"Shaped by the Waves, by Christina Suzann Nelson

 "Shaped by the Waves, by Christina Suzann Nelson

Cassie George is barely staying above water as she works to get her doctorate and raise her daughter. But she stubbornly keeps swimming to prove a few bad decisions haven't ruined her forever. Plus, it's all a great excuse to stay away from the small Oregon town she fled in shame years prior. But when she receives a call that the aunt who raised her has had a major health crisis, she knows it's time to return.

Cassie is surprised to be more welcomed by the quirky seaside community than she expected, even if there's still tension between her and her former classmate Nora Milford. But she still can't help feeling unsettled and is mystified by a mysterious package that appears, full of typed pages that tell the story of an anonymous woman's life. As her curiosity sends her on a journey toward truth, Cassie will discover that who she thought she was and what she wants for her life are both about to change.

This book had so many layers to it, that it felt as though you were peeling back one layer after another.  It's as though the author was drip feeding you clues to the next part of Cassie's story.  You had to keep on reading to know what happened next.

Then add in illness and a mystery and it would leave even the strongest of us feeling all out of sorts.  That's what Cassie's life is all about.  Despite it dealing with serious topics it wasn't an unhappy story to read, it did have it's bright moments.

I will say I couldn't decide what the point of Nora's character/story was in the scheme of things?  Maybe I missed something when reading the book.  I would love to know how the author came up with the idea for this book.  It was interesting, and not something I would have thought about before.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  After I finished the book I felt there was a lot more stories to be told about the people living in Gull's Bay.  This book should be first in a series, too my mind. 

"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 Search of a Prince," by Toni Shiloh

 "In Search of a Prince," by Toni Shiloh

Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha's Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops a bombshell--Brielle is really a princess in the island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, the king, is failing.

Distraught by all the secrets her mother kept, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before her coronation, or the crown will pass to another. Brielle is uncertain if she even wants the throne, and with her world totally shaken, where will she find the courage to take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring?

This book was a readers version of a rom-com movie.  You know there will be a happy ending, you just have to work through some trials and tribulations until you get there.  The relationship with Brielle and her grandfather was a delight.  I loved the deep friendship she had with her BFF Iris.  Then of course her romance with Tomori.  It has something for everyone.

Her "Batchelor" type dates made me laugh.  All in all a fun, easy to read book.

Stars out of 5 : 4 A bit too "light hearted" for me.  Not as much substance as I would like.  The "who-dun-it" was interesting, but I did guess who it was.  This is the first book I have read by this author.

"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".

"Sunrise," by Susan May Warren

"Sunrise," by Susan May Warren

Coming home was never the plan

After a terrible family fight, pilot Dodge Kingston left home to join the Air Force. A decade later, he's headed back to the destiny that awaits him as heir to Sky King Ranch. But that's not all that's waiting for him at home.

Echo Yazzie is a true Alaskan woman--a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. After her childhood best friend and former flame, Dodge, fled Denali, she settled into life on the Alaskan range. She's made her peace with being left behind--by her mother and by Dodge. And she's strong enough to live without them.

When one of Echo's fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. What she doesn't know is that there are more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

As Dodge sets out to find Echo, he can't ignore the feelings he still has for her. But will he be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

This is the first book in Susan's new "Sky King Ranch," series.  Right from the very start you are sucked into this book.  It's action packed from the get go.  Dodge and Echo are made for one another they just have to forget past hurts and choices, and let go of a lot of anger.  

The author's description of the Alaskan wilderness is stunning.  You learn such a lot about the back country of Alaska.  Also I learned a lot about bears.   For example, "Black, fight back.  Brown, get down."  Never knew that, but I bet it's something I'll tuck back inside of my brain.  Never know when something like that could come in useful!!

What was "funny" with this book is that something happens in it and you are not told the outcome.  I had actually forgotten about the "something," as there is so much other stuff going on.  The "something" popped into my head a day or two after I read the book.  So I am guessing that will pop back up in another book; as where this book finished, it will lead you directly into the next book in the series.  And believe me, you will want to read the next one; I do, as I want to know what happens next.  The next one "Sunburst," is due out in June of 2022.

Stars out of 5 : 5 I couldn't fault anything is this book.  It captured my attention right from the start and it was a page turner right throughout.  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".