The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn

Book description:  "To escape a brutal stepfather and an unwanted marriage, Tamsen Littlejohn enlists backwoodsman Jesse Bird to lead her overmountain to western North Carolina's Watauga settlement. Trouble pursues in the form of Ambrose Kincaid, a determined suitor convinced she's been kidnapped and taken against her will. Trouble awaits in the form of a divided frontier community. The State of Franklin has been declared, yet many settlers remain loyal to North Carolina. Threatening the contentious settlers from without is the renegade Chickamauga warrior, Dragging Canoe, who seeks to sweep the lot of them back east across the mountains. In her bid for freedom Tamsen Littlejohn bargained for none of this, especially not for her growing attraction to her unlikely rescuer. When pursuit finally catches up with them, having fallen in love with Jesse Bird could prove the greatest risk of all."

My review:  This is a fast-paced, can't read fast enough to see what happens next kind of book!  I loved it!  I especially loved Tamsen and Jesse.  The author, Lori Benton, has created characters that you feel like you get to know personally, and a story that leaves you wishing it would never end. I don't want to give anything away, but there is more mystery in this book than I realized.  I didn't even see it coming, but I thought the ending well-written.  I highly recommend this book, but don't start reading it too late in the evening.  You will never make it to bed!   I hope Ms. Benton plans to write a sequel.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Waterbrook Press in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.        

The Heart's Pursuit

Book description:  "A Colorado beauty abandoned at the altar. A rugged bounty hunter haunted by his past.

In this dramatic historical novel by best-selling author Robin Lee Hatcher, two wounded hearts join forces in a pursuit across the Old West. Silver Matlock is a Colorado beauty in search of revenge against the man who stranded her at the altar and fled with the remnant of her family's fortune. She is determined to find the man who betrayed her trust. Jared Newman, rugged as the West itself, is relentless in his pursuit of lawless men---but unable to escape his own tragic past. Hardened by his life as a bounty hunter, he must learn to forgive before he loses his soul. Joining forces, the two set out in search of Silver's betrayer. The handsome but embittered Jared finds himself powerfully drawn to the beautiful woman whose drive for justice equals his own. But lack of honesty keeps Silver and Jared from fully trusting each other, even as a shocking revelation intensifies their pursuit of the cunning - and deadly - quarry."

My review:  The book description is a little misleading.  The Heart's Pursuit is a dramatic novel, and the facts from the description are accurate; however, it is an easy read and not nearly as intense as it sounds.  If you have read other books by Robin Lee Hatcher you will find that this book is not typical for her, although it is still a very enjoyable book to read.  I enjoyed the story-line, the characters, and the twist to the plot even though I was able to figure it out.  I don't know if the author intended for the book to "feel real", but it doesn't and that is not necessarily a bad thing.  It is a fun unrealistic story.  If you need a light book to read, The Heart's Pursuit will fit the bill.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.   

Undetected

Book description:  "When asked what he does for a living . . .
Commander Mark Bishop is deliberately low-key: "I'm in the Navy." But commanding the ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada, keeping her crew trained and alert during ninety-day submerged patrols, and being prepared to launch weapons on valid presidential orders, carries a burden of command like few other jobs in the military. Mark Bishop is a man who accepts that responsibility, and handles it well. And at a time when tensions are escalating around the Pacific Rim, the Navy is glad to have him.

Mark wants someone to come home to after sea patrols. The woman he has in mind is young, with a lovely smile, and very smart. She's a civilian, yet she understands the U.S. Navy culture. And he has a strong sense that life with her would never be boring. But she may be too deep in her work to see the potential in a relationship with him.

Gina Gray would love to be married. She has always envisioned her life that way. A breakup she didn't see coming, though, has her focusing all her attention on what she does best--ocean science research. She's on the cusp of a major breakthrough, and she needs Mark Bishop's perspective and help. Because what she told the Navy she's figured out is only the beginning. If she's right, submarine warfare is about to enter a new and dangerous chapter."

My review:  I loved this book!  This is the first of Dee Henderson's newest books that I have read.  I am so glad she is writing again!  This is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat and quickly turning pages.  Even though there are some technical parts in the story, they are well explained and easy to understand.  Ms. Henderson also keeps you guessing when two guys enter the picture trying to win Gina's heart.  She writes in such a way that makes the reader cheer for both guys.  I actually hated to see one "lose".  Ms. Henderson makes her characters seem so real that the reader feels like they have become part their life.  That is one of the reasons I love her books so much.  She is a master story-teller!  I can't wait to read her next book.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Seasons of Tomorrow

Book description:  "More settled in her heart than ever before, Rhoda Byler feels a newfound confidence living in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped establish in Orchard Bend, Maine. Time has helped to heal the wounds of Rhoda’s recent severed relationship, and she finds that even her unusual gift of profound intuition is less of a burden as she continues to seek God’s wisdom for her future. She is happy to be working alongside the King family and the love of her life as they tend and nurture the settlement’s orchard.

Yet when Leah King’s involvement with Englischer Landon Olson becomes known outside of the Maine community, her disregard of the Ordnung could threaten all the Orchard Bend Amish are building. In the midst of addressing the discord, a shocking tragedy challenges the young settlement like never before, threatening to uproot Rhoda’s peace and the future of everything she holds dear.

When several members of Orchard Bend Farms are displaced, the estranged King brother is called upon to return. Can those who founded the new Amish community in Maine unite Or will the lingering pain of past hurts and present struggles result in the end of their dreams?"

My review:  I think this was a great end to an enjoyable series.  I still think that Rhoda's intuition was a little far-fetched, but in this book it was less about her intuition and more about the lives and stories of the people.  The struggles and problems that the characters had were well-developed and reasonably resolved.  The new characters that were introduced fit quite well into the story and added depth to the existing characters.  As I neared the end of the book, I wondered if Cindy Woodsmall would be writing another book for the series.  It seemed as if the reader was going to be left hanging, but she managed to wrap it up quickly and in a satisfactory way.  This was a very interesting series despite Rhoda's intuition.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Press in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.   

An April Bride

Book description:  "War changes everything . . . even their love.

Bride-to-be Stella Carson can't wait to marry her longtime sweetheart Marshall Henderson. But Marshall has been away serving his country and has suffered a head wound. After being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, he has distanced himself from Stella, asking her not to visit him in a Washington, D.C., hospital. Marshall returns to Louisiana just four weeks before the wedding, but as the big day draws near, Stella wonders if the man she's loved for most of her life has become someone else.

Can true love conquer all for Stella and Marshall, even the tragedy of war?"

My review:  Although novellas aren't my first choice, I am enjoying the "A Year of Weddings" novellas.  An April Bride, while not my favorite, was still pretty good.  Not only does a lot have to happen in a short amount of time because the book is short, a lot has to happen because of the time frame in the book.  The author, Lenora Worth, crams a lot of story in the pages of this book.  I enjoyed reading it, but some of the actual time frame was confusing as I read.  For awhile it seemed like more time had passed than what actually had.  I think Stella was a little too romanticized rather than real although the author did try for it to be more balanced.  I think part of that comes from the fact that she didn't have a whole lot of book space to make her more real. Stella and Marshall will however, make you think, give a few sniffles along the way, and stay with you for a few days after you finish the book.  I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Zondervan through the Booklook Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.  

A Lady's Honor

Book description:  "Society is concerned about her honor, but Elizabeth must realize her worth doesn't lie in her inheritance.

In order to avoid a forced marriage to a dangerous man, Elizabeth Trelawney flees London. An unexpected stranger arrives to help her, and as they elude her pursuers across Cornwall in the night, Elizabeth realizes her rescuer, Rouan Curnow, is familiar.

Their differences in social status kept Rouan from pursuing a courtship with the lady his heart wouldn't let him forget. Now because of dangerous smugglers and local murders, the two are plunged into a reckless alliance that rattles Rouan's fledgling faith in God.

The closer they get to Bastian Point-Elizabeth's true home-the more she realizes it is the only place she longs to be. Even the sight of its solid structure perched on the cliffs makes her feel safe. Elizabeth is the most likely to inherit Bastian Point if Grandfather never learns she spent the night, however innocently, with a near stranger.

As spring warms into summer, Elizabeth finds herself torn between wanting to be the perfect grandchild and her growing love for a man of whom no one will approve as a match for her, a man she knows she shouldn't entirely trust. Unsure whether she is being foolish or following the right path, she sets out with Rouan on a quest to find the true culprit behind the local violence.

Their quest leads them to danger, and she must choose whether to follow the man she loves or cling to the safety of her family home."

My review:  This book was a little slow starting for me, but it soon became a book I didn't want to put down.  The plot moves quickly with a few twists that keep the reader guessing.  The author, Laurie Alice Eakes, is able to paint amazing word pictures that take you into the story with the characters.  Her characters have depth and a realness to them.  I like that Elizabeth isn't your typical heroine.  Her struggles, emotional and spiritual, are real as well as her actions.  If you enjoy romance, mystery and suspense, then this is a book that you will want to read.  It gives you all three with spiritual lessons as well.  I look forward to reading a sequel.  I received a complimentary e-copy from Zondervan through the Booklook Blogger Program in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.   

Through the Deep Waters

Book description:  "Born to an unloving prostitute in a popular Chicago brothel, timid seventeen-year-old Dinah Hubley was raised amidst the secrets held in every dark, grimy room of her home. Anxious to escape, Dinah pursues her dream of becoming a Harvey Girl, waiting tables along the railroad in an upscale hotel. But when she finds out she isn’t old enough, her only option is to accept a job as a chambermaid at the Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kansas. Eager to put everything behind her, Dinah feels more worthless than ever, based on a single horrible decision she made to survive.
 
The Clifton offers a life Dinah has never known, but blinded to the love around her, Dinah remains buried in the shame of her past. When a handsome chicken farmer named Amos Ackerman starts to show interest, Dinah withdraws further, convinced no one could want a sullied woman like her.  Despite his self-consciousness about his handicapped leg and her strange behavior, Amos resolves to show Dinah Christ’s love. But can she ever accept a gift she so desperately needs?"

My review:  Kim Vogel Sawyer takes the reader on an emotional roller coaster in Through the Deep Waters.  On one hand this was a difficult book to read, but on the other hand I couldn't put it down!  Prostitution is a very difficult but real subject.  Ms. Sawyer did an excellent job portraying the horror and the devastation that results from that kind of lifestyle without going into inappropriate detail.  Even through the horror, a feeling of hope is woven throughout the story with the plan of salvation clearly given in the culmination of our ultimate hope and forgiveness being revealed. I would recommend that mothers read this book before allowing their daughters to read it.  While there is nothing inappropriate, the content is such that each mom will need to make the decision as to whether their daughters are old enough/mature enough to read this book.   I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook Press in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.