Digitalis (Discarded Heroes #2) - Ronie Kendig

This is the second book in the series.  The first one is Nightshade, and then after this book, there's Wolfsbane and Firethorn.

Colton "Cowboy" Neeley is haunted by memories of combat and tragedy.  Even though he feels broken, he's drawn to a clerk at a store and finds reasons to buy things in her department.  But how many towels does a house really need?  Colton has to tread lightly, because the safety of his team and his family could be at risk if he lets her in and it was a mistake.

Piper is attracted to Colton as well, but she's got her own secrets to guard.  Revealing her identity isn't an option.  Her father's safety depends on it.  But Colton has a way of breaking through her barriers and getting to her heart.  Eventually, she learns her cover is blown and she plans on running, but the enemy has found her.  Colton comes to the rescue, but Piper still isn't willing to share everything.  The consequences are tragic.

Since it's special forces, there's death in there and some of it is gut wrenching.  Colton has to deal with his demons and the way Piper guards her secrets hurts him.  Learning the truth only makes him angry.  It seems like there are too many roadblocks in the way, but with God, anything is possible.

This was another great book.  The action sequences are well written and the depth to the characters is well done.  Next up is Wolfsbane, and it's about Canyon "Midas" Metcalfe. I've been curious about his character since I read Nightshade, so I look forward to reading the next book.  This book can be read alone, but to understand the dynamic between the team, I recommend reading them in order if you plan on reading more than one.  You'll get a more satisfying read that way.  Good Book!

 

Nightshade (Discarded Heroes #1) - Ronie Kendig

This is one of those authors that I love.  I know I can pick up one of her books and be faced with some hardcore reading sessions.  While this series is a few years old, I was able to pick all four books up for a decent price and thought now would be a good time to start it.  This is the first book in the series with Digitalis, Wolfsbane and Firethorn following.

Max's life is falling apart.  He has some serious anger issues and it's cost him big time. His wife has separated from him and he wonders if things can ever be good again.  He's approached to be part of an elite, secret force of men, discarded heroes, that go in and right the wrongs in the world.  Their existence is a secret and it needs to remain that way.

Sydney still loves her husband, but his anger has made her scared.  She's urged him to seek help many times, but lets his pride get in the way.  When she gets the chance to work on a human interest story, she jumps at the chance, not knowing that she's trying to find Max's team.  She also finds out that she's putting her life in danger in the process. Add in the unwanted attentions of a co-worker and a baby on the way, and Sydney's life is a mess.

Jon is a missionary in the Philippine jungles when trouble arises.  The danger hits a little too close to home, and he ends up on the run with his wife and daughter.  It soon becomes clear that they need to get out of there, but it's not going to be easy.  Jon's faith will be tested, and sometimes he feels unequal to the task.  Getting out will require the efforts of Max's team.

I really liked this book.  You really get a great look into these people's personalities and feel their struggles.  Be aware everyone doesn't make it to the end.  I normally don't like books where too many people die, but I didn't have problems with this one.  You also get a nice setup for the next book in the series, Digitalis.  It centers around Cowboy, who becomes a great friend to Max in this book.  It's up next on my Kindle, and I can't wait! Good Book!

Sabotaged (Alaskan Courage #5) - Dani Pettrey

Sabotaged is the fifth book in the Alaskan Courage Series.  The others are: Submerged, Shattered, Stranded and Silenced.  It’s mainly the story of Reef and Kirra, but you’re also getting updates on the rest of the family as well.

Kirra’s uncle disappears from the Iditarod dog sled race mysteriously and she goes out after him.  Reef spots her leaving and goes along with her.  When they meet up with Frank, they find out that Kirra’s cousin has been kidnapped and they have to find her before Frank reaches the end of the race or people will get hurt.

Soon after, multiple attempts are made on their lives as Kirra and Reef dive into her uncle’s past.  It seems like the kidnappers know their moves and time is running out.  It seems like Frank’s secret from his past might have caught up with him, but there’s also the possibility that there’s forces at work that are planning to launch an attack on the oil pipeline.

Of all the books in this series, this is the first one that made me think, “This would make a great movie.”  All the books in this series are great and I highly recommend them.  All the siblings show up in this book, some more than others, but they’re all there and you get updates on how they’re doing.  While you could technically read this one alone, you’re going to get a much more satisfactory story if you read them all, especially in order.  I didn’t get the chance to do that, but this was a great series and I will definitely be on the lookout for more by this talented author.  Great Book!

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

It Happened at the Fair - Deeanne Gist

I've read quite a few of this author's books in the past and I'm usually pleased with what I read.  This one's been on my Kindle for a while, not because I've been avoiding it, but because I have SO much to read it just got lost in the shuffle.

Cullen isn't really cut out for a farmer's life.  The crops make his face swell up, but he comes from a long line of farmers and feels that he needs to follow in those footsteps.  He even has a fiance all lined up in his childhood friend.  Cullen has a talent for creating inventions and mechanical things, so his father signs him up to have an exhibit at Chicago's World Fair.  Cullen doesn't want to do it, but his father has laid out a lot of money that he can't get back.  Feeling he has no choice, Cullen heads to Chicago for the next six months.

Della has a close call at the opening ceremonies for the fair and meets up with Cullen. Her father has drilled into her head to never trust any man, so she gets away as fast as she can.  She's also working at the fair, but she's there teaching the deaf children how to lip-read. Cullen has problems hearing, especially in his noisy machinery building, and asks for her help.  She's skeptical at first, but the more time they spend together, the more she feels drawn to this brawny man.

I loved this book so much, I read it in two sittings.  I love this author's writing style, and the story line was intriguing.  I really enjoyed all the pictures that were in there, and it sparked an interest in me for the World's Fair.  The author's note at the end is pretty long, but it needed to be.  I was almost sad when it was over.  There's a glimpse of the characters from Fair Play in there if you pay attention, but this is a stand alone book that I recommend.  Good Book!

Hyde and Seek (Angel Paws) - Jordan Taylor

My Kindle Unlimited title for the month is this short story from the Angel Paws series.  It's only about 23 pages, so this is the only way I'd read it.  I wouldn't pay for something this short.

Catherine ends up with a German Shepherd puppy and quickly changes her mind from taking him to the shelter to making him part of her family.  Their strolls through the English countryside compel her to push Hyde's abilities and see what they're capable of together.

I can't really tell you more about the plot, it's seriously short.  I find that interesting, because the author has a good way with words and had the potential to make this story longer.  There's a lot of these little stories, even some with holiday themes.  Overall, it was a cute read, just not long enough!  Good story!

A Cry from the Dust (Gwen Marcey #1) - Carrie Stuart Parks

Well, here's my first book of the year for my 2015 challenge.  I saw this book recommended on a blog post by one of the authors I follow.  It had said that if you like the TV show Bones, you'll like this book.  Bones is one of my favorite shows, so I decided to give this book a shot.

Gwen has had a rough year.  And by rough, I mean awful.  She's gone through a nasty divorce, her daughter hates her, she's fought against cancer (and is still fighting its lingering effects) and now she's finding dead bodies.  She's a forensic artist, so she's taken a job using the skulls of victims of the Mountain Meadows Massacre and recreating their faces.  Unfortunately, there's a lot of controversy surrounding the event and it spills over to her work.

When the bodies begin piling up, Gwen knows that someone's after her.  She's just not sure why.  She's going to have to use all the skills she has to keep her family safe and solve the mystery.  Everything isn't what it seems, and determining who to trust is going to be important.

This was a complex plot with lots of details and twists.  I think the author did a good job walking the line between just enough information and information overload.  At the end of the book, she mentions that she could have added a lot more facts in the story but held back.  Good choice.

I read this book in about 3 sittings.  I read the second half of the book in one.  The tension just kept building until I just couldn't put it down.

If I had to complain about one thing, it would be the cover.  I know I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but if I saw it in a bookstore, I'd keep walking.  It's just weird and kinda creepy.  I'm glad that I heard about this book, because it was well written and inventive. The next book in this series, The Bones Will Speak, is due out August 11, 2015 and I'll be looking forward to it.  According to the author, the next two books will continue the story but will be able to stand alone.  On a side note, the book doesn't have much in common with Bones, but I can see why the book would appeal to fans of the show.  Good Book!

By the Light of the Silvery Moon - Tricia Goyer

I hesitate to pick up a book like this.  Knowing ahead of time that this book takes place on the Titanic, I couldn't help but wonder if I was going to enjoy the book or end up in tears. But since I've read a few of Goyer's books in the past and liked them, I decided to give this one a shot.

Amelia has a heart for others.  She's not wealthy, but there's a man across the Atlantic waiting to see if they can build a relationship.  When Amelia sees the opportunity to help a ragged man board the Titanic, she doesn't hesitate.  She sees something in his eyes that tells her there's much more to his story than the poor, dirty man who was trying to sneak on board the great ship.

Quentin is the prodigal son whose poor decisions in life have led him to the place where he's beaten and dragged off the Titanic.  When he was young, his mother died tragically, and he feels the blame is his.  He's been on the run since then, taking his inheritance before his father dies and trying to make his own way in the world. When everything is taken from him, he sinks down to the point where he tries to sneak onto the Titanic.

Amelia and Quentin are intrigued by each other, but when Amelia finds out that Quentin's father and brother are on board, she realizes that it's the hand of God.  Quentin wants to just hide, but Amelia pushes him to face things he's avoided for years.  He tries to keep his distance from her initially, he feels that he will only ruin her life, but he can't help but be drawn to the woman who doesn't only make him rethink his life but also has her own internal beauty.

While I was satisfied at the ending, I did have my moments of sadness.  I mean, it is the story of the Titanic, and the author does a nice job describing the event.  The anticipation was horrible for me.  I kept noting which day I was reading and knowing I was getting closer and closer to that fateful night.  Thankfully it was close to the end and didn't take up so much of the book that you end up dwelling on that sadness for much of the book.  In the end, you get a bittersweet happy ending, but I believe overall it was a well written book that's definitely worth reading.  Good Book!

The Princess Spy - Melanie Dickerson

In this book, the houses of Hagenheim and Glynval come together.  This book connects with the other fairy tales this author has written.  To break it down:

Glynval, England is the home of the le Wyse family.  Colin is part of the le Wyse family as is Lord Ranulf from The Merchant's Daughter.

Hagenheim, Germany is the home of the Gerstenberg family.  Wilhelm and Rose (The Healer's Apprentice) are the parents of Valten (The Captive Bride), Gabe (The Fairest Beauty) and Margaretha.

Colin has come to find Lord Claybrook, a villain who has killed his sister's friend, and now he's responsible for the death of his best friend and a brutal beating.  When he awakens, he finds himself at the home of a healer surrounded by people who can't understand his English.  He meets Margaretha, who actually knows English, and Colin becomes friends with her.  Unwilling to reveal his identity and thus put Margaretha in danger, he tries to get an audience with her father, the Duke.  When he's finally able to convey the danger she could be in, she discovers that Lord Claybrook is planning to take over her family's home.

Margaretha isn't your normal damsel in distress.  She holds her own against the enemy with her wits and a well hidden candlestick.  She's determined to escape the castle and find her father and brother before Lord Claybrook's men find them and kill them.  Along the way, she starts falling for Colin.  She doesn't think he has any feelings for her at all, and he believes that Margaretha would never leave her family, making it impossible for them to get married and make a life in England.

I really liked this book.  I've never seen the word "flibbertigibbet" that much but really liked the strength of Margaretha.  Colin struggles with his inability to control every situation and feels a great deal of guilt over his friend's death.  Overall, this was a great read.  While these stories are connected, you can read any of them out of order and you'll get a complete story.  Even though these are listed as teen/young adult books, I've enjoyed them and recommend them for a classic "happily ever after" story.  Good Book!

Colleen Coble's Journey of the Heart series

I was looking at the available titles on NetGalley and saw a few books by Colleen Coble that are due to come out in May and beyond.  The titles didn't ring a bell, but when I read a description of the story, I was sure I'd read it before.  Doing a little research, I figured out what's going on.

Colleen Coble wrote a series years ago that is out of print, but you can read them on your ereader.  The Wyoming series consists of Where the Heart Leads, Plains of Promise, The Heart Answers, and To Love a Stranger.

Reading through the summaries of the six books coming out, it seems like they're taking the first two books in the series that tell Sarah and Emmie's stories and breaking them into smaller novels.  The first six titles in the Journey of the Heart series are: A Heart's Disguise, A Heart's Obsession, A Heart's Danger, A Heart's Betrayal, A Heart's Promise and A Heart's Home.

I don't know if the titles have been rewritten, but the general story line is the same.  If you're thinking about watching/buying these and you've read the Wyoming series, I'm not sure you'll get your money's worth.  I would hate for fans of Coble to be disappointed getting something they already have under a new name.

The Priest's Graveyard - Ted Dekker

Being a fan of Ted Dekker, I have to admit that there are a few of his books that are so dark, I'm wary about reading them.  The Bride Collector and Boneman's Daughters are the others.  I had a feeling that this one was going to be really dark as well and it took me a while to pick it up.

Danny's life was changed the minute his mother and sisters were murdered.  Now, he's a priest, but he's also a vigilante that takes the law into his own hands by finding and neutralizing the worst of humanity.  He feels a moral obligation to right the wrongs the law won't fix and feels completely justified in his choices.

Renee is a heroin addict whose life is in danger when she's saved by a man named Lamont.  He becomes her 'husband' and savior.  He warns her that he knows too much about a powerful man and if something happens to him, she'll know who was responsible. When Lamont doesn't come home, Renee's new mission in life is to find the man who took her husband and kill him.  She meets Danny and the two find common ground.  As the two proceed as teacher and pupil, more secrets are going to surface and the truth will strain the relationship they're building.

This book was really dark with descriptions of killings, body disposal and revenge throughout.  It's a story of what happens when we judge and what can happen when revenge is consuming.  It's the first time I can remember hoping a serial killer would get away with murder.  The end is as serious as the beginning and, in some ways, unsatisfying.  Overall, though, it was a well written book with a worthwhile message.  It's just really dark.  Good Book!

My 2015 Reading Challenge

Happy New Year!  I'm not a person that makes resolutions, but I did decide to try something new this year...

You've seen them before - the challenges encouraging you to read certain books throughout the year.  I was tempted to participate in one until I realized I would never finish it.  There were some strange categories on there as well as things I knew I wouldn't get to.  I love to read, but I can't remember the last time I read a 500+ page book.  So, I decided to come up with my own and see how it turns out.

5 New Authors
This one shouldn't be too bad for me.  Since I can borrow books through amazon, it won't be a major problem.

Read a book I loved in the past and haven't read for years
I have plenty to choose from for this one, but I think I know which one I'll be reading for it!

Read a book recommended by my kids
I've got two daughters, and I think it will be interesting to read something they really enjoy.

Read a nonfiction book
Wow, this one is probably going to be the hardest one for me.  I don't like nonfiction, but I know there are great ones out there.

Read a book that takes place in my state
I took this one from another challenge.  I'm tracking a certain one that I want to read, but I'll have to see if it'll drop in price.

And finally:
Read a classic
It's been a while since I've picked up a classic and I thought it might be neat to dust one off and see what I thought.  I watch a lot of movies that are based on classics, but it'll be interesting to see what I think about reading one.

All things considered, I'm excited to start this challenge.  I picked things that wouldn't be too difficult on purpose.  Setting myself up for failure just wasn't something I was willing to do.  If you participate in a challenge or have a New Year's resolution, I hope that you'll do well.