Satisfying Finale! Cold Vengeance - Ryland & St. Clair 3 - by Nancy Mehl

 

About the book:

When a renowned crime podcaster vanishes without a trace, former FBI behavioral analysts turned private investigators River Ryland and Tony St. Clair are called upon to track her down. As they wade through the evidence she left behind, they unearth a startling connection--she may have discovered the existence of an unknown serial killer, and he will stop at nothing to carry out a deadly plan.

As the pair delves deeper, they soon find themselves the target of a relentless enemy determined to silence them. With their lives--and hearts--on the line, can they confront the evil that threatens them before it consumes them both?

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Mehl brings her Ryland & St. Clair series to an explosive close with a pulse-pounding story where the stakes are high and silence is deadly.

My review:

This was another fascinating investigation as River and Tony try to find a missing cold case podcaster while not sure who they can trust, including the person who hired them!  They actually look into a bunch of cases she was investigating to see if she had gotten too close to the truth and if possibly any of them could be the reason she disappeared.  Then there's the overarching threat of the serial killer who tried to kill River and Tony and who still wants to finish the job.  We get glimpses into what he's thinking throughout the story, which ratchets up the suspense.  We see the romance develop a little more between River and Tony and they grow closer as he helps her meet with and forgive her father for his abandonment.  There were also some touching moments between River and her mother as her Alzheimer's progresses and she does some healing of her own from her husband's abandonment.  Some themes done beautifully are forgiveness, how much God loves us and trusting God no matter what.  There are some really great conversations throughout the book exploring these topics.  The suspense was exciting and there were some twists.  I highly recommend this book and suggest reading the first two for more context!

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

Fascinating Debut! ' Until Our Time Comes' - by Nicole M. Miller

 

About the book:

American horse trainer Adia Kensington is living her dream of working at the famous Janów Podlaski stables in Poland, where they breed the best Arabian horses in the world. But her plans to bring the priceless stallion Lubor to the US are derailed when the German army storms into her adopted country in 1939. Little does she know this is just the beginning of six long years of occupation that will threaten her beloved horses at every turn.

Major Bret Conway is at Janów Podlaski under the guise of a news reporter, but his true mission is intelligence gathering for the British. That and keeping Adia safe, which is harder and harder to do as she insists they must evacuate 250 horses to save them from being stolen, sold, or eaten by the invading forces. What follows will test their physical, mental, and emotional strength, as well as their faith in God, humankind, and each other.

Drawn from true events of World War II, this epic story of escape, capture, resistance, and love from debut novelist Nicole M. Miller will thunder into your heart like a herd of beautiful horses across a raging river.

My review:

It was fascinating to see all these people endured to save their beloved horses and the legacy and lineage of the Arabian line.  Adia was an amazing and brave woman to do all she did in this story, determined, altruistic and self-sacrificing.  She was always taking care of animals and orphans.  Bret, too, was incredibly brave to spy right under the noses of the Nazis and the Russians.  He also was very protective of Adia and an orphan boy, even when it made his life harder.  There was a lot of suspense in the story as danger was around every corner and part of the story had them trying to track down runaway horses while trying to evade soldiers.  There was some romance and a little bit about faith as Bret and Adia struggle to understand God's plan in the horror they're enduring.  There were also some hard scenes as it's shown what the situation was like while living in an occupied country but mostly the story was hopeful as they looked to a brighter future.  I enjoyed learning about a new aspect of WWII.  I definitely recommend this book!

I received a free copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for reviewing this book.  All opinions are my own.

Wonderful Southern-Infused Romance! 'Her Part to Play' - by Jenny Erlingsson

 

About the book:

When Adanne accepts a last-minute job as a makeup artist for a movie filming in her small Alabama hometown, all she wants is a steady paycheck to keep her family's legacy alive. But the money hardly seems worth having to face the actor who got her fired from her last job in Hollywood.
 
After turning his life over to God and enduring a messy breakup, John Pope is ready to start rebuilding his career. Imagine his surprise when the woman called in to cover for his usual makeup artist is a quiet but feisty newcomer on the set--and definitely not a fan.
 
Sparks of tension--and could that be attraction?--fly between them. Can these star-crossed lovers find their way to happiness? Or will the bright lights of Hollywood blind their eyes to what's right in front of them?

My review:

This was a wonderful story about an actor trying to make a fresh start and a woman who finds that he might just be a changed man from the jerk she knew before.  I liked seeing John slowly convince Adanne that he truly was changed and I loved the southern food and places that she introduces him to as she starts to trust him.  I was incredibly hungry when reading this book!  The romance was sweet and I liked the juxtaposition of Hollywood, which can be very surface, with Adanne's determination to keep her family's community center alive and her parent's legacy going.  She had deep roots and family and community around her yet felt like she had to do it all herself and didn't like asking for help.  John was struggling to make a real difference and not get caught up in the media and toxic relationships he had before.  They both needed to discover God's plan for their lives and I liked seeing their faith grow throughout the story.  This was a very satisfying romance and 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. 

   Emilie Hendryx of EAH Creative

   Jenny Erlingsson

   Jenny Erlingsson is an author and speaker of Nigerian descent. After 12 years working in junior high and women's ministry, she moved with her family from Alabama to Iceland. When she's not running after her four kids or ministering alongside her husband, she...

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Satisfying Journey to Healing and Love! 'The Way Back' -Lights of Acadia 1- by Heidi Chiavaroli

 

About the book:

Young love means everything... until it leaves you with nothing.

The summer before her senior year of high school, Laney Jacobs and her best friend jump from a six-story beachside cliff in an attempt to impress their boyfriends. Laney rose from the water. Her friend did not.

Six years later, when Laney’s troubled mother’s memoir hits the bestseller list airing the family’s destructive secrets, Laney is forced to relive the trauma, this time in the public eye. To escape the scrutiny, she seeks shelter at her estranged grandmother’s seaside inn. But she can’t reconcile the loving woman with the heartless parent in her mother’s book. As she looks for answers, the ex-boyfriend who’d witnessed her darkest days reappears, stirring up both pain and hope.

When her mother's vindictive fans threaten her grandmother's livelihood and the lighthouse Laney has come to love, she turns to the century-old words of a young lighthouse keeper to help her find the courage to move forward. But once truths from the past come to light and old love finds new beginnings, will Laney discover that forgiveness is the only way toward true healing?

My review:

This was a fascinating story about a girl just trying to survive the grief and guilt of losing her best friend and feeling like it was her fault.  I really felt for her and how one choice changed her life so drastically.  Then you compound that by her mom writing a tell-all book when she's made her life hard enough growing up as it was.  It was interesting to see Laney forge a new path and decide to get to know her estranged grandmother.  She was actually a very brave and strong person to move across the country to see a woman she'd never even met.  She was also very real because of her struggles and learned to view everything differently as the book went on.  I liked how old and new friends, an old journal and the faith of her grandmother and the woman in the journal wove together to draw her closer to God and to healing.  There was some romance and a lot of forgiveness!  The dual storyline was also interesting as we see what it was like for a lighthouse keeper around the 1850s and a teenage one at that!  I highly recommend this satisfying emotional journey!

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

Wonderful Start to a New Series! 'A Cameo for a Cowgirl' - Three Creek Ranch 1 - by Carolyn Miller

 

About the book:

Welcome to Three Creek Ranch, home of the James family for over a hundred years, complete with its own Western movie set. Franklin James might be a famous pro hockey player, but just because he's Cassie's older brother doesn't mean she wants to step into the limelight. She's too busy helping her dad run the ranch and managing the ranch's movie set, and negotiating with the giant egos of movie stars like Harrison Woods, who's supposed to be filming the new TV series of As The Heart Draws. And while his TV hero character might be hugely popular, Harrison's real character is anything but noble. Cassie is convinced he's hiding something, and she's determined to make sure it doesn't reflect badly on Three Creek Ranch. Can she remind him what being a true hero is all about?

My review:

This was a very sweet romance that had Cassie and Harrison starting out as annoyed by each other but slowly changed into an attraction.  Due to some misunderstandings and Harrison complaining and being a little difficult, Cassie was frustrated with him but it was nice to see him change as the book progressed.  Cassie's a Christian but was having a hard time showing kindness to him so she had some things to learn about walking the walk and he also had a lot to learn about faith and what God being like a father really meant since his was an abusive one and that's all he knew.  They both grew throughout the book, spiritually and emotionally.  There were some good conversations about faith, too, which was nice.  There was some fun banter, sweet romance and funny moments.  The setting was beautiful and it was also fun to picture the western town.  It was nice seeing such a strong female character and also seeing the male out of his element and needing some help, which also made for some funny situations.  I liked that they were both imperfect and had stuff to work on.  I can't wait to read the next in the series and also to read the hockey series that's related to this.  I highly recommend it!

I received this ebook free from the author.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Wonderful! 'Starry Nights' - by Angela Ruth Strong, Carrie Padgett, Tabitha Bouldin & Bell Renshaw

 

About the book:

Out of Play - Angela Ruth Strong
When single mom Bex Lemaire is asked to step down as her eight-year-old daughter’s soccer coach for getting too competitive, she’s hoping the new coach will let her assist. Former child star Skylar Hayes agrees to take over the team as research for his comeback role. At first, he mistakes Bex for a raving fan but eventually realizes she's only crazy about soccer, which gives her the skills needed to train him. She's all work, while he likes to play, but together, they just might win.

Lauren's Second Chance - Carrie Padgett
Lauren’s Second Chance is a contemporary romance for readers who love sun, sand, and satisfying endings. Lauren and Mason were each other’s first loves, until life broke them apart. A decade later, when the opportunity arises to appear with Mason on a reality show, Lauren is conflicted. She needs this show for what it means to a project near to her heart. But can she keep that heart safe from the man who broke it once? Grab your shades and SPF 30 sunscreen to dive into a reality television dating show story where first love is also forever love.

Her Cowboy Champion - Tabitha Bouldin
It’s true that money can’t buy happiness. No one knows that better than Sage Rhett after her boyfriend steals her photography business and leaves her penniless. Heartbroken, faith shattered, she returns to Apple Creek–the last place she called home.
Maverick Pierce is used to people seeing him for the money attached to his family name. As a Pierce, he’s afforded anything that money can buy, but the one thing he wants can never be bought.
When Sage accepts a job working at the Pierce ranch, Maverick discovers he never stopped loving the fiery cowgirl who broke his heart when she left twelve years ago. If he wants to win her over, he’ll have to do more than flash a little money. This second chance, rags to riches, cowboy romance pits love against responsibility as Sage and Maverick struggle to overcome their history and trust God for a happily ever after.

Love in the Lyrics - Bell Renshaw
Liberty “Libby” Taylor has maxed out on space for her equine therapy business. The best way to gain the capital she needs in order to expand requires a bit of subterfuge, but that will also mean pulling one over on her new boss.
Singer and songwriter Harland Grey left LA for Winter, Montana in the hopes of finding peace from the demons of his not-so-distant past, but purchasing Melody Ranch may not hold the answers he’s looking for.
Thrown together, sparks fly between the two, but will the secrets kept between them finally be what tears them apart?

My review:

These were all wonderful stories, well written and drawing me in immediately!  Some of the stories had humor with two of the heroines, especially, being out-spoken and you were never sure what they would say next.  I liked the mix of stories about ranch life to sports to music.  The romances were very well done, with a lot of cute moments.  Some of the characters had a strong faith while others were finding their way.  Every story was very well done and it would be hard to pick my favorite.  I did not want to put it down!  I highly recommend this book!

I received a free ebook from the authors.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Enjoyable! 'Unforgiven' - by Shelley Shepard Gray

 

About the book:

They're each other's best hope for redemption--and love

Ex-con Seth Zimmerman has spent the last three years making amends by helping the vulnerable in his former Amish community. Lately, this mission includes calling on Tabitha Yoder, whose divorce from her abusive husband has isolated her from the community. Even though she never comes out of her house to talk to him, Seth knows she watches him from the window while he chops wood, clears her driveway, and drops off food.  
 
An uneasy friendship is just starting to take hold between them when small gifts begin to appear at Tabitha's home--gifts that can only be from her ex-husband. Seth might be Tabitha's only hope at maintaining her hard-won freedom from the man whose violent outbursts had almost cost her life. But coming to her rescue might mean he ends up behind bars once again.  

My review:

I enjoyed this story about second chances and finding a new path in life.  I really felt for both Seth and Tabitha as one impulsive decision they each made changed the course of their lives and they're still dealing with the consequences.  Seth was such a great guy; I really admired him for so many reasons and especially for looking out for Tabitha when others wouldn't.  Tabitha had been so naive and it was heartbreaking that she put up with abuse for so long and that it happened in the first place.  There's a secondary love story about Seth's sister and a guy she's seeing who has some growing up to do.  Seth and Tabitha have a strong faith, especially after going through hard things.  There's some romance and suspense and a bit of action.  I would recommend this book if you like romance.

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

           The Author

1. 

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   Shelley Shepard Gray

   Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, including Unforgiven. Two-time winner of the HOLT Medallion and a Carol Award finalist, Gray lives in Ohio, where she writes...

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