"The Return" by Suzanne Woods Fisher

What does true love look like? We tend to think of it as Prince Charming coming to sweep us off our feet or true love’s kiss awaking us from “The Sleeping Death.”  True love or agape love is sacrificial love. What does that look like?

In “The Return” (Amish Beginnings #3) by Suzanne Woods Fisher tackles true love and several controversial topics: jealousy, Indian raids, kidnapping, racism, hatred, bigotry and vengeance.
Several children are kidnapped when an Indian raiding party attacks homesteads in Pennsylvania. We discover how they were treated, how those left behind felt and how some involved became bitter and angry and turned to unlawful methods as an outlet for that anger. We learn that “Vengeance is a dangerous master to feed. Its appetite has no end.”

But we also learn that people can change and about kindness, forgiveness and love… true love. A character in the book risks his life to right a wrong not once, but twice. He defends and helps those who cannot help themselves at great risk. Throughout the book the characters grow and learn that no matter what, they belong to the Holy One even when they belong to no one or no group on Earth.

This is the third book in the series. Not having read the first two in no way hindered my enjoyment/understanding of this book. There were a couple of references to prior events, but those were explained. The author also included a cast of characters and short note explaining the time line at the beginning of the book.

Solid 4.5 stars for this excellent reminder that “God doesn’t answer our prayers because we wish Him to. And he doesn’t dislike the people we dislike either. That would amount to making God in our own image.”

Release Publication Date:  August 1, 2017

Genre:  Christian fiction, Amish, Mennonite, Indian, romance

Cover: Perfect!

Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!

Rating: 4.5 stars

“The Dream Keeper's Daughter” by Emily Colin

What would you do if your best friend/boyfriend walked away from you and disappeared? How would you react? What if you were a senior in college and pregnant? Would you fall apart or hitch up your pants, trudge on and make a life for yourself and your child? What if your mother had disappeared in the same way seven years earlier?

This is exactly what happens in “The Dream Keeper's Daughter” by Emily Colin. It is the tale of two young lovers and how the disappearance of Max, Isabel’s boyfriend, affected her life and the life of her child.

I liked the way the author switched from Max and Isabel’s point of view for different chapters. I especially enjoyed reading Max’s chapters after he followed his six-times-over grandfather through the woods and back to Barbados in 1816 just before a slave rebellion.

I was a bit disappointed by the two sex scenes and some of the language toward the end of the book. A bit gratuitous. The bickering back and forth between Isabel and Ryan also got on my nerves. I wanted to scream at them, “just walk away and let each other go!”

The author does tackle some tricky subjects: slavery, kidnapping, etc. I would have loved to read more about Finn and her abilities. It was a good book, but not great.

Release Publication Date:  July 25, 2017
Genre:  Time travel, romance, suspense
Cover: Meh.  I am assuming the young girl on the cover is Finn. In the book, she has black hair whereas the girl on the cover is blonde.
Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!
Rating: 3.5 stars

“Everything We Left Behind” by Kerry Lonsdale

 “Everything We Left Behind” by Kerry Lonsdale is Carlos/James’ story. It picks up right where the first book of the series “Everything We Keep” left off with Carlos coming out of his fugue state. He remembers nothing of the last six and a half years… not his marriage, wife or children. It is as if the last six and a half years never happened.

I did read the first book, but if you didn’t, don’t fret. I think you would be OK. You would miss tiny details (and a great book), but the author fills you in on the large picture of what happened in the first one. It was well written and was interesting till the end (read it in less than 24 hours). I figured this book was going to end one of two ways… wrong again. Lots of twists and turns and a very satisfying ending.

There were a couple of heartbreaking scenes with Carlos/James and his son. He does not remember being a father or his sons. He was quite smart and loved his sons enough as Carlos to attempt to assist himself if he ever did emerge from his fugue state. He kept extensive journals and spoke to his older son so he would know what to do if Carlos, at some point, did not know him.

Release/Publication Date:  July 4, 2017
Genre:  Romance, suspense
Cover: Great.
Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!
Rating: 4 stars

"Everything We Keep" by Kerry Lonsdale

“On our wedding day, my fiancé, James, arrived at the church in a casket.” What an opening… I was hooked!

Instead of walking down the aisle in her wedding gown, Aimee is sitting in the same church, looking at the same flowers attending her fiancé’s funeral. There would be no wedding or children. They would not open a new art gallery or new restaurant together; all their hopes and dreams as a couple would be buried that afternoon.

Just two months prior, Aimee’s fiancé James disappeared while on a business trip in Mexico. He simply went missing during a fishing trip… simply falling off the boat when other’s backs were turned.

Outside the church, Aimee is approached by a physic who tells her “I have information about James’ accident”...  “James is alive.” Aimee ignores her, but she keeps turning up in expected places dropping clues along the way.

Sometimes she hears his voice, “Let’s get out of here” and she feels like James is still with her. She was not allowed to view the body as it had been in the water for weeks. Is she losing it or was James’ death not a mere accident. Is he even dead?

“Everything We Keep” by Kerry Lonsdale is Aimee’s search for the answer to James’ death. Well written and intriguing it kept me interested till the end. A few bits that were not hard to figure out, but a great read nonetheless. Great ending and an excellent debut novel.

The sequel, “Everything We Left Behind”, comes out tomorrow, July 4, 2017! Can’t wait to see how the story ends!

Release/Publication Date:  August 1, 2016

Genre:  Romance, suspense

Cover: Great.

Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!

Rating: 4 stars

"A Twist in Time (Kendra Donovan #2)” by Julie McElwain

Kendra Donovan is smack dab in the middle of a massive dilemma. Should she continue to try to return home to 2015 or remain in 1815. Both choices have benefits and disadvantages.

In 2015, she is a member of the FBI and is quite the accomplished, independent woman. Oh, and of course in 2015 she can vote and interview witnesses and/or suspects without a man or chaperone present! Should she remain in 1815, she is romantically involved with the handsome, wealthy Marquis of Sutcliffe, Alec. However, she is considered quite the oddity due to her peculiar behavior. And she must adhere to all the rules of the Ton.

I do love a good time travel romance and “A Twist in Time (Kendra Donovan #2)” by Julie McElwain is just that! Lady Dover has been savagely murdered and Alec finds himself the primary suspect. It is up to Kendra to clear his name.

I enjoyed the details of London life in 1815. However, they were not so thorough as to bore the reader. Excellent mystery with lots of twists. Occassionally, it was a bit hard to keep up with the titles… lots of Dukes, Marquis, Countesses, etc., but not so much that I did not enjoy the book.

I have not read the first novel in the series, “A Murder in Time” but plan to soon! This novel stands on its own and not having read the first did not seem to hinder my enjoyment of the second. A few tidbits of info were interspersed throughout so that did not happen.

Release/Publication Date:  May 2, 2017

Genre:  Thriller, suspense, crime, murder, romance, mystery, time travel

Cover: Perfect.

Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!

Rating: 4 stars

"The Breakdown" by B. A. Paris

If you can’t trust yourself, who can you trust? B. A. Paris explores this quandary in her latest thriller, “The Breakdown”.

Cass’s life is just about perfect… handsome and loving husband, lots of friends, new job and a great house. The only scar on her idyllic life is the recent death of her mother, from dementia, which left her wealthy. Unbeknownst to Cass, her mother tucked away lots of money and lived a very frugal life. Oh, and her best friend and husband only tolerate each other.

Que a stormy night and a shortcut through a dark, twisting, wooded road. Cass takes said shortcut against her husband’s warnings. As she passes a lay-by, she sees a car. She does not really want to stop; it’s dark, raining and just darn right scary outside. As she pulls by the car, she sees that it is a woman. So, she pulls in front of the car. She waits for the motorist to put on her flashers, honk, get out or otherwise signal that she needs assistance. After some time, Cass goes on. She gets home, goes to bed and forgets about the incident until news of a murder on the very road she traveled last night jolts her out of her happy, perfect life.

Cass instantly feels guilty. Could she have helped? Could she have saved her? Would she have been murdered too? Then her mind jumps to the next logical question… did the murderer see her? She instantly becomes anxious. She begins forgetting things. She thinks someone is watching her and starts receiving calls from someone who does not speak. Then, she starts hallucinating. Is she going crazy or does she have dementia like her mother? Why is this happening to her? She just wants to have a baby and return to her normal life.

Does Cass find out what is going on? Does she find out who the murderer is before the murderer can drive her crazy? You must read the book to find out. It is a great read… I devoured in less than 24 hours. I really like this author and have not read her debut novel, “Behind Closed Doors”, but plan to soon.

Release/Publication Date:  July 18, 2017

Genre:  Thriller, suspense, crime, murder

Cover: Perfect.

Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!

Rating: 4 stars

"The Pony Express Romance Collection" by Various

It’s amazing to think that something as ingrained in American history such as the Pony Express was only in operation for 19 months! “The Pony Express Romance Collection: Historic Express Mail Route Delivers Nine Inspiring Romances” is full of interesting facts. For example, they looked for riders who were quite young: between 12 and 18. The smaller and lighter, the better. They also preferred orphans and women were not even considered. You will find these and other interesting facts in the book.

As mentioned in the title, the book contains nine short stories. They all take place within a short time frame and each romance centers around a Pony Express station/stop and tackles issues like bigotry, racism, slavery, prostitution, abuse. The primary characters are also concerned with new telegraph line being constructed as it signals the end of the Pony Express and their jobs.

The common theme throughout these stories, other than the Pony Express and romance, is a character believes that God either does not love them/care about them or does not listen to their prayers. Throughout the story, the character finds him or herself praying/seeking God and realizing His love for him or her. Great reminders that “When god doesn’t answer the way we want Him to, it’s because He knows what’s best for us better than we do.”
I enjoyed “The Gambler’s Daughter” and it’s reminder that “God never leads us to sin”. Set on Christmas Eve in 1860, it is the story of a young lady who sets out to find her father and instead finds romance.

I found that some of the stories seemed to have a similar storyline and appreciated the last couple as they were a bit different. Women were not prized for their ability to cook and clean, but as a horse whisperer and stable hand. However, this is still a good book and would be great for any age as it is clean and has good lessons.

Release/Publication Date:  March 15, 2017

Genre:  Christian Fiction, Western, Romance

Cover: Perfect.

Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you!

Rating: 4 stars