River to Redemption

River to Redemption Author: Ann H. Gabhart

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: July 3, 2018

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A story not only redemption but also of the courage and spirit it takes to do what you know is right even when you are alone in your thinking.

Adria Starr is on her own after her family dies in the cholera epidemic of 1833. She is found by a slave named Louis who is more faithful than anyone else in his position would ever be. He has had plenty of opportunities to leave and find his freedom while his masters fled the epidemic and left him in charge of things. Instead of running, Louis decided to stay around and help tend to the sick and bury the dead. Twelve years go by and he is about to be sold and all his loyalty seems to matter to no one, except Adria who has never forgotten what he did for her and so many others. Adria has always abhorred slavery and wants to try and buy Louis his freedom. Being in Kentucky, she doesn’t have many that think like her but doesn’t let that stop her from following her heart and doing what she knows is right, no matter the cost.

Reading about this topic can be difficult, especially knowing that it is based on a true story. The story itself had several characters that stood out for me. First was Adria showing what she stood for and refused to back down. Then Louis, he is just a character that you can’t help but like. And of course Matilda, even though she wasn’t in the story as much as some of the other characters she still made a big impact. With these characters being able to touch the heart and the story being based on true events, readers will have a hard time not connecting and being fully immersed in every page. I loved the way Gabhart made these connections and let the story flow. This was different from her past novels I have read, but still a very enjoyable read. I recommend this to fans of Gabhart and readers that enjoy historical fiction with a little romance.

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

Catching Christmas

Catching Christmas Author: Terri Blackstock

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: October 9, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A fun romance ride and just perfect for those getting ready for the Hallmark Christmas movie season.

Sydney Batson is trying her hardest to be a good granddaughter and take care of her ailing grandmother while also trying not to lose her job at her law firm. In desperate need of help to get her grandmother to the doctor at the same time she is due in court Sydney, calls for a cab to take her to the clinic. She knows she should be the one to go but if she loses her job she won’t be able to take care of either of them. Cab driver Finn Parrish is trying to make up for lost money after being robbed and when a call comes to pick up a woman and take her to a doctor’s appointment he reluctantly goes. Miss Callie is a hard reminder of his mother who he feels he let down in her last days and now every time he gets a call he can’t refuse to help. Even when Miss Callie doesn’t remember to pay him, Finn is there for her as she goes around running Christmas errands and looking for a date for her granddaughter. Finn is trying to do all he can to help Miss Callie fulfill her Christmas wish of doing something nice for the only family she has left. When he meets Sydney, he realizes he might just be getting a Christmas gift he never expected.

For me, when I read Terri Blackstock I know I am going to get a good romantic suspense. With her first Christmas novel, Blackstock takes readers on an adventure with these three characters that is sure to put a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. I loved the way this story played out. Finn had just the right amount of grumpiness in him to make him reluctant to want to help but enough goodness in him to overpower and be there when he was needed. Sydney isn’t so driven by her career that she doesn’t care about her family, she just is in a position that makes it hard to be in two places at once. The characters meshed so well with each other in not only dialogue but also narrative sections, which can become a part that drags in the story if not done correctly. Each paragraph brought out more interesting aspects of the characters and more enjoyment in the story. It was fun to see Blackstock stretch her writing while keeping the story flowing without the suspense aspect. There was still plenty of tension to drive the story along, it was just presented in a different way. I recommend this to readers that love a great Hallmark Christmas movie and want to read a story that will play out like the movie while reading. And of course, all fans of Blackstock’s work will enjoy this as well.

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

Lady of a Thousand Treasures

lady Author: Sandra Byrd

Series: Victorian Ladies #1

Publisher: Tyndale

Release Date: October 9, 2018

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Fabulous Victorian era novel showing a strong woman!

As the daughter and niece of the Sheffield Brothers, well know evaluators of antiquities, Eleanor has become quite adept at differentiating a fake from the real thing. If only she could have done that with Harry Lydney, the man who broke her heart. With the sudden passing of her father and the decline of her uncle’s mind, Eleanor finds herself with the potential of losing the firm that she loves since a woman is not allowed to run the business alone. When Harry’s father, Baron Lydney, a longtime client of Sheffield brothers passes, Eleanor is named the trustee of his antique collection. She must now decide whether to have the artifacts donated to a museum or allow them to pass down to Harry. If she donates them, she will build credit with potential collectors that could revive Sheffield Brothers. But Harry also claims that he still loves her and tries to show her that he is worthy of the collection. How will Eleanor decide this time?

Typically I’m not a huge fan of Victorian era fiction, but the synopsis for this one intrigued me. I’m glad that I gave it a try. The historic setting that Byrd provided brought the whole novel to life for me. I also really enjoyed getting to see a strong female character that wasn’t fully entranced with romance through the whole book. Eleanor was very intelligent and it showed throughout. Faith was also a great element in this book. I can’t wait to see what the next installment brings.

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

The Silver Shoes

The Silver Shoes Author: Jill G. Hall

Publisher: She Writes Press

Release Date: June 19, 2018

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

So much fun getting to know these women and watch them achieve fulfillment in their lives.

Anne McFarland is in the middle of a cross country romance. Her boyfriend Sergio lives in New York City and she loves visiting the him and the city too, but she is currently residing in San Francisco. While on a trip to visit Sergio, Anne stumbles into a vintage antique shop and finds a pair of old shoes that must have a story attached to them. As an artists, these shoes give her an inspiration and she buys them. She soon finds clues that leads Anne on a mission to uncover the shoes original owner.

In 1929, Clair Deveraux is a sheltered socialite that wants more out of life than to just be a pretty face for a future husband. She wants to go to university, but her father just wants to marry her off to someone who is twice her age for her financial well being. While looking for some items in Macy’s, she befriends a young store clerk named Winnie who leads Clair on an adventure to a speakeasy and to discovering a new era of music that can’t keep her body still. But when Clair’s father suddenly loses all their wealth in the stock market crash, she finds herself wrapped up in this new world in an effort to save her family.

This was a really fun story to relate to two different women in different eras. Both woman had different circumstances, yet were looking for fulfillment in life and each woman was able to find it. The past/present crossover storyline seems to be really picking up popularity with several readers. I have found that typically the reader relates to one character more than the other, which I think was more the case with Anne for me. There was more similarities that I could identify with based on her life, but I still enjoyed both stories. I enjoyed getting to know both woman as the author made it very easy to be able to do that. The writing was clean and the storyline was fantastic. I recommend this book to people who enjoy contemporary crossover romances and women’s fiction.

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

A Secret to Die For

A secret to die for Author: Lisa Harris

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 18, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A fun romantic suspense read with just the right amount of tension to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Grace Callahan is trying to get her life back on track. After suffering the loss of her daughter and going through a divorce, she has moved back to Dallas and is helping others as a psychologist. As the anniversary of her daughter’s death approaches, she readies herself for an emotional roller coaster. Little does she know it is about to get a lot worse. She is drawn into a major terrorist scheme involving murder, cyber hacking and the reintroduction of an old friend. Detective Nate Quinn is dealing with his own demons when he lands the case of a murder that leads him to Grace Callahan, someone he hasn’t seen or thought of in years. Finding out how deeply she is involved in the case, even without her realizing it, and trying to keep them both alive is a bit much for his first case back after being involved in a bombing that killed eighteen, including his partner. Together, Grace and Nate will have to work together to stop the cyber-attack and keep the country safe.

Lisa Harris’s newest installment is definitely one that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and questioning everything they think they know of the characters until the very end. I love when I read a romantic suspense book that is not filled with sappy romance scenes. To me, the romance is built by the tension and the way the characters come together by tackling the tough moments and coming out the other side stronger. Grace was a great character. She was strong and determined and even though she wanted to give up at times after the struggles she faced, she didn’t. I also loved that in certain scenes it might have been convenient for a big strong male character to come in and save the day didn’t happen. Grace was able to pull up her boot straps and do just fine on her own. The ending felt a little rushed and I was hoping for a little more but still not much to complain about. I hope that we can see more from these character in the future. I recommend this to readers that love Lisa Harris and romantic suspense reads. If you haven’t read anything by Lisa Harris before this would be the perfect book to get you started with her writing.

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

A Christmas by the Sea

A christmas by the sea Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 4, 2018

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

Wendy Harper and her son Jackson are driving to Seaside, Maine, the weekend before Thanksgiving to clean up and prepare her recently-inherited seaside cottage for sale. A recent widow, Wendy can use the proceeds from the sale of the cottage to pay for her late husband’s medical bills and to get herself back on solid ground financially. It’s going to be hard, considering all the summers she spent with her grandparents in that cabin, and Jackson is especially excited to be going there. Jackson assumes they are moving from their home in Cincinnati to live in Seaside full time, and she doesn’t have the heart to correct him. She herself entertains the fantasy of living in the tourist town, but she doesn’t expect to find a good income there. She definitely does not expect to find the cabin in good shape after her grandfather has done some recent updates, and more importantly, she does not expect to make so many friends so quickly. One in particular, Caleb Colton, seems to take an interest in Wendy and Jackson, and with all the work she has to do at the cottage, she is happy to accept. As she finishes her projects and comes to love the house, Wendy has to decide if she really can go back to her old life again, right before Christmas.

True to form, Melody Carlson creates a sweet story with personal conflicts that immediately garner interest from the reader. Her light writing style makes the story go quickly, leaving readers wanting more. I know that as I went through the book, I was looking forward to finding out what would happen next. The whole book was enjoyable and, while dealing with some serious concerns, still light and easy to read.

One criticism of the book comes at the end, and that is the big problem. The book unfolds nicely and does a good job of moving along at a good pace. By the end, however, everything was resolved in just a few pages. What life-changing decisions Wendy and Jackson are making are wrapped up like a bow, neat and tidy. While I am all for getting through things in an efficient manner, it seems overly simple and quick, even for a short romance novel. While I enjoyed the ending, it was all too quick and simple to overlook. That being said, I still enjoyed the book and would gladly recommend it to my friends who enjoy the genre.

There is nothing in this book that should be offensive to readers. The story is short and sweet yet still carries a strong message of hope and relating to the past. I don’t see any reason that anyone who would be interested in this book shouldn’t read it.

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

A Touch of Gold

A touch of gold Author: Annie Sullivan

Publisher: Blink YA Books

Release Date: August 14, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Filled with fun, adventure and a tale that kept me deeply intrigued by the richness of the story!

We all know the story of King Midas and his golden touch, but there is more to the story than many have heard. After his golden touch almost killed his daughter, Kora, King Midas had the golden touch taken back from him. Princess Kora still shows the effects of her father’s curse, her skin has a golden shine and she is rumored to have secret powers of her own. Afraid to be out in public, she stays hidden away in the castle and keeps her skin covered from everyone. One day, a young duke arrives and helps Kora see that there might be some in the world who won’t run in fear from her. Things turn frantic when a thief steals her father’s gold and Kora is the only person able to track him. She can sense the gold and sails off on an adventure unlike any she has ever had to keep the kingdom from falling apart and her father from fading away.

This is the first book I have read by Annie Sullivan as well as the first about King Midas. I was very intrigued by the premise of this story and it did not disappoint. Each chapter brought new characters and adventures that propelled the story ever forward. Kora was stronger than she realized, it just took being in a different location with different people for her to test her limits and see what she was capable of. I loved the way the characters naturally flowed together, regardless of if they were for or against Kora and her mission. Even the secondary characters made an impact and I felt connected to each and every one of them. There is a good bit of romance throughout but that just adds to the tension when things are not going the way the characters would like. This story is one I can truly say is driven forward with tension, what each character desires most is put in danger, and what that may be is different for each character making the story tight and true to its purpose. Overall this was a very enjoyable read and I recommend it to readers who enjoy adventure, suspense, a little romance, and a fun look at a fantastical tale.

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

Called to Protect

Called to protect Author: Lynette Eason

Series: Blue Justice #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: July 31, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

By far the best book by Lynette Eason I have read and maybe even the best book I have read all year. The tension was so crisp keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very end!

Chloe St. John is one of the top officers in the K-9 unit with her partner Hank. After a rough break up, Chloe has decided Hank is the only man she wants in her life. She and Hank have been working on a human trafficking case that has ties to her missing cousin. US. Marshall Blake MacCallum has been on protective detail of a judge in town after the judge receives death threats for his tougher stance on human trafficking. When Blake’s daughter goes missing, he receives a message telling him that if he wants to see his daughter alive he has to kill the judge. A task force is assembled to take down the people behind everything and Chloe and Blake work together to find his daughter and hopefully find answers to what happened to Chloe’s cousin.

This has got to be one of the very best romantic suspense novels I have ever read. Most of the books I read lead up to that point of biting my fingernails to see what is going to happen and then it stops the tension before it actually gets to that point, something that is truly frustrating. I usually feel that the author could have carried the action and tension a little further, even without getting gory or to a point that would turn readers away. Eason found a way in Called to Protect to make every page a nail-biting experience. I felt a connection with Chloe from the very beginning. Her passion for her job and her passion for helping those around her pulled me in and had me rooting for her to succeed. I had a few questions about Blake and if I should really connect with him at first but it didn’t take long to find that connection and root for him as well. The plot line of this story is a very sensitive subject as it deals with human trafficking. As much as we would like to say it doesn’t exist, it does and we have to do what we can to keep it from expanding. Without giving anything away, I loved how it played out. It wasn’t a quick unrealistic ending, each character brought exactly what they were supposed to at just the right moment to let the scene come together perfectly. The ending is left open for the next in the series and I feel certain it will deal with Penny, Chloe’s cousin and after the little we read of her here I can’t wait to see what more is in store for these characters. I recommend this to readers that enjoy a fast paced suspense read that is going to leave you thirsting for more.

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

The House at Saltwater Point

House at Saltwater Point Author: Colleen Coble

Series: Lavender Tides #2

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: July 3, 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

The follow up to The View from Rainshadow Bay is even more entertaining and suspenseful making it a must read and might just be Coble’s very best yet.

After learning how to fix up houses from her dad, Ellie Balckmore has turned into a house flipper in Washington state. When her sister Mackenzie disappears, Ellie knows there is more to the story and can’t believe her sister is dead. She follows the only clues left: a massive amount of blood left on her sister’s boat, indicating she went into the water and probably won’t find her body. Mackenzie has been tense with her ex-husband who is also Ellie’s partner in flipping houses. Even though Ellie doesn’t believe Mackenzie is dead, Coast Guard Intelligence officer Grayson Bradshaw is sent to investigate Mackenzie’s involvement in a cocaine theft. The one thing that unites Grayson and Ellie is the search for the truth, a fact that might bring them together or keep them far apart from each other as their feelings intensify.

After reading The View from Rainshadow Bay, I kind of felt I knew what to expect with The House at Saltwater Point, a lot of romance and a little suspense. As I read, I found myself sucked into this story much more than the previous in the series. The chemistry between Ellie and Grayson was straightforward from the beginning and brought to a whole new level with the tension they both had to deal with while trying to figure out what happened to Mackenzie. Not only did you have the suspense of what happened with Mackenzie and the romance firing up between Grayson and Ellie but we also find out a little about Grayson’s missing sister. I feel that that will be explored more during the next book because so many questions were left unanswered. Usually with unanswered questions in a book, I feel a sense of betrayal with the author, always wanting to know more of what is to come, but this was left with just the right set up for the next book. I loved that this was such a clean read with no language, no violence, but still plenty of suspense to keep the story moving forward. I can’t wait to see what will happen in the third book to bring everything full circle with what we have been building up to through these first two in the series. I recommend this book to fans of Coble and those that love a good romantic suspense read.

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

The Love Letter

The Love Letter Author: Rachel Hauck

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: June 12, 2018

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Two timelines combined with two love stories and the way Hauck brings them together is better than the best Love Letter ever written.

Chloe Daschle has become known as the queen of the death scene and is in dire need of a change. She doesn’t want to be cast in a movie to just be killed off at the end. She wants to prove she can be deeper than what is shown on screen. Romance has never been successful for her, either on screen or in real life. When Chloe is given the script for the best love story she has ever read, she knows she is perfect for the role of Esther Kingsley. The story is one of romance, war, and finding out if true love can really exist. Jesse Gates, the screenwriter, has written this based off of a one-page letter found from his ancestors. He has had rocky relationships in the past and doesn’t feel he deserves happiness. Jesse wants to be deeply involved in the film and ends up as one of the extras. During a scene with Chloe, the chemistry is undeniable and they both start to play out their own love story.

I have to admit I had just a little bit of trouble getting into this book, a fact that surprised me since I have loved Rachel Hauck’s previous books. Luckily, I didn’t give up on the story and loved how it played out in the end. The love stories, both in the past and present played out in such a way that worked beautifully for the characters and settings they were in. There were some really special moments between some of the characters, in particular between Chloe and her dad and even Jesse and Chloe’s Dad. A few moments felt a little slow, especially towards the beginning, but once the story was part way in it really picked up the pace and captured my attention until the very end. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but the ending is well worth sticking with the story. Rachel Hauck is quickly becoming one of the best romance writers out there and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. I recommend this to readers that love historical romance and a love story that spans time.

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