Review of "A Return of Devotion" by Kristi Ann Hunter

The second in the Haven Manor series featuring a group of women in daunting circumstances who grow and persevere in spite of all they face!

When the owner of the estate Daphne Blakemoore has lived in for more than a decade arrives (his identity and timing are unexpected) she is completely thrown off guard. He is the spitting image of the child she has loved and raised - yet she knows with great certainty he is not the father. She also recognizes that the second now 13 year old Benedict sees him, serious questions and hurt will abound. Daphne has never told Benedict that she is not just his caregiver - she is his mother - but now that Lord Chemsford is here, that difficult conversation and some heartbreak is unavoidable.

Lord Chemsford arrives at the estate with the expectation to renovate and live there full time. He is quite startled by Daphne's strange initial reaction to him along with the decided lack of staff, but is willing to wait and see how things go. He quickly realizes that all is not it seems at Haven House, but the more he learns of Daphne the more he wants to continue being surprised by her.

I know I am always a big proponent of reading series books in order; I have to point out that it is especially important for this series. There's just a tremendous amount of backstory that will enrich your experience. I love the way the author manages to combine a clear picture of how it may have been in a previous time in history along with clever dialogue, hard situations, rich relationships, and a great story. I enthusiastically recommend this book.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "Never Let Go" by Elizabeth Goddard

Willow Anderson is a forensic geologist who has just suffered some tragic losses in her life. When her beloved grandfather, mentor, and business partner dies in an accident (but was it really an accident?) she decides she will finish the last case he accepted. When it immediately becomes clear that Willow is now being targeted, she cautiously agrees to accept former boyfriend Austin McKade's help to solve the case - and try to stay alive.

Ex-FBI Agent Austin has his own family issues. Even though it's been two years since he and Willow were together, he has never truly moved on. But when the search to solve the mystery takes him near home and family, he is forced to confront all of the emotions he's thus far been unwilling to face. But who can he trust? And are there truly any coincidences? How are all of these threads connected?

I enjoyed this book (the first I've read from this author) and am looking forward to the next in the Uncommon Justice series, "Always Look Twice". I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "On a Summer Tide" by Suzanne Woods Fisher

So to be frank, this book started out as just a tiny bit too quirky for me. The characters seemed uneven, and the supposedly modern young women (all 19+) used languaging that didn't seem to fit today's vernacular. But as the book unfolded and some mysteries were revealed (that I definitely did not see coming), I grew to love this story.

Sisters Cam, Madison, and Blaine are very different. Their father Paul, a sports broadcaster who's lost his voice (!) loves them but doesn't totally understand them. Their mother passed away a few years ago, and they won't talk about it - at least, not with each other. All three of the sisters are trying to figure out their place in the world, and they are all so different. They've realized since her passing that their mom was the glue - and they are all fumbling quite a bit.

Paul decides (on a whim, as far as the girls are concerned!) to buy a campground on a small island on the coast of Maine where he met their mother, fulfilling a life long dream. The sisters are sure that he's lost it but decide they should go with him to check it out, certain he needs to be saved from himself. They quickly discover things are in worse shape than they even imagined, but the community and lifestyle soon reveals they just may find everything they've ever needed - together.

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

Review of "Sweet on You" by Becky Wade

I love the sisters. I love these books. I was simultaneously excited and giddy and sad, because the publication of this novel means the series is now over and there will be no more Bradford Sister stories. Side note: I am always happy to see a new Becky Wade book on the horizon but it incites some feelings of impending sadness because once I start to read it that means it will soon be over and then I'll have to wait who knows how long for another one. But I guess if she published books each month or whatever, I would never get anything done in life so it works out.

And we must go on. So here is my review of Britt's story:

Youngest sister Britt Bradford has been best friends with Zander Ford for oh, essentially forever. She has been his staunchly loyal friend, champion, partner in crime, and biggest fan since freshman year in high school. Zander's back story is rich and deep, and Britt is one of only a few in his heart's inner circle.

Adult Britt is an expert chocolatier with possible relationship commitment issues ;) and spends her days creating and running her chocolate shop, Sweet Art. Adult Zander is an author with a best selling book, which allowed him the opportunity to travel the world and fulfill some longtime dreams. He also needed to get away to really figure out what to do with his feelings for Britt. His trip is cut short when his uncle/adopted father dies unexpectedly, and he comes home to a mystery.

Britt refuses to consider/acknowledge/admit the possibility that Zander could love her as more than a friend (everyone else knows), because she is certain it would ruin their friendship....she can't live a moment without any connection to him, so she spends very little time being honest with herself. Also might Britt have some God trust issues? Zander is also unwilling to put it all out there because he has decided being her friend is better than having nothing, and the risk is too great.

The dialogue is witty, snappy, fun, meaningful, laugh out loud inducing...I could go on and on. The story is rich and deep with a satisfying ending. The mystery element is great and adds to the story.

I know I preach this all the time but you simply have to read all of the books in order. If you are considering adding this book to your TBR pile, get all three. Also download the prequel, "Then Came You: a Bradford Sisters Novella", and then binge read them in order. Go! Hurry up! Get them all!

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

Review of "No Place Like Here" by Christina June

I have really enjoyed all of the books by this author. They are fun and meaningful and lighthearted while still sending home some life lesson messages - all without being overly heavy. I also love how each of the books are standalone but still connected, and as always, will recommend that you read THEM ALL in order.

When Ashlyn Zanotti finds out her dad has been sentenced to prison for tax evasion, her carefully crafted "comeback" falls apart. As she is finishing up a year at boarding school (where she was forced to go as a consequence for something she didn't even do) her plans to get back to her regular life are completely derailed. Her mom sinks into a deep depression and requires treatment, so she can't go home for the summer. Ashlyn is then told she will be living with relatives she barely knows, and working hard at a wilderness retreat center - all so she can have a good line on her college resume.

Ashlyn reluctantly cooperates, but inside she is really struggling. Even with all of the huge expectations placed on her, she tries to be brave and mostly succeeds. But will she ever be able to communicate honestly with her parents - and more importantly, will they listen? Will Ashlyn find both her place in her life and the family, and even a passion for her future?

This book was well written and interesting. It was a fun read but with deeper meaning. The author managed to find a balance without hitting you over the head with the life lessons, and the ending was satisfying. I am happy to recommend this book for teens and adults alike!

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

Review of "Convergence" by Ginny Yttrup

Here is my (first ever!) bullet point review:

This book totally messed with my mind (primarily in a good way).

I was kept guessing throughout - but I will say, when it came down to the final chapters I discovered that was right all along! :)

I appreciated the author's first foray into suspense. It was well done overall.

I was especially thrown off for a long time (likely intentionally) by the "back cover" synopsis - it took me forever to make sense of it all, to connect the dots.

Main character Denilyn Rossi is interesting and compelling. She has truly been traumatized and you are rooting for her the whole way through. She's not unrealistically tough OR wimpy/whiny/does not play the victim...even though she of course is.

I will gladly recommend this book!

I was provided a complimentary copy of Convergence by Shiloh Run Press in exchange for my honest review.

Review of "The Last Year of the War" by Susan Meissner

I have long enjoyed Susan Meissner's books; always something different, they make you think, I often find myself "living" with her characters in my brain and on my mind for a while after I am done reading. This book was no exception.

Teenager Elise Sontag is living a content and hopeful life in Iowa with her parents and younger brother. When her beloved father is taken away by the police for his ties to native Germany, her family is devastated and soon moves to live with him in an interment camp. There Elise meets Mariko Inoue from Los Angeles. Even though their parents are legal US residents, are in no way sympathizers with the enemies in the war, and both families dearly love America, they and many like them are exchanged with POW's and returned to their "home" country. Elise was born in the United States, does not speak German, and the family is unwittingly being sent directly to a war zone.

The book bounces back and forth between present day Elise (in her 80's with Alzheimer's that she has named Agatha, after a girl in school who stole things) and the story of their friendship. Her journey takes many twist and turns, many of them quite unexpected. The author deftly weaves the two together in a way that keeps you engaged and reveals things at a perfect pace.

This book was thought provoking, eye opening to a part of history I knew little about, and engaging all the way through. I highly recommend it.

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