On Love's Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson

How can Natalie go back to the place that she tried so hard to get away from? 







Hey Readers, I have another fantastic book for you to check out, My latest addition to my "Must Read" list is On Loves Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson. So this is book three of the Prince Edward Island Dreams series and it is a Contemporary Romance set in beautiful Prince Edward Island ,Canada.  I would recommend this book if you:

• Like to watch Hallmark movies, 
• Are looking for a sweet romance novel,
• Like to read books by Jody Hedlund and/or Becky Wade,
• Have read the first two books in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series. 
• Just want to check out a new book. 

So here is the story, 

On Loves Gentle Shore is the story of Natalie O'Ryan who is getting married and just found out that her fiance planned their wedding at her childhood home of Prince Edward Island, Canada.  Unfortunately she did not leave the island on good terms.  She had a rough childhood and her family was always the "talk of the town" . So she ran away without telling anyone, not even her best friend Justin Kane and now fifteen years later she has to face everyone that she left. 

Justin Kane was shocked when he found out his old friend Natalie was coming back to the Island and he did not want to see her. Not after she broke his heart when he was seventeen by disappearing off the face of the earth. They had made plans together, When they were older, they were going to go to Nashville and he was going to record music and she would be finally be away from the Island but then she disappeared and his Dad died and he got stuck working on their Dairy Farm.  But when he sees her at the local cafe, he is shocked at how beautiful and grown up she looked and yet she looked just like he remembered. Natalie was equally shocked to see Justin but did not know what to say to him so she decided to do what she did fifteen years before... She ran away. Unfortunately the place where they were going to have the reception became unavailable so the only place on the Island that she could have her wedding reception would be a barn on Justin's property. Natalie decides that the barn will work as long as she does not have to talk to or work with Justin because it hurts too much. But when her fiance has to leave the island due to issues with his company, She is given no choice but to work with Justin. But as they worked together, They both start to remember why they were such good friends and questions start to circle in Natalie's mind. Did her fiance really love who she really was or did he fall in love with the girl she pretended to be? As the wedding draws near Justin struggles with his feelings.  Now that his anger with Natalie has subsided,  How can he help his best friend get married to someone else when he is in love with her?


What did I think?
So as I mentioned before, This is book three of the Prince Edward Island Series but it definitely could be read as a stand alone.  The author presents such a beautiful story that it grabs you from the first page and does not let go until the end. Though the end was a bit predictable ( kind of like a Hallmark movie) I thoroughly enjoyed the journey getting there. I love the way the Author describes the Island, especially the view from the lighthouse. When you read it, you can almost feel the breeze and hear the waves hitting the rocks near the shore.  I loved the side story of forgiveness, love and redemption that was weaved in through out the story, especially between Natalie and her father. Overall I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. *****


If you would like to check out this book or the previous books in the series, ( The Red Door Inn and Where Two Hearts Meet)  here is the link: 
http://www.lizjohnsonbooks.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.

A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White

She's out to steal his name, Will he steal her heart instead?










Hey Readers, I am so excited to share this book with you because it was written by one of my favorite authors, Roseanna M. White and it has definitely earned a place on my "Must Read List".  A Name Unknown is Historical Fiction story set in Europe around the start of World War 1. I would recommend this book if you:

• have read any of Roseanna M. White's books, 
• have read books by Kristi Ann Hunter and/or Sarah E Ladd,
• want to read an interesting story about a thief who set out to steal a name,
• want to start a new series.

So here is the story.
A Name Unknown is the story of Rosemary Gresham, An orphan who has been living on the streets in London for years. The only way she could find to support herself and her "family' (a band of orphan kids who all look out for each other) was to become a thief. So after years and years, Rosemary and her siblings had become very good at what they did, so good in fact that Rosemary attracted the attention of Mr. V.  (An unknown client who stays in the shadows and knows a creepy amount of information about Rosemary and her siblings) When Mr. V. approached Rosemary with an offer that she could not refuse, she quickly agrees to his terms. The job seems easy; all she has to do is prove that Peter Holstein is loyal to Germany and not to Britain... She just has to steal his name.
Peter Holstein is tired of people judging him. Just because his last name is German, does not mean that he is not loyal to Britain, but because he avoids people and prefers living isolated, People have labeled him an enemy to his country. He was told that he needed to find some documents that proved that he was a British subject or he would be relocated for the duration of the war. When a “Librarian” named Rosemary Gresham approaches him looking for a job, he knew that God had sent her to help him. So he hires her immediately. Surely with her help, they should be able to find the papers that he was sure was hidden in   “The Cave” (The Cave was his library, and he called it that because it was so full of books that it was actually one of the darkest rooms in the house) As Rosemary starts the daunting task of going through the library and sorting it, She is beyond frustrated that she cannot seem to find anything but old books and pieces of paper that Mr. Holstein writes gibberish on. But as time passes and Rosemary gets to know Peter, she finds that Peter is different than any Gentlemen she has ever met and though he may be strange and a hermit, she knows that he is good and is not the traitor people believe him to be. The problem was that Mr. V. hired her to prove that Peter was a traitor and to bring him evidence, but if she does not produce the evidence he requested, will Mr. V. harm her family or have them arrested?
 But if she found evidence that she could use, could she live with herself if she were to present Peter as the traitor he is not?



So What Did I Think?
This is the first book in the Shadows Over England series and I am so excited about this series. The plot was intriguing with heartfelt struggles, bits of humor and  of course a hint of romance. I loved the characters, Peter who is the perfect gentlemen, always looking out for others but sometimes living in another world and Rosemary who is a thief who struggles between what she has to do and what her family has always done and believing that God knew her name and could love her even though she was a thief.  Her biggest struggle was the decision  to turn in her friend or potentially end up in jail. Though the book was long ( 426 pages to be exact) it never dragged or seemed boring. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the book and would recommend it to anyone who likes Historical Fiction. Overall I give it 5 out of 5 stars*****

Hey, Don't forget to check out Mrs White's other fantastic books, especially the Ladies of the Manor series ( one of my FAVORITE series) . Here is the link:
http://www.roseannamwhite.com/books


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.

Over Maya Dead Body by Sandra Orchard

Crime Does 
Not Take a Vacation...







Hey Readers,
I bring you another book that was recently added to my "Must Read " list, Over Maya Dead Body by Sandra Orchard. It is the exciting conclusion of the Serena Jones Mystery series and this one is set in the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.
I would recommend this book if you:

• Want to read a intriguing mystery with a hint of romance and a touch of humor.
• like to read books by Lisa Harris and/or Nancy Mehl (This book has a bit more humor then books by Lisa H. or Nancy M. but still the story lines are similar )
• Have read the first two books in the series, A Fool and his Monet and Another Day, Another Dali
• Just want to read a good story. 

So first I know the title is weird but the story is not,  I have seen this type of "play on words" with all of the books in this series (  and I think it is very clever )

 Anyway here is the story...
FBI Special Agent Serena Jones and her family decide to spend their annual summer vacation with a family friend at Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. But when they arrive they discover that their friend had been in an accident and was killed. The police believe it was a hiking accident, but Serena believes it may have involved foul play.  But as Serena starts to look into the “accident” it quickly becomes evident that someone does not want her investigating. Within hours of her investigation someone tries to run her and her father over. Serena quickly gets the message... Her friends death was an accident and she was to keep her nosy self out of it, but there are too many things that just don’t add up, Where was her cousin Ben? Why did he lie about not being in town  when he returned before the accident ? Is he in trouble or is he the trouble?

As Serena attempts to find answers, She has another problem thrown on her plate. Her friend Nate and her partner Tanner have both come to her rescue, The issue is she did not need saving, Especially from these two who are fighting for her attention.  Now not only is she missing her vacation to ensure justice for her friend but she has to keep her two best friends from attacking each other!
All of the leads they have found, seems to say that this was part of an Antiquities smuggling ring, but was their friend trying to stop it or was he part of it?

It appears that the trouble they stumbled in, may be a lot bigger then they thought, Will they be able to stay the course and solve the case before anyone else gets hurt?


What Did I think? 
So as I mentioned before, this is book 3 in the Serena Jones Mystery series and I LOVED it. Even though it is part of a series, It also could be read as a standalone but it is even better if you have read the first two books. It is written in the first person and it is so well written that it is like Serena is telling the story to you.  I love the fun, kind-of clueless romance that Serena finds herself thrown in and then ( finally) She has to chose between her two best friends. There was very mild violence ( very, very little) and nothing graphic.  The plot started at the first page  and with several twists and turns, did not stop until the very last page. Overall  I loved the book and was sad to discover that this is the final book in the series. But I am hopeful of starting another amazing new series by this author. Overall, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars *****


If you want to check out this book or any of Sandra Orchards other fantastic books, here is the link:
http://sandraorchard.com/my-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.

Heart On The Line by Karen Witemeyer

When Danger Arrives, Its More Than Just Her Heart On The Line...









Hey Readers, I have a wonderful new book for you to check out by one of my favorite authors, Karen Witemeyer!  Her latest book, Heart on the Line is a Historical Romance novel set in the fictional western town of Harper's Station TX.
I would recommend this book if you:

• Would like to read a heartfelt romance story with just the right touch of humor.
• Like to read books by Mary Connealy and Regina Jennings.
• Have read any of the previous books in the Ladies of Harper's Station series.
• Want to read a great book that captures your attention with the prologue and does not let go until the very last page. 

So here is the story, 

Grace Mallory is hiding in plain sight. She came to Harper's Station to hide from the man who killed her father because he knows that she was given the evidence of his crime. She has finally settled in this small town but is worried that she will bring danger to her friends.  She finds a bit of comfort in doing her job as a telegraph operator because it has been her passion for years. She enjoys talking with people clear across the country but she really looks forward to her conversations with her friend Mr. A.  She does not know anything about him except that he is from Denison TX, has a sister and a young nephew and he is not married.  It may sound strange but she has become very good friends with her anonymous friend.

Amos Bledsoe was not the husband every girl was looking for, Well at least in his city. He is a skinny telegraph operator who prefers to riding a bicycle instead of riding a horse and likes to dress in a suit instead of jeans and boots. He has tried to talk to several young ladies but they all have snubbed him or made fun of his habits. The only girl he enjoys conversing with is his mysterious friend on the telegraph line, Miss G. (Grace) from Harper's Station. The only problem is that he does not know anything about her. He does not know if she is married, widowed, single, ugly, pretty, young or old. During one of their conversations,  Miss G. receives an urgent message that seems to suggest that she is in danger.  He offers to help but she does not respond. After much prayer, he immediately travels to Harper's Station to rescue this damsel in distress and is shocked when he finally meets her and she is so much more then he expected. 

Grace is amazed that her friend Mr. A.  ( now he will be known as Amos) came all the way from Denison to protect her.  She is touched by how much he cares about her when he has never actually met her and is now worried about the danger he put himself in.  She enlists his help going over the evidence to see if he can discover what her father had found. While they are investigating, a Pinkerton Agent comes to town stating that he is the agent who was meeting her father on the day he died. Both Grace and Amos are suspicious of this newcomer because his stories are not lining up. Is he really who he says he is? 

As the residents of Harper's Station pull together to protect Grace, will they be able fight this evil that has been haunting their friend and killed her father?

Now that Amos knows the extent of the danger Grace is in, will he choose to go back home or fight to save her? 

What did I think? 

So this is book two of the Ladies of Harper's Station series but it could also be read as a stand alone. I LOVED everything about this book; The cover is absolutely beautiful and I love the Morse code detail around the title. The characters are fantastic, especially Grace, Amos and Helen . The plot has a touch of suspense and the perfect amount of humor and romance. I loved that when Grace confronts the villain she uses scripture, not only to remind herself of God's promises but to remind the villain who was ultimately in control.  Overall I think this might be the best book Karen Witemeyer has written so far and I would give it more then this but it is the most I can give. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars*****


If you would like to check out this book or any of her amazing books- Here is the link;
http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/books.html

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.

Freedom's Price by Christine Johnson

When an incredible secret comes to light, Both Catherine and Tom will face a choice: Grip their dreams tighter or step forward in faith...






Hey Readers, I have a wonderful new book for you to check out.  Freedom's Price by Christine Johnson is a Historical Romance story set in Key West and in New Orleans in the 1800's. I would recommend this book if you:

• Like Historical Mystery with a dash of romance. 
• Like to read books by Jamie Carie and Kathleen Y'Barbo.
• Have read the first 2 books in the  Keys of Promise series. 
• Want to read a great book,

So here is the story. 

Freedom's Price is the story of Catherine Hayes, a young Englishwoman who has lost her parents and now has lost her home. Realizing that there is nothing left for her in England; she decides to cross the ocean in search for her mother's relatives in America. ( Her mother was from Louisiana ) She is able to secure passage on the Justinian with her friend (and captain's wife ) Mrs. Durning to Jamaica, but before they are able to arrive in Jamaica, the ship is caught in a horrible storm. The wind and waves blew hard against the ship but they were able to withstand the severity of the storm with only damage to the mainmast. The issue was that because they were demasted, they were going to have to accept the offer of Wrecker and pilot Tom Worthington to pilot the ship across the reef and into the harbor at Key west safely. Catherine is immediately intrigued by Tom - with his pirate-like ways and his impish grin, but she does not have time to get to know him because she has to find her family...

Tom's gaze found Catherine's as soon as he boarded the Justinian. He is immediately impressed by her wit and courage but is troubled when he finds out that she means to go to New Orleans unaccompanied. When he discovers that she is looking for a person from her past by the name of  "DeMornay"  who has a large scar on one side of his face, He is shocked! Tom is also looking for someone from his past who may have played a part in his father's death. The man was known as "Mornez" and he also was said to have a large scar on one side of his face.  It cannot be coincidence that the names are so similar and that both people have the same scar on his face so Tom comes up with a plan to escort her, but it may cost him his job.. After much debate, Catherine allows Tom to escort her and when they arrive in New Orleans Catherine is glad she did not go on the trip alone. When  they arrived at her family plantation Chêne Noir  they are shocked by the condition of the place. With rumors surrounding the plantation and the dark activities that happen there, Will they encounter more than they bargained for?   Will Tom let go of his need for revenge to save the girl he has fallen in love with?
It appears that darkness and evil surround the plantation and it's activities, But the real danger started when they were allowed inside...
       
So what did I think?
First this is book 3 in the Keys of Promise series but I read it as a stand alone and enjoyed it immensely. The book was intriguing from the beginning and just kept going until the very last page. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I am looking forward to reading more of them, ( starting with the first 2 books in the series) There is a bit of suspense at the end but no graphic violence. I enjoyed the witty conversations between Tom and Catherine, and the mystery regarding the plantation. During the middle of the book, you can almost sense the danger that Catherine is in but it is not until the very end that you see the full extent of it. Overall, I loved the book and I rate it 5 out of 5 stars *****

Hey Readers, If you want to check this book or the beginning of the series, here is the link: http://www.christineelizabethjohnson.com/keys-of-promise-.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.