Too Far Down by Mary Connealy

With Danger Drawing Ever Closer... The Boden Clan Risk Losing Their Ranch Forever.

Hey Readers, Happy Fall.

Wow, I cannot believe that October will be over in just a few hours. It seems that the year is quickly coming to an end and I still have so much to do. Well even though we are busy,  we still have to make time for the little things ( like reading God's word, family, friends and of course... reading books!) and if you are looking for a new book to read this fall, I have the amazing, action-packed conclusion to The Cimarron Legacy Series by Mary Connealy! 

I would recommend Too Far Down if you: 

• Have read any books by Mary Connealy ( especially in The Cimarron Legacy Series).
• Have read books by Karen Witemeyer and Regina Jennings.
• Like a good western story with a lot of action and a bit of romance. 
• Want to read a awesome new story. 

So on to the story, 

Too Far Down is the story of Cole Boden,who is struggling to find where he belongs. He grew up in New Mexico with his family  but moved to Massachusetts with his maternal grandparents to attend college.  Because of his father's will that states that all of the Boden siblings must live at home for an entire year or else they forfeit their ranch and the family legacy, Cole is living at his family's ranch and is in charge of the family gold mines. The book starts with an explosion in the mines that traps several miners and kills 6. Cole is seriously injured but continues to help with rescuing the miners until he collapses due to a head injury. He is sure that this latest attack on his family is related to the ongoing plot to kill his family and take over their family's ranch. As the family investigates the explosions they come to the conclusion that the explosions were deliberate and the 6 miners that were killed, were killed intentionally and so the mystery deepens. Who were those men they hired and who murdered them?  Cole needs to rent the mines to 6 people he trusts so he partners with his neighbor and rents the mines to his neighbors ranch hands... It would have been perfect except one of the "ranch hands" was his neighbor Mel who he is attracted to but will not "court" because of his uncertainty about where he is going to live. 

Melanie Blake has been a friend to the Boden family for years. She is a cowgirl who is more comfortable around horses then people. She is frustrated by this growing attraction to her neighbor Cole,  because he is a refined Harvard graduate and the complete opposite of who she thought she would be attracted to.  When she arrived at the Boden mines after the explosion, she is shocked by the injuries but immediately jumps in to help. When she hears that Cole needs 6 people to rent the cabins and mines that the 6 men who died left, she immediately volunteers to stay. As the Boden family uncover clues about the people plotting against them, they find a strange link to the past. Cole's grandparents are mentioned on a note that one of the people involved in a previous attack had on them but they could not understand the remaining scribbles on the note. Cole is confused because he loved his grandparents and never wanted to think ill of them but was it possible that their hatred for his dad and his family was enough for them to try to steal their ranch away?  

Mel is determined to help the Boden's fight this deadly force and hopefully put an end to this madness, But will this latest threat be worse then anyone expects? 

In this exciting conclusion to The Cimarron Legacy, when all the hidden agendas and malicious plots are exposed, Will the Boden's be able to finally defeat this enemy or will this be the end of the family's legacy? 

Guess you will have to read the book to find out! 

So, what did I think? 

So as I mentioned before, this is the last book in the Cimarron Legacy series but it could be read as a standalone.  ( It would be best if you read all the books though because it is a fantastic story)  The story is filled with everything, romance, danger and even a bit of humor. I love the overall plot and enjoyed reading about Mel and Cole's relationship, But my favorite part was how all of the events in the series started with their father's will and even though it seemed annoying and horrible at the time, It started a chain reaction that blessed every single person in the family.  To sum the whole story up I will quote Cole in the later part of the book 

"Because of you (father), we were together to face the trouble as one, which made all the difference. You didn't punish us with that last will and testament-- you saved us" - Cole Boden, Too Far Down by Mary Connealy.                                                                               

 I am both excited to have read the book and saddened because it is the end to an amazing series, Overall I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars. *****

Hey-
Don't forget to check out all of Mary Connealy's books, Here is the link!
http://maryconnealy.com/



If you want to check out this series, but are unsure if you would like it, The prequel book to this series is FREE!!! 
Here is the link to download her free ebook, The Boden Birthright. 
http://maryconnealy.com/the-boden-birthright/





Happy Reading :)

  I would like to thank Bethany House for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy. I was not asked to write a favorable review, Just a honest one.

Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley

"If he took the card and saw my face when I put the card on the desk, Then he knows who the Phantom Hawk is." - Kelsey Allen-Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley





Hey Readers,
Here is book three of my Fall "Must Reads" and it is probably my favorite of the three books I have showed you ( so far anyway, there are some awesome books coming out later this month) Justice Buried by Patricia Bradley is a intriguing " Who did it?" Romantic Suspense novel set in beautiful downtown Memphis.
I would recommend this book if you:

• Like any of Patricia Bradley's books or have read the first book in the  Memphis Cold Case series "Justice Delayed".
• Like to solve mysteries. 
• Like to read books by Lynette Eason and/or Lisa Harris.
• Want to read a intriguing Romantic Suspense story with twists and turns. 
• Just want to check out a new book or author.

So here is the story 

Justice Buried is the story of Kelsey Allen who is trying to get her newly started Security Consulting business up and running.  Since she is an experienced rock climber and a "white-hat" hacker, She approaches a business and asks permission to break into the company to show them any weaknesses in their security. She is hired to check out the security of the Turner Accounting services building downtown. So one night she climbs the 14 floor building and slips in through a open window and leaves her card on the desk to let them know that the "Phantom Hawk" had infiltrated their security. But as Kelsey was leaving the building she sees a silhouette of a man in a office below. She went to investigate when the silhouette turned and she heard the sound of a gun and realized the man was shooting at her! She quickly climbed to the roof and hid behind a garbage can praying that the man would not see her.  She makes it out of the building and safely home but she is still wondering who shot at her? 

Kelsey is hired shortly after for another job, this time at the Pink Palace (a History Museum). She was to go undercover as the Museum Curator and try to find out who is stealing artifacts from the Museum Archives. Her first "mission" was to attend a benefit dinner at the museum and get to know the people who work at the museum to make a list of potential suspects. As Kelsey was learning about the dinner, she discovers that her mother set up a blind date for her with  Detective Brad Hollister who she had a crush on when they were in high school. After enjoying the dinner with Brad, Kelsey decides to test the museum's security because of the extra challenge of the people at the dinner below.  Kelsey easily broke into the building and left her card as usual but within minutes of her exiting the building, They discover that the head of security was murdered! Kelsey is worried that since she left the card, the police would think she did it. But now Kelsey has something else to worry about, It appears that the murderer saw her put the card on the desk and he knows who she is. Will Kelsey be his next target?  
Brad is surprised by Kelsey because she was always so snotty when they were in high school, but she seems so different now.  As he talks with her throughout the dinner, he finds himself oddly attracted to her but he cannot understand why.  As he starts his new position in the cold case division, he decides to look up the case on Kelsey's father who disappeared over 20 years prior. Did he really run away with several antiques from the museum or was his disappearance because of foul play?
When Kelsey's life is threatened, Brad and the other detectives join forces to protect Kelsey, but if it comes down to it.. Would Brad risk his life to save Kelsey?


What did I think?
So this is the second book in the Memphis Cold Case series but it also could be read as a stand-alone because the characters in the first book are minor/side characters in this book.  I loved the relationship between Kelsey and Brad because though it was evident that they both were developing feelings for each other, the book was not overly romantic. There was a strange part of weird modern medical practices (a Psychiatrist) but it was only for a page or two. I loved all of the twist and turns in the plot and how it kept you guessing until the very end. Overall I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars*****


Want to check out Mrs Bradley's other books?
 Here is the link for you to take a look:
http://ptbradley.com/books/



Happy Reading :)

  I would like to thank Revell , A division of Baker Publishing Group for allowing me to review this book in exchange for a free copy, I was not required to write a favorable review, just an honest one.

All She Left Behind by Jane Kirkpatrick

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens"        -Ecclesiastes 3:1

Hey Readers, Here is Book 2 of my Fall "Must Reads"  list,  All She Left Behind by Jane Kirkpatrick.

This book is an interesting Historical/Romance story set in the Oregon Frontier around the year 1870.
I would recommend this book if you:

• Have read any of Jane Kirkpatrick's books before. 
• Like to read books by Janette Oke and Karen Kingsbury. 
• Like to watch Hallmark movies, 
• Want to read a sweet story about a unlikely romance blossoming out of adversity.

So here is the story, 
All She Left Behind is the story of Jennie Pickett, a young mother who dreams of becoming a doctor. Ever since she was young, she loved to learn about the healing properties of herbs and oils. Her husband Charles was not supportive of her dream because he saw it as an extra expense that they did not need. Jennie noticed that Charles was changing. He was not the same man that she married six years before so she decided to keep an eye on him, especially around their three year old son.  When she found him upstairs one night completely drunk and her son by himself, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She figured that there was outside influences where they were currently living that made Charles go astray so she moved her family into their own place far away from outside influences of alcohol and drugs. Jennie hoped that she would be able to help Charles beat his addiction with the help of the herbs and oils she created. Unfortunately Charles came to her one night soon after they moved in to their new home to let her know that he filed for divorce so she could be free of him and then he disappeared with all their belongings leaving Jennie and their son with nothing. Jennie refused to let her circumstances ruin her life and found a job nursing a older woman so she could support herself and her son. After some time though, her patient dies leaving Jennie to care for her friend/patient's husband. While going through her friend/patients belongings with the widowed husband, Jennie discovers that she has allowed herself to fall in love with him. After waiting a respectable amount of time, they get married and their unlikely romance blossoms into something beautiful.
Will Jennie finally be able to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor or will she find happiness and fulfillment in having a family and a husband that loves her?

So what did I think? 
So this is the first book I have ever read by Mrs. Kirkpatrick and it was very different that I am used to. I love reading a Historical fiction story but this was more like a romance novel to me. The plot was good and the book was well written and full of historical details  You cannot do anything except admire the faith and perseverance that Jennie had especially in those days after her husband left her.  The story reminds me of a Janette Oke story or a movie that would play on Hallmark. Not quite my "cup of tea" but overall it was a good book. Overall I rate the book 3 out of 5 stars. ***

Hey, The Author has some amazing historical background research on her website including some herbal remedies, Here is the link if you want to check it out. 

http://jkbooks.com/Book%20Pages/AllSheLeftBehind.html

Happy Reading :) 

  I would like to thank Revell , A division of Baker Publishing Group for allowing me to review this book in exchange for a free copy, I was not required to write a favorable review, just an honest one.

Crisis Shot by Janice Cantore

"I have to trust God, or nothing in this life would make sense," Oliver's words reverberated in Tess's thoughts as she drove back to the station. How did you trust someone-or something, for that matter- you couldn't really be certain was there? - Chief Tess O'Rourke, Crisis Shot by Janice Cantore





Hey Readers,
Happy October!
Don't you just love Fall? With its wonderful breezes and the beautiful colors?  I find that it is the perfect weather to sit outside with a cup of hot tea ( or coffee ) a blanket and of course a book! So if you need some ideas I am going to tell you about three fantastic new "Must Reads" for your Fall Tbr (To be read) pile.  My first "Must Read for Fall is Crisis Shot by Janice Cantore.

I would recommend this book if you:

• Like to read "Criminal Fiction" stories.
• Like to watch investigative Criminal TV shows like CSI or Blue Bloods. 
• Want to read a very realistic (fiction) book that includes the struggles a Police officer may face. 
• Just want to sit and read a interesting story. 

So here is the story, 
Crisis Shot is the story of Tess O'Rourke who is the Commander of the East Division in Long Beach, CA. She dreams of becoming the first Female Chief in Long Beach but unfortunately she was thrown a major curve ball. One night she hears a call over the radio stating that a officer was in danger and since she was close by, immediately responded. When she arrived on the scene she saw the officer being attacked by three individuals so she ordered them to put their weapons down. Two ran but one stayed and was trying to wrestle the now unconscious officer's gun off his belt.  Tess fearing for the life of both herself and the officer shot the teen, Fatally wounding him. Unfortunately there was a blogger there who took pictures and twisted the story making it look like Tess was a "Power-hungry commander" who killed a teen for no reason.  Tess was put on leave while there was a investigation into the shooting. During the days after the shooting, The blogger managed to make Tess into Public Enemy #1 and the media ate the story up. People starting rioting outside the station, Trashing the outside of her apartment complex and rioting in the streets. Tess was given a choice, Look for another job or retire early. Tess was shocked and hurt that because she did her job and saved the life of the other officer, she was potentially being told to quit or be fired.  She applied for several Police departments around the country because she wanted to stay in law enforcement but no one would give her a chance because of her reputation ( The shooting). Finally she receives word that she got the job as Chief of Police in Rogue's Hollow, OR.
Tess is determined to prove to the people of Rogue's Hollow that she has the ability to get the job done. But when they discover someone was shot, The people of the town quickly doubt her abilities. Tess finds an unlikely ally in  Deputy Steve Logan and together they try to track down Rogue's Hollow's first murderer. But then Tess's friend Anna goes missing. The townspeople are really concerned that they picked the wrong person for the job, Can Tess show them that she is not the person the media portrayed her as?
Will Tess and Logan find Anna before the Town Counsel removes her from her position?

What did I think? 

So this is the first book in the Line of Duty Series and I am looking forward to reading the next book. The story has a very realistic plot and it really makes you think about those Police Officers you see on the news in situations similar to the one Tess finds her self in. I feel selfish to write this, but I don't think I have ever thought about how those officers feel or how that one decision may have changed their lives. Anyway, This book has a very interesting plot that starts at page 1 and keeps you intrigued until the very last page.  I really enjoyed reading about Tess and her perseverance even though it seemed as if the world was against her. I also liked the friendship between her and Deputy Logan.   There is a very small bit of romance and no graphic descriptions of crimes committed.  Overall I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. ****

Interesting fact, The author is a retired Police Officer from Long Beach CA and she uses her 22 years of experience on the force to add authenticity to her stories! If you would like to check out her other books ( like Drawing Fire or Burning Proof)  you can by clicking on the link below: 

http://www.janicecantore.com/books/

 Happy Reading :)

I would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was not asked to write a favorable review, Just a honest one.