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Friday, January 31, 2020

An Uncommon Woman

Unflinching and plainspoken, Tessa Swan is not your typical 18th-century woman. Born and bred on the western Virginia frontier along with her five brothers, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Quiet and courageous, Clay Tygart is not your typical 18th-century man. Raised by Lenape Indians, he returns a hero from the French and Indian War to the fort that bears his name, bringing with him Tessa's long-lost friend, Keturah, a redeemed Indian captive like himself.

Determined to avoid any romantic entanglements as fort commander, Clay remains aloof whenever he encounters the lovely Tessa. But when she is taken captive by the tribe Clay left, his hand--and heart--are forced, leading to one very private and one very public reckoning.

Intense, evocative, and laced with intricate historical details that bring the past to life, An Uncommon Woman will transport you to the picturesque and dangerous western Virginia mountains of 1770.

My Rating: 4 Stars

What an absorbing read! Laura has woven an exciting tale of of danger and romance set during Colonial times. I really enjoyed the characters especially Tessa and Clay. The story itself was quite immersive, I really felt transported to the era in which the story takes place. It takes a special author to be able to do that. I have only read a couple of Laura's books so far but I will be working on her backlist for sure. Looking forward to reading more of them.


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

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

The Way Of The Brave

Former pararescue jumper Orion Starr is haunted by the memory of a rescue gone wrong. He may be living alone in Alaska now, but the pain of his failure--and his injuries--has followed him there from Afghanistan. He has no desire to join Hamilton Jones's elite rescue team, but he also can't shirk his duty when the call comes in to rescue three lost climbers on Denali.

Former CIA profiler and psychiatrist Jenny Calhoun's yearly extreme challenge with her best friends is her only escape from the guilt that has sunk its claws into her. As a consultant during a top-secret mission to root out the Taliban, she green-lighted an operation that ended in ambush and lives lost. When her cathartic climb on Denali turns deadly, she'll be forced to trust her life and the lives of her friends to the most dangerous of heroes--the man she nearly killed.

Her skills and his experience are exactly what's needed to prevent another tragedy--but in order to truly set Orion free from his painful past, Jenny will have to reveal hers. They'll have to put their wounds behind them to survive, but at what cost?

Leap into action with this high-octane, breakneck new series from bestselling author Susan May Warren.



My Rating: 4 Stars
What a story! Orion Starr is quite a hero, and add in Ham and Jake? Sign me up for the rest of this series, stat! This story packs quite a punch, with mystery, a mountain climbing expedition gone wrong, and lots of heart-stopping moments, and romance. My favorite part of the book was the banter between the characters, especially the references to one of my all-time favorite television shows, Mash. That made the intensity of the book easier to handle. Enjoyed this thrilling read and I can't wait for the next installment!

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

Monday, January 27, 2020

Collateral Damage

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can't take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he's not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack--and that her secrets go even deeper than his own--Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime.


My Rating: 3.5 Stars

My rating is a 3.5 on Lynette's newest read. This book is certainly action packed. It starts off with action just a few pages in and it's a thrill ride from start to finish. I liked Brooke and Asher and meeting the side characters we are sure to see more of as the series continues. The plot was interesting and unique but the what the crime ended up being was a little much for this Mama's heart.  There was also another plot twist that wasn't my favorite element. It fit the storyline well, but the evil in this book was a mite overwhelming to me. That being said, Lynette crafted a well plotted story that moved extremely well. It was a fairly easy read as I read most of it in one day. Looking forward to the next in the series later this summer.

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

Saturday, January 25, 2020

On The Wings Of Devotion

Against Every Warning, She’s Drawn Ever Closer to the Man Known as “Black Heart”

All of England thinks Major Phillip Camden a monster–a man who deliberately caused the deaths of his squadron. But he would have preferred to die that day with his men rather than be recruited to the Admiralty’s codebreaking division. The threats he receives daily are no great surprise and, in his opinion, well deserved.

As nurse Arabelle Denler observes the so-dubbed “Black Heart,” she sees something far different: a hurting man desperate for mercy. And when their families and paths twist together unexpectedly, she realizes she has a role to play in his healing–and some of her own to do as well.

With Camden’s court-martial looming, an old acquaintance shows up, intent on using him in a plot that sends the codebreakers of Room 40 into a frenzy. With their fragile hopes for the future in the cross hairs, Arabelle and Camden must hold on to hope–and to each other–if they want to survive.


Series: The Codebreakers (Book 2)
Paperback: 390 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 7, 2020)



My Rating: 5 Stars
What a SPELLBINDING read! This book had more twists and turns than an Ozarks road and was enthralling read from start to finish. Ara was quite a likable character and don't even get me started on our tortured hero/villain Phillip Camden...which will he turn out to be?!?! Roseanna wove quite the tale of romance, mystery and intrigue. Be forewarned: once you start this book-putting it down will be nearly impossible. Can't wait for more of this series!

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 On Wings of Devotion can be found on my website HERE.




Thursday, January 16, 2020

The Bridge To Belle Island

After a humiliating mistake, lawyer Benjamin Booker resolves to never again trust a beautiful woman. When an old friend is killed, the senior partner isn't satisfied with Bow Street's efforts and asks Benjamin to investigate. Eager to leave London for a while, Benjamin agrees. Evidence takes him to a remote island on the Thames, a world unto itself, shrouded in mist and mystery. Soon he finds himself falling for the main suspect—a woman who claims not to have left the island in ten years. But should he trust her?

On Belle Island, Isabelle feels safe and leads a productive life, but fear keeps her trapped there. When Mr. Booker arrives with news of her trustee's murder in London, Isabelle is stunned. She has not left the island, yet she has a recurring dream about the man's death. Or is it a memory? She had been furious with him, but she never intended...this.

When a second person dies, and evidence shockingly points to her, Isabelle doesn't know who to trust: the attractive lawyer or the admirer and friends who assemble on the island, each with grudges against the victim. Can she even trust her own mind? While they search for the truth, secrets come to light and danger comes calling.



My Rating: 4 Stars
A great read. I very much enjoyed this regency novel complete with mystery and an interesting premise. I would have devoured it much sooner but my mom had heart surgery while I was reading it, which caused quite a bit of distraction. The story moved well and the mystery kept my guessing throughout since there was no shortage of suspects. There were quite a few surprises along the way that kept the story intriguing and the ending was pretty much perfect. Recommended!

I received this book through NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own. 

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Seconds To Live



When cybercriminals hack into the U.S. Marshal's Witness Protection database and auction off personal details to the highest bidder, FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. Trouble is, he has to work with U.S. Marshal Taylor Mills, who knows the secrets of his past, and the seconds are ticking down before someone dies.


My Rating: 3 Stars
This was an exciting read! The mystery in this book about the WITSEC database being compromised  was a clever idea and a scary one, if I am being honest.  The characters were interesting and likable for the most part. Sean kind of annoyed me at times especially when Taylor revealed her long held secret but he was a likable character none the less. The reveal had a couple cool surprises and the ending was good. I enjoyed the threads of a second mystery that I hope to see solved in the future books of this set. Looking forward to book two!

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