Series Discovery: Montana Marshall series

 Excitement.  Danger.  Cowboys. Seals.  Russian Mobsters.  Banter.  Heroes. Action.  Romance

If any of these drew your attention, this series need to be added to your TBR.  I know, I know, your TBR pile is already sky high, but if Romantic Suspense is your favourite genre, and add to that a family who risks their own lives to save one another, you will be sorry if you do not read this series...sooner than later.

And if these covers do not peak your reading interest... 

I loved this series.  There was a plot mystery which started in book one, and carried through the series, but also suspense plots which was solved by the end of each book.

I loved that this was about a family - the siblings had each others' back, pushed each other out of their comfort zones and I loved the inter-family banter.

I also loved the deeper lessons each sibling and their love interest had to learn and how the author made their lessons applicable to what we as readers also could struggle with.

And I loved the legacy of faith and family love and togetherness their father left and they tried to live up too.

So, if this seems like a series you would like to also read, and want to see more off, see links below for my reviews off each book in the series:

1. Knox

2. Tate

3. Ford

4. Wyatt 

5. Ruby Jane

And if this will be a new author for you,  see my author discovery post about Susan May Warren and why I think you should take a chance on her books!

Monthly Recap: March 2021

  

 

 I first saw this monthly reflections idea on: Christian bookshelf reviews

What I've read:

Another great reading month with a bit more variety between the genres.  And it is so difficult to choose favourites this month because a lot of what I've read is so good.  But I would say my top 3 was: Ruby Jane, Unknown Threat and No Unturned Stone

What I would like to read in April:

Did I buy any new books?

This month was a better month wrt adding books to my shelf.  Yes I did add a few, but not so much as last month.  The two books I've bought this month was: Leaving Lavender Tides and Truly, Madly, Deeply

Did I read everything I wanted too?

I was able to read the The Dress Shop on King Street but had to carry over the other two yet again:

How was your month?

Can't Wait Wednesday: Present Danger

 Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

 This book's cover drew my attention and screams: read me!

About the book: Present Danger

Former FBI Special Agent Jack Tanner is working as a detective in Montana when he comes across a 

body in the national forest during a search and rescue mission. He's committed to finding the killer, even if it means working alongside his old flame, US Forest Service Special Agent Terra Connors.

When Terra discovers that the murder victim had ties to a powerful and dangerous trafficker of archaeological artifacts, the investigation takes a deadly turn--one that hits too close to home. As Terra fears she lacks the courage to face what comes next, Jack is more determined than ever to protect her. But he's failed her before. And if he fails this time, it will cost them far more than just their hearts.

Join bestselling and award-winning author Elizabeth Goddard as she plunges you into a web of deceit made of hidden crimes, open threats, and long-buried family secrets in this gripping first book of an explosive new series. 

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Places In Books I’d Love to Live

    

 Join in the Top Ten Tuesday fun! Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

It always fun to travel in books, and my travel lists growths longer and longer the more books I read, but here is some places in books I visited and would love to live in:

1.  Greece

Greece with the crystal blue water and islands just always is somewhere I want to visit or maybe go live for a few months.

2.  Ireland

The big open green fields always drawn me to sometime spend some time in.

3. Italy

I don't know, Italy is always a country I would love to go to!

4. Paris, France

We spend two days in Paris, France, and it was way too little time.  Would love to make Paris my center and see more of France.

5.  Deep Haven, USA

I love this community and would love to be part of this group of fictional characters!

6.  Hawaii, USA

It just looks so beautiful with the beach and sand and the vacation feel all the time!

7.  San Diego, USA

When I traveled here years ago, I just fell in love with the this City and wouldn't mind living here.

8.  London, England

London is another city I would love to go and live in for a few years.  I love the big parks it has and would like to experience a bit of the culture as well.

9.  Belguim

Again, we visited here a few years ago and would love to stay here for a few months.  The Belgium Waffles and Craft Beers will definitely be a draw for my husband.

10.  South Africa

I love living in South Africa.  Yes, we do have our issues, but I love our beaches, mountains and all the beautiful places to go camping.  If we ever move away, I will definitely miss it.

Review: Facing the Dawn

Facing the Dawn by Cynthia Ruchti
My rating: 💛💛💛

This one is more on the difficult side for me to review. This was a deep emotional story about the stages of grief and overcome challenges, and also about redemption and growth. I enjoyed the story and was interested to see what will happen to the characters.

The difficult side for me was the writing style. I felt more like an outsider, looking in, only seeing Mara's side of everything. This type of style is a bit of a struggle for me to connect to the characters. I prefer feeling part of the story.

This was a new to me author. I enjoyed this story and to see how the main character received healing. However, I will probably not read more by this author solely due to the writing style.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

Mara Jacobs does her best to hold everything together, despite three detention-prone kids, an unrewarding job, never-ending chores, and a husband thousands of miles away. After a shocking loss, she must lean on those around her to find her way to healing and renewed faith.

Amazon link to buy

About the author:

Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed-in-Hope through her novels and novellas, nonfiction books and

devotionals, and through speaking for women's and writers' events. Her books have been recognized by many top industry readers', reviewers', library, retailer, and other honors. Cynthia is the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and a literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management. She and her plot-tweaking husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five (to date) grandchildren. 

Weekend Wrap-up: March 28th

 

  

 I'm joining Christian Bookshelf Reviews in this weekly weekend wrap-up idea which I first saw on her blog.

See which books I've read this week, currently reading and planning to read.

Books I've finished this week:

Currently reading

Again, a few books going, but I always have a kindle, audio and paperback going and are trying to read non-fiction as well.

Next up:

Some great options for my next read:

What are you reading this week?

Author Discovery: Susan May Warren

 Is Susan May Warren a tried and tested and love her! name in you reading lists?

Or is her name on your list of authors you still want to try but have not given a chance yet?

If you still need to read her books, maybe the reasons I love her will give you a shove to pick up her books a bit sooner than planned.  And if you love her, maybe for the same reasons I have her on my all-time favourite author list:

💗 She is versatile - with one book she will give me nail-biting suspense, in another, heart-breaking emotions and now she even gives me Time Travel!

💗 She provides me with communities and characters I grow to love and would love to meet.

💗 She gives me nail-biting, hold your breath action and suspense, and twists and turns I do not see coming.

💗 She takes me on emotional roller coasters.

💗 She has a talent to symbolise whatever physical or emotional struggles the characters endure and bring the reader closer to God through the lessons learned by these characters.

💗 Her characters are all lovable and leaves an impact.

💗 Previous characters reappear in future series which I love - her characters become friend and family in my fictional mind and I always love it to catch up with them in the future.

💗 She writes fast so I don't have to wait to long for the next book in the series.

So, hopefully some of what I love about Susan May Warren will make you want to pick up her books.  If you also love her, let me know what you love about her writing!

About the author:

Susan May Warren Short Bio

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.

She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com.

Book Spotlight Fridays! Facing the Dawn

 

Book Beginnings and Friday56

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader and share a non-spoiler sentence or two.

It was a slow start, but then a huge event happened which totally drew me in!

Facing the Dawn

About the book:

Mara Jacobs does her best to hold everything together, despite three detention-prone kids, an unrewarding job, never-ending chores, and a husband thousands of miles away. After a shocking loss, she must lean on those around her to find her way to healing and renewed faith.

*************************************************************

Book Beginnings

He held the paper - the indictment against her - six inches from his face, which made him look like a blank sheet with bushy hair.

Friday 56 (26%)

God, you're here, aren't you? The awfulest of all the awful days.  And you're right in the middle of it.  You send Ashlee.  Chelsea has leadership potential.  And Dylan isn't in prison.

My thoughts so far

I wasn't so sure in the beginning that I would enjoy this, but now I'm totally invested and want to see where it goes.

*************************************************************

Review: Ruby Jane

Ruby Jane by Susan May Warren
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

Like her need to prove that she too could save the world. Apparently that reason was simply part of her gene pool.

This was just a thrilling and exciting conclusion to the Montana Marshall series. I loved the high action pace and the danger around every corner. I loved how each member of the Marshall family played a part in this conclusion and there was a lot of twists and turns I did not see coming.

This series needs to be read in order and even though some parts concluded, there was a part left unanswered and I’m hoping to see more of RJ and York in future series.

I loved how the author used York’s tainted past to show the picture of anyone can become new when they turn to God - York was an extreme example but I think a lot of people struggle with mistakes and letting go and believing God can use it for His good.

But that moment doesn’t define me, even if they gave me a medal. What does define me, tells me who I am? How I live every day. So you need to go and do what you need to do, but you do it as a new man. As a man who is not his own anymore but in the service of a new commander. The Lord God Almighty. Who, by the way, says, ‘I will fight for you. Your victory is already won.’”

Another favourite by a favourite author.

Review of previous books in this series:

1. Knox

2. Tate

3. Ford

4. Wyatt 

View all my reviews

About the book:

She loved...and lost.

Ruby Jane never thought she'd meet the man of her dreams while running from the police in Russia. That he'd steal her heart on a train to Siberia. But loving a former CIA officer comes with a price...a life of danger. A life of high stakes.

A life where he simply disappears...

He has no memory of the man he was.

Mack Jones has no memory of his past...just the dark sense that he is hiding. And, he wants to stay that way. Mack likes the life he's built in a small tourist town, tucked away beyond the mountains, and has no desire to dig around in the gray areas of his memory.

When his place of business catches fire and Mack rescues the owner, he makes the news, which of course alerts the past he's hoping to outrun.

The only person who can help him is a mysterious woman he doesn't remember.

But a woman he desperately needs.

The surprising, thrilling conclusion to the Montana Marshall series.

Amazon link to buy

About the author:

Susan May Warren Short Bio

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.

She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com.

Review: Unknown Threat

Unknown Threat by Lynn H. Blackburn
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

This was a great start to a promising new series. I just loved Luke, Zane and Gil from the start. Faith and Hope also tugged at my heartstrings. I enjoyed Faith’s struggle to be this perfect, strong FBI agent but still being a bit vulnerable as well.

The action came from every corner and I held my breath quite a lot, not sure if anything will happen to the agents. I did not know who was behind everything and my guess was way wrong. I love it when authors can surprise me like this!

I’m left with wanting to read more to see what will happen within Zane, Tessa and Gil! The author left just enough hints to bait me for future books in this series.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

US Secret Service Special Agent Luke Powell is lucky to be alive. Three of his fellow agents have died in unusual circumstances in the past ten weeks. Luke is devastated by the loss of his friends and colleagues, and his inability to locate the killer feels like a personal failure. He's an expert at shielding others, but now the protectors are in need of protection.

FBI Special Agent Faith Malone is driven to succeed and confident in her ability to solve every case she's assigned. She's been put in charge of the investigation into the unprecedented attacks, and with Luke's life in danger, the stakes have never been higher. But it's hard to know how to fight back when you don't know who the enemy is.

As more agents are targeted, Luke and Faith will have to work together to bring a killer to justice and prevent any more names from joining their fallen brothers and sisters on the Secret Service Wall of Honor.

Amazon link to buy

About the author:

Lynn H. Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She’s passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don’t make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in South Carolina with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

Her Dive Team Investigations series includes Beneath the Surface and In Too Deep (a Fall 2018 Okra Pick and 2019 Selah Award finalist). The conclusion to the series, One Final Breath, releases in September 2019. She is also the author of Hidden Legacy and Covert Justice which won the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel.

Can't Wait Wednesday: Hope Between The Pages

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Coming April 1st!

About the book: Hope Between The Pages

Uncover the Story Behind a One-Hundred-Year-Old Love Letter

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Clara Blackwell helps her mother manage a struggling one-hundred-year old family bookshop in Asheville, North Carolina, but the discovery of a forgotten letter opens a mystery of a long-lost romance and undiscovered inheritance which could save its future. Forced to step outside of her predictable world, Clara embarks on an adventure with only the name Oliver as a hint of the man’s identity in her great-great-grandmother’s letter. From the nearby grand estate of the Vanderbilts, to a hamlet in Derbyshire, England, Clara seeks to uncover truth about family and love that may lead to her own unexpected romance.

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Funny Book Titles

   

 Join in the Top Ten Tuesday fun! Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I am going to do something else this week, mainly because I do not have funny book titles in my book shelves...so I will do my Top Ten Fun Book covers - covers which screams "Read me" because it looks fun and cute -  in my TBR:

1.  Twist of Faith

2.  How sweet it is

3.  A Worthy Pursuit

4.  After a Fashion

5.  Made to Last

6.  Hometown Girl

7.  The Wishing Season

8.  The Isaac Project

9.  A Sugar Creek Christmas

10.  Just the Way You Are

Weekend Wrap-up: March 21st

  

 I'm joining Christian Bookshelf Reviews in this weekly weekend wrap-up idea which I first saw on her blog.

See which books I've read this week, currently reading and planning to read.

Books I've finished this week:

Currently reading

Again, a few books going, but I always have a kindle, audio and paperback going and are trying to read non-fiction as well.

Next up:

So excited to start No Unturned Stone!

What are you reading this week?

Book Spotlight Fridays! The Bride Collector

 

Book Beginnings and Friday56

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader and share a non-spoiler sentence or two.

I'm taking a bit longer reading the book I'm spotlighting this week.  Mainly because it is a Paperback and my time to read Paperbacks is so limited.  I usually read on my kindle in the dark.

The Bride Collector

About the book:

FBI Special agent Brad Raines is facing his toughest case yet. A Denver serial killer has killed four beautiful young women, leaving a bridal veil at each crime scene, and he's picking up his pace. Unable to crack the case, Raines appeals for help from a most unusual source: residents of the Center for Wellness and Intelligence, a private psychiatric institution for mentally ill individuals whose are extraordinarily gifted.

It's there that he meets Paradise, a young woman who witnessed her father murder her family and barely escaped his hand. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Paradise may also have an extrasensory gift: the ability to experience the final moments of a person's life when she touches the dead body.

In a desperate attempt to find the killer, Raines enlists Paradise's help. In an effort to win her trust, he befriends this strange young woman and begins to see in her qualities that most 'sane people' sorely lack. Gradually, he starts to question whether sanity resides outside the hospital walls...or inside.

As the Bride Collector picks up the pace-and volume-of his gruesome crucifixions, the case becomes even more personal to Raines when his friend and colleague, a beautiful young forensic psychologist, becomes the Bride Collector's next target.

The FBI believes that the killer plans to murder seven women. Can Paradise help before it's too late?

*************************************************************

Book Beginnings

"Thank you, Detective.  We'll take it from here."

Friday 56 (page 56)

He snapped the phone shut.

"You think it's something?"

"It's a lead," he said.  "He's playing us, right?  So let's play."

My thoughts so far

Ted Dekker is a new to me author and I'm finding he plays a lot with my mind.  Looking forward to continue this book.

*************************************************************

Review: The Dress Shop on King Street

The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

Oh wow, this was such a beautiful story and one at quite a high standard for the author's debut.

Millie's life was one of heartbreak, love and hope. Even through her struggles, she found a way to find joy in her day and make the best of her circumstances. There was a few times when she went through "the valley of darkness" and when she had all reason to be depressed and lost, she rose above her circumstances.

The modern day story was also sweet, but Millie's grabbed at my heartstrings.

Fans of dual time novels will find a new favourite author to follow. Looking forward to the author's second novel, which I'm afraid I have high expectations for.

I listened to the audiobook. The narrator did a great job with the Alabama accent. And I enjoyed the way she represented Millie.

*I listened to this on Scribd.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

Harper Albright has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her to sew. As she rethinks her own future, secrets long hidden about Millie's past are brought to light.

In 1946, Millie Middleton boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.

Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston and the man who may hold the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they've both dreamed of. But it's not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.

Amazon link to buy

Review: Wonderland Creek

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

If it wasn’t for a planned group read, this book would probably not have been on my radar very soon. I’m very glad I decided to join in this group read - this was a fun, adventurous with some danger, story.

The main character had me laughing a few times with her innocent antics. There was a few times I actually thought it strange what she knew so little while she read so many books. There was so many characters to enjoy, Lilly, Ike and Mac to name a few.

The character growth Alice went through was really well written. And I enjoyed Lilly’s input in this journey.

The narrator played a big role in my enjoyment of this story.

Recommended to fans of Historical Fiction - especially where you want an enjoyable story which is a bit lighter on the romance.

*I listened to this on Scribd.*         

View all my reviews

About the book:

Alice Grace Ripley lives in a dream world, her nose stuck in a book. But the happily-ever-after life she's planned on suddenly falls apart when her boyfriend breaks up with her, accusing her of living in a world of fiction instead of the real one. To top it off, Alice loses her beloved library job because of cutbacks due to the Great Depression.

Longing to run from small-town gossip, Alice flees to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to deliver five boxes of donated books to the tiny coal-mining town of Acorn, a place with no running water, no electricity, and where the librarians ride ornery horses up steep mountain passes to deliver books. When Alice is forced to stay in Acorn far longer than she planned, she discovers that real-life adventure, mystery--and especially romance--may be far better than her humble dreams could have imagined.

Amazon link to buy

About the author:

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.

Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother (age 98), and daughter concerning the change in women's roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve's Daughters.

Along with reading, two of Lynn's lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.