Review: Bound and Determined

Bound and Determined by Regina Jennings
My rating: 💛💛💛

This was a cute and fun story.

The strong-willed personalities of both the main characters caused for quite a few fun moments and I totally enjoyed the camels.

A cute, short and sweet novella.

*I read this on Scribd.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

As punishment for his recklessness, Private Bradley Willis is ordered to help a retired cavalry officer move a herd across Indian Territory. No one told him he'd be herding camels or that the captain's daughter would join them on the trail. Despite the mysterious incidents halting their progress, Bradley has to get this herd to Texas--or lose his commission. 

About the author:

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor.

She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children. 

Review: Cold Terror

Cold Terror by Susan Sleeman
My rating: 💛💛💛

This was a great beginning to a new series which promise of great suspense stories and more characters to get to know and love.

This story was fast paced, suspenseful and action packed. I was kept guessing right till the end and I enjoyed the addition of the children in the story.

I look forward to getting to know more of the Blackwell Security men.


View all my reviews

About the book:

Forensic artist, Hannah Perry’s skills made her a valuable asset to the police…
A young woman has been murdered. Her body unidentified. Her skull recently discovered by the police, and Hannah feels compelled to help find the killer. Even if she’s on a much-needed vacation on a secluded island with her young son. She could work on the reconstruction in the evenings while her son slept. But as the woman’s face takes shape, an assailant invades Hannah’s cabin and tries to end her life. Before he can permanently silence her, she and her son flee the island in a small boat. Trouble is, as they approach Cold Harbor, ocean waves capsize the boat, enveloping them both in cold terror.

But it also makes her the next target.
Former SEAL Gage Blackwell can’t believe his eyes as he plunges into the raging waters to rescue the pair. Owner of Blackwell Tactical—a law enforcement training facility and protection services agency—Gage pulls the woman he once loved from the angry ocean. When he learns of her attack, he vows to protect her while hunting down the killer. Alone and vulnerable, Hannah has to accept Gage’s protection—even if it means staying close to the man who’d once walked out on her without a backward glance.

About the author:

SUSAN SLEEMAN is the bestselling author of over forty-five novels with more than one million books sold. She writes romantic suspense novels that are clean with inspiring messages of faith. Readers love her series for the well-drawn characters and edge-of-your-seat action. She graduated from the FBI and local police citizen academies, so her research is spot-on and her characters are real.
In addition to writing, Susan also hosts TheSuspenseZone.com. She has lived in nine states but now calls Oregon home. Her husband is a retired church music director, and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law, and an adorable grandson.
To learn more about Susan’s books sign up for her monthly email that includes exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and other goodies. http://www.susansleeman.com/susans-ne...

Or stop by any of these locations on the web.
Website - http://www.susansleeman.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/SusanSleemanB...
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/susansleeman
Review Site - http://www.TheSuspenseZone.com 

Can't Wait Wednesday! Defending Honor

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.

I'm excited to get back to the Elite Guardians.  Book three and the final one in this collection, releases October 4th.

About the book: Defending Honor

She trusts no one…

Bodyguard Laila Rabbinowitz is all business. Tough and stoic, she was the perfect Mossad agent…until a terrible betrayal led to her worst nightmare. Being a bodyguard with the Elite Guardians allows her to keep her heart safe—she’ll never get involved with a client, never let anyone close enough to betray her again. And she’s certainly not going to trust anyone who doesn’t earn it.

He needs protection…

Billionaire Preston Whittaker walked away from his famous family after a terrible event, but he’s put that behind him—or so he thinks. When his father and brother are killed in a suspicious boating accident, he must take the helm of the family business and carry on the family legacy. But someone doesn’t want him at the helm. They want him dead.

She’ll have to pretend to be his wife to save his life…

Enter the Elite Guardians. Preston is going to need someone by his side 24/7, and the only solution is…a fake marriage. Laila needs to pull off acting as the trophy wife to the country’s most eligible bachelor. With the eyes of the paparazzi on them, she’ll have to convince everyone that she and Preston are in love.

But what will it cost her heart?

Preston’s reputation as a party playboy precedes him, and Laila doesn’t belong in his world filled with parties and money. But is there more to Preston Whittaker that the world doesn’t see? Maybe, in time, he’s someone Laila could learn to trust. Only problem is, the danger is closer than they both know…and time is running out.

Book three of the riveting, high-octane world of the Elite Guardians reboot!

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: School Freebie

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.

So when I think of school, I think of books.  So I decided to select some books on my TBR with books on the cover:

So, after some thinking, I decided to go another route.  While attending school, I hated history.  I could not wait to leave it behind after we were allowed to choose our subjects.

But, over the years I have discovered some historical fiction writers, who really has provided me with a strong entertaining story, while I learn about the past.  So here is my top ten  eleven Historical fiction novels:

1.  The Mark of the King

2.  Chateau of Secrets

3.  The Reluctant Duchess

4.  When Twilight Breaks

5.  My Heart Remembers

6.  No Other Will Do

7.  Secrets She Kept

8.  The Wood's Edge

9.  Saving Mrs. Roosevelt

10.  Chasing Shadows

11.  The Silent Governess

Review: The Sowing Season

The Sowing Season by Katie Powner
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

This debut by Katie Powner produced a story filled with second chances, rebuilding broken relationships but most of all a story about forgiveness.

I delayed reading this book too long. At first I did not really think I would enjoy a book about a friendship between a 63 year old and a 16 year old, but I was wrong and enjoyed it very much. The innocence of Rae played a big role in breaking down the walls of Gerrit and assisting with him mending broken relationships.

I enjoyed how animals, like the dog Daisy, also broke down walls from a few characters.

There was also a few LOL moments, caused by the inner thoughts of Gerrit and the antics of Bernard the Rooster.

*I downloaded a read now copy from Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.*

View all my reviews

About the Book:

After he's forced to sell the family farm he's labored on his whole life, 63-year-old Gerrit Laninga doesn't know what to do with himself. He sacrificed everything for the land--his time, his health, his family--with nothing to show for it but bitterness, regret, and two grown children who want nothing to do with him.

Fifteen-year-old Rae Walters has growing doubts and fears about The Plan--the detailed blueprint for high school that will help her follow in her lawyer father's footsteps. She's always been committed to The Plan, but now that the pressure to succeed is building, what was supposed to unite her family in purpose, may end up tearing it apart.

When their paths cross just as they each need a friend the most, Gerrit's and Rae's lives begin to change in unexpected ways. Can they discover together what really matters in life and learn it's never too late for a second chance?

About the Author:

Katie Powner is an award-winning author who lives in rural Montana where cows still outnumber people.

She writes contemporary fiction about redemption, relationships, and finding the dirt road home. Katie is a mom to the third power: biological, adoptive, and foster. Learn more at www.katiepowner.com.

Weekend Wrap-up: August 28th

 

 It’s Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Book Date.

I am so behind on my reviews, at least it means I have and use my time for reading :-)

Finished

(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Currently reading

Next up:

Well, I have a feeling that wat I actually would be reading might be different.

What are you reading this week?

Blog Posts Recap:

Here is my past week's Blog Posts.

Top Ten Tuesday

Can't Wait Wednesday

Book Spotlight Fridays!

Saturday Series Discovery

Adding to the Bookshelf:

Which Avid Reader do not add to their shelves! I try to limit mine to review books since I have so many owned on my TBR to read.  So did I add to my shelf this week? Another week where One pre-order was added to my overflowing TBR, and three Netgalley ARCs:

Saturday Series Discovery: Natchez Trace Park Rangers

 This series are very loosely connected.  Some characters make brief appearances in each book, but in such a way that you won’t really feel like you are missing detail if you read the books out of order.

But, if you like to read series in order, like me, then this is another series to binge read.  The location is a beautiful setting, and the main characters are park rangers, which is something different to the normal careers suspense characters has.

Each suspense plot is unique and very interesting to solve.  With lots of twists and turns, each story kept me invested from beginning to end.

Review of books:

Review of book 1: Standoff

Review of book 2: Obsession 

Review of book 3: Crosshairs 

Review of book 4: Deception

About the author:

Also see: Author Discovery: Patricia Bradley

Winner of an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in Suspense, Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi

with her rescue kitty, Suzy, and loves to write suspense with a twist of romance. Her Logan Point series is available at all on-line retailers and major bookstores. In September 2017, JUSTICE BURIED, the second book in the Memphis Cold Case Novels will release.

Her workshops on writing include online courses with American Christian Fiction Writers, workshops at the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference, ACFW Minnesota NICE and Memphis ACFW. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.

I love connecting with readers on my blog every Tuesday where I have a Mystery Question for them to solve: www.patriciabradleyauthor.com/blog
Twitter: @ptbradley1
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/patriciabradleyauthor
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ptbradley/

Review: Under the Tulip Tree

Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

This was a beautiful but very difficult book to read.

The story about Frankie’s life was so difficult to read, so many challenges she had to overcome, so many heartbreaks and it is difficult to see how slaves were treated.

That was not a pretty part of history, but I appreciate books like these which do not shy away from hard truths but tells it in a way which still delivers beauty and hope.

Lorena grew from a pampered naïve girl to a well-informed young lady who learned to fight for those looked over and easily ignored.

*I listened to the audiobook on Scribd.*


View all my reviews

About the book:

Sixteen-year-old Lorena Leland's dreams of a rich and fulfilling life as a writer are dashed when the stock market crashes in 1929. Seven years into the Great Depression, Rena's banker father has retreated into the bottle, her sister is married to a lazy charlatan and gambler, and Rena is an unemployed newspaper reporter. Eager for any writing job, Rena accepts a position interviewing former slaves for the Federal Writers' Project. There, she meets Frankie Washington, a 101-year-old woman whose honest yet tragic past captivates Rena.

As Frankie recounts her life as a slave, Rena is horrified to learn of all the older woman has endured--especially because Rena's ancestors owned slaves. While Frankie's story challenges Rena's preconceptions about slavery, it also connects the two women whose lives are otherwise separated by age, race, and circumstances. But will this bond of respect, admiration, and friendship be broken by a revelation neither woman sees coming?

About the author:

Michelle Shocklee is the author of several historical novels, including UNDER THE TULIP TREE, a Christy

Awards & Selah Awards finalist. As a woman of mixed heritage--her father's family is Hispanic and her mother's roots go back to Germany--she has always celebrated diversity and feels it's important to see the world through the eyes of one another. Learning from the past and changing the future is why she writes historical fiction.

UNDER THE TULIP TREE is set in 1930s & 1860s Nashville and tells a story of unlikely friendship, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Based on extensive research into the Federal Writers' Project Slave Narratives of 1936, as well as the writings of Frederick Douglass and others, many scenes in UNDER THE TULIP TREE are taken directly from the pages of history. Library Journal gave UNDER THE TULIP TREE a starred review.

With both her sons grown, Michelle and her husband now make their home in Tennessee, not far from the historical sites she writes about in her new book COUNT THE NIGHTS BY STARS, a time-slip story set during the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition.

Review: Shadows of Swanford Abbey

Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen
My rating: 💛💛💛

Rating 3.5

I always enjoy Julie Klassen’s regency mysteries.

This was another murder mystery which kept me interested with a lot of suspects who could have committed the act, following the clues almost like I would have played Cluedo, and getting to know the main characters, and what happened in their past to bring them to their current journey.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator delivered a very entertaining story which I enjoyed listening to.

*I listened to the audiobook on Scribd.*


View all my reviews

About the book:

When Miss Rebecca Lane returns to her home village after a few years away, her brother begs for a favor: Go to nearby Swanford Abbey and deliver his manuscript to an author staying there who could help him get published. Feeling responsible for her brother's desperate state, she reluctantly agrees.

The medieval monastery turned grand hotel is rumored to be haunted. Once there, Rebecca begins noticing strange things, including a figure in a hooded black gown gliding silently through the abbey's cloisters. For all its renovations and veneer of luxury, the ancient foundations seem to echo with whispers of the past - including her own. For there she encounters Sir Frederick - magistrate, widower, and former neighbor — who long ago broke her heart.

When the famous author is found murdered in the abbey, Sir Frederick begins questioning staff and guests and quickly discovers that several people held grudges against the man, including Miss Lane and her brother. Haunted by a painful betrayal in his past, Sir Frederick searches for answers but is torn between his growing feelings for Rebecca and his pursuit of the truth. For Miss Lane is clearly hiding something....

Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this atmospheric Regency tale brimming with mystery, intrigue, and romance.

About the book:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Midwest Book Award, the Minnesota Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. She blogs at http://www.inspiredbylifeandfiction.com.
Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Book Spotlight Fridays! Worthy of Legend and Fallout

 

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.  First Line Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Reading is my Superpower that asks you to share the first sentence of the book you're reading.

Two books this week! One is a historical adventure mystery and one a suspense.

Worthy of Legend

About the book:

After a summer of successful pirate-treasure hunting, Lady Emily Scofield and her friends must hide the unprecedented discoveries they've made, thanks to the betrayal of her own family. Horrified by her brother, who stops at nothing to prove himself to their greedy father, Emily is forced to take a stand against her family--even when it means being cut off entirely.

Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford, is fascinated with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table--an interest he's kept mostly hidden for the last decade. But when a diary is unearthed on the islands that could lead to a secret artifact, Bram is the only one able to piece the legends together.

As Bram and Emily seek out the whereabouts of the hidden artifact, they must dodge her family and a team of archeologists. In a race against time, it is up to them to decide what makes a hero worthy of legend. Is it fighting valiantly to claim the treasure . . . or sacrificing everything in the name of selfless love?

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

Book Beginnings

The sea was vengeance.  The sea was justice.

Friday 56

For some reason he also didn't care to examine too closely, his gaze drifted to Lady Emily.  She, too, could do with some sunshine in her life.

My thoughts so far

I am very excited o read this one.  I barely begun, but expecting adventures, danger and a sweet romance thread.

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

Fallout

About the book:

Samantha Williams’s carefully crafted life is about to be demolished as thoroughly as her art classroom when a careening SUV smashes into the school.

In the dusty farming community of LaCrosse, Washington, art teacher Samantha Williams manages to save her students when an SUV crashes into the school. Her car isn’t so lucky. Oddly, her purse—containing her driver’s license, credit cards, and other identification—is missing from the wreckage, forcing her to rely on the kindness of strangers. Never one to trust easily, Samantha is thrust into a world far different from her simple life of jigsaw puzzles, children’s books, and lectures at the library.

One of the strangers who befriends her is a reporter from Spokane who is in town investigating two sets of skeletal remains that were recently discovered. When authorities discover that the driver in the school accident was shot before the crash, Samantha quickly becomes enmeshed in strange events, which turn ominous with the discovery of blackmail, murder, an abandoned town, and a secret government project.

Samantha has long tried to forget the tragedy of her past, but the links here can't be ignored. Yet these are secrets that others are determined to keep buried, and they’ll use any means necessary to stop Samantha’s search for truth. 

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

Book Beginnings

The November wind blew across the almost-barren plain, attempting to leach any warmth from the man's black wool coat.

Friday 56

Just let me say good-bye to you.  This time, I want a chance to say good-bye.

My thoughts so far

This story flows on a fast pace.  Still trying to discover how the leading lady Sam is connected to everything.

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

Can't Wait Wednesday! The Premonition at Withers Farm

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 is another Launch team book I'm excited about.  I love Jaime Jo Wrights Dual-time gothic mysteries.  This one releases October 11th.

About the book: The Premonition at Withers Farm

In 1910 Michigan, Perliett VanHilton is a self-proclaimed rural healer, leaving the local doctor, George Wasziak, convinced she practices quackery. It doesn't help that her mother, Maribeth VanHilton, is a Spiritualist who regularly offers her services to help others speak to their dearly departed. But when Perliett is targeted by a superstitious killer, she relies on both George and an intriguing newcomer for help.

In the present day, life has not developed the way Molly Wasziak dreamed. Facing depression after multiple miscarriages, Molly is adapting to her husband's purchase of a new farm. A search for a family tree pulls Molly deep into a vintage web of deceptions, made more mysterious by the disturbing shadows and sounds in the old farmhouse.

Perliett fights for her life, and Molly seeks renewed purpose for hers as she uncovers the records of the dead. Will their voices be heard, or will time silence their truths forever?

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Completed Series I Wish Had More Books

 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.

Oh, for this reader who loves series, this should be an easy topic...but...which series to pick.  Especially with trying to not repeat books!

So, sorry for those repeated books on past TTT, but these are honestly the series I can continue reading forever...

1. Blackfriars Lane Series

Yes, I recently finished this one, but I can read more about Jackson and Kit and what unique situations they find themselves in.  The author did inform me there will be a third and final book, but I'm not sure if that will be enough of Kit and Jackson for me.

2.  Archer Brothers Series

I adored these brothers and how they fell in love with ladies who draws danger towards them.  I can read more stories about this family.

3.  Ladies of the Manor Series

The Ladies of the Manor series was my introduction to this author's work and I loved the characters.  These characters has since made appearances in other series, but I would love more with them as the focus.

4.  The Patrick Bowers Files Series

This one can be never-ending, thank you.

5.  Blue Justice Series

I loved the St John family and would love a few more books featuring them.

6.  Restoration Series

This was such a wonderful series.  I loved the Branning family and how the handled challenges and murders.  I was sad to say goodbye to them, so will definitely love more books about them.

7.  Walker Family

I loved this family and the community surrounding them.

8.  The Book of the Wars Series

Even though they mystery was concluded, I would love more books about this team solving new mysteries and saving the world.  The Banter between the team was something unique and added to my enjoyment.

9.  The Montana Marshalls Series

LOVED LOVED LOVED this series and was so sad it ended...but, a new three book series released in August, so I will binge read that soon...but I will welcome more books about the Montana Marshalls!

10.  O'Malley Series

This series was one of the first family series I have read, and I would love a sequel series featuring all of these siblings, and maybe there better halves and children.