Fatal Secrets

PHINNEY, BARBARA

FATAL SECRETS

"For my baby's safety, I must give her up..."

An old letter is all Kristin Perry has of her birth mother. When the Witness Protection Program couldn't keep mother or daughter safe, the woman fled 'underground'. With the help of private investigator Zane Black, Kristin tries to track her down. Instead though, she finds herself the target of a series of deadly 'accidents'. Zane's still searching for her missing mother -- but now Kristin's starting to wonder if her family reunion will be the death of them all...

THIS IS THE FIFTH IN THE PROTECTING THE WITNESSES SERIES. KRISTIN APPEARS IN THE PREVIOUS BOOK, AS DOES JACKSON MCGRAW. THIS BOOK SETS UP THE THE GRAND FINALE WHICH TAKES PLACE IN BOOK 6 -- RISKY REUNION. I'M QUITE INTRIGUED WITH THE NOTION OF SIX WRITERS COLLABORATING ON A SERIES. OVERLAPPING CHARACTERS HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT -- OVERALL PLOTS CARRY OVER BUT BUILD WITH EACH SUBSEQUENT BOOK -- AND YET EACH STORY HAS TO STAND ALONE WITH ITS OWN SUSPENSE/ROMANCE COMBINATION. I FELT THAT THE SUSPENSE OVERSHADOWED THE ROMANCE IN FATAL SECRETS, BUT IT WAS STILL A GOOD READ.

Child of the Mist

MORGAN, KATHLEEN

CHILD OF THE MIST

An arranged betrothal was never the course Anne MacGregor imagined her life would take. Yet when her father explains that her cooperation is the only way to bring about the long-sought truce between feuding families. Anne has no other choice.

A simple ceremony pledging Anne's hand in marriage after one year of commitment is the only seal to the promise of peace. But when the arrangement requires the reluctant Anne to follow Niall Campbell back to his home, she soon discovers that peace is not so easily achieved. Before they even arrive, rumors about her abound, and her safety is threatened. Meanwhile, Niall's ascension as leader of his clan is in jeopardy, as a traitor works to bring about his downfall.

As Niall and Anne begin to see beyond each other's defenses, love takes them by surprise. But will it be enough to defeat their foes? Or will the truce be broken, their lives forfeit, and war return to their beloved land?

I WAS VERY EXCITED TO FIND THIS GEM AT MY LIBRARY. SO MANY OF THE CHRISTIAN HISTORICALS ARE SET AROUND THE TURN OF THE CENTURY AND USUALLY IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE UNITED STATES. WHILE I LOVE READING THEM IT WAS WONDERFUL TO JOURNEY ACROSS THE OCEAN TO 16TH CENTURY SCOTLAND FOR A CHANGE.

KATHLEEN DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF CAPTURING THE ESSENCE OF THAT ERA. THERE HAS BEEN CONTROVERSY RE. SOME OF THE CONTENT OF THIS BOOK -- FOR SEXUAL SUGGESTIVENESS, VIOLENCE AND A NEGATIVE PORTRAYAL OF THE CLERGY. WHILE I DID FIND THIS A GRITTIER READ, I THOUGHT THAT KATHLEEN HANDLED ALL THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES WITH GRACE WHILE STILL REMAINING TRUE TO THE TIME PERIOD.

FACT WAS: SCOTTISH HIGHLANDERS WERE BRAWNY, LUSTY CLAYMORE SWINGING WARRIORS :-) AND NIALL CAMPBELL CERTAINLY PORTRAYED THEM MAGNIFICENTLY. RELIGION WAS STEEPED IN POLITICS AND FANATICISM FED THE SUPERSTITIONS OF THE TIME. WHILE THE CAMPBELL CLAN'S CLERGYMAN WAS REPREHENSIBLE, I FELT THAT ANNE MACGREGOR'S PURE LOVE OF GOD PROVIDED A GOOD BALANCE.

THE SUSPENSEFUL PLOT WAS FILLED WITH TWISTS AND TURNS AND PLENTY OF INTRIGUE THAT KEPT ME TURNING PAGES. NIALL AND ANNE'S TURBULENT ROMANCE WAS INTRICATELY WOVEN INTO THE ACTION-PACKED PLOT. I REALLY ENJOYED READING MAID OF THE MIST AND HAVE ALREADY PLACED HOLDS ON THE REST OF THE SERIES AT MY LIBRARY.

Steadfast Soldier

WYATT, CHERYL

STEADFAST SOLDIER

Rescuing people is his job but the one person pararescue jumper Chance Garrison can't seem to help is his own ailing father, who refuses his much-needed physical rehabilitation. That is, until Chance hires unconventional occupational therapist Chloe Callet. To his surprise, Chloe and her sweet black Lab, Midnight, work wonders. And not only on the elder Garrison. Chance just may have met the woman who can get through his own toughened exterior. Can he persuade the lovely Chloe to take a chance -- on him?

CHERYL WYATT DOESN'T JUST USE WORDS TO TELL A STORY, SHE CRAFTS WITH THEM. HER PACING, DETAIL AND DIALOGUE DELIVER A TIGHT PLOT WITH IMPRESSIVE IMPACT. SUCCINCT WORD CHOICE STILL PACKS A WALLOP WITHOUT ROBBING THE READER OF AN EMOTIONAL CONNECTION WITH HER CHARACTERS.

AND CHERYL EXCELS AT CHARACTERIZATION. SHE CREATES THOUGHT-PROVOKING PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND THEIR WAY THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES.

AS A ROMANTIC HERO, CHANCE GARRISON IS SUBLIME. CHERYL CONTRASTS HIS STRENGTHS WITH FEARS AND EXPOSES VULNERABILITIES THAT MAKE HIM BELIEVABLE AND VERY, VERY APPEALING. CHLOE CALLET HAS HER OWN BRAND OF STRENGTH BUT IS ALSO EMOTIONALLY FRAGILE. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK THEIR NEEDS AND DESIRES FOR THE FUTURE ARE DEFINITELY AT ODDS. PART OF THE JOY OF THIS READING JOURNEY IS DISCOVERING HOW CHERYL STACKS THOSE ODDS IN THEIR FAVOUR TO ENSURE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER ENDING.

THE ROMANTIC CONNECTION BETWEEN CHLOE AND CHANCE IS IMMEDIATE, BUT FRAUGHT WITH COMPLICATIONS. THAT DOESN'T STOP THE SLOW SIZZLE THAT GRADUALLY FANS INTO A DEEPLY-COMMITTED, GOD-CENTERED LOVE.

DEFINITELY AN INCREDIBLE READ THAT TRANSPORTED ME STRAIGHT INTO THE PAGES OF THE BOOK AND I DIDN'T WANT TO COME OUT!!! FROM PLOT, TO CHARACTERIZATION, TO ROMANCE, STEADFAST SOLDIER IS TOTALLY CAPTIVATING.

Letter Perfect

HAKE, CATHY MARIE

LETTER PERFECT

If her own two feet don't end up tripping her, Ruth Caldwell's mouth is likely to get her into equal trouble. But Ruth has the best of intentions. Truly. It's just that her attempts to live up to her mother's expectations of how a lady should act have often yielded...well, less than impressive results.

Josh McCain is speechless when he sees Ruth step off the stage in Folsom, California. Sure, it looks like she's been sleeping in her gown for the past week, but with a crown of riotous curls and those deep green eyes, she's certainly the most beautiful woman he's ever met.

But attraction is not all that causes sparks between Ruth and Josh. With Ruth's legitimate claim to an inheritance, the Broken P Ranch's future is suddenly precarious. And when Ruth's 'accidents' -- going beyond even her normal bumbling ways -- seem to take a sinister turn, Josh must decide where his loyalties lie.

CATHY MARIE HAKE HAS THE GIFT OF CREATING STRONG, INDEPENDENT AND INTELLIGENT FEMALE CHARACTERS -- AND THEN SHE TURNS THEIR WORLD UPSIDE DOWN AND THE RESULT IS ALWAYS A CAPTIVATING READ! AND YET, NONE OF HER BOOKS (I'VE READ THREE -- ALL HISTORICALS) ARE IN ANY WAY REPETITIVE.

I WAS CAPTIVATED BY RUTH CALDWELL FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE AND WAS QUICKLY IMMERSED IN HER STORY -- ESPECIALLY WHEN IT TURNED SURPRISINGLY SUSPENSEFUL.

JOSH MCCAIN DIDN'T STAND A CHANCE AND IT WAS FUN TO WATCH HIM REACT TO RUTH'S ANTICS BUT HAKE GAVE HIM A SENSE OF HUMOUR AND READING DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE TWO HAD ME LAUGHING OUT LOUD.

THE SUSPENSE WAS SOLID AND BROUGHT TO A STAND-UP-AND-CHEER CONCLUSION AS TRUTH COMES TO LIGHT. FANS WHO LOVE A BLEND OF HUMOUR AND MYSTERY ALONGSIDE A SWEET ROMANCE WILL LOVE LETTER PERFECT.

The Cinderella List

BAER, JUDY

THE CINDERELLA LIST

Wanted: One smart, kind, thoughtful -- and totally gorgeous -- man! Since she was a child, Marlo Mayfield has kept a list of traits her Prince Charming must possess.

After a series of bad relationships, Marlo's beginning to lose hope that her ideal man exists. But when she caters a party for Jake Hammond, Marlo realizes he could be the man she's been waiting for. There's only one problem: Jake is super wealthy, and Marlo's not sure she fits into his blue-blooded world. But Jake is determined to show Marlo that with a little faith and a lot of love, he just might be the one.

THIS IS A LOVELY, CLASSIC PURE ROMANCE. IT HAS TRADITIONAL LINES AND JUDY HAS FLESHED OUT THE CHARACTERS NICELY. I REALLY LIKE IT WHEN AN AUTHOR INCLUDES HER OWN INTERESTS IN A BOOK SINCE IT LENDS AN AIR OF AUTHENTICITY TO THE STORY. JUDY'S LOVE OF HORSES AND HER TRAINING IN EQUINE-ASSISTED PSYHCOTHERAPY PROVIDES A NICE BACKGROUND TO THE ROMANTIC PLOT LINE. A VERY NICE 'ESCAPE' READ.

Forevermore

HAKE, CATHY MARIE

FOREVERMORE

There is no one quite like Hope Ladley. A veritable dandelion in the wind, she blows from one farm to the next, roaming the Texas countryside as an itinerant cook. When she rides her mule, Hattie, onto the Stauffer farm, Hope knows this is the place the Lord wants her to be.

Jakob Stauffer, though grateful for a cook to assist his pregnant sister and young daughter through the harvest, is baffled by Hope's unconventional methods as she gets things done around the farm. Yet he can't deny the way her sunny disposition and unstinting love make changes of a different kind...even within his own heart.

HOPE HAS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST INNOVATIVE AND CHARMING CHARACTERS I HAVE EVER MET!!!!! SHE CAPTIVATED ME FROM THE FIRST PAGE AND HELD ME ENTHRALLED RIGHT TO THE END. AND ALL THE WHILE I READ, I MARVELED AT CATHY MARIE HAKE'S INCREDIBLE IMAGINATION.

HOPE MANGLES IDIOMS AND HER SPEECH IS PEPPERED WITH THEM. IT'S INCREDIBLE THAT CATHY CAME UP WITH SO MANY, BUT THEN SHE FINDS A WAY TO TWIST THEM INTO HILARIOUS FAUX PAS THAT IRONICALLY MAKE SENSE AND LETS HOPE BLITHELY SPEW THEM THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BOOK. BRILLIANT. BRILLIANT. BRILLIANT. NOT ONLY FUNNY AND ENDEARING, BUT SUCH A CLEVER WAY FOR THE READER TO CONNECT WITH A CHARACTER.

I LOVE THE WHOLE PREMISE OF HOPE BRINGING A HEALING CHANGE. SHE'S A MAGICAL CHARACTER -- KIND OF LIKE A MARY POPPINS ON A GRANDER SCALE...AND MAYBE A FAIRY GODMOTHER WITH COMMON SENSE...NOT TO MENTION AN AMELIA BEDELIA FOR THE OLDER SET. I DON'T THINK MY DESCRIPTIONS CAN DO JUSTICE TO HOPE. SHE'S EXCEPTIONALLY UNIQUE. PERIOD.

THIS IS A DEFINITE MUST-READ FOR HISTORICAL LOVERS -- AND IF HISTORICALS AREN'T YOUR THING -- MAKE AN EXCEPTION. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.

Texas Pursuit

SMITH, DEBRA WHITE

TEXAS PURSUIT

Tired of waiting for the right man to start a family, Tanya flew halfway around the world alone to adopt her son. On the return flight, she was seated next to a man named Maurice and endured hours of his comments and innuendos. Once they landed in Dallas, he started stalking her -- sending gifts, leaving voice mails, following her everywhere...finally forcing her to move,

Maurice hires private detective Sonny Mansfield, whose intentions were good when he agreed to help a client locate his missing "ex-wife" and kidnapped "son". But watching Tanya with her little boy, Sonny realizes he's made a terrible mistake by inadvertently leading danger back into her life.

Joining forces to defeat the madman, Sonny and Tanya can't deny the attraction they feel for each other. But their love will be short-lived if they aren't able to escape Maurice for good.

ENJOYABLE MYSTERY/SUSPENSE. THE TAUT PLOT MAKES THIS A PAGE-TURNER BUT THE DEVELOPING ROMANCE BETWEEN SONNY AND TANYA MAKES YOU SAVOR EVERY LAST WORD. THE SECOND IN A SERIES BUT IT WASN'T CONFUSING TO READ FIRST. KUDOS TO DEBRA FOR MAKING IT READ LIKE A STAND ALONE. I'LL DEFINITELY BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR TEXAS HEAT (THE FIRST OF THE SERIES WHICH IS OUT NOW) AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE THIRD BOOK WHEN IT IS PUBLISHED.

The Doctor's Perfect Match

HANNON, IRENE

THE DOCTOR'S PERFECT MATCH

Prescription for romance. His Nantucket neighbour is tring to fix him up with Marci Clay? First of all, Dr. Christopher Morgan doesn't date. Not since his last relationship ended in tragedy. And second, he and the pretty waitress with the secretive past come from two different worlds. Worlds that he will not let collide during the few weeks she has left on the island, Besides, Marci seems as wary of him as he is of her. Until he discovers a special cure for the sadness in her emerald green eyes: a heaping dose of faith, trust and love.

THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL READ! IRENE HAS AN INCREDIBLE TALENT FOR CREATING IMAGES WITH HER WORDS --THEY BREATHE LIFE INTO HER CHARACTERS AND RELATIONSHIPS. AS USUAL, IRENE CHALLENGES HER CHARACTERS (AND READERS) TO DELVE DEEPLY INTO THEIR FAITH. A BEAUTIFUL TESTAMENT TO HOW FORGIVENESS BRINGS HOPE.

Love on a Dime

JAMES, CARA LYNN

LOVE ON A DIME

Newport, Rhode Island, 1899, is a place of shimmering waves, sleek yachts, and ladies of leisure. Of opulent mansions that serve as summer cottages for the rich and famous. Home of railroad magnates and banking tycoons -- dashing young men and the women who inspire them.

But it's not the place for lady novelists. Especially not those who pen disreputable dime novels. This poses a problem for Lilly Westbrook, because that's exactly what she does.

No one in Lilly's social set knows she pens fiction under the nom de plume Fannie Cole. Not her family or the wealthy young man about to propose to her. And especially not Jackson Grail, the long-lost beaut who just bought her publishing company...and who stirs her heart more than she cares to admit.

But Lilly must put aside her feelings and follow the path that will maintain her family's social stature and provide the financial security everyone is depending on.

Now Lilly faces a double-dilemma. Can she continue to protect her secret identity? And will she have the courage to choose the man who will risk it all just to win her heart?

THIS IS A WONDERFUL STORY ABOUT A YOUNG WOMAN WHO IS AT ODDS WITH RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON A YOUNG LADY OF QUALITY IN THE 19TH CENTURY. LILLY IS FIERCELY LOYAL TO HER FAMILY TO THE POINT OF NEARLY LOSING HERSELF AS SHE STRIVES TO BE THE PERFECT DAUGHTER, SISTER AND FIANCEE. THE TROUBLE IS THAT THE REAL LILLY ISN'T AS PROPER AND MALLEABLE AS EVERYONE THINKS! WRITING DIME NOVELS ON THE SLY PROVIDES LILLY WITH AN OUTLET FOR HER CREATIVITY AND IMAGINATIVE NATURE BUT SOON THREATENS EVERYTHING SHE HOLDS DEAR.

LILLY IS A MULTI-FACETED CHARACTER. I LOVED THE CONTRASTS IN HER. SHE HAD LEARNED TO PLAY HER ROLE SO WELL THAT SHE WAS IN DANGER OF BELIEVING IT. I WANTED TO SCREAM AT HER AT TIMES, SHAKE SOME SENSE INTO HER AS SHE SEEMED RESIGNED TO FOLLOW A FUTURE THAT REALLY HELD NO APPEAL TO HER. SHE WAS SO DETERMINED TO PLAY THE ROLE OF DUTIFUL DAUGHTER THAT SHE IGNORED THE FACT THAT SHE WAS MISERABLE. SHE HAD THIS MISGUIDED IDEA THAT WHAT SHE WANTED DIDN'T COUNT. I ENJOYED WATCHING THIS 'LOST LILLY' FIND HERSELF WITH THE HELP OF HER FORMER SUITOR, JACK.

I LOVED THE INNOVATIVE DIME NOVEL ANGLE! WRITERS AND READERS OF INSPIRATIONAL ROMANCE CAN DEFINITELY RELATE TO THE TIMELESS DEBATE ABOUT THE WORTHINESS OF THIS TYPE OF LITERATURE. AND LILLY'S DIME NOVELS REVEAL A REBELLIOUS STREAK AS SHE FIGHTS AGAINST COMPLETELY CONFORMING TO SOCIETY'S DEMANDS.

JACK HAS ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A SWOONWORTHY HERO. REPENTANT, DETERMINED, BESOTTED AND BOLD. A SELF-MADE MAN WHO DISCOVERS HE NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OR HE COULD LOSE HIMSELF IN HIS NEW-FOUND WEALTH.

THIS BOOK IS ABOUT FINDING A BALANCE WHILE KEEPING GOD AT THE CENTER. A FANTASTIC DEBUT NOVEL.

Wildflower Bride

CONNEALY, MARY

WILDFLOWER BRIDE

Wade has a hero reflex but Abby has a knife reflex!

Glowing Sun has never met a man she didn't pull a knife on -- including the man who's determined to marry her.

Glowing Sun, a white woman raised by the Flathead Indians is one of a handful left alive after the people of her village are slaughtered. When those remaining blame her for bringing on the killing spree, she is forced to leave her tribe.

With a vague memory of her life in the white world, which eventually includes a name -- Abby Lind -- she declares her life as Glowing Sun over. But where does she belong now?

Wade Sawyer, having broken ties with his cattle-baron father, makes himself responsible for Abby's survival. But can he win her heart when she pulls a knife at everything that moves?

When Wade receives word that his father may be dying, he heads home, with Abby reluctantly following behind. Neither is aware that land-hungry killers slink in the shadows of the Sawyer Ranch.

Will Abby be able to keep the mild-mannered Wade out of trouble? Will Wade rescue reflex in the way of his common sense? Can they stay alive long enough to fall head over spurs in love?

IF WADE HAS A HERO REFLEX AND ABBY HAS A KNIFE REFLEX, I HAVE A MARY REFLEX! I JUST HAVE TO REACH OUT AND GRAB EVERY SINGLE BOOK I CAN GET MY HANDS ON. AND THEN I HAVE TO READ IT STRAIGHT THROUGH. I LOVE HER HUMOUR -- IT'S DOWN-HOME WITTY AND SO ENTERTAINING. AND I LOVE HER HEROINES. THEY ARE SUCH STRONG WOMEN. IN FACT BELLE TANNER...OOPS, HARDEN...AND GLOWING SUN COULD BE FOLK HEROINES IN THEIR OWN TALL TALES.

I LOVE THAT MARY REDEEMED WADE. I WAS SO SET ON HATING HIM AT THE BEGINNING OF MONTANA ROSE AND SO RELUCTANT TO SEE ANY GOOD IN HIM REGARDLESS OF WHAT RED PREACHED. BUT I HELD A SOFT SPOT FOR HIM AT THE END OF THAT BOOK (FIRST IN THE SERIES) AND WAS THRILLED TO SEE HIS GROWTH IN THE HUSBAND TREE AND ECSATIC (YES I GET WAAAYYY TOO ATTACHED TO MY FAV BOOK CHARACTERS) WHEN I DISCOVERED HE HAD HIS OWN BOOK COMING OUT.

MARY DID A WONDERFUL JOB OF FLESHING HIM OUT, HELPING HIM TO GROW INTO A MAN WITH THE KIND OF STRENGTH THE BULLIES AROUND HIM COULDN'T BEGIN TO MATCH. I LOVED HIS DOGGED DEVOTION TO ABBY; HIS RELENTLESS DETERMINATION TO PURSUE HER DESPITE THE NARROW ODDS OF WINNING HER. BUT MOST OF ALL I LOVED HIS CONVERSION STORY. IT IS SUCH AN UPLIFTING PART OF THE BOOK AND SEAMLESSLY WOVEN IN AMONGST THE LAUGHTER AND ANGST.

SPEAKING OF ANGST. MARY HAS THE OLD WEST OUTLAW DOWN PAT. PURE EVIL BENT ON CAUSING AS MUCH MAYHEM AS POSSIBLE AND MARY LETS THEM HAVE THEIR WAY...TO A POINT.

AND THOSE ACTION SCENES -- STARTING WITH THE VERY FIRST PAGE! MARY HAS PACING DOWN TO A FINE ART AND EXPENDS JUST ENOUGH WORDS TO CATAPULT YOU OUT OF YOUR EASY CHAIR AND RIGHT INTO THE WILD WEST.

ABBY IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE HEROINES I HAVE MET. I LOVE HER FRESH POINT OF VIEW -- AS A WHITE WOMAN WHO HAD GROWN UP IN A FLATHEAD VILLAGE SHE HAS KEEN OBSERVATIONS OF THE SUPPOSEDLY SUPERIOR WHITE WORLD THAT ARE BOTH HUMOUROUS AND PROFOUND. I ESPECIALLY ENJOYED HER INTERACTIONS WITH WADE'S FATHER. I COULD HAVE READ A WHOLE BOOKFUL OF THOSE TWO GOING AT EACH OTHER!!! LOL.

MARY HAS OUTDONE HERSELF WITH THE THIRD OF HER MONTANA MARRIAGES SERIES. PLUS SHE'S LEFT THE DOOR OPEN (I HOPE) WITH ALL THOSE UNMARRIED JESSUP BROTHERS NOT TO MENTION TACITURN TOM LINSCOTT.

A Soldier's Devotion

WYATT, CHERYL
A SOLDIER'S DEVOTION

An accidental meeting : U. S. Air Force pararescue jumper Vince Reardon was headed to a lifesaving mission. Until a too-pretty lawyer crashed her fancy car into his motorcycle -- sidelining him for two weeks. Vince can barely accept Valentina Russo's heartfelt apologies. Ever since his brother was wrongly convicted -- and killed -- in prison -- Vince has lost respect for lawyers. But wait -- is that Val volunteering as his refuge for underprivileged kids? If Vince isn't careful, this lady of the law might just earn his respect and his heart.

A SOLDIER'S DEVOTION HAD ME ENTHRALLED FROM THE GRIPPING FIRST PAGE TO THE HEART-WARMING CONCLUSION. THE SOLID ISSUES THAT VINCE AND VAL BATTLE ELEVATE THIS BOOK FROM AN ENJOYABLE LOVE STORY (THOUGH IT IS THAT) TO AN INCREDIBLE AND UPLIFTING MUST-READ.

IT IS FILLED WITH THE STUFF GOOD BOOKS ARE MADE OF -- TENDER MOMENTS...ROMANTIC TENSION PULLED SO TAUT THAT YOU'RE SQUIRMING. IN FACT, THE BOOK IS PEPPERED WITH DROP-DEAD, HEAR-PALPITATING MOMENTS WORTHY OF A FULL BLOWN SWOON! BUT CHERYL ALSO ALLEVIATES TENSION WITH HILARIOUS, LAUGH-OUT-LOUD SCENES.

WHAT STRUCK ME MOST AS I READ THIS BOOK WAS CHERYL'S ABILITY TO CREATE TWO DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT CHARACTERS WITH HER EXQUISITE CHOICE OF WORDS.

VINCE IS A MEMORABLE HERO. HE IS ANGRY, BITTER AND HURTING AND HASN'T LET GO OF HIS PAST. THIS IS CONVEYED BY TERSE, SINGLE WORD SENTENCES PUNCTUATED BY FRAGMENTS OF THOUGHTS. GRITTY AND REALISTIC, IT HAD MY HEART POUNDING IN FEAR FOR VAL EVEN THOUGH I KNEW VINCE WAS GOING TO BE THE LOVE INTEREST.

BY CONTRAST, VAL'S THOUGHTS AND WORDS ARTICULATELY FLOW WITH EMOTION AND COMPASSION. THIS TECHNIQUE CARRIES THROUGHOUT THE STORY UNTIL VINCE BEGINS TO CHANGE. AS HE GROWS SO DO HIS THOUGHTS AND WORDS WHICH ARE CONSTRUCTED INTO LONGER SENTENCES THAT GIVE US A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THIS MAN. I THINK THIS IS A FANTASTIC TECHNIQUE TO CONVEY GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN A CHARACTER. IT ALSO SHOWS HOW FAR APART VAL AND VINCE ARE AT THE BEGINNING OF A SOLDIER'S DEVOTION AND HOW UNITED THEY BECAME BY THE END OF THE BOOK.

CHERYL TELLS THIS STORY WITH COMPASSION BORN OF AN UNDERSTANDING HEART WHICH DEFINITELY MAKES IT STAND OUT AMONG OTHER CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES. A BRILLIANT BOOK BY A BRILLIANT AUTHOR.

Whirlwind

HAKE, CATHY MARIE
WHIRLWIND

As a nanny, Millicent Fairweather poured her energy and talents into the two young charges under her care – only to have them suddenly and without explanation sent to a boarding school. Bereft and unsure of where life will lead her, she agrees to accompany her sister and brother-in-law to America. They board the Opportunity, confident a better life awaits.

Widower Daniel Clark determines to begin life anew in Gooding, Texas, operating a mercantile. But when his nanny leaves him stranded aboard the ship with his young son, he finds himself in dire need of assistance. Obtaining temporary help from steerage, Daniel is initially taken aback by the pretty bundle of energy who takes over his suite. Yet Miss Fairweather’s unique child-rearing techniques and tireless devotion to his son win him over.

When tragedy ensues and a whirlwind decision is made, Daniel and Millicent’s lives irrevocably intertwine. Will love soon follow?

THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK I’VE READ BY CATHY MARIE HAKE AND I’M ECSTATIC TO FIND THAT SHE IS THE AUTHOR OF OVER TWENTY NOVELS BECAUSE IF THEY’RE ALL AS CAPTIVATING AS THIS ONE I HAVE HOURS OF READING ENJOYMENT AHEAD OF ME!

DANIEL IS PARTICULARLY APPEALING IN HIS EARNEST ENDEAVOR TO ORGANIZE EVERYTHING – INCLUDING POOR, FREE-SPIRITED MILLICENT. HIS INTENTIONS ARE SO GOOD, BUT HIS DELIVERY LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED WHICH CREATES PLENTY OF HUMOROUS SITUATIONS.

MILLICIENT IS REFRESHING AND FUN AND AN INNOVATIVE NANNY. I LOVE HOW SHE KEEPS DANIEL IN A FLUMMOXED STATE AND HOW BLUNDERING HE IS IN THAT STATE. BUT THERE’S ALSO HIS DETERMINATION TO WOO MILLIE THAT MAKES HIM SO ENDEARING.

THIS IS A LOVELY HISTORICAL READ.

Plain Perfect

WISEMAN, BETH

PLAIN PERFECT

On the rolling plains of Lancaster County, PA, Lillian Miller is searching for her grandparents' house...and so much more. After years of neglect and abuse, she's turning to a lifestyle of simplicity among the Amish to find herself.

As she discards the distractions of her former life, she befriends the young boy working on her family's farm and his attractive widowed father, Samuel Stolzfus. Despite Lillian's best efforts to the contrary, her feelings for Samuel -- and his for her -- deepen. Will Lillian find her faith in plain living or will she be forced to return to her former life?

THIS IS MY FIRST 'BONNET' BOOK THOUGH I'VE LONG HELD A FASCINATION FOR THE PLAIN LIVING PRACTISED BY THE AMISH. I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH THAT I READ IT IN ONE SITTING. IT IS A STUNNING NOVEL ABOUT FORGIVENESS AND THE PEACE IT BRINGS.

THE ROMANTIC DEVELOPMENT IS NICELY PACED AND SAMUEL'S STEADFAST FAITH IS A GREAT FOIL TO LILLIAN'S EMOTIONAL CONFUSION. I ENJOYED WATCHING THEIR LOVE GROW IN SPITE OF THEMSELVES.

ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THIS NOVEL COME TO LIFE. I PARTICULARLY LOVED GRANDPA JONAS, WHO OFTEN HAD ME LAUGHING OUT LOUD. THIS BOOK IS RICH IN DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS -- AND IN HEALING THEM. LILLIAN'S ABILITY TO PUT THE PAST TO REST SO THAT SHE CAN GROW SPIRITUALLY IS INSPIRING. ALL IN ALL A VERY GOOD READ.

A Case for Love

DACUS, KAYE

A CASE FOR LOVE

Falling in love with your lawyer isn't all bad...unless he's the son of the people you're suing.

The Alaine Delacroix that all of Bonneterre knows is the carefully polished image she puts forth every day on her noontime news magazine program. When her parents' home and small business are threatened by the biggest corporation in town, Alaine is forced to choose between her image and fighting for the life her family has built.

Lawyer Forbes Guidry is used to making things go his way. But when he's asked to take on a pro bono case for a colleague he'll learn that he can't control everything -- including his feelings for his new client : Alaine Delacroix.

Alaine's only option to help her family is hiring Forbes, but can she bring herself to trust the handsome, disarmingly charming lawyer? And will Forbes Guidry be able to make a case for love before losing his job and family? Can both trust that God will present a solution before all is lost?

KAYE'S ATTENTION TO SIMPLE DETAILS BROUGHT ME THE TASTE AND FEEL OF LOUISIANA. I ACTUALLY FEEL LIKE I'VE VISITED THERE A TIME OR TWO. I LOVE BEING TRANSPORTED TO NEW PLACES THROUGH THE PAGES OF FICTION!

THIS IS MORE THAN A LOVE STORY -- THOUGH I APPRECIATED FORBES' SWIFT 'FALL INTO LOVE'. HIS RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF ALAINE WAS DEFINITELY SWOONWORTHY BUT THE LEGAL CASE THEY ARE EMBROILED IN HAD ME TURNING PAGES AT AN ALARMING SPEED.

I LOVED THE CHARACTER GROWTH IN BOTH FORBES AND ALAINE AND HOW IT PARALLELED EACH OTHER. THEY BOTH TOOK CAREER MOVES THEY HADN'T PLANNED ON -- COULDN'T HAVE EVEN DREAMED OF AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK -- BUT THEIR INDIVIDUAL JOURNEYS WERE BOTH BELIEVABLE AND INSPIRING.

Sushi for One?

TANG, CAMY

SUSHI FOR ONE?

Lex Sakai's family is big, noisy, and marriage-minded. When her cousin Mariko gets married, Lex will become the oldest single female cousin in the clan. Lex has used her Bible Study class on Ephesians to compile a huge list of traits for the perfect man. But the one man she keeps running into doesn't seem to have a single quality on her list. It's only when the always-in-control Lex starts to let God take over that all the pieces of this hilarious romance finally fall into place.

MADCAP, CRAZY, SLIGHTLY IRREVERENT AND DEFINITELY HILARIOUS, THIS WAS SUCH A FUN READ. I THINK WE CAN ALL IDENTIFY WITH LEX'S ROMANTIC STRUGGLES ON SOME LEVEL -- THE MORE AUDACIOUS THE BETTER. AND HER ZANY EXTENDED FAMILY! WHAT A RIOT. CAMY HAS A TALENT FOR PAGE-TURNING HUMOUR THAT SHE SPINS WITH HER OWN UNIQUE WRITING STYLE. EVEN SO, THERE IS A POIGNANT SPIRITUAL MESSAGE WOVEN INTO THE STORY AND THE COMBINATION MAKES FOR A VERY SATISFYING READ.

The Husband Tree

CONNEALY, MARY

THE HUSBAND TREE

Standing over her third no-account husband's grave, Belle Tanner makes a vow - no more men. Now all she needs to do is get her cattle to market before winter sets in. But there's no one around except the drifter Silas Harden, and Belle is such a poor judge of men that she can't decide if he is worth hiring on.

Silas just escaped a shotgun wedding -- only to lose his money, his ranch, and his pride. Although he's determined never to get tangled up with womenfolk again, Belle and her four daughters seem to bring out the protector in him. And he can't seem to stop kissing Belle senseless.

When a group of cowpokes show up along the drive Belle has her hands full. Can she keep her oldest daughter away from a no-good cowhand -- and herself out of Silas's arms? Will anyone get through this treacherous cattle drive unscathed and unhitched?

SIGH! A HUNKY HERO BENT ON 'KISSING SENSELESS' CERTAINLY HOLDS MY ATTENTION! WATCH OUT, BELLE, I'VE FALLEN FOR SILAS HARDEN! I LOVE MARY'S HEROES. THEY'RE SO....SWOONWORTHY! AND SHE WRAPS UP THE ROMANCE WITH HUMOUR -- ONE LINE ZINGERS THAT HAD ME HOWLING OUT LOUD (WHICH IS KIND OF EMBARRASSING WHEN READING IN PUBLIC PLACES). TIGHT PLOT, ROMANTIC TENSION, UNEXPECTED TWISTS AND TOUCHES OF HUMOUR MAKE THIS A VERY, VERY, VERY, SATISFYING READ.