Plot Twist - by Bethany Turner

 

About the book:

An aspiring screenwriter has a chance encounter with an actor who could be the man of her dreams. Over the next ten years, she’ll write the story . . . but will he end up being the star?

February 4, 2003, promises to be a typical day for Olivia Ross—a greeting card writer whose passion project is a screenplay of her own. But after she and a handsome actor have a magical meet-cute in a coffee shop, they make a spontaneous pact: in ten years, after they’ve found the success they’re just sure they’re going to achieve, they’ll return to the coffeehouse to partner up and make a film together. The only problem? Olivia neglected to get the stranger’s name. But she doesn’t forget his face—or the date.

For the next ten years, every February 4 is marked with coincidences and ironies for Olivia. As men come and go and return to her life, she continues to write, but still wonders about the guy from the coffee shop—the nameless actor she’s almost certain has turned out to be Hamish MacDougal, now a famous A-lister and Hollywood leading man.

But a lot can happen in ten years, and while waiting for the curtain to rise on her fate, the true story of Olivia’s life is being written—and if she’s not careful, she’ll completely miss the real-life romantic comedy playing out right before her eyes.

My review:

This was a very original idea but I ended up having a hard time staying interested in the story as it went on.  With it only taking place on the same day every year and catching us up on what happened in the meantime, I didn't feel like I got to know any of the characters very well.  While it was clean, there wasn't really any spiritual content, which was also disappointing as I expected it to have some faith element.  I liked the twists that happened.  There was some romance and some amusing moments but while I absolutely loved Bethany Turner's last book, this one just didn't measure up to that standard for me.  Some people might like this book, though.

I received a free ebook from Netgalley and Thomas Nelson.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Wonderful Romance! 'A Lady in Attendance' - by Rachel Fordham

 

About the book:

Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel's real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts's lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias. In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.

As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can't help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Can the questions that loom between them ever be answered? Or will the deeds of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?

Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man and a hardened woman, as well the friends who stand by them, as they work toward a common purpose--to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving--and perhaps find love along the way.

My review:

This was a wonderful romance with witty banter and such a sweet guy for the hero, even if he is a dentist!  I loved how they grew to be great friends and supported each other and that they were friends first for quite a while.  There was some sweet romance.  It was interesting to see Hazel try to go about clearing her name during that rime period.  I highly recommend this well-written story!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Kylee Ann Maughan

   Rachel Fordham

   Rachel Fordham is the author of The Hope of Azure Springs, Yours Truly, Thomas, and A Life Once Dreamed. Fans expect stories with heart and she delivers, diving deep into the human experience and tugging at reader emotions. She loves...

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Amazing! 'Come Back to Me' - Waters of Time 1 - by Jody Hedlund

 

About the book:

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.

That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight, comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

Bestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story.

My review:

I was so excited to see a new time travel story being published and one by Jody Hedlund as I've enjoyed her other books and it did not disappoint!  It was fascinating to see Marian try to figure out the mystery of what happened to her father and how she could help him and then also her sister.  Then you have the amazing romance as William and Marian have this strong chemistry but also fall for who the other is and not just the physical attraction.  There's action because not only are people after Marian in the present but there's a peasant uprising in the past she has to survive.  Then the historical aspect is fascinating as Marian tried to navigate a time when women were expected to obey their fathers and husbands without question and really didn't have any rights and for a modern woman who was used to being independent it was quite a shock to the system.  On top of that no modern plumbing or conveniences and there was a lot to get used to.  There was mention of faith as William and Marian go to the chapel to pray together and Marian realized she's been depending on herself for too long.  The Tree of Life theory was interesting, too, as it pertains to holy water.  Overall, I loved this book and I can't wait to see where the next one goes!  I highly recommend it!

I received this book free from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   © Sarah Davis Photography

   Jody Hedlund

   Jody Hedlund (www.jodyhedlund.com) is the bestselling author of more than thirty historical novels for both adults and teens, including Come Back to Me, and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards....

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The Sound the Sun Makes - Ballads of Paradise 2 - by Buck Storm

About the book:

Literary Americana with humor, heart, and a whole lot of twists to keep readers guessing

Detective Early Pines loves his southern Arizona desert, often thinking he could stare at it all day long. But now that he's forced to do just that, the truth is the view from his back porch is getting old. He's on mandatory leave from the police department, simply for punching a wife beater who had it coming. Early is in dire need of a distraction from his own loud thoughts. So when an old friend invites him to tag along to a rodeo down in Old Mex, it seems like just the ticket.

But if there's one constant in the world, it's that life always throws a guy curveballs. With a flat tire, a roadside bar, and a beautiful woman with trouble on her hands, Early's distraction takes a hard right turn--straight to Los Angeles, six hundred miles west.

Hammott Lamont is waiting there in his own personal hunting ground. The reclusive filmmaker is a veritable cult leader to Hollywood stars--and he's sure his latest project will redefine art history in his image. He's got a plan for a brutal, modernized version of the Christ story, and he's ready to trample anyone who stands in the way of his colossal vision. That is, until big, loud Early Pines hits the coast for a clash of two titans who never saw each other coming.

Quirky, lyrical, and unexpected, The Sound the Sun Makes offers a warm and sunny side trip for fans of Jimmy Buffett, Carl Hiaasen, and Barbara Kingsolver who long for more of a Christian worldview in their fiction.

My review:

This was a very unique story about a road trip, a rescue, a huge ego and a changed life.  It seemed there was always something unexpected happening.   I liked Early and Calico, the woman he tries to help, as she's tough and determined and gives Early a run for his money.  There's a hint of romance and some good action.  There's also some discussion of faith, though Early isn't sure he believed in God in the beginning.  Quirky characters filled this book and if you're looking for a surprising story with a unique cast of characters, look no further!

I received this book from Kregel Publications.  I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.

Another Wonderful Addition! 'Sticks and Stone' - The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone 3 - by David James Warren

 

About the book:

When Rembrandt goes back to stop the untimely death of his partner, he finds himself wrapped up in the disappearance of two missing children in the middle of an epic Minneapolis blizzard. But, can he save the children in time--and if he does, will he also be able to save his partner?

The continuing adventures of Rembrandt Stone from the creative minds of James L. Rubart, Susan May Warren and newcomer David Curtis Warren, writing as DAVID JAMES WARREN.

My review:

This was another wonderful time travel novel about Rembrandt trying to fix the new messes he caused when he was fixing the last ones!  I loved how he kept trying to learn from his mistakes, not just in time travel but in life.  He had regrets about his original timeline and he decided he's going to be a better man and put Eve first.  It's wonderful to see him grow and change as his story continues.  There were some great romantic moments.  I loved the cop stuff, though there wasn't as much investigation in this story, which I missed.  I loved the classic rock references.  There was some great advice about choices and what-ifs.  Apparently Rembrandt had faith at one time but is a little unsure now what he believes.  There's some suspense and action.  I would recommend reading the first two books in the series first and I highly recommend this one!  I can't wait for the next!

I received a kindle copy of this book from JustRead Tours.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

No Journey Too Far - McAlister Family 2 - by Carrie Turansky

 

About the book:

It's 1919, and Garth McAlister returns from to England to be reunited with his family after fighting in the Great War. But his heart is still in Canada with his sweetheart, Emma Lafferty. It's been four months since he has heard from Emma, and he is determined to return to Canada and discover if she still loves him or has given her heart to another. The ten-year-search for his youngest sister Grace continues, and the family is stunned to receive a letter from Grace, who is now almost eighteen and living in Toronto, Canada. Follow the heart-tugging story of these young adult British Home Children as they seek to be reunited with those they love.

My review:

This was a satisfying and suspenseful conclusion to the journey that started ten years ago for the McAlister family as the children were accidentally sent to Canada as British Home Children to be adopted when their mother was sick.  This story followed Grace as she discovered information about her past and had to make a choice about her future and Garth as he survived fighting World War I and now must find Emma with nothing to go on while we see Emma deal with one crazy situation after another, all while trying to hold on to her faith in God and in Garth.  I loved seeing both of them keep their faith in one another and their determination to find out what happened to each other and not give up.  Grace was also very determined and brave to choose a different path for herself, one much more uncertain than the one she had been on.  I also admired her level-headedness as she didn't let her feelings and emotions carry her away.  Garth's friend Rob was a wonderful guy for the most part, though he did make a stupid decision, though for the right reasons.  Garth, Rob and Emma all had a strong faith in God and wanted to follow his leading, which was encouraging to my faith, while Grace was newer to reading her Bible and trying to discern what the Lord wanted her to do.  There's some sweet romance and some suspense as someone faces a murder charge!  I also liked learning more about what the British Home Children faced as there was a lot of prejudice against them.  I would recommend reading the first book to see what these characters went through in the beginning when they were children or teenagers and to discover more of their older sister's story as she searched for them.  I would recommend if you like historical fiction.

I received a free kindle copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Fascinating! 'Never Miss' - by Melissa Koslin

 

About the book:

Former CIA sniper Kadance Tolle possesses a special set of skills and a rare pedigree. She comes from a family of assassins, and by saving Lyndon Vaile's life she risks being found by them. Despite the danger, Kadance feels compelled to help Lyndon discover who is after him--and his research that seems to prove that the Ebola virus was manmade and is about to be weaponized.

With shadowy figures pursuing them and a Mastermind watching their every move, Kadance and Lyndon must scramble to stop an impending bioattack at the State of the Union address. But their warnings fall on deaf ears, and it becomes increasingly clear that there's no one they can trust--except perhaps each other.

Strap in for a breakneck story that will have you up all night, hurtling toward the last page as the clock ticks and time runs out.

My review:

I could not put this book down!  The characters were completely fascinating and I loved how Kadance and Lyndon kept trying to figure each other out.  He's a genius but not as good with emotions where Kadance has a way of figuring out what people are feeling and getting to their motivations.  Learning  their backstories and issues they were dealing with now, not to mention the twists in the story, really kept me on my toes.  Their investigation was interesting and the action was great.  The slow romantic build-up had wonderful tension.  There was also good conversations about faith.  I absolutely loved this story and can't wait to read more by this author!

I received a free copy of this book from Revell.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

           The Author

1. 

   Melissa Koslin

   Melissa Koslin is a fourth-degree black belt in and certified instructor of Songahm Taekwondo. In her day job as a commercial property manager, she secretly notes personal quirks and funny situations, ready to tweak them into colorful additions for her books....

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