Finding Margo by Jen Turano

Who would have ever thought a book with a duck falling through the sunroof of a car would be so good! Yes, I said a duck. That is just the beginning of a chain of events no one saw coming. There are subtle hints that lead the reader to think of a direction the book may be going in but the twists and turns are not expected.

I loved this book. It held my interest and kept me turning pages to find out what happened next. As near as I can tell this is book 1 in a 3 book series. It doesn't say that but it would only make sense. I loved the plot of this book. It is different from most of the.books I have read lately and very well done. I highly recommend this book.

The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies

I loved this book! I wasn't sure when I read the title if I would but from the first page the book grabbed my attention and never let go. This book is full of detail and the reader can actually picture themselves there. I thought at one point fairly early I had the whole story figured out but boy was I wrong! I don't like books that are predictable and this one seemed to be going that way but took a whole new direction I wasn't expecting. It kept me turning pages!

I can honestly say I liked every character in this book. There were times though when I really wanted to just take Verity and shake her! The descriptions of the land and the people of that time period were rich and colorful and the reader can get lost in the vastness of this plantation and the wealth it held.

I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for another from this author. I was given a copy of this book by Blogging For Books in exchange for an honest review.

Fatal Frost by Nancy Mehl

Amazing! This book kept me turning pages when my eyes just wanted to close! I couldn't put it down. The suspense and need to know what happened next kept me up long after my bedtime but it was so worth it.

There were a lot of characters in this book but they were well defined and easy to follow. It was a fast paced story that held this readers interest from the first page. The author did a great job of showing the personalities of the characters and the reader is easily able to pick out the good guys from the bad - or are they? Every time I thought I had it I was wrong.

This book is well worth the money. You won't be sorry. I was given a copy of this book by the author and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears

Melissa Jagears does not disappoint in her newest book! This book is full of twists and turns that keeps the reader turning pages. I had a hard time putting this book down.

Lydia King is caught between a rock and a hard place. She is being forced to marry - if she ever accepts his proposal - a wealthy politician but her heart is being tugged in another direction. Frustration is not the word as she tries to do her future mother-in-laws bidding by securing a donation from the wealthiest man in town who has a reputation for being a miser. The surprises don't stop for Lydia as she is constantly in awe of all the things Nicholas does that no one knows about. Can this man really be all the rumors say he is? She is just not sure.

This book is a must read and one I highly recommend. I was given a copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A Beauty Refined by Tracie Peterson

You know that book you find excuses to keep reading? Well, this is that book, or at least one of them. I kept finding excuses to sit down and read just a "few" more pages. I can honestly say I was sorry to see the book end but really there was nothing left to say, at least in this book. Now if the author wanted to continue with this family that would be okay too! There are more stories here!

In the beginning of the book I did not like Phoebe too much. Spoiled, pampered, and oh so proper. By the end of the book she had come to life and I really enjoyed watching her transform into someone I liked very much. Now Ian, I liked him from the beginning. Down to earth, hard working. But the one who stole my heart was Kenny. You will see why. Each character in this book is well defined and explained. The author does a wonderful job of making her characters come to life. And the story! Oh boy what a story! It will keep you turning pages I promise!

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Bethany House Publishers and Tracie Peterson for a wonderful and highly recommended book

An Elegant Facade by Kristi Ann Hunter

I really enjoyed the story in this book although at times I just wanted to yell at Lady Georgina to wake up and see what was right in front of her. But no, she was so preoccupied with hiding her secret and making a good match to secure her future she couldn't, or wouldn't because of his station in life, see the wonderful man Colin was. Instead she tried her best to avoid him to no avail and he enjoyed sparring with her.

If you enjoy historical romance then this is the book for you! I was given a copy by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was the first book I have read by this author but it won't be the last.

Saving The Marquise's Granddaughter by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Oh my what a story! Forbidden romance set among turbulent times in history.

I am not a history person but the way the history was woven into the story let's the reader get lost in the story without realizing they are getting a history lesson. I really connected with these characters, a privileged young lady and a hard working young man. The story of their plight - and fight - was a page turner until the very end. Readers will fall in love with Suzanne and Johan and be cheering for them through the whole book.

I recommend this book if you are looking for a good story with a bit of history woven in. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

To Follow Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino

I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I enjoyed the whole series. This is book 3 in The Southold Chronicles series but is a great book on its own.

What do you do when you return home to find everyone thinks you died when your ship sank? You find the love of your life and tell her you must leave again, right? Well, no that's not the way Patience Terry thought it would be when Capt. Jeremy Horton came back from the dead. Patience has been waiting - patiently - for Jeremy to make her his bride but something else apparently more important keeps getting in the way. Will she ever be his wife or will she get tired of waiting?

I enjoyed this book but I sometimes got lost in the history. There is a lot of history involved in explaining why Jeremy had to keep leaving and sometimes - not being a history person - I found it boring. But it never lasted long and I have to admit I did learn some history along the way. The author did a wonderful job of weaving the history into the story so the reader would understand the actions of the characters.

I recommend this book and the whole series. I am looking forward to the next book by this author.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

Oh golly I enjoyed this book! It is one of those books that gets your attention from the first page and doesn't let go until the end and even then you want it to go on and on.

I haven'r read a book by this author I didn't fall in love with and this one is no exception. You understand the determination in Emma right from the beginning and it only gets stronger as she gets older. But what she didn't expect were the feelings for Malachi after 10 years of not seeing him. They have both grown but can childhood like turn into adult love? Oh the stumbling blocks to love can be many! Will Emma and Mal be able to overcome their fears to trust?

I know you will love this book as I did. I can't wait for the next book from this author.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Forever Safe by Jody Hedlund

I loved this book! I loved the whole series but this book really captured my interest and I love the way the story flowed. This is book #4 in the Beacons of Hope series but the books do not have to be read in order to be enjoyed.

Victoria is spoiled. That is a fact. She has no concept of how to live without being waited on hand and foot. Tom, on the other hand, has never enjoyed being in the midst of the super rich but because of his job he has no other choice. When he crosses paths with Victoria he knows he is in trouble. Can we say instant attraction? The author does a wonderful job of expressing the frustration and sexual tension between these two as the book goes on.  Coming from two different directions will they ever be able to find a common ground? Just that thought alone kept me turning pages into the wee hours of the morning.

You will love this book! It is well worth your money and time! In fact, if you have not read any of the series please do. Ms. Hedlund did an outstanding job with these books and I learned a lot about lighthouses in the process which was very interesting.

The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White

This is the second book in the Ladies Of The Manor series. While I have not read the first book this one was easy to follow and the reader does not get lost because they didn't read the first book. Each book stands on it's own and can either be read in order or not.

Lady Rowena has a problem. A big one. Her father wants her to marry a man who will take over his passion for preserving their Highland heritage. After an attack by said man Rowena wants nothing to do with him. What is she to do?

What happens next and throughout the rest of the book kept me turning pages late into the night. Every time I thought I was at a stopping place something else happened to keep me reading.

I loved the authors attention to detail and she brought the history to life in a way that enhanced the story but did not feel like a history lesson. As for the Duke - oh my! Ladies, you will swoon!

I cannot wait to read the next book in this series and see what happens next. While I am waiting I will go back and read the first book. If you love historical fiction you will love this book. I highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Planted With Hope by Tricia Goyer and Sherry Gore

Usually when I read a book #2 in a series I am disappointed but not this time. Tricia Goyer and Sherry Gore are the perfect team to make this a series to look forward to. Book 2 was just as good as book 1 and I can't wait for book 3. The story grabs you right from the beginning and the only time I wanted to put the book down was to go into the kitchen to try one of the many wonderful recipes contained in the book.

I recommend this book and even though it is part of a series they do not have to be read in order. Each book tells it's own story. You will not be sorry you picked this book up.

Room For Hope by Kim Vogel Sawyer

I loved this book. Not just because it is by an author who writes consistently good books but because it was written with such grace. The main subject of the book is a really hard one to deal with and it was handled with truth and dignity.

Neva is the heroine in this book and a woman I would aspire to be. She is everything the Bible teaches us we should be. Is she perfect? Absolutely not! She's human, and that shines through this entire book. We see her pain and humiliation as she deals with the reality of what her husband has done, not once but multiple times. We see her many acts of forgiveness through the hardest of times. Most of all we see the heart of this very strong woman, and sometimes it isn't very pretty. Is there romance? Yes. Did it come in the conventional way? Of course not. The shining light throughout this whole book is the example Neva's faith shows to others and how it affects them.

Was this book predictable? No way! I thought many times I had it figured out and then the author took me in another direction which only served to enrich the complete story. Having said that there was one element of surprise. I would never have guessed who would be standing at Neva's side at the end of the book. The transformation was amazing.

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! If you don't read this book you will be missing a very good story with a message we all need to hear. I couldn't put it down and I hope you won't be able to either.

Mermaid Moon by Colleen Coble

I loved this book - from page 1! I almost read it in one sitting but really needed to get some sleep.

This is one of those books that has many twists and turns, suspense, and surprises that pop out of nowhere. Is there romance? A little, but it is not the main focus of the story. Every time I thought I had it all figured out the story went in a completely different direction. Was it confusing? Nope. It all fit together like the pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. You just have to be patient until the finished product is revealed or in this case the story comes together.

I have read many books by this author and they are all excellent. This one is no exception. I can't wait for the next one!

Beyond The Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kim Woodhouse

I really got into this book - from page one. I knew I would be getting a good book because I have read both of these authors before and their books grab you right from the beginning and don't let go until the end.

I enjoyed this story and absolutely fell in love with Jimmy. That poor little boy was terrified but determined to protect his family. Parts of the book were predictable but that did not take away from the story or the suspense of it. My other favorite character was Harry. Such a sweet young man who had a really tough life.

This book also had some education in it. I never knew anything about olive groves and found this to be very interesting.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Would I recommend this book? Definitely! I can't wait for the next book by these two authors.

Undaunted Hope by Jody Hedlund

Having read books 1 & 2 in this series I was looking forward to book #3 and it didn't disappoint. What I love about Ms. Hedlund's writing is her attention to detail. I love books that make me feel like I am right there with the characters. I can "see" the events unfolding in my minds eye as I'm reading. Her books do that.

This book took a secondary character from a previous book and brought her to the forefront for an interesting story. As Tessa found out, sometimes what you think you want and what God wants for you are not always the same thing. Running from your past and it's fears can sometimes bring you to an abrupt halt, especially when your heart is involved. But what if your heart is torn in several directions?

I loved weaving my way through this book with all of it's ups and downs. It was a pleasant read that I enjoyed very much. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this book as well as the previous two and I am looking forward to the next book by Jody Hedlund.