Back in the Saddle: Double S Ranch Book One By Ruth Logan Herne

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description: 

The Prodigal Is Coming Home

It’s been a long time since Colt Stafford shrugged off his cowboy legacy for shiny Manhattan loafers and a promising career on Wall Street. But when stock market manipulations leave him financially strapped, the oldest son of legendary rancher Sam Stafford decides to return to the sprawling Double S ranch in Gray’s Glen, Washington. He’s broke, but not broken, and it’s time to check in with his ailing father, and get his legs back under him by climbing into the saddle again.

He doesn’t expect to come home to a stranger pointing a loaded gun at his chest— a tough yet beautiful woman that Sam hired as the house manager. Colt senses there’s more to Angelina Morales than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what she’s hiding...and why.

Colt’s return brings new challenges. Younger brother Nick has been Sam’s right-hand man at the ranch for years and isn’t thrilled at having Colt insert himself into Double S affairs. And the ranch’s contentious relationship with the citizens of Gray’s Glen asks all the Stafford men to examine their hearts about what it truly means to be a neighbor.  And as Wall Street recovers, will Colt succumb to the call of the financial district’s wealth and power—or finally the courage to stay in the saddle for good?

My Thoughts: 

Back in the Saddle is the first book in Ruth Logan Herne's latest series, Double S Ranch and it is FANTASTIC. This is the first book from Ruth Logan Herne that I have had the pleasure of reading and I am so glad I did. I haven't read many Western style books but I am so glad I read this one. Ruth Logan Herne writes with authority about: all aspects of ranching, police work, stock market, Washington state, and medical things. I found myself drawn into this book from the start. The characters in this book are fantastic, they are real people with lives that are messy and not perfect.  I enjoyed all of them especially Colt. Colt isn't perfect and he knows that. He comes home to do what he has to with his heart hard toward his family, especially his dad and I loved the transformation he goes through and the person he becomes because of the influence of others. As I read this book, I felt like I was there in Gray's Glen as the events unfolded. I loved the themes in this book especially forgiveness. The characters in this book not only needed to forgive others they really needed to forgive themselves for the past and their actions. In forgiving themselves and others they found their way back to their faith and that was a wonderful thing. I learned a lot from this book about ranching and I enjoyed it very much. It sparked some great things in me. I am so glad that I read this book. I have never really be a huge fan of western style books but Back in the Saddle and Ruth Logan Herne's writing really peaked something in me. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction and/or Western Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I have definitely found a new author to add to my favorite list and cannot wait to read the rest of this series. The next book, Home on the Range is due out in October so watch for it!! I give this book 5+ STARS.

Sit, Stay, Love: Love Unleashed Book One By Dana Mentink

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.


Book Description:

Take one abrasive professional athlete, a quirky out-of-work schoolteacher, and an overweight geriatric dog, and you're ready for a lesson in love...Tippy style.
Pro baseball pitcher Cal Crawford is not a dog guy. When he inherits his deceased mother's elderly dog, Tippy, he's quick to call on a pet-sitting service.
Gina isn't thrilled to be a dog sitter when her aspirations lie in the classroom. Furthermore, she can't abide the unfriendly Cal, a man with all the charm of a wet towel. But with no other prospects and a deep love for all things canine, she takes the job caring for Tippy.
As Gina travels through Cal's world with Tippy in tow, she begins to see Cal in a different light. Gina longs to show Cal the God-given blessings in his life that have nothing to do with baseball or fame. When her longing blooms into attraction, Gina does her best to suppress it. But Cal is falling in love with her too...
Discover the charming story of Tippy, the dog who brought a family together.

My Thoughts:

Sit, Stay, Love is the first book in Dana Mentink's latest series, Love Unleashed and it is FANTASTIC. This is the first book by Dana Mentink I have had the pleasure of reading and I am so glad I did! As a pet owner and animal lover this book really caught my attention, especially the cover.  This book is great, a cute and funny book about an older dog, a cranky pro athlete, and a different dog walker who is typically a school teacher. I could NOT put this book down, from start to finish I was hooked. Dana Mentink writes with authority on dogs, all things baseball including Beep Ball, California, and forgiveness. I loved the fact that Beep Ball had its place in this book because I do know a special young man who has played Beep Ball for years. The cast of characters in this book are a great bunch. I found myself drawn to their love for one another and their faith in God. The interactions between them all made for a fun read but I have to say I loved Tippy. This geriatric dog is hilarious.  She is definitely quirky and in the words of the characters in the book, "There's just something about Tippy." This book was a quick read but it definitely packed a lot in it. As much as this book was definitely funny it also had its serious parts. I found myself laughing in many, many parts, sad in others, and holding my breath in others wondering what will happen. The acts of forgiveness and love are a big part of this book and it truly spoke to my heart. This book was absolutely great for my heart, offering me some well needed laughs!! I personally have a heart for older animals and have adopted 2 "older" cats so Sit, Stay, Love really spoke to me.  I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Fiction and/or are animal lovers, you will NOT be disappointed.  I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, Fetching Sweetness which will be out in July 2016. I give this book 5 STARS. Please check out Dana Mentink's blog and A Travels with Tippy Prize Pack Giveaway below!



What do you get when you add one abrasive professional athlete, a quirky out-of-work schoolteacher, and an overweight geriatric dog? A lesson in love—Tippy style—in Dana Mentink's new book, Sit, Stay, Love. As Gina travels through Cal’s world with Tippy in tow, she begins to see Cal in a different light. Gina longs to show Cal the God-given blessings in his life that have nothing to do with baseball or fame. When her longing blooms into attraction, Gina does her best to suppress it. But Cal is falling in love with her too. . . .

Join Dana in celebrating the release of Sit, Stay, Love with a blog tour and a Travels with Tippy prize pack giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Sit, Stay, Love
• A $75 Visa cash card
• A basket filled with Tippy-themed goodies
  • Travel-themed decorator box
  • Reading dog statue
  • Dog journal
  • Poems for Dog Lovers
  • Snuggle Paws fleece blanket from Animal Rescue Site
  • Pawprint scarf
  • Doxie desk pen
  • Pupmobile auto magnet

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on April 25th. The winner will be announced April 26th on Dana's blog.

Buckhead Dead: A Skye Southerland Cozy Mystery Book One By Deborah Malone

I received this book from Deborah Malone through Celebrate Lit Blogger Program for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description:

Skye Southerland and Honey Truelove have just finished an interior design job for Sylvia Landmark, one of Buckhead's most eccentric characters, and their designs are to die for. After a celebration at Sylvia's home where they reveal the new décor, including a desk with a possible link to the pirate Blackbeard, Sylvia turns up dead, leaving the ladies wondering if this desk is worth more than they bargained for. Skye and Honey are now suspects in the murder of a woman who had few friends, and plenty of possible enemies. In an attempt to clear their names, Skye, Honey, and Honey's lovable cousin Ginger embark on a journey to find the real killer, figure out the history behind the desk, and clear their names before they end up going to jail, or even worse, becoming the next victims! With plenty of warnings from Skye's husband Mitch, and the ruggedly handsome Detective Montaine assigned to Sylvia's case, these girls still manage to get right in the middle of the investigation, while having time to enjoy all that Georgia has to offer.

My Thoughts:

Buckhead Dead is the first book in Deborah Malone's latest series, The Skye Southerland Cozy Mystery Series and it was great. I haven't had the pleasure of reading any of Deborah Malone's books but I am glad to have found a new author to read. This book is well written and researched.  Deborah Malone writes with authority on: All things Georgia including the streets, restaurants, and suburbs. Also about antiques, decorating, police procedures, Martinique, and traveling. This book is a fun read that definitely kept my interest and wasn't easy to put down. I really enjoyed the characters, especially Skye, Honey, and Ginger. They are definitely a great group of friends who lift each other up, share their faith with one another to help through their struggles, and would do anything for each other. They are also HILARIOUS. I loved their interactions, they definitely are comic relief! I definitely found myself laughing in many places and holding my breath in others, wondering what will happen next. Buckhead Dead has a little bit of everything thing it including: comedy, mystery, action, and romance. This book kept me my interest from start to finish and kept me guessing until the end. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Mystery Fiction, you will not be disappointed. I cannot wait for the next books in this series!! I give this book 4 STARS.

The Lost Heiress:Ladies of the Manor Book 1 By Roseanna M. White

I received this book from the author, Roseanna M. White,  for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinion expressed here are my own.

Book Description:

Brook Eden has never known where she truly belongs. Though raised in the palace of Monaco, she’s British by birth and was brought to the Grimaldis under suspicious circumstances as a babe. When Brook’s friend Justin uncovers the fact that Brook is likely a missing heiress from Yorkshire, Brook leaves the sun of the Mediterranean to travel to the moors of the North Sea to the estate of her supposed family.
The mystery of her mother’s death haunts her, and though her father is quick to accept her, the rest of the family and the servants of Whitby Park are not. Only when Brook’s life is threatened do they draw close—but their loyalty may come too late to save Brook from the same threat that led to tragedy for her mother.
As heir to a dukedom, Justin is no stranger to balancing responsibilities. When the matters of his estate force him far from Brook, the distance between them reveals that what began as friendship has grown into something much more. But how can their very different loyalties and responsibilities ever come together?
And then, for a second time, the heiress of Whitby Park is stolen away because of the very rare treasure in her possession—and this time only the servants of Whitby can save her. 

My Thoughts: 

The Lost Heiress is the first book in Roseanna White's latest series, The Ladies of the Manor, and all I can say is, WOW! As a huge fan of Christian Historical Fiction and Roseanna White's writing I was so excited to be a part of her team to promote her book. Roseanna White writes with authority about The Grimaldi's history, the world during this time 1910 especially in England and Monaco, hierarchy during this time, social graces, and horse training. I COULD NOT put this book down. The mystery and action kept me wanting to know more. I absolutely loved this characters that Roseanna White created in this book, especially because the good guys and the villains were not clear. I especially loved Brook and her father, The Earl of Whitby. Their interactions were fantastic and in many places humorous and their sense of adventure was fantastic.  Brook may not have grown up with him but they are so much alike and their faith was truly unshakable and so similar.  I found myself laughing out loud in places of this book, tearing up in others, and scared in others. This book truly had a little bit of everything including romance, mystery, drama, comedy, and action. I loved the history in this book. Roseanna White interweaves fact and fiction so well and was definitely well researched. I found myself wanting to to learn more. I really couldn't put it down and found myself picking it up anytime I found a minute and I really did NOT want to put it down and was sad when it ended because I definitely wanted more. As a Christian Fiction book I did find the deep faith of a lot of the characters and the bible verses very inspiring. I truly enjoyed this book and I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction, you will NOT be disappointed. I cannot wait to start the next book in this series,  The Reluctant Duchess. I give this book 5+ STARS.

The Imposter: The Bishop's Family Book One By Suzanne Woods Fisher

I received this book from the author through The Celebrate Lit Blogging Program for no charge in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description:

Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. Those plans started to crumble when her father moved the family to Stoney Ridge, then completely collapsed when John decided to marry someone else. Katrina is devastated. How could she have felt so loved, yet been so deceived?

As she struggles to face a future without him, a widow asks for her help to start a new business and Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose. What she doesn't need is attention from Andy Miller, a farm hand who arrives at the widow's farm just when help is most needed--and who always seems to say the right thing, and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy
for real, or too good to be true? Deceived once before, Katrina is determined to keep her feelings in check.

When a cascade of events is set in motion by some surprising information, the little Amish church is turned upside down. Soon, everyone has a stake in the outcome, and the community struggles to find the best response to an imposter in their midst. Can they forgive even the most deceitful deeds?

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher introduces her loyal fans to a brand-new series set in their favorite town--Stoney Ridge. As always, Fisher delivers endearing characters and plot twists that keep readers turning page after page after page.

My Thoughts:

The Imposter is the first book in Suzanne Woods Fisher's latest series, The Bishop's Family and it is fantastic. As a HUGE fan of Amish Fiction and Suzanne Woods Fisher's books I couldn't pass up reading this book. Suzanne Woods Fisher writes with authority about the Amish, their communities, and their faith. Suzanne Woods Fisher has written a few series based in Stoney Ridge and so I was excited to go back there in this new series to meet new characters and to catch up with old friends from the other books. The Imposter picks up where The Inn at Eagle Hill series leaves off but readers can definitely pick up this new series without reading the other books and not be lost. That is one of the many things I love about Suzanne Woods Fisher's writing, as a new reader you do not feel lost by not reading the series before and as an "old" reader the details don't leave you bored. I loved the new characters in this book especially Birdy Glick. Birdy seems to be a timid woman who is consider weird. She is also the bishop's sister and he definitely forces her into uncomfortable situations like teaching but when it comes to doing the right thing, she does what she feels God is leading her to do, not her fear of her brothers. Birdy is a great character, I loved her sense of humor, her ability to find the positives in all situations, and the fact that no matter what the situation she is in she does the right thing. All the characters in this book are real characters who have lives that are not perfect. These characters make it clear that the Amish don't live perfect lives and they struggle just as much as everyone else.  I love Suzanne Woods Fisher's style of writing, I really felt like I was back at Stoney Ridge watching events unfold. From start to finish this book was not easy to put down and I found myself completely immersed in this world. I definitely found myself chuckling in parts and in others tearing up. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Amish Fiction, you will not be disappointed!! I am impatiently waiting for Book Two, The Quieting which will be out in May. I give this book 5 STARS.

Bride of a Distant Isle: The Daughters of Hampshire Book #2 By Sandra Byrd

I received this book from Howard Publications for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description:

 An unforgettable romance set in Victorian England, Bride of A Distant Isle is the engrossing story of Annabel Ashton, who fights to save her family home and her mother's honor while trying to figure out if the man she loves wants her—or just wants to use her to achieve his own ambitions.

Miss Annabel Ashton is a teacher at the Rogers School for Young Ladies in Winchester when she takes a brief visit to her family home, Highcliffe Hall at Milford-on-Sea. She believes her stay will be short but soon learns that she will not be returning to the safety of the school. Instead, she remains at Highcliffe, at the mercy of her cousin, Edward Everedge.

Annabel protests, but as the illegitimate daughter of a woman who died in an insane asylum, she has little say. Edward is running out of money and puts the house up for sale to avoid financial ruin. He insists that Annabel marry, promising her to a sinister, frightening man. But as the house gets packed for sale, it begins to reveal disquieting secrets. Jewelry, artifacts, and portraits mysteriously appear, suggesting that Annabel may be the true heir of Highcliffe.

She has only a few months to prove her legitimacy, perhaps with assistance from the handsome but troubled Maltese Captain Dell’Acqua. But does he have Annabel’s best interests at heart?

And then, a final, most ominous barrier to both her inheritance and her existence appears: a situation neither she nor anyone else could have expected. Will Annabel regain her life and property—and trust her heart—before it’s too late?


My Thoughts: 

Bride of a Distant Isle is the second book in Sandra Byrd's latest series, The Daughters of Hampshire and I love it! I loved the book and this series!  As a fan of historical fiction and a huge fan of Sandra Byrd's writing, I was drawn to this book especially after having read the first book in this series and really enjoying it. In  Bride of a Distant Isle is a Christian Historical Fiction Book with some romance, mystery, and crime.  Sandra Byrd writes with authority about the 1800's, England and the U.S., art, hierarchy, social manners, arranged marriages, illegitimate births, mental health issues of the time, and mental hospitals.  I found myself unable to put this book down, there was so much happening that I didn't want to miss anything! I also took every extra minute I had to read it.  I found all of the characters very interesting in this book but my favorite was Annabel. She was a very, very strong woman who understood her reality and accepted what she had to but did everything in her power to change what she could. All of the characters in this book including Annabel were human and were not perfect. They all had their flaws and their messy lives. I have always enjoyed Sandra Byrd's writing and that has NOT changed. I love reading her books, I feel like I am there watching the events unfold right in front of me. I truly feel transported to that time and place. This story was a pretty serious book but definitely had some moments that made me smile and chuckle but others that made me cry, just ache. I truly enjoyed this book from start to finish and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction, you will NOT be disappointed! I cannot wait for the next book in this great series!! I give this book 5 STARS.

The Jazz Files: Poppy Denby Investigates Book 1 By Fiona Veitch Smith

I received this book from Kregel Publications for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Book Description:

Introducing Poppy Denby, a young journalist in London during the Roaring Twenties, investigating crime in the highest social circles!

In 1920, twenty-two year old Poppy Denby moves from Northumberland to live with her paraplegic aunt in London. Aunt Dot, a suffragette who was injured in battles with the police in 1910, is a feisty and well-connected lady.

Poppy has always dreamed of being a journalist, and quickly lands a position as an editorial assistant at the Daily Globe. Then one of the paper's writers, Bert Isaacs, dies suddenly--and messily. Poppy and her attractive co-worker, photographer Daniel Rokeby begin to wonder if it wasn't a natural death, but murder.

After she writes a sensational exposé, The Globe's editor invites her to dig deeper. Poppy starts sifting through the dead man's files and unearths a major mystery which takes her to France--and into deadly danger.

My Thoughts:

The Jazz Files is the first book in Fiona Veitch Smith's latest series, Poppy Denby Investigates and its fantastic. This is the first book by Fiona Veitch Smith that I have had the pleasure of reading and it left me wanting to read more!  The Jazz Files is a combination of some of my favorite genres, Christian Historical Fiction and Suspense. Fiona Veitch Smith writes with authority on all parts of the newspaper industry, journalism, London in the 1920's, the suffragette movement in London, the war and its effects on soldiers, the prison system, the mental health system,  and the social hierarchy in the 1920's. I found myself taken with this book, from start to finish. I found that I could not put it down once I got going. I enjoyed all of the characters in this book but I absolutely LOVED Poppy Denby. She is a great character with a natural curiosity and instinct to find out the truth. She struggles with what is right and wrong, making choices to honor her beliefs. Poppy loves her Aunt Dot and is motivated by Dot's confidence in her. All of the characters in this book are real, their lives are messy, trouble happens, people get hurt, good people do bad things to try to help, and good can triumph over evil. I enjoyed the writing in this book, Fiona Veitch Smith uses the terms for common items in London in English(UK), other times its English (USA) with a southern touch, and of course the terminology used in the newspaper business. As I read this book I found myself laughing out loud in some parts, crying in some pars, and holding my breath in anticipation in most parts not knowing what would happen. This book had me on the edge of my seat, guessing until the end.  I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction and Suspense, you will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to read more of this series and other books from Fiona Veitch Smith.  I give this book 5+ STARS.