Wreader Fun

Sweet Trouble (Bakery Sisters Book 3) by Susan Mallery HQN Sep 08 I read this book on the Sony 505 eReader. It was one of several free books I was able to get with the $25 coupon from eHarlequin – a gift for test driving the eReader. I don’t usually buy HQN books because I tend to go for the smaller ‘series’ books that are easier to stuff in my purse. But Sweet Trouble was free and it was going in my eReader which easily hides in my purse. I chose Susan Mallery because I’ve always enjoyed her Special Edition books. I wanted to see how she made the switch to a bigger book. I wasn’t disappointed. Every time a conflict was resolved and I wondered how she’d fill the rest of the pages, either of the main characters stumbled and I realized the conflict really hadn’t been resolved at all. It was lurking in the background waiting for the right moment. The book has many ‘right moments’. Some I saw coming. Some I didn’t. It kept me entertained. Jesse’s story is the conclusion to the Bakery Siste...

The Prodigal’s Return by Lynn Bulock Love Inspired #144, July 01 This is a great book. I like the fact it explores the relationship between a father and his daughter, God and His people, and cops and their kids. There are so many levels to this story and it all works well together. Laurel Harrison has been living in California but she wants an excuse to return home to Missouri. She finds the perfect opportunity when her father, the local sheriff, falls ill. No sooner does she get to town when she starts getting tickets from her father’s deputy who seems to be missing tact when it comes to certain citizens in town – like the sheriff’s daughter. Deputy Tripp Jordan doesn’t believe in playing favorites to anyone. If you’re illegally parked, you get a ticket. If you speed, you get a ticket. It doesn’t matter if you’re the mayor or the sheriff’s daughter. Tripp has a rule book and he abides by it. Of course the problems start when his teenage daughter comes to live with him because that’s a...

Ready-Made Family (Wings of Refuge Book 3) by Cheryl Wyatt Love Inspired #490, Apr 09 This was another great book about the pararescue jumpers of Refuge, Illinois. I’m enjoying the series by Cheryl Wyatt who integrates racial differences in her stories as easily as personalities and careers. In this book, she not only introduced the bigotry that can occur between whites and Asians due to the Vietnam war, but also racism between so-called average and handicapped people, in this case, Mosaic Down’s Syndrome. Pararescue jumper Ben Dillinger is in a parking lot minding his own business when a little girl begs him to help rescue her mother from their crashed vehicle. As the mother recuperates in the hospital, Ben learns she is ‘between jobs and homes’ and finds himself falling for her. He wants to help her get a job so she and her daughter will stay in Refuge and he can get to know them better. As he sees it, his biggest problem is his inability to admit he has a brother with special needs ...

Holiday Ilusion by Lynette Eason Love Inspired Suspense Nov 08 Another excellent book for my Top 10 list. What I really liked about this well written story was that the author pulled me in. Of course, I knew who the bad guy was but it still held my interest. Did I really know anything, though? A surprise twist hit me broadside. It was all so clear once I knew the complete picture. The author ensured not a single loose end from even the tiniest thread was left hanging. I also loved the way the author weaved the salvation story, prayer and scripture into the story. A part of their lives, but never obtrusive. Years ago, Anna Freeman ran for her life from her hometown but when she's asked to go back, she realizes she wants to stop running. She doesn’t have to, but a sick little boy needs someone to accompany him and Anna feels it’s time to face her fears. She’s accompanying Dr. Lucas and wonders if their 'just friends' relationship will change back on American soil. Not that sh...

I know I did some writing in Feb, but it was mixed in with all this fun stuff: I won 2 free books! It’s been a couple months since I won anything so this was a thrill: 1 – I won a copy of Perfect Target after leaving a comment on new Love Inspired Suspense author Stephanie Newton’s blog at http://stephanienewton.blogspot.com/ . Since I already had the book in question (and my teen daughter is raving about it), Steph graciously decided to send me a free copy of her next release, Moving Target due out this summer. 2 – I rec’d an email from Becky Germany over at Barbour Books saying I’d won a copy of Desert Roses with the new cover designed Heartsong Presents repack collections. Apparently, I’d missed the announcement about me winning in all the Dec/Christmas stuff which included my 30th anniversary. I really appreciate Becky hanging onto the book for me and finally tracking me down to claim it. Look for the gorgeous new design here: http://editcafe.blogspot.com/2008/12/act-fast-and-wi...

Sweet Surrender by Michelle Monkou Kimani Romance Sep 06 This my first Kimani Romance and as such, I’m having a hard time writing this review. Normally, I try to concentrate on the entertainment value of the story itself and ignore small writing problems. But this time I can’t do it. I found this story to be filled with inconsistencies I’m going to call plot holes. At least if I had critiqued this prior to publication, I would have thrown up numerous red flags so the author could have changed things. At the end of each chapter, the author wrote a hook about a pivotal part of the story to get me to eagerly turn the page. And, I did. But the new chapter started somewhere else. Usually, no mention was even made of how much time had passed between the chapter ending and the new scene. I’d read on, still eager to find out where the chapter ending hook story led. But the closest I came to closure was a mere paragraph or sentence of explantion. Yet a couple of these chapter endings should hav...

Falling for Mr. Dark & Dangerous by Donna Alward Harlequin Romance 4044 - Aug 08 I loved this book. I don't know if it was the ‘US marshal undercover cop' thing or the ‘I have a secret and I'm not telling' thing or the ‘we're out in the woods all alone and no one will ever know' thing, but I delved into this book with my heart and mind. It was a cathartic experience and I'm adding it to my 2008 Top 10 list. If you've read my reviews on the first 2 related books, you know that I enjoy Ms Alward's writing. I believe this to be her best book so far. It reminded me of 2 people - aching to touch - their hands pressed together - with an invisible but solid wall of glass between them. There's actually nothing to stop either one from breaking the pane and surging forward...except the aftermath of heartache. Single mother Maggie Taylor wants one thing in life - to give her daughter the best start in life she can. The girl's already had one tangle ...

The Journey Home (Depression series) by Linda Ford - Love Inspired Historical #14 - Aug 08 This is a great book! I really enjoyed reading it. Now, the first thing someone might say is that the heroine wasn't strong--that she sat and waited instead of taking charge of her life--but I loved watching her blossom...to come to the realization that she could step out...that she could be assertive...that she could be and deserved to be happy in her own right. You see, for her entire life, Charlotte Porter had been told to be quiet, unobtrusive, never complain and she'd have a nice, warm house to live in. The reason behind this reasoning was because when her mother died, she had to live with her older brother who really didn't want her. So, if she did what she was told and kept her mouth shut, at least she'd have sanctuary. But one day, her brother and his family just up and left her in an unfurnished house, on dry land (not even water in the well), in the middle of the dust bo...

River of Secrets by Lynette Eason Love Inspired Suspense #114 - Aug 08 I enjoyed reading this book. I had my guesses who the ‘bad guy' was but the author threw enough red herrings to dilute my reasoning so I didn't positively identify him until the end when the truth was revealed. Based in the Amazon, the descriptions of local flora and fauna enhanced the reading. It felt like I was there in the story. If I could say anything bothered me about the book, it'd be that Amy, the heroine, grew up with Micah, the hero, because his sister was her best friend. So, the fact she didn't recognize him until saw his birthmark was a bit hard to digest. However, she hadn't seen him in a few years, he was supposed to be dead, and I know grief has a way of blocking off those parts of our brain that could be detrimental to our health. And, in Amy's case, she always had this ‘thing' for Micah, so it is conceivable he triggered a memory but her consciousness pushed it away. So,...

A Passion Most Pure (The Daughters of Boston) by Julie Lessman 2008 Revell Books This book is 2008 Top 10 material. I loved it. With vivid descriptions, heart hammering emotion and the most passion I've ever read in an inspirational book to date, Julie Lessman has written a book that mirrors real people with all the faults God bestowed on us. I usually don't like books where either main character has another love interest because I only want to know about what happens between the hero and the heroine. But in this book, it's a major plot development b/c the hero is courting the heroine's sister. The hero, Collin McGuire is a nice, handsome fellow but I don't like the way he treats women. He's no angel and if you're wearing a skirt, watch out, you're fair game. Not exactly hero material. He does have one redeeming feature...much to his chagrin...he can't forget Faith or her words. Too bad she won't give him the time of day. Actually that's not ...

Courting Miss Adelaide by Janet Dean Love Inspired Historical #16 - Sep 08 Please excuse me while I wipe the tears off my laptop and clear all the used tissues away. There, that's better. This book certainly was a surprise. For all you ‘peekers' out there on eharl - yes, I read the blog posts where you say you read the end of the book first - well, you'll want to jump on this one b/c the last few pages pack a punch. That's not to say the rest of the book is boring - far from it. In this debut novel, Janet Dean gently lures us into her story, dropping crumbs that we eagerly snatch b/c although we know how it's going to end, we want to enjoy the awakening attraction, the kisses, the bickerings, and the distrust the two main characters must endure before they realize nothing else matters except their faith in each other and in God. It's 1897 and milliner Adelaide Crum is a 31 yr old spinster. She could've married years ago but refused to settle. It seems like s...

The Magic of Christmas - Harlequin Historical Western Anthology 2008 My Rating: Great! - 4 ½ stars (a keeper) Fantastic Christmas stories. I loved them. This book has 3 emotional Christmas novellas, all of which appropriately involve infants. Of the 3 authors, 2 of them - Cheryl St. John and Victoria Bylin - are favourites of mine. I will buy books from these 2 women on sight without even reading the back cover. And, their novellas in this book have reinforced my opinion of their writing. The first novella, however was written by Carolyn Davidson. a new author to me. I have to say I wonder what the editors were thinking when they put her novella first in this anthology. Why? Because I expected something Christmassy with love and forgiveness - especially after looking at the gorgeous cover with a young couple holding a baby. But, the first novella starts with disease, death and was depressing to me. I actually wondered why I was reading it. But, I was sent the book to review and like I ...

A Soldier's Family (Wings of Refuge) by Cheryl Wyatt Love Inspired #438 - Mar 08 I like this book just as much as the first one in the series - A Soldier's Promise. It's also going to my Top 10 list. Yeah, I know, this will make it 12, but what else can I do? This was a totally satisfying book. I can't wait for Book 3 Cheryl Wyatt brings the characters to life with all the human frailties, emotions and temptations you would find in everyday life. I laughed and cried with them as if they we my friends. The heroine, Celia Munoz, is still struggling to carry on with life for herself and her teenage son even after five years of widowhood. Her husband died violently and the last thing she wants is to fall into a relationship with another man who works a dangerous job. Manny Pena recognized Celia's...attributes...the first time he saw her. That fateful encounter happened while he was drunk. It wasn't until after she gave him a fat lip he realized he'd treated her ...

A Soldier’s Promise (Wings of Refuge) by Cheryl Wyatt Love Inspired #430 – Jan 08 I held off reading this book for months. Why? Because it’s Cheryl Wyatt’s debut novel and although I only know Cheryl over the internet so far, I do enter her monthly prompt contest and try to publicize it as well. But I’d never actually read anything of hers – blog posts excluded. I’d heard and read so much about A Soldier’s Promise that I wanted to love it to. And I did. So much that it’s #11 on my Top 10 list for 2008. Okay, I'll worry a bout my math at the end of the year. You know how readers always say a book was so good they couldn’t put it down? Well, not only was it like that, but I also wanted to prolong it b/c I didn’t want it to end. So I took longer to finish it than I usually do. And I still loved it when I was done. A totally satisfying book. This book is about a young cancer orphan who wants to meet a real Special Forces soldier almost as much as he wants a family of his own. Pararesc...

Deadly Texas Rose by Lenora Worth Love Inspired Suspense #85 – Jan 08 I really like this author’s books – both the Love Inspired and the LI Suspense. In this book, Julia Daniels brings her daughter to small town Texas for safety but it seems like they’ve been followed. Someone wants Julia even to abduct her at gunpoint in front of witnesses in broad daylight in a diner right across the street from the sheriff’s office. Now that’s desperate. The gunman is desperate enough to shoot Eric Butler when he, as deputy sheriff, tries to interfere. Eric realizes this isn’t a normal robbery and begins the investigation to find out who and why someone is after Julia. What I especially like about this book was that I guessed a third of the way through what the bad guys were after – well not exactly, but sort of – you know? The author dropped enough red herrings along the way, however, that although my guess was a bit off, the conclusion was very satisfying. -------------------- Heat Level: Affectio...

Wilderness Courtship by Valerie Hansen Love Inspired Historical #13 - Aug 08 The heroine in this book is Charity Beal. If you think the name sounds familiar, you'd be right. Charity is the younger sister of the heroine in a previous LIH book Frontier Courtship which I previously blogged about. And if you remember Charity from that book, you'll be wondering how the author could ever turn her into a heroine we'd...well, to put it bluntly...like. But, she did. Charity has learned from her youthful experience. She's a serious young woman of faith who's made a vow to never lose her heart again after the disastrous choice she made the first time. fine with Thorne Blackwell who's still agonizing over a previous error in judgment with another woman. He needs Charity's help, not a romantic relationship. So Charity accompanies Thorne and his family up into the wilderness of Oregon and along the way falls in love not only with Thorne, but his 3 yr old nephew. ---------...

A Cowboy's Honor (Pennies From Heaven) by Lois Richer LI #441 - Apr 08 I loved this book. It's about a guy who disappears as a newlywed leaving a wife and daughter behind. And where has he gone? He had amnesia. Now, I know what you're saying...another boring amnesia story...but this book is anything but boring. In fact, it's very bittersweet. And it made me cry. Gracie Henderson has lived the last 6 years in a fog of misery after her husband disappeared. Alone and pregnant, battered from the ‘I told you so's" of her father, Gracie hits rock bottom. Elizabeth Wisdom steps in and gives Gracie the means to finish her schooling and become a vet. Now, it's payback time. Gracie agrees to work at Elizabeth's ranch for handicapped kids. It's a good, safe place to raise her daughter. Then, Dallas returns and suddenly, her daughter's turning to him for advice and comfort. And he's letting their daughter do all sorts of things that Gracie had decided...

Heart's Haven (Pennies From Heaven) by Lois Richer LI #435 - Mar 08 This is the 2nd book in the Pennies From Heaven series. In this book, Chef Cassidy Preston has to work in a shelter kitchen for 6 months to repay a debt to Elizabeth Wisdom for pulling her up out of a destitute situation and sending her to Europe for career training. But she has dreams - big dreams. So, she'll pay her dues and then get out. Tyson St John is the man who runs the shelter while learning how to get along with his orphaned nephew (although the excerpt on the inside page says it's his stepson which was rather confusing). The main problem with Ty is that he suffers post traumatic disorder after a stint in the Gulf War. And I'm talking major suffering here - not a minute of his day goes by when he is scared about something bad happening. I found it hard to relate to Ty. I'm used to strong, take-charge men and apparently Ty had been like that, but he wasn't any more. However, I liked the...

Healing Tides (Pennies From Heaven) by Lois Richer LI #432 - Feb 08 What a shock! GloryAnn Cranbrook was born and raised in the extremes of the Arctic but must live in Hawaii for 6 months to pay off a debt. And she doesn't want to go! Before her missionary mother passed away, GloryAnn promised she'd go back and doctor to the Inuit. She promised . Dr. Jare Steele is used to doctors - female and otherwise - parading through his clinic, giving orders, changing things, then leaving again. He's built up an immunity to people walking out on him. What started as a personal tragedy has evolved into a wall of stoicism that no one - including the children in his care - can breach. GloryAnn just wants to do her 6 months then leave. She doesn't want to enjoy the warm tropical breeze, the refreshing morning swims, the abundance of fresh fruit. She knows when she goes north, everything will be weeks if not months old and terribly expensive so she mustn't get used to this kind of ...

The Redemption of Jake Scully by Elaine Barbieri Love Inspired Historical #10 - Jun 08 This book was the first I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. It's a suspenseful tale of a young orphan and the ‘old' man who took her in. Saloon keeper, Jake Scully had only one friend in the world and when that man died, his grandchild walked all the way to town to find Scully because her Grandpa said Scully would take care of her. Scully did. He sent her east for schooling and to become a lady. Now, it's 10 yrs later, and the lady is coming home. Lacey Stewart doesn't remember much about the man who took her in all those years ago, except that he owned a saloon and by now must be fairly old. But she owed him a debt for her schooling, so she'd take care of him in his old age. Imagine her surprise when she alights from the stage to find a man only a decade or so older than herself. She might have been sheltered while at school, but the feelings she feels developin...