The Lightkeeper's Bride (Mercy Falls #2) - Colleen Coble

I'd been watching for this book to drop in price for quite a while before I was able to pick it up for $3.99.  As I write this review, it's actually down to $3.03.  A good price for such a great book.  I've already reviewed the third book in the series, The Lightkeeper's Ball.  I read the first one in the series, The Lightkeeper's Daughter, quite a while ago before I had begun reviewing books online.

Katie is working for the telephone company, but her family wants better for her.  They are pushing her to accept the advances of Bart, who is in her social circle, but Katie isn't sure that she can fall in love with him even though her parents want her to.  When Katie overhears a conversation over the phone, what she hears gets her involved in a mystery that will turn her world upside down and put her life in danger.

Will is taking care of the lighthouse, but his passion lies with weather forecasting.  His brother is in town investigating piracy in the waters near the lighthouse.  When his brother asks for help, Will is so accustomed to bailing his brother out that it isn't hard for his brother to talk Will into questioning a woman his brother knew in the past.  Finding an abandoned baby isn't quite what he expected, but neither is Katie.

Katie is suspicious of Will at first, but his motives become clear through his actions.  I really liked Katie's character and the way she worked through her issues.  Her parentage is her main secret, but even she isn't fully aware of the extent of the secret.  The parentage of the baby is also in question, and even though both Katie and Will love the child, they aren't sure they will be able to figure out who her real father is.  Working to discover who's behind the acts of piracy throws them together and they come to care for each other.

As usual, Coble delivers a solid story full of romance and mystery.  It's a great book and a nice addition to the series.  The characters from the first book are there in a minimal sense and you can read these out of order with no issues.  I recommend this book.  Good Book!

Kindle Daily Deal - Tamera Alexander

Thought  I would give readers a heads-up that Tamera Alexander's novel, To Whisper Her Name is one of the Kindle Daily Deals on amazon and is on sale for $1.99.  Snatch is up now, while the price is right - it's a great book and this price won't last!

Link to my review of To Whisper Her Name.  I read it back in November.

Giveaway in honor of the release of A Bride for All Seasons - Robin Lee Hatcher

I got an email from Robin Lee Hatcher about the release of A Bride of All Seasons which is written by Robin Lee Hatcher, Margaret Brownley, Mary Connealy, and Debra Clopton.  It was just released on June 18 and the giveaway ends in 10 days.  Your prize is a $30 bookstore gift card (amazon,B&N, CBD, or iTunes).  There are four ways to enter: you can post on Facebook, pin it on Pinterest, subscribe to Robin Lee Hatcher's blog posts by email and/or write a review.  I didn't manage to enter all four ways, but I got two in there. Good Luck!

LINK to the entry form on Hatcher's website.

Showdown at Barncastle Inn (Celebrate Any Time Series) - Janelle Mowery

I came across this title while checking for any new freebies that would catch my eye.  Based on the price, I was expecting a novella, and I was right.  I believe this book is about 100 pages.  I've read a series by Janelle Mowery in the past, the Colorado Runaway series, and picked this up.

Kelsey is headed to Vermont to Barncastle Inn since her parents are renewing their vows.  She really doesn't want to be there since she has a very fractured relationship with her father.  She plans on doing her best to avoid him and just get through the week.  His betrayal has made her bitter and unforgiving even though everyone around her is trying to tell her that he's changed.

Nick grew up with Kelsey and has loved her for a long time.  The night before she left for college, their final conversation went wrong and they have lost touch.  Kelsey had no idea that Nick would be at Barncastle Inn as well, but quickly recovers and they mend their friendship.

The Old West is the theme at the Barncastle Inn and during their activities, Nick not only mends his friendship with Kelsey, but also encourages her to mend the relationship with her father.

I liked this quick, easy read.  This novella seems to be part of a series revolving around Barncastle Inn.  There is a collaboration book called Christmas at Barncastle Inn and is written by Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, Janelle Mowery and Lynette Sowell.  To go along with it, it appears they have written these novellas as well, calling them the Celebrate Any Time Series.  Revolution at Barncastle Inn is Susan Page Davis's contribution.  Barncastle Memorial is the name of the novella by Darlene Franklin, and Spring Comes to Barncastle Inn is by Lynette Sowell.  I think I'll keep an eye out for these others, so if you have a few hours and want a good read, pick this up!  Good Book!

Jasmine (Song of the River #3) - Diane T. Ashley & Aaron McCarver

Jasmine is the third book in the Song of the River series.  I enjoyed Lily and Camellia and was anxious to read Jasmine.  This title will be available for purchase on July 1.

Jasmine is the youngest of the three sisters and is struggling with the fact that her sisters can’t seem to accept that she is a grown woman and not a child anymore.  She wants to become an actress and feels like her sisters are holding her back.

David is the boy who Lily and Blake saved back in book 1.  His biological family now gone, he feels like no one understands him and he feels alone.  He’s loved Jasmine for many years but doesn’t really believe that he could be good enough for her.  She treats him like an annoyance, which only reinforces his views that he will never have her heart.

This story is a classic case of “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.”  Jasmine wants to live the dream of being an actress without knowing the reality of what that life is really like.  When she gets the chance to find out, she neglects her relationship with God.  The story lines of all three sisters are wrapped up nicely and the happy ending that I love was present.

As I mentioned in my review of Camellia, this series is a continuous story surrounding the lives of Lily, Camellia and Jasmine.  While this book is mainly about Jasmine and David, there are enough interactions with the characters from the previous novels that I believe it is important to read them in order.  Diane T. Ashley and Aaron McCarver have also worked together on a Heartsong series called Truly Yours.  These books are available on amazon and are all under $5.  I look forward to reading more from these authors in the future.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Facebook friendly giveaway - Tracie Peterson books

When I say "Facebook friendly" I'm referring to the fact that when you try to enter this contest, you're going through Facebook and most likely posting things.  I believe that this giveaway is in honor of Peterson's latest book, The Quarryman's Bride, which came out June 1.  The Quarryman's Bride is book 2 in the Land of Shining Waters series.  Book 1 came out in March and is called The Icecutter's Daughter.  Book 3 comes out in September and is called The Miner's Daughter.  According to a review I saw on the second book, this may be a series that it isn't necessary to read them all to get the entire story.  If that is the case, I may put them on my wish list and see what happens!

If you go to Tracie Peterson's FB page, there is a tab for giveaways.  This particular giveaway is a "library's worth" of Tracie Peterson books.  I'm not sure how many books are involved or exactly when it ends.  If you click on "Enter Now" it will inform you that Tracie Peterson wants to access your friends list, public profile, birthday, education history, interests, current city and likes.  That's where it ended for me.

BUT if you're okay with all that and are interested in entering the giveaway, head on over to her Facebook page and get your name in there! Good luck!

Camellia (Song of the River #2) - Diane Ashley & Aaron McCarver

After being gone all week on vacation, it's good to be home!  While I was gone, I was able to read Camellia, the second book in the Song of the River series.  I recently finished Lily, which is book 1 and was pretty impressed.

Camellia is the middle sibling.  Her family is an embarrassment to her and she wishes for nothing more than a plantation husband so that she can be a social icon and take care of her home.  At the beginning, she is a materialistic brat, and I have to admit, more than a little annoying.  When the Civil War breaks out, she is on the hunt for a handsome officer to be her husband.

Jonah has known Camellia for quite some time now and is disappointed that she seems so shallow.  The war is going on and everyone around him seems to be supporting the south, but Jonah doesn't agree and ends up becoming a spy for the north.  Since he has to lie to those around him, Camellia sees him as little more than a coward and treats him as such.  Their mutual affection is pushed to the side for much of the book as they fight their own internal battles.

This book ended up being a continuation of the first book.  While the main focus is on Camellia and Jonah, there is enough of Lily and Blake's story that I believe you'd get more out of the series reading them in order.  It really ends up telling more of everyone's stories as the series goes on.  I was impressed to see the twist inserted in there regarding Blake's family.  I'm not giving anything away, you'll have to read them to find out what I'm talking about!

Reading Camellia's story as she learns that God is relevant and changes her point of view on some important matters was enjoyable, and I liked Jonah's character throughout. Overall, this was a great read and I look forward to finding out what happens with Jasmine, the youngest sibling and aspiring actress.  Good Book!