What Momma Left Behind

I'm so excited to tell you about this amazing book!  What Momma Left Behind by Cindy K. Sproles.  If the name doesn't grab your interest just look at that beautiful cover!  And if your still not sure, let me tell you a little about it.

The setting is the Apppalachian Mountains in the late 1800's.  Influenza and typhoid have hit the mountains hard and many of the children have been left orphaned.  Worie's mother has been secretly taking care of and feeding the children, but then the unthinkable happens and Worie is now an orphan herself.  Worie is seventeen years old and trying to cope with her own grief.  She begins to find out that these little children have depended on her mother and now she is determined to find a way to care for them herself.

Worie has two no good brothers.  One is greedy and down right mean.  The other is a drunk.  Worie is in for the fight of her life to save her home and the children who are now depending on her.  Along the way, she begins to discover unconditional love, forgiveness and sacrifice.

Worie is such a fun character.  She is a little spit fire.  She is not afraid to get up in the face of danger and push back with all that's in her.  She speaks a little too quick and tends to create trouble for herself by not thinking before acting.  As the story progresses we see Worie mature into an amazing woman.

There's so much I could say about this book, but it's so hard as to not give any spoilers away.  There were some twists in this that definitely caught me off guard and the ending was so beautiful.

This is the third book I've read by Cindy K. Sproles and she has such a gift of telling a story.  She pulls you in and makes you feel like you are right there experiencing every high and low right along with the characters.

I really can't recommend this book enough!  I've already told family members about it and I am loaning it out.  Do yourself a favor and grab a copy!  I think you'll love it as much as I did!

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Hadley Becketts Next Dish

Celebrity Chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things:  his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show to the Max, and most of all his horrible temper.  Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.

When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order.  When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.

As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of pubic persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness and maybe even love.  In the meantime, hide the knives.

I wanted to like this book.  I tried to like this book, but it just didn't click with me.  I've never been one to enjoy cooking shows, so maybe the whole topic just didn't spark my interest enough.  I could not connect with the characters and I could not get into the storyline.  I really had high expectations.  I thought it would be a fun and quirky read, but it just didn't happen.  

Everyone is different though and just because I couldn't get into the book, doesn't mean it wouldn't be a perfect read for you!  If you like modern day books, with an opposites attract type romance go ahead and give it a try.

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Starfish Pier

Starfish Pier is book six of the Hope Harbor series by Irene Hannon.  I did not realize this book was part of a series until after, so I would have to say it makes a great stand alone book.  However, after reading other reviews I think the story would be greatly enhanced if you read the whole series which are all set in Hope Harbor and I think it would help you connect with the other town folk.  Plus, if the other books are as good as this one I think it would be an added bonus!  I need to check out the other books myself!

This is a modern day romance which is not my most favorite genre, but this was a nice change of pace to my normal reading.

A Year ago, ex-Delta Force operator Steven Roark let the rigors of combat behind to run fishing charters in Hope Harbor, decompress and talk some sense into his kid brother.  Business is good, but making peace with his past is more challenging than he expected.

First grade teacher Holly Miller leads a quiet, low-profile existence until she's recruited to advocate for a cause that dear to her heart.  When she solicits Steven's assistance, sparks fly--especially after they find themselves on opposite sides of an issue that disrupts their placid seaside community.

As these two seemingly incompatible souls search for common ground, might they discover a deeper connection and find that love can banish darkness and light the way to future with promise?

I love a book that has deeper meaning that pulls on the heartstrings of your heart as you read.  This was just such a book.  It is filled with hope, mercy and love.

If you find yourself with a lot of extra time right now, which most of us our, you should grab hold of all six books in this series and sit yourself down for a nice long read!

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

On a Coastal Breeze

On a Coastal Breeze by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the second book in The Three Sisters Island book.  You could read this book as a stand alone, but trust me when I say you would enjoy it so much better if you read the first book also. 

The second book picks up where the first book left off and it's a continuation of an ongoing story of three sisters.  I love this kind of series, because I can connect with a character and continue to learn about them in the following books.  It's like hearing news from an old friend.  Even if the new book doesn't focus on the same character you still get glimpses into their life.

I love the setting of this series.  A small island where everyone knows everyone and time moves at a slower pace.  I lived in a small town for about fourteen years so I am very familiar with that kind of life style and it really is a great way to live. 

In this second book, the focus is mainly on Madison.  Madi feels like she is finally getting her life in order.  She is starting her own practice as a therapist, and even though there is a shortage of eligible men on the island, Madi is content with where she is in life.  Things are finally going good.  But then, Ricky O'Shea drops in.  Literally.  From a parachute he floats right into Madi's life and becomes the new minister on the island.

I think you'll love this series.  It has a "home-like" feeling and the characters are so fun and quirky.  This is what I like to call an easy read.  Just curl up and enjoy!  A cup of coffee won't hurt either!

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Standoff by Patricia Bradley

Standoff by Patricia Bradley is the first book in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers series.  I don't know about you, but I used to think Park Rangers had a rather peaceful job enjoying the great outdoors while making sure no one is hunting or fishing illegally. More recently I've realized it can entail a lot more than that.  This book deals with some of the more specific dangers such as murder, drugs, etc.

Brooke Danvers wants to follow in her father's footsteps and she has just been promoted to Park Ranger.  John Danvers, Brooke's dad, has secretly been investigating a drug ring and on Brooke's first day her father is killed in the line of duty.  Brooke fights to be on the case and is certain that her dad did not kill himself as the report states.  When Luke Fereday, Brooke's childhood friend, shows up for the funeral, he becomes a strong ally for Brooke and they team up to find out what really happened.  Luke seems to know more than he's letting on and maybe he's hiding a secret or two of his own.  Does Brooke really know him anymore?  Can she count on him to help her discover the truth?  Will the ever-growing feeling between them be a distraction?

This book starts off with a bang and it doesn't stop until the last page!  I love a good suspense and trying to figure it out as I read is so much fun.  Especially when the author gives so many twists and turns.  There were a couple surprises that caught me off guard in this book and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

***Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Silent Shadows

Silent Shadows is the third and final book of the Harbored Secrets by Natalie Walters.  Even though it would make a good read by itself I would definitely read all three books as one continuous story.  The books are all set in the tiny town of Walton Georgia and if you read all three books you'll enjoy getting to know the people in this small town at a deeper level. 

In this small town you'll find that everyone knows everyone, but there are people who live there that have some big secrets.  In Silent Shadows Pecca Gallegos has just moved to the town of Walton to protect her son and escape the dangerous lifestyle that once defined her.  When a series of strange circumstances evolve into threats Pecca finds herself confiding in an unlikely ally - her stubborn patient.

Army veteran Colton Crawford is desperate to recover from the un-diagnosed disorder that is ruining his life, and his instincts are on high alert when threats against his nurse and her son force him to take action.  But Colton's involvement only ramps up the danger when he uncovers a family secret revealing that whoever is after Pecca is closer and more deadly than they realized.

When I first began this series, it was the beginning of social distancing and I really struggled with the first book.  I had a hard time focusing and found myself reading the same pages over and over because my mind was all over the place.  As the days have turned into weeks I have found that reading is a great escape from reality and I am so glad I didn't give up on this series.  This final book ended with a bang. Probably my favorite out of the three. 

If you are a fan of Christian suspense this would be a great book for you.  With so much time on our hands right now, what better time than to start a new series.  I think you'll really enjoy this one!

***Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Traitor's Pawn by Lisa Harris

I can usually tell by the first chapter of a book how well I'm going to like it.  On occasion I will come across a book that grabs me from the very first page. The Traitor's Pawn was just such a book.  From the very first page I was hooked.  The way it started had me at the edge of my seat and I knew immediately I was in for a page turning, suspense and action filled book.

Jack Shannon has returned to Corpus Christi,Texas and is focused on finding the man who has been selling encrypted government secrets to the Chinese through online chat rooms.  When a senator is shot during a hunting trip and the woman he was with is abducted, Jack agrees to join the search--especially when he discovers that the kidnapping victim is Aubrey Grayson, a woman he was once in love with.

As the search continues, it becomes clear the senator may not have been the intended victim and Aubrey may be connected to the other case Jack is supposed to be working on.  Can Jack untangle the knots before it's too late?  And when he learns the truth,  will it be too painful to get past?

I really enjoyed the romance between Jack and Aubrey.  It had the right amount of romance sprinkled throughout the book that kept you rooting for their relationship, but not over the top mushy.  This is also a good stand alone novel.  No worries about getting to the end of the book and be left hanging or waiting for the next book. 

If you are a fan of Christian suspense I would highly recommend this book.  Just be prepared to get nothing else done until you reach the last page.  It's a great, clean Christian suspense novel.

Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

Star of Persia: Esther's Story by Jill Eileen Smith

When it comes to biblical fiction Jill Eileen Smith is one of my favorite authors.  Star of Persia is a perfect example as to why.  The story of Esther comes alive like never before in this fast paced novel that will transport you to biblical times.  The story stays fairly true to the biblical account, but gives added details that can bring you a deeper understanding of what life was like and the true risk that Esther braved for the people of God.

The first few chapters were from Vashti's point of view and I loved getting to see things from her perspective.  The details of the courtyards and the palace make it so easy to imagine the beauty of it all.

I think it's important to remember while reading biblical fiction that it's just that....a fiction account of a biblical truth.  God tells us the beautiful story of Esther in his word and I always like to go back and read the story from the Bible after reading the biblical fiction account.  This book was so beautifully written, just remember it's for entertainment so to speak.

Jill Eileen Smith gave a great look inside of her research at the end of the book and I enjoyed reading this about as much as I enjoyed the book itself.  I love to see how author's come about their stories and while reading Star of Persia it is evident that much research was put into this book.

One way I know I've found a good book is when I lose sleep over it.  I stayed up all night to finish it.  I could not put it down! I consider it a must read!

***Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson

I don't often read present day novels, but occasionally I get in the mood to read something different.  I chose The Happy Camper for that very reason. It just seemed different to me.  I mean, a book about a camper?  Well, maybe that's what intrigued me with it.  I've always dreamed of owning an old camper and being able to restore it.  Our family likes to go camping and when we do we stay in a tent, but we always like to take a walk to the camper side and the one's that catch my eye are those restored vintage campers.  They are so adorable.  The way Melody Carlson describes the campers in this book is so detailed that I can picture them perfectly in my mind. But let's hold up a minute.  This book isn't just about restoring vintage campers. It is fun, quirky and what I like to call a quick read. You just have to read and enjoy!

Dillon Michaels is fed up with her non-committal boyfriend and in a spur of the moment decision she breaks up with him, quits her job and heads home to her aging and grieving grandpa's house to help him in his time of loss.  Upon arrival she is shocked to find her eccentric mother has beat her there and is staying in Dillon's room.  Dillon gets stuck on a saggy couch, but to her surprise her grandpa gifts her with a run down camper.  Dillon is thrilled and instantly begins the restoration process of her new tiny home.  She seeks help from Jordan Atwood the owner of the local hardware store.

Her life finally seems to be falling in place, but when she least expects it her ex boyfriend shows up....with a proposal.

So to be a little nit-picky.  First, the character names really bugged me in this book.  Maybe I'm just showing my age here, but Dillon seems like a guys name to me and Jordan a girls.  Second, it bugged me that Dillon called her mom by her first name.  They didn't have the best relationship, but it still seemed strange to me.  Third and last is that Dillon needed to be more firm with her ex.  That was just ridiculous.  Overall though, like I stated in the beginning, this was a fun and enjoyable book.

***Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot

Oh how I love historical fiction!  Throw in a little romance and a little mystery and it will be a book that I don't want to put down.  That's exactly what I had with Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot.  It is the first book in the Mesquite Springs series and I am already counting down the days until I can get the second book in my hands.  Until then this one is going on my list of favorites and it is definitely one I will be reading again.

Although it is set in the fictional town of Mesquite Springs in Texas I found a bit of a connection there.  My son and daughter in law live in Texas in the town of Mesquite so I thought that was pretty cool.

I loved the characters in this book.  From the main characters on down, I felt like I was living in a small town getting to know all the townsfolk.  I have a hunch I know who the second book will be about, but I'm also looking forward to seeing how some of the other characters are doing. 

So let me tell you a little more about it!  Evelyn Radcliffe has been an orphan ever since she witnessed the murder of her parents as a little girl.  She's always had an eerie feeling that someone is watching her and when the orphanage that she lives in is burnt to the ground and the only survivors are herself and Polly, a little orphan girl, she knows she must flee for her life.

Evelyn finds herself in Mesquite Springs and finds refuge in the home of the Clark's.  Wyatt Clark is a horse rancher who's plans do not include having a family of his own.  As the days go by Wyatt and Evelyn continue to draw close to each other, but when danger finds Evelyn her life once again is in danger.  Will Wyatt be able to protect her from the man who seeks her life?

Since most of us are social distancing and finding ourselves with more time on our hands, this is the perfect time to take a deep breath, fix a cup of coffee and get lost in a book.  This is a great one to start with!

***Thanks to Revel Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.