"An Uncommon Courtship," by Kristi Ann Hunter

"An Uncommon Courtship," by Kristi Ann Hunter

Lord Trent Hawthorne couldn't be happier he is not the duke in the family. Free to manage his small estate and take his time discovering the life he wants to lead, he has grand plans of someday wooing and falling in love with the woman of his choice. When he finds himself honor bound to marry a woman he barely knows, his dream of a loving marriage like his parents' seems lost forever.

Life for Lady Adelaide Bell was easier when she hid in her older sister's shadow--which worked until her sister got married. But even with her socially ambitious mother's focus entirely on her, the last thing she expected was a marriage of convenience before she's been introduced to society.

With nothing going as expected, can Trent and Adelaide's marriage of obligation survive their own missteps and the pressures of London society to grow into a true meeting of hearts and minds?

This is another book in the Hawthorne House series and I have to say it's as good as the rest in the series.  This book was another feel good book, where despite themselves you really wanted tor Trent and Adelaide's marriage to work despite their rocky beginning.  

Again it was an eye opener on how the different "classes" of people in Regency London behaved and despite their "better" upbringing the high society were no better than anyone else, with their back stabbing and pettiness.  

I love the historical details and I just wanted to be sitting on the sofa next to Adelaide whenever she met her mother and sister as they were very obnoxious characters you couldn't help but dislike!

Stars out of 5:5 It was an easy read, not a "meaty" read but enough to keep you wanting more.  There is one last book in the series which will be coming out in September of 2017 and it is a must read if you have read any of the other books, as it deals with the oldest son, the Duke.  

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Mark of the King," by Jocelyn Green

"The Mark of the King," by Jocelyn Green

After the death of her client, midwife Julianne Chevalier is imprisoned and branded, marking her as a criminal beyond redemption. Hoping to reunite with her brother, a soldier, she trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling French colony of Louisiana. The price of her transport, however, is a forced marriage to a fellow convict.

New Orleans is nothing like Julianne expects. The settlement is steeped in mud and mosquitoes, and there is no news of her brother, Benjamin. When tragedy strikes, she turns to military officer Marc-Paul Girard for help, but does he know more about her brother than he will admit?

With her dreams shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous land, where only grace--and love--can overcome the stigma of the king's mark upon her shoulder.

This book caught my attention right from the first chapter and was a page turner from then on.  It was set in a part of history that I was not familiar with and a place (Louisiana) I do not know much about.  The historical references were fascinating and it made me question their decision to populate that area.

The way the book described life there must have been such hard work for the settlers and I could quite imagine their life expectancy to be not long with the weather, wildlife and battles.  Julianne made a perfect heroine and you were fighting for her all the way.  The story itself kept you on edge and wanting to know more.

Stars out of 5 : 5  I loved this book.  Not only was the book entertaining it was very educational.  I found the way they buried people fascinating.......keep an eye out for that in the book.  It is well worth the read and if you enjoy historical novels this one is for you.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"In the Shadow of Denali," by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

"In the Shadow of Denali," by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

Cassidy Ivanoff and her father, John, work at the new and prestigious Curry Hotel near the foot of Mount McKinley--Denali as it's still called by the natives. John is the wilderness and exploration guide for the wealthy tourists while Cassidy works in the kitchen as Cook's assistant. The entire staff buzzes with excitement during the busy days preparing for the President's imminent visit. His historic trip to dedicate the new national park on his way to driving in the golden spike to officially complete the Alaska Railroad will be the beginning of a new era for all of them and place The Curry at the heart of Alaska.

Allan Brennan travels to the Curry Hotel to be an apprentice to the seasoned Alaska mountain guide, with hopes of discovering the truth about his father's death on the mountain years earlier. His father's business partner blames the guide for Henry Brennan's untimely death, but Allan cannot be at peace until he knows for sure. He finds an unlikely ally in Cassidy, and as the two begin to look into the mystery, they suddenly find that things are much less clear, and much more dangerous, than either could ever imagine.

I love all things Alaska, despite the fact I have never been there.  This book taught me a little more about the history of Alaska and the way things were described, made me want to visit the area more.

The story itself was a very nice read.  I did not figure out how someone had died in the book, so that was a mystery right until the end.  The main characters were entertaining and no surprise how things would end.  

This is the first book in The Heart of Alaska Series  It does not say when the next book will be released. 

Stars out of 5 : 3 It was an average feel good book with all the usual, romance, history and mystery thrown in there.  I wouldn't mind reading the next in the series but I won't be rushing out to buy it.  If you have a couple of afternoons free, this would be a pleasant way of spending them reading this book.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"For The Record," by Regina Jennings

"For The Record," by Regina Jennings

Betsy Huckabee has big-city dreams, but nobody outside of tiny Pine Gap, Missouri, seems interested in the articles she writes for her uncle's newspaper. Her hopes for independence may be crushed, until the best idea she's ever had comes riding into town.

Deputy Joel Puckett didn't want to leave Texas, but unfair circumstances have made moving to Pine Gap his only shot at keeping a badge. Worse, this small town has big problems, and masked marauders have become too comfortable taking justice into their own hands. He needs to make clear that he's the law in this town--and that job is made more difficult with a nosy reporter who seems to follow him everywhere he goes.

The hero Betsy creates to be the star in a serial for the ladies' pages is based on the dashing deputy, but he's definitely fictional. And since the pieces run only in newspapers far away, no one will ever know. But the more time she spends with Deputy Puckett, the more she appreciates the real hero--and the more she realizes what her ambition could cost him.

This is a great book to read over a couple of afternoons.  It's what I call a shopping list book.  You don't have to concentrate to hard to read this book.  The book is full of ups and downs with great leading characters in Betsy and Joel.  You will be able to guess the outcome and the who done it is enough of a mystery to make you read more to see what happens.

Stars out of 5 : 4 No big surprises in this book; but a pleasant read all the same.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Conspiracy of Silence," by Ronie Kendig

"Conspiracy of Silence," by Ronie Kendig

Four years after a tragic mission decimated his team, Cole "Tox" Russell has been disavowed by the United States. And that's fine--he just wants to be left alone. But when a dormant, centuries-old disease is unleashed, Tox is lured back into action.

Tox and his former Special Forces team regroup to work with FBI deception expert, Kasey Cortes, and fiery archaeologist, Tzivia Khalon, to search the globe for answers--and a cure. As the mission leads from one continent to another, it becomes clear they're not just fighting a plague but battling an ancient secret society whose true goals remain hidden.

With time running out and the threat for a global pandemic rising, Tox and his team realize their sole chance might be to reach back through centuries of silence to find the only answer that can save them all.

This is not my normal choice of genre for a book, but I thought I would give it a try.  If you like a fast paced, action filled book, this is the book for you.  I did however think that the story itself was confusing a number of times.  

Reading the Prologue confused me as I was not familiar with that story from the Bible.  Then the following few chapters introduced you to the characters in the book with their back stories.  By the time everything meshed together you are a few chapters into the book, and thoroughly confused!

Once we got into the main story line though, things settled down and the action and intrigue started.  Because of the fast paced story being told you do get swept up in it all and you do need to know what happens next.

Stars out of 5 : 3 Those first few chapters, although essential to the book spoil the book to my mind.  I spent a number of chapters being totally confused and thinking would this really happen in real life?  This is the first book in The Tox Files series, the next one The Crown of Souls, is due out later this year.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"A Moonbow Night," by Laura Frantz

"A Moonbow Night," by Laura Frantz

After fleeing Virginia, Temperance Tucker and her family established an inn along the Shawnee River. It's a welcome way station for settlers and frontiersmen traveling through the wild Cumberland region of Kentucke--men like Sion Morgan, a Virginia surveyor who arrives at the inn with his crew, looking for an experienced guide.

Though he balks when Tempe is appointed to lead his team through the wilderness, it isn't long before Sion must admit that her abilities may outmatch his own. But can the tenuous tie they are forming survive the dangers waiting just around the bend?

With her signature sweeping style and ability to bring the distant past to vivid life, Laura Frantz beckons you to join her in a land of Indian ambushes, conflicting loyalties, and a tentative love that meanders like a cool mountain stream.

This book is set in the 1770's and although you don't need to know the history of that period I do feel if you know some of it; it would help you understand this book more.  I found the start of the book slow to get into, however the more I got into the story the more caught up I was in it.

They were very brave people in those days those settlers.  The mortality rate was awfully high.  They had a very adventurous spirit and a bravery to be admired.  The constant threat of being attacked by the Indians or being hurt on the trails must have been so scary for them all.

Laura did indeed bring to life the people and hard times they went through.  Also it showed you how resilient people had to be.  Tempe and Sion (pronounced SHON) were perfect for one another and although their outcome won't come as a shock the path to get to that happy ending goes through many ups and downs.

Stars out of 5 : 3.5  I will admit to nearly throwing in the towel with this book at the start, but once I got into the book more, I enjoyed it more.  If you like stories from the late 1700's you will enjoy this book.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill," by Julie Klassen

"The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill," by Julie Klassen

The lifeblood of the village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. When the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant landlady. Jane has no idea how to manage a business, but with the town's livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must quickly find a way to save the inn.

Despite their strained relationship, Jane turns to her resentful mother-in-law, Thora, for help. Formerly mistress of The Bell, Thora is struggling to overcome her losses and find purpose for the future. As she works with Jane, two men from her past vie for her attention, but Thora has promised herself never to marry again. Will one of them convince her to embrace a second chance at love?

As pressure mounts from the bank, Jane employs new methods, and puzzles over the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place, including a mysterious newcomer with secret plans of his own. With the help of friends old and new, can Jane restore life to the inn, and to her empty heart as well?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It did take me a couple of chapters to get the feel of the characters,   It is a "meaty" book and has a lot of detail in it.  One thing to look out for is the mention of the Ladies Tea and Knitting Society.  Very interesting "club" and very ahead of its time.

The main character in the book Jane, shows how adaptable people can be when thrown into unfamiliar situations.  This is the first book in the "Tales from Ivy Hill," series and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.  There are many more tales to be told in Ivy Hill.  There is even a web site dedicated to the "village" of Ivy Hill and all the book characters, which you can find here.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 I really enjoyed this book, looking forward to reading the next in the series.  Read many of Julie's books and this is one of her best written ones.  Well worth the read.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".