the TV show. Wynne, however, still has feelings for Callum, and after meeting him to try to “tie up loose ends”, wonders if she really is doing the right thing, although she insists on following through with the wedding to Andy. Will Wynne face the reality of her feelings for Callum, or continue on with the reality she thinks will work out with Andy?

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.

Book Review** Four Weddings and a Kiss

Four Weddings and a Kiss: A Western Bride Collection by Margaret Brownley, Robin Lee Hatcher, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton is a very enjoyable read.  If you are like me and enjoy reading historical western romances like I do, you’ll enjoy reading Four Weddings and a Kiss as much as I did.

This collection includes a prologue, Spitfire Sweetheart by Mary Connealy, A Love Letter to the Editor by Robin Lee Hatcher, A Cowboy for Katie by Debra Clopton, Courting Trouble by Margaret Brownley, and an epilogue. In the prologue, Rev. Gregory Miller has just completed a weeklong revival meeting with several other ministers and is ready to head home to Phoenix. The only problem is, he feels like he is being tested and must break up with the girl he loves, Elizabeth, because of her unconventional ways. As he unknowingly grumbles aloud to God about his “test” while around the campfire the night before leaving, one of the other ministers begins to question him and give him counsel.  As the ministers begin to mention God’s most unlikely servants in the Bible, it leads the four other ministers to tell the story of unlikely people that God had brought together for His purpose during their ministries. The unlikely couples are Maizy MacGregor and Rylan Carstens in Spitfire Sweetheart, Molly Everton and Jack Ludgrove in A Love Letter to the Editor, Katie Pearl and Treb Rayburn in A Cowboy for Katie, and Brock Daniels and Grace Davenport in Courting Trouble. After hearing the stories of these unlikely couples, Gregory Miller decides in the epilogue that even the unlikeliest of couples, he and Elizabeth, can find true happiness.

I received this book free from HarperCollins Christian Publishing through the BookLook® 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.