Thursday, July 28, 2016

Honor Redeemed


Honor Redeemed
Keys of Promise, Book 2
Christine Lindsay
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800723514
July 2016/352 pages/$14.99

Her future--and her heart--hang in the balance.

Two years ago, Prosperity Jones waved farewell to her beloved David as the army sent him to faraway Key West. Now with her parents gone, she has but one prospect for the future: make the dangerous journey from Nantucket to Key West to reunite with David and secure a happier life.

But when Prosperity arrives penniless in the South, she is dismayed to find David has not been eagerly awaiting their reunion. In fact, he is married to someone else. Scrambling to survive and nursing a broken heart, Prosperity gains the friendship--and the affection--of a kind doctor. Could he be the answer to her loneliness? Or will her life be upended by circumstance yet again?

With a deft hand, Christine Johnson fills the senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of Key West in this heartwarming story of honor lost, honor redeemed, and a love forged in adversity.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photo Credit: ©
E.A. Creative Photography
2013
Christine Johnson is the author of several books for Steeple Hill and Love Inspired and has been twice named a finalist for Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart® award. When not writing, she loves to hike and explore God's majestic creation. These days, she and her husband, a Great Lakes ship pilot, split their time between northern Michigan and the Florida Keys. Learn more at her webiste.

MY THOUGHTS

I have not previously read a novel by this author and was intrigued by the premise of this story. Christine Johnson has penned a historical romance set in the mid-nineteenth-century Florida Keys that takes a surprising turn. While my opinion is favorable overall, I have mixed feelings about this book. Prosperity garnered a wide range of emotions within me as I read, from sympathy to impatience & irritation to admiration for her courage and dedication. I will admit that David's attitude annoyed me for most of the book but I will concede that he was authentically portrayed, as many would have the same perspective. I was also a bit disappointed in a couple of threads that had some inconsistencies or could have been more fully developed. My favorite part of the novel was the kindness and friendship that Prosperity found in Elizabeth and her husband, Rourk--such an encouraging example of how we are supposed to welcome and help others! It is also a great reminder of the lasting consequences that can occur from a brief lapse into sin....as well as the forgiveness and redemption that are available to the repentant heart.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Baker/Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Deadly Encounter


Deadly Encounter
FBI Task Force, Book 1
DiAnn Mills
(Tyndale House Publishers)
ISBN: 978-1496410979
August 2016/ pages/$14.00

Airport Ranger volunteer Stacy Broussard expected a peaceful Saturday morning ride around the perimeter of Houston’s airport. What she encounters instead is a brutal homicide and a baffling mystery. Next to the body is an injured dog, the dead man’s motorcycle, and a drone armed with a laser capable of taking down a 747.

Though FBI Special Agent Alex LeBlanc sees a clear-cut case of terrorism, his past has taught him to be suspicious of everyone, even witnesses. Even bleeding-heart veterinarians like Stacy. But when her gruesome discovery is only the first in a string of incidences that throw her life into a tailspin, Alex begins to wonder if Stacy was targeted. As a health emergency endangers Stacy’s community, and the task force pulls in leads from all directions, Alex and Stacy must work together to prevent another deadly encounter.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader's Choice, and Carol Award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is the co-director of The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She also speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. Learn more at her website, www.diannmills.com.



MY THOUGHTS

Ooh, I do love a book by DiAnn Mills, and it's a happy day when she starts a new series! Deadly Encounter is aptly named as Mills wastes no time plunging the reader--not to mention the main character!--into the midst of a mysterious homicide. While the series centers on members of Houston's FBI Task Force, this story also showcases a little-known group, the volunteer rangers who patrol the perimeter of Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport. I had no idea such a group existed and was fascinated by Stacy, her role, and her dauntless courage and compassion. Don't mistake this for a cozy mystery; Mills carefully builds and intertwines multiple layers into this complex and captivating story. Numerous twists and turns sharpened my senses, and the tightly woven plot with heart-stopping moments ensured that I not set the book aside until its completion. Although the book's official release date is next Monday, it's already available on Amazon and other retailers, so grab your copy today!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from DiAnn Mills and Tyndale House Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Monday, July 25, 2016

A Beauty Refined


A Beauty Refined
Sapphire Brides (Book 2)
Tracie Peterson
(Bethany House Publishers)
ISBN: 978-0764213250
July 2016/320 pages/$14.99

What does it take to reveal the true beauty of a hidden gem?

Phoebe Von Bergen, the daughter of a German count, is excited to visit America for the first time while her father purchases sapphires in Helena, Montana. Little does she know, however, that her father’s intentions—both for her and the gemstones—are not what she thinks.

Ian Harper, a lapidary working in Helena, finds the dignified young woman staying at the Broadwater Hotel more than a little intriguing. Yet the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that her family story is based on a lie–a lie she has no knowledge of. And Ian believes he knows the only path that will lead her to freedom.

Meeting Ian has changed everything for Phoebe, and she begins to consider staying in America, regardless of her father’s plans. But she may not be prepared for the unexpected danger that results when her family’s deception begins to unravel.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than one hundred books. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana. Find out more about Tracie at http://www.traciepeterson.com.



MY THOUGHTS

I don't know how I missed the first book in this series, but I'm glad I didn't miss this one! Tracie Peterson has created a fascinating story that captured my attention from the opening scenes and made it difficult to put down. As always, her compelling characters and authentic setting make me feel as if I have been transported into the story and am right there with Phoebe as she begins to discover that all is not what she has been told. Heartrending twists and escalating danger made my heart pound as I essentially devoured this novel, loath to set it aside for even a short while. While these novels stand alone, I'm eager to go back and read the first one, A Treasure Concealed and am already eagelry anticipating the September release of book 3, a Love Transformed. Jump into this series with me and get your copy of A Beauty Refined today!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Baker/Bethany House and Litfuse Publicity Group for a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


See what other reviewers are saying on this blog tour!



Little does Phoebe know that her father's plans—for the sapphires and his daughter—are not what they seem. If you love historical fiction, romance, and adventure, don't miss Tracie Peterson's A Beauty Refined. When Phoebe meets Ian, everything changes. Yet the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes that her family story is based on a lie—a lie she has no knowledge of. And Ian believes he knows the only path that will lead her to freedom.

Join Tracie in celebrating the release of A Beauty Refined by entering to win her Precious Gems giveaway (details below) and by attending her author chat party on August 9!

beauty refined - 400 

One grand prize winner will receive:
Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/9. The winner will be announced at A Beauty Refined Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Tracie and fellow fans of historical fiction, as well as for a chance to win other prizes!

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RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST
and increase your chances of winning.
Hope to see you on the 9th!




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Friday, July 22, 2016

What Matters Most


What Matters Most
A Texas Gold Novel
Kellie Coates Gilbert
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800722753
July 2016/320 pages/$14.99

Just when she can't take it anymore, Leta finally catches a break. But when things seem too good to be true, they often are.

Finding her dream job went right out the window when Leta Breckenridge had to quit school to help care for her mother suffering from dementia. When a delinquent account may force her mother into a less desirable facility, Leta is thrilled to land a high-paying job at an Austin public relations firm. But her seemingly ideal job turns into a nightmare when she learns the firm is a front for a political opposition organization--and that the research she's been collecting will be used against Nathan Emerson, the handsome senator she's swiftly falling in love with.

Nathan is a rising political star being pressured to run a bid to unseat the current governor of Texas. He's already in a relationship with a woman much better suited to be a politician's wife, but he's never met anyone like Leta. Could this feisty woman hold the key to his heart--and his future?

With emotional depth and keen insight into what drives us, Kellie Coates Gilbert offers a salient story that calls us to consider what we value most in this life.


Read an excerpt.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal and the author of A Woman of Fortune, Where Rivers Part, and A Reason to Stay. Gilbert crafts her emotionally charged stories about women in life-changing circumstances in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband. Learn more at www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com.

MY THOUGHTS

Kellie Coates Gilbert quickly became a must-read author for me with her debut release in 2012, and her Texas Gold series is phenomenal. Perfectly timed for this election year, What Matters Most offers a fascinating, albeit rather disturbing, look at the world of political opposition and the measures some will take to win an election and discredit the rival candidate. As with her previous books, Gilbert crafts a thought-provoking story with believable characters who must make difficult choices with significant consequences. Leta's dedication to her mother and the responsibility she shoulders warms the heart, even as the increasing financial burden adds stress as she wrestles with questions of ethics and personal integrity. What Matters Most is a must-read. Don't miss it!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from Baker/Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


TEXAS GOLD COLLECTION - MY REVIEWS
A Woman of Fortune
Where Rivers Part
A Reason to Stay





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Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Missing by Lisa Harris


Missing
(The Nikki Boyd Files)
Lisa Harris
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800724191
July 2016/320 pages/$14.99

Nikki Boyd Enters the Deadly World of Counterfeit Drugs to Find a Missing Woman

Nikki Boyd isn't usually called in on homicides; her forte is missing persons. But when a case with two murdered and two missing pops up on a quiet suburban street, she's ready to start the investigation and find missing homeowners Mac and Lucy Hudson. When the first clues lead her to the boat of her friend Tyler Grant--and another dead body--Nikki must untangle what ties Tyler to the Hudsons. The clues pull her into a deadly maze of counterfeit drugs and a killer who will stop at nothing to silence anyone who threatens his business--including Nikki.

Christy Award-winning and bestselling author Lisa Harris puts you right into the action in this fast-paced thriller.

Read an excerpt.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Harris is a bestselling author, a Christy Award winner, and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 from Romantic Times. She has sold over thirty novels and novella collections. Along with her husband, she and her three children have spent over ten years living as missionaries in Africa where she homeschools, leads a women's group, and runs a nonprofit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry. The ECHO Project works in southern Africa promoting Education, Compassion, Health, and Opportunity and is a way for her to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves . . . the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice" (Proverbs 31:8).

When she's not working, she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari. For more information about her books and life in Africa, visit her website at www.lisaharriswrites.com or her blog at myblogintheheartofafrica.blogspot.com. For more information about The ECHO Project, please visit www.theECHOproject.org.


MY THOUGHTS

I loved Vendetta, the first book in The Nikki Boyd Files series, and have been not-so-patiently awaiting the release of Missing. Once again, Lisa Harris pulls out all the stops with this heart-pounding suspense that kept me guessing until the final pages. Time stamps at the beginning of every chapter accelerate the urgency to locate Lucy, especially as the body count rises. Nikki Boyd maintains a tough and seemingly unflappable facade as a Special Agent, yet she harbors a loyal and caring heart, and Harris perfectly balances and blends these traits into a respected and engaging character. The twists involving Tyler and his boat are brilliantly designed and executed. In fact, I'm not sure I dislike anything about this novel - except perhaps the fact that it ended far too soon! Don't let the summer wane without reading Missing!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from Baker/Revell Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”



THE NIKKI BOYD FILES - My Reviews
Vendetta




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Monday, July 18, 2016

The Loyal Heart


The Loyal Heart
(A Lone Star Hero's Love Story)
Shelley Shepard Gray
(Harper Collins/Zondervan)
ISBN: 978-0310345398
July 2016/380 pages/$15.99

Robert came to Galveston to fulfill his promise to a dying man and look after his widow. He didn’t expect to find love in the unlikeliest of places.

Robert Truax, former Second Lieutenant and Confederate officer in the Civil War, made a promise to his comrade Phillip Markham. If anything happened to Phillip, Robert would look after his beloved wife, Miranda. She was his life, his world, his everything.

After the war, Robert is left to pick up the pieces and fulfill his pact. When he arrives at Miranda's home in Galveston, Texas, things are worse than he imagined. Phillip's name has been dragged through the mud, everyone in town believes him to be a traitor, and his widow is treated as an outcast. Even more disturbing is her emotional well-being. Miranda seems hopeless, lost, and so very alone.

Robert had thought his duty would be simple. He would help Miranda as quickly as possible in order to honor a promise. But the moment Robert laid eyes on her, his plans changed. He's mesmerized by her beauty and yearns to help her in any way he can.

He makes it his duty to protect Miranda, turn her reputation around, and to find some way to help her smile again. But it doesn't prove to be an easy task—Robert knows something about Phillip that could shake Miranda to the core and alter her view of the man she thought she knew so well.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Colorado and taught school for ten years. She and her husband have two children and live in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail. Find out more about Shelley at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com.



MY THOUGHTS

Many people know and love Shelley Shepard Gray's Amish novels but I am partial to her historical romance stories. Of course, the fact that this one is set in Texas just after the Civil War piqued my interest before I even started! Gray does not disappoint as she creates a tale teeming with complex characters, intrigue, and danger. Flashbacks to the war depict the bond formed by Robert and his fellow soldiers during their imprisonment in the final months of the war. Miranda's dire situation emphasizes the second-class status that women had in society without a man's protection. A satisfying start to a new series, The Loyal Heart captivated mine. I can't wait to see which of the soldiers Gray focuses on next.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a digital copy of this book free from Harper Collins Christian Publishing/Zondervan. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


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Tuesday, July 12, 2016

An Elegant Facade


An Elegant Facade
Hawthorne House, Book 2
Kristi Ann Hunter
(Bethany House Publishers)
ISBN: 978-0764218255
July 2016/368 pages/$14.99

Lady Georgina Hawthorne has always known she must marry well. After years of tirelessly planning every detail of her debut season, she is poised to be a smashing success and have her choice of eligible gentlemen.

With money and powerful business connections but no title, Colin McCrae is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere. He intends to marry someday, but when he does it will not be to a shallow woman like Lady Georgina, whose only concerns appear to be status and appearance.

But beneath her flawless exterior, Georgina's social aspirations stem from a shameful secret she is desperately trying to keep hidden--and that Colin is too close to discovering. Drawn to each other despite their mutual intent to avoid association, is the realization of their dreams worth the sacrifices they'll be forced to make?

Read an excerpt.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in computer science but always knew she wanted to write. Her debut novel, A Noble Masquerade, is a RITA double finalist. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.

MY THOUGHTS

The Regency era has become one of my favorite settings for historical novels, and I am delighted to discover a gifted new author who can hold her own with the more experienced novelists of this genre. I neglected to review her debut novel, A Noble Masqueraade, which I bought and absolutely devoured, and this second book is just as delightful. While it reads well as a standalone, it overlaps A Noble Masquerade but offers a different perspective of those events, Georgina's point of view. Masterfully portrayed, Georgina presents as the shallow, spoiled, and somewhat insufferable debutante with one goal in mind: to snare the perfect husband. Hunter perfectly matches her against Colin McCrae, and their interactions cause sparks to practically fly off the page! Georgina's hidden insecurities and failures, which she is determined to hide not only from society but from her family as well, save her from being utterly loathsome, and she endeared herself to me as the story progressed. The sights and sounds of the Regency season come to life in all their splendor, and I could almost hear the swish of the ladies' gowns on the dance floor. They say not to judge a book by the outside, but this tale is every bit as magnificent as the stunning cover promises it will be! An Elegant Facade will be on my keeper shelves, with Kristi Ann Hunter a new favorite author to watch. Grab your copy today!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Kristi Ann Hunter and Bethany House Publishers as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”




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Monday, July 11, 2016

Operation Zulu Redemption - GIVEAWAY!


Operation Zulu Redemption
Ronie Kendig
(Shiloh Run Press)
ISBN: 978-1683220640
July 2016/528 pages/$15.99

They never should've existed. Now they don't.

Zulu, the first all-female special ops team, was set up to take a devastating fall. Fearing for their lives, Zulu members vanished with new identities. Isolated and haunted by their past, they are terrified of being discovered. Over the years, the brave women of Zulu have begun to hope they might be safe and the terrible tragedy forgotten. Until two of them are murdered.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author of a dozen novels. She grew up an Army brat. Now, she and her husband, an Army veteran, have an adventurous life in Northern Virginia with their children and two dogs--a Maltese Menace and a retired military working dog, VVolt N629. Ronie's degree in Psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters. Since launching onto the publishing scene in 2010, Ronie and Rapid-Fire Fiction novels have hit bestseller lists and garnered awards and critical acclaim, including The Christy Award (2012 - Wolfsbane), the Selah Award (2013 - Firethorn), the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award (2013 - Trinity: Military War Dog), and FamilyFiction 15 Top Books of 2015 (Falcon).

MY THOUGHTS

Ronie Kendig is already known for her Rapid-Fire Fiction, and she doesn't let up for a moment in this phenomenal and fast-paced novel which was originally released as a serialized digital novel. Non-stop action rips across the pages as each team member finds herself thrust back into the line of fire and unable to determine who is behind it. Not a scene or word is wasted as the story unfolds and the team's lives unravel. Kendig is at her best as she perfectly balances the non-relenting action with matchless character development and razor-sharp verbal exchanges. Vivid detail and descriptions bring each page to life...and leave the reader dangling at the cliff-hanging end of each chapter. Just when it seems things might be turning a corner toward a resolution, another twist sends the story--and the reader's heart!--down another perilous and adrenaline-filled track. Danger appears at every turn and for some of the team, hearts and emotions are as much in jeopardy as the team members' physical lives. Nothing is predictable or certain except for the realization that setting this book aside for such mundane pursuits as eating or sleeping is virtually impossible. Kendig wraps up this adrenaline-laced novel with an intense finale that keeps turning up the heat until the final pages. This is not a casual read as rapid-fire action and quickly changing scenes keep the reader's heart and mind racing to keep up with the team and determine who or what lies around the next corner. Kendig excels at twists and surprises, and she stretches the tension to the very end. Powerful and compelling, Operation Zulu Redemption is a must-read and one for the keeper shelf! Grab your copy today!


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Ronie Kendig and Shiloh Run Press as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


GIVEAWAY!!

Ronie Kendig has graciously offered to give away a copy of this book to one of my readers. To enter, fill out the form below by 11:59 pm Sunday, 7/17/16. Sorry, US addresses only, please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



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Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Journey's End



Journey's End
Gilded Promises, Book 1
Renee Ryann
(Waterfall Press)
ISBN: 978-1503950528
July, 2016/336 pages/$8.11

Having grown up on the mean streets of nineteenth-century London, Caroline St. James is used to fighting to survive.

So when her beloved mother—abandoned and ignored by her wealthy family—suddenly dies, the scrappy twenty-two-year-old devises a plan to right this terrible wrong. With nothing to lose, she sails to New York to find the man who turned a cold shoulder to her mother’s suffering: Caroline’s grandfather. To settle the family score, Caroline infiltrates her grandfather’s privileged world, hoping to sabotage his business from the inside. But as she sets her plot in motion, she meets Jackson Montgomery, a virtuous man who is struggling to recover from a family scandal of his own. As their friendship grows, and Caroline begins to piece together the motives that led her family to turn its back, she is forced to make a decision: Should she risk everything in the name of justice? Or can she look toward the future and let love and forgiveness guide her instead?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Multi-published, award-winning author Renee Ryan sold her first book in 2001 by winning the inaugural Dorchester/Romantic Times New Historical Voice Contest. She sold her second book to Harlequin’s Love Inspired Historical line in February 2009 and has since sold seventeen, (soon to be eighteen) manuscripts to the historical and contemporary Love Inspired lines.

Renee grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned to surf very poorly. Armed with a degree in Economics and Religion from Florida State University, she explored various career opportunities, including stints at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency, and a cosmetic conglomerate. She also taught high school Economics, American Government and Latin while coaching award-winning cheerleading teams. She currently lives in Lincoln, Nebraska with her husband and a large, fluffy cat many have mistaken for a small bear. Learn more at her website.



MY THOUGHTS

I stumbled across this book during an Amazon promotion and was intrigued by the cover and premise, so I purchased it for my Kindle. What a treat! This story immediately grabbed my heart from the opening pages as Caroline arrives at Ellis Island determined to mete out justice for her grandfather's cold treatment of her mother. Renee Ryan creates wonderfully complex and engaging characters in Caroline and Jackson, as well as many of the other personalities who fill the pages of this charming tale. The Gilded Age comes to life with its extravagant balls, luxurious costumes, and strict societal expectations as Caroline navigates her new environment in her quest for answers. Multi-layered and fraught with tension, Journey's End is a compelling novel that kept me reading "just one more chapter." I will definitely be watching for more from this author. Grab your copy of this book today!



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Friday, July 1, 2016

ACFW New Releases - July

More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website.


Contemporary Romance:

The Courtship Basket by Amy Clipston -- Devastated by a broken courtship, Rachel Fisher takes a position at a special Amish school for children with learning disabilities to keep her mind off of her pain. A new student joins the class, and when Rachel has problems getting him to pay attention, she reaches out to his older brother and guardian, Mike. She learns they are grieving their mother's death and begins sending food to them in a special basket she found in her parents' attic, a basket Rachel's father gave to her mother long ago. Rachel and Mike grow close, but he doubts whether he can be a good husband while caring for his brother and dat. As they face the hardest days of their lives, Rachel's old fears of another man leaving her come to the surface. Can they pull together and create hope for the future? (Contemporary Romance from Zondervan)

A Living Hope by E. C. Jackson -- It was a match made in heaven. Or so everyone thought. Sadie Mae Cummings is all set to marry her childhood sweetheart, Kyle, when she is assigned to tutor Lincoln, the new college football running back. Through her alternate relationships with both boys, she learns some burned bridges can never be restored. Now Sadie fights for a chance to restore broken dreams. Will love endure? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

General Contemporary (Women's Fiction):

The Things We Knew by Catherine West -- After her mother's death twelve years ago, Lynette Carlisle watched her close-knit family unravel. One by one, her four older siblings left their Nantucket home and never returned. All seem to harbor animosity toward their father, silently blaming him for their mother's death. Nobody will talk about that dreadful day, and Lynette can't remember a bit of it. But when next-door neighbor Nicholas Cooper returns to Nantucket, he brings the past with him, only it seems Nick is hiding things from her. As their father's failing health and financial concerns bring the Carlisle siblings home, secrets begin to surface—secrets that will either restore their shattered relationships or separate the siblings forever. (Women's Fiction from HarperCollins Christian Publishing [Thomas Nelson and Zondervan])

Historical Romance:

The Courageous Brides Collection by Johnnie Alexander, Michelle Griep, Eileen Key, Debby Lee, Rose Allen McCauley, Donita Kathleen Paul, Jennifer Uhlarik, Jenness Walker, Renee Q. Yancy -- Ride into adventures alongside nine determined women of yesteryear whose acts of compassion and bravery attract male attention. Marcy helps displaced Indians. Emmy tends wounds at Fort Snelling. Ronnie stows away on a cattle drive. Daisy disguises herself as a Pony Express rider. Elinor becomes an abolitionist. Mae tames wild horses. Hannah gets help for accident victims. Lucy's curiosity unnerves criminals. Kate nurses soldiers on the battlefield. Will real dangers douse the sparks of love? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

No Way Up by Mary Connealy -- When Cimarron ranch patriarch Chance Boden is caught in an avalanche, the quick actions of hired hand Heath Kincaid save him. Badly injured, Chance demands that his will be read and its conditions be enforced immediately. Without anyone else to serve as a witness, Heath is pressed into reading the will. If Justin, Sadie, and Cole Boden don't live and work at home for the entire year, the ranch will go to their low-down cousin Mike. Then Heath discovers the avalanche was a murder attempt, and more danger might follow. Deeply involved with the family, Heath's desire to protect Sadie goes far beyond friendship. The danger keeps them close together, and their feelings grow until being apart is the last thing on their minds. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

To Follow Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino -- It is 1664 and Patience Terry is devastated to learn that Captain Jeremy Horton's ship has been shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados, with no survivors. She had hoped that Jeremy would someday give up the sea and settle down with her in Southold, Long Island. Unaware his memorial service is being planned, Jeremy is rescued and aboard a British Naval Gunship with secret orders to attack New Amsterdam and claim it for the British Crown. When he makes his surprise return to Southold--and to an overjoyed Patience--it's not the happily-ever-after his beloved had hoped for. (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker])

An Elegant Façade by Kristi Ann Hunter -- Lady Georgina Hawthorne has worked tirelessly to seal her place as the Incomparable for her debut season. At her first London ball, she hopes to snag the attention of an earl. With money and business connections, but without impeccable bloodlines, Colin McCrae is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere. When he first encounters the fashionable Lady Georgina, he's irritated by his attraction to a woman who concerns herself only with status and appearance. What Colin doesn't know is that Georgina's desperate social aspirations are driven by the shameful secret she harbors. Association with Colin McCrae is not part of Georgina's plan, but as their paths continue to cross, they both must decide if the realization of their dreams is worth the sacrifices they must make. (Historical Romance from Bethany House [Baker])

Honor Redeemed by Christine Johnson -- Two years ago, Prosperity Jones waved farewell to her beloved David as the army sent him to faraway Key West. Now with her parents gone, she has but one prospect for the future: make the dangerous journey from Nantucket to Key West to reunite with David and secure a happier life. Arriving penniless in the South, Prosperity is dismayed to find David married to someone else. Scrambling to survive and nursing a broken heart, she gains the friendship--and the affection--of a kind doctor. Could he be the answer to her loneliness? Or will her life be upended by circumstance yet again? (Historical Romance from Revell [Baker])

Lawman in Disguise by Laurie Kingery -- A Texas Ranger goes undercover to bring about the capture of a dangerous outlaw gang, but doesn't count on falling in love during the process. Can he achieve his goal and begin a new life with the woman he has come to love, or will he pay the ultimate price for his daring? (Historical Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Resurrection of Hope by Tamera Lynn Kraft -- She thought he was her knight in shining armor, but will a marriage of convenience prove her wrong? (Historical Romance from Desert Breeze Publishing)

A Changed Agent by Tracey J. Lyons -- When schoolteacher Elsie Mitchell meets rugged William Benton on a train platform in Albany, it appears they have nothing in common. He isn't the sort of fellow a proper young woman of the 1890s would ever speak to, much less become involved with. But when she arrives at her small town in the Adirondack Mountains, Elsie is offered a job as caregiver for this mysterious out-of-towner's niece and nephew, who've been tragically orphaned. Heartbroken for them, she accepts. Unknown to her, William is an undercover Pinkerton agent posing as a lumber-company foreman. He's never wanted family--his work is too dangerous. Yet as Elsie transforms his house into a home and he spends time with the children, he feels drawn to family life--and to Elsie. As a good Christian, Elsie is troubled by William's secrets…though she does find him intriguing. And when a sinister figure from her past arrives, Elsie and William will have to trust in faith and newfound love to protect their unlikely family from danger. (Historical Romance from Waterfall Press)

Sarah's Surrender by Vickie McDonough -- When Sarah Worley rejects Luke McNeil's proposal to pursue property in the Oklahoma Territory land lottery in 1901, the ranch hand pulls up stakes and goes after her. But he's the last person she wants to see. The land lottery gives Sarah the chance to realize her dream of independence and a home of her own. But with it comes challenges she never considered. When her dream becomes a nightmare, she must decide whether to stay on her land or give up and return to the life she left. Luke hopes that by winning a claim, he can give Sarah the home she's always wanted. How can he prove his love and show the stubborn woman that he's the right man for her? (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

Romantic Suspense:

Incriminating Evidence by Rachel Dylan -- When rookie prosecutor Jessica Hughes crosses the son of a major crime boss, she's determined to bring him to justice--if his family doesn't kill her first. And with newly minted FBI special agent Zach Taylor protecting her, she believes she can succeed. Zach will do anything to stay ahead of the crime syndicate and guard Jessica while she builds her case. The more time he spends with her, the more personal the assignment becomes. It's bad timing for falling in love, but as the threats against her life escalate, Zach realizes Jessica is everything to him--and he will do everything he can to make sure she has a future. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Through Raging Waters by Renee Blare -- Floods from spring runoff compounded by the storm of the century sends Timber Springs into a tailspin. Tossed into the role of rescuer, local pharmacist Paul Fitzgerald must face his past before the whole world falls apart. While he fights to contain the beast around him, he finds his steadfast control slipping through his fingers. And life…everyone's life…hangs by a thread once again. Melissa Hampton has her own demons to battle. She's never been a hero…but as waters rise and tension climbs within Timber Springs, she needs to rise to the challenge or lose the only man she's ever loved. (Romantic Suspense from Inspired (Prism Book Group)

Fractured Memory by Jordyn Redwood -- United States marshal Eli Cayne saved Julia Galloway's life once…and he's prepared to do it again. But his task would be easier if she could remember him--or the murderer who almost put her in an early grave and seems to be hunting her once more. To protect Julia from the latest threat against her life, Eli has to consider the possibility that he put an innocent man in jail. Julia has no memories of the serial killer called the Hangman, though, and no reason to trust Eli. But with the killer getting closer, she must work with Eli to confront her past—and the feelings growing between them. (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

In a Killer's Sights by Sandra Robbins -- When Gwen Harwell witnesses someone dumping a body into a Tennessee river, she knows she's the killer's new target. Far from home on a work assignment, she isn't sure where to turn--especially when her ex-husband appears. Five years ago, Dean Harwell's burdens from his police work tore their marriage apart. But now he says he's changed. He's working as a rancher; he's put his problems behind him. And he's committed to keeping her safe until the killer is caught. With their troubled past, trusting him with her life is hard enough. Can she trust him with the truth about the child he doesn't know they have? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Suspense:

Deep Shadows by Vanetta Chapman -- Life in Abney, Texas is predictable and safe--until the night a massive solar flare wipes out all modern technology. (Suspense from Harvest House Publishers)

Speculative (High Fantasy):

Eirwen's Dream: Inside Snow White's Sleeping Mind by Kristen Reed -- After eating her stepmother's poison apple, Princess Eirwen has a fantastical dream in which she must defeat an evil Siren. (Speculative/High Fantasy, Independently Published)





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