Archive | January, 2019

#BookReview: A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz

7 Jan

A Bound Heart captivated me from beginning to end! The imagery is vivid and the setting, which spans the globe, is easily imagined. I loved Magnus and Lark, and their characters brought to mind those of Ross and Demelza Poldark. This sweeping story is one that slowly unfolds allowing the reader to savor its beauty and lyricism. Inspired by her own heritage, Laura Frantz has crafted a heartfelt historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Though Magnus MacLeish and Lark MacDougall grew up on the same castle grounds, Magnus is now laird of the great house and the Isle of Kerrera. Lark is but the keeper of his bees and the woman he is hoping will provide a tincture that might help his ailing wife conceive and bear him an heir. But when his wife dies suddenly, Magnus and Lark find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of accusations, expelled from their beloved island, and sold as indentured servants across the Atlantic. Yet even when all hope seems dashed against the rocky coastline of the Virginia colony, it may be that in this New World the two of them could make a new beginning–together.

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#BookReview: We Hope for Better Things by Erin Bartels

6 Jan

We Hope for Better Things is a time-slip tale of three women and the unexpected lives they led. Richly drawn characters populate the story, and I enjoyed delving deeper into their emotional journeys. Shifting from past to present, history comes to life as does the heartache of previous generations. Erin Bartels has penned a moving and memorable debut novel, and I look forward to reading her future works.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

When Detroit Free Press reporter Elizabeth Balsam meets James Rich, his strange request–that she look up a relative she didn’t know she had in order to deliver an old camera and a box of photos–seems like it isn’t worth her time. But when she loses her job after a botched investigation, she suddenly finds herself with nothing but time.

At her great-aunt’s 150-year-old farmhouse, Elizabeth uncovers a series of mysterious items, locked doors, and hidden graves. As she searches for answers to the riddles around her, the remarkable stories of two women who lived in this very house emerge as testaments to love, resilience, and courage in the face of war, racism, and misunderstanding. And as Elizabeth soon discovers, the past is never as past as we might like to think.

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#BookReview: Code of Valor by Lynette Eason

4 Jan

Code of Valor is tension-filled and action-packed! Suspense builds as Brady’s and Emily’s story unfolds, and it is certainly one that kept me guessing. Great characterization and engaging plots are hallmarks of Eason’s writing, and fans of the Blue Justice series are sure to enjoy its latest installment. For those who haven’t read the series, Code of Valor is a story that can easily stand on its own. I enjoy the St. John family dynamic and look forward to more of their crime-fighting endeavors.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend’s cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe–and catch those who would see her dead.

Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn’t trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don’t share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.

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