Treacherous Trails (Gold Country Cowboys #2) by Dana Mentink (review by Cathy)

Book Blurb:

Falsely accused…

Can she escape the real killer?

In this Gold Country Cowboys story, farrier Ella Cahill is accused of murder—and only former marine Owen Thorn, her brother’s best friend, can help clear her name.

Now with someone trying to kill Ella, Owen must protect her…despite his promise to her brother to stay away from her.

But can they work together to find the true killer before she becomes the next to die?

 

My review:

Wow!  What an incredible and heart racing story from start to finish.  The protagonist, Ella Cahill is young farrier caring for her disabled sister, Betsy when she becomes a murder suspect.  The hero is none other than one of my favorite cowboys, Owen Thorn.  I fell in love with the Thorn family in the first book in the series and had been eagerly anticipating catching up with them on their ranch.   I was so glad to find the matriarch, Evie Thorn is still up to any challenge that comes her way.  I’m convinced that every member of the Thorn family have hearts as big as their ranch.

I loved the loyalty and friendship Owen extended to Ella and I’ve noticed that theme so far in this series with the Thorn family.  They are kind, loving and ready to lend a hand to those in need of help.  They are a close knit family which reminds me of my own family.

This is one of those books that had me guessing what would happen next and exactly what kind of nefarious scheme was going on ,or if there even was a nefarious scheme. I’ll give you fair warning, you won’t want to put this book down until you find out!

Overall, this is a fast paced, thrilling story with characters that I loved with one or two that I strongly disliked.  Kudos to Ms. Mentink on a wonderful storyline and realistic characters.   I’m looking forward to seeing which Thorn brother we’ll get to know better in the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy  and was not required to give a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

 

 

 

 

The Saturday Night Supper Club (Supper Club #1) by Carla Laureano (review by Cathy)

About the book:

Denver chef Rachel Bishop has accomplished everything she’s dreamed and some things she never dared hope, like winning a James Beard award and heading up her own fine-dining restaurant. But when a targeted smear campaign causes her to be pushed out of the business by her partners, she vows to do whatever it takes to get her life back … even if that means joining forces with the man who inadvertently set the disaster in motion.

Essayist Alex Kanin never imagined his pointed editorial would go viral. Ironically, his attempt to highlight the pitfalls of online criticism has the opposite effect: it revives his own flagging career by destroying that of a perfect stranger. Plagued by guilt-fueled writer’s block, Alex vows to do whatever he can to repair the damage. He just doesn’t expect his interest in the beautiful chef to turn personal.

Alex agrees to help rebuild Rachel’s tarnished image by offering his connections and his home to host an exclusive pop-up dinner party targeted to Denver’s most influential citizens: the Saturday Night Supper Club. As they work together to make the project a success, Rachel begins to realize Alex is not the unfeeling opportunist she once thought he was, and that perhaps there’s life–and love–outside the pressure-cooker of her chosen career. But can she give up her lifelong goals without losing her identity as well?

 

My review:

This book is much more delightful than I had anticipated! I worked in Food and Beverage management for many years and knew this would be a good read, but it’s actually a fantastic read.

The author brought her characters to life for me and I thought her research was incredible as she captured the pressure a restaurateur/chef  faces each and every day. I admire the creativity and dedication required for continual success.

The secondary characters are just as entertaining and interesting to me.  I loved how they rallied around Rachel and were so supportive of her and the supper club.  In life, we all need good friends and good food.   Rachel found both in this novel.

This is the first book that I’ve read by Ms.Laureano ,but it definitely wont be the last.  I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and was not required to give a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander (review by Cathy)

About the book:

Recently widowed, Aletta Prescott struggles to hold life together for herself and her six-year old son. With the bank threatening to evict them, she discovers an advertisement for the Women’s Relief Society auction and applies for a position—only to discover it’s been filled. Then a chance meeting with a wounded soldier offers another opportunity– and friendship. But can Aletta trust this man?

Captain Jake Winston, a revered Confederate sharpshooter, suffered a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga. When doctors deliver their diagnosis, Jake fears losing not only his greatest skill but his very identity. As he heals, Jake is ordered to assist with a local Women’s Relief Society auction. He respectfully objects. Kowtowing to a bunch of “crinolines” isn’t his idea of soldiering. But orders are orders, and he soon discovers this group of ladies—one, in particular—is far more than he bargained for.

Set against the backdrop of the real history of Carnton Plantation in Franklin, Tennessee, Christmas at Carnton is a story of hope renewed and faith restored at Christmas.

My review (4-stars)

Tamera Alexander writes wonderful and thoroughly researched  novels.  Her characters have a charm to them that I don’t always see in other books that I’ve read.  My observation  and appreciation of her work certainly holds true in, Christmas at Carnton.

I loved Aletta and her little boy, Andrew.  When Aletta loses her job, it broke my heart.  I felt an overwhelming sense of relief when she gets a job a Carnton.  Tempy became my favorite character and when I discovered that she was based on the real Carnton cook, I loved her even more.  That is an example of the authors thorough research!

I think that the recipes from Christmas at Carnton are a lovely touch and are ones that I will make and not just at Christmas.  A must read for fans of Historical fiction.

I received a copy from the publisher and was not required to give a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

The First Kiss of Spring by Emily March (review by Kristi)

About the book:  Life could be a dream…

Goal-oriented and gorgeous, Caitlin Timberlake’s dreams took her to the top of the corporate ladder in New York City. Now years later, her goals have changed. She wants to come home to Eternity Springs and build a business and a family of her own—with the new man in town. So what if sexy mechanic Josh Tarkington wants nothing more than a fling? Caitlin is a patient woman who knows how to work hard and strategize to win what she desires. She desires Josh. Unfortunately, he has other plans.

If only things were different…

Josh craves Caitlin and all she has to offer. However, he is a man with secrets. He has worked hard to overcome his tragic past, but he’s afraid to risk having a future because he knows trouble is never very far away. When a selfless act brings that trouble to his door, he stands to lose everything he cares about—including Caitlin. Will her love and the healing magic of Eternity Springs be enough to save him?

Publication Date:  February 27, 2018

Publisher:  St. Martin’s Paperbacks

 

My thoughts:  First off I have to say what a pretty cover! Job well done to the person who designed this cover. The colors are so pretty together and the scene is so inviting. Who wouldn’t want to spend time in Eternity Springs?

I was sent an invitation to read this book from the publisher. Not one to say no to a book (and especially a free book) I downloaded the book to my Kindle and wrote the release date down on my calendar. When it came time to read the book I was a bit hesitant because it’s book 14 in the series and it is 360ish pages long. Not that I’m scared of series or long book but I was a bit worried that I was going to be completely lost reading this book and that it was going to be repetitive to no end. Oh, how wrong I was!

Even though this is book 14 in the series I wasn’t one bit lost while reading. This book completely stands on its own. There was no repetition to be found either. I found this story moved along at a nice pace and kept my interest from beginning to end. In fact, I was able to read most of this book in just one day.

I immediately liked the two main characters in this book. There was just something about their chemistry from the very beginning that drew me to them. I liked the way they flirted with each other and had a natural attraction. Caitlin and Josh were two characters that I liked individually but even more as a couple.

The author did a great job in describing the town of Eternity Springs and making me feel as if I were there. Her descriptions gave this story the perfect small town feel easily found in books such as those by Debbie Macomber.

This story is the perfect mix of fun romance and serious issues. The author does a great job of balancing the two to make the story fun to read without being too chic-lit-y. I liked the journal entries at the beginning of each chapter. I thought they really added to the story and learn about Josh more.

I definitely recommend this book. It has a good, solid storyline and characters that can be found in any American small town. After reading this book I want to read more in this series and I bet you will too!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

 

About the author:  Emily March is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series. Publishers Weekly calls March a “master of delightful banter,” and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America.

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Cathy’s Cozy Reads

February has been an odd mix of freezing cold temperatures along with some warm and beautiful Spring like days.  It’s always a perfect day for me to get comfortable with a hot beverage and read a good book, no matter what the weather is!

Here are a few of my favorites and I hope that everyone will enjoy them as much as I have.

 

Amy Clipston is one of my favorite Amish fiction authors. With her heartfelt writing she  is one of the leading voices in this genre in my opinion.  I highly recommend, Amish Sweethearts.

 

I’m always pleased to find a new to me author which happened when I read this one by Carla Laureano.  This book is perfect for a foodie or even a picky eater like me!

 

 

Kathleen Fuller has become another favorite author of mine recently.  I have felt a connection to most of her characters and have absolutely loved, Amish Letters.

 

 

For fans of Historical Romance, you can’t go wrong with Hearts Entwined, four novellas by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings and Melissa Jagears.  This is such a fun read.

 

 

The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz is another book that I loved.  The storyline is fascinating and the characters are extraordinary. Isnt the cover beautiful?

Stay warm and happy reading!

 

 

Treacherous Trails by Dana Mentink (review by Kristi)

About the book: Falsely accused…

Can she escape the real killer?

In this Gold Country Cowboys story, farrier Ella Cahill is accused of murder—and only former marine Owen Thorn, her brother’s best friend, can help clear her name. Now with someone trying to kill Ella, Owen must protect her…despite his promise to her brother to stay away from her. But can they work together to find the true killer before she becomes the next to die?

Publication Date:  March 6, 2018

Publisher:  Love Inspired Suspense

 

My thoughts:  Congratulations to Dana Mentink on a well written, fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat, read! This story was so good I was able to read it in just a couple of sittings. It’s one of those books that you keep thinking “I’ll quit at the end of this chapter” and then you read the following chapter because you have to find out what happens next!

This book is intense from the very first page and had me hooked. I felt like I instantly knew the characters and was invested in their story. I kept wondering what that nasty character, Bruce Reed, was going to do next. Even though it’s made pretty obvious from the beginning he’s the bad guy (or is he?) I was always wondering just what evilness he was up to. Dana Mentink did an excellent job of creating a character to absolutely just despise.

This book is full of twists and turns that will keep readers interested and reading as fast as they can turn the pages. I really enjoyed the first book in the series and thought it would be difficult to top but I do believe I enjoyed this one more than the first. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book in the series. Pick up a copy of this great read today!

I received a free copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

 

About the author:  Dana Mentink enjoys writing in many different capacities. She currently writes for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House Publishers.

Dana is the recipient of a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, two ACFW Carol Awards as well as a Holt Medallion.

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A Home for Hannah by Amy Lillard (review by Kristi)

About the book:   In Pontotoc, Mississippi, the Amish way means a chance to rebuild, renew, and rekindle a love from long ago . . .

Fifteen years. That’s how long it’s been since Hannah McLean set foot in the Amish community where she was raised. Through it all her heart has never forgotten Pontotoc–or Aaron Zook, her first love. Now widowed, and left with little more than her hurting teenager and her prayers, she returns home, even knowing she and her son may be turned away.

When Aaron learns Hannah has returned, he nearly falls to his knees. He’s a strong man, but lately the care of his three motherless children and family land have been more than he can handle. Now providence has delivered the first woman he loved, and with her, the rush of feelings they once shared. But will his simple, removed way of life leave Hannah longing for something more, or can they begin anew, finding a new way forward together?

Publication Date:  February 27, 2018

Publisher:  Zebra

 

My thoughts:  Amish fiction from Amy Lillard isn’t your typical cookie-cutter story. If you’ve read her Wells Landing books you know the Amish in them seem a bit more progressive and even use tractors as a means of transportation. A Home for Hannah fits right in with Amy bringing something different to the genre. This story takes place in Mississippi in a very conservative Amish community. No tractor-riding Amish to be found here. This group doesn’t even have indoor plumbing. Amy Lillard brings us a story of going home, trying to fit in, and looking forward.

Hannah left the Amish fifteen years ago and circumstances have brought her and her son back. It’s hard for Hannah to come home but she has no other choice. She is greeted with a mix of emotions from her family. Some, like her mother and cousin Gracie, are accepting of her and her son, Brandon, right away. Others, like her father, are a bit more standoffish. I liked that Hannah wasn’t greeted with open arms by everyone. It seemed very realistic that some would be a bit more hesitant to welcome her home and be willing to forgive the past. There is tension between Hannah and her childhood friend/former boyfriend Aaron. These two have quite the past and as the story progresses and I learned more it was easy to understand why that tension existed and was interesting to see how the two characters dealt with it.

While I enjoyed this book and Hannah and Brandon’s story I thought there was something lacking. At times the story seemed to stall and the pace of the book seemed off at times. I almost felt like the author was holding back and not letting the story flow as freely as it wanted. I also found it a bit hard at times to connect with the characters. Except for Brandon who was probably my favorite character. He seemed genuine and was an innocent party to all that had happened in his life and was just really easy to like. I enjoyed watching the friendship form between Brandon and his cousin Joshua. I also liked Brandon’s curiosity about the Amish and how he tried to adjust to a completely different life than what he was familiar with.

All in all, this wasn’t a bad story and it fits the Amy Lillard brand of Amish fiction. I’m sure fans of Amy’s will enjoy the book as well as those looking for something other than the usual Amish fiction story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see what is happening in this Mississippi Amish community.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

 

About the author:  I’m a wife, mother, and bona fide Southern belle. Published author, expert corn bread maker, and Squirrel Princess.

I live in Tulsa, though I was born in Mississippi. I moved to the Sooner State when I was seventeen and met my soul mate and best friend not long after. I’ve retained a little of my Mississippi accent though most people think I’m from Texas. (?) Rob and I have been married for over twenty years and have a son–a mom proclaimed prodigy, of course!

I love homemade tacos, nail polish, and romance novels–not necessarily in that order. I’m a big fan of country music, a staunch proponent of saving the Oxford comma, and I’m shamefully obsessed with all things Harry Potter.

I believe that God is love. I guess that’s why I adore romances.

I have always been intrigued with the Amish culture, their gentle ways and slower-paced lifestyle. (And I love, love, love the fact that they stay married for their lifetime.) But until recently I never thought to blend this interest with my penchant for romance. Okay, okay, I’m a bit old-fashioned and even enjoy the gender roles that are present in this culture. I love to cook and take care of my family. Yes, that’s me June Cleaver with a laptop.

I dislike people trying to convince me to read the Twlight series (I’ll get to it or I won’t, either way I’m good with it), gratuitous violence, and strawberry ice cream. (I know I’m alone on this last one, and again, I’m good with it.)

Favorite movies–(besides HP) French Kiss, Maid of Honor, A Lot Like Love, Just Married, and Sweet Home Alabama. Oh, and Miss Congeniality, Sabrina (both versions) and a 1940’s movie called Dear Ruth. If you haven’t seen it, you should! A-dorable. Anything with Doris Day and most all of Marilyn’s and Audrey’s.

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The Sea Before Us (Sunrise at Normandy #1) by Sarah Sundin (review by Cathy)

About the book:

In 1944, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton arrives in London to prepare for the Allied invasion of France. He works closely with Dorothy Fairfax, a “Wren” in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. Dorothy pieces together reconnaissance photographs with thousands of holiday snapshots of France–including those of her own family’s summer home–in order to create accurate maps of Normandy. Maps that Wyatt will turn into naval bombardment plans.

As the two spend concentrated time together in the pressure cooker of war, their deepening friendship threatens to turn to love. Dorothy must resist its pull. Her bereaved father depends on her, and her heart already belongs to another man. Wyatt too has much to lose. The closer he gets to Dorothy, the more he fears his efforts to win the war will destroy everything she has ever loved.

The tense days leading up to the monumental D-Day landing blaze to life under Sarah Sundin’s practiced pen with this powerful new series.

 

My review:

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book by Sarah Sundin and as soon as I started reading this one, I was mentally scolding myself for missing out on her past work. I’m just so glad that I read this one because the author takes you on a journey where you get to know the characters.  Oh, those characters are endearing!

I loved Wyatt Paxton and my heart went out to him as he goes through grief and blames himself for something that clearly isn’t his fault.  A sweet and gentle young man from Texas and now a sailor, he soon meets Dorothy Fairfax, a “Wren” in the Woman’s Royal Naval Service.  I was fascinated with her job and how she created maps of Normandy that were turned into naval bombardment maps.  I can’t imagine the pressure of something like that.   For someone with such a responsible position, she was unsure of herself in her life outside of work which made her more relatable to me.

They are both interesting characters with family issues to deal with.  I think Dorothy’s family situation was more compelling than Wyatt’s and why I enjoyed her story more.   The secondary characters are well-developed and are interesting, too. There are certainly some surprises that I didn’t expect, but ones that added an air of intrigue and kept me reading just one more chapter!

I’m looking forward to the next book in the series to catch up with the characters that I’ve grown fond of and to meet new ones.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was not required to give a favorable review.  All opinions are my own.

 

Heart Entwined-A Historical Romance Novella Collection (review by Cathy)

 

About the book:

The path to love is filled with twists and turns in these stories of entangled romance with a touch of humor from four top historical romance novelists!

Includes Karen Witemeyer’s The Love Knot, Mary Connealy’s The Tangled Ties That Bind, Regina Jennings’s Bound and Determined, and Melissa Jagears’s Tied and True.

 

My review:

What a fantastic collections of novellas by four of my favorite authors!

The Love Knot by Karen Witemeyer-  We catch up with the Ladies of Harpers Station in this novella. .  I have loved this series and was so happy to read more about Claire.  She has been one of my favorite secondary characters and I have wondered what had happened to her sister and Pieter.  Their story is very poignant and worth reading over again.  I love the authors work.

The Tangles Ties That Bind by Mary Connealy is a fun read as Connor and Maggie reunite as adults.  If you are a fan of the Kincaid Bride series, you will love this one as much as I did.  I love the author’s humor.

Bound and Determined by Regina Jennings is a Fort Bend novella and quite honestly was the reason I was so excited to read this collection. Private Bradley Willis is one of my favorite characters in, Holding the Fort.  He’s just as funny and adorable as I remembered.  When he’s paired with the protagonist, Ambrosia Herald and camels, he’s pure perfection!  Ms. Jennings is fast becoming one of my must read authors.

Tried and True by Melissa Jagears is the last novella in the collection, but the first one that I read.  I have been a huge fan of the, Teaville Moral Society series and simply couldn’t resist.  I loved Marianne and Calvin.  Love certainly can make a difference in a person’s life and Marianne proves that as she takes a job where she works harder than she ever has to show Calvin that she is willing to give up everything to spend the rest of her life with him.    Ms. Jagears is another favorite of mine.

Overall, this collection is much more than I expected it to be.  I usually don’t like every novella in a collection, but in this one I really did.  I consider this to be a must read for fans of historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was not required to give a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

 

 

Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella (review by Kristi)

About the book:  #1 bestselling author Sophie Kinsella’s emotionally charged new standalone novel about marriage and family, and how those we love and know best can sometimes surprise us the most.

After being together for ten years, Sylvie and Dan have all the trimmings of a happy life and marriage; they have a comfortable home, fulfilling jobs, beautiful twin girls, and communicate so seamlessly, they finish each other’s sentences. However, a trip to the doctor projects they will live another 68 years together and panic sets in. They never expected “until death do us part” to mean seven decades.

In the name of marriage survival, they quickly concoct a plan to keep their relationship fresh and exciting: they will create little surprises for each other so that their (extended) years together will never become boring. But in their pursuit to execute Project Surprises, mishaps arise and secrets are uncovered that start to threaten the very foundation of their unshakable bond. When a scandal from the past is revealed that question some important untold truths, they begin to wonder if they ever really knew each other after all.

With a colorful, eccentric cast of characters, razor-sharp observations, and her signature wit and charm, Sophie Kinsella crafts a humorous, yet thoughtful portrait of a marriage and shines a light on the danger of not looking past the many layers of the ones you love to discover how infinitely fascinating–and surprising–they truly are.

Publication Date:  February 13, 2018

Publisher:  The Dial Press

 

My review:  After reading my first Sophie Kinsella book, My Not So Perfect Life, last year I was giddy with joy when the publisher emailed me an invitation to read her newest book Surprise Me. Soon after beginning this book I realized it wasn’t the same caliber of a story as My Not So Perfect Life. In fact, this book was quite a letdown for me.

The book has a pretty good premise of a married couple who wonder how to keep their marriage from becoming boring. The wife decides they should surprise each other to keep things lively. Well, as you can imagine things go wrong (horribly wrong at times, but these are the funniest parts) and soon their marriage is far from stale but quite tumultuous. As surprises go wrong Sophie unravels and wonders if her marriage will survive. In addition to the marriage issues, Sophie is also borderline obsessed with her deceased father and it is clear that this is driving a wedge between her and her husband.

Now, my issue with the book is that the author took a good premise and turned it into page after page of repetition. At the beginning, it seemed like the story was going nowhere fast and I swear I was going to scream if I had to read one more time that their marriage was going to last another sixty-eight years. It was like this was on every single page and I was tired of reading it over and over. Also, there was too much unnecessary details thrown in and bogged down the story. I lost count of the times that I wished the story would get moving. I wasn’t really sure where the story was going and then once the surprises started the book picked up little steam. This was the book the tried but just fell flat.

The book isn’t all bad though. There are a few scenes that made me chuckle and provided a reason to keep on reading. All in all, this book could have been 100 pages shorter and been just as good. If you are new to this author I would skip this book and pick up My Not So Perfect Life. It was a much better read.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

 

About the author:  Sophie Kinsella has sold over 40 million copies of her books in more than 60 countries, and she has been translated into over 40 languages.

Sophie Kinsella first hit the UK bestseller lists in September 2000 with her first novel in the Shopaholic series – The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic (also published as Confessions of a Shopaholic). The book’s heroine, Becky Bloomwood – a fun and feisty financial journalist who loves shopping but is hopeless with money – captured the hearts of readers worldwide. Becky has since featured in seven further bestselling books, Shopaholic Abroad (also published as Shopaholic Takes Manhattan), Shopaholic Ties the Knot, Shopaholic & Sister, Shopaholic & Baby, Mini Shopaholic, Shopaholic to the Stars and Shopaholic to the Rescue. Becky Bloomwood came to the big screen in 2009 with the hit Disney movie Confessions of a Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy.

Sophie has also written seven standalone novels which have all been bestsellers in the UK, USA and other countries around the world: Can You Keep A Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, Twenties Girl, I’ve Got Your Number, Wedding Night, and My Not So Perfect Life, which was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for Best Fiction in 2017.

In 2014 she published a Young Adult novel Finding Audrey about a teenage girl with social anxiety and her madcap family, and in January 2018, Sophie published her first illustrated book for young readers about the charming adventures of a mother-daughter fairy duo, Mummy Fairy and Me (also published as Fairy Mom and Me).

Sophie’s latest novel, Surprise Me, published in February 2018, presents a humorous yet moving portrait of a marriage—its intricacies, comforts, and complications. Surprise Me reveals that hidden layers in a close relationship are often yet to be discovered.

Sophie wrote her first novel under her real name, Madeleine Wickham, at the tender age of 24, whilst she was working as a financial journalist. The Tennis Party was immediately hailed as a success by critics and the public alike and became a top ten bestseller. She went on to publish six more novels as Madeleine Wickham: A Desirable Residence, Swimming Pool Sunday, The Gatecrasher, The Wedding Girl, Cocktails for Three and Sleeping Arrangements.

Sophie was born in London. She studied music at New College, Oxford, but after a year switched to Politics, Philosophy and Economics. She now lives in London, UK, with her husband and family.

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