Deadly By Design by Paige Edwards #BlogTour #Giveaway

Deadly by Design by Paige Edwards
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Romance/Suspense

Book Description:  For up-and-coming Formula One engineer, Jack Pressley-Coombes, there is nothing better than the smell of rubber and the roar of a racecar engine. When he witnesses a crash at the first international grand prix of the season, Jack makes a shocking discovery. His design is on a competitor’s car.

To keep Davis Racing LTD, his British Formula One employer from closing its doors, Jack goes undercover for MI6 to ferret out the company saboteur. When the investigation interferes with his and Gillian Buchanan’s blossoming romance, Jack can’t extricate himself from the web of deceit. But he’s not the only one with something to hide. Gillian too carries secrets. With time running out for Davis Racing, the evil which walks its corporate halls turns in Jack’s direction and threatens all that he holds dear.


My thoughts: There are times when reading a book that I would just like to scream! Deadly by Design was that kind of a book for me. Seriously, Paige Edwards lets us know from the beginning who the villains of the story are. She has the book told from several viewpoints, one of them, the bad guys. You know who they are, what they are planning, and you have no way to stop them, just go along for the ride until there is resolution.

I loved the characters of Jack and Gillian. They are both flawed and keeping secrets, mainly to protect the other. Their hearts are in the right place, but both are either clueless or a little too proud to pursue their relationship. There are a few snags, Jack has to go undercover to catch the bad guys and Gillian is fiercely protective of Thierry, an adorable little girl.

The book has a few heart-stopping moments. All of the good, bad, ugly, and misunderstanding I enjoyed!

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book * Seagull

About the Author: (Copied from Goodreads)  Born and raised in Southern California, Paige Edwards is an award-winning author who thinks the color turquoise is almost as great, but not quite, as See’s Candy. A BYU-I alumna, she went on to graduate summa cum laude from NOVA with a degree in interior design. Her husband’s job transferred their family to the mid-Atlantic states where they have lived ever since. When she needs a break from writing, you can find her shooing deer out of her garden, biking battlefields, or kayaking on the lake.

Visit here WEBPAGE!

Enter the tour giveaway!

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Kingdom Above the Cloud by Maggie Platt (Blog tour) #giveaway #KACPrism

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Kingdom Above the Cloud
(Tales from Adia #1)
By Maggie Platt
YA Fantasy, Christian, Allegory
Paperback & ebook, 239 Pages
April 17th 2020 by Ambassador International

What if the nine Fruit of the Spirit and the Seven Deadly Sins were locked in a battle for control?

Abandoned as infants, Tovi and her twin brother were raised by an eclectic tribe of warm, kind people in a treehouse village in the valley. After her brother's sudden disappearance Tovi questions her life and her faith in an invisible King. Ignoring her best friend Silas' advice, she decides to search for her brother in the kingdom on top of the mountain.

Above the cloud, the Council of Masters receives their orders. Tovi and her brother are the objectives. King Damien has a plan and Tovi is the key. The Council of Masters want her, but will she remain unscathed?

Amidst the glamour of the kingdom above the cloud Tovi is torn between her own dark desires and unanswered questions. It starts with a snake and a crown. When the ring is complete, will her life be over?

My thoughts: Kingdom Above the Clouds features a complex society. The book starts off a little slow as the culture and people are introduced. It picks up speed as Tovi is introduced to the kingdom above the clouds. There she finds all kinds of vices and depravity.

She is forced to decide if she believes in the creator of their world or if she wishes to follow the beliefs of the King and look at greed and fulfilling your desires as the proper way to live. She is torn because she feels as if she has been abandoned when her twin brother left their home. She grew up with foster grandparents because she and her brother were brought to the simple and beautiful village as infants.

The descriptions of life in a village where everyone lives in a treehouse are beautiful. I could picture the stream, the trees, and the large mountain. It is idealistic and sounds like a lovely way to live. I could also picture the harsh life of the residents of the mountain.

I found a lot of symbolism for Christianity. A loving creator who doesn't force your decisions but asks for you to follow him. He loves unconditionally. The book was a great contrast between good and evil, the consequences of living in a corrupt society.

I look forward to the next installment following Tovi as she fights between good and evil.

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

This is available for Kindle Unlimited.

About the Author

Maggie Platt is a writer, traveler, cancer survivor, and dreamer. Her greatest joys are being Auntie M to her amazing nieces and nephew and sitting with students and friends over cups of coffee and deep conversations. She works at her alma mater, Anderson University, and she lives in a cozy little cottage nearby where students come to sit on her couch just to laugh, cry, and talk about life.

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Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a signed print copy of Kingdom Above the Cloud, map of Adian, bookmark, and sticker (US only)
Ends May 6, 2020

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The Noble Smuggler by Sian Ann Bessey #bookreview #blogtour #giveaway #historicalromance

The Noble Smuggler by Sian Ann Bessey
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Clean Historical Romance

Book Description:  Despite living at her father’s inn her entire life, Elizabeth Doyle has always managed to avoid involvement with the smugglers who frequently gather there. Until now. When a handsome smuggler is brought to her with dire injuries, Elizabeth risks everything to hide him—completely unaware that the wounded man is not who he appears to be.

When an opportunity arises to infiltrate the notorious smuggling gang he believes caused his father’s death, Jonas Ainsworth, the Viscount Langton, pretends to be one of them. But when he is wounded midcharade, Jonas’s life is placed in the hands of an unlikely savior: a smuggler’s daughter. Forced to flee before his wounds have fully healed, he does not think he will ever see her again—until she appears on his doorstep, seeking safe haven. Divided by their social standings yet united in their mutual desire to expose the leader of the smuggling ring, Jonas and Elizabeth are undeniably drawn to each other. Neither realizes, however, that they are dangerously close to uncovering explosive secrets from the past—secrets that will alter the course of their lives forever.


My thoughts:  I am sighing happily. Coming to the end of a good book is bitter-sweet. It's sweet because there is resolution and bitter because I wish the book would continue.

This book takes place in England around the time of the United State's war for Independence. King George is on the throne and the tea tax is a crucial part of the plot. I have never considered the impact of the tax on the people from Great Britain. The tea tax to me conjures images of the Boston Tea Party. This story centers around the smuggling aspect of the tea tax.

Early on it is revealed that Viscount Langston (Jonas) is disguising himself as a smuggler to infiltrate a gang of smugglers. He needs to find out if the smugglers killed his father years ago. Plus, the smuggling is happening on the shores near his home. His escapade leads him on a different road than he planned on. He suffers an injury and meets the beautiful daughter of the innkeeper.

This book did my heart so much good and brought a smile to my face. The beginning of the book was a little slower pacing, but by the end, I couldn't put the book down. I loved so many of the characters. I fell in love with the family of Viscount Langston. They're good people with good hearts who don't ask many questions when asked to take in a young woman fleeing from her abusive father.

The book has a few plot twists that felt natural to me. In fact, I had guessed a few of them early on. Instead of feeling like it was predictable, it kept me reading anxiously to the end to see if I was right. Sian Ann Bessey always produces a well-written book with a solid plot and fantastic characters and setting. I seriously love every book of hers that I have read. I will continue to anxiously anticipate her new releases.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

About the Author: (Copied from Goodreads)  Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, but grew up on the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. She left her homeland to attend Brigham Young University in Utah, where she earned a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in English.

She began her writing career as a student, publishing several magazine articles while still in college. Since then she has published historical romance and romantic suspense novels, along with a variety of children's books. She is a USA Today bestselling author and a Whitney Award finalist.
Although Sian doesn't have the opportunity to speak Welsh very often anymore, she can still wrap her tongue around, "Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch." She loves to travel and experience other cultures, but when she's home, her favorite activities are spending time with her family, cooking, and reading.

Visit her WEBPAGE!

Enter the Tour Giveaway:

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Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker ~ Read and Excerpt today!!

This Book!  This Book!  I really want to read it!  (And read it I will.)  It looks amazing.  Read an excerpt below and get excited to read as well.

Book Description: 

 Brighton, England 1820

Amelia Moore wants only one thing—to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own—without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.

Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart. 

Excerpt Time:

As servants set up the picnic, I took the opportunity to pull Clara away a few feet, just out of earshot.
“How was the morning? Really?” I asked.
“Fine.” Clara looked away into the distance. “Sir Ronald’s lands are truly lovely.”
“Only, what? Tell me at once, Clara. Did something hap- pen?”
“Not something. Someone.” She glanced over her shoulder to where Georgiana was laughing at something her brother said. I could almost guarantee it was not as funny as that.
“What can I do? I could force her down the hill. Roll her ankle?” I tried to lace humor in the idea, though I was frighteningly willing to follow through with it.
“Georgiana? She is tolerable. As I’ve told you, Amelia, I only want Ronald to be happy. I just want an equal chance at being his happiness.” She spoke with determination, as though she had to convince herself she was capable. “He is a good man, and he’d make a good match for me. For us. We could stop worrying about Lord Gray and live our lives.” Clara sighed, brooding again. “But I can hardly get a word in edgewise with Georgiana’s brother here.”
“Mr. Wood?” My voice squeaked on his name.
“Yes,” she exclaimed, annoyed. “With every bit of conversation, even the weather, he finds a way to turn it in Georgiana’s favor. It is maddening. For half a minute, I’d like to talk to Sir Ronald about his life here, what it’s like to be master of all this. But when I try, guess what the conversation turns into?”
“Georgiana.” I groaned, feeling her frustration. “Perhaps I can pull her into conversation, distract her.”
“No.” Clara shook her head. “It is not so much Georgiana as it is Mr. Wood. Amelia, I need you to distract him.”
“What?” Surely I’d misheard her. My confidence in swaying that man to my will was infinitesimal, if it existed at all. Not to mention that I loathed him and nearly every word that came from his mouth.
“Just for the afternoon. Please, Amelia. I will go mad if I have to hear him spout on about his sister for one more minute.”
One afternoon. I rubbed my temples. Suddenly, the miles I’d walked earlier were not so exhausting. The ache in my feet, welcomed. But having to spend time alone with Peter Wood? That was misery indeed. I peered over my shoulder and saw him standing between Sir Ronald and Georgiana like mortar between bricks. Clara was right. Something had to be done.
Lifting my shoulders and straightening my back, I anchored my resolve.
 “Well, Clara, you are fortunate now more than ever to have a clever sister. I may not be the most beautiful woman here, but I can find a way to keep Mr. Wood at bay.” I set my chin. “Do take advantage of whatever time I can give you. It will not be earned painlessly.”
Clara’s eyes brightened in excitement, and she pulled me into a happy embrace as she squealed into my ear. “For all that is bad in my life, you, dear sister, keep the good at an equal balance.”
I heartily agreed. We rejoined the company just as the servants finished laying out the picnic.
Cold meats, cheese, fruit, and breads were offered along with lemonade. It was quite a handsome feast.
Sir Ronald beckoned Clara over to his blanket to share the small spread he’d prepared, and as she settled in beside him, Georgiana positioned herself on his right.
Realizing my duty, I searched for wavy brown hair and listened for a deep, velvety voice, finally finding Peter dallying near a servant at the carriage. For now, at least, he was occupied on his own.
Chapter 4, pages 35-37

Online Purchase Links:  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

About the Author: Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings of Regency England wouldn't leave her alone, so she picked up a pen. And the rest is history. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children.

The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund

The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Book Description:  Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.

Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.

As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need—a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?


My thoughts:  Wow! This book is so good. It is the second book in the Bride Ships series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The series follows young women who left their homes in England to become brides to men in British Columbia. This book is Arabella's story. She ran from home when abused by her intended. He was a much older man who went through several wives. Arabella does not want to become the next victim of a horrible man. He holds employment over her father's head to see that the match is completed. Arabella really has no other option than to run as far and as fast as she can.

She is courted by two very different men. Lieutenant Drummond is everything she thinks she wants. He can sustain the life of luxury that she has grown accustomed to. He would provide every opportunity that she left behind. Peter Kelly is a force to be reckoned with. He is charming, attractive, kind, and attentive. But he is a baker and cannot provide her lifestyle. He is also reformed. He has not lived a life free from vice but has found that faith is more important to him than lifestyle mistakes. He is a very authentic character who is not perfect but trying to do good. (I bet you can tell whom I hope wins Arabella in the end.)

This book brought to my attention the plight of the natives living in Canada. Their story is much like that of those who lived farther to the south in the United States. The white men brought sickness and destruction to them. They were persecuted and driven from their homes. The compassion that both Arabella and Peter showed to them was heartwarming. If they were real people I would definitely want to be friends with them.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

This book is Christian fiction, it also contains passionate kissing and non-graphic violence.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author:  (Copied from Goodreads)  Jody Hedlund is the author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, shes learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When shes not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

Visit her WEBSITE!

His Lady in Hiding by Jen Geigle Johnson #bookreview #giveaway #regencyromance

His Lady in Hiding by Jen Geigle Johnson
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Source: I received a copy for review and purchase a Kindle copy!!!
Genre: Regency Romance

Book Description:  Lady Elizabeth Davenport is desperate. Her hand in marriage has been offered to the highest bidder, a distressing proposition in and of itself but made all the more repulsive when she meets her father’s first choice for her hand: Lord Pinweather. When her parents refuse to hear her pleas, Liz is forced to take drastic measures—she will impersonate her maid and begin anew in America on her own terms.

Once onboard the ship to America, another passenger, Lord Barton, almost immediately discovers her true status as a noble. After listening to Liz’s highly modified version of her life and her plans to begin again, Barton has compassion for her and teaches her how to abandon her noble mannerisms. Upon disembarking, however, Barton’s generous spirit quickly dampens when he discovers Liz has indeed found work—as his own head housekeeper. Suddenly, the tender feelings they hid from each other on the ship are inescapable, but their difference in station makes romance impossible. As misunderstandings abound and a shocking character from Liz’s past looms, she knows she can’t hide her true identity forever. But as her deception begins to unravel, will her charade cost her the man she loves?

My thoughts:  I escaped into a good book and loved it! There is so much stress happening in the world around us. Finding a good book that I could read without being distracted by the news or the fact that I had the privilege of staying home was a huge blessing. It was also nice to be reminded that somewhere out there (including fictional characters) someone is going through something hard. #flattenthecurve

Elizabeth Davenport is a remarkable character. The courage in adversity she shows is remarkable. I don't think I could have left a privileged home at 17 to escape marriage to a vile man. (Well, when I write it that way, maybe!) She voyages across the ocean to America to make her way as a housekeeper. She is young and untried but she is determined to make a life for herself on her own terms.

Fortune smiles upon her when she is sleeping in a jolly boat and that comes loose from its riggings and she finds herself alone at sea in a raging storm. Yes, fortune! That is when Lord Barton comes to her rescue and saves her. This is where the fun begins! I loved the friendship and respect that forms between them. There is attraction, but Lord Barton knows that it cannot last because of their "differences" in station.

This is a regency romance told on two continents. I fell in love with the story and the characters. The book holds romance and the desperate desire of a woman seeking escape from the future that her father planned for her. There is also the menace that Lord Pinweather holds, he is not willing to give up the prize that he has plotted and planned for.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble *  Deseret Book * Seagull Book 

About the Author: (copied from Goodreads)  Jen Geigle Johnson once greeted an ancient turtle under the water by grabbing her fin. Other vital things to know: the sound a water-ski makes on glassy water and how to fall down steep moguls with grace. No mountain is too steep for her to climb, yet. During a study break date in college, she sat on top of a jeep's roll bars up in the mountains and fell in love. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager.

Now an award-winning author and mother of six, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure. She is a member of the RWA, the SCBWI, and LDStorymakers. She is also the chair of the Lonestar.Ink writing conference.

Visit her WEBPAGE!

Enter the Tour Giveaway:

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Coming Soon! Wizard for Hire: Magic Required by Obert Skye

This is a great series for the middle-grade reader.  Obert Skye has a unique voice that is interesting and fun for kids (and adults).  Put this one on your TBR list.  It will be released on  April 7th.

The final answer to the existence of magic.

"Concludes a rambunctious trilogy with wacky conversations and adventurous wizardry." -Foreword Reviews, starred review

Ozzy and his friend Sigi are in more danger than ever before. After being injected with the mind-controlling serum, Ozzy is learning to control the minds of people, but he is still being hunted by Ray, the power-mad villain who will stop at nothing to find and possess the formula. And on top of that, Rin still claims he’s a wizard, but he and Clark are missing, leaving Ozzy to wonder once again if magic really does exist.

When it becomes apparent that the minds and free will of all mankind are in danger of being controlled by whoever controls the serum, Ozzy and Sigi join forces with strange new friends that claim magic-like abilities. When Rin finally returns, Ozzy will discover once and for all what happened to his parents, what really happens at those popular fantasy conventions, and if magic truly exists.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Deseret Book

  

Praise for the series:

“Concludes a rambunctious trilogy with wacky conversations and adventurous wizardry.”

-Foreword Reviews, starred review

“Be sure to have all three books on hand for ravenous Skye fans.”

-Booklist

“A sequel that...continues to deliver mystery, humor, and real-life magic.”

-Kirkus

“Thoroughly engaging and a prize for personal and public library YA fantasy collections.”

-Midwest Book Review

“The juxtaposition of weird science and dodgy magic is...successful, thanks to the tongue-in-cheek humor Skye weaves throughout the story.” 

-Publishers Weekly

“Winning characters and witty humor elevate the plot. A solid purchase for large collections where light magical fantasy circulates.”

-School Library Journal


About the Author:
OBERT SKYE is not who you think he is—unless you think he’s a best-selling author of over thirty books. Also, if you think he’s not great at whistling, or that he’s discovered cures, or that he once broke his collarbone while walking, then he’s exactly who you think he is, and you’re psychic. Among the books and series he’s written are Leven Thumps, The Pillagy, The Creature from My Closet, Geeked Out, and Mutant Bunny Island. Among the cures he’s discovered are the cure for boredom, a cure for ignorance, and a half-decent recipe for the curing of a ham. Obert is also a presenter and champion of both words and paper. If you have time on your hands you might look in on some of the other things he’s done at obertskye.com. If you’re out of time, then take comfort in the fact that you spent your last few moments reading something worthwhile.

Happy Book Birthday to two lovely books!!!

Lady Elizabeth Davenport is desperate. Her hand in marriage has been offered to the highest bidder, a distressing proposition in and of itself but made all the more repulsive when she meets her father’s first choice for her hand: Lord Pinweather. When her parents refuse to hear her pleas, Liz is forced to take drastic measures—she will impersonate her maid and begin anew in America on her own terms.

Once onboard the ship to America, another passenger, Lord Barton, almost immediately discovers her true status as a noble. After listening to Liz’s highly modified version of her life and her plans to begin again, Barton has compassion for her and teaches her how to abandon her noble mannerisms. Upon disembarking, however, Barton’s generous spirit quickly dampens when he discovers Liz has indeed found work—as his own head housekeeper. Suddenly, the tender feelings they hid from each other on the ship are inescapable, but their difference in station makes romance impossible. As misunderstandings abound and a shocking character from Liz’s past looms, she knows she can’t hide her true identity forever. But as her deception begins to unravel, will her charade cost her the man she loves?

https://amzn.to/3bKfSjk

Despite living at her father’s inn her entire life, Elizabeth Doyle has always managed to avoid involvement with the smugglers who frequently gather there. Until now. When a handsome smuggler is brought to her with dire injuries, Elizabeth risks everything to hide him—completely unaware that the wounded man is not who he appears to be.

When an opportunity arises to infiltrate the notorious smuggling gang he believes caused his father’s death, Jonas Ainsworth, Viscount Langton, pretends to be one of them. But when he is wounded mad charade, Jonas’s life is placed in the hands of an unlikely savior: a smuggler’s daughter. Forced to flee before his wounds have fully healed, he does not think he will ever see her again—until she appears on his doorstep, seeking safe haven. Divided by their social standings yet united in their mutual desire to expose the leader of the smuggling ring, Jonas and Elizabeth are undeniably drawn to each other. Neither realizes, however, that they are dangerously close to uncovering explosive secrets from the past—secrets that will alter the course of their lives forever.

https://amzn.to/2UWFItB

Looking for something to read while on quarantine?

I have read some fun books that I haven't posted.....  If you are looking for something new to read while you are staying at home, I have a few suggestions! 


Out by Night by Brett Cain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source:  Received to Review
Genre: LDS Suspense

Book Description:  Frank Sawyer is a wanderer, thriving on the adventure of hitchhiking with no thought for where he’ll end up. His untethered ways have landed him in some perilous situations, and after his recent involvement in solving a deadly mystery, he’s ready to hit the open road to visit his former mission companions on a whim. When he arrives in a small California town, Sawyer finds himself in the midst of what seems to be a rash of runaway teenagers. But with his outsider’s perspective, he senses something sinister in the disappearances of these small-town girls . . .

Unable to resist helping, Sawyer spends his time getting to know the townspeople and becoming acquainted with local law enforcement—namely, the lovely Deputy Melanie Clark. Together, Sawyer and Melanie follow a baffling trail of clues that lead to a disturbing conclusion: the girls didn’t run away. They were taken. With no distractractions and nothing to lose, Sawyer will stop at nothing to find the missing girls and see justice done. But his enemies will do anything to end his involvement in the investigation.

My thoughts: Sawyer is not about to back down to a good fight or to help another person. He happened to be in the "right place at the right time" to assist law enforcement in locating a missing girl. The suspense grows as more girls go missing.

I really enjoyed this book. The suspense and mystery grow and Sawyer and Melanie race to follow the clues to find the missing girls. The book alludes to whom the "bad guys" are, but you do not know for certain until the very end. There were a few surprises thrown in there.

The book also contains a little bit of romance. The MC is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and contains some religious content.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

 Pitfall by Clair M. Poulson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: LDS Suspense

Book Description:  Fifteen-year-old Sparky Graves has been plagued by adversity all his life. Orphaned as a baby, he has been raised in a home where his adoptive brother Kal can do no wrong and Sparky is blamed for every misdeed. The reality, however, is that Kal is a cruel and manipulative bully whose escalating torment leaves Sparky with no choice: he has to run away.

After hitchhiking cross-country, Sparky finds a safe haven in the unlikeliest of places. On a dusty roadside in Southern Utah, the young man is taken in by Alfred Briggs, an elderly widower in desperate need of a farmhand. The two soon form an unbreakable bond, and for the first time, Sparky feels hope—until his past catches up with him. There has been a murder in his hometown, and thanks to his brother, Sparky has been named the prime suspect. With his photograph all over the news and a manhunt underway, Sparky must rely on the help of his new friend and a young lady who has also come to help Alfred as he fights to prove his innocence and free himself from the grasp of his malevolent brother once and for all.

My thoughts: This book is intense! Right from the beginning, a tale is told about two brothers, one is a good boy who gets blamed for things he didn't do. The other is a manipulative evil boy. The magnitude of hate grows as the book progresses.

I loved two of the private investigators. They really propelled the story even though it was about the relationship between Sparky and Kal. They were both honest and fair and were not only investigating for a paycheck.

If you enjoy suspense, you may want to give this one a try.

This book contains religious elements. It also contains non-graphic violence.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Deseret Book

 Romancing the Rake by Nichole Van
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source:  I purchased this one!
Genre: Regency Romance

Book Description:  Lady Sophronia Sorrow considers herself an unlikely heroine. Why, just her name alone proves this. Sophronia Sorrow sounds like a girl from a gothic penny novel—the foolish miss who falls prey to a rake and becomes an object lesson for the true heroine to avoid. No, despite her mawkish name, Sophie refuses to spend her life invisible and unwanted, relegated to the margin of the text. Despite her eccentric, bluestocking ways, there must be a place where she is wanted. If only she could uncover the identity of her natural father, perhaps she would belong there?

But one thing Sophie knows for sure—unlike that foolhardy miss in a novel, she will not succumb to a rake. No matter how thoroughly the rakish Lord Rafe Gilbert may tempt her.

Lord Rafe Gilbert longs for freedom—freedom from his controlling father, freedom to live his life as he chooses. He knows playing the rake keeps his autocratic father in check, but Rafe longs to determine his own destiny. Case in point, he fell in love with Lady Sophie years ago, but his father’s threats and his mother’s health prevent him from pursuing Lady Sophie in earnest. So when Fate thrusts Sophie into his path, Rafe knows he must turn her away and distance himself. But doing the right thing has never been so impossibly difficult.

Sophie and Rafe soon find themselves on a journey together from London to a castle in the Scottish Highlands. Along the way, can two kindred souls heal from past hurts and seize a second chance to write a love story of their own? 

My thoughts: This book was a little different from the last one in the series. It has some serious issues that it addresses. One of the biggest that jumped out at me is what makes a father? There is also a lack of women's rights during the time period.

The romance will make you laugh, cry, and angry. I am so glad that I read this book and look forward to the next installment.

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Saving the Billionaire's Daughter by Jennifer Youngblood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Received to Review

Book Description:  From bestselling author Jennifer Youngblood comes a touching and tender romance that introduces the Jackson Hole Firefighter romance series.

When billionaire Judd Hoffman agrees to give the keynote address at his high school reunion, he never expects to reconnect with beautiful and illustrious Whitney Fox, his high school crush. Sparks fly, opening the door to a promise of a lasting relationship.

However, trouble with Judd’s teenage daughter and an unexpected tragedy may cause Judd to lose everything he holds dear.

My thoughts:  This book was a quick and easy read that satisfied my desire for a clean romance.

Judd agrees to speak at his high school class reunion. He has made a name for himself in the business field and is hesitant to stand up in front of his former classmates. He is also dealing with a rebellious and entitled teenage daughter.

This book is about second chances. Judd has the good fortune to be seated next to his high-school crush. She is single and he is single. Yes, it is the ideal situation for him. He gets to see if there is a spark of interest in each of their parts.

With all of his challenges, he is a great guy with a level head on his shoulders. I enjoyed reading about his and Whitney's story. I look forward to reading the other books coming out in the series.

Available for Kindle Unlimited

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