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robin_is_me's reviews
96 reviews
The Cowboy's Pride and Joy by Maureen Child
Jake Hunter took over running the family ranch when he discharged from service. After having spent vacations at the ranch with his grandfather when he was a child, it and the mountain in Montana are the only home he ever loved, the only place he felt comfortable and at peace. His mother runs the other family business, a media empire started by his father’s family, and she has long been after him to take his rightful place there, but the last place Jake wants to live is Boston. His mother has finally agreed to let him completely off the hook for that business, and sends her assistant to Montana with paperwork for Jake to sign, which will absolve him of all dealings with the business.
This is a Harlequin (Desire), so of course Jake is wildly attracted to Cassie, said assistant, and of course a snowstorm rolls in, closing down roads so that Cassie cannot get back down the mountain to catch her flight back to Boston the next day. You can guess what happens between them, but once the weather clears up, it’s back to real life and they part company, because it was purely physical. No emotions involved. At least, none admitted to.
Fast forward fourteen months. Cassie is now a single mother to five month old Luke. Once she realized she was pregnant, she quit her job to keep Jake’s mother from finding out. Of course she didn’t notify Jake. He’d made it all too clear that he preferred to be alone on his mountain. But her sister has stepped in and taken the decision away from Cassie, going behind her back and telling Jake’s mother, and now Jake’s mother is threatening legal action. So off to Montana Cassie goes with Luke, to enlist Jake’s help in calling off his mother.
I’m always a little leery going into a secret baby story. I need there to be a compelling reason for the heroine to not let the hero know he’s a father. But again, Maureen Child, so I was curious to see how she would handle this. And I’ve gotta say, I totally understood where Cassie was coming from, and could sympathize with her reasoning for not telling Jake. Not saying it was right, but believable. But even more, after being lambasted by her sister and brother for keeping Jake in the dark, Cassie can admit she’s had some guilt over her decision. And after spending some time with Jake again, facing his anger but also seeing the hurt in his eyes, she’s finally able to admit she was wrong. And not admit it just to herself, but to Jake.
That doesn’t mean they’ll become a happy little family though. No, there’s still a lot to sort through and a lot of clashing with each other before they can finally get their HEA. I love a hero who is grouchy and angry and prickly, and the heroine has to get past his defenses, actually gets a little past them without even trying. I loved Jake and Cassie, plus Jake’s grandfather, loved their story, loved this book.
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
It’s been quite some time since I read a Maureen Child book but I’ve enjoyed them (I especially recommend SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL), so I looked forward to this one. And it did not disappoint.
Jake Hunter took over running the family ranch when he discharged from service. After having spent vacations at the ranch with his grandfather when he was a child, it and the mountain in Montana are the only home he ever loved, the only place he felt comfortable and at peace. His mother runs the other family business, a media empire started by his father’s family, and she has long been after him to take his rightful place there, but the last place Jake wants to live is Boston. His mother has finally agreed to let him completely off the hook for that business, and sends her assistant to Montana with paperwork for Jake to sign, which will absolve him of all dealings with the business.
This is a Harlequin (Desire), so of course Jake is wildly attracted to Cassie, said assistant, and of course a snowstorm rolls in, closing down roads so that Cassie cannot get back down the mountain to catch her flight back to Boston the next day. You can guess what happens between them, but once the weather clears up, it’s back to real life and they part company, because it was purely physical. No emotions involved. At least, none admitted to.
Fast forward fourteen months. Cassie is now a single mother to five month old Luke. Once she realized she was pregnant, she quit her job to keep Jake’s mother from finding out. Of course she didn’t notify Jake. He’d made it all too clear that he preferred to be alone on his mountain. But her sister has stepped in and taken the decision away from Cassie, going behind her back and telling Jake’s mother, and now Jake’s mother is threatening legal action. So off to Montana Cassie goes with Luke, to enlist Jake’s help in calling off his mother.
I’m always a little leery going into a secret baby story. I need there to be a compelling reason for the heroine to not let the hero know he’s a father. But again, Maureen Child, so I was curious to see how she would handle this. And I’ve gotta say, I totally understood where Cassie was coming from, and could sympathize with her reasoning for not telling Jake. Not saying it was right, but believable. But even more, after being lambasted by her sister and brother for keeping Jake in the dark, Cassie can admit she’s had some guilt over her decision. And after spending some time with Jake again, facing his anger but also seeing the hurt in his eyes, she’s finally able to admit she was wrong. And not admit it just to herself, but to Jake.
That doesn’t mean they’ll become a happy little family though. No, there’s still a lot to sort through and a lot of clashing with each other before they can finally get their HEA. I love a hero who is grouchy and angry and prickly, and the heroine has to get past his defenses, actually gets a little past them without even trying. I loved Jake and Cassie, plus Jake’s grandfather, loved their story, loved this book.
Critical Threat by Lynette Eason
In the previous books, from what I remember, especially the first book, the action started right from the first few pages. This time around the book started off at a leisurely pace, though no less enthralling, as Grace and Sam, along with other members of the FBI, continue to investigate. Sam has a niggling feeling that his father, despite being in prison, is somehow connected to the murders. He and Grace visit the previous crime scenes as Grace gathers information to create a profile of the killer. There is some action, a car nearly running Grace over in a parking structure, but the real, pulse-pounding action starts around page 124. Not that I’m complaining, I was completely invested in the story from the first chapter.
As usual, the author’s writing is descriptive and flowing. Though I’d never read about characters heading somewhere as aiming themselves. As in, she aimed herself towards the door. I guess when we are going somewhere, we do aim ourselves in that direction. It just struck me as an odd way to describe it. Also as usual, all of the characters are well written. While we don’t see the main couples from the first two books until the very end, we meet lots of new characters, including Sam’s kids and mother-in-law, who all live with him, and both Sam’s and Grace’s coworkers. Sam’s 12 year old daughter is prevalent throughout the book, and I loved how she took to Grace immediately upon meeting her. There are plenty of twists, and while I suspected (correctly) that one plot point was going to happen, until it did I never knew where the story was going, and when it did I had no idea how the characters would get out of their predicament.
Another wonderful and suspenseful story, and I can’t wait for the next book!
*received from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed*
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This series just gets better and better! A serial killer is on the loose, and the killings are reminiscent of an earlier serial killer who is now incarcerated. Supervisory Special Agency Grace Billingsley is a behavioral analyst – a profiler – called to the latest crime scene. Sam Monroe is an FBI agent and a prison psychiatrist, also called to the crime scene but in an unofficial capacity – he is the son of that incarcerated serial killer.
I loved Sam just about right off the bat. It’s been awhile since I read the previous books and I wondered briefly if we had already met him, but I don’t believe so. One of my first thoughts about him was what a gentleman he is. He and Grace met previously at a conference, where they spent some time together, but haven’t seen each other since. In a good romance, the characters usually have some baggage (don’t we all?), and with his infamous father, Sam has a lot of baggage. He and his now ex-wife had even changed theirs and their children’s last names in order to distance themselves from his father.
In the previous books, from what I remember, especially the first book, the action started right from the first few pages. This time around the book started off at a leisurely pace, though no less enthralling, as Grace and Sam, along with other members of the FBI, continue to investigate. Sam has a niggling feeling that his father, despite being in prison, is somehow connected to the murders. He and Grace visit the previous crime scenes as Grace gathers information to create a profile of the killer. There is some action, a car nearly running Grace over in a parking structure, but the real, pulse-pounding action starts around page 124. Not that I’m complaining, I was completely invested in the story from the first chapter.
As usual, the author’s writing is descriptive and flowing. Though I’d never read about characters heading somewhere as aiming themselves. As in, she aimed herself towards the door. I guess when we are going somewhere, we do aim ourselves in that direction. It just struck me as an odd way to describe it. Also as usual, all of the characters are well written. While we don’t see the main couples from the first two books until the very end, we meet lots of new characters, including Sam’s kids and mother-in-law, who all live with him, and both Sam’s and Grace’s coworkers. Sam’s 12 year old daughter is prevalent throughout the book, and I loved how she took to Grace immediately upon meeting her. There are plenty of twists, and while I suspected (correctly) that one plot point was going to happen, until it did I never knew where the story was going, and when it did I had no idea how the characters would get out of their predicament.
Another wonderful and suspenseful story, and I can’t wait for the next book!
*received from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed*
Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Jensen
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I’m partial to wounded heroes, and Mark Rivers is the epitome of a wounded hero. A firefighter, he and his best friend, Jay, rescued seven young boys trapped in a tree fort as a forest fire raged around them. Jay lost his life, and Mark was badly burned on one side of his body, spending months in the hospital and undergoing multiple skin grafts. On top of that, his girlfriend left him, because it was all too hard on her. (Bitch!) When we, the reader, meet Mark, he’s become a bit of a recluse, avoiding social situations, skulking around with as much of his scars hidden under clothing as possible, and keeping the burned side of his face turned away from others.
Riley is new in town, and teaching art at the local high school. She has a lot of baggage, such as not liking anything to do with Christmas because that’s when her grandmother died, and a famous ex who used her and then dumped her, publicly humiliating her and driving her to seek out a small town to live in, where she thought she wouldn’t have to worry about gossip. She’s obviously not read any small town romance books, or she would’ve known that in a small town everyone knows everyone’s business! While my heart went out to her, and I completely understand avoiding another relationship, cuz I’ve been doing that for years, I still struggled to connect with her and take her baggage as seriously as I did Mark’s. Especially when her baggage broke his heart and almost prevented them from having a happily ever after.
I loved the banter between Mark and Riley, as well as the banter between Mark and his dad, and Mark and his friends. There was a lot of dialogue that made me smile like an idiot. Mark’s dad was a pretty major character, as Mark lives with him, and I really enjoyed the scenes that included him. Mark’s burns are not glossed over, and the author included a lot of details about his treatment, and how his injury affected his day to day activities, not to mention his mental state. What I loved most about Riley was that from the beginning she never looked at him with pity or horror, and was immediately accepting of his appearance. Well, except when she thought he was stalking her and brought out a baseball bat. I won’t say anymore about that scene as it’s better to read it for yourself.
Several other reviewers have compared this book to a Hallmark movie, and I would certainly watch it if it were ever filmed. Despite some of the heavy subject matter, the book is still a fairly light read, and I breezed through it pretty quickly. Lots of feelings and emotion, both happy and sad, while also filled with hope.
Night Work by Steve Hamilton
4.0
At the library browsing the shelves I picked this book out. My first time reading this author, so I didn't really know what to expect. I was sucked in pretty quickly. Joe is a juvenile probation officer, going on a date for the first time since his fiancé was murdered two years ago. Later, his date turns up dead. And then another woman he cross paths with dies. The only connection seems to be Joe.
Told in first person narration, I enjoyed being in Joe's head as he begins to realize he may become a suspect, and then sets out to figure out who the real killer is. I laughed when his best friend, a detective, told him don't say find the real killer, you sound like O.J.
I gotta tell you, I started to wonder if Joe could possibly be the killer, like maybe he was having blackouts and didn't realize it. And then the last part of the book I was on the edge of my seat and my eyes actually kept darting ahead because I couldn't read fast enough. Talk about twisty turny.
Looking through my TBR, I realized I have one of the author's books, but it's the sixth book in a series, and I can't read a series out of order. But I do want to read more from him.
Told in first person narration, I enjoyed being in Joe's head as he begins to realize he may become a suspect, and then sets out to figure out who the real killer is. I laughed when his best friend, a detective, told him don't say find the real killer, you sound like O.J.
I gotta tell you, I started to wonder if Joe could possibly be the killer, like maybe he was having blackouts and didn't realize it. And then the last part of the book I was on the edge of my seat and my eyes actually kept darting ahead because I couldn't read fast enough. Talk about twisty turny.
Looking through my TBR, I realized I have one of the author's books, but it's the sixth book in a series, and I can't read a series out of order. But I do want to read more from him.
A Father's Gift (San Antonio series Book 2) by Paula Peckham
While the story is both Abby’s and Manny’s, I felt it leaned more towards Manny. Abby’s fear of giving birth and her worry over her constant sickness are quite valid, but Manny’s story just tugged at my heart a little more I guess. He’s filled with self-doubt regarding his ability to be a good father, worried that he’ll be like his own father, who was shot to death over a gambling table when Manny was very young. He becomes more and more obsessed with learning the circumstances around his father’s death, where it happened, and where was his body buried? It’s a quest that exposes secrets and lies, and causes him to cross paths with a dangerous man.
Gabe is an older gentleman passing through town, who helps Manny one day when he’s trying to take home a load of firewood. The two hit it off, and not long after he offers Gabe room (well, barn) and board in exchange for Gabe’s help with building the new room. Gabe is a mystery. Abby isn’t pleased to have a stranger living on their farm, foisted on her with no warning, but a deep friendship soon develops. Still, she wants to know what Gabe is hiding, and the answer to that came as quite a surprise and not what I was expecting.
One of my favorites parts of the book is Manny trying to learn everything he can about babies, without asking Abby any questions, as he doesn’t want her to think he is incapable of being a good parent. When he inadvertently overhears a conversation between a couple of women, he is delighted to realize that women talk about pregnancy and babies and child birth a lot, and he begins skulking around, eavesdropping wherever he can. This led to a hilarious scene when he’s telling his best friend, Jonathan, about a conversation wherein “Martha told Juanita her daughter, Jessie, had her bloody show.” The two men are appalled and disgusted over the thought of having to see a bloody show, and as they speculated about what it entailed I was laughing out loud.
This shorter story is a nice follow up to PROTECTED, and while it wasn’t quite as enthralling as the first book, I did enjoy revisiting Abby and Manny starting out their married life. I’m very much looking forward to the third book, about Jonathan, who we got to know in the first book.
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
This second book in the San Antonio series picks up some time after Manny and Abby marry and settle down in Manny’s house together. Abby is about seven months pregnant and they are eagerly anticipating becoming new parents but are both experiencing anguish and fear as well. Abby is constantly sick, long past the time when morning sickness should have passed, which keeps her worried as she tries to go about her usual chores. Manny is feverishly working long days, trying to get everything done around their home and farm prior to the baby’s birth. In the midst of his usual chores, he decides to add on a bathing room to their cabin, so Abby won’t have to go outside in the cold winter weather, and can have a tub.
While the story is both Abby’s and Manny’s, I felt it leaned more towards Manny. Abby’s fear of giving birth and her worry over her constant sickness are quite valid, but Manny’s story just tugged at my heart a little more I guess. He’s filled with self-doubt regarding his ability to be a good father, worried that he’ll be like his own father, who was shot to death over a gambling table when Manny was very young. He becomes more and more obsessed with learning the circumstances around his father’s death, where it happened, and where was his body buried? It’s a quest that exposes secrets and lies, and causes him to cross paths with a dangerous man.
Gabe is an older gentleman passing through town, who helps Manny one day when he’s trying to take home a load of firewood. The two hit it off, and not long after he offers Gabe room (well, barn) and board in exchange for Gabe’s help with building the new room. Gabe is a mystery. Abby isn’t pleased to have a stranger living on their farm, foisted on her with no warning, but a deep friendship soon develops. Still, she wants to know what Gabe is hiding, and the answer to that came as quite a surprise and not what I was expecting.
One of my favorites parts of the book is Manny trying to learn everything he can about babies, without asking Abby any questions, as he doesn’t want her to think he is incapable of being a good parent. When he inadvertently overhears a conversation between a couple of women, he is delighted to realize that women talk about pregnancy and babies and child birth a lot, and he begins skulking around, eavesdropping wherever he can. This led to a hilarious scene when he’s telling his best friend, Jonathan, about a conversation wherein “Martha told Juanita her daughter, Jessie, had her bloody show.” The two men are appalled and disgusted over the thought of having to see a bloody show, and as they speculated about what it entailed I was laughing out loud.
This shorter story is a nice follow up to PROTECTED, and while it wasn’t quite as enthralling as the first book, I did enjoy revisiting Abby and Manny starting out their married life. I’m very much looking forward to the third book, about Jonathan, who we got to know in the first book.
*received via Cozy Mystery Review Crew and voluntarily reviewed*
Protected by Paula Peckham
Abby, the oldest of the kids at eighteen, finds herself in the unwanted position of leader, with the younger kids looking to her for guidance. After a frightening incident with a couple of trappers they cross paths with, the older of the other children convince her to disguise herself as a boy. She is resistant at first, but then she begins to realize how much easier life is, how much more freedom you have, when you are dressed in pants instead of skirts. I’m with ya, Abby! I haven’t worn a dress or skirt in probably twenty years, since I began working in an office where jeans were acceptable attire.
In the first few chapters I felt the writing was a bit simplistic, and knowing it was a debut book, I was thinking the story was good and the author showed promise. But at some point, my thinking changed, and it was more like the author just didn’t feel the need to throw in a lot of description, a lot of unnecessary words that did not help move the story along. And the story definitely moved along. Looking back, I feel like it moved at a pretty brisk pace, because I was so caught up in the story I didn’t want to put it down when my break was over and it was time to get back to work.
I loved Abby, and all the kids. It was a little hard to keep up with the kids, especially the younger ones, such as their ages and which ones were siblings. But since this was Abby’s and Manny's story, it didn’t bother me. Abby showed a lot of strength and perseverance. I also loved Manny, and the friendship that developed between him and “Abner”. Manny’s backstory was heartbreaking.
Once they arrive in San Antonio, the townspeople welcome the travelers, taking in the kids who have no family waiting for them. Abby herself is taken in by Manny’s grandmother, another character I loved. Of course, the secret finally comes out, and Manny feels angry and betrayed to learn that his friendship with “Abner” was based on a lie. Another obstacle for them to overcome. Meanwhile, Abby is able to claim a plot of land, and with lots of determination throws herself into fixing up her homestead.
I will point out that this is a Christian romance, and the characters’ faith, or lack of faith, plays a large part in the story. I’ve found that some Christian romances are light on the religion aspect. I’m fine with a story either way, light or heavy, but I know some readers prefer the lighter, or that the religious aspect stay mostly in the background.
All in all, I very much enjoyed this book. The characters are wonderfully written. I lean more towards character driven stories over plot driven, and here I felt like I got both. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more from this author.
*I received a free copy of this book via The Cozy Mystery Review Crew and have voluntarily reviewed it*
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
One of my favorite historical fiction plots is a wagon train headed west in search of a better life. There are always obstacles to overcome, and the travelers are forced to live together and work together to make the journey a success. When I read the synopsis for PROTECTED, it sounded right up my wagon track! What could be a more daunting obstacle than for all the adults to become ill and perish and the orphaned children having to finish the journey to on their own?
Abby, the oldest of the kids at eighteen, finds herself in the unwanted position of leader, with the younger kids looking to her for guidance. After a frightening incident with a couple of trappers they cross paths with, the older of the other children convince her to disguise herself as a boy. She is resistant at first, but then she begins to realize how much easier life is, how much more freedom you have, when you are dressed in pants instead of skirts. I’m with ya, Abby! I haven’t worn a dress or skirt in probably twenty years, since I began working in an office where jeans were acceptable attire.
Manny and Jonathan are also headed to San Antonio, where they both live, and are eager to get home. I forget now where they were coming from. Anyway, they come across the little wagon train while the kids are desperately searching for Sarah, who had been snatched and carried off by one of those trappers. They help the kids out, rescue Sarah, and then decide to travel with the kids the rest of the way, because of course they are good men and can’t just leave the kids to fend for themselves.
In the first few chapters I felt the writing was a bit simplistic, and knowing it was a debut book, I was thinking the story was good and the author showed promise. But at some point, my thinking changed, and it was more like the author just didn’t feel the need to throw in a lot of description, a lot of unnecessary words that did not help move the story along. And the story definitely moved along. Looking back, I feel like it moved at a pretty brisk pace, because I was so caught up in the story I didn’t want to put it down when my break was over and it was time to get back to work.
I loved Abby, and all the kids. It was a little hard to keep up with the kids, especially the younger ones, such as their ages and which ones were siblings. But since this was Abby’s and Manny's story, it didn’t bother me. Abby showed a lot of strength and perseverance. I also loved Manny, and the friendship that developed between him and “Abner”. Manny’s backstory was heartbreaking.
Once they arrive in San Antonio, the townspeople welcome the travelers, taking in the kids who have no family waiting for them. Abby herself is taken in by Manny’s grandmother, another character I loved. Of course, the secret finally comes out, and Manny feels angry and betrayed to learn that his friendship with “Abner” was based on a lie. Another obstacle for them to overcome. Meanwhile, Abby is able to claim a plot of land, and with lots of determination throws herself into fixing up her homestead.
I will point out that this is a Christian romance, and the characters’ faith, or lack of faith, plays a large part in the story. I’ve found that some Christian romances are light on the religion aspect. I’m fine with a story either way, light or heavy, but I know some readers prefer the lighter, or that the religious aspect stay mostly in the background.
All in all, I very much enjoyed this book. The characters are wonderfully written. I lean more towards character driven stories over plot driven, and here I felt like I got both. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more from this author.
*I received a free copy of this book via The Cozy Mystery Review Crew and have voluntarily reviewed it*
Honor's Refuge by Hallee Bridgeman
As much as I loved Phil, I did sometimes want to knock some sense into him. How could he not see how Melissa felt, that she didn’t care about his leg? Fortunately, Melissa is patient. As in the first two books, the characterization is so well written. We had already met Phil in the first book, and were along for the ride when he was injured, and I was excited to read this book and learn more about him, and to also get to know his family. And my heart broke for him when his family was faced with a shocking tragedy, that was almost hard to even read about.
Melissa and her sister, Lola, were separated as children after their father killed their mother. As an adult, Melissa has been searching for Lola for a long time. When she tells Phil about Lola, Phil calls on two of his buddies, and the three of them track her down. Melissa’s reunion with Lola was fraught with fear and emotion. Her husband is not a good man, and as the pages flew by I became more and more anxious, knowing that there will be a confrontation, constantly expecting it, and when it finally came my adrenaline was pounding.
While faith and Christianity are a theme throughout the series, this entry explored that a little deeper than the first two books. Phil and Melissa attend the same church, and faith and acceptance play a large part in Phil’s emotional journey. His faith in God’s plan for him, his acceptance of God’s love, and eventually of Melissa’s love. A journey that I profoundly enjoyed taking with him and Melissa. The next book comes out in February, I believe, and I will be eagerly awaiting it.
*I received a free copy of this book via the publisher and have voluntarily reviewed it*
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
This third book in the Love and Honor series deviates from the path the first two books took, as the action is all in the US. Phil was the medic for an elite military team, until he was injured in a firefight in an African jungle, which resulted in the amputation of his leg. While he’s learned to navigate life with an artificial limb, he’s still struggling with feelings of loss and not feeling like a whole man. Rather than going back to work as a doctor, Phil is an EMT now. Melissa runs a shelter for victims of domestic abuse. When she has a client who needs medical care but won’t go to a hospital, Melissa calls Phil. A friendship has developed between the two of them, and while Melissa would like more, Phil does not believe he’s worthy of her, that she deserves a “whole” man.
As much as I loved Phil, I did sometimes want to knock some sense into him. How could he not see how Melissa felt, that she didn’t care about his leg? Fortunately, Melissa is patient. As in the first two books, the characterization is so well written. We had already met Phil in the first book, and were along for the ride when he was injured, and I was excited to read this book and learn more about him, and to also get to know his family. And my heart broke for him when his family was faced with a shocking tragedy, that was almost hard to even read about.
Melissa and her sister, Lola, were separated as children after their father killed their mother. As an adult, Melissa has been searching for Lola for a long time. When she tells Phil about Lola, Phil calls on two of his buddies, and the three of them track her down. Melissa’s reunion with Lola was fraught with fear and emotion. Her husband is not a good man, and as the pages flew by I became more and more anxious, knowing that there will be a confrontation, constantly expecting it, and when it finally came my adrenaline was pounding.
While faith and Christianity are a theme throughout the series, this entry explored that a little deeper than the first two books. Phil and Melissa attend the same church, and faith and acceptance play a large part in Phil’s emotional journey. His faith in God’s plan for him, his acceptance of God’s love, and eventually of Melissa’s love. A journey that I profoundly enjoyed taking with him and Melissa. The next book comes out in February, I believe, and I will be eagerly awaiting it.
*I received a free copy of this book via the publisher and have voluntarily reviewed it*
The Secrets of Emberwild by Stephenia H. McGee
The characterization was also wonderfully done. I loved both Nora and Silas, and hated Nora’s uncle Amos. Nora is strong willed, and chafes at the restrictions placed on women (the story is set in 1905). She has no desire to marry without love, and is more at home in the barn with the horses than in the house cooking and cleaning. Her father had been ill for some time, and after he passed away Nora and her mother learn from their uncle that the solicitor has shown him the will, and Nora’s father left the farm to Amos. And he is making plans to find a suitor for Nora and marry her off. And I have to tell you, as much as I loved the book, it also made me so angry at how little control women had over their own lives in those days. Maybe because of everything going on in our world now, with women’s rights being trampled on so severely, I’m more sensitive to the issue than I used to be. I’ve read other historical books, and I’ve read about women being ruled by men, but it’s never elicited this anger in me before. Although maybe that is because the author chronicles Nora’s life and her feelings so well, and with such detail.
A beautifully written story that kept me completely captivated from start to finish. I definitely need to read more from this author.
*I received a free copy of this book via the publisher and have voluntarily reviewed it*
emotional
hopeful
informative
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
My first time reading this author and I very much enjoyed her writing. When I was young – a teenager – I was very into thoroughbred horse racing, but never learned as much about harness racing, which is partly why I was interested in reading this book. The details the author provided about the training process – or at least, Nora’s training process, were fascinating. In her Author Note at the back of the book, Ms. McGee mentions she has always loved horses and has an equine science degree, and it definitely shows.
The characterization was also wonderfully done. I loved both Nora and Silas, and hated Nora’s uncle Amos. Nora is strong willed, and chafes at the restrictions placed on women (the story is set in 1905). She has no desire to marry without love, and is more at home in the barn with the horses than in the house cooking and cleaning. Her father had been ill for some time, and after he passed away Nora and her mother learn from their uncle that the solicitor has shown him the will, and Nora’s father left the farm to Amos. And he is making plans to find a suitor for Nora and marry her off. And I have to tell you, as much as I loved the book, it also made me so angry at how little control women had over their own lives in those days. Maybe because of everything going on in our world now, with women’s rights being trampled on so severely, I’m more sensitive to the issue than I used to be. I’ve read other historical books, and I’ve read about women being ruled by men, but it’s never elicited this anger in me before. Although maybe that is because the author chronicles Nora’s life and her feelings so well, and with such detail.
And then there’s Silas. He finds Nora a bit fascinating, and unlike the other hired hands, has no animosity towards Nora for wanting to participate in her beloved horse’s training and acting like she’s the boss. He admires her, her abilities, her bond with the horse, Arrow, and how much progress she makes with Arrow, who won’t perform for anyone else. Although Arrow does accept Silas fairly quickly, because, like Nora, he has an innate ability to understand horses.
A beautifully written story that kept me completely captivated from start to finish. I definitely need to read more from this author.
*I received a free copy of this book via the publisher and have voluntarily reviewed it*
Word of Honor by Hallee Bridgeman
Fittingly, the heroine is a woman whose heart he smashed into a thousand pieces ten years ago, after a year long relationship. Now she’s an FBI agent, whose partner was killed in a mission gone wrong. She’s the only eyewitness to the man heading up an ecoterrorist organization, and when Bill’s team is brought in to help with the investigation, she finds herself in Kuwait, working undercover – masquerading as husband and wife with Bill.
And then, when they are back in the US, the danger suddenly ramps up to a shocking incident that took me completely by surprise.
My only niggling complaint is that the characters point at each other a lot. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.
*I received a free copy of this book via the publisher and have voluntarily reviewed it*
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
We met Bill “Drumstick” Sanders in the first book, and I liked him, despite his reservations about the hero and the heroine getting their happy ending. In fact, he was a bit rude to his best friend, basically telling him that marriage and the military is not a good mix and having a wife causes a man to lose his focus. So I was pleased that this second book was about Bill and eager to see him eat those words.
Fittingly, the heroine is a woman whose heart he smashed into a thousand pieces ten years ago, after a year long relationship. Now she’s an FBI agent, whose partner was killed in a mission gone wrong. She’s the only eyewitness to the man heading up an ecoterrorist organization, and when Bill’s team is brought in to help with the investigation, she finds herself in Kuwait, working undercover – masquerading as husband and wife with Bill.
There’s not as much actual action as in the first book, but again we get a great character study. When it comes to relationships, family or romantic, Bill has a lot of baggage to unpack. And even though it’s been ten years, Lynda still harbors a lot of anger over how Bill suddenly broke off their relationship, still not knowing why. The slower pace of this book provides more opportunity for Bill and Lynda to get to know each other again. Bill truly regrets how he handled things with Lynda when they were younger, and he’s grown a lot as a person since those days, but the issues are still in his head. If you read the first book, you already know that Bill and his team leader, Rick, have a close brotherly friendship, and I loved the few scenes between them here, as Rick gently supports and nudges Bill to some realizations about his life and what he wants. For Lynda, it’s about overcoming her hurt feelings and seeing Bill for the man he is today. The author did a wonderful job bringing these two together and having them slowly work through their painful past.
Oh, and of course there’s the mission! While I said there isn’t as much action as the first book, there is still enough to keep the story moving at a decent pace. Lynda is very analytical, and watching her create her boards and piece together the events and the players was fascinating.
And then, when they are back in the US, the danger suddenly ramps up to a shocking incident that took me completely by surprise.
My only niggling complaint is that the characters point at each other a lot. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series.
*I received a free copy of this book via the publisher and have voluntarily reviewed it*
Nutcracker with Benefits by Liz Alden
Nash and Clara are best friends who don’t see each other often, as Clara’s career has her traveling all over the world, but whenever she breezes into town they enjoy some benefits. Clara is content with the relationship, but Nash wants more, and while Clara is in town for a couple of days at Christmas he sets out to provide her with the perfect day, and show her that she can be just as happy not always being gone.
I especially enjoyed all the supporting characters - Clara’s two dads, her niece and nephew, Nash’s personal stylist, etc. Nobody is one note, and considering this is a novella, and of course the focus is on Clara and Nash, the author did a good job with making the supporting characters vivid and fleshed out.
The book is billed as a “holiday retelling rom com”. Well, I’ll admit right now that I’ve never seen The Nutcracker and I don’t really know anything about it, but that did not hinder my enjoyment of this story in any way. Just in case you wonder if you need to see The Nutcracker first.
A fun read, with both Nash and Clara ultimately learning to compromise, and getting that satisfying HEA.
*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it*
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
This was a light, somewhat breezy rom com, which was perfect for my mood when I picked it up. I’m not crazy about present tense narration, or about stories where two characters alternate providing the narration in first person POV, and I did not love that here. While the author’s writing was good, the narrative voice felt the same regardless of whether Clara or Nash was telling the story. But the story itself was fun, and it wasn’t hard to overlook that.
Nash and Clara are best friends who don’t see each other often, as Clara’s career has her traveling all over the world, but whenever she breezes into town they enjoy some benefits. Clara is content with the relationship, but Nash wants more, and while Clara is in town for a couple of days at Christmas he sets out to provide her with the perfect day, and show her that she can be just as happy not always being gone.
I especially enjoyed all the supporting characters - Clara’s two dads, her niece and nephew, Nash’s personal stylist, etc. Nobody is one note, and considering this is a novella, and of course the focus is on Clara and Nash, the author did a good job with making the supporting characters vivid and fleshed out.
The book is billed as a “holiday retelling rom com”. Well, I’ll admit right now that I’ve never seen The Nutcracker and I don’t really know anything about it, but that did not hinder my enjoyment of this story in any way. Just in case you wonder if you need to see The Nutcracker first.
A fun read, with both Nash and Clara ultimately learning to compromise, and getting that satisfying HEA.
*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it*