A Matter of Heart (Lone Star Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson

Tracie Peterson is an author I normally enjoy reading.  I've read many of her books.  In this series, I've only been able to read the second one, A Moment in Time.  I've still got my eyes out for the first one, A Sensible Arrangement.

Jessica hasn't been a very nice person.  It's something she's determined to change, but everyone seems to delight in reminding her what she was.  Even though she's trying, it feels like no one understands.  Until she talks to Austin.  He seems to understand her in a way no one else can.

Austin has a tragic past and has vowed to never let anyone get close to him again.  It hurts too much.  His heart is drawn to Jessica and soon overrides his head.  With another suitor in the picture, does he even stand a chance?

This was a really good book.  I really liked Austin's character.  It was hard NOT to sympathize with the man once you realize all he's gone through.  Jessica earns some of my pity as well.  She honestly tries to prove she's changed, but most people are determined to think the worst of her.

This series has a continuous story line in it that is resolved in this book.  It involves the counterfeiting mystery.  Since I haven't had the chance to read the first book, I can't say for certain that it starts in that one, but I'd guess it does.

Technically, you can read this book by itself, but you're going to get a more complete story (and a more satisfactory one) reading them all and reading them in order.  The first book, A Sensible Arrangement, seems to be the story of Jake and Marty.  The second book, A Moment in Time, is more of Jake and Marty's story but mainly Alice and Robert's.  This final book is mainly about Jessica and Austin, but the mystery involving the counterfeiting is a pretty major theme.  I'd recommend reading them in order.

What I've read of this series has been great work by Tracie Peterson.  I look forward to reading the first book someday.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Carolina Gold - Dorothy Love

In the past, I was able to read a few of this author's books.  I read the entire Hickory Ridge Romance series (Beyond All Measure, Beauty for Ashes and Every Perfect Gift.  I enjoyed those, so I was interested to read this one.

Charlotte's father has died.  According to the lawyer, he never properly filed claim to the land that Charlotte's plantation, Fairhaven, sits on.  She's not sure what it all means, but she made a promise to her father to try and grow rice and pay off her debts.  She's going to try and do it alone, and things aren't the same in the south as they were before the Civil War.

Problems arise and Charlotte decides to take on two young girls to teach.  Their father, Nicholas, is a widower and is looking into his claim on land in the area.  If he's successful, odds are that he owns Fairhaven as well.  Then what would Charlotte do?  She finds Nicholas to be good man, and grows to care about him.  If it comes to a land dispute, would they ever be able to be together?

I did enjoy this book.  I didn't realize when I started reading it that Carolina Gold was actually a type of rice grown in the south.  I learned a lot, but it wasn't like reading a textbook.  This is more a novel of Charlotte's journey to discover her path than a romance, but the affection she has for Nicholas is in there enough to make it balanced.  I also enjoyed the author's note at the end explaining her inspirations for the novel.

Up next for Dorothy Love is a novella, A Proper Marriage, which comes out October 7th.  Also, coming out December 9 is The Bracelet, a new novel.  Good Book!

Stranded (Alaskan Courage #3) - Dani Pettrey

This is the third book in this series.  The entire series thus far consists of Submerged, Shattered, and the fourth book is Silenced.

Darcy has been called back into the world of undercover investigative reporting by her friend and former partner, Abby.  She's on to something big and frightening on the Alaskan cruise she's working on.  Darcy has taken a job writing about the cruise ship's excursions to help Abby, but before Darcy can find out what her friend suspects, Abby disappears and there's no sign of her.  Darcy feels like something bad has happened, but she's having problems getting any answers.

Gage isn't fond of what Darcy is up to, but he won't blow her cover.  He's running the excursions and is torn between how he feels about Darcy and how he feels about what she does.  His heart's been battered and he's not sure he wants to open it up to Darcy.  The problem is, the further she digs, the more dangerous the quest gets.  There's more going on than even they suspect and there's more at stake than they can imagine.

As with the other books I've read in this series, I couldn't put it down.  I love the way the author sets up the next book by letting you meet and care about the characters so that you just can't wait to pick up the next one.

I've read these out of order.  I still haven't been able to read the second book, Shattered, but I hope to sometime in the future.  I think it's possible to read them out of order, I have been, but I wish I had started this series with the first one and been able to read them in order.  With the way the next book is set up, you're going to enjoy them more if you read them in order.  This author is really talented and I'm glad I found her books!

The fifth book in the series, Sabotaged, is coming out in January.  I'm looking forward to it! Good Book!

Grace's Pictures (Ellis Island #1) - Cindy Thomson

This was my first read by this author.  The cover is really pretty and the summary drew me in.

Grace has been sponsored to come to America from Ireland.  Now torn from her mother, the only real family she has, she has to learn who to trust in her new home.  Her past has given her a hatred for the police, and she struggles to feel competent in her skills.  She becomes interested in photography and when she practices in the park, she attracts the attention of some criminals.

Owen came from the rich part of town.  When he witnessed a tragic death involving a police officer, he feels that God is calling him to help those in the immigrant neighborhood. He has a rough time trying to gain the trust of the citizens, but he also has to tread around the corruption in the police department. He's torn between being where God wants him and helping his father.  He's on the trail of the leader of a gang and that causes him to cross paths with Grace.

This was a good book and I read it in two days.  Both characters have their own side issues to deal with and their interactions are more Grace learning to trust Owen than begin a relationship.  It had minimal romance elements in it, but their stories come together in a more believable way considering their circumstances.

The next book in this series is called Annie's Stories.  It came out in June 2014 and I've placed it on my watch list.  Annie shows up a little bit in this book, so I think it'll be okay to read these out of order.  After doing a bit of research, I found out that the third book will be called Sofia's Tune.  I'm not sure when it comes out, but I'll be on the lookout for it! Good Book!

Gunpowder Tea (The Brides of Last Chance Ranch #3) - Margaret Brownley

This is the third and final book in this series.  The first book is called Dawn Comes Early and the second is Waiting for Morning.

"Annie" has finally received her first real assignment for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Trying to follow in her father's footsteps, she's come to Last Chance Ranch to discover the identity of the Phantom, a ruthless criminal who has been robbing banks and causing havoc.

Annie is robbed on her way to the ranch and when the train robbers are caught, she's shocked to see one of them working at the ranch.  Thinking he's part of the Phantom's gang, she allows him to think she's in the gang as well, hoping to get information from him.  They're both attracted to one another, but Annie wouldn't fall for a criminal, would she?

It's hard to write a complete review for this book because I don't want to give out spoilers.  I just have to say that I was impressed with the layers in this book and I actually didn't have the crook figured out before the end.  It's been a while since I've read a book and been stumped! This book was also fun, with interactions between many of the characters that made me smile. Aunt Bessie has to be one of the most likable characters in this series.

I really did enjoy this book and would recommend it and the entire series.  You don't necessarily have to read them in order, which is always a plus.  We have a nice little wrap up to the series and Miss Walker finally makes a decision about what to do regarding her ranch. If you like tea, there's even a recipe in the back for Gunpowder Tea Bread.  Good Book!

Waiting for Morning (The Brides of Last Chance Ranch #2) - Margaret Brownley

This is the second book in this series.  The first book is called Dawn Comes Early.   I enjoyed reading that one, so I was excited to read the next one in the series.

Molly has applied to be the next heiress candidate for the Last Chance Ranch, but she neglected to inform the owner that she wouldn't be arriving alone.  Her brother is confined to a wheelchair and Molly's afraid that will ruin their chances.  She's taking a big risk, but their home was destroyed and this is her only option.

Caleb is the town's new doctor and is turning heads with his horseless carriage.  "Bertha" is prone to backfires, which causes trouble and gets him shot at.  When he meets Molly, he wants to do what he can for her brother, but he's also drawn to Molly as well.

This was a neat little book and I was able to read it quickly.  The characters are likable and I was really cheering them on.  While the characters from the first book pop up, it isn't necessary to read it to understand this one.  We do get a little more of Miss Walker's personality in this one, so reading the first one is a little bit of a plus.

In the notes at the end, the author reveals that Dr. Caleb Fairbanks is actually the brother of Lucy from A Vision of Lucy, the third book in the Rocky Creek Romance series.  I hadn't made that connection, but it was a really neat idea.  Next up in this series is Gunpowder Tea.  It's waiting for me on my Kindle and I look forward to reading it soon!  Good Book!

Tried and True (Wild at Heart #1) - Mary Connealy

Most of the things I've read by Mary Connealy have been her contributions to some novella collections.  Her writing style has grown on me, and I was excited to have the chance to read this novel.

Kylie has served her time in the Civil War and has used her service to homestead.  She dressed as a man, but no one noticed.  With her two years of service, she only has to live on this rotten stretch of land for three years before she can just give it to her father and get back to civilization. She's the only one in the family that actually wants to dress and act like a woman.

Aaron is curious about Kylie the moment she falls off the roof into his arms.  He's the land agent and has to make sure everything is legal on the homestead.  His discovery puts her plans at risk.  She just can't put up with being on the lonely land that long.

Someone wants to scare Kylie off her land, but her father needs her to stay.  He's not a very nice character, by the way.  Her sisters are close by, but Aaron feels the urge to take care of this woman.  She wants civilization, he wants to head off to the seclusion of the mountains. Their attraction is undeniable, but will they be able to find common ground?

I really did like this book.  It was a nice paced, easy read that had plenty going on, so there's enough action to keep those pages turning.  This is the first book in the Wild at Heart series.  I can't find when the next one comes out, but I'm thinking since the sisters share the last name "Wilde" that it's pretty safe to say the next book will be about one of her sisters.  I look forward to more!  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

That Certain Spark (Only in Gooding #4) - Cathy Marie Hake

This is the fourth book in this series.  The others are: Fancy Pants, Forevermore, Whirlwind, and the fifth book is Serendipity.

Enoch and Taylor are twins that have come to Gooding to fill the positions of town doctor and vet.  Even though they made it clear that Taylor is a woman, the townsfolk don't agree with having a woman doctor.  Some of them are ready to make sure she leaves, no matter what.

Karl has had an accident shortly before Taylor arrives and is in a bad way when he is finally brought to her door.  His leg isn't looking good, but he would rather die than have it amputated. Taylor vows to do her best, and is able to save his leg and his life.  Rather than be grateful, he's determined to convince her that she wasn't meant to be a doctor.

Verbal sparring commences and these two are pretty good at it.  When one makes a point, the other concedes that part of the battle, but it's not clear who will end up winning this war. They're both pretty stubborn.

The book is lighthearted and has some pretty funny moments.  There are characters from some of the other books that pop up, but you'd be okay reading them out of order.  This series was a nice read and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.  Good Book!

The Butterfly and the Violin (Hidden Masterpiece #1) - Kristy Cambron

I heard of this book when I was browsing for books one day.  I enjoy WWII era books and was intrigued by the subject of the book.  I'd never heard of the art of Auschwitz and was curious.  I have to admit, the beautiful cover drew me in as well.

This book follows stories in two time periods.  "Present time" and WWII.  I don't really like when author's use "present time" because time marches on and then the book doesn't fit in with "present time" anymore.  There's going to be something in there that dates it and wouldn't it be easier and less confusing to just say 2014?  Anyway...

Sera has been obsessed with finding the painting of Adele, a gifted musician, since she'd seen it with her father when she was 8 years old.  Now a lead has surfaced that might lead her to the answers she's been seeking.

William's family business is hanging in the balance while its fate lies in the hands of the owner of that original painting.  William sees that Sera is passionate about the painting and employs her to help him find the truth.

Interwoven in their story is the plight of Adele.  Committed to helping the Jews and the man she loves, she risks it all and ends up at Auschwitz.  I admit that I was a little concerned reading this book, as the atrocities of that place are well known, and I really don't like books without happy endings.

I couldn't put this book down.  I liked Adele's story significantly more than Sera's.  Every time I was reading about Sera, I found myself rushing through it to get back to Adele.  I felt more invested in her story and what happened to her.  When you're reading this, make sure you pay attention to the years for Adele's parts of the story.  They jump all over the place and can get confusing if you're not sure what part of her life you're reading about.

This was a great book, and I recommend it.  The next book in this series, The Sparrow in Terezin, is due out April 2015.  I'll definitely be looking out for it.  Good Book!

The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen - Tosca Lee

Tosca Lee has proven to be one of those authors that can write a great book.  I’ve read Demon and Iscariot – both great books.  I still need to read Havah, but it’s still unavailable on the Kindle, but I’m still on the lookout for it to become available again.  A short story is available as a prelude to this story.  Ismeni is a good read but not necessary to understand this book.

In the Bible, the story of the queen of Sheba occurs in I Kings 10:1-13.  She comes to Solomon to gain knowledge and ask him some tough questions.  Here, in this book, we get a glimpse into what her life may have been like before coming to Solomon, what happens once she gets there, and what happens when she leaves.

The queen is a tragic figure in some ways.  Her childhood is shadowed by a stepmother who would rather get her out of the way and a man who comes to her against her will.  She eventually escapes, but later is persuaded to return and take her place as leader of her nation.  Along the way she loses her lover and her identity.

Later on, she starts to question life.  Why was her love taken from her?  What do the gods require of her?  Hearing tales of king Solomon, she becomes intrigued about him.  They begin to correspond, each an enigma to the other.  They need to form an alliance, but they each want something more from the other.

This was a really good book.  Tosca Lee always does a ton of research and it really shows.  She doesn’t weigh you down with meaningless details, but weaves it into the story so you end up caring about every character and what happens to them.  I always finish her books and jump right into the facts at the end.  I’m always curious to find out where her ideas came from and what influenced her to make some of the choices she made.

As I said with Iscariot, I think it takes courage to write in-depth stories about little known characters.  I think she’s done a great job and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.  There is reference to rape and sex in there, so I wouldn’t let my kids read it until they got a little older, but it has some great truths in there.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from Howard Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Playing by Heart - Anne Mateer

I've read a few of Anne Mateer's books in the past including A Home for My Heart, At Every Turn and Wings of a Dream.  I've been impressed by her style.   Her unique story lines make her books stand out in my mind.   When given the chance to read this one, I didn't hesitate!

Lula has worked hard to make it where she is.  Trying to get her MBA in mathematics in a time when it isn't completely accepted isn’t easy.  She wants to fulfill her father's dream, but when her brother-in-law dies, her family volunteers her to help out her sister.  She plans on getting her sister back on her feet and then getting back to her studies.

Chet teaches math in the town where Lula is helping her sister.  When she takes a job as the music teacher, Chet is in an unusual position.  Normally, he's dodging women.  Now, he's found one he's interested in, but all she's interested in are facts and figures.  When she is forced to come to him for help teaching the girls’ basketball team, he sees the opportunity to get to know her better. He'll have to be careful that he doesn't jeopardize her job.

Lula and Chet are guilty of misreading their feelings for each other.  Misunderstandings are commonplace and both of these characters need to discover who they are and what they really want before they can commit to each other.  Lula finds her identity in what her father wants her to be while Chet tries to gain his mother's approval.

This was a unique story that really pulled me in.  I've never read any stories with basketball in them.  While there are descriptions of the game in there, it isn't enough to bore or overwhelm the reader.  I also appreciated the author’s note at the end of the book telling the reader where she got her inspiration for the story.  I look forward to more from this author in the future!  Good Book!

* I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dawn Comes Early (The Brides of Last Chance Ranch #1) - Margaret Brownley

Margaret Brownley has quickly become an author that I look to for a fun historical romance.  I picked this one up anticipating more of the same.

Kate has come to Cactus Patch, Arizona to be the heiress to Last Chance Ranch.  Her writing career has been killed by a recently banned book and she craves stability.  Her escape from the town outlaw lets her meet Luke, the town blacksmith.  He reminds her of the hero of her novel, but she doesn't have time to think about him.  She has a ranch to learn how to run.

Luke thinks Kate is interesting, but she uses all those big words.  He's under the impression that she write philosophy and would have no use for a lowly blacksmith.  The sparks fly, but there's a few problems.  Kate has been told she can't trust men, and inheriting the ranch requires she remain a spinster.

While I liked this book, I wish there had been more chances for interaction between Luke and Kate in the first part.  I read a few parts that had me smiling and chuckling.

Next up in the series is Waiting for Morning.  The heroine is the next applicant for heiress of the Last Chance Ranch, so we know she's new.  The other one is the town doctor.  I'm not sure if the people from this one will pop up, but I do have it on my Kindle and will try to read it soon.  The third book is called Gunpowder Tea.  Looking forward to more!  Good Book!