A Suitor for Jenny

BROWNLEY, MARGARET

A SUITOR FOR JENNY

Jenny Higgins is certain falling in love and finding a husband are matters of the mind. Her heart has other plans.

After their parents died, Jenny felt responsible for seeing that her two younger sisters were well-taken care of. Tipped off by an article naming Rocky Creek the town with the highest number of eligible bachelors, Jenny rolled into this Texas town with a clear objective: find suitable husbands for her two sisters and then start fresh somewhere far, far away.

Jenny believes that women who fall in love at first sight often wish they'd taken a second look, so she diligently begins to follow all the rules set forth in her handy manual on how to land a husband.

But while Jenny is interviewing the less-than-promising candidates, her sisters are falling in love the old-fashioned way -- with men of their choosing. And the longer Jenny stays, the more her sense of control slips away. The town isn't living up to her expectations, her sisters are rebelling against her practical choices, and soon her own heart starts to betray her, as US Marshal Rhett Armstrong stirs up emotions in her that weren't part of her plan.

To relinquish her control to God and calm her restless spirit, she'll need to give up her foregone conclusions about marriage, love, and faith.

I HAVE BEEN ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE NEXT RELEASE FROM MARGARET BROWNLEY. IT FELT LIKE AN INTERMINABLE WAIT SINCE I ENJOYED A LADY LIKE SARAH SO MUCH. BUT MY IMPATIENCE WAS WORTH IT! A SUITOR FOR JENNY IS JUST AS CAPTIVATING AND THERE'S THE ADDED BONUS OF GETTING REAQUAINTED WITH SARAH AND JUSTIN WITHIN THE PAGES OF THIS SECOND NOVEL.

BROWNLEY HAS A REAL TALENT FOR BLENDING HUMOUR AND DRAMA. SHE FOUND THE PERFECT BALANCE THAT KEPT ME BETWEEN ANGST AND LAUGHTER THE ENTIRE READ!

I LOVE HOW SHE SET UP EACH CHAPTER WITH A QUOTE FROM "MISS ABIGAIL JENKINS", 1875 -- HELPFUL HINTS ON COURTING. SUCH SAGE ADVICE THAT IS AS SOUND TODAY AS IT WAS THEN. GEMS LIKE:

WOMEN WHO FALL IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT OFTEN WISH THEY'D TAKEN A SECOND LOOK.

OR HOW ABOUT

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT TO KISS A HANDSOME MAN, GIVE HIM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

JENNY IS A COMPLICATED WOMAN AND BROWNLEY HINTS AT A DIFFICULT PAST THAT HAS TEMPERED HER JOY IN LIFE AND HAS LEFT HER WITH VERY LITTLE HOPE FOR HER OWN FUTURE. SHE IS WEIGHED DOWN BY GUILT AND HAS TURNED AWAY FROM GOD BECAUSE SHE BELIEVES SHE DOESN'T DESERVE HIS ATTENTION.

RHETT (SIGH, ISN'T THAT A LOVELY NAME FOR A HERO?) ALSO HAS A TRAGIC PAST AND THOUGH HE HAS TURNED TO GOD TO SEE HIM THROUGH IT, HE HASN'T ALLOWED ANY HEALING TO TAKE PLACE. IN SPITE OF THEIR HURTS, RHETT AND JENNY ARE ATTRACTED TO EACH OTHER AND THEN CONFLICTED OVER THAT ATTRACTION. BROWNLEY PULLS THE ROMANTIC TENSION TIGHT AS THEIR STORY PLAYS OUT AND IT DEFINITELY KEPT ME TURNING PAGES.

BROWNLEY ALSO EXPLORES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 'GRIEF' AND 'GUILTY GRIEF' AND WEAVES A POWERFUL MESSAGE AND WITNESS OF GOD'S LOVE FOR HIS CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE BOOK.

I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED MY TIME SPENT IN ROCKY CREEK, TEXAS IN THE COMPANY OF JENNY AND RHETT AND THE REST OF THE CHARACTERS IN A SUITOR FOR JENNY. IT HAS DEFINITELY EARNED A SPOT ON MY KEEPER SHELF!

A Rush of Wings

HEITZMANN, KRISTEN

A RUSH OF WINGS

Though her panic is real, Noelle St. Claire is uncertain what danger she is fleeing. Fragmented images and slivers of memory have driven her to abandon her wealthy, sheltered life for the hope of a haven -- remote and safe.

Noelle's arrival at the Rocky Mountain horse ranch owned by Rick Spencer and his brother Morgan causes more than a little stir. Beautiful, vulnerable, yet strangely secretive, Noelle is an enigma the two contrasting brothers seek to unlock. Is her impenetrable shell protecting her from true danger -- or imagined fears?

ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL READ FROM HEITZMANN. SHE IS QUEEN OF COMPLEX CHARACTERS AND TWISTY TALES. I LOVE HOW SHE DRAWS OUT THE SUSPENSE, DOLING CLUES OUT PIECEMEAL. IT MAKES ME LEAP TO CONCLUSIONS THAT ARE ONLY HALF-RIGHT AND I'M ALWAYS REFORMULATING MY THEORIES AS I READ.

NOELLE IS A PARTICULARLY COMPELLING CHARACTER. THIS IS ALMOST A SLEEPING BEAUTY TALE AS WE WATCH HER COME AWAKE IN SO MANY WAYS -- THE MOST POWERFUL BEING HER FAITH STORY. YOU HAVE TO ADMIRE HER STRENGTH AND TENACITY WHICH ARE IN STARK CONTRAST TO HER VULNERABILITY. THERE'S A MAGICAL QUALITY ABOUT THE WAY HER STORY UNFOLDS, IT'S PARALLELS TO DESTINY THE HORSE RICK IS TRAINING. AND I LOVED BEING 'PRESENT' AS THE PIECES FELL INTO PLACE.

HEITZMANN TOOK A GAMBLE AND CREATED TWO INTRIGUING POTENTIAL HEROES. IT WAS CLEAR NOELLE WAS GOING TO END UP WITH RICK, BUT MORGAN TUGGED AT MY HEART STRINGS. HE NEEDS A LOT OF WORK, A FEW LIFE-ALTERING MOMENTS AND A DEFINITE REACQUAINTING WITH GOD, BUT HE'S A HERO IN THE ROUGH AND I'M PLEASED TO SEE THAT HE TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN A COMPANION TO THIS BOOK -- THE STILL OF NIGHT.

Head in the Clouds

WITEMEYER, KAREN

HEAD IN THE CLOUDS

When a recovering romantic goes to work for a handsome ranch owner, her heart's not the only thing in danger!

Adelaide Proctor longs to find a real-life storybook hero to claim her as his own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a governess position on a remote Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her silly romantic yearnings behind.

Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, never expecting to end up with a child. To his dismay, five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon -- and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions.

When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the girl -- and her inheritance -- Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. Soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?

THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING! HUMOUR, ROMANCE, A DASTARDLY VILLAIN AND ENOUGH SUSPENSE TO KEEP A READER WORRIED UNTIL THE VERY END!

THE ROMANCE BETWEEN GIDEON AND ADELAIDE IS SOME OF THE BEST I HAVE EVER READ. WITEMEYER STRIKES A SPARK FROM THEIR VERY FIRST MEETING AND THEN LETS IT SLOWLY SMOLDER BEFORE FANNING IT TO FULL-FLAME. DELICIOUS!

LITTLE BELLA IS ENCHANTING. I LOVE THE WAY ADELAIDE DRAWS THE CHILD OUT OF HER SHELL AND THE EFFECT THAT HAS ON GIDEON. SIGH. SUCH A DOTING PAPA EVEN THOUGH HE HAS BEEN SUDDENLY THRUST INTO THE ROLE. (SOMETHING THAT INCREASES HIS ATTRACTION TENFOLD!)

DEFINITELY HIGH ON MY RECOMMENDATION LIST.

Protective Custody

EASON, LYNETTE

PROTECTIVE CUSTODY

Guarding witnesses? All in a day's work for deputy U.S. marshal Carly Masterson. Protecting the judge who was indirectly responsible for her mentor's death? That's another story. Still, she won't let harm come to Judge Nicholas Floyd, or the niece and nephew in his care. She's determined to do the job right, and not let her emotions take over—no matter how wonderful it feels to be accepted by the little family. Can she let go of the past and learn to trust again before danger finds them once more?

I HAD NO IDEA THAT LYNETTE EASON WROTE FOR THE LOVE INSPIRED SUSPENSE LINE BUT APPARENTLY SHE'S WRITTEN QUITE A FEW AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM. I FIRST 'MET' EASON THROUGH HER WOMEN OF JUSTICE SERIES WHICH ARE LONGER SUSPENSE NOVELS SO I WAS INTERESTED TO SEE HOW SHE HANDLED THE SHORTER WORD COUNT IN THE LOVE INSPIRED LINE. IN A WORD...AMAZING...

I LITERALLY GASPED OUT LOUD IN HORROR ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AS I READ PROTECTIVE CUSTODY. THIS BOOK HITS YOU WITH ONE CLIFF HANGER AFTER ANOTHER UNTIL YOU DON'T KNOW WHICH WAY IS UP.

AND THEN SHE BLINDSIDES YOU WITH THE ROMANCE. THERE'S A GREAT CONNECTION BETWEEN NICK AND CARLY FROM THE VERY FIRST PAGE. THEY HAVE A BIT OF A PAST AND EASON USES THAT AS A REALISTIC STARTING POINT FOR THAT SPARK OF ATTRACTION.

THERE'S A NEAT TWIST WHERE CARLY IS THE PROTECTOR -- A U.S. MARSHAL -- AND NICK IS THE PERSON SHE IS ASSIGNED TO PROTECT. THE ROLE-REVERSAL IS REFRESHING.

ONE OF THE MOST MOVING PARTS OF THIS BOOK IS THE SPIRITUAL THREAD WHICH IS REALISTICALLY DEVELOPED AND VERY TOUCHING. CARLY'S STRUGGLE WITH TRUSTING GOD IS EXPERTLY WOVEN THROUGH THE PLOT AND A STARK CONTRAST WITH NICK'S UNWAVERING FAITH.

I LOVED PROTECTIVE CUSTODY AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO LOVES A GOOD INSPIRATIONAL SUSPENSE.

Disaster Status

CALVERT, CANDACE
DISASTER STATUS

ER charge nurse Erin Quinn escaped personal turmoil to work on the peaceful California coast. But when a hazardous material spill places Pacific Mercy Hospital on disaster status and stresses staff, she’s put to the test. And thrown into conflict with the fire department’s handsome incident commander, who thinks her strategy is out of line.

Fire captain Scott McKenna has felt the toxic effects of tragedy, he’s learned to go strictly by the book to advance his career, heal his family, and protect his wounded heart. When he’s forced to team with the passionately determined ER nurse, sparks fly. As they work to save lives, can they handle the attraction kindled between them…without getting burned?

SO I DO A LARGE PART OF MY READING WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK. IT MAKES THE BUS RIDE SO MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE…AND SOMETIMES EMBARRASSING BECAUSE I GET SO ENGROSSED IN MY BOOK THAT I FORGET TO GET OFF…OR ON…THE BUS. THAT WAS THE CASE TODAY WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO GET TO WORK AND READ DISASTER STATUS AT THE SAME TIME.

I WAS NEAR THE END…AT THIS SURPRISINGLY SUSPENSEFUL, NAIL-BITING, GUT-WRENCHING PART AND I WAS SO WRAPPED UP IN THE READ THAT I STOOD AT THE WRONG BUS STOP FOR NEARLY HALF AN HOUR! THERE’S A DETOUR ON ONE OF THE BUS ROUTES BECAUSE OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND I WAS HAPPILY READING AWAY AT THE BUS STOP NO LONGER IN USE. SOME KIND PERSON FINALLY CLUED ME IN. SO I ARRIVED LATE TO WORK, BUT I FINISHED THE BOOK!!!!!

I DON’T THINK I CAN QUITE DEFINE WHAT IT IS ABOUT CALVERT’S APPROACH TO STORYTELLING THAT CAPTURES ME TO SUCH LENGTHS. HER WORDS JUST PULL ME IN AND WON’T LET GO AND I’M WRAPPED UP IN A WHOLE NEW WORLD AND PEOPLE I JUST MET BUT IT SEEMS LIKE I’VE KNOWN THEM FOREVER AND I CAN FEEL IT AND TASTE IT AND SMELL IT AND SEE IT ALL HAPPENING RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES. IT’S LIKE I STOP READING IT AND START LIVING IT.

CALVERT EXCELS AT CHARACTERIZATION…SHE GOES DEEP AND HAS TAKEN CARE TO CRAFT PEOPLE WHO THOUGH FLAWED ARE EASY TO IDENTIFY WITH. BUT SHE DOESN’T STOP THERE. SHE TWISTS THINGS AROUND IN THEIR GRITTY LIVES AND MAKES THEM FACE THEIR GREATEST FEARS IN THE EYES OF THE VERY PERSON WHO HAS COME TO MEAN SO MUCH TO THEM.

ERIN AND SCOTT COULD BE A PERFECT COUPLE IF THEY DIDN’T TRIGGER DEFENSIVE REACTIONS IN EACH OTHER OVER UNRESOLVED ISSUES FROM THEIR PASTS. THEY CLASH…BUT THEY ALSO CONNECT AND CALVERT EXPERTLY WEAVES TO THE TWO EXTREMES TO AN EMOTIONAL CLIMAX. HER ROMANCE IS TOE-CURLING!

I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE THIRD IN THE SERIES LAST SATURDAY WHEN I BOUGHT THIS ONE BUT I TRIED TO EXERCISE SOME SELF-RESTRAINT. PFFFFT. NOW I HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE BOOKSTORE THIS SATRUDAY BEFORE WORK BECAUSE MY SELF-RESTRAINT IS ALL USED UP. I JUST HAVE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS TO DR. LEIGH IN CODE TRIAGE. THIS SERIES IS A DEFINITE MUST READ.

Sabotoge

WILLINSON, KIT

SABOTAGE

Olympic hopeful Emilie Gill is beautiful, rich, successful -- and in danger. Someone is targeting her stable, her friends, her life...and there's nowhere for her to turn. The police? They've charged her with murder. Her father? Out of town - again. Her best friend? He's the man she's been accused of killing. There's no one to count on -- until Derrick Randall rides into her life. The stable manager's support encourages Emilie to open up her carefully guarded heart. But just as she's learning to trust, it all comes apart. Her faith -- and newfound love -- are all she'll have when the sabotage turns deadly once more...

GREAT UNIQUE PLATFORM FOR A SUSPENSE. I REALLY ENJOYED THE PRE-OLYMPIC TRIALS ASPECT OF THE STORY. THE WHOLE BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT SHOW JUMPING WAS FASCINATING AS WELL. AND THE SUSPENSE IN SABOTAGE IS SOLID AND BUILDS TO A GRIPPING CLIMAX. THAT PAIRED WITH THE DEVELOPING ROMANCE BETWEEN DERRICK AND EMILIE MADE FOR A PAGE-TURNING READ.

Missing Mabel

MEHL, NANCY

MISSING MABEL

"Miss Higgins, Druther's Funeral Home is not in the practice of mixing up bodies."

Hilde Higgins knows hair, and she knows the hair on her client doesn't match that of the person originally identified as Mabel Winnemaker. How can she make the funeral home director acknowledge the mix-up when they think she is creating a distraction to cover for stealing Mabel's diamond ring? Now her reputation and career are on the line. The only way to salvage her future is to find the missing Mabel. Can an old boyfriend be of help, or will he just add to the complications in her tangled life?

THIS IS ANOTHER COZY MYSTERY FROM BARBOUR PUBLISHING. A GREAT MIX OF HUMOUR AND INTRIGUE! HILDE IS AS QUIRKY AS THEY COME. SHE'S A CONNIESSOUR OF SPAM RECIPES, A PEN KLEPTOMANIAC AND SHE ADORES HER PET GOLDFISH, SHERLOCK. AND DID I MENTION SHE STYLES THE HAIR OF DEAD PEOPLE?

MISSING MABEL IS TOLD IN FIRST-PERSON AND I LOVE HILDE'S VOICE. IT'S FILLED WITH SNAPPY WISE-CRACKS AND LOTS OF HUMOUR BUT IS TEMPERED WITH A SOFT, SPIRITUAL SIDE AS WELL. IN FACT, I ENJOYED ALL THE CHARACTERS' EASE WITH THEIR FAITH AND HOW THIS IS SIMPLY A REALLY GOOD MYSTERY THAT HAPPENS TO HAVE CHRISTIAN CHARACTERS.

MEHL'S CAST OF MEMORABLE SUPPORTING CHARACTERS FLESH OUT THE PLOT AND MAKE THIS BOOK A JOY TO READ! IF YOU LIKE A GOOD MYSTERY SPRINKLED WITH HUMOUR AND LIGHT ROMANCE THEN MISSING MABEL IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!