YT: June TBR

Spin my TBR Wheel with me to find out what books I will be reading in June. 

Review: Laurel's Dream by Pepper Basham

Genre: Historical Romance
Released: Oct. 29, 2021
254 pages

About the Book:

Dreams are precious commodities in the Blue Ridge Mountains of 1918 and Laurel McAdams is attempting to make hers come true, but sometimes life in the mountains has a way of squandering dreams. As she attempts to avoid matrimony, she is secretly saving for her future with the sole purpose of becoming a teacher and bringing consistent education back to "her people".

Having failed his British father again by being unable to fight in the Great War, Jonathan Taylor joins his uncle's missionary endeavors as a teacher in a two-room schoolhouse in Appalachia, but nothing prepares him for the rugged wilderness, narrow-minded natives, and...Laurel McAdams. Her joy and friendship prove a guiding light in the middle of his new responsibilities and tempt his timid heart toward a future she never expected.

But when Jonathan's teaching methods lead to dangerous outcomes and Laurel's dream is threatened by an unexpected choice, will these two learn how to find hope and maybe even love beyond the heartache? Can Jonathan and Laurel create a new dream from the shattered pieces of the old ones or will bitterness and brokenness keep them apart?

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

While I did like the characters of Laurel and Jonathan I struggled with this story, I felt the story moved slowly. I also found that each time when I went to return to the book after putting it down I had to reread the last few paragraphs to remind myself of what had just happened and that is not normal for me. I also found the language hard to read at times due to the broken English but the character speak was due to the setting. I didn’t understand the father’s actions, he could be do nice and then not so nice and everyone just acted like this was normal, I didn’t understand that. This story did involve one of my favourite tropes (I am not going to say what that was because it would be a spoiler) so that kept me wanting to finish the book. I was disappointed by this book as I have enjoyed other stories by Pepper Basham.

Favourite Quote: 

“I don’t know what I’d do without the imagination of books to take me places. They’re truly one of the underappreciated treasures in this world.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

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

Check out my reviews of other books by this author: 

   

A Twist of Faith - Mitchell's Crossroads #1

Charming the Troublemaker - Mitchell's Crossroads #2

Just the Way You Are - A Pleasant Gap Romance # 1

Review: A Killer Among Us by Lynette Eason

Series: Women of Justice # 3
Genre: Romantic Suspense 
Publisher: Revell
Released: May 1, 2011
345 pages

About the Book:

Kit Kenyon is a first-rate hostage negotiator. Noah Lambert is a good detective with excellent instincts. The new partners have hardly had time to get used to each other when they are thrown into a grisly murder case. As evidence mounts up and more victims are found, Kit and Noah realize they are on the hunt for a serial killer. The problem is, he's hunting one of them too.

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

This one felt forced into the series and not as polished as the previous two books. There were places where the timeline or facts did not seem to align. Kit has just recently discovered she is adopted and seeks out her birth family. Her attitude towards her adopted mother (the women who has been her mother her whole life) annoyed me. I realize she was hurt and felt like her mom has been lying to her the whole time, but her mom loved her and did what she thought was right. I did like Noah and how open he was about his faith and never hesitated to pass on his pastor’s contact info. The quick romance between the two partners annoyed me, I don’t feel like they really got to know one another. The characters from the previous two books do appear in this story a little bit, but not nearly enough for my liking. I was disappointed by this book. 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

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

Check out my reviews of other books by this author: 

 

Oath of Honor (Blue Justice #1)
Called to Protect (Blue Justice #2)
Code of Valor (Blue Justice #3)
Vow of Justice (Blue Justice #4)
Collateral Damage (Danger Never Sleeps #1)
Acceptable Risk (Danger Never Sleeps #2)
Active Defense (Danger Never Sleeps #3)
Hostile Intent (Danger Never Sleeps #4)
Moving Target (Elite Guardians #3)
Chasing Secrets (Elite Guardians #4)

Too Close to Home (Women of Justice #1) 

Don't Look Back (Women of Justice #2) 

YT: Oldest Books on My TBR

 Today on the channel I am talking about the 10 books that have been on my TBR the longest. Do I still want to read these? 

Review: Don't Look Back by Lynette Eason

Series: Women of Justice # 2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Revell
Released: Oct. 1, 2010 
336 pages

About the Book:

Twelve years ago, forensic anthropologist Jamie Cash survived a brutal kidnapping, torture, and rape. After years of therapy, she has made a life for herself--though one that is haunted by memories of her terrifying past. She finally lets herself get close to a man, FBI agent Dakota Richards, when signs start appearing that point to one frightening fact--her attacker is back and ready to finish the job he started all those year ago. Can she escape his grasp a second time? And will she ever be able to let down her guard enough to find true love?

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was my favourite of the series. There is action right from the beginning. The main character is Jamie Cash, the sister of Samantha from book 1. Jamie was kidnapped 12 years ago but was able to escape however her experience has left her with both physical and emotional scars. For years she found comfort in her own home and would not go out in public without someone with her. She has recently graduated with a forensic anthropology degree and began a new job she is enjoying. While working on a case Jamie begins to think her kidnapper is back and as more events unfold she starts to suspect he wants her back. But is Jamie being paranoid? I liked how Jamie’s family and friends took no chances and ensured someone is always with her. There was a certain character I suspected was the villain and was thinking to myself don’t trust that guy. It turned out I was right to be suspicious. I found it was difficult to read what Jamie experienced in the past and what the villain did to his victims. I loved Dakota, he respected Jamie and allowed her to take the lead in the progression of their relationship. I really enjoyed that Conner and Samantha from book one were heavily involved in this story. 

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

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

Check out my reviews of other books by this author: 

 

Oath of Honor (Blue Justice #1)
Called to Protect (Blue Justice #2)
Code of Valor (Blue Justice #3)
Vow of Justice (Blue Justice #4)
Collateral Damage (Danger Never Sleeps #1)
Acceptable Risk (Danger Never Sleeps #2)
Active Defense (Danger Never Sleeps #3)
Hostile Intent (Danger Never Sleeps #4)
Moving Target (Elite Guardians #3)
Chasing Secrets (Elite Guardians #4)

Too Close to Home (Women of Justice #1)