Review: The Lost Heiress by Roseanna M. White

The Lost Heiress

The Lost Heiress is a novel about a young woman by the name of Brook Eden who is looking for her place in the world.  Starting in the year 1910, Brook who has been living in Monoco, has just been informed by her very best friend, Justin Wildon, that he may have found her birth family.  Leaving all she knows she travels to North Yorkshire, England to meet her possible birth father.  This story is full of intrigue, mystery, familial love, romance, and of course misunderstandings and danger.  With a list of characters in the beginning I at first felt intimidated but that did not last long.  Each of these secondary characters brought their own and added such a wonderful dimension to the story.  I really liked Brook’s character: she was sunny, happy, and quite adventurous.   Her character did go through a lot and she did change in some respects, but I am glad that the core of who Brook was remained.  This was a riveting read and I enjoyed the moving romance and the very strong family bonds with a mystery that seemed behind everyone’s motives.  I so look forward to continuing this series especially after getting to know the hero of the next book.  I enjoyed reading the dedication of this novel and the author notes on how this story came to be.  I received a copy for an honest review from Bethany House Publishers and the opinions are my own.

Review: Last Chance Hero by Cathleen Armstrong

Last Chance Hero

I enjoyed going back for a visit to Last Chance, New Mexico in Cathleen Armstrong’s latest, Last Chance Hero.  Getting to see and get caught up with the lives of previous characters was like coming home for a visit and I do think this is my favorite of the series.   We have two lives intersecting once again in Last Chance- the first being a home grown NFL football hero coming back to coach the high school team- and the second being a brand new doctor who has plans on opening her practice right on Main Street.   Andy Ryan is welcomed back with open arms but with high expectations of producing a winning team.  Dr. Jessica MacLeod is welcomed to Last Chance, but everyone is already set in their ways and not too interested in changing doctors.  Both have an uphill battle.  There is a thread of romance that does not overwhelm the story at all, and was very enjoyable to see unfold.   I wish we could have had more of Jess and Andy and their romance however, this book, heartfelt and poignant, did end on a very sweet note.  I hope this is not the last of Last Chance.   I look forward to more of Ms. Armstrong’s stories.  I received a copy for an honest review from Revell Publishing and as always the opinions are my own.  

Review: A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter

A Noble Masquerade

A Noble Masquerade written by Kristi Ann Hunter was a very interesting story, but most of all I liked the writing style.  I am a huge fan of Jen Turano and when I heard that Hunter’s writing style was similar to Turano’s I knew I just had to read this book.  I can assure you I was not disappointed Hunter had the dramatic, humorous flare of Turano but also a way of writing that was decidedly her own.  I enjoyed the story and the plot line greatly and found myself on the edge of my seat- unable to put the book down- on more than one occasion.  The story starts off when Miranda, the heroine, is eight years old and begins writing for journalistic purposes to her brother’s friend, the Duke of Marshington, a man she has never met and certainly has no intention of ever mailing those letters to.  It picks up when Marlow, Miranda’s brother’s new valet mails one of her letters to the Duke of Marshington… can I just say oh, boy...  Even though I knew that it was going to happen from what I read on the back of the book I was still horrified that it happened.  The book picks up even more when… and then… and oh I was holding my breath when- well I suppose I’ll just let you read it and find out for yourself what a decidedly captivating book A Noble Masquerade is.  I received a copy for an honest review from The Book Club Network, Inc. and the opinions are my own.

Reviewed by Nicky

Review: The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

The Mistress of Tall Acre

The Mistress of Tall Acre is another of Laura Frantz’s books that just shows what an excellent storyteller she is.  I went into this book not really knowing the premise and was rewarded with such a richly layered story.   Thankfully, I can read one of her books and know there will be a HEA, however to get there is quite a journey that can put the characters and the readers through a gauntlet of emotions.  This one was no exception and had me flipping through the pages, desperately trying not to peek at the end, to see the final resolution.  Taking place right after the Revolutionary War, this is a story of heartbreak, love, pain, and one that is hopeful.  I would even say there is a bit of a gothic feel to this tale as it is shrouded in mystery and secrets and an underlying feeling of malice.  Her characters are phenomenal yet flawed and the romance is not to be missed.   Go ahead and pick this one up and read the story of General Seamus Ogilvy and Sophie Menzies, you won’t be disappointed.  My thanks to Revell Publishing for providing me with a copy for an honest review and as always the opinions are my own.

Review: Double Cross by Diann Mills

Double Cross

Double Cross by Diann Mills was an action packed thriller that I was not sure the good guys would win or who could be trusted.  A scam that targets wealthy patients with dementia has targeted the wrong grandfather when they went after Houston Police officer Daniel Hilton’s grandpa.  While trying to protect his grandparents, Daniel takes this case to the FBI where he meets agent Laurel Everton who is investigating similar cases.  With a race against time and suspicious deaths of the elderly who were scammed adding up, Daniel and Laurel have to add mastermind criminal Morton Wilmington, whom Laurel had put in prison, to their team.  Morton, claiming that he is a changed man, does not have the trust of either Daniel or Laurel especially when evidence appears to point to him as part of the scheme.  This book was non-stop as this trio with plenty of past baggage, have to figure out who is the real criminal and mastermind especially when they become targets themselves.  Not only that, but Daniel’s spunky grandmother, Abby, is not going to just sit around and do nothing.  Packing her own weapon and doing her own investigating, Abby is ready to put an end to this schemer as well.  I really liked this second book in this series, not only a pulse pounding story but it also dealt with issues of unforgiveness and second chances.  I received a copy for an honest review from The Book Club Network, Inc. and the opinions are my own.

Review: All of Me That You Can't See

All of Me That You Can't See

All of Me That You Can’t See by Callie Grant is my favorite of all the Graham Blanchard books.  The little boy on the cover is so adorable and looks like my little guy.  I really just enjoyed the simple yet profound and meaningful message this book delivers.  This story lesson is based on Mark 12:30, the little boy is learning about how his heart, mind, strength, and soul, all things that we can’t see but grow along with the body he can see.  The lovely illustrations go along with the text to show how these very important parts of us grow.  I look forward to more in this line of books.  I received a copy for an honest review from The Book Club Network, Inc. and the opinions are my own.

Review: Nickerbacher the Funniest Dragon by Terry John Barto

Nickerbacher the Funniest Dragon

Nickerbacher the Funniest Dragon is a storybook about a dragon guarding a princess who would really like to be a comedian instead.  Filled with lovely illustrations and cleverly written dialog between the dragon, prince, and princess this tale focuses on the dragon for a change.  Family love and pursuing your dreams are also very important lessons taught throughout as well.  So with a happily ever after for a dragon, this is a fairytale young children will most likely enjoy.  I received a copy for an honest review from The Book Club Network, Inc. and the opinions are my own.

Review: Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund

Luther and Katharina

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I have not read all of author Jody Hedlund’s books yet, but out of the ones I have read Luther and Katharina is my favorite right now.  She tells the story of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora’s romance in a compelling, powerful way amidst the backdrop of church persecution and a peasant uprising.  The time of the reformation was a very corrupt time and at times it was hard to read about the gruesome tortures supposed men of God did to those in their care.  As Luther deals with attempted assassinations on his life and helping those running away from the convents while spreading the truths of the Gospel, he also deals with illness and melancholy that Katharina seems to be able to soothe.  I have long been fascinated by this hero of the faith and of his wife of more than twenty years who supported and stood by him through poverty and persecution.  Ms. Hedlund makes both of these characters; their dangers, faults, passions, and ultimately their love come to life.  And they both had faults and sometimes too quick of tempers.  As always, I enjoyed the author’s notes in the back and learning new history lessons is just another bonus of this story.   This is definitely for the keeper shelf to savor again for another day. 

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.   All opinions are my own.