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Jul 28, 2015
The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection: Nine Historical Novellas Celebrate Marrying for All the Right Reasons by Amanda BarrattMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a collection of nine short romance stories, all set at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. It's hard to rate a book of multiple stories, because some are so much better than the others. In general, I'm not a big fan of short stories, but two of these make the price of the book worth it.
There is one in here that really stood out to me titled "The Highwayman" by Shannon McNear. This story surpassed the others in the uniqueness of its main characters. Ms. McNear defied the stereotypical hero and heroine so commonly found in short romances. You can't help but connect with these two people and wish them their the desires of their hearts. I haven't read anything by this author before, but I'll be looking for her first full-length novel.
My second choice is "The Most Ineligible Bachelor in Town" by Connie Stevens for some of the same reasons. The hero and heroine are both down-to-earth people, the type you'd invite over for dinner after church. He's got his quirks and she's got some baggage, but you want them to get it figured out.
There aren't any bad stories in this collection. I just highlighted the two that really caught my eye. They are all light reading and suitable for all ages.
Jul 17, 2015
Midnight on the Mississippi by Mary EllisMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Romantic suspense is not my go-to genre to read, but I've enjoyed many of Mary Ellis's books, so I thought I'd give it a try. I was not disappointed!
Loved the spunky heroine, Nicolette Price, from the rural backwater of Mississippi. She's a wonderful contrast to the hero, Hunter Galen, who is from the "old money" of New Orleans.
Like most suspense stories, there is a body count. It's up to Nicki, with her brand new P.I. license, to find out who is behind the murders, both current and in the past. And she needs to do that under the jealous eye of an adversary in 4" heels.
There's a lot going on, both in the current timeline and from Nicki's past, to keep the reader turning the pages with plenty of fun banter and toe-clenching romance. Read it!
Jul 15, 2015
To Capture Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarinoMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second book of The Southold Chronicles. It continues the fiction story inspired by the author's ancestors. There are many references to the first book, so I recommend the reader take this series in order.
Heather Flower is the daughter of her tribe's Grand Sachem. She is stolen away by a warring tribe and rescued by Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren, a Dutchman. Heather Flower's people are friendly with the English settlers. Across the ocean, the Dutch and English are at war.
Benjamin Horton has grown up with Heather Flower, their families being close friends. He wants nothing more than to protect her, from another attack as well as from the handsome Dutchman.
Lots of good history in this book and many, many characters. It can be a little overwhelming to keep them all straight. But the author does a good job of building the closeness of not only a large family, but the friends that surround them. There is a puzzle to be solved near the end of the story. I liked that.
And who doesn't like a giveaway!?! To Capture Her Heart Book Launch Click on this link for a chance to win some great prizes!
Grand Prize: $75.00 Gift Card of choice (Amazon, Target, iTunes or Google play), Signed copy of To Capture Her Heart & A Place in His Heart.
Runner Up Prize: $25.00 Gift card to Barnes & Noble, Signed copies of To Capture Her Heart & A Place in His Heart
Second Runner Up Prize: Signed copies of To Capture Her Heart & A Place in His Heart
Winners will be notified on July 23rd. Get your entry in now!
Winners will be notified on July 23rd. Get your entry in now!
Jul 13, 2015
Chasing Amanda by Robin PatchenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Is there anything more frightening than being stalked by a creep who means you harm?
Is there anything better than being saved from that fate by a handsome Marine?
Amanda didn't expect to be stalked. And she sure didn't expect to meet her own version of Superman. But it happened. To her.
She fell in love with a man on his way to war, but could she keep him?
Jul 10, 2015
Irish Meadows by Susan Anne MasonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this story on many levels. One - which struck me as I read through it - was the Catholic background of the Irish immigrants. So many times we see that aspect of the Irish glossed over or shoved under the rug. But it was such an integral part of who they were. It brought the level of historical authenticity of this story up a whole notch.
The characters are intriguing and complex. These aren't cookie-cutter ethnic characters. They have backgrounds, faults, ambitions and goals. It's a fairly large cast and the author did a great job with all of them. These are the type of people you wouldn't mind renting a room to.
There are snippets of history slipped in all throughout the story. I always love that.
And it has horses. Lots of horses! (Okay - I'm biased, I admit it.)
This is book number one of the series Courage to Dream. I'm looking forward to book number two. And I'm feeling a little smug that I figured out who book two is going to be about before I read the author's note at the back of the book. HA!
Jul 1, 2015
The Innocent by Ann H. GabhartMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ann Gabhart once again immerses us in the Shaker village of Harmony Hill. The Shakers were governed by a theology that valued peace and work ethic above all. While these are admirable goals for anyone's life, they took it to the extreme. Marriage was considered a sin and individually was discouraged. Like other cults and communes, there was both good and bad in their culture. Ann Gabhart does an excellent job of presenting her Shaker characters in an understandable, and even sympathetic, way.
Carlyn Kearney's husband doesn't return from the Civil War. He's listed as missing. Two years after the war, she must admit the truth. He's not coming home.
Mitchell Brodie is the town's sheriff. Unpleasant duty is part of his job. Evicting a widow from her home ranks at the top of that list. A beautiful young widow who tugs at his heart.
With no family and nowhere to go, Carlyn turns to the Shaker village for a roof over her head and food on her plate. She's content to work for her keep, even if the Shaker teaching doesn't match the Bible teaching of her youth. But there are dark corners within the village. Can Carlyn fit in and find her own peace? Or will she get caught up in the darkness?
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