"High as the Heavens," by Kate Breslin

"High as the Heavens," by Kate Breslin

A British nurse in WWI German-occupied Brussels, Evelyn Marche spends her days at the hospital and her nights working at a café . . . or so it seems. Eve's most carefully guarded secret is that she also spends her nights carrying out dangerous missions as a spy for a Belgian resistance group.

When a plane crashes as she's en route to a rendezvous, Eve is the first to reach the downed plane and is shocked to recognize the badly injured pilot as British RFC Captain Simon Forrester. She risks her life to conceal him from the Germans, but as the secrets between them grow and the danger mounts, can they still hope to make it out of Belgium alive?

Normally I am not a fan of books set in the first and second world war, but have to say this book was very interesting, both from a historical sense and as a story in itself.  The story moves along at a fast pace and you have to keep up with it.  I learned a lot about spies and the underground network that I previously didn't know.  Once again the author's notes at the end fills in a number of questions you may have and as with many good books, this story includes both fact and fiction in it.

The love story between Eve and Simon is so interesting as well and what they went through throughout this book shows how much love can make you hold on to whats important.  There were many brave people in this book that risked their lives to help others.

Stars out of 5 :5 A really good book with plenty going on in it to keep you interested.  It's also educational, as I learned a thing or two from it.  I look forward to reading more books by Kate.

"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".

"Heart On The Line," by Karen Witemeyer

"Heart On The Line," by Karen Witemeyer

Grace Mallory is tired of hiding. She hungers for a normal life, perhaps even a suitor like two of her friends in Harper's Station have found. But when the man she believes responsible for her father's death discovers her whereabouts, survival takes priority.

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His fellow telegrapher, the mysterious Miss G, has been the ideal companion. For months, their friendship--dare he believe, courtship?--over the wire has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intends for him. However, when he intercepts an ominous message and discovers her life is in peril, Amos must shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires.

I must say I am a big fan of Karen's and love the way she writes.  This is another book set in Harper's Station and is as full of mystery, action and suspense as the other books set there.  The chemistry between Grace and Amos is great and I love the way they can communicate without other's knowing what they are saying.

However this story was lacking in something and I can't put my finger on what?  I actually found the other side story with Helen as interesting.  Again you will have to read the book to see what that is all about.  

Stars out of 5 : 3 A nice book and one you can read and not get confused over.  It was one of my "shopping list," books where you can read it and think of other things at the same time.  I probably won't remember it though in a month's time.  This was not one of Karen's best books.

"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".

"Under a Summer Sky," by Melody Carlson

"Under a Summer Sky," by Melody Carlson

High school art teacher Nicole Anderson is looking forward to a relaxing summer in Savannah, house-sitting and managing an art gallery for a family friend. The house is luxurious in a way that only old money could make it, and the gallery promises interesting days in a gorgeous setting. Yet it isn't long before her ideal summer turns into more than she bargained for: a snooty gallery employee who's determined to force her out, a displaced adolescent roosting in the attic, and two of her childhood friends--who also happen to be brothers--vying for her attention.

With the backdrop of a gorgeous historical city, incredible architecture, and even an alleged ghost or two, combined with the opportunity for romance . . . anything can happen!

This is the third book in the "Follow Your Heart" series and I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all the characters in it.  One thing this book made me want to do was visit Savannah; the way the author describes Savannah makes the city come alive.  This is one of those books which is perfect to wile away a few hours on the beach.  There are no huge mysteries in it and it moves along at a steady pace.  I have to say one of my favourite characters was Amyra; you'll have to read the book to see who she is...LOL

Stars out of 5 : 4 The description of Savannah and all the architecture made this book come alive for me.  However I don't think this will be a book I will remember in a month or two.  As I said before a perfect beach read and a book I enjoyed while reading it.

"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".

"On Love's Gentle Shore," by Liz Johnson

"On Love's Gentle Shore," by Liz Johnson

Natalie O'Ryan had no plans to return to Prince Edward Island. But when her fiancé books their wedding in her hometown and schedules a summer at Rose's Red Door Inn, she sets out to plan the perfect wedding. Yet she can't possibly plan for a run-in with Justin Kane--the best friend she left behind all those years ago after promising to stay.

Justin has never forgotten Natalie. He'd been prepared to follow her off the island until tragedy struck, leaving him to run the family dairy farm. He's done the best he can with the life that was thrust upon him--but with Natalie back in the picture, he begins to realize just how much joy he's been missing.

After Natalie's reception venue falls through, she must scramble to find an alternative, and the only option seems to be a barn on Justin's property. As they work together to get the dilapidated building ready for the party, Natalie and Justin may discover that there is more between them than broken promises and an old friendship.

This is the third book in the "Prince Edward Island Dreams" series and what a lovely book it is.  I loved the way the tension between Natalie and Justin was portrayed, you could feel the static in the air while you were reading the story.  You felt as though you were right in the room with them.

There is no mystery what the out come will be to my mind, but there are mini mysteries entwined in the book that keep things interesting.  This to my mind this is a perfect beach read, as the story is not hard to follow.  It made me want to stay at Rose's Red Door Inn and sample some of Caden's food.

Stars out of 5 : 4, a solid 4 as well as it has a bit of everything in it; romance, mystery, confusion, great location and gorgeous sounding food!!  Great series of books, well worth reading.

"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".

"A Name Unknown," by Roseanna M. White

"A Name Unknown," by Roseanna M. White

Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins who helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they are no longer pickpockets--instead they focus on high value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. Rosemary is beginning to question whether she can continue in this life when she's offered the challenge of a lifetime--determine whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to Germany. After all how does one steal a family's history, their very name?

As Europe moves ever closer to World War I, rumors swirl around Peter Holstein. Awkward and solitary, but with access to the king, many fear his influence. But Peter can't help his German last name and wants to prove his loyalty to the Crown--so he can go back to anonymously writing a series of popular adventure novels. When Rosemary arrives on his doorstep pretending to be a well-credentialed historian, Peter believes she's the right person to help him dig through his family's past.

When danger and suspicion continue to mount, both realize they're in a race against time to discover the truth--about Peter's past and about the undeniable attraction kindling between them.

This is the first book in the "Shadows Over England" series and what a good start to the series.  The background story of the main characters is very interesting and they keep you on your toes.  This book made you think and it's one of those books where you have to pay attention to what is happening to keep up with the story.

I admit to getting a bit lost at first, as something else in going on in a "sub-plot," and without giving it away, it will all make sense.  You must read the authors notes at the end of the book, they are very interesting and she tells you more about the reason for adding things to the story.  I have to say I love the authors imagination and how she put together this story.

Stars out of 5 : 4 1/2  The only reason I didn't give it a 5 was that I did get a bit lost with what was going on at one point, but did get back on course a few pages later.  This book does grab your attention and I am really looking forward to the next one in the series as I am guessing it will be just as interesting.  This is a must read, as you too will wonder how on earth she thought up this story.


"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".