Tag Archives: Contemporary fiction

#BookReview: Pelican Point by Irene Hannon

30 Apr

Pelican Point is a heartwarming tale! I enjoyed Marci’s and Ben’s story and the hope and healing that resonate through their journey. Irene Hannon brings to life an idyllic seaside setting and an endearing cast of characters. It is always a pleasure to visit Hope Harbor and its residents, and I especially delight in Charley. The wisdom he dishes up with his tacos adds to the charm of each Hope Harbor story. Pelican Point left me smiling and looking forward to my next visit to this special coastal community!

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

 

About the book:

A crumbling lighthouse is not part of the inheritance Army doctor Ben Garrison expects to claim when he journeys to Hope Harbor. Fresh out of the service, he wants only to unload the tower of bricks, decompress from years of treating battlefield trauma, and prepare to launch his civilian career.

Hope Harbor Herald editor Marci Weber has other ideas. She may not be a Hope Harbor native, but the small Oregon seaside town has become home–and she’s determined to save the Pelican Point landmark.

Sparks fly as the two go head to head over the fate of the lighthouse. But when they start to cooperate, a different kind of fire ignites. And as they work together, might Hope Harbor heal the hearts of these two romance-wary souls?

Learn more about the book and the author. 

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#BookReview: The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

16 Apr

The House on Foster Hill is a page-turning read! I love dual time period novels, and this intriguing tale kept me riveted in both the past and the present. From the well-crafted characters to the intricate plot, I delighted in this outstanding debut novel. Jaime Jo Wright is an author to follow, and I can’t wait for her next release!

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

 

About the book:

Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious death fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather’s Wisconsin hometown. But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house’s dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide.

A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy’s search leads her into dangerous waters and, even as she works together with a man from her past, can she unravel the mystery before any other lives–
including her own–are lost?

Learn more about the book and the author.

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Guest Post + #Giveaway: Alexa Verde

30 Jan

Please welcome Alexa Verde as she shares a guest post and giveaway!  

 

GUEST POST: Alexa Verde

At the end of January, do you still have Christmas in your heart?

I love writing and reading books about Christmas for many reasons. The knowledge about the Savior born, the reminder about grace, the feeling of joy about the good news of the Lord…

I love seeing Christmas lights, exchanging gifts, celebrating with my friends. But in January, the lights are taken down (except when people leave them on for the entire year) and the stores switch decorations to hearts and roses.

Personally, I think it’s never too late or too early to read or write about Christmas! I released Book 2 in Rios Azules Christmas series in March, and Book 3 in August. If you still feel like reading a Christmas book, be it a heartwarming, sweet romance or a fast-paced, action-packed suspense, here are some eBooks I’m offering for the giveaway.

 

 

The Mystery of Christmas 2 is only $0.99 or free on Kindle Unlimited. Seven new Christian mystery/suspense novellas! In every book of the set, mysteries are unveiled, suspense abounds, and danger is around every corner.

 

Season of Joy will be on sale for $0.99 January 29th – February 2nd!

Single dad Dylan McGregor wants to give his two sons the best life possible in the small town where he’d grown up. When his youngest son writes a letter to God asking for a Mom for Christmas, Dylan reluctantly starts dating again. His lifelong friend, Joy Avila, agrees to help him find the right woman. Then Dylan begins to see Joy in a new light and believes she’s the right woman for him and his family.

Overweight and teased in school, Joy never hoped her first crush, Dylan McGregor, would return her feelings. Confident and successful now, she’s found her passion in writing about international travels. The trip of a lifetime awaits her after the holidays. Instead, will she find her dreams right there in Rios Azules?

 

Love’s Christmas Cheer is only $1.99 or free on Kindle Unlimited.  

For feuding chefs at a new restaurant, a ruined wedding reception and a failed business are not on the menu. But love and family just might be…

Chefs Petr Sergeyev and Lacy-Jane Macalister can’t agree on anything except for that they can’t agree on anything.

Lacy-Jane Macalister returns to her hometown, eager to prove she’s not the culinary failure her ex claimed her to be. After a career in the military, Petr Sergeyev settles down in Sweet Grove to help his brother with his nephew and new business. Grandpa Alexey’s is the only place in town that needs chefs.

He’s for hearty meals. She promotes healthy food. He likes order. She prefers creativity. He left his girlfriend. She was betrayed by her fiancé. Their arguments are more heated than the stove in the restaurant’s kitchen. But when Lacy-Jane’s sister and Petr’s brother decide to have their wedding three days after Christmas, Petr and Lacy-Jane put their differences aside to give their siblings a great reception.

Will Petr and Lacy-Jane surrender their wills to God and receive Christmas gifts of love, faith, and hope?

 

GIVEAWAY:

One randomly chosen commenter to this post will receive a Kindle copy of an eBook mentioned in the post (winner’s choice).  To enter the giveaway, leave a comment with your answer to the following question.  The giveaway ends Sunday, February 4 at midnight CST. The winner will be chosen and announced on Monday, February 5.

When do you prefer to read about Christmas?

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#BookReview: Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren

3 Jan

Troubled Waters is an action-packed tale of adventure and romance! I have been anticipating Ian and Sierra’s story since this series began, and it did not disappoint. Fraught with drama and danger, their journey culminates with some very powerful life lessons. In addition to their emotional story, I also enjoyed the glimpses into Pete and Jess’s relationship and am eager for more as this exciting series continues. While each of the Montana Rescue stories can be read independently, the progressing storylines make reading them in order even more enjoyable. Susan May Warren brings her characters to life, and I love reading their stories!

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

 

About the book:

Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants–except a happy ending. Or at least that’s what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.

Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.

When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore.

It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra’s relationship.

Learn more about the book and the author.

 

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#BookReview: Dangerous Illusions by Irene Hannon

5 Dec

Irene Hannon kicks off the Code of Honor series with a gripping tale! Trish and Colin’s story kept me up late turning the pages, as dangerous and deadly events unfolded. I thoroughly enjoyed the intricacy of the plot and the clever characterization, and I am eager to continue this exciting new series. Intriguing and unexpected, Dangerous Illusions is a great romantic suspense!

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

 

About the book:

Trish Bailey is on overload trying to deal with a demanding job, an ailing mother, and a healing heart. When a series of unsettling memory lapses leads to a tragic death–and puts Trish under police scrutiny–her world is once again thrown into turmoil.

Detective Colin Flynn isn’t certain what to think of the facts he uncovers during his investigation. Did Trish simply make a terrible mistake or is there more to the case than meets the eye? As he searches for answers, disturbing information begins to emerge–and if the forces at work are as evil as he suspects, the situation isn’t just dangerous . . . it’s deadly.

Learn more about the book and the author.

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#BookReview: Blind Spot by Dani Pettrey

6 Nov

Blind Spot is a great suspense! Dani Pettrey’s characterization is excellent, and the Chesapeake Valor series is brimming with characters readers will care about and root for. I really enjoyed Declan and Tanner’s story and welcomed the opportunity to revisit characters from earlier novels. While Blind Spot can stand alone, each book builds on the characters, their relationships, and their stories. As the drama, danger, and suspense continue to unfold, I’m eager for more and can’t wait for Book 4!

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

 

About the book:

FBI agent Declan Grey is in the chase of his life–but isn’t sure exactly what he’s chasing after. Threatened by a terrorist that “the wrath is coming,” Grey fears something horrible is about to be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw to help him. She’s sought justice for refugees and the hurting around the world, and if there’s anyone who can help him, it’s Tanner.

Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan. But that tension also includes a spark she can’t deny, and she’s pretty sure Declan feels the same. But before anything can develop between them, they discover evidence of a terror cell–and soon are in a race against the clock to stop the coming “wrath” that could cost thousands their lives.

Learn more about the book and the author.

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#BookReview: Bringing Maggie Home by Kim Vogel Sawyer

17 Oct

Bringing Maggie Home is a story filled with angst and emotion. The mysterious disappearance of her sister during childhood haunts Hazel DeFord and forever impacts her life. Told from three different points of view, this story gently draws the reader in, and the varying perspectives of three generations offer a deeper understanding of each of the complex characters. A family drama laced with intrigue, Bringing Maggie Home is an enjoyable read.

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

 

About the book:

Hazel DeFord is a woman haunted by her past. While berry picking in a blackberry thicket in 1943, ten-year-old Hazel momentarily turns her back on her three-year-old sister Maggie and the young girl disappears.

Almost seventy years later, the mystery remains unsolved and the secret guilt Hazel carries has alienated her from her daughter Diane, who can’t understand her mother’s overprotectiveness and near paranoia. While Diane resents her mother’s inexplicable eccentricities, her daughter Meghan—a cold case agent—cherishes her grandmother’s lavish attention and affection.

When a traffic accident forces Meghan to take a six-week leave-of-absence to recover, all three generations of DeFord women find themselves unexpectedly under the same roof. Meghan knows she will have to act as a mediator between the two headstrong and contentious women. But when they uncover Hazel’s painful secret, will Meghan also be able to use her investigative prowess to solve the family mystery and help both women recover all that’s been lost?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

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#BookReview: All This Time by Melissa Tagg

29 Sep

All This Time is a story I’ve anticipated since the moment Raegan and Bear appeared on the page. Beautifully rendered, their emotional journey is tender and touching and not soon to be forgotten! Tagg’s characterization is exceptional, as she has crafted a fictional family that very much comes to life in the mind of the reader. I love the charm of Maple Valley and revel in the Walker’s camaraderie! While I lament the end of this wonderful series, it is certain to remain one of my very favorites.

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

 

About the book:

Bear McKinley’s past refuses to let go.

Ten years ago, Bear gave up everything-his freedom and his reputation-for his mess of a family. But after years of distance and too many attempts at starting over, he finally has a new life doing noble work in Brazil . . . until his past catches up to him once again. Suddenly he finds himself back in Maple Valley, charged with the care of his missing brother’s children, convinced he’s out of second chances to make his life count. And yet, with every day that passes, these kids, this quirky town and the woman he never stopped missing help patch the holes in his heart. Maybe this is the fresh start he’s been longing for all along. But as his newfound hope grows, so does the mystery surrounding his brother’s activities-and when the threat reaches into the lives of those he loves, it’s clear he can’t run away this time.

Fear holds Raegan’s future captive.

Raegan Walker is fine. She’s happy working a slew of part-time jobs, still living in her childhood bedroom and rarely venturing from her hometown. At least, that’s what she tells everyone . . . and herself. But she can’t help wondering what might’ve happened if she hadn’t abandoned her art so many years ago-and if Bear McKinley had never left. When Bear returns and she’s commissioned for a painting that just might revive her artistic ambition all in one week, it’s time to finally reach for more than fine. But doing so means facing the fears that have held her back all this time, including admitting the secret she’s kept from Bear and her family. With her dream and her heart on the line, how much will Raegan have to risk to finally chase her happy ending?

Learn more about the book and the author.

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#BookReview: Gathering the Threads by Cindy Woodsmall

22 Sep

Gathering the Threads is a compelling conclusion of The Amish of Summer Grove series! Woodsmall delights readers with another heart-stirring story, as she deftly intertwines the Old Order Amish world with the Englisch. Ariana and her family have endured much, and their emotional and spiritual journeys are both engaging and thought-provoking. I enjoyed Gathering the Threads and highly recommend reading this trilogy in order. However, if you haven’t read the preceding stories, a story line summary is given at the beginning of the book.

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

 

Woodsmall pin1

About the book:

After three months of draus in da Welt, Ariana has returned to Summer Grove, the Old Order Amish community where she was raised for twenty years, and life with her Brenneman family. Skylar Nash, the Englisch-raised young woman is working in Ariana s cafe while getting to know her birth family and their Plain way of life. Skylar’s time in Summer Grove has changed her outlook, just as Ariana has grown to see her personal faith in God in a different light than the manner she was taught while growing up. Both women will have to make decisions about their paths and Ariana must decide what role her childhood friend, ex-Amish Quill Schlabach, will play in her life.

Gathering the Threads is the third and final novel in The Amish of Summer Grove series.

Learn more, read an excerpt, and purchase a copy.

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#BookReview: The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin

18 Sep

The Two of Us is a tender and touching tale! From family dynamics to Alzheimer’s care, Victoria Bylin deftly portrays her characters and their emotions. I delighted in Mia’s and Jake’s journey, as well as the secondary story between Sam and Lucy. Hope-filled and heartfelt, I thoroughly enjoyed The Two of Us!

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

 

About the book:

After two broken engagements, nurse practitioner Mia Robinson is done with dating. From now on, she only trusts herself and God, and she’s focused on her eighteen-year-old sister, Lucy, and caring for patients. Just as she applies to work for an international aid organization, a phone call from Lucy, who’s pregnant and running off to marry her twenty-one-year-old boyfriend, throws a wrench into all of Mia’s plans.

Jake Tanner may have recovered from the physical injuries he sustained on the job as a police officer, but his heart has yet to heal from losing his former partner in the tragedy. He’s poured himself into starting a camp for the sons of fallen officers and mentoring Sam, the adult son of his deceased partner, who’s asked him to be his best man at his wedding.

Mia is expecting a mess when she arrives to sort out the situation with Lucy, but she wasn’t expecting Jake. And Jake, who can’t help envying Sam and Lucy, doubts he’ll ever experience their happiness for himself. But maybe Jake’s courage and Mia’s caring spirit are just what they need to bring them a lifetime of healing and a forever kind of love. . . .

Learn more about the book and the author.

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