Review ~ Love at Any Cost by Julie Lessman

Hello Friends, another historical romance for you today!

I truly enjoyed this book by Julie Lessman. (Note, while I did receive an ARC of this book via NetGalley from the publisher, I used my own copy for this review). This book is the first in her The Heart of San Francisco series.

Summary: Cassidy McClare is a Texas girl through and through. Moving to San Francisco to live with her aunt, uncle and cousins is about to change her life. Upon arriving, she meets "pretty boy" Jamie McKenna - a man she knows she can't fall for, or he will break her heart. Jamie, a poor boy from the wrong side of town, is determined to make a name for himself and marry a wealthy socialite so he can save his family and the people he grew up with from poverty and shame. After meeting Cassidy, he decides that she is his new goal. Sparks fly as these two spar back and forth over just about everything - the most important being Jamie's lack of faith - a deal breaker for Cassidy. Full of twists, turns, drama, and lots of wit, this book will keep you rooting for them both, and longing for more!

What I loved: As usual, Julie makes her characters come alive! I also loved the romance between Cassidy and Jamie. I also appreciated that there wasn't quite as much drama/love triangle in this book as her others. This book was definitely lighter than her other series, but still super enjoyable. Cassidy's strength was also inspiring. She held on to her convictions and never let them go for anything or anymore.

What I didn't care for: One thing I noticed that I felt was odd, was although faith plays an important role in the story, and there is even a "conversion of sorts" there is never any mention of the name of Jesus. The characters only mention God. I get that some people get turned off by preachy-ness, but if you are going to share the salvation message, why wouldn't you just say the name of Christ. It made it feel watered down to me. Whether this was an intentional choice, or just how the author writes, I don't know, and it isn't THAT big of a deal, but I did notice it it, and thought I'd say something about it. :)

Overall a fantastic read, and one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys historical romance!

Happy Reading!

Sarah K.

Review ~ A Match Made in Texas by Karen Witemeyer

Hello Friends! Just in time for Valentines Day, I have a wonderfully romantic novella collection for you by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, and Carol Cox called A Match Made in Texas. I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This set of four novellas is Bethany House Publisher's first attempt at a novella collection, and I think it is probably one of the best I have ever read.

Summary: These four stories take place in a little town in Texas in the 1800's. Dry Gulch is a fairly normal town, until a matchmaker suddenly appears on the scene. Secretly helping three couples find love in the fourth story, the tables are turned on her, and she is matched with a wonderful man as well! In the first story, "A Cowboy Unmatched," widow Clara is shocked to see Neill on her doorstep. She thinks he is there to fill an ad for a husband, and he thinks he is there to repair her barn roof. As he fixes her roof, they find themselves falling in love.

In "An Unforeseen Match," Grace, the town's schoolteacher finds herself out of a job and dropped into Clara's old farm as her new home. Going blind, the school board doesn't know what else to do with her, so they give her the land as compensation. Meanwhile, Clayton is just passing through on his way to the land rush in Oklahoma, when he is hired by a classified ad to help her out. As Grace's eyesight fades, she finds herself drawn to Clayton as the one who can help her live a more normal and less lonely life, but will Clayton see that while he is so blinded by the need for land of his own?

"No Match for Love" follows Andrew and Lucy, and Andrew's sweet aunt, who seems to be losing her mind. When odd things start happening around the ranch that only his aunt sees, he hires Lucy to help care for her, but when Lucy sees them too, he is baffled. Are both women crazy, or is something more sinister going on?

In "Meeting her Match" the matchmaker is caught in her own web, and finds herself being set up by her friends in the town. Will she finally be able to catch the eye of the man she has loved secretly for years?

What I Liked: First, I have read dozens of novella collections and it is extremely rare that all of the stories, or even most of them, are good. Usually, there are one or two stories that I want to re-read, but that's it. This is the first time that I can recall that all four stories were enjoyable, and ones I would go re-read. I enjoyed that many of the characters appeared in all four stories, and that they were interwoven. I also enjoyed the individual stories themselves. They were so romantic and sweet.

I will admit that the second story is my favorite. I related to Grace in a very personal level. I've had  poor eyesight all my life, and for a while, thought I was going blind before my vision stabilized. Many mornings I would wake up, wondering if this would be the day it would go completely. Thankfully, God has had other plans thus far, and I can still see. :)

I also enjoyed the mystery in the third story. That was a fun change of pace. Each book had great lessons about faith as well, especially Grace's story. The reminder to rely on God first hit me hard.

What I didn't care for:  I honestly can't think of anything I didn't like.

Overall, these were well written novellas and as a whole made a very sweet book. If you are looking for a good read for Valentines Day, or any day, this is a great historical romance collection, and I will be reading it over and over again.

Happy Readings!

Sarah K.

Review ~ Critical Reaction by Todd M. Johnson

Hello Friends!

Sorry I have been away so long! Life got nuts! Christmas was awesome, and then I finished my M.Div - yay! And now, I have nothing to do but read for a while. WIN! I also got behind on my reviews, so over the next week or so, hopefully I can catch up. I've got several great books I really want to share with you.

The first one is Critical Reaction by Todd M. Johnson, which I received as an ARC in exchange from my honest review from the publisher vie NetGalley. This is my first book by him, and I really enjoyed it! It is kind of a legal thriller with some mystery/suspense thrown in.

Summary: Hanford Nuclear Facility in Washington State was used for decades by the US Government to grow its nuclear arsenal. After the Cold War ended, however, it was shut down, and mostly abandoned. That is, except for those few who stayed behind to make sure nothing "explosive" happened. Then, one Fall night, something does. Nothing major - no mushroom clouds or anything, but major enough to set off the radiation lights, and release an eerie green cloud to the buildings and their immediate surroundings. Hanford authorities claimed it was nothing, but its now a few months later, and those exposed are feeling a bit funny, even though their tests are coming back negative. Oh, and a couple of people have disappeared, or died suddenly. Is it natural, or is something more sinister going on?

Enter famed trial lawyer Ryan Hart and his newly barred daughter Emily. Emily hears of the situation from an old college friend who was there the night it happened, Kieran Mullaney. Kieran is one of those experiencing problems, and decides to sue the owners of Hanford. After one lawyer backs out, Kieran relies on Emily and her father to get to the truth of what really happened at Hanford. Ryan, meanwhile, is skeptical that anything can be done with so little evidence, but as time goes on and things get more mysterious, he too is drawn into the case. As the case heats up, so does the mystery behind it. A dirty judge, a smarmy cooperate lawyer, and someone willing to go to great lengths to keep Hanford's secrets safe. What is really going on at Hanford?

What I liked: This was the first book I read by Mr. Johnson, and I really enjoyed it. I liked that it was a combination legal thriller and mystery. There wasn't too much of one or the other - a perfect combination. I enjoyed meeting the characters and hearing their stories. I also enjoyed learning about Hanford. Even though I grew up in WA state, I had never heard of Hanford, and was surprised to know it was only a few hours away from me my whole life. I also enjoyed the suspense Mr. Johnson kept us in throughout the book. He did a great job keeping the bad guy's motives hidden for the majority of the book - a rare treat!

What I didn't care for: This is one is definitely my personal opinion - it drove me nuts how many times characters would pass by each other or have short conversations but not actually share information. Now, I realize, that is probably realistic, but as the reader who already knows what each character does, it was aggravating watching them interact and not share their knowledge! AAAHH!!! Things could have been figured out so much sooner if that had happened. However, I know that isn't how real life works, and for the story line, it worked too. For example, one security guard, Paddy, who is also experiencing symptoms but is not a part of the lawsuit, interacts several times with Kieran, whom Paddy knows is suing, yet does not bother to share his suspicions, or research about the missing guard. I know, it fits the story, but for the reader, it is a bit frustrating. I wanted to reach in and throttle the characters...which probably means Mr. Johnson did a fantastic job making them realistic and true to life. :)

Overall, a very intense and enjoyable read. If you like legal thrillers, suspense, or mysteries, you should enjoy this book!

Happy Readings,

Sarah K

Review ~ Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley

Hello Friends!

I've got another fantastic historical romance/mystery for you today! It's Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley. (I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review of this book) This is another book that I read about a month ago, and am just now getting to writing about, so I apologize for the delay. This book is the third in the Brides of Last Chance Ranch series, and while you can read them in order, this is the only one I have read, and everything made sense. You meet a few side characters who were main characters in the previous books, but it doesn't take away from this story. I really enjoyed them actually, and now can't wait to go back and read the first two books.

Summary: Bank robberies, heiresses, secrets, Oh my! Miranda Hunt, aka Annie Beckman is one of the best detectives the Pinkerton Agency has to offer. After hearing about a group of bandits that have been getting away with bank robberies, train hold ups and general mayhem caused by the Phantom near Last Chance Ranch, Miranda decides to go undercover to the ranch as its newest heiress to try to draw out and capture the Phantom and his gang once and for all!   

Meanwhile, Wells Fargo detective, Jeremy Taggert is also undercover at the ranch for the same reasons. Originally suspecting each other, they soon realize there is more to this story than just a few bank robberies and hold ups. As they wade through the deception and danger, Jeremy and "Annie" find themselves falling in love. Who can they trust? Everyone is a suspect, even the people they think they can trust the most. 

What I liked: The mystery was great! It kept me guessing, and I really appreciated that. The characters are also really well written and I loved getting to know them! I really enjoy Ms. Brownley's style too. Her writing is engaging, suspenseful and humorous at all the appropriate times.

While I'm not a tea person, it was fun to learn about the different types of tea and what they can be used for. And yes, there really is a tea called gunpowder tea.  

What I didn't like: I can't recall anything I didn't like. :)

Take away: I loved how much history was in this book, and how much Ms. Brownley made me want to learn about the Pinkerton Agency. I spent a lot of time on Wikipedia reading about the family and the agency. For example - did you know that the Pinkerton agency still exists today? Or that they there the first organization to hire a female detective - and did so over thirty years before any other police force or organization did so? Pinkerton realized that at that time, women made the best intelligence agents because most men at the time did not consider them capable of understanding most issues, and therefore spoke freely in front of them. This allowed for many female spies to gather critical information (such as the plot to assassinate President Lincoln in Baltimore).

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There is romance and intrigue, a historical western and a mystery. If you like any of these genres, you really should enjoy this book!

Happy Readings!

Sarah K.  

Review ~ A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears

Hello Friends!

I'm so sorry it has been so long since I last updated! I've had crazy life stuff happening! My eyes have been acting up, I'm about 3 weeks away from finishing my M.Div and a lot of family stuff going on. However, I have finished several fantastic books over that time, and over the next few days, I plan on posting the reviews for them.

Today's book is a fantastic historical romance called A Bride for Keeps by Melissa Jagears. (I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest review) This is her debut novel, and the prequel can be downloaded in ebook format for free. (It's called Love by the Letter) and it too is super cute!

Summary: Everett Cline has had the worst luck EVER trying to find a mail order bride. His brides have arrived dead, already married, left him at the alter because he wasn't wealthy, and some just found a better looking man! He has sworn off brides for good...or so he thinks. Meanwhile, the wife of his best friend has secretly been writing to a girl back east, Julie, and convinced her to come to Kansas to be Everett's bride. Arriving under the impression that she is to be married, Julia is shocked when Everett knows nothing about her! As they get to know each other, they decide to marry for convenience. Though their baggage gets in the way at first, Ms. Jagears does a wonderful job showing how two people can work through their issues as husband and wife, and eventually fall in love.

What I loved: Ms. Jagears writing style is wonderful! She drew me in from the first word, and I felt like I was a part of the story. Her characters are well developed and I cared about them deeply. I was so sad to see the story end, and I cannot wait for more! I also loved her humor sprinkled throughout the book. The book is also very balanced between Everett and Julia's point of views, so you really get to connect with both characters and their inner struggles.

What I didn't like: This isn't so much of a not like as a wish for more - Julia's past was mentioned a lot, but not much was done with it. Part of me is glad, because it kept the story from getting too intense, but part of me wishes there was some closure there. Perhaps in a future book?

Take Aways: Ms. Jagears spends a lot of time dealing with issues that come with marriage, though not in a way that detracts from the story. Rather, it makes the story more real. While few Westerners have been in an arranged marriage, most of us can relate to the struggles that Everett and Julia dealt with: feeling loved, and showing love even when you don't, helping those around us even when we don't want to, putting the needs of our spouse ahead of our own. She also dealt with the issues of spousal abuse (in another couple), and how to help someone be safe from that, which was handled quite well.

The character's struggle with their faith, and God's plan for their lives was also very touching and convicting. Seeking out his will, and trying to better understand his love for them, so they could better love each other, was a good reminder to me as well.

Overall, this book is probably one of the best new books I've read this year. I really loved it! It was romantic, and funny, and made me re-examine my marriage and relationship with God. I fell in love with the characters and cannot wait to hear more from them - especially Helga, and her new adventures back east! If you love historical romance, you will really enjoy this book!

Happy Reading!

Sarah

Review ~ Strait of Hormuz by Davis Bunn

Hello Friends! I have a fantastic book for you today! Full of suspense, spies, and intrigue, it will keep you on the edge of your seat! It's Strait of Hormuz by Davis Bunn! (I received a free copy via NetGalley and Bethany House for my honest review) This is the third and final installment in the Marc Royce series. (currently, the first book, Lion of Babylon is FREE on Kindle! Check it out, you won't regret it! Book two, Rare Earth is also deeply discounted at the moment. :) While you probably could read the books out of order, - at least one and two, the third one does wrap things up in the series. The overall plot is self contained, but the side stories continue from previous books.

Summary: On to the story! Marc Royce, former spy/employee of the US government is called to Switzerland by his old boss. When he arrives, he is faced with the dead body of an art dealer with a shady past, a bombing, and his ex girlfriend Kitra Korban, who flew from Israel at the request of an unknown man. Why all the cloak and dagger? Because North Korea and Iran are at it again, and this time, shipping containers full of who knows what, but possibly nuclear in nature, are missing. They are thought to be headed for the Strait of Hormuz, and into the hands of the Iranian government. With the US Navy ready to attack, and few answers coming from anywhere else, Marc must figure out where those shipping containers really went, what was in them, and how to stop them before disaster strikes. On top of it all, he must figure out how an Iranian antiques dealer, a wealthy benefactor, and a man who appears to be pure evil fit into this madness!

What I liked: The action! This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and refused to let go! The characters were also well written and fantastic. It was great to see Marc and Kitra figure out their relationship and God's plan for them both. Rhana Mandana, the Iranian antiques dealer was a fun add to, as was Sir Geoffrey.

Spiritual: I loved that once again, Bunn brought in the underground/persecuted church. This aspect plays an important role in the first book, and is often mentioned in his other books that I have read. It is something that is also near and dear to my heart, so reading about it is just that much better. (If you wish to help the persecuted church worldwide, two great organizations are Voice of the Martyrs - founded by Richard Wurmbrand and Open Doors International founded by Brother Andrew of God's Smuggler fame)

Seeing the characters struggle with their faith, with God's plan for their lives, and where he is amidst all the chaos was also encouraging and challenging to me.

What I didn't like: I'm bummed that this is the last in the series, I feel like a few more things could have been wrapped up, or explained better (the Ambassador - Marc's former boss, where Marc will end up, etc).

Overall, a fantastic read! If you love suspense, spy novels, a bit of romance, and something that will challenge you a little spiritually, this is the book for you! Enjoy it, and tell me what you think! :D

Happy Readings!

Sarah K.

Review ~ Critical Pursuit by Janice Cantore

Hello Friends! Today, I have a cop thriller for you: Critical Pursuit by Janice Cantore! (I received a NetGalley copy of this book for my honest review from the publisher Tyndale House) This is the first book I've read by this former Long Beach, CA police officer, and it was fantastic! I have a couple of her other books on my Kindle, and now I'm super excited to read them! Critical Pursuit is a re-release by Tyndale House, formerly titled The Kevlar Heart. 

Summary:  Brinna Caruso is the cop you want when your child is missing. Known for her tenacity and her "wall of slime" dedicated to the pedophiles and child abusers in her area, Brinna is determined to track down every missing child she can and bring them to safety. Why so passionate? Because twenty years earlier, Brinna herself was abducted and left in the desert to die. Had it not been for Milo, the cop that saved her, she wouldn't have survived. Now, twenty years later, Brinna and her search and rescue dog, Hero, have stumbled onto a series of kidnappings that are remarkably similar to her own, and they must figure out who is behind them! Brinna's own kidnapper was killed several years before, so who is this copycat? Meanwhile, her personal life is falling apart, her faith in God is non-existent, and thanks to a media crazed lawyer, she is stuck with a partner who isn't all there.

Jack O'Reilly lost his wife and unborn child to a drunk driver nearly a year ago. Formerly, one of the best homicide detectives that Long Beach, CA had to offer, he is now hanging on by a thread, more consumed with getting revenge for his wife and daughter than catching any murderers. Re-assigned to patrol, he is partnered with Brinna, and together they must work through their personal lives, their jobs, and their faith.

What I liked: The plot was great. While I figured a few things out here and there, it was fun to see how it all came together in the end. I also enjoyed that it wasn't too gruesome, but still got the point across. The "wall of slime" is awesome, as is Brinna's tenacity and desire to keep kids safe. Jack and Brinna's chemistry is goof too, and Hero is just plain awesome!

What I didn't like: Part of me didn't like that it was about child molesters. Nothing graphic happened or anything, and it did make a great story, I just get so mad at the IDEA of children being victimized that it makes it hard to read about sometimes. Other than that, I don't have any complaints.

Take Away: Jack and Brinna both struggled with hatred, revenge, and where God was in their pain. Ms. Cantore does a really good job dealing with these issues, especially the "Where is God?" question. How monsters can harm children and get away with it is sickening, but trying to figure out why God allows it to happen is even harder. Sin is terrible, and rest assured, God HATES it when children are harmed. There is no easy answer for why it happens, but know that even in the pain, God is still there and can and will bring healing. It isn't easy, but he will if you ask for it. If you, or someone you know has been victimized, please find someone to talk to, preferably a Christian counselor who can help you work through your hurt, and help you on the path to healing. If you suspect someone you know has been victimized, or is an abuser, please report it, and make sure the victim is somewhere safe!

Overall, this was a good read, and I really want to read the rest of her books now. This book challenged me to think about how I can help those who have been victimized, but also how to help them spiritually as well. It gave me a lot to think about on the theological side of things, and some of it I'm still chewing on. I hope you enjoy this book! It isn't preachy, I just took away a lot from that side of things. If you like cop thrillers, or mysteries, you'll enjoy it!

Happy Reading!

Sarah K