Just One Kiss

Just One Kiss Author: Courtney Walsh

Publisher: Independent

Release Date: July 23, 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A beautifully written story about love, redemption and how strong family relationships can be.

Carly Collins has spent the last sixteen years raising her son Jaden by herself when his father, Josh walked out on them. Josh was her fist love and broke her heart when he left them. Leaving Harbor Pointe and his family was the hardest decision Josh Dixon ever had to make. After a hard upbringing with an abusive father, Josh feared he would turn out like his father and hurt the ones he loved. Now he is a highly successful tech mogul and should have everything he wants, except his heart is empty. When Jaden’s health is in danger, Carly and Josh are brought together in the most difficult circumstances and have to decide if they can be a family again or if the second chance at love they are being is worth the risk of heartache all over again.

Just One Kiss is a sweet love story of redemption, love, and how some mistakes are worth forgiving. I loved the family dynamic and how that played out pulling at the heartstrings of not only the characters but also the readers. The parents love for their child helps them put aside their differences and do what is best for him no matter how hard it is. I loved the way these relationships played out, being a mother, it felt raw and real, just as it should. Carly was the perfect character for me, she loved her son and would do anything for him, even if it meant dealing with the man that completely shattered her heart. Even though Josh was a little rough around the edges, I couldn’t help but fall in love with him. The backstory that gives readers a glimpse into Josh’s history with his family helped to flesh out his reasoning for leaving and why accepting the fact that maybe he did deserve a family wasn’t so hard to believe. Even without a suspense element to it, which is what usually drives a book for me, the pace moved quickly with the tension between the characters and the uneasiness of what was happening with their son. This is quality writing and one I want more of. I can’t wait to read the next novel Walsh publishes. I recommend this to fans of romance writing that will give you all the feels and tug at your heartstrings at all the right moments.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Love and Other Mistakes

Love and other mistakes Author: Jessica Kate

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: July 30, 2019

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A debut that will leave readers content and smiling throughout.

Natalie Groves thought she had her life all set until her fiancé, Jeremy Walters, breaks her heart and leaves town with no explanation and not even a glance back. Shortly thereafter, her father gets diagnosed with cancer and she has to drop everything to help her family. Feeling lost and alone with no way out or up, she lets the next seven years go by without pursuing her dreams. Now, Jeremy has returned to Charlottesville and he is not alone. He has brought his infant son with him along with all the regrets he has lived with for the past seven years. Natalie is working towards an internship at her dream job but must find a way to make money in the meantime. Together, the two must find a way to put aside their differences and help each other. The more time they spend together, the more feelings from the past collide with feelings from the present and they must decide if staying together or staying apart is the bigger mistake.

Jessica Kate has poured her bubbly Aussie personality into every page of her debut novel. Lots of charm, romance and sass to be found throughout every page. Both Natalie and Jeremy are very well written and the chemistry between the two is undeniable. At times, the relationship teeters on the edge of unbelievable but does work itself out pretty well. The story line of how Jeremy became a single dad needed a little work for me. As a mom, I find it hard to just want to give up a child, it would take a lot for me to not want to be with my kids. I did enjoy the storyline of Jeremy helping with his niece to get the of the whole family involved without that feeling forced. For me, the writing is well done but that of a first-time author, well written but not as fully polished as a seasoned writer. I am sure that will come with time. For a debut author, I can’t say with certainty that she put in her time and effort and really made this story what it should be even if at times I thought the storyline didn’t flow as smoothly as it could. Overall this was an enjoyable read leaving me looking forward to more from Jessica Kate. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy a clean romantic comedy with a little bit of sass and a lot of heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Cold Aim

Cold aim

Author: Janice Cantore

Series: Line of Duty #3

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: July 9, 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The third installment in the Line of Duty series gives readers the best yet with more drama, action, adventure and romance than anything Cantore has written to date!

After a wildfire ravages part of Rogue Hollow, Police Chief Tess O’ Rourke tries to get her town back on its feet when the FBI shows up asking Tess to harbor a witness in a human trafficking case. Tess’s gut tells her that this isn’t the best idea, the town is still reeling from the last traumatic event and to put them in harm’s way again goes against her better judgment. When Pastor Oliver Macpherson, the man she has been seeing, continues to be an example of showing compassion to those in need, Tess decides to help the young girl. This isn’t the first time Rogue Hollow has been home to sheltering a victim of human trafficking; unknown to anyone in town a woman has been keeping her own secrets for years and may prove vital in helping Tess with this request from the FBI. Tess must decide who she can trust and what the right thing to do is in order to keep everyone safe.

Janice Cantore uses her years of experience with law enforcement to craft a wonderfully written tale that readers can both relate to and enjoy each character and the situations they tackle. Each book that Cantore writes gets better: better characterization, better story lines and better romance and action. I have enjoyed the story arc of Tess and the people of Rogue Hollow. Tess has evolved into a chief the town can trust after proving herself time and time again. She may have come into town as an outsider but now feels this is truly home and the people around her are family. Her relationship with Oliver has played out in a manner that feels real and timed at a good pace, it’s not rushed and doesn’t drag. Over the course of these novels Cantore has been able to develop these characters, even the minor roles into ones that readers are invested in and want to see pull through in the tough times. My one criticism for this book would be the villain, Ice. At times he was referred to as Ice and other times as Royal. Ice was the nickname he got, and I didn’t have a problem with that, I had a problem with the lack of consistency throughout, the name was switched sometimes within the same paragraph and that was confusing. Once the nickname was given I wish it would’ve stayed consistent. Other than that, the read was very enjoyable, and I can’t wait for Cantore’s next great adventure. I recommend this to fans of Cantore’s books as well as anyone that hasn’t read any of her books. Even though this is the third in the series it could easily be read as a standalone.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Tate

Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Montana Marshalls #2

Publisher: Stonewater Books

Release Date: July 9, 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The second book in the Montana Marshall series gives readers a look into the family troublemaker. Fans of the series will not be disappointed by this cowboy.

Tate Marshall has always been considered the family troublemaker, not a trait he likes but one he can’t seem to get past. If he sees something wrong, he can’t stop himself from trying to make things right, no matter what it costs him. When he gets assigned to be the Bodyguard of Glo Jackson, daughter of a U. S. Senator and presidential candidate, he can’t help falling hard for her, which puts them both in danger. Glo is a member of the Yankee Belles, a country western band and a target for terrorist trying to keep her mother from running for president. The band takes a break as Glo helps her mother on the campaign trail. Tate continues to protect Glo until her mother fires him for breaking his promise to not pursue Glo romantically. Tate refuses to stay at arm’s length and will stop at nothing to keep the woman he is falling in love with safe.

Susan May Warren is by far one of the top Christian Romantic Suspense writers out there today. Her second installment in the Montana Marshall series keeps the tension and romance going full force. I absolutely loved the Montana Rescue series and was hoping this series would continue my love for Montana romance by Susan May Warren. Luckily, she nailed it with Knox and now Tate follows suit keeping my love for Montana Marshalls alive and kicking. Tate is such a strong character, even if he feels weak at times. The little vulnerabilities shown throughout make him relatable and one that readers will want to cheer for. Glo has her own issues to work through and she doesn’t feel she deserves the love Tate is willing to offer. The backstory with her family brings everything to light and shows us why readers should cheer for her and Tate. The book also gives us a glimpse into other members of the Marshall family and helps set up what will come in future books. If you have read anything by Susan May Warren before, you will be familiar with her writing style will know what is coming but still enjoy every page. I have always loved reading her books; I know what I am going to get, a great love story with plenty of suspense to keep the story moving along. I recommend this book to fans of romantic suspense novels that are clean, fast-paced, and full of characters you will fall in love with.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Almost Home

Almost Home Author: Valeria Fraser Luesse

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: March 5, 2019

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

Set in rural Blackberry Springs, Alabama, during World War II, Almost Home takes a look at how people have to take time to get to know themselves before they can connect with others.

Blackberry Springs is home to a variety of transplants looking for work after the war sunk the United States into tough economic times, and Dolly Chandler’s large family home-turned-boarding house is full to the brim. A young married couple from the Midwest is there after selling the farm and needing a new income; a young war hero is there to set himself right after the war’s ravages on his mind; a married couple of college professors is there because nobody is attending school. Along with a few locals, the newcomers manage to forge friendships and even some romance out of the destruction that the war inflicted on their lives. Dolly and her husband act as guardians and even parents to some of these people who really need someone to rely on, and in the meantime, these visitors help Dolly reconnect with her family’s heritage through her home’s secrets.

This is one of those books that, just like the setting, is a warm, lazy summer day with a cold drink at the ready. It’s no trouble at all to read the book and soak it all in, but by the end, you feel refreshed and full. The characters all have flaws that, while sometimes obvious how they will be fixed, still show a human side that makes them likeable. I can’t say the storyline is anything new or unique, but it is a warm, fun reflection on a time when people helped others who were often in the same dire straits that they were. Old-fashioned and charming, Almost Home truly made me feel welcome.

I loved this book for its message and characters, and the subplot of adventure woven through tied it all together. Some of it may not be entirely plausible, but it makes for a fun read that kept me entertained from the last page to the first. Pick up this book for a fun summer read or a quiet weekend in. It’s a sweet story sure to please.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Number of Love

Number of Love

Author: Roseanna M. White

Series: Codebreakers #1

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: June 4, 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A mysterious read that crosses between A Beautiful Mind and Bing Bang Theory.

Margot De Wilde understands mathematics and finds comfort in numbers. After her family fled Belgium at the beginning of the Great War, Margot has found use for her talents as one of the lead codebreakers in the British navy. An unconventional position for a woman at the time, but Margot is quite unconventional herself. She does not notice any of the attentiveness of men and hopes to secure a professorship at a university after the war. While at work one day, she meets a new young lady named Dot, who is to be serving as a secretary. Dot has her own quirks and doesn’t like to leave her house but knows she must. Margot and Dot strike up a mutual friendship where each person can accept their own faults. But when Dot’s brother Drake shows up, things become much more interesting.

Drake Elton serves as a spy for the British navy. Fluent in three languages and having a grandfather in Spain who runs a prosperous shipping business gives him the perfect cover to set up a base of operations there. But after a botched mission lands him in the infirmary in London, Drake dreads the recovery time. His sister Dot comes to visit him quite often as does her friend the mathematician, Margot. Drake has never met anyone like Margot, who is extremely intelligent and can match wits with Drake on any occasion. When remnants from his mission in Spain begin to show up in London, Drake knows that he must return to duty to save his country and Margot.

This was a very entertaining story from the beginning to the last sentence. Margot became my best friend instantly and we had a great adventure throughout the journey. Granted, I’m married to an engineer, so maybe math people are my friends. Even so, the best way that I can describe Margot is like a female Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory. She fully understands numbers and math but is completely oblivious to social norms. The romance between her and Drake evolved in its own time and wasn’t forced like so many books attempt. Everything flowed great and her armor was slowly chipped by Drake until it was worn down and she finally understood what it was to love and be loved. I also appreciated the author weaving faith into the story and the trials and tribulations that Margot had to go through to become the woman she was meant to be.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Turtles in the Road

Turtles Authors: Rhonda Rhea and Kaley Rhea

Publisher: Bold Vision Books

Release Date: April 21, 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A wonderfully enticing story that I couldn’t devour fast enough. Readers will truly fall in love with these characters and the trials they go through to find out who they are and what God has in store for them that is so much better than they would have ever imagined.

Piper Cope thought she had her life figured out. She felt certain God had called her to be a pastor’s wife. When her fiancé breaks off their engagement, she is left uncertain of her future. She packs her car and leaves to go live with her sister, another complicated relationship in her life, while she sorts out what her future holds. While driving on the rainy roads, she swerves to miss a turtle in the road and ends up in the ditch with a broken car stuck in a little unknown town. With her car in the shop and not a lot of money, she ends up at the little bed and breakfast in town and working at the community center. She quickly falls for the little town but doesn’t want to get her heart broken again. The community center director decides to take a chance giving Piper a job and helping her out in her time of need but doesn’t expect to have feelings for her grow as quickly as they do. Will Piper find what she has been looking for or find herself at another dead end and more confused than ever?

Rhonda Rhea and her daughter Kaley Rhea have written one delightful read that I devoured in a single day. This may be one of the most enjoyable Christian Romance books I have ever read. The best thing about this story for me was the fact that nothing felt rushed, the characters acted out exactly as I felt they should, the romance was not rushed in the slightest and I found myself picturing exactly what was happening as I jumped into the pages head first. The writing style is unique and hit the spot; when I say this was funny I mean it was actually funny where it was supposed to be funny and for the right reasons. Most of the times when a book is said to be funny it is because a character has certain quirks that make it funny but here it was situations and the characters jut being flat out hilarious. I loved everything about Piper from the way she ended up swerving to miss the turtle to the very end (I don’t want to spoil the end, but I guarantee you will be smiling). Readers that enjoy a fun clean romance with a good message will absolutely adore Turtles in the Road. This will be on my best of list for sure!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Song of the Jade Lily

Jade lily Author: Kristy Manning

Publisher: William Morrow

Release Date: May 14, 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A brilliant piece of literary work that showcases the Japanese occupation of Shanghai during World War II.

Romy and her family are Jews living in Vienna during the 1930s. On the night of Kristallnacht, her family realizes that they must flee the country to save their lives, but only she and her parents are able to secure passage on a ship from Italy to Shanghai, known as Paris of the East. Upon arrival, Romy quickly realizes that Shanghai is very different from anywhere she has ever been. It is overcrowded with people and separated into many different sections including French, British, and Japanese. She soon meets another young woman here age named Li Ho. They form a strong friendship over the next two years, but after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Japanese occupy Shanghai and begin to rid the area of any anti-Japanese sentiment. Will this friendship stand the test of a war-torn country?

Jumping ahead several years to 2016, Alexandra Cohen is a very successful commodities trader in London. But after a bad breakup and learning her grandfather is dying, she quickly returns to Melbourne, Australia. Alexandra has always been different being part Chinese but has never really known the true story of her birth mother. Her parents died when she was young, and her grandparents always change the subject when she brings it up. After her grandfather passes, Alexandra receives an opportunity to work in Shanghai. She takes it with hopes that maybe she can finally uncover the truth about the adoption of her mother and find her true family.

This has been a great year for historical novels that uncover rarely known facts about World War II. This book was no exception as I had little knowledge of Jewish refugees living in Shanghai. I thoroughly appreciated all the research that the author put into this book to bring this era of history to light and how she weaved it into such an intricate story. The character development of Alexandra throughout the book was fantastic as well. She grew from being insecure into someone who can seize the moment and get what she wants from life. There is some very raw emotion throughout the book. There were parts that brought me to tears because of what Romy experienced. I imagine other readers will feel the same way.

This book really focuses on the power of secrets and the damage that they can do to a family over time. However, there is also a theme of redemption in the later part of the book. I enjoyed that the author shared that even when families have secrets, they are not as secret as one might think.

There is very little foul language in the book; however, there are some implied sex scenes that will not be appropriate for younger readers. I recommend this book for readers who love time slip novels exploring World War II and for people who just need a good story!

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Living Lies

Living lies

Author: Natalie Walters

Series: Harbored Secrets #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: May 21, 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Great debut series for the romantic suspense market!

When Lane Kent returns to her home town of Walton, Georgia after the death of her husband, she needs to find hope to want to stay alive. Her five-year-old son is with her and she wants to live for him but the depression she has had for years is getting dangerously close to overtaking her. Her father is running for congress and under the watchful eyes of everyone in town. Lane feels the pressure of those watchful eyes causing her world to close in on her. Things get even harder when Lane stumbles upon a dead body in the woods. She is working with the newest deputy in town, Charlie Lynch, to figure out the truth behind the murder and if her own life is worth living after all she has seen and been through.

For her debut novel, Natalie Walters has crafted a story that will keep readers glued to the edge of their seats waiting until the final page to see how things will turn out. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this novel, with it being the first by Walters, but I am pleased to say that I will be greatly looking forward to whatever comes next. The characters, especially Lane, were so well written that I had no trouble rooting for her to succeed and find a way out of the darkness within. The tension in each scene is brought to the surface by the way readers will fall in love with the characters. The way that Charlie develops the bond with Lane’s son and becomes involved in his life and not just Lane shows he is the perfect fit for their little broken family. One of the most interesting aspects of the book for me was the dynamic between Lane and the rest of her family. The problems she has been dealing with for years come full circle showing a great character arc. The flow of the story was well done, and I felt it was just the right length with little fluff to take away from the story. Romantic suspense in the Christian market has a lot of really great authors and can be hard to compete with but Walters had found her own unique voice and style of writing here that will please readers. I will gladly pick up the next in the series as soon as I can and can’t wait to see what happens next with these characters. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy a good romantic suspense novel and are fans of Lynnette Eason, Diann Mills, and even Irene Hannon are going to want to pick this one up.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

On a Summer Tide

summer tide Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher

Series: Three Sisters Island #1

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: April 30, 2019

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

Even close families can grow apart during the best of circumstances, and in the case of the Grayson family, it happened during one of the worst times of their lives. Sisters Camden, Blaine, and Maddie Grayson were close despite their varying personalities, but after the tragic death of their mother, they seemed to grow apart. Cam adopted her best friend’s son upon her friend’s death and put her business acumen to work in a high-stress job. Maddie immersed herself in her social work studies, but became distant and unattached from anyone else. Blaine went to community college but couldn’t decide on a major, so after several years without earning a degree, the school asked her to sit out so she could make some plans about her life. They all thought their dad was taking things well until he told them out of the blue that he had sold their family home and bought a small island off the coast of Maine. Thinking he was out of his mind and had gotten in way over his head, the girls take some time off and spend it with him, helping to get the former camp where he and their mother met back into working order.

While there, the Grayson family meets up with some friendly locals, while others are downright hostile. Some welcome the chance to reinvigorate the island, but some are clearly against it. As the story progresses and more characters show their true colors, we learn why they have such a problem with change. Along the way, the sisters each do some soul searching and changing themselves as they finally acknowledge their denial to their mother’s death.

Suzanne Woods Fisher is generally known for her Amish fiction, but in it she always shows the humanity of the characters while they solve some kind of personal conflict. This story is not about the Amish culture, but it does still stick to the same formula of having complex characters deal with a tough situation. In this case, it takes until the end of the book to reveal why the mother’s death is such a huge impact on everyone’s life.

I tend to enjoy Suzanne Woods Fisher’s books for her likeable characters and interestingly complex situations. This book definitely fit the bill, and I was immersed as soon as I picked it up. It’s a quick and easy read, but the situations definitely stick with the reader long after being done. I am still dreaming of owning my own island off the coast of Maine because of her ability to bring things to life and make them real. Having a family member randomly buy such an island is not that common, but the family dynamics and conflicts definitely are, and even in such an idyllic setting, they show how difficult yet beautiful life can be.

The characters were all interesting, and except for the “villains,” likeable. The scenery is described in such vivid detail that I felt as though I were there. All in all, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.