Review of "Whose Waves These Are" by Amanda Dykes

This was such an interesting book! Nothing cookie cutter or formulaic here. Set almost entirely on the coast of Maine, the book opens in the fall of 1944 with the Bliss Family.....the war is in progress and decisions must be made -  and when the unthinkable later occurs, no one is prepared for the fallout.

Ann Bliss returns to the place she spent the best summer of her life as a child with her Great Uncle Bob, and quickly finds out just how much has changed - but the core of her childhood touchpoints are still there. When she meets local Jeremiah Fletcher (Fletch) they begin to work together to help the ailing Bob - and they may just solve a long held family mystery.

Bouncing back and forth between 1944 and 2001, it took me a minute to sort out how everything connected, but when I did, things quickly began to make a great deal of sense. With a cast of interesting characters and beautiful prose, this is a thought provoking and richly descriptive book. The premise is unique, and the unveiling of just how it all does finally connect created a very happy and satisfying ending. I will gladly recommend this book by this first time author.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "Fire Storm" by Nancy Mehl

The second book in the Kaely Quinn Profiler series, we pick up where book one left off. Kaely's estranged mom is very sick (cancer) and although she has numerous reservations, she goes to help her brother care for her. Although not in town in any official capacity, trouble seems to find Kaely when a series of suspicious fires set off her radar.

Kaely's FBI partner Noah Hunter returns for this installment, and more about her relationship with her brother and mother are also revealed. As the majority of this story is set during a time she is technically not working, the author found some interesting ways to solve the mystery which was developed (appropriately) slowly. As always, I found myself trying to figure out as early as possible just who the antagonist was and how all the dots connected - but the ending was surprising and not obvious, even in hindsight. The author provided ample twists and turns for a satisfying conclusion. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series!

PS: If you have not already read the first book (Mind Games), get them both and make sure to read them in order. There is just too much depth and backstory introduced in book one; read it first!

I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "The Spice King" by Elizabeth Camden

The first book in the author's new "Hope and Glory" series, we meet the spirited Annabelle Larkin - on a mission to right the wrongs of the world and learn how to help her family. She has left the farm in Kansas to come to Washington DC with her recently blinded sister, Elaine. While working for the Smithsonian as a botanist, her fascination of the plant world and drive to help her family leads her to seek out a meeting with the reclusive and successful "Spice King".

Gray Delacroix (The Spice King) is a man of many hidden depths. As a successful businessman, he has traveled the world multiple times to grow the family company while in pursuit of righting his own wrongs. Now back home, Gray (who is a fair amount older than his siblings) is learning to interact and communicate with them on a very different level. I really enjoyed seeing how their relationships changed from the beginning of the story to what they became in the end.

When Gray and Annabelle clash over some VERY strong principles, can their relationship survive? What will happen to Gray's brother, Luke? Will Annabelle and Elaine's parents accept the changes this new life brings?

This book is set during such a fascinating time in history. I especially enjoyed being able to take a peek behind the scenes at Good Housekeeping as well as learning about the evolving food industry. The witty repartee, the well written conflict, the family ties and deep relationships, even the villains - all combine to create a beautiful recipe for a wonderful book; one I am delighted to recommend!

I was provided a copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.