Kissed by a Cowboy

Book description:  "Cassidy was looking for a home and a place to belong . . . not for a cowboy to steal her heart.
        Having lived through her parents' endless string of "matrimonial bliss gone wrong," Cassidy Starr knows when the odds are not in her favor. Divorced and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground, Cassidy is through with love. She's been bucked off that horse far too many times. Instead, she returns to Wishing Springs, Texas, and the rundown farm she's inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She'll reopen the strawberry farm and a bed & breakfast and follow in her aunt's footsteps, remaining forever-independent, happy . . . and single.
         Rancher Jarrod Monahan's hands are full running the ranch, looking after his ailing grandfather, and chasing down a group of rustlers on the loose. He's pushed his longing for a family to the bottom of his list of priorities. Besides, he was in love once but ran scared and lost his shot at happiness. But suddenly, the biggest regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart, determined to become a spinster . . . and that's a challenge that Jarrod can't pass up.
        Jarrod sets his mind to breaking down the walls around Cassidy's stubborn heart. How can he show her that a cowboy's kiss lasts forever? For the good folks of Wishing Springs, falling in love has never been so much fun to witness."

My review:  This was another fun story in this series by Debra Clopton. I enjoyed the characters and the story, but it was definitely predictable. Although this is the third book in the series, it can stand alone. However, it does help to understand some of the other characters if the previous books have been read. This would be a book to take to the beach. A fun quick read with a little bit of suspense and a whole lot of romance, characters that you grow to love, and some laughs along the way make for an intriguing story. I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher through the Booklook Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Room for Hope

Book description:  "Neva Shilling is accustomed to bearing full responsibility for home, business, and children, but she still anticipates her husband’s return from his month-long sales route. Times are hard in 1931 Glen Hill, Kansas and Warren’s work is all he can do. When a wagon pulls up after supper, the family rushes to greet their head of house. But instead of Warren’s wagon, a sheriff has arrived with a wagon of belongings and three small children. He asks for Warren’s sister, Neva. Sending her twins inside, Neva introduces herself as Warren’s wife. The sheriff hesitantly informs her Warren Shilling and his wife have died, leaving three orphans. Before his death, Warren instructed the children to go to “Aunt Neva.”

Neva is shocked to learn Warren and his wife Violet, ran a large dry goods store in Beloit. Instead of traveling, as she’d always believed, he’d been setting up housekeeping with another family and selling their extra goods in the Beloit store.

The sheriff asks Neva if she wants the trio sent to an orphanage, but despite the pain of Warren’s betrayal, she takes in her husband’s children. Facing extreme financial burdens and the weight of unresolved questions, can Neva still find the joy in choosing God’s plan?"

My review:  Kim Vogel Sawyer chose a very unusual and difficult plot for this story, but she handled it very well. She also chose to tell the story from the viewpoint of several characters, which I think added depth to the story. I really enjoyed the story and found it hard to put down. It is full of forgiveness and hope. A wonderful story of redemption! Ms. Sawyer did a wonderful job of keeping the reader guessing, and the story did not end as one might necessarily expect. Though the ending was unexpected, it did not disappoint. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher through Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

The Goodbye Bride

Book description:  "Lucy Lovett can’t remember the last seven months of her life. She doesn’t remember leaving her fiancé Zac Callahan weeks before their wedding or moving to Portland, Maine. And she sure doesn’t remember getting engaged to another man. All she remembers is loving Zac more than life itself.

 Zac was just beginning to get his life back on track after Lucy left him with no explanation. And now she’s back—vulnerable, homeless, and still in love with him. Has he been given a second chance with the only woman who stirs his passion and haunts his dreams?

 Lucy knows she must unlock those missing months and discover why she threw everything away. And Zac knows that if he follows his heart he’ll win back the love of his life—but if Lucy’s memory returns, his would-be bride might say goodbye forever."

My review:  I thought the last two books I reviewed were good. The Goodbye Bride was even better, and I couldn't put it down! I read the book in one sitting staying up until 2:00 in the morning to finish it. Even though this is the second book in the series, it can certainly stand alone. This is a story full of forgiveness and love. A story that quickly pulls the reader in and doesn't let go even long after the book is finished. If you are looking for a top-notch series to begin reading, this is the one. I am looking forward to reading the third book in September. I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher through the Booklook Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

A Treasure Concealed

Book description:  "Emily Carver longs to have a home of her own, but instead she endures a transient existence in the gold mining camps of Montana, where her father's hopes for riches lie endlessly buried. Promises of wealth from this wild land have brought only hardship and disappointment, causing Emily to wonder if her own modest dreams will ever see the light of day.

Caeden Thibault, a young geologist working for the government, is a man trying to escape the pain of his past, and the idyllic mountains of Montana serve his purposes well. In the course of his work, he has seen more than his share of starry-eyed gold seekers. So when Emily Carver catches his attention, he is intrigued by the fact that she isn't pinning her hopes on striking it rich. 

Will an unexpected discovery come between them or draw them together?"

My review:  I really enjoyed this first book in a new series by Tracie Peterson. Ms. Peterson never fails to deliver a wonderfully captivating story. Her characters are always real and become like family. The gospel message is included in such a way that it does not feel fake or forced. There is just enough suspense to keep you turning pages and just enough romance to keep the romantic at heart satisfied. I am looking forward to reading the next books in this series. I received a complimentary e-copy from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

If I Run

Book description: "Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they’ve failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up.

Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices: the girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet."

My review: Terri Blackstock certainly knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat! I'm usually not a fan of first person writing, but the characters and plot made it worth reading. In fact, I couldn't put the book down. Casey is an amazing character and her willingness to act in the interest of others even at great personal cost just added to the depth of this story. Dylan's character adds a lot to the story and will have readers cheering him on. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that it leaves you hanging, and now I have to wait to read the next installment. That is good for the author, but bad for me since I can't wait to find out what happens next. I will be first in line when the next book is published! I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher through the Booklook Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.