Saturday, August 12, 2023

Review: Point of No Return by Susan May Warren

Series: Missions of Mercy #1
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Love Inspired
Released: January 11, 2011
224 pages

About the Book:

An American boy and a warlord's engaged daughter have disappeared—together—in an Eastern European border country. Only one man can find them in time to prevent an international meltdown—Chet Stryker. But Chet is taken aback when he realizes the boy is the nephew of Mae Lund, Chet's former flame. When Mae insists on rescuing her relative herself, Chet knows he has to protect her from the enemy on their trail. Yet can he protect himself from falling for Mae again?
 











My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐

These characters frustrated me. They were once involved but he broke her heart a year ago. Mae’s nephew has gone missing, and she jumps on a plane to the country of Georgia to search for him without any plan in place. Her ex-Chet arrives in the country assigned to find the girl that’s gone missing with Mae’s nephew. Now they must work together if they have any hope of finding the two young adults. However, is a battle of wills anytime they try to work together. They were constantly fighting but then suddenly declaring their love for each other. The story has a lot of action, but I question how Chet's team found him at just the right moment. I did not care for the ending. 

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

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Take A Chance on Me - Christiansen Family #1

Nothing but Trouble - PJ Sugar #1

Double Trouble - PJ Sugar #2

You Don't Have to be a Star - Montana Fire Prequel

If Ever I Would Leave You - Montana Rescue Prequel

Wild Montana Skies - Montana Rescue # 1

Rescue Me - Montana Rescue #2 

A Matter of Trust - Montana Rescue #3

Troubled Waters - Montana Rescue #4

Storm Front - Montana Rescue #5

Wait for Me - Montana Rescue #6

Flee the Night - Team Hope #1

Escape to Morning - Team Hope #2

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Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Review: Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Revell 
Released: January 2, 2018
337 pages
About the Book:

There was another South in the 1960s, one far removed from the marches and bombings and turmoil in the streets that were broadcast on the evening news. It was a place of inner turmoil, where ordinary people struggled to right themselves on a social landscape that was dramatically shifting beneath their feet. This is the world of Valerie Fraser Luesse's stunning debut, Missing Isaac.

It is 1965 when black field hand Isaac Reynolds goes missing from the tiny, unassuming town of Glory, Alabama. The townspeople's reactions range from concern to indifference, but one boy will stop at nothing to find out what happened to his unlikely friend. White, wealthy, and fatherless, young Pete McLean has nothing to gain and everything to lose in his relentless search for Isaac. In the process, he will discover much more than he bargained for. Before it's all over, Pete--and the people he loves most--will have to blur the hard lines of race, class, and religion. And what they discover about themselves may change some of them forever.

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐


This was a new to me author and I picked it up because the description sounded interesting. At the beginning I got huckleberry finn vibes and that made me nervous because I did not like that book. However I kept going and slowly began to get invested in the story. After Isaac disappears it felt like it became more of a coming-of-age story about Pete rather than the search for Isaac. I did like the character of Pete and watching him grow up and find friendship then love with Dovey, however he always felt older than he was supposed to be. I also enjoyed the storyline with his mom and any scenes with her and her sister always made me laugh. When Isaac is eventually found it felt like that part of the story was dropped with very little closure provided. I did not enjoy how the story jumped in time so much, thankfully each chapter opens with a date, but I always had to flip back to the beginning of the previous chapter to determine exactly how much time had passed (and a lot of the chapters were long). This book wasn't a hit for me, but I am open to trying more from this author.

Favourite Quote: 
“In his experience, it was always good when you could cross something off the list of stuff you're scared of.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)
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Sunday, August 6, 2023

Review: Driftwood Bay by Irene Hannon

Series: Hope Harbor #5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Revell 
Released: April 2, 2019
339 pages

About the Book:

After tragedy upends her world, Jeannette Mason retreats to the tiny Oregon seaside town of Hope Harbor to create a new life. Vowing to avoid emotional attachments, she focuses on running her lavender farm and tea-room--until a new neighbor with a destructive dog and a forlorn little girl invades her turf. But she needn't worry. Dr. Logan West is too busy coping with an unexpected family, a radical lifestyle change, and an unruly pup to have any interest in his aloof and disagreeable neighbor.

Yet when both Jeannette and Logan find themselves pulled into the life of a tattered Christian family fleeing persecution in war-torn Syria, might they discover that love sometimes comes calling when it's least expected?







My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

This is the second time I have read this book and after rereading my previous review when I finished this read through, I have found my thoughts are pretty much the same.

I had fallen in love with Hope Harbor through the previous books in this series and was excited to return. I found the story moved a little slow for my liking. I did not experience the ‘I can’t put this down’ feeling, and I didn't get on board for the romantic relationship. I struggled to connect with Jeannette. I did like the wide age range and different backgrounds of all the characters. I enjoyed the setting and got excited when a character from book one was mentioned (even though it was only a mention). I also liked how the various relationships developed and grew over the course of the story. Each character is dealing with the loss of loved ones and trying to figure out how to overcome the tragedies in their lives. Each respond in different ways, and it takes a frightening incident to make some of them realize what is right in front of them. I loved the message that actions and words need to be combined, you can’t show one without the other.

Out of all the characters Logan’s situation pulled at my heart the most, he has lost his brother and mother and is now responsible for raising his niece. He has changed his whole life for Molly and is trying hard to bond with her yet she seems to always pull away from him each time they begin to connect. Jeannette has chosen to purposefully isolate herself from others for fear of being hurt, but when the new family arrives in town she feels pulled between helping and keeping distance. Miriam is a survivor, she has been through so much and could have responded the same way her son did but instead she chose joy. Thomma is bitter and wants to stay mad at God. Two little girls connect without even speaking the same language and teach the adults around them so much. My favourite parts were the chats with Charlie and the wisdom that he offered the characters. 

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

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Thursday, August 3, 2023

Review: Summer in the Spotlight by Liz Johnson

Series: Prince Edward Island Shores #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Revell 
Released: August 8, 2023
368 pages
About the Book:

A hurricane may have destroyed her livelihood on Prince Edward Island, but she's determined to save her community

Kelsey Ahern has performed at the Victoria Playhouse on Prince Edward Island every summer since she was seven. But when a hurricane destroys the building, it's not just her memories that are in jeopardy. Her future as a teacher and drama coach are too. She teams up with Levi Ross, the facilities director at the high school, to produce a benefit show to raise money to rebuild the theater. He has a reputation for being able to fix anything, and Kelsey is sure there's more to the quiet man than meets the eye.

For his part, Levi has admired Kelsey for years, but he can't seem to find the words to tell her. When a popular weatherman arrives in town to cover the aftermath of the hurricane and takes an interest in Kelsey and her show, Levi realizes that the time has come to speak up--or lose the heart of the woman he longs for.


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was so excited to return to the island of PEI and spend more time with Ross family, in particular Levi. He is the youngest brother and very quiet but will do anything for those he loves. Kelsey and Levi have known each other since they were teens but were not really friends. A storm forces them together and they get to know each other a bit better. Through circumstances, they begin working together on Kelsey's project to save the town playhouse. I loved how Kelsey fought for what she believed in, and Levi worked hard to support her. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and watching their relationship develop. I do think Levi needed to speak a bit more at various times, but I could understand why he was so quiet. I loved how he mentored Dustin. I got very annoyed with a certain character and couldn't believe that they would back out at the last minute. When you've made a commitment, stick to it! I was so proud of Levi when he stood his ground and spoke up to another character. It showed just how much he loved those around him. It was fun to spend more time with the whole family, I loved that Eli and Oliver were actively involved in this story. I fully enjoyed the slow romance build-up, and it wrapped up nicely for the whole family we have gotten to know through this series.


Favourite Quotes: 
“Love isn't love because it's earned. Love is love because it's a choice.”

“We do hard things for the people we love.”

(I recieved an ARC of this book from Revell through NetGalley; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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