The Gift by Shelley Shepard Gray

November 7, 2017

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Gift by Shelley Shepard Gray was another great book by this author. I don’t think I have ever read a book by this author that I haven’t liked. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and the setting of the book. I have a couple of the other books in this series, so I really enjoyed getting to catch up with some of the characters along with getting to meet new characters. If you are looking for books about Amish fiction, I would recommend any of the books by this author. Even though her books are all in series, you don’t have to read them all to know what is going on. You are able to just pick up one and start reading it. I think this series might be my favorite series that she has done so far. I can’t think of anything that I didn’t enjoy about this book, and I am sure that if you like Amish fiction you will love this book just as much as I did.

About The Book

New York Times Bestselling Author Shelley Shepard Gray gifts us with a special Christmas story about love and blessings in this next book in her Amish of Hart County series.

The Schwartz family is happy to be spending Christmas on their new farm in Hart County. But when Susanna Schwartz hears gunshots that causes her buggy to overturn, and then her little sister falls through a wooden bridge into the icy creek, it becomes clear from these dangerous “accidents” that someone wants them gone.

Neil Vance has been heartbroken ever since his parents lost their family farm. He knows it’s not the Schwartz family’s fault, but he can’t help but be resentful. Until he meets Susanna. She is kind-hearted and bold, and Neil can’t stop thinking about her pretty green eyes.

Neil thinks the accidents are just that, but Susanna’s father is convinced the Vance family is responsible. Susanna refuses to believe Neil would do anything to harm her. She’s fallen in love with him and knows he is a good man. But her family is ready to pack up and move, and time is running out to uncover the truth before someone gets hurt…or worse.

About The Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

Buy A Copy

Add-On Goodreads

Let’s Be Friends

Murder In Disguise by Donn Taylor

November 2, 2017

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from LitfuseLitfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Murder In Disguise by Donn Taylor was a good story. This is the second book that I have read by this author, and I don’t think I will read any more by him. I had such a hard time staying interested while reading this book because I couldn’t stay interested in the book. There were a few parts that weren’t super boring, but the majority of the book was boring for me. I am sure that this book would be a good fit for some people, but I tend to like books that are superfast-paced, and this book isn’t like that. I know that people who like Christian novels will love this book because it doesn’t include any things that are gross and they are all around good books in that sense. I am sure that is another reason why I can’t get interested in this book. I read so many books in this genre that I know what I like and what I don’t like. I did like the characters and the setting of the book but as I have said before it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

About The Book

Official verdict: Suicide.

But why would that vigorous department chairman kill himself? To avoid disgrace? Those rumored ventures on the dark side? Some other secret life? Visiting professor Preston Barclay wonders. But his questions bring no answers, only anonymous threats. He has enough problems already, proving himself on a strange campus while radical faculty does all they can to undermine him. Worse yet, that sexy siren assigned as his assistant complicates his courtship of the beautiful Mara Thorn.

While Press keeps asking questions, Mara’s research reveals a cancer of criminal activity that permeates the community and even the campus itself. The more Press questions, the more dangerous the threats against him become, and the more determined he grows to clear his friend’s name.

But can Press and Mara’s stumbling efforts prevail against the entrenched forces of the police, the campus radicals, and an unseen but powerful criminal organization that increasingly puts their lives in danger…?

General Content (G): Contains little or no; sexual dialogue or situations, violence, or strong language.

About The Author

I’m working now as a novelist and poet, also teaching at writers’ groups and conferences. In a prior incarnation, I served in two wars with the U.S. Army. Afterwards, I taught English literature at two liberal arts colleges. The World’s Perfect Woman consented to honor me in marriage, and we enjoyed six decades together until the Lord needed another alto for His heavenly choir. I live in the woods near Houston, TX, writing fiction, poetry, and essays on current topics.

Buy A Copy

Add-On Goodreads

Let’s Be Friends

Monthly Book Review – November 2017

November 1, 2017

How are we already in November? I can’t believe that I am just about to have another birthday because it seems like only last week that I was having a birthday. Anyway, let’s get on to the reviews and some of the book spotlights that I have coming up this month.

November 2^nd – Murder In Disguise by Donn Taylor

November 7^th– Holiday Wishes by Jill Shalvis

November 7^th – The Gift by Shelley Shepard Gray

November 9^th – Convicted by Jameel McGee and Andrew Collins

November 16^th – Wyoming Winter by Diana Palmer (Book Spotlight)

November 17^th – Deadly Proof by Rachel Dylan

November 20^th – The Gift of Christmas Past by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall

November 26^th – Down to No Good by Earl Javorsky

Those are the reviews and book spotlights that I have scheduled for November. I know I will have more book spotlight posts come up during the month so I will update this post as they come up. I hope you have a great month and I will see you back here tomorrow with a book review. I also am going to try and get back to posting other things instead of just book reviews and book spotlights.

What other types of posts would you like to see here in the future?

What author’s or books are you currently loving right now?

Love in Dublin by Jennifer Gracen

October 31, 2017

When an emotionally adrift single dad from Dublin meets an upbeat, free spirited American travel writer, opposites more than attract. She thinks she’s saving him… but as they fall into a passionate affair, they may learn healing goes both ways.

One (1) lucky winner will receive a25 Amazon gif card! To enter, simply fill out the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Love in Dublin:

Title: Love in Dublin

Author: Jennifer Gracen

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 31, 2017

Publisher: Tule Publishing

Series: The McKinnon Brothers

Format: Digital

Single father Colin McKinnon has roots and obligations that have kept him firmly in Dublin his entire life. He once planned to explore the world, but he was bound by duty and gave up on his dreams long ago. When he meets free-spirited American travel writer Maggie in a pub, he’s intrigued. She could help him get a taste of what he lost, rattle the chains of his self-imposed isolation. Instantly drawn to her light, beauty, and sense of adventure, Colin can’t stay away.

Maggie Spencer doesn’t just crave the open road, she needs it to survive. After a harrowing accident and life-changing loss, she rebuilt her life by exploring new places on her own. When she accepts a temporary job writing about day tours in Ireland, she falls in love with Dublin and the man she teaches to explore it. Through their daily adventures, they learn opposites do more than just attract—they can also help each other heal.

But can a man with deep roots keep a woman with wings by his side?

Available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play | iBooks

Add to your TBR list: Goodreads

An excerpt from LOVE IN DUBLIN

As she opened her mouth to say goodbye and thank him for joining her, Colin asked her if she’d have dinner with him.

Her heart skipped a beat. The way he was looking at her… he didn’t want the day to end yet either. Maybe he was ready for more than she thought? “Dinner? But you just spent all weekend with me.” She tossed him a playful grin as she joked, “Aren’t you tired of me by now?”

“No,” he said. The corners of his mouth turned up, a hint of sheepish and a lot of sexy. He stood there patiently, just gazing down at her.

Her heart fluttered. God, he was adorable. A knotted up burly bear with a sweet, kind heart. And lips she was dying to taste. And beautiful blue eyes that showed there was so much more on his mind than the short, polite things he said.

The noises of the city—cars driving, people walking by and talking, horns and shouts on the air—seemed to fade away as she stared back at him.

“I have to admit,” he said quietly, “I do enjoy your company.”

Delight and want made her stomach give a wobbly flip. She finally gave in to the impulse she’d been squelching all day. She dropped her duffel bag to the ground by her feet, placed her hands on his shoulders, and stood on her tiptoes to sweetly brush her lips across his.

“What are you doin’?” he whispered against her mouth, his eyes wide.

“Kissing you in the middle of Dublin.” She pressed her lips to his softly and his breath

hitched. Loving that, she did that again, lips brushing against his with a feather’s touch.

“Confession: I’ve been wanting to kiss you all day.”

“Is that so?” Amazement sparked in his eyes. His hands slowly lifted to her face.

“Mm hmm.” Her heart started racing, adrenaline coursing through her. His fingertips stroked her cheeks as his gaze locked with hers.

She kissed him again, still soft and gentle, still testing, gaging his reactions. His body was tense, holding back, but his eyes revealed how much he wanted her. As usual, there was so much going on in those bright blues… but right now, desire was the winner there, clear as day. It gave her a rush and she shivered from it.

“Actually,” she said, “the full truth is, I’ve been wanting to kiss you for weeks.”

His gaze burned into her. His hands slowly swept along her jaw, then cupped her face.

“Well… if we’re being truthful, I’ve been wantin’ to kiss you for weeks too.”

“Then you should,” she whispered, smiling up at him. “I mean, I already kissed you first…”

About Jennifer Gracen

Jennifer Gracen hails from Long Island, New York, where she lives with her two sons. After spending her youth writing in private and singing in public, she now only sings in her car and is immersed in her passion for writing. She loves to write contemporary romance for readers who look for authentic characters and satisfying endings. When she isn’t with her kids, doing freelance proofreading, or chatting on Twitter and Facebook, Jennifer writes. She’s already hard at work on her next book.

Connect with Jennifer: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+

The Fabergé Entanglement by Lesley Meryn & Elle Brookes

October 26, 2017

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Fabergé Entanglement by Lesley Meryn and Elle Brookes was an intriguing book, to say the least. I was hooked right from the first page, and I can’t tell you why I loved the book as much as I did. This book did keep me one the edge of my seat throughout most of the book. During the first few chapters, I did find that I was getting come of the characters confused, so I felt like I was going back and trying to keep everyone straight but it only lasted for a few chapters and then I was able to keep them all straight. I love when authors in this genre of books have a woman as one of the leading characters because not many authors do. I also liked that Saber was a strong woman and able to hold her own when it came to the story. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Adrian through most of the book, but I love when that happens because it means that the author has made the characters life like and I always enjoy that. If you love thriller type books than I am sure you will love this book just as much as I did. They have it rated PG + M, but nothing in this book offend me in the least so I am sure that most people will be okay while reading this book. If you have read this book what did you think of it?

About The Book

Book Title: The Fabergé Entanglement by Lesley Meryn & Elle Brookes
Category: Adult Fiction: 306 pages
Genre: Suspense/Action/Romance
Publisher: Lisa Kolber
Release date: July 2015
Content Rating: PG + M (There is some, not much, bad language, sensuality, one alluded sex scene but not described, possible triggers for sexual abuse/non-consensual sex as a plot point, action-style violence)

Sabinne ‘Saber’ Darrieux’s father, the billionaire CEO of Frontenac Global Security has been kidnapped. His ransom is not cash in a numbered offshore account, or a briefcase of Bearer Bonds but something utterly unique, incredibly valuable, and until recently, hidden away from the world.

The kidnapper seems to know Saber very well and knows that the next day, through her work as an elite translator she will be in the same location as the Object. She must steal the Object and deliver it to the kidnapper to ransom her father.

Adrian Steele, a British Intelligence agent has just come off of two harrowing missions. Upon returning to London for a well-earned rest, he learns that his friend and fellow agent has been murdered in Moscow, but not before he made use of a unique Object as a mobile ‘drop site’ for the valuable intelligence he was carrying.

The drop site is traveling from Moscow to England. Steele insists on completing the mission to honor the death of his friend, Gerry Cornell.

At an ultra-chic quasi-diplomatic gathering in a mansion in Windsor, England, Saber and Steele meet and find themselves faced with a powerful, undeniable attraction. But at the moment, this compelling attraction is very inconvenient.

In reality, they are at the mansion to check out the security arrangements — for their own reasons — to steal the Object, a Fabergé egg worth thirty million dollars. But who will get to the egg first?

Fabergé eggs are very famous for their unique surprises. Saber and Steele are about to be very surprised, indeed.

And when Saber clashes with Steele; more than sparks will explode!

About The Author

LESLEY MERYN
Enjoyed an exotic, adventure-filled childhood, following her anthropologist father and travel writer mother to the farthest corners of the world. She later took inspiration from her Aunt Sophia Francesca and became the author of romantic adventure novels. She alternates her time between Los Angeles, and a family property located in Yorkshire England.

ELLE BROOKES
She is the author of the first two books of the Time Frame Series, LUST. MECHANICS. MINI COOPER. and SEX. COFFEE. TIME TRAVEL. Loves travel, discovering new foods to try, reading and writing. She currently lives in the central highlands of Costa Rica with her dog Pixie and her hedgehog Quiller.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Buy A Copy

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Add to Goodreads ~ Kobo

Let’s Be Friends

Enter To Win

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rescued Hearts by Hope Toler Dougherty

October 25, 2017

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Rescued Hearts by Hope Toler Dougherty was a sweet story. I did get bored from time to time as I was reading but that always passed after a couple of pages, so I didn’t have a hard time finishing this book like I have had with other books. I really liked Brett right from the start, but Mary got on my nerves from time to time. I always got annoyed at how at times she acted because I felt like she was whiny and all Brett wanted to do was keep her safe throughout the entire book. She reminds me of girls who act tough around people, but in the end, they aren’t tough in the least. I really enjoyed this author writing, and it kept me interested in the book, but it didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat like some other books have. If you love mystery books than I am sure that you will love this book just as much as I did.

About The Book

Children’s clothing designer Mary Wade Kimball’s soft spot for animals leads to a hostage situation when she spots a briar- entangled kitten in front of an abandoned house. Beaten, bound, and gagged by the two thugs inside, Mary Wade loses hope for escape when a third villain returns with supplies.

Discovering the kidnapped woman ratchets the complications for undercover agent Brett Davis. Weighing the difference of ruining his three months’ investigation against the woman’s safety, Brett forsakes his mission and helps her escape, the bent-on-revenge brutes following behind.

When Mary Wade’s safety is threatened once more, Brett rescues her again. This time, her personal safety isn’t the only thing in jeopardy. Her heart is endangered as well.

About The Author

Before writing novels, Hope Toler Dougherty published non-fiction articles on topics ranging from gardening with children and environmental awareness to writing apprehension. A native North Carolinian, she likes cheering with her husband, Kevin, for the Pittsburgh Steelers, ACC basketball, and Army West Point Football.

Things that make her happy include her four children, writing and receiving real mail, cooking, reading, books, book stores, book clubs, used book sales, libraries, crocheting, and traveling. Things that make her sad include washing dishes, de-cluttering, dusting, sweeping, mopping…