Sunday, September 22, 2013

Book Review: Stranded by Dani Pettrey

Gage McKenna has a lot of baggage from his past. He has spent the last few months avoiding Darcy
St. James, the one woman who made him want to open his heart again. He is excited to get away from it all, helping a cruise ship with an adventure excursion. It's just what he needs to get his mind off a certain woman...until he gets on board and discovers Darcy is also on board as an adventure journalist.

But all is not as it seems to be. Darcy is investigating her missing friend and the huge story her friend was covering while undercover on the ship. Gage is afraid that his original instinct was right and she would do anything to get ahead in her career, even lie. But as he helps her get behind the strange happenings on the ship, more is at stake then just a story.

This is the third book in the Alaskan Courage series and I would highly recommend reading the first two books before starting this one. While the plot itself is stand alone, the characters and their history are covered much more extensively in the past books, which lead up to this point in the story. I enjoyed the plot though, and finished it pretty quickly - always a good sign.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for a free copy of this book to review.

Book Review: Shattered by Dani Pettrey

Piper McKenna is extremely loyal, especially to her family. When her brother finally comes back to town and is arrested for murder, Piper will do anything to clear his name. Unfortunately for Deputy Landon Granger, that means he has to been on call to protect Piper for all the trouble she manages to find while she does anything that she can to solve the mystery surrounding this death.
As Piper finds herself getting closer to solving the mystery, the danger mounts and Landon and Pipers family must stick together to clear her brother's name and stay safe doing it!

This is the second book in the Alaskan Courage season and having not read the first one, I would highly advise reading the first book before starting the second. I felt like there was so much background information I was missing that would deepen the plot and characters (though I didn't need it to follow the plot). The characters did tend to survive some rather crazy situations, but it is fiction after all and makes the story a little more exciting. A pretty good read overall.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for a free copy of this book to review.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Book Review: Dangerous Passage by Lisa Harris

Detective Avery North has two Jane Doe murders to solve, and when she discovers matching magnolia tattoos on their shoulders, she fears she is dealing with a serial killer. Teaming up with medical examiner Jackson Bryant, she follows the clues that lead further and further into a world of dark and dangerous secrets. On top of trying to solve the murders, Avery must keep herself and her daughter safe, as well as her heart - which proves to be quite difficult!

I thought this book was refreshing on a lot of levels. An older main character with a teenage daughter is not common, as well as dealing with some modern issues and problems that really need to be addressed in the real world outside her book. I like that she was able to draw attention to a huge social injustice, while at the same time writing a great story.

Thank you to Revell Publishing for a free copy of this book to review.

Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Book Review: The Invention of Sarah Cummings by Olivia Newport

Sarah Cummings has been a maid in the lavish Banning household for far longer than she planned. Her wardrobe is ready for her big breakthrough into Chicago's high society. She has been altering cast off gowns to make spectacular clothing just waiting for the right time and finally it has arrived.
When she bumps into a young lady new to the area, Sarah takes the chance to introduce her new name and new life as Serena Cuthbert. She can almost taste her new life in high society.
The only glitch is her work at St. Andrews orphanage and it's director Simon Tewell. Sarah will have to choose between the life she has always wanted and a life filled with real love and hope.

The third book in the Avenue of Dreams series, I think this one was my favorite. I loved all the descriptions of the gowns and outfits Sarah creates. There were lots of fun situations where you just had to wonder how she would handle the web of lies she had to weave to be a different person. A very fun book to read!

Thank you to Revell Publishing for a free copy of this book to review.

Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Saturday, September 07, 2013

Book Review: Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

Miranda Woodruff is facing some hard news. Her hit tv show From the Ground Up,  is losing ratings and she needs to boost them fast or risk losing everything she has worked so hard for. Her manager has a great idea to help give her show a shot of enthusiasm - show everyone the husband she has been talking about on the show for the past three years. There is only one problem with that plan - there is no husband. That ship sailed long ago when her fiance ran out on her, but only a handful of people know her secret.
Miranda agrees to be seen with a fake husband for publicity - anything to help her show - but she just gets tangled deeper in a web of lies. How can she hold everything together when a nosy reporter starts to tag along with day and night and is the truth worth keeping hidden?

I thought this was a sweet, easy read. Lots of good characters to get to know and a fast paced plot keeps pages turning.  I don't think I'd put it on my read over and over list, but it was a good, fun, light read. A perfect summer, beach kinda book.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for a free copy of this book to review.

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Book Review: Trapped by Irene Hannon

Darcy is 16 years old and tired of too many rules. Her step-sister has done her best, but there is just no way and free spirit like Darcy and a stuffy librarian like Laura can make it work. So Darcy decides to follow her free spirit and head out to make a life for herself. Unfortunately, a winter storm keeps her from heading to her destination and she ends up on the street.

Laura is a librarian who is worried about the terrible things that could happen to her sister out on her own. The police can't do much, so she turns to a private detective agency hoping to find the help she desperately needs before it's too late.

Dev is a former ATF agent who is dedicated to his job and his professionalism. When Laura enters his life as a client, he has a hard time keeping the line between personal and professional clear. He needs to keep a clear head to find Darcy before something terrible happens....

Because something terrible is about to happen...

I really enjoy Irene Hannon's stories and usually finish them the day I start them. Good page turning action. The fast pace of the romance bugs me a little but besides that, it is a great read. Has a good fast pace and I like that she tells the story from everyone's point of view including the bad guy. This is the second book in the private justice series but I think it stands alone well.

Thank you to Revell Publishers for a free copy of this book to review.

Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.