My Favorite Reads of 2020

My 2020 in Books 

Between kids books, comic books like Garfield and Baby Blues, Agatha Christie novellas and all the regular books I read 608 books in 2020. So trying to figure out a favorite list was more than a little daunting!! There are going to be several books mentioned in this post...it was a fun year reading wise!

My Favorite Christian Fiction Reads(in no particular order)

Line By Line by Jenifer Delamere

Jocelyn by Sarah Monzon

Storing Up Trouble by Jen Turano

To Steal A Heart by Jen Turano

Stay With Me by Becky Wade

The Red Canary by Rachel Scott McDaniel

Stay With Me by Kara Isaac

Lake Season by Denise Hunter

At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer

The Librarian Of Boone's Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Something To Believe In by Jenny B. Jones

A Bride Of Convenience by Jody Hedlund

Starfish Pier by Irene Hannon

Vying For The Viscount by Kristi Hunter

Set The Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes

Being Known by Robin Jones Gunn

The Kissing Tree novella collection by Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, Nicole Geese

Finding The Road Home by Tina Radcliffe

The Edge of Belonging by Amanda Cox

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson

Favorite Suspense 

End Game by Rachel Dylan

Point of Danger by Irene Hannon

Rocky Mountain Revenge by Rhonda Starnes

The Baby’s Defender by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Silent Shadows by Natalie Walters

Untraceable Evidence by Sharee Stover

The Traitor’s Pawn by Lisa Harris

Killer Insight by Virginia Vaughan

Protecting The Princess by Rachelle McCalla

Favorite Series

Meet Your Match by Rachael Anderson

1) Prejudice meets Pride 

2) Rough Around The Edges Meets Refined

3) Stick in the Mud Meets Spontaneity

Amish Village Mystery by Vannetta Chapman

1) Murder Simply Brewed

2) Murder Tightly Knit

3) Murder Freshly Baked

Favorite Novellas

Unseen Enemy by Lynn H. Blackburn

Miracle on Ford Avenue by Natalie Walters

Take A Chance On Me by Becky Wade

Favorite Cozies

Murder, She Wrote: Murder In Season by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land

Murder, She Wrote: The Murder of Twelve by Jessica Fletcher and Jon Land

To Kill A Mocking Girl by Harper Kincaid

Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsay

One For The Books by Jenn McKinlay

Gone With The Whisker by Laurie Cass

Favorite Fiction

The Book Of Lost Names by Kristen Harmel

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie

Paris Is Always A Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay

Favorite Non Fiction

On The Bright Side by Melanie Shankle

Everything Beautiful In Its Time by Jenna Bush Hager

Favorite Christmas Books

Christmas Ever After by Karen Schaler

The Holiday Husband by Jenny B. Jones

His Holiday Prayer by Tina Radcliffe

Christmas Ever After

While promoting her next novel, a Christmas love story, author Riley Reynolds is caught off guard when she’s asked during a live national television interview how she can write about romance when she still hasn’t found “the one” herself. Scrambling for an answer, she quickly answers that she has had great love in her past and that love inspired her novels.

Little does she know that this one offhanded remark will turn her world upside down. Three of her ex-boyfriends see the interview, and each, believing she’s talking about him, shows up for her Christmas Camp book event at the Christmas Lake Lodge, determined to rewrite his happily-ever-after with her!

Over the festive weekend, Riley’s old boyfriends compete to win her heart, pulling out all the stops while planning the most romantic Christmas dates on the planet. Despite herself, Riley starts falling for each guy— again—but for different reasons. As Riley revisits each relationship and discovers more about herself, she embraces the magic of Christmas and finally finds true love and her own Christmas ever after...

 My Rating: 5 Stars

Another fun and charming Christmas romance from Karen. I have come to love her Christmas stories because they are always full of humor, romance and great characters and this one fits the bill perfectly. Riley was a great character and her predicament when all three of her exes show up to win her back was hilarious. Great Christmas read!!

Deadly Amish Reunion

Separated by amnesia…

reunited by a lethal holiday threat.

Jennie Beiler’s husband was supposed to be dead, so she’s shocked when he rescues her from an attacker. Although Luke has no memories of his Englisch wife, it’s up to him to protect her from someone who won’t stop until she’s dead. Can the peaceful Amish community he returned to after losing his memory shelter them and their son this Christmas when danger strikes again?

From Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

Amish Country Justice

Book 1: Plain Target

Book 2: Plain Retribution

Book 3: Amish Christmas Abduction

Book 4: Amish Country Ambush

Book 5: Amish Christmas Emergency

Book 6: Guarding the Amish Midwife

Book 7: Hidden in Amish Country

Book 8: Plain Refuge

Book 9: Deadly Amish Reunion

 My Rating: 4 Stars

Another exciting read from Dana! I enjoyed Jennie's story after meeting her in Plain Refuge. This one is just as exciting and with surprises along the way, I wasn't entirely sure who the bad guy was until the end. The story moves well and kept me interested. A fun and exciting Christmas mystery! 

I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own. 

The Cul-de-Sac War

All’s fair in love and prank wars. 

Bree Leake doesn’t want to be tied down. She’s had more jobs than she can count, and she plans to move as soon as the curtains fall on her less-than-minor stage role at The Barter—the oldest live performance theater in the US. But just when it’s time to move on again, Bree’s parents make her an offer: hold steady for a full year, and they will give her the one thing she’s always wanted—her grandmother’s house. Her dreams are coming true . . . until life at the theater throws her some curve balls. 

And then there’s Chip McBride—her handsome and infuriating next-door neighbor. 

Chip just might be the only person whose stubborn streak can match Bree’s. She would move heaven and earth to have him off her cul-de-sac and out of her life, but according to the bargain she’s struck, she can’t move out of her house and away from the man who’s making her life miserable. So begins Bree’s obsessive new mission: to drive Chip out of the neighborhood—and fast. 

Bree isn’t the only one who’s a tad competitive, and Chip is more than willing to fight fire with fire. But as their pranks escalate, the line between love and hate starts to blur—and their heated rivalry threatens to take a hilarious, heartwarming, and romantic new turn. 

My Rating: 4 Stars

A fun lighthearted romance with lots of laugh out moments for me. I lost count of the times I laughed out loud while listening to the story. The narrator of the audio was very good and made the listening aspect very enjoyable. The end was cute and overall I enjoyed the story. Some of the pranks they pulled on each other was a bit over the top but that's my only minor complaint of the story. This a great story if you are looking for a quick, funny and light romance. 

I received this book through NetGalley and wasn't required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Besotted

In a land where being the fairest maiden is a curse . . .

A young queen trying to stay alive until she comes of age to rule, and a prince turned into a pauper.

Queen Aurora of Mercia has spent her entire life deep in Inglewood Forest, hiding from Warwick’s Queen Margery, who seeks her demise. As the time draws near for Aurora to take the throne, she happens upon a handsome woodcutter. Although friendship with outsiders is forbidden and dangerous, she cannot stay away from the charming stranger.

Only two months away from completing his royal testing, Prince Kresten of Scania is ready to be finished with the poverty and hardships of being a woodcutter. When he meets a beautiful peasant woman, he doesn’t plan to fall in love, especially when he must soon leave and return to his homeland.

As Queen Margery’s forces close in, Aurora finds herself in mortal danger. Kresten knows a future with Aurora is impossible, but he is desperate to save her and bring an end to the queen’s threat. To do so, he joins the ultimate battle against the evil queen, risking everything, including his chance at true love.

The real Sleeping Beauty story.

The Fairest Maidens
Book 1: Beholden (Sept 2020)
Book 2: Beguiled (Oct 2020)
Book 3: Besotted (Nov 2020)

My Rating: 4 Stars

What an exciting finale to the Fairest Maidens series! Aurora and Kresten's story just might be my favorite of the set. Kresten's growth during the book was very cool and by the end he was definitely my favorite of the three brothers. Aurora and Kresten's romance was fun to read and the twists that Jody had up her sleeve for the story made for exciting reading. Jody does fairly tale stories extremely well and I highly recommend them!

I received this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion. 

 

The Red Canary

 

In 1928, soot from the local mills and music from speakeasies linger in the Pittsburgh air. When the manager of The Kelly Club is found dead, nightclub singer Vera Pembroke is thrust into peril. As the only witness to the crime, she’s sentenced to hide away in the Allegheny Forest with a stuffy police sergeant as her guardian.

Sergeant Mick Dinelo harbors a burning hatred for Pittsburgh’s underworld after the devastation it left on his life—and heart. He should be out exposing the culpable gangsters rather than tending to the impetuous woman who defies his every effort to keep her safe.

Mick and Vera must set aside their differences to solve the murder that someone wants to keep buried beneath the soot of Steel City.

My Rating: 5 Stars

Wowza! This book was fantastic. I found myself completely immersed in 1920's Philadelphia right along with Mick & Vera. This book is COMPLETELY unputdownable-at least for me. I read half of it in one sitting. The story pulled me in from the first chapter and the characters were wonderful. I especially enjoyed Lacey and Pops! Do yourself a favor and give this one a try, I am willing to bet you'll love it!

I received this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion. 

Carolina Breeze

 

A jilted bride. A struggling innkeeper. And a romantic mountain getaway that changes everything.

Rising Hollywood star Mia Emerson is looking for a safe place to land in the wake of a public breakup and scandal, and she finds it in the lake town of Bluebell, North Carolina—the location of her canceled honeymoon. She wants nothing more than to hide and wait for the tabloids to die down.

Soon after her arrival at the Bluebell Inn, Mia meets Levi Bennett, who runs the inn along with his two younger sisters. Drawn to one another from the start, Mia trusts Levi to keep her location from the press, and Levi confides in Mia about the financial state of the inn—a secret he’s been keeping from his sisters.

When Mia and Levi discover an old journal that hints at a rare diamond necklace hidden in the inn, they set off on a treasure hunt to find the long-lost heirloom. What they don’t expect to surface are feelings they thought were safely locked away. Mia and Levi must decide if falling in love again is too big a risk—or if it will uncover a treasure of its own instead.

This Bluebell Inn romance takes us to a quiet North Carolina retreat that holds more secrets than it shares.

My Rating: 5 Stars

This series of Denise's is shaping up to be my favorite of hers. Carolina Breeze has romance, humor, and mystery and is such a fun read! Mia and Levi are great characters and their blossoming romance makes for an enjoyable read and a lovely bookish escape. I definitely recommend this series!!

Escape

 

US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are thrust into a high-profile case when they are called on to transport two prisoners across the country on a private plane. But when the plane experiences engine trouble en route from the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, the pilots crash-land the aircraft deep in the heart of the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest.

When Madison and Jonas regain consciousness, they find both pilots and one prisoner dead--and one fugitive on the run. They'll have to negotiate the rugged and remote backcountry through Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado while tracking a murderer who is desperate to disappear--and will do anything to stop them.

This high-octane game of cat-and-mouse from bestselling and award-winning author Lisa Harris will have your heart pumping as you try to catch a fugitive with nothing to lose.

My Rating: 4 Stars

The Escape is quite the exciting read! Trying to catch an escaped killer on the run from a plane crash made for quite a story line and hard to put down. Madison and Jonas are fun characters and I really enjoyed them in this story. Madison's back story peaked my interest especially with the mystery element that's sure to come out in the rest of the series. All in all, a good start to her new series. Looking forward to book 2!

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

The Love Note

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words.

Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight. 

 My Rating: 4 Stars

What a fun story! I liked the premise of the mystery letter and the historical backdrop made for an excellent read. The characters were perfect for the story and I loved the addition of a real life historical figure. The book had almost a lyrical quality to it and I felt immersed in it early on. Beautiful story.

I received this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.  

Wildflower Road

A young widow is tempted to love again after her heartbreaking loss in this new Madison River Romance.

After her husband's tragic death, Ryann Marie Ashcroft's only remaining dream is to save her family's struggling mountain resort. And the last person she wants to rely on is a brooding stranger with secrets of his own.

Nicknamed America's rock-and-roll pastor, Shane Olson arrives in Montana after a viral video destroys his marriage, his ministry, and his reputation. Working side by side on the banks of the Madison River, he and Ryann get a second chance at love. But not everyone wants to see their happily ever after. 

My Rating: 4 Stars

What a well crafted and wonderful story! Wildflower Road pulls the reader in early on with heartbreak in the main character's pasts and seeing how they overcome it and finally find happiness was such a fun read. Ryann and Shane are such likable characters that you can't help but root for them to break free of their pasts and find their happily ever after. This story has a lot of drama and heartbreak in its pages but that just makes the end all the more satisfying. All in all, this was a lovely story and I can't wait for book 3 in the series!

I received an early copy for review but I also purchased a hard copy as well an an audible copy for my shelves. All thoughts are my honest opinion. 

Nothing Short Of Wondrous

It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.

Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. When her 6-year-old son is kidnapped by a poacher who wants the boy to guide him to the place where the last of the Yellowstone bison congregate, Will and Kate must work together to rescue him, save the bison, and protect the park. In doing so, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control. 

My rating: 4 Stars

This was a fun read! I felt transported to historical Yellowstone and like I was there along with Will, Kate and the rest of the characters that make up this story. A beautiful setting, a mystery and a romance work together to make this an interesting novel that I really enjoyed. Regina’s descriptions of Yellowstone were detailed and a perfect complement to the story. The story moved well and the romance was written as a very naturally developing romance that didn’t move too quickly which I appreciated. 

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

To Steal A Heart

After a childhood as a street thief, Gabriella Goodhue thought she'd put her past behind her until a fellow resident at her boardinghouse is unjustly accused of theft. In the middle of breaking into a safe that holds the proof to prove her friend's innocence, Gabriella is interrupted by Nicholas Quinn, the man she once considered her best friend—until he abandoned her.

After being taken under the wing of a professor who introduced him into society and named him as heir, Nicholas is living far removed from his childhood life of crime. As a favor to a friend, Nicholas agreed to help clear the name of an innocent woman, never imagining he'd be reunited with the girl he thought lost to him forever.

As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together into one intrigue after another, their childhood affection grows into more, but their newfound feelings are tested when truths about their past are revealed and danger follows their every step.

 My Rating: 5 Stars

Jen has penned another wonderfully funny story in "To Steal A Heart." I thoroughly enjoyed this latest story from Jen, where we meet Gabriella and Nicolas. What a hoot these two are when they get together! I laughed at countless times throughout the story. Jen does humor REALLY well. The story was fun with great characters that we will see in the rest of the books in this series and let me tell you, I can't wait for those stories. There is a reason Jen's books continuously top my favorites list-she writes stories with humor, fantastic characters and a great plot and she NEVER misses. I truly love her books and this one is one of her very best! Read it-I can all but promise you won't be disappointed!

I received this book as a member of the launch team but I also purchased my own Audible copy as well. All thoughts are my honest opinion.  

The Sowing Season

After he's forced to sell the family farm he's labored on his whole life, 63-year-old Gerrit Laninga doesn't know what to do with himself. He sacrificed everything for the land--his time, his health, his family--with nothing to show for it but bitterness, regret, and two grown children who want nothing to do with him.

Fifteen-year-old Rae Walters has growing doubts and fears about The Plan--the detailed blueprint for high school that will help her follow in her lawyer father's footsteps. She's always been committed to The Plan, but now that the pressure to succeed is building, what was supposed to unite her family in purpose, may end up tearing it apart.

When their paths cross just as they each need a friend the most, Gerrit's and Rae's lives begin to change in unexpected ways. Can they discover together what really matters in life and learn it's never too late for a second chance?

 

My Rating: 5 Stars

What an amazing story!! This book is rich in characters and story line. I was pulled in to the lives of the characters early on and I had trouble putting the book down because I needed to know what was going to happen next. Honestly, I need another book about these characters because Katie created characters you can't help but care about and I need more of their stories. This debut is so so well done. Don't miss it!!

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion. 

Beguiled

In a land where being the fairest maiden is a curse . . .

A princess rejected and hunted by her mother, and a prince who lives as a shunned outcast.

Princess Pearl flees for her life after her mother, Queen Margery, tries to have her killed during a hunting expedition. Pearl finds refuge on the Isle of Outcasts among criminals and misfits, disguising her face with a veil so no one recognizes her. She lives for the day when she can return to Warwick and rescue her sister, Ruby, from the queen’s clutches.

Amidst his royal testing on the Isle of Outcasts, Prince Mikkel of Scania has kept his identity a secret. Captured by a warring band of outcasts and condemned to die, he finds himself making friends with an intriguing but feisty young veiled woman. Intending to win her trust and gain her help to escape, he soon finds himself coerced to wed her.

Mikkel reluctantly agrees to the union to save his life, and Pearl hopes the marriage will provide protection for her and Ruby. But the queen is more determined to kill her daughter than either Pearl or Mikkel realizes and has a sinister reason neither expects—one that could rip their new love apart forever.

The real Snow White story.

The Fairest Maidens
Book 1: Beholden (Sept 2020)
Book 2: Beguiled (Oct 2020)

Book 3: Besotted (Nov 2020)

 My Rating: 4 Stars

This was a fun read. I enjoyed Mikkel and Pearl’s story based on Snow White. The story was interesting and told us more of Queen Margery’s evil plan that we learned about in Beholden. This book has adventure, mystery, and romance, if you love a good fairy tale story don’t miss this series!! I am especially looking forward to book 3 and seeing how the story ends and meeting Krestin and Aurora.

I received this book from the author and wasn’t required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

The Price Of Valor

Former Navy SEAL Hamilton Jones thought that the love of his life was dead. But when a girl claiming to be his daughter shows up with a dire message from his wife, Ham knows he will stop at nothing to find her and bring her home.

Kidnapped by rebels while serving as an interpreter in Ukraine, Signe Kincaid has spent the past decade secreting out valuable information about Russian assets in the US to her CIA handler. Fearing for her daughter after being discovered as an operative, Signe sends her to Ham for safekeeping. She's ready to give her life for her country, and she can hardly expect Ham to rescue her after breaking his heart over and over.

When Ham discovers the reason Signe has kept her distance, he must choose between love for his wife and love for the nation he has vowed to protect. Will he save the many? Or the few?

USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren takes you on a global search and rescue mission where the stakes are higher than ever in this final installment of her popular series.

My Rating: 4 Stars 

This was a fantastic end to this series. It's chock full of exciting moments and heart pounding scenes. It was fun seeing the crossover characters from Susan's Montana Marshalls series be part of the book. The story moved well and was hard to put down. I had to keep reading to see what happened next. There were a few surprises along the way that kept me guessing. I also really appreciated the faith elements Susan wove into the story, Ham and Signe had a lot to overcome and I enjoyed how their faith helped them do that. This a compelling and exciting read that I definitely recommend!

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own. 

The Kissing Tree

 Bestselling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors' unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.

In Regina Jennings' Broken Limbs, Mended Fences, a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman.

Karen Witemeyer's The Kissing Tree Inn tells the tale of an unlikely woman building a very unexpected lover's retreat.

From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.

Heartwood by Nicole Deese is a modern-day romance where the aftermath of a giant storm brings changes for the owner of a historic inn.

My Rating: 5 Stars

Regina's story is funny and sweet. Bella and Adam were fun characters full of spunk and stubbornness. The bet between Adam and Bella’s father made for an interesting element as well. Cute romance and a good start to the collection of stories. Karen’s story was charming as always. Her stories have a perfect blend of humor and romance and Barnabas and Phoebe’s story has both. It was an adorable story. Amanda’s story was great, I love World War 2 stories and this one is set during it so that alone made me enjoy it...but Luke and Hannah made me love it even more. Restoring the house was a fun part of the story too. I loved Nicole’s story! My favorite part was the letter written by someone affected by the Kissing Tree, it brought tears to my eyes. Abby and Griffin were fun characters and easy to root for them to find their happily ever after. All in all, this is a superb collection from some of the best authors in Christian Fiction. I can’t even pick a favorite story because I loved each and every one of them. I highly recommend this collection. I received this book from the author and wasn’t required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion.

Backlash

 CIA analyst Layla Karam is thrust into a dangerous DEA field operation against a cartel that puts a target on her back. Though Layla never wanted to be a field agent, Langley had other ideas. After one of her team members is murdered because of fallout from the op, Layla is left scrambling to find safety.

At the same time, the CIA opens up an internal investigation against her. Out of options, Layla turns to ex-boyfriend and private investigator Hunter McCoy for help finding out who might want to ruin her career.

Layla and Hunter soon discover a mole inside the DEA has sold out the team's identity to the cartel. She must clear her name with the Agency and protect herself and her teammates from cartel retaliation. With threats on all sides, Layla must put her trust in Hunter--the man who broke her heart--and hope they both come out of it alive.

My Rating: 4 Stars

What a thrilling read! This book has a ton of excitement from the first chapter and it keeps it up throughout the book. The mysteries(there's more than one!) are captivating and full of danger-both emotional and physical. There were a couple surprises along the way and all of it worked nicely for a perfect ending. If you like fast paced mysteries and suspense with a dash of romance, check out this series!

I received this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own. 

A Death Long Overdue

 

When her former director is found dead in the water, librarian Lucy Richardson will have to get to the bottom of the mystery before the killer ends her tale.

It's summertime in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Bertie James's college class is having their 40th anniversary reunion. The opening night reception is held at the Lighthouse Library and Lucy and her colleagues have assembled an exhibit of library artifacts showing how libraries have changed over the years. After the reception, some of the women take a walk down the boardwalk to the pier, using flashlights to illuminate the dark path, but what's scarier than the dark is finding the former director of the Lighthouse Library floating lifeless in the water.

Helena Sanchez, the former director, wasn't much loved and spent the party being rude to almost everyone there. As a result, Lucy finds herself in deep water as she rocks the boat, questioning several suspects. But she'll have to batten down the hatches and fast before she's left high and dry...and right in the killer's crosshairs.

My Rating: 4 Stars

Another fun mystery with Lucy and the gang. This was an interesting story with a present day murder and a bit of a cold case dating back 25 years. I enjoyed reading how it all played out along with some fun relationship stuff for Connor and Lucy too. This is a solid cozy series and this latest installment was a perfect way to spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon. Looking forward to more adventures in this series.

A Body From The Past

A closed room in her newest fixer-upper leads Indiana house-flipper Jazzi Zanders to reopen a chilling cold case involving a high school girl . . .
 
Jazzi, her cousin Jerod, and her husband Ansel are preparing to renovate a charming house that reminds her of an English manor. Before purchasing it, they had inspected the house for structural issues, but now when they do a more thorough walk-through, they discover a teenage girl's bedroom that clearly hasn't been touched in years. Dust covers the pink canopy bed, clothes still hang in the closet, and a hope chest remains full of journals and memorabilia. They've stumbled on a shrine to a dead girl.
 
They learn Jessica was killed in the middle of her high school graduation party. The murderer was never identified, but the brother-in-law of Jazzi’s friend, who went to school with Jessica, was suspected and never lived it down. He implores Jazzi to review the cold case and finally prove him innocent. Now it’s up to the house-flipper to nail a killer who will do anything to close the door on the past . . .

 My Rating: 5 Stars

This mystery was so so good. I enjoy cold case stories and this one was unusual and exciting. There is no shortage of suspects and motives and it kept me guessing throughout the book. I really really enjoyed this cozy! Definitely one of the best of the series. 

Grave Christmas Secrets

Discovering buried evidence

makes her a target.

At a prehistoric site, forensic anthropologist Taya McGill uncovers a recently buried body days before Christmas—and finds herself in a killer’s sights. Now on the run with undercover ATF agent Keegan Stryker, she must rely on him to guard her as they figure out why someone would kill to keep this murder unsolved. But can they unearth the truth before someone silences them both for good?

From Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

My Rating: 4 Stars

This was quite an exciting read! Sharee crafts stories that keep the reader entertained while trying to solve the mystery and this book fits that bill perfectly. Taya and Keegan are fun characters and I enjoyed being a part of them trying to catch the bad guys that are tracking them. Very fun read!

I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own. 

 

Her Secret Song

After a rough winter spent alone, Ursula Nordegren realizes she must overcome her fears of the outside world and begins a trek down Hope Mountain. Along the way she finds a badly wounded stranger and realizes God may have used her decision to leave as a way of saving the man.

Wax Mosby was climbing Hope Mountain in part to atone for his terrible choices. He was hired to drive out the Warden family and now knows he was duped. But when he's wounded during the climb, the last person he expects to rescue him is a beautiful blond woman with the voice of an angel.

As both Ursula and Wax weigh the costs of living new lives, the two find an unlikely bond. And they're joined by Ursula's sisters and the Warden family as the final showdown over the family ranch looms with the coming of spring.

 My Rating: 5 Stars

What a perfect finale! This is easily my favorite of the series. Watching Wax finally find a happy ending after all the heartache he went through was awesome and Ursula was the perfect match for him. The story kept me so engrossed I had trouble putting it down. I really really enjoyed this book.

I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

For Whom The Book Tolls

In this cozy series debut from Laura Gail Black, Jenna Quinn finds her uncle murdered in his antique bookstore, and Jenna--his primary beneficiary--becomes the prime suspect.

Trouble follows Jenna Quinn wherever she goes. Fleeing some unsavory doings in her hometown of Charlotte, Jenna accepts her uncle's gracious invitation to stay with him in small-town Hokes Folly, NC. In exchange, she'll help him out in his antiquarian bookstore. But soon after she arrives, Jenna finds her uncle's body crumpled at the base of the staircase between his apartment and the bookstore.

Before the tragedy even sinks in, Jenna learns that she's inherited almost everything her uncle owned: the store and apartment, as well as his not-so-meager savings and the payout from a life insurance policy...which adds up to more than a million dollars. This is all news to Jenna--bad news, once the police get wind of her windfall. An ill wind, indeed, as a second murder cements Jenna's status as the prime suspect in both deaths.

Jenna can hit the road again, taking her chances that she can elude trouble along the way. Or she can stick it out in Hokes Folly, take over the bookstore, and try to sleuth out her uncle's killer. On the one hand, she's made some wonderful new friends, and she feels she can thrive in the genial small-town environment. On the other hand, trouble knows her address--and so does the killer, who is determined to write the final page of Jenna's story.

My Rating: 5 Stars

I really enjoyed this new debut to what looks to be a fun new cozy series! The mystery was super good and I really like the characters in the story. They are a likable group that I look forward to solving more mysteries with.  Can't wait for the next installment!! 

Take Heart

"In this world you will have trouble," Jesus said. "But take heart, I have overcome the world."

If life hasn't turned out the way you planned, you're not alone. Cancer comes. Loved ones die. Spouses leave. Dreams slip through our fingers. Anxiety and depression steal precious seasons. But what if you knew you weren't alone in your pain, and sorrow isn't in the end of the story?

In this 100-day devotional, the (in)courage community comes alongside you when your heart is grieving, your faith is shaking, or it's just one of those mundane hard days. In these vulnerable stories, you won't find tidy bows or trite quick fixes, but you will find arrows pointing you straight to Jesus. Each day includes a key Scripture, a heartening devotion, and a prayer to remind you that God is near and hope is possible.

Let this book be like a trusted friend, wrapping your heart with comfort and assurance that you are seen. Together we can find ourselves and God again in one another's stories. Together we can take heart!

My Rating: 4 Stars

This is an excellent collection of short devotions that is supremely appropriate for the times we are in. I really identified with many of the devotions and and was impressed with the content the authors compiled for this book. These women have been where I am and expressed words of hope that is always needed especially in these troubled times. Highly recommend!!

I received this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion. 

Point Of Danger

 

Radio talk show host Eve Reilly is used to backlash from her pot-stirring on-air commentary and interviews, but now it seems a disgruntled listener is resorting to more than angry words to express their displeasure. When a suspicious package arrives on her doorstep, Eve turns to law enforcement for help.

Police detective Brent Lange can't find any evidence to link the string of unsettling incidents that follows, but he's convinced they're connected. As the harassment grows more menacing, it becomes clear someone wants Eve's voice silenced--permanently.

But unless he can track down her foe, fast, the gutsy woman who is willing to take risks for what she believes--and who is swiftly winning his heart--may not survive.

Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon is back with a heart-stopping new series that will have you turning pages well into the night.

My Rating: 5 Stars

What a fantastic read! I never miss a book by Irene and this one of her best. The mystery was excellent and had me really trying to figure out all the pieces. The story moved well and kept me involved throughout and kept me guessing as I read. I really liked the Reilly sisters and I look forward to Grace and Cate's stories. It was a quick easy read, perfect for a day spent at home. Can't wait for my next adventure with Irene's stories!

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Portrait Of Loyalty

Zivon Marin was one of Russia's top cryptographers, until the October Revolution tore apart his world. Forced to flee after speaking out against Lenin and separated from his brother along the way, he arrives in England driven by a growing anger and determined to offer his services to the Brits.

Lily Blackwell sees the world best through the lens of a camera--and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and recreating photographs. With her father's connections in propaganda, she's recruited to the intelligence division, even though her mother would disapprove.

After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily. He sees patterns in what she deems chaos; she sees beauty in a world he thought destroyed. But both have secrets they're unwilling to share. When her photographs reveal that someone has been following Zivon, his loyalties are called into question--and his enemies are discovered to be far closer than he'd feared. 

My Rating: 4 stars

 This is a lovely conclusion to the Codebreakers series! After having been with these characters for 9 books(3 series!) I am sad to say goodbye but this finale was just about perfect. It has been exciting following these characters through World War 1 and their contributions to the war effort. Lillian and Zion were fun to meet and I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow. Lillian’s photography skills were such a cool element and it was neat to see how a skill like that could have been used back then. This was a fun read, that’s for certain. If you like historical fiction, don’t miss Roseanna’s stories. They will not disappoint!

I received this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.  

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

The book page for A Portrait of Loyalty can be found on my website HERE.

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