Storing Up Trouble by Jan Turano – 4 Stars

This book had some laugh out loud moments.  It moved along quickly was an easy read and had romance, history, science, and a mystery all mixed up together.  What more could you ask for!  Fun reading about the beginnings of Marshall Fields.  They sure didn’t pay much and the rules for working there I wouldn’t have made it.  Fun read, I would recommend it. 

I received this book in the kindle format from NetGalley.com as an advanced read copy.  My comments and thoughts on this book are my own and freely given, not required. 

Description as found on NetGalley.com

When Miss Beatrix Waterbury's Chicago-bound train ride is interrupted by a heist, Mr. Norman Nesbit, a man of science who believes his research was the target of the heist, comes to her aid. Despite the fact that they immediately butt heads, they join forces to make a quick escape.

Upon her arrival in Chicago, Beatrix is surprised to discover her supposedly querulous Aunt Gladys shares her own suffragette passions. Encouraged by Gladys to leave her sheltered world, Beatrix begins working as a salesclerk at the Marshall Field and Company department store. When she again encounters Norman on a shopping expedition, he is quickly swept up in the havoc she always seems to attract.

But when another attempt is made to part Norman from his research papers, and it becomes clear Beatrix's safety is also at risk, they soon discover the curious way feelings can grow between two very different people in the midst of chaos.

Love’s Mountain Quest by Misty M Beller - Four Stars

A young widow with a five-year-old son finds that he’s been kidnapped along with the woman watching him.  They were taken after a man is killed and they happened to see the gunman doing the killing.  Joanna enlists Isaac to take her to try and get them back.  They travel through very rough territory and Isaac soon has to reveal a secret about his past that will change how Joanna feels about him. He promised Joanna to get her son back and hopefully the other woman, and he’ll do just that no matter what happens.  They travel through such difficult terrain and he is injured, at that point I didn’t think he would be able to keep traveling.  I was quite invested in the characters in the book and wanted to continue reading all the way to the end to see how it would end.  There is a bit of a romance, the book is faith based, and based on the old west.  It was quite a yarn.  I gave it four stars.

I was given the book as an advance reader copy in the kindle format from NetGalley.com.  I wasn’t required to give a review and the thoughts and opinions on this book are my own and freely given.
#LovesMountainQuest. #NetGalley.com.

Description as found on NetGalley.com:

Young widow Joanna Watson is struggling to make a new home for her five-year-old son, Samuel, in the little mountain town of Settler's Fort. When she returns home from work to find Samuel and the woman watching him missing, with no lawman in town, she enlists a man she prays has enough experience in this rugged country to help.

Isaac Bowen wants nothing more than a quiet, invisible life in these mountains, far away from the bad decisions of his past. But he has a strong suspicion of who's behind the kidnapping, and if he's right, he knows all too well the evil they're chasing.

As they press on against the elements, Joanna fights to hold on to hope, while Isaac knows a reckoning is coming. They find encouragement in the tentative trust that grows between them, but whether it can withstand the danger and coming confrontation is far from certain in this wild, unpredictable land.

Line by Line by Jennifer Delamere - 4 Stars

I really enjoyed this book.  The author had done an extensive dip into the history of telegraphy.  As I was a dancer in a past life, the character in this book explaining how to dance using Morse Code to hear the beats in music was genius. The book had history, a picture of what it was like to work in an office as a woman in that century, romance and a bit of Christian values.  The spinster’s handbook included in the story with its tips and tricks of the time and how the character used what she read in it on the men around her was very fun.  Reading how she had that backfire on her was rather a fun twist also.  The book held my interest and I finished it easily in one day.  I’ve read books by this author before and she always has more than just a simple romance, she likes to include more in her books to keep you learning also as you are reading.  She always does her research!

I received the book as an advance reader’s copy in the kindle format from NetGalley.com.  My opinions of the books and comments are my own and freely given.  They weren’t required in order to receive the book.  #LineByLine #NetGalley 

Description as found on NetGalley.com:

Alice McNeil resolved at a young age to travel through life unencumbered by love or marriage, free to make her own decisions. A seasoned telegrapher, she's recently acquired a coveted position at an important trading firm, but when the company's ambitious junior director returns to London, things begin to change in ways Alice could never have imagined.

For Douglas Shaw, years of hard work and ingenuity enabled him to escape a life of grinding poverty. He's also determined to marry into high society--a step that will ensure he never returns to the conditions of his past.

He and Alice form a friendly relationship based on mutual respect, but anything deeper is not in their plans. However, when Alice accidentally raises the ire of a jealous and vindictive coworker who's intent on ruining her life, Alice and Douglas are forced to confront what is truly important in their lives. Will their growing bond give them the courage to risk finding a better way?

A Simple Wedding by Leigh Duncan - 4 Stars

An enjoyable romp of a book. Easily finished in one day.  I was kept interested in the storyline and in the characters.  I wanted to get to the end to find out how it finished although I had guessed part of the ending it was enjoyable.  I would recommend the book for a light read.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t make a movie of it.  I gave this book four stars.  


I received an advance read kindle format of this book through Netgalley.com.  There was no requirement that I leave a review, all thoughts and comments are my own freely given.  #ASimpleWedding #NetGalley.com

Description as found on NetGalley.com

Fall in love with Heart’s Landing, a romantic wedding destination, in the first book of a Hallmark series.

Jenny always dreamed of getting married at Heart’s Landing. But when she finally visits the charming small town, she’s there to make wedding arrangements for someone else: her cousin, who also happens to be her boss and a famous movie star. To keep the event secret and avoid a media circus, Jenny pretends she’s the one getting married.

Nick is intrigued by this bride-to-be who starts visiting his bakery every afternoon for sweet treats and conversation. He has to keep reminding himself that she’s already spoken for.

As Jenny deals with her cousin’s ever-changing demands, she tries to hide her attraction to Nick. Planning this wedding couldn’t be more complicated…and what will happen once the truth comes to light?

This funny, heartwarming romance includes a free original recipe for the best-ever Lemon Bars.

Take The Lead - Shelley Shepard Gray - The Dance With Me Series - 5 Stars

Take The Lead – Shelley Shepard Gray’s – The Dance With Me Series

Having been a dancer for several years and one still at heart I did enjoy reading this book and loved all of the little descriptions of different dance styles and quotes at the start of each chapter.  I did enjoy the characters in this book, they worked so well together and I was disappointed when the book ended.  I would read more of Shelly Shepard Gray’s Dance With Me Series and will be following her new books as they come out.  I love finding a new author!

I received this book in kindle format from NetGalley.com.  The thoughts above and comments on this book are my own and weren’t required in order to receive a copy of the book.  #TakeTheLead. #NetGalley

Description as found on Netgalley.com:

The new novel in New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray's The Dance With Me Series

Growing up in foster care, Officer Traci Lucky had a rough start to life, but things are looking up now that she’s found a place in Bridgeport with two sisters she never knew she had. One night while on the job Traci finds Gwen, a pregnant teen caught up in a dangerous world of drugs, and takes her straight to the hospital. There Traci encounters the oh-so-charming Dr. Matt Rossi, who surprises Traci with his compassion—and his movie-star good looks.

A busy ob-gyn with a huge, meddling Italian family, Matt Rossi hasn’t had much time for love in his life. All that changes when he meets the beautiful Officer Lucky. He’s intrigued by her strength and the kind heart she tries to hide beneath her tough exterior.

When Matt confides that he needs to learn to waltz for his brother’s wedding, Traci reveals that her sister happens to be a ballroom dance teacher. Next thing they know, Matt and Traci are juggling busy careers, helping young Gwen with her pregnancy and personal safety, and learning to waltz together. But when Gwen’s escalating problems threaten to put all of them in danger, they wonder if they’ll ever find time for a little romance too.

Shelley Shepard Gray takes us back to Bridgeport, Ohio, a town where family comes in all different shapes and sizes, love has no limits, and community means everyone deserves a little help when they’re lost.

A Million Little Lies by Bette Lee Crosby - 4 Stars

I do love Bette Lee Crosby’s books and this one didn’t disappoint.  As someone whose very life growing up, had a life that I wanted to tell lies about, I understood this character very much.  I’m honest to a fault but I was able to find some things I connected with in the character of Suzanna Duff.  She starts telling lies after her Mother died when she was ten years old, and her Daddy starting coming home very drunk and out of control.  Suzanna was very lonely and she started lying to cover for her life when she is young and that grew out of control as she grew older.  Her lies threaten to destroy her life and she has to come to terms with it.  The book was a good read, with well fleshed out characters and a storyline that kept me going as Betty Lee Crosby’s books do.

I received this book free in the kindle format from Netgalley.com.  My comments and thoughts on this book are my own and I was not required to write a review in exchange for the book.  #AMillionLittleLies #NetGalley.com

Description as found on NetGalley.com:

A lifetime of lies, and a truth too painful to tell.

When Suzanna Duff was ten years old, she lost her mama, and that’s when the lies began. At first, they were just harmless little fibs, a way to hide her unbearable loneliness and the truth about a daddy who came home rip-roaring drunk every night. But in time, the lies grew bigger and now, when she is a grown woman with a daughter of her own, they threaten to destroy everything she loves.

The irony of this situation is that Suzanna never planned to stay in Georgia, she was simply passing through, looking for a fresh start in New Jersey. Attending that wake with her daughter Annie, was a fluke. An opportunity to enjoy a free meal. It should have entailed nothing more than a solemn nod and a brief expression of sympathy but, Ida Parker, the grieving widow mistook her for her the granddaughter who was carried off as an infant. Too embarrassed to do anything else, Suzanna played along. What harm was there in pretending to be someone else for a few hours? Hours turned into days and days into weeks; strangers became friends, love happened, and before long a year had flown by.

Now the past is standing on her doorstep and Suzanna must decide to leave here and disappear as she has done before, or tell the truth and break the hearts of those she loves most.

Summer At Orchard House by Ellyn Oaksmith – 5 Stars!!

Woohoo Loved This Book!  I’ve found a new author to love.  Her writing was so full of life, so descriptive, you learn about wine and grape vines, a romance that is a slow burn, so many laugh out loud moments. The main character Carmen is one sassy Latina. I loved the combination of Carmen with her sisters and her best friend. I can’t wait for Ellyn Oaksmith’s next book!

I received this book as a free kindle advance reader’s uncorrected copy from Netgalley.com.  My comments and thoughts on the book were my own and not required in exchange for the book.  #SummeratOrchardHouse. #Netgalley.com. #EllynOaksmith.

Description as found on Netgalley:

The Alvarez sisters have grown up and moved away—but now their father is in crisis, the family business is collapsing and it’s time to go home to Lake Chelan.

Carmen Alvarez is the reliable one. When her vulnerable father’s livelihood is threatened, she’s the person her sisters call. Abandoning her job in Seattle, Carmen races home to the family vineyard her dad built up from nothing to set things straight. But soon she’s fallen back in love with the dusty sage hills, the turquoise blue lake, the fragrant June orchards… Maybe she’s not just home for the summer?

Standing in the way of Carmen’s happiness is one very attractive obstacle: new neighbor Evan Hollister, who’s after her dad’s land. He’s arrogant, entitled and spoiled—everything Carmen hates—and she is all set to have a bit of fun driving him out of town so things can get back to normal. She isn’t ready for their relationship to get complicated…

But Evan is the least of Carmen’s worries. The business is falling apart and it starts to look like Carmen might lose much more than just her pride: employees have quit, the bank keeps calling and everything her father worked so hard for is slipping away. As she is pushed to breaking point, Carmen will learn that her true family are the people who will see her through the worst of times, and that love can be found in the most unlikely of places.

A heart-warming romance about embracing the unexpected, Summer at Orchard House will make you laugh, make you cry, and remind you that it’s never too late to start again. For fans of Robyn Carr, Carolyn Brown and Debbie Macomber.

The Trustworthy One by Shelley Shepard Gray - 4 Stars!

Kendra Troyer left Walnut Creek when she was accepted into design school.  She stayed at home as long as she could taking care of the younger siblings in a home that was abusive.  She also wanted to avoid seeing Nate Miller ever again, a boy she said she would despise for the rest of her life after she heard him saying something about her home to others.  When a good friend died, she realizes she must return. She decides to stay to open a new shop in town, Walnut Creek.  She purchases a small home and then only does she run into Nate again, his shop is in the same location of town.  She tries to avoid him but that only seems to make him want to pursue her more.  He does apologize when she speaks with him long enough to tell him why she is not happy with him.  That doesn’t change things though, it takes a while through many trials and tribulations for her to change her opinion of Nate.  I figured out that this book was the fourth in a series that take place in Walnut Creek.  The comments at the beginning of each chapter were confusing to me and I didn’t see how they fit into the story line. Also there were other places where I wondered where a few characters stories were going to fit together towards the entire story.  They eventually did.  The book is based in an Amish Community so is faith based. 

I gave the book 4 Stars.  It was an advance reader copy from Netgalley.com in the kindle format.  My comments and opinions on the books are freely given.  #TheTrustworthyOne. #ShelleyShepardGray. #Netgalley.com.

Description

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray returns to the charming and evocative Walnut Creek Series with an unforgettable novel following one broken young woman whose search for peace leads her back to her hometown, where she rediscovers her faith and reconnects with those she loves most.

Kendra Troyer always knew she would leave Walnut Creek the first chance she got. When she was accepted into design school, she tried her best not to look back at the four siblings she was abandoning, but ahead to Columbus, where she was determined to stay—far away from her abusive home and far away from Nate Miller, the boy she vowed to despise for the rest of her life.

Though she suffered through dark times in Columbus, Kendra found her faith in the Lord again, and years later, when she learned one of her good friends had died, she realized it was time to go home to those she left behind.

Back in Walnut Creek, Kendra has a life she never could have imagined: her own design shop, a pretty little house, and a tight-knit group of friends. After she settles down, though, unexpected visitors come knocking and dark memories begin to resurface. Complicating things even further is the ever-present Nate Miller, who now owns the hardware store two doors down and whose very presence stirs in Kendra a fierce need to turn away and hide from her past. But Nate is persistent in setting things right between them.

As Kendra tries to come to terms with the anger she holds from her childhood, will she be able to open her heart to forgiveness and find the comfort she has always longed for in Walnut Creek?

The Apartment by K. L. Slater - 4 Stars

I did enjoy this mystery; it had many twists and turns and the characters were very well developed.  I did find towards the middle of the book that it reminded me of something else I had either read or watched in movie format.  I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Freya and Skye go through the husband/father divorce and then he dies.  His girlfriend being very creepy while he was living and after he died.  She blamed her at first for the things going wrong in their new home.  She then starts looking at the new landlord and his partner for the blame for all of the strange things going on in her apartment. She soon finds out things are not right and there are other places to look for the blame.

I received this book as an advance reader copy from Amazon Publishing UK through Netgalley.com.  All comments and opinions posted in regard to this book are my own and are freely given.  I enjoy helping authors get their books out there as they are newly published.  #TheApartment.  #KLSlater. #Netgalley.com.

Description

It’s an opportunity she can’t refuse. The woman before her tried…

Freya Miller needs a miracle. In the fallout of her husband’s betrayal, she’s about to lose her family home, and with it the security she craves for her five-year-old daughter, Skye. Adrift and alone, she’s on the verge of despair until a chance meeting with the charismatic Dr Marsden changes everything. He’s seeking a new tenant for a shockingly affordable flat in a fashionable area of London.

Adder House sounds too good to be true… But Freya really can’t afford to be cynical, and Dr Marsden is adamant she and Skye will be a perfect fit with the other residents.

But Adder House has secrets. Even behind a locked front door, Freya feels as if she’s being watched: objects moving, unfamiliar smells, the blinking light of a concealed camera… and it’s not long before she begins to suspect that her dream home is hiding a nightmarish reality. Was it really chance that led her here—or something unthinkably dark?

As the truth about Adder House starts to unravel, can Freya and Skye get out—or will they be locked in forever?

Revised edition: This edition of The Apartment includes editorial revisions.

Unveiling The Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer - 4 Stars

I really enjoyed this Christian Mystery.  Reading the book and unraveling the mystery, as well as reading about Newlyweds Sean and Meghan’s personal issues on having a baby or not, was very interesting.  It all boiled down to the love of the true Father in most instances.

Sean and Meghan both work in the cold case detective division. They were working on cases together but in this instance they were pulled apart to work with different partners which they really didn’t think they would enjoy and fought against, but in the end they found that working with different partners on different cases brought new and interesting angles to think about as they worked each day. I would absolutely recommend this book for those who enjoy this type of mystery. 

I received this book in kindle format as an advance reader copy promotion from Waterbrook and Multnomah through Netgalley.com.  All comments and opinions of this book are my own freely given.  #UnveilingThePast.  #KimVogelSawyer.

Description as found on Netgalley.com:

Mysteries, family secrets, and the love of a true Father are found at the heart of this gripping novel from the bestselling author of Bringing Maggie Home

Newlyweds Sean Eagle and Meghan DeFord are no strangers to pain and loss. As cold-case detectives, they know intimately the anguish family members endure after the murder or disappearance of a loved one. But when a new case hits too close to home, it threatens to pull loose the fragile cords of their young marriage.
 
Sheila Menke was just a girl when her father left for work and never returned. An investigation revealed he had embezzled enough to start a new life elsewhere, but Sheila could never accept the court’s criminalization of her father. Meghan reluctantly takes the case, secretly fearing it will stir up buried feelings about her own biological father. And while Sean investigates the mysterious death of two young brothers, he longs to start a family. But Meghan worries that with a negligent mother and an absentee father as her parenting examples, she might never be fit for motherhood.
 
As they delve deeper into the past, both Meghan and Sheila must choose to either stumble along the road of bitterness and resentment or walk the difficult path toward forgiveness and healing. When the cases begin to break wide open, these young women are poised to discover that while earthly fathers may fail, there is one in heaven who is a father to the fatherless.