Sunday, May 29, 2016

The Curiosity Keeper was more than Curiosity

The Curiosity Keeper
Sarah Ladd




Book Summary: It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail's egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whomever possesses it.” Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She's done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop on Blinkett Street. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille has no choice but to accept help from the mysterious stranger who came to her aid. Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content working as a village apothecary. But when his brother's death made him heir just as his father's foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may or may not be the answer to his questions. Curious circumstance throws them together, and an intricate dance of need and suspicion leads the couple from the seedy backwaters of London to the elite neighborhoods of the wealthy to the lush, green Surrey countryside—all in the pursuit of a blood-red gem that collectors will sacrifice anything to possess. Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, two determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, each will have to decide how much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.

Review: Great story telling. I really was hesitant to start this book, because I loved the last series so much I wondered if this one would be just as good. It was! I loved Jonathan’s father so well written and full of himself yet life changes people and he was no exception. Camille was a real strong person along and Jonathan was a great white knight. He was quick to rush in and save Camille. There were some mild surprises and one big one!!!
I would like to thank Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Friday, May 27, 2016

Silence in the Dark was not so Silent

Silence in the Dark
Patricia Bradley




Book Summary: When Bailey Adams left Logan Point two years ago she thought she was getting away from her problems. Running into her ex-fiancé Danny Maxwell was not part of the plan--neither was being chased through the city by the local drug cartel, the Calatrava. Now despite her best efforts, Danny is her only chance of escaping the people chasing her and getting back to Logan Point safely. Can Bailey find the strength to face what's coming? And in the midst of the chaos, can she keep herself from falling in love with her rescuer all over again? With lean, fast-paced prose that will keep you turning the pages, Patricia Bradley pens a superb story of suspense and second chances.

Review: Love this series!! Great suspense, I do love a book that takes off with a bang and keeps the tension at a level where you do not know when the next big event will be!! That is what this book did for me. Great to see characters from previous books, the characters are well written and keep the story interesting. I love Danny and Bailey. One of my favorite characters was Angel. He was a great sidekick, that was written well enough to be and equal to Danny. I enjoyed reading all about Robyn’s sister. This entire series is fantastic!

I would like to thank Net Galley and Revell for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

What Happened on Beale Street did not Stay There!

What Happened on Beale Street
Mary Ellis




Book Summary: Cryptic plea for help from a childhood friend sends cousins Nate and Nicki Price from New Orleans to Memphis, the home of scrumptious barbecue and soulful blues music. When they arrive at Danny Andre's last known address, they discover signs of a struggle and a lifestyle not in keeping with the former choirboy they fondly remember. Danny's sister, Isabelle, reluctantly accepts their help. She and Nate aren't on the best of terms due to a complicated past, yet they will have to get beyond that if they want to save Danny. On top of Danny's alarming disappearance and his troubled relationship with Isabelle, Nate also has to rein in his favorite cousin's overzealousness as a new and eager PI. Confronted with a possible murder, mystery, and mayhem in the land of the Delta blues, Nate must rely on his faith and investigative experience to keep one or more of them from getting killed.

Review: This one started off with a bang! Danny the man who dies was a fantastic character and I was sad that he was the victim. I true man who lived out his Christianity authentically. There were two mysteries going on at once. One a murder and totally unrelated was jewelry that was hidden in a scavenger hunt was never found. I loved both of them!! Nikki and Hunter were part of it along with Isabelle and Nate, Nikki’s boss & partner. It just kept getting better and better as it progressed. The mystery did not come together until then end and for someone who likes to guess the ‘who did it’ there was no way to do that!! Which was awesome. Characters were rich and well written with a real life kind of interaction.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Harvest House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Midnight on the Mississippi was a Great Mystery!!

Midnight on the Mississippi
Mary Ellis




Book Summary: Hunter Galen, a stock and securities broker, suspects his business partner, James Nowak, may be involved in embezzling their clients' money, but he's reluctant to jeopardize their friendship based on suspicion alone. After James turns up dead, Hunter realizes his unwillingness to confront a problem may have cost James his life. Nicki Price, a newly minted PI, intends to solve the stockbroker's murder, recover the missing millions from the client accounts, and establish herself in the career she adores. As she ferrets out fraud and deception at Galen Investments, Hunter's fiancĂ©e, Ashley Menard, rubs Nicki the wrong way. Nicki doesn't trust the ostentatious woman with an agenda longer than the Mississippi River. Ashley seems to be hiding something, but is Nicki's growing attraction to Hunter—a suspected murderer—her true reason for disliking Ashley? As they encounter sophisticated shell games, blackmail, and murder, Nicki and Hunter's only option is to turn to God as they search for answers, elude lethal danger, and perhaps discover love along the way.

Review: Great start to a new series!!! Doesn't take to long to get into the murder. It made me think that about coming upon something illegal and even though you report it does no mean that person doesn't get pegged for it. I really enjoyed Nikki and some of the other underlying events that were going on. For me that kept the suspense going without it being too intense. I always like to be kept waiting for the who did it and this one did not disappoint. I really am hooked on this series. Looking forward to finishing the second book and to start the third book!!!

I would like to thank Net Galley and Harvest House Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Monday, May 9, 2016

The Atonement was Moving

The Atonement
Beverly Lewis




Book Summary: he mistakes of the past haunt Lucy Flaud, who years ago stopped attending the activities for courting-age young people in her hometown of Bird-in-Hand. Now twenty-five and solidly past the age of Amish courtship, Lucy has given up any hope of marriage, instead focusing her efforts on volunteering in both the Plain and fancy communities of Lancaster County. Yet no matter how hard Lucy strives, she feels uncertain that she'll ever find redemption. Dale Wyeth has a deep mistrust of modern-day "advances" and the dependency they create. The young Englisher's interest in living off the grid is fueled further when he meets Christian Flaud, Lucy's father. Dale appreciates the self-sufficient ways of the Old Order Amish, and Christian invites him to learn more about them by staying at the family farm. As Christian and Dale grow closer, developing a father-son rapport, Lucy begins to question what Dale's being there might mean for her. Could God be testing her? Or is it possible that even the most unworthy heart--and two people from very different walks of life--can somehow find a new beginning?

Review: I love Beverly Lewis and her books. I liked Lucy and felt great empathy for her. She had a multitude of reasons to be lost. Even though there were problems within the family with decisions and communication I found that all were tolerable to really likable. The tension about families moving to Colorado and those staying was unique. I find that the story flowed smoothly from beginning to end. I enjoyed the secondary characters, although I would have liked Tobe to have been in the story more. While his character was forth right, he was so likable and well written. Not perfect, but a true gem of a character.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.