Monday, August 26, 2019

Vow of Justice by Lynette Eason


Series: Blue Justice # 4
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Revell
Released: August 6, 2019
336 pages
About the Book:

FBI Special Agent Lincoln St. John is living his own personal nightmare. When the woman he loves, Allison Radcliffe, is killed, he devotes his life to tracking down the killers and making them pay for their crimes. He expected it to be a challenge. What he never expected was to find Allison very much alive shortly after her "murder." As his anger and hurt mix with relief, Linc isn't sure how he's supposed to feel. One thing he does know for sure: he and Allison will have to work together to stop a killer before she dies a second time--this time for good.  






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

There were twists and turns from beginning to end. Just when I thought things were calming down something else happens. The book opens with FBI agent Allie undercover at a crime boss house trying to collect information that would convict him, but instead her cover gets blown. She then gets caught in a bomb explosion and her partner Linc is told she is dead. Linc vows to bring her killer to justice, only to learn a little while later that she is in fact alive. Allie feels she must stay “dead” to the world in order to protect the people she cares about until the bad guy (or guys) is caught. With the help of Linc and his family she tries to figure out how the villain seems to know their every step. Meanwhile she is also trying to keep her distance from Linc because she is beginning to find herself having feelings for him she does not want. I enjoyed that St. John family members from previous books not only made appearances in this story, but some were also actively involved in the investigation. I have been connected to each family member.
 
Early into the story I was pretty sure I knew who the bad guy was but couldn’t figure out what their motive could be.  While I was correct on determining who the bad guy was, I was taken by surprise when the motivation was revealed. If you enjoy suspense with a touch of romance I recommend this book, but be sure to read the series in order to get fully appreciate the character development.
 
(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.)

 
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Friday, August 16, 2019

Sweet on You by Becky Wade


Series: Bradford Sisters Romance # 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: April 30, 2019
385 pages
About the Book:
Britt Bradford and Zander Ford have been the best of friends since they met thirteen years ago. Unbeknown to Britt, Zander has been in love with her for just as long.

Independent and adventurous Britt channels her talent into creating chocolates at her hometown shop. Zander is a bestselling author who's spent the past 18 months traveling the world. He's achieved a great deal but still lacks the only thing that ever truly mattered to him--Britt's heart.

When Zander's uncle dies of mysterious causes, he returns to Merryweather, Washington, to investigate, and Britt is immediately there to help. Although this throws them into close proximity, both understand that an attempt at romance could jeopardize their once-in-a-lifetime friendship. But while Britt is determined to resist any change in their relationship, Zander finds it increasingly difficult to keep his feelings hidden.

As they work together to uncover his uncle's tangled past, will the truth of what lies between them also, finally, come to light?

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

I was excited to return to Merryweather and get to really know Bailey and Zander. I’ve been following their friendship through the 2 previous books, and it was no secret that Zander has more than friendship feelings for Bailey, but she had no idea. This story lived up to my hopes and desires. I really enjoyed seeing Bailey slowly realize her true feelings for Zander and learn to take a risk. Their story is wonderful, the chemistry between these two had me cheering for them the whole way through. While the romance was my favourite part of this book the addition of the art mystery gave me a bit of suspense that tend to look for in stories. I highly recommend reading this series from the first book, you will fall in love with not only the Bradford sisters but also the Merryweather community. Becky Wade has quickly become one of my favourite authors and while I am sad to say goodbye to these sisters I look forward to discovering her next story.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley;
opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 
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Thursday, August 15, 2019

Bertha by Lisa M. Hutchison

Publisher: Word Alive Press
Released: May 8, 2019
248 pages
About the Book:
Bertha: Shine Like the Dawn is the true story of Bertha, the author’s great-grandmother, born into relative wealth and comfort in 1860 Germany, orphaned as a baby, and begrudgingly raised by two sets of grandparents.

Violated by her uncle at seventeen, Bertha becomes pregnant and is quickly married off to a man beneath her standing. After enduring years of domestic violence and forced pregnancies, she finally walks away with four young children and with only her grandmother in Berlin for support. Once there, Bertha finds love with a mysterious man—but will it last?

Bertha, who lives through the turn of the century, the sinking of the Titanic, the First World War, the Spanish Flu, The Great Depression, and the Second World War, accepts whatever life gives her, with courage and passion, but most of all with love.
 
This is a tender romance, filled with compassion and many unexpected turns in life. Bertha experiences unbelievable trials, tribulations, and triumphs, as well as great love and great loss. Readers will cheer for her, cry for her, and love with her. 
 
 
My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 ðŸŒŸ    (3 stars)   

I had really enjoyed Ms. Hutchison's previous book, Iron Annie, and I was hoping this book was similar, but instead I found myself disappointed with it. This is not because the writing was bad or anything it just wasn't really my type of story.

Right from the beginning of the story I felt for Bertha and the hardships that she has already experienced in her young life. Things do seem to settle down for her for a little bit but then a rather horrific event happens to her that provoked my anger and broke my heart. My heart continued to ache as things continued to spiral for her. I just wanted things to turn around for her. I was very proud of the strength she exhibited and did what she had to do to protect her children. While I was very interested to find out what happens throughout Bertha’s life there were numerous times I struggled with some of her actions and the amount of detail that was included in the book. There were times I felt uncomfortable reading. I was surprised at some of the actions of characters for the time period. However upon realizing that a lot of this book was written without Bertha’s input I wonder how much liberty was taken by the author. Overall this story has stayed with me and I would recommend it to others who are interested in historical real life stories but with the warning that it includes mature subject matter.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author;
opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

 
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Wednesday, August 14, 2019

A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson

Series: Georgia Coast Romance # 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Revell
Released: Aug. 6, 2019
368 pages
About the Book:
Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia, for a fresh start. Now her pirate-tour business is flagging, and paying the rent requires more than wishful thinking. When she discovers evidence of a shipwreck off the coast of Tybee Island, she knows it could be just the boon she needs to stay afloat. She takes her findings to local museum director Carter Hale for confirmation, but she runs after a disastrous first meeting.

Carter has been searching for the location of the wreck detailed in the worn pages of an 18th-century diary, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task. And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she'd never do again: trust a man.

Finding a monetary backer and sticking with a search that's turning up nothing will take all their dedication--and every secret they've tried to hide. If they can find the lost ship, they may discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world--love.   
 
My Rating & Thoughts:    🌟 🌟 🌟 ðŸŒŸ    (4 stars)   

While I never got that invested in the treasure hunt side of the story I found myself engrossed in the characters and had to know where the story would take them and how it would end.
 
Anne is trying to rebuild her life after a terrible situation and is carrying such a heavy burden; I really felt for her and wanted her to learn to let others in. Carter has a dream and vision, but is struggling to reach it. These two meet through the discovery of an artifact and begin the journey of discovering where it came from. This journey takes them on a path that they weren’t expecting and teaches them so much about themselves. I enjoyed experiencing these characters and seeing them learn to trust.
 
I especially enjoyed the journal entries from an old diary and found myself missing them once we got through the whole diary. The ending left me feeling completely satisfied. I enjoyed my time spent with these characters and look forward to seeing what Ms. Johnson writes next.


(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.)

 

 

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