First Line Friday (Week 81): The Christmas Vow

Happy Friday!

Welcome to First Line Friday's hosted by Hoarding Books.

Today's book is:  The Christmas Vow by Shanna Hatfield
    

First Line:

"Adam Guthry glared across the sea of mourners at his only sibling and vowed his brother would be the next person the community of Hardman gathered to bury."

When I began this book earlier this week, I decided that I had to share this opening line for this week's First Line Friday post. Why is Adam angry at his brother? What did he do that has upset Adam so? I just finished this book and know why Adam was upset with his brother, I will tell you that all works out in the end. As this is a Christmas story, I plan to share my review within the next couple weeks.

Now it's your turn!

Let me know your first line in the comments and then head over
to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Jane Reviews: In Too Deep by Lynn H. Blackburn

Series: Dive Team Investigations #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Revell
Released: Nov. 6, 2018
353 pages

About the Book:

When the dive team is called in to recover a body from a submerged car, they aren't prepared to find an encrypted laptop--or an unsettling connection between investigator Adam Campbell and the dead accountant.

Adam turns to his friend Dr. Sabrina Fleming--a professor at the local university with unparalleled computer security and forensics skills--to recover the files from the laptop. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier the investigation becomes. When evidence uncovers a human trafficking ring and implicates members of Adam's own family, he and Sabrina will have to risk everything to solve the case.

The truth could set hundreds free--but someone is willing to do whatever it takes to silence anyone who threatens to reveal their secrets. Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn invites readers back to Carrington, North Carolina, where everything is not as it seems and sinister elements lurk behind the idyllic façade.

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook

Lynn H. Blackburn's Website

My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟    (5 stars)

This book opens with the dive team being called to recover a body and car that has gone into the lake. It appears to be a suicide until they discover words written on the victim’s body, this message opens up so many questions. What do these words mean?

Adam and Sabrina have been friends with each other for quite a while and have romantic feelings for the other, but both are hesitant to share their feelings because they fear the other does not reciprocate the feelings. While they have worked together in the past on cases, this case has them spending more and more time with one another. How long can they keep their feelings at bay? Or will they finally open up? I really liked these two in the first book and continued to like them in this one. I enjoyed following the progression of this relationship. I also enjoyed spending time with the supporting characters around Adam and Sabrina. What a wonderful group of co-workers and friends to have.

This story is fast-paced and suspenseful. As the team digs deeper into the investigation the threat gets more deadly. Someone is determined to keep them from discovering their secret. Sabrina ends up in the hospital twice in less than 12 hours and Adam is also injured. Who is after them and why? I did not want to put this book down until I had the answers.

The ending left me satisfied and sad at the same time. While I suspected who the main villain was I did not see the final twist coming and was sad for what it meant for Sabrina. However not all was depressing for her as she had the support of her friends and the love of Adam to lean on. This could be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading book one first to get to know the team members better and some of their back story (and Beneath the Surface was just as suspenseful as this one). I will be keeping an eye out for the next book in this series and there are two team members that I would love to get to know better (and hoping they get together).

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.

Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.) 

Other Books in the Series:

Beneath the Surface Review

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook

Monday's RSU: November 26th

Welcome to Monday's RSU. Every Monday I share an update of my reading status - what book (or books) I finished since last Monday, what book I am currently reading and what I am planning on reading next. 

Just Finished:

Currently Reading: 

  

Reading Next:

What are you books are you currently reading or have recently enjoyed?

Jane Reviews: The Chirstmas Token by Shanna Hatfield

Series: Hardman Holidays #2
Genre: Historical Romance
Released: Nov. 20, 2013
318 pages

About the Book:

All she wanted was a peaceful holiday

Determined to escape an unwelcome suitor, Ginny Granger flees to her brother’s home in Eastern Oregon for the holiday season. Returning to the community where she spent her childhood years, she plans to relax and enjoy a peaceful visit. Not expecting to encounter the boy she once loved, her exile proves to be anything but restful.

A talented carpenter, Blake Stratton enjoys a simple existence in the small western town of Hardman. With honest work and good friends, his life is nearly perfect, at least until the day Ginny Granger arrives, setting him on his ear and turning his world upside down. Infuriated by her meddling presence, he’s further exasperated to discover she kept a Christmas token he gave her along with his heart the day she left town many years ago.

Goodreads / Amazon

Shanna Hatfield's Website

My Rating & Thoughts:  🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟   (4 stars)   

After 10 years, Blake and Ginny are back in the same town and neither knows how to deal with the situation. Ten years ago they were young teens in love and planning a future together, but they were separated and something happened that left them each with broken hearts. Now that they are reunited the same old feelings arise but after having their hearts broken from the other neither is sure they want to risk love again. Can Ginny and Blake open their hearts to one another? Is it worth the risk? As the story progresses we learn that someone else was responsible for their broken hearts. But will this information change their attitude towards one another?

I wasn’t really a fan of Ginny when I first met her, but over the course of the story I saw her grow from a spoiled girl into a caring young woman. Blake’s interaction with Luke and little Erin drew me to him, but then the scene of him expressing his anger towards Ginny made me wonder if I should like him. His anger felt a bit over the top. However he redeemed himself in my eyes and the more he and Ginny interacted I began cheering for them to overcome their past.

This book had me escaping from everyday life and laughing at the antics and quips between characters. I especially enjoyed spending more time in Hardman and catching up with the characters from book 1. The sibling relationship between Luke and Ginny reminded me a bit of the teasing that happens between me and my brother. Little Erin was really cute and added a sweetness to this story. Overall I was pleased with the way the story progressed and I loved the ending. 
 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed in this review
are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other Books in the Series:

 

      

The Christmas Bargain Review

Goodreads  / Amazon

First Line Friday (Week 80): Finding Love in Big Sky Montana

Happy Friday!

Welcome to First Line Friday's hosted by Hoarding Books.

Today's book is:  Finding Love in Big Sky Montana by Angela Ruth Strong
    

First Line:

"Paisley Sheridan pinned her last help wanted flyer to the bulletin board between an advertisement for Breakfast with Santa and free ski passes to Military Appreciation Day. Maybe next year she'd have time for holiday fun, but this year she had work to do, and she needed to hire someone to help her do it."

I read this book this time last year and right now I feel like I could be the girl on the cover. Our winter has arrived a bit early this year and it is freezing cold!  I am not a fan of the cold and am wearing mitts while outside but having a hot coffee in my hands would be great. My review can be found here.

Now it's your turn!

Let me know your first line in the comments and then head over
to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Jane Reviews: The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield

Series: Hardman Holidays #1
Genre: Historical Romance
Released: Nov. 13, 2012
296 pages

About the Book:

One Old West Cinderella discovers Prince Charming is a. . . Cowboy?

The death of her mother left Philamena Booth grieving and at the mercy of her drunken father. After spending more than a decade held captive on their run-down farm, she’s left speechless and dazed when her father strikes a bargain to settle a long overdue debt. In lieu of payment, a handsome cowboy agrees to take her. Mortified yet relieved to leave the farm, Philamena unexpectedly finds herself married to a charismatic, caring man.

Luke Granger might own Hardman’s bank and the fanciest house in this Eastern Oregon town, but he’d much rather be outside riding his horses or wrangling his herd of cattle than keeping his account books straight. In a strange, unsettling turn of events, he finds himself accepting a farmer’s daughter instead of money to cover a loan. If the man hadn’t threatened to sell her to the saloon owner, Luke might have refused. He has no idea what to do with beautiful Filly or their marriage of convenience, but he’s about to get far more than he bargained for.

Full of Victorian and western charm, The Christmas Bargain is a sweet holiday romance filled with the spirit of the season.

Goodreads / Amazon

Shanna Hatfield's Website

My Rating & Thoughts:  🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟   (5 stars)   

This story had me hooked right from the beginning. Luke, the local banker, goes to Filly’s house to collect a debt. When her father is unable to pay he gives his daughter to Luke as payment. Luke agrees to take her just to get her away from her father. Luke and Filly agree to get married for propriety sake, Filly will serve as Luke’s housekeeper and cook while Luke will protect Filly from her father. As they get to know one another their relationship grows from acquaintances to friends to love and not being able to imagine life without the other. But will they share their feelings with one another or will be they stay with their current agreement?

I did not want to put this story down and finished it in a day. I loved watching their relationship bloom and felt like I was experiencing day to day life with them. The descriptions were so well done that I easily pictured this western town, felt like I could reach out and touch the horses, walk the streets and smell the baking. Luke’s good friends, Chancey and Abby added a level of friendship and entertainment to the story. They were warm and welcoming to Filly from the moment they met her. They way they encouraged Filly warmed my heart. As soon as I finished I began book two as I did not want to say goodbye to the town of Hardman and these characters.

 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed in this review 
are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other Books in the Series:

 

      

Goodreads  / Amazon

Monday's RSU: November 19th

Welcome to Monday's RSU. Every Monday I share an update of my reading status - what book (or books) I finished since last Monday, what book I am currently reading and what I am planning on reading next. 

Just Finished:

 

Currently Reading: 

  

Reading Next:

What are you books are you currently reading or have recently enjoyed?

Jane Reviews: Wait for Me by Susan May Warren

Series: Montana Rescue # 6
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Revell
Released: Nov. 6, 2018
335 pages

About the Book:

Pete Brooks can't believe he's waited an entire year for Jess Tagg to return to Montana, only to have her break his heart by getting engaged to her ex-fiancé. Worse, a series of mistakes on the job have cost lives, and Pete isn't sure he wants to continue to work in Search and Rescue. Maybe if he can just get over Jess, he can figure out how to move forward.
EMT Jess Tagg has returned to Montana to finally give her heart to Pete, but it seems he's no longer interested. When a terrible fight between them sparks an impulsive decision, she finds herself crashed on the side of a highway along with Esme Shaw. And just when she thinks things couldn't get any worse, she and Esme are taken captive and into the untamed Montana wilderness--with murderous intent.
Now Pete and the other PEAK Rescue Team members are in a race against time, the elements, and the actions of a vengeful man. Pete will have to use everything he's learned to find Jess and Esme--and pray that his past mistakes don't cost him the life of the woman he can't stop loving.

Goodreads / Amazon / Christianbook

                             Susan May Warren's Website

My Rating & Thoughts:  🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟   (5 stars)   

This is the sixth book in the Montana Rescue series and wraps up the ongoing story of Pete and Jess. These two have been the will they/won’t they couple throughout the whole series. I couldn’t wait to read this book in hopes that we would see them finally overcome the obstacles and be together.

As much as this book focuses on Jess and Pete’s relationship there is so much more involved. Jess, Shae, and Ned are taken captive and are able to escape but get injured and end up lost in the wilderness. Can they find a way out before it is too late? Who is pursuing them and why? There are so many possibilities of who is after them - is it someone from Jess’s past, or from Shae’s past, or someone else completely? I found myself on the edge of my seat, trying not to bite my nails and hoping they would be found in time by the PEAK team. I cringed each time something bad happened. It felt like just as one danger ended another one began.

Pete and Felipe are forced together while the team searches the wilderness. While I was team Pete I was surprised at how my opinion of Felipe changed over the course of this story. As much as I wanted to keep disliking him I couldn’t. The more I got to know him I find myself liking him and wanting the best for him (just not with Jess).

I loved the inclusion of Ned and Shae’s romance. Both showed strength and determination to confront the challenges in front of them. Ned was the standout hero of the book in my eyes. He may be injured but the way he pressed on and cared for Shae captured my heart. I am pleased with the way the continuing story lines wrapped up. I will miss spending time with the PEAK team in Montana (but I will be able to reread all the books in order anytime I want).

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley.

Opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other Books in the Series:

     

   

If Ever I Would Leave You Review by C / If Ever I Would Leave You Review by JaneReads 

Wild Montana Skies Review by C / Wild Montana Skies Review by JaneReads 

Rescue Me Review by C / Rescue Me Review by JaneReads 

A Matter of Trust Review by C / A Matter of Trust Review by JaneReads

Troubled Waters Review by C / Troubled Waters Review by JaneReads

Storm Front Review by C / Storm Front Review by JaneReads

Goodreads  / Amazon / Christianbook