Deadly Intentions by Lisa Harris

Title: Deadly Intentions

Author: Lisa Harris

Pages: 322

Release Date: August 6, 2019 

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Research scientist Caitlyn Lindsey is convinced that someone is taking out her team one by one. First, a friend and research partner was killed in a home invasion. Three months ago, her boss died in a suspicious car accident. Four days ago, another partner supposedly committed suicide. And now Caitlyn herself has miraculously survived a hit-and-run. Afraid for her life with nowhere to turn, she reaches out to one of the victim’s husbands, Detective Josh Solomon.

     Though initially skeptical about Caitlyn’s theory, Josh soon realizes that the attack that took his wife’s life was anything but random. Now the two of them must discover the truth about who is after Caitlyn’s team—and what their end game is—before it’s too late.

     In this nail-biting thriller, award-winning author Lisa Harris will have you believing that there’s no such thing as random.

My review:

     This is an intricately woven romantic suspense novel!

     I fell in love with both of the main characters. They are very well developed and presented. They both have a lot of emotional hurt that they are carrying. Caitlyn’s wounds came as a child. Josh’s heart was broken in the beginning of the book when his wife was brutally murdered.

     The plot is wonderful. It is filled with lots of twists and turns that kept my interest. Life interrupted my reading time but I HAD to come back every time I had a few minuted. The story stayed in my head and the plot kept me trying to figure things out even when I didn’t have time to read.

     I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that both Caitlyn and Josh repeatedly thought about God and were trying to figure out how their situations could be in God’s plan and how they could trust Him to get them through it.

     This wonderful book is getting a 5 star rating from me. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*

Cross My Heart (Legacy of Faith #2) by Robin Lee Hatcher + A GIVEAWAY

 

About the Book

Book: Cross My Heart

Author: Robin Lee Hatcher

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: June 25, 2019

Can two broken paths lead toward God’s redemption?

When Ashley Showalter and Ben Henning meet on Ashley’s horse rescue farm, they quickly discover how much they have in common. Both were raised by single moms. Both want to help where they see a need. And both work with horses in the Boise valley. Ben needs Ashley’s help and expertise after starting an equine therapy barn on his great-great-grandfather’s farm—and the more time they spend together, both Ashley and Ben have the feeling that there could be something more between them.

They also carry the burden of past experiences that may drive them apart if the truth is ever revealed. Ben is a recovering alcoholic with five years of sobriety behind him, while Ashley’s brother is an opioid addict residing in court-ordered rehab. Holding fast to the belief that addicts can never be cured, Ashley has promised herself she will never walk knowingly into the chaos created by addiction. Ben knows that with God, all things are possible—but will Ashley find it within herself to give love a chance? Or will her brother’s mistakes and the pain of her past jeopardize her future with Ben?

Cross My Heart threads together a contemporary love story with the heartwarming tale of Ben’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew Henning—reminding us that God’s Word is timeless and that His promises are new every morning.

Click here to grab your copy.   

My Review

This is an incredible dual-time novel!

I was captivated by both storylines in this book. The characters are amazingly well written and I was able to dive into their stories emotionally. I love the fact that it is a bible that connects the two time periods. 

The future is the main time period. Ben and Ashley are both burdened with memories of addiction and the heartache that it leads to. They both love horses and are using that love to move on. They each need to learn how to let go of the hurt though. Their journeys intersect at many times throughout the story and I loved reading both of them. The information about equine therapy is fascinating. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about how both the horses and people can be helped.

At the beginning of the book Ben is given his great-great-grandfather, Andrew’s bible. As we move through Ben and Ashely’s story we get snippets from his life during WWII. 

I’ve read a number of books set during WWII but this author has done a masterful job of expressing the emotions that surrounded this tumultuous period. She includes the feelings of parents, Jewish people living in the United States, and the young people whose lives were shaped by the war.

I absolutely loved this book and am giving it a rating of 5-stars. I highly recommend it.

About the Author

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 75 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Robin is an ACFW Carol Award winner and an eight-time finalist and has won two RITA Awards and been a finalist eleven times. Her numerous other awards include the Christy Award, the HOLT Medallion, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award. She is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin and her husband make their home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.

For more information, visit robinleehatcher.com; Facebook: robinleehatcher; or Twitter: @robinleehatcher.  

More from Robin

MY WRITING DESK ROBIN LEE HATCHER

I have a wonderful home office with a large screen iMac and the perfect place to keep important papers and reminders right in front of me for easy access. There is also a bed for my dog, Boo, because no office is complete without a bed to welcome the dog. Right? 

I also do a lot of writing while seated in a big easy chair in the living room. It all depends upon my mood and how many reference books I might need at the time. 

My office usually looks neat when I begin a book. By the time I’m writing the end, the room has become a disaster—stacks of papers demanding my attention and a layer of dust are the most obvious issues.

My office also serves as my art studio (where I do decorative planning and Bible art journaling), so every inch that isn’t taken up by writing related items is filled with art related ones—paints, washi tape, stickers, pens galore, etc.

An early riser naturally, I consider sleeping in to be anything after 6 AM. On a normal writing day, I try to get in half an hour on the treadmill first thing in the morning (and often return to it for ten minutes segments a couple other times during the day). Then I sit at my desk or in my easy chair to do my Bible study. And finally I begin writing. 

I can usually create new words for about four hours or so a day. The rest of the work day is filled with editing, revising, research, and correspondence with publisher, agent, readers, and other writers. I have an active online presence which needs attention daily, as well.

I am also a late-in-life part time college student, taking my classes online, so at least a couple of days a week, you’ll find me doing assignments and taking quizzes. For some reason, I rarely use my office for that. The kitchen table seems to suit me better. Probably because it is a large table and I can really spread out. 

I feel very blessed to be able to work at home. I had a full time job when I wrote my first book. In fact, I wrote nine novels over the course of nine years while still working full time. The month my ninth book released, I quit my job in order to write full time. Seventy books and almost 28 years later, I’m still at it. As I said, I am blessed.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, July 27

The Christian Fiction Girl, July 27

The Power of Words, July 27

Carla Johnson-Hicks, July 28

Christian Bookaholic , July 28

Through the Fire Blogs, July 29

A Baker’s Perspective, July 29

Back Porch Reads, July 30

Cultivating Us, July 30

Godly Book Reviews, July 31

For Him and My Family, July 31

God’s Little Bookworm, August 1

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 1

Daysong Reflections, August 2

EmpowerMoms, August 2

Southern Gal Loves to Read, August 2

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, August 3

Moments, August 3

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 4

Remembrancy, August 4

Pause for Tales , August 5

For The Love of Books, August 5

All-of-a-kind Mom, August 6

Hallie Reads, August 6

Living Life Free in Christ, August 7

To Everything A Season, August 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 7

Wishful Endings, August 8

Texas Book-aholic, August 8

janicesbookreviews, August 8

A Reader’s Brain, August 9

Inklings and notions, August 9

Simple Harvest Reads, August 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away a grand prize of a copy of her book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway!

 Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/e681/cross-my-heart-celebration-tour-giveaway

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*

Caught by Surprise (Apart From the Crowd #3) by Jen Turano

Title: Caught by Surprise (Apart From the Crowd #3)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 359

Year: 2018

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

About the book:

     After years of hiding her true nature, Miss Temperance Flowerdew is finally enjoying freedom outside of the shadow of her relations, so the last thing she expected on her way to work was to be grabbed off the street by a stranger and put on a train bound for Chicago.

     When Mr. Gilbert Cavendish is called upon to rescue a missing woman, he follows the trail to Chicago only to discover that the woman is his good friend, Temperance. Before they can discover who was behind her abduction, they’re spotted alone together by a New York society matron, putting their reputations at risk.

     Even though Gilbert is willing to propose marriage, Temperance is determined not to lose her newfound independence. But when the misunderstanding in Chicago escalates into a threat on her life, accepting Gilbert’s help in solving the mystery may lead to more than she ever could have dreamed.

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical romantic comedy!

     I love the variety of quirky characters that this author has created for this series. It was so much fun looking in on them all again and catching up with the main characters from both of the earlier books. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Miss Temperance Flowerdew and Mr. Gilbert Cavendish take center stage in this final book in the series.

     Temperance has come out of her shell and is letting her natural character traits shine forth for all of New York to see. She gets into the most amazingly hilarious situations that kept me laughing. At times it was laugh-out-loud funny and had people giving me very strange looks.

     Gilbert has his own peculiar traits that he is working hard to tame so that he can connect with Temperance better. His efforts are just as funny as Temperance’s situations. He is steady and by her side throughout the story.

     They find themselves in many dangerous situations which seems to be typical of this author’s writing style. They are surrounded by a number of staunch friends and supporters that are willing to step in and help immediately.

     Jen Turano is one of my very favorite authors. I find that, as with each of her previous books, I have to give this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars. I don’t think that you can go wrong in picking this one up. I highly recommend it.

The Christmas Prayer by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Title: The Christmas Prayer

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter

Pages: 176

Year:  2018

Genre: Historical Christmas

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Beloved, bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter takes readers on a journey in 1850 along the California Trail.

     Only the brave—or foolhardy—would attempt a cross-country journey late in the season. Three wagons meet up in Independence, Missouri, in April 1850, and their owners decide to keep forging ahead despite many setbacks and delays. December finds them in the Sierra Nevada Mountains when a sudden snowstorm traps them, obscuring the trail.

     Cynthia Cooper is traveling with her mother and the man she has promised to marry. But as Christmas is upon them and they are hunkered down in a small cabin, she is forced to reevaluate her reasons for planning to marry fellow-traveler Walter Prentice. When a widowed father heading to a California dance and a gold prospector both show an interest in Cynthia, she weighs her dreams for marriage alongside her responsibility to care for her mother. Can love win over her timid heart?

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical Christmas story.

     The character list is very small in this book but they are each presented very well. Their personalities are extremely varied and as the story progresses we find that even the hardest to get along with can be the person that connects the most with someone.

     The tale takes this small group through a very trying journey and they have to learn how to work together and trust in God. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how a group of strangers can become close friends going through a very difficult trial together.

     I truly enjoyed this short novel length Christmas story. I am definitely recommending it. It gets a 5-star rating from me.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*

A Reluctant Belle (The Daughtry House Series #2) by Beth White

Title: A Reluctant Belle (The Daughtry House Series #2)

Author: Beth White

Pages: 368

Release Date: June 4, 2019

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Revell

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Impoverished Southern belle Joelle Daughtry has a secret. By day she has been helping her sisters in their quest to turn the run-down family plantation into a resort hotel after the close of the Civil War. But by night and under a male pseudonym, she has been penning articles for the local paper in support of the construction of a Negro school. With the Mississippi arm of the Ku Klux Klan gaining power and prestige, Joelle knows she is playing a dangerous game.

     When childhood enemy and current investor in the Daughtry house renovation Schuyler Beaumont takes over his assassinated father’s candidacy for state office, Joelle finds that in order to protect her family and her home, she and Schuyler will have to put aside their longstanding personal conflict and develop a united public front. The trouble is, what do you do when animosity becomes respect—and even love—if you’re already engaged to someone else?

My review:

     This is an incredible historical romance!

     I think that all of the central characters are extremely well developed. Joelle has to be my favorite with all of her insecurities and doubts. I can relate to her as far as how many of them she has. Yet she continues to strive to help other people and treat them fairly.

     Schuyler Beaumont finds himself having to grow up suddenly and face the realities of what life is truly like. Along with that he does a fair amount of kicking himself for not having been acting in a more adult manner for so long.

     I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how Joelle and Schuyler interact with each other. They suddenly find themselves seeing each other as their adult selves not the children that grew up as friends/foes.

     The plot of the story is very heavy in that it deals with the middle portion of the Reconstruction Era, five years after Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox. The presentation of the racial atmosphere of the time is very well done. I do appreciate the fact that the author chose not to use all of the very harsh language that would have been prevalent at the time. It made it a little easier for me to read.

     The wonderful book is getting a rating of 5 stars from me. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*

Imagine... the Giant's Fall (The Imagine Series #4) by Matt Koceich

Title: Imagine… the Giants Fall (The Imagine Series #4)

Author: Matt Koceich

Pages: 112

Release Date: May 1, 2019

Genre: Pre-Teen

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     The last thing fifth-grader Wren Evans remembers (before the world as she knew it disappeared) is getting off the school bus to discover her house engulfed in flames. What happens next can’t be explained as Wren finds herself in a beautiful valley with a shepherd named David—in ancient Israel! 

     Imagine . . . The Giant’s Fall is the fourth release in an exciting epic adventure series for kids age 8 to 12 written by schoolteacher Matt Koceich. The Imagine series brings the Bible to life for today’s kids as they ponder what it would be like to live through a monumental biblical event.

My review:

     An unusual look at a biblical story through a child’s eyes.

     Wren is a young girl with very deep heartaches. As she is trying to figure out life in today’s world and with today’s problems she suddenly finds herself getting an eyewitness view of a story she knows from the Bible. I love the fact that she does learn some valuable lessons through it. At the same time the story seems to have a number of very weird twists that made it hard to follow and understand.

     Because of the difficulty I had following the story I have decided to give this book a rating of 4 stars.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions 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 Liberty Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #6) by MaryLu Tyndall

Title: The Liberty Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #6)

Author: MaryLu Tyndall

Pages: 256

Year: 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Lieutenant Owen Masters and Emeline Baratt meet on a British warship as sworn enemies. Where will Emeline place her loyalties when forced to spy against her country?

     War Forces a Choice Between Love and Country

    A trip home from England to Maryland in 1812 finds Emeline Baratt a captive on a British warship and forced to declare her allegiance between the British and Americans. Remaining somewhat politically neutral on a ship where her nursing skills are desperately needed is fairly easy—until she starts to have feelings for the first lieutenant who becomes her protector. However, when the captain sends her and Lieutenant Owen Masters on land to spy, she must choose between her love for him or her love for her country.

My review:

     This is an incredible historical romance!

     I love both Owen and Emeline. They are very well developed. They both have very painful memories of their fathers. These have formed their view of God. 

     Throughout this book they each have strong believers that are doing all they can to help them learn to trust God and rely on Him. I loved their separate journeys and how they intersect at various times.

     This author has a marvelous talent for writing pirate and privateer stories. This book doesn’t disappoint in this aspect. She has included plenty of action to keep the excitement level up. Her description of sailing vessels and all things involved in sailing in the early 1800s is fantastic.

     I loved this story and have decided to give it a rating of 5 stars. I am highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions 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.*