ROAD TO TESTAMENT

Ashlynne Rothschild grew up with the proverbial silver spoon in her mouth. Smart and sassy, Ashlynne expects to inherit the Park Avenues magazine empire. But her family has other ideas. Feeling she needs to understand the world beyond, they ship her off to Testament, North Carolina, for a little “learning about life."

William Decker grew up in a small town with dreams of big-city success. But when the spoiled Ashlynne falls under his authority, her big city ways aren’t so appealing. Ashlynne’s attempt at “learn normal” ends with a wounded spirit, while William's “reach for the stars” attitude ends with a wounded heart. When these two journalists go head to head, the race is on to see if either will succeed in getting what they really want.

My thoughts...

I loved this book! It has a great storyline and such a lovely cover. Spoiled Ashlynne will inherit her family's empire and she's definitely ready for it... however, her family decides to send her to a small town in North Carolina to learn about "real" life. She meets William who dreams of moving away to the big city. The two eventually learn valuable lessons.

The author writes so well and describes the inner pain of her characters that those around them aren't aware of. She has a way of bringing people together and solving issues that leaves you feeling satisfied as you finish the last page. This is just a great book and gets 5 stars from me!

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

TEST OF FAITH

Will the revelation of a 16-year-old secret shatter—or mend—a fragile marriage?

Like all marriages, Elle and Logan Butler’s has its ups and downs. Yet they hang together, even as his political campaign escalates. But Elle has a secret that haunts her, one that she never thought would be revealed. It’s a secret that has driven her from God and kept her from sharing her whole heart with the man she loves.

But now the secret must be told.

The news rips Elle’s world apart as she struggles with painful memories and paralyzing fear of what will happen when she tells Logan. Every secret has consequences, and this one could destroy everything they’ve built.

My thoughts...

Politicians lives are an open book. Elle's husband is a man of faith running for office. Any secrets in their lives must be handled smoothly which is not a problem for the most part, but Elle has a secret even her husband doesn't know. As she faces the consequences her life begins to fall apart.

Christa has written another fantastic book that you don't want to put down. It's easy to get drawn into the character's lives and feel their emotions. This one is a must read!

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

SINCERELY YOURS

In this inspiring collection of historical romances, four young women each receive a letter that will change their lives. Four novellas in one.

My thoughts...

In this novella we meet four strong women and hear their stories. Each is set in the 1800's to early 1900. Laurie Alice Eakes tells us about Lady Camilla and her steamboat ride which is suspenseful and adventurous. Ann Shorey writes about Merrie who has a secret that could lead to trouble.

Then Amanda Cabot introduces us to Loraine who must escape an arranged marriage and finally Grace, a woman who must go in search of her friend and bring her home to her child. A promise that must be kept.

Short, sweet, and delightful romances anyone will enjoy.

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

CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION

The body of a disgraced college lecturer is found on an abandoned railway line. In the four years since his dismissal for sexual misconduct, he’d been living like a hermit. So where did he get the 5,000 pounds found in his pocket?

Leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Alan Banks begins to suspect that the victim's past may be connected to his death. Forty years ago the dead man attended a university that was a hotbed of militant protest and divisive, bitter politics. And as the seasoned detective well knows, some grudges are never forgotten—or forgiven.

Just as he’s about to break the case open, his superior warns him to back off. Yet Banks isn’t about to stop, even if it means risking his career. He's certain there’s more to the mystery than meets the eye . . . and more skeletons to uncover before the case can finally be closed.

My thoughts...

This book was hard to get into. The plot sounds good but the whole story was mundane. The murder of a college professor accused of sexual misconduct and found to have thousands of dollars in his pocket could've been exciting, instead it was slow paced and predictable. Thrown into the investigation are long lunches that accomplish nothing. I give it 3 stars.

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

CHILDREN OF THE REVOLUTION is available now at Amazon | B&N | IndieBound

WHAT FOLLOWS AFTER

From the outside Kevin Harrison's life looks perfect, but it's falling apart. Just as he thinks he's lost everything, a crisis forces him to confront what matters most.

My thoughts...

If you haven't read any of Dan's books this one is a must read. Be prepared to read it in one or two sittings, it's THAT good!

From the outside the Harrison's look like the perfect family. Truth is, they separated months ago but are pretending things are okay, none of their friends or acquaintances know about their troubles or that they've separated. They have instructed their two sons to lie about things at home as well. How sad.

Keeping up appearances is a strain on the whole family, especially the boys. They decide to run away and things go from bad to worse. No parent would ever want to go through what the Harrison's did. Their traumatic experiences will change them forever.

The plot is fantastic, the characters are even more fantastic! Dan is a very talented author, he writes the most heartwarming stories and tells them in such a way you are feeling the family's pain and heartbreak.

Dan Walsh has been one of my favorite writers since his first book! 5 BIG stars from me!

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

Get your copy on AMAZON.

Mercy Like Sunlight

Mary Margaret Delaney hides in the shadows, her arms scarred, her heart wounded by grief and weighed down with regret. Adrift on the streets of Chicago, she is surrounded by strangers and hounded by demons, both real and imagined. Her neighbors in Lincoln Park call her Mad Mary—until a fearless young pastor dares to call Mary his friend.

My thoughts...

Tortured by demons of guilt & grief ever since a disastrous event Mary Delaney aka Mad Mary is in the depths of despair has no hope left. What a terrible condition to be in! She meets Pastor Jake and eventually accepts his help. What we get is a beautiful modern day retelling of Mary Magdalene & Jesus setting her free! Liz Curtis Higgs writes the most touching stories, this one is no exception.

The characters are wonderful, so real. The perfect story during this Easter season! 5 stars!

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

BLUEBONNET BRIDE

At the turn of the 20th century, Elli Korpela boards The Baltic with hundreds of eager women, all seeking new beginnings and brighter futures in America . . . as mail order brides.

Escaping a forced engagement, Elli seeks refuge in a faraway marriage, desperately needing her new life with a Texan named Nathan White to be safer than the one she left behind in Finland. And as she glimpses her future husband and his darling niece at the train station, she instantly knows her risk will prove the best decision she's ever made.

Until he became the guardian of four-year-old Hannah, Nathan White never took an interest in marriage, arranging a mail order wife to simply love and care for his orphaned niece. That is, he never took an interest until he laid eyes on the beautiful Elli Korpela.

After a fairytale ceremony in the gardens of the grandest estate Elli's ever seen, a place called Butterfly Palace, their peaceful beginning takes a disquieting turn as an intruder brutally attacks Elli in the middle of the night. Nathan intervenes, but the devil escapes unidentified, leaving Elli to face two chilling possibilities: either the attack was arranged by strike workers in Nathan's employ or her shadowy past followed her into the present – and across the sea.

As the danger mounts, Elli and Nathan must face their enemy together, fighting to stay alive – and fighting to stay man and wife.

My thoughts...

I didn't realize this was a novella, it could've been a great book. The storyline is interesting but everything was all smooshed together. Solutions came too quickly & I felt like I was missing part of the story. Good characters though I wish I could've gotten to know them better. Bluebonnet Bride is a follow up to Butterfly Palace which is a fantastic story!

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