An Outlaw's Christmas



Schoolteacher Piper St. James has been dreaming of love and marriage!  But here in Blue River, Texas she has run out of options and is thinking of returning home. 

Sawyer McKettrick finds himself heading to Blue River, Texas to take over as town Marshal. His cousin Clay McKettrick is now a married man with a family and is more than willing to reliquish the job to Sawyer.  As Sawyer nears the town of Blue River, shots are fired and Sawyer finds himself badly wounded.

Piper St. James is trying to keep warm inside the schoolhouse during the storm, but she is low on well water and firewood and must go outside to replenish her supply. Once she makes it outside, she see's a horse in the snowstorm, but as Piper approaches, she literally stumbles on something. There is a wounded man laying in the snow and he is bleeding. Piper knows she must help the man and bring him inside to care for his wounds, but what if he is an outlaw? He certainly looks like an outlaw, a very handsome one at that!  Piper decides she can't leave the poor man out in the snow to die, so she drags him into the school house.

Eventually the townsfolk learn that Piper has a man in the schoolhouse and her reputation is put into question. Only Clay McKettrick and the town doctor know the real reason why Sawyer is there.  Nevertheless, Piper's reputation is ruined and she must now make a decision that will affect the rest of her life!

I hope you found this review informative and that you will like this book as much as I did. Thanks for looking in and please be sure to follow my blog.

HAPPY READING!

The Proposal

 

 

Lady Gwendolyn Muir is a widow and is not looking for a romance, but that is exactly what she finds when she falls and sprains her ankle while on a walk. Lord Hugo Trentham, war hero, is making his yearly visit with friends who have suffered injuries during the war. They all have come together to help one another cope with the problems they face in life. Hugo says that it is time for him to marry and he must find a wife, so he tells his friends he is going out for a walk and that he will propose marriage to the first woman he meets! It is just a joke of course, but imagine the looks on his friends faces when Hugo returns from his walk with a woman in his arms!

 

Lady Muir is visiting with a woman who recently lost her husband. They have had an argument and so Gwendolyn decides she needs a walk to help calm her down. Unfortunately, she sprains her ankle and cannot get up and walk. Lord Hugo Trentham is out for a walk when he see's a woman fall. He knows she has damaged her ankle and the lady cannot get up, so he comes to her rescue. Hugo is forced to help the lady and take her home with him. You can imagine the look on the faces of his friends when he walks in with a woman in his arms! 

 

 

I have read several of Mary Balogh's books and this one doesn't disappoint! It was charming and I especially liked the fact that there was no conflicts or rivalry. They liked each other from the start. I really liked this book and I hope you will too.

 

 

HAPPY READING!

SHORT STRAW BRIDE

 

 

SHORT - STRAW BRIDE

 

 

No one tresspasses on Archer land. No one! But 12 year old Meredith did and became caught in a trap! Travis Archer finds a young girl with incredible blue eyes caught in a trap. He rescues her by setting her free and taking her home.  Years later Meredith Hayes overhears her fiance contrive a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, and a  twelve-year-old debt compels her to warn the Archers.

Years of caring for his brothers and family ranch has taken its toll on the eldest Archer. Yet when Travis Archer finds a female on his property with the same vivid blue eyes as the  young girl he once aided, well, he just can't seem to send her away without hearing what she has to say.  Once again, Meredith becomes injured while on Archer land and finds herself in a difficult predicament. She must marry one of the Archer brothers!

So, the brothers decide to draw straws for the bride. Four brothers. Four straws. One bride.  Meredith has dreamt about her hero, Travis Archer for years and now she will become his bride.  They must stand together against an enemy trying to take their land, but will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?

I just want to say how much I liked this book. I loved the Archer boys and fell in love with the way they stuck together during hardships and the love they had for one another was evident by the way they teased each other.  Meredith was also someone I liked! She had a disability, but she was one determined lady! I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

 

 

HAPPY READING!

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SWEET TALK



Attorney and IRS agent Olivia Mackenzie is a tough, and powerful woman. She is on the trail of a Ponze scheme her father is running. But Olivia is honest and kind-hearted and must help the other innocent people even though it will put her father in jail.  After digging to find evidence against her father, Olivia suddenly finds her own life is in danger. Olivia also has to deal with family members who are blasting her for trying to put their father in jail. Things get ugly very quickly!

 FBI Agent Grayson Kincaid comes to her rescue like a knight in shining armour, with a badge of course, and there is an immediate and obvious attraction between the two. But Olivia's past makes it obvious to her that no permanent relationship can develop between her and Grayson.

It was a good book, but I found the plot somewhat weak. The characters were very loveable and I know I would like to have a Grayson Kincaid come to my rescue anytime. So its a good book, but not one of Julie Garwood's best. Read it for yourself and let me know how you liked it!

                                                            HAPPY READING!

When Love Comes My Way



While Christian Fiction isn't a new genre, it is something new for me.  I usually read fiction and mysteries, but lateley I find myself liking this genre very much. It's just good, clean, relaxing and entertaining! I have never been bored by any of the books I've read in this genre. Lori Copland is also a new author for me. I work in a public library and people were always telling me what a good author she is but I had never read any of her books. So when this new book came into the library I thought, hmmm this sounds interesting, think I'll give it a try and I did and I really liked it! So here goes my newest review!

WHEN LOVE COMES MY WAY is a story about a love found quite by "accident".  After the death of her father, Tess Wakefield is now the new owner of a logging company. Tess would rather open up a few hat shops, since she loves making and creating hats. So after taking advice from her fiance, Tess decides to sell her logging company to one of her competitors.  So Tess boards a train in the dead of winter to go talk to her manager at the logging camp about the sale of the company.  Tess and the other passengers arrive safely at the train station and then they board a wagon that will take them to the logging camp.  Sadly along the way to the camp, the wagon looses a wheel and they are plunged headlong into disaster and into an icy river.  Only 2 passengers survive, the driver of the wagon and a woman. 

Jake Lannigan, manager of the Wakefield Logging camp is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new school teacher as well as Miss Tess Wakefield. When will they arrive and what train will they be on?  When Jake hears of the accident he quickly goes over to help. Sadly only 2 people survive while the others were swept downstream in the icy river. But who is this woman survivor? Is she Tess or the new school teacher?  Jake has a good idea of who this woman is, but he can't be too sure.  He can only speculate. But sadly the female survivor has amnesia and she doesn't know who she is.  The only thing we do know is that there is a powerful attraction between the woman survivor and Jake.  Hope you enjoy this book!

HAPPY READING!

Some Kind of Fairy Tale



Do you believe in Fairies, Tall Tales or Folklore?  If so, then this book is for you.

Tara Martin disappeared in the Outwoods Forest near her home when she was 15. Nearly twenty years have passed since then and no trace of Tara was ever found.

ON Christmas Day, there is a knock at the Martin home, and suddenly there she is

standing in the doorway. Her father doesn't recognizer at first, but her mother does and faints right on the spot.

Tara looks are still the same, like that of the teenager she was long ago. But the Martin family is turned upside down when they hear Tara's tale. There are so many things the Martin's want to know, but when they hear Tara's tale of what happened

to her all those many years ago, they begin to doubt her sanity. Well, wouldn't you?

I know I would doubt her story! No wonder they are having her see a therapist!  The girl needs help sorting out her story!

Then of course, there is Richie, the old boyfriend. He was torn apart when Tara disappeared, but what was worse, he was accused by the police of having killed Tara and hiding her body. And worst of all, it ruined Richie's friendship with Tara's brother Peter. 

So what are we to believe, did these magical things really happen to Tara? Was she taken by the Fairies? Or is her subconscience trying to rebel against what really happened to her by making up these stories in her mind?  I read the book and I still

don't know what to make of it. Hopefully you will have better luck reaching a conclusion than I did.  Let me know what you think of this book ok? I really want to know what you think!

HAPPY READING!



Destiny by Carly Phillips



Serendipity Series #2

      Ethan, Nash and Dare are the 3 Barron brothers. Ethan the oldest of the Barron brothers is getting married, but it is Nash who is the male lead in this 2nd book of the Serendipity Series. Nash is a very attractive lawyer and he is attending his brothers wedding when he meets Kelly. Like a magnet to a piece of metal, Nash and Kelly become very attracted to one another. The main problem between them is Tess. Tess is Kelly's sister but she is also Nash's sister. Confusing huh? Well apparently Kelly's mother and Nash's father had an affair and produced sister Tess. Teenager Tess has been living with Kelly, but she has been a handful and giving Kelly problems so Kelly sends Tess to live with her older brother Ethan. Tess doesn't like Nash.

     Not everything with this family is hunky dory. They all have issues and problems to deal with. Nash was sent to a foster home as a child after the death of his parents. His brother Dare also went to foster care, but to a poor family. And brother Ethan disappeared and left them all behind, so as you can see, there are trust issues to deal with here. Problems escalate when Nash finds out that Kelly has a  big secret she has been hiding. Apparently everyone knew her secret but him and that makes him really mad. Add Nash's ex into the picture, Kelly and Tess's mother and you have a big mess!

     I have to speak truthfully, I am partial to Carly's books. I have always enjoyed them just as I have enjoyed this one. I didn't really like Nash in the beginning because he was the type of guy who was unforgiving and just couldn't let things that happend in the past go. But, as the book progressed you could tell that his love for Kelly had changed him and he was able to open his heat and learn to forgive. Only thing is that it took him much longer to change than it should have. I was about to give up on this guy, but love conquered all in the end.

HAPPY READING!



LEAVING SOPHIE DEAN

by

ALEXANDRA WHITAKER

Sophie and her husband Adam have been married for several years and have 2 lovely boys. They were happy and had the kind of marriage that could last forever, at least thats what Sophie thought.  Poor Sophie didn't know that her husband Adam was having an affair with one of his co-workers. Adams' mistress gives him an ultimatum, its either his wife or her. 

Sophie is devastated at the news that her husband has a mistress and is leaving her and their sons so that he can live with his mistress.  Adam says Sophie can keep the house for her and the boys because he wants whatever is best for the children and too much change wouldn't be good for them. Sophie agrees with that, and Adam thinks he is going to live the free and easy life with his mistress and no kids.

Adam never saw this coming, Sophie decides she will be the one to leave and he must stay at the house with the kids. Sophie knows that this is what would be best for the boys. They need their father and Sophie needs to go out and see how she can make a living to provide for herself and their kids. It might take a while, but until then Adam will be the one responsible for the children.  Adam is stunned, this is not what he had in mind and what will his mistress think!  Will she be upset and leave him? Was this all for nothing?

This is a great story and has an unexpected ending, but I am sure it is one that you will enjoy. Sophie and Adam both learn lessons and come to realize what is important to them.  I really liked this book and I hope you will too.

HAPPY READING!

A TAILOR-MADE BRIDE

A TAILOR-MADE BRIDE

By Karen Witemeyer

        Jericho Tucker, the owner of the local livery stable is not too keen on the new resident in Coventry, Texas. Not only has she taken residence and ownership of a shop he has been trying to purchase, but she is also a dressmaker. A dressmaker must be full of vanity, always concerned about looks on the outside, when its the beauty on the inside of a woman that counts. Jericho known as J.T. hates vanity. His mother was one of those women who was always trying to beautify herself on the outside and look where that got them. She ran off with another man and left her whole family behind. So J.T. is naturally wary of women who try to beautify themselves and others.

        Hannah Richards has been left a wonderful gift. A shop of her own in Coventry, Texas. Hannah has eagerly awaited the day when she can open her own dress shop and is very excited about her starting her own business, but J.T. Tucker the local livery owner seems to dislike her and she doesn't know why. He has shown her kindness and helps her out when she is in distress but she can't understand why he dislikes her.

        Even though, J. T. dislikes the new dressmaker Hannah, he soon realizes that she isn't the kind of women he thought she was. He  finds himself very attracted to Hannah, and before you know it love is in the air!

        Even though this is not a new book, it has been on my reading list for quite some time. I wish I had read this book sooner, because it was a delight to read. The words and story flowed so nicely that before I realized it, I had read through most of the book. This book is catagorized as christian fiction at most libraries and I think that you will find it charming. Looking forward to reading another book by this author!

HAPPY READING!

WITH THIS KISS



                                                                                

WITH THIS KISS

by

Bella Riley

     If you are looking for a good romance paperback to read this summer, then WITH THIS KISS is for you. Innkeeper Rebecca Campbell has just had her engagement terminated by her finace Stu Murphy. Then Stu disappears by leaving town and leaves Rebecca holding down the fort so to speak at the inn. With guests at the inn, a friends wedding to coordinate, and a festival to arrange and manage in town Rebecca has her hands full.

     But things get really complicated when Stu's brother Sean shows up in town for Stu's wedding. Apparently no one told him the wedding was off. Sean sticks around to help out at the inn and he quickly becomes attracted to his brothers ex-fiance, Rebecca. But what will his parents think, what will people in town think, and what will brother Stu think?

     Apparently, there are other secrets that people are keeping and certain relationships won't be put to rights until those secrets are revealed. Add a certain ghost who resides at the inn into the mixture and you have a great romance in the works.

     I really liked this book and I think it makes a great summer read to take along to the beach, on vacation, or just relaxing at home with a nice tall glass of iced tea! Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

HAPPY READING!

     

                                                                      

Midnight in Austenland



MIDNIGHT IN AUSTENLAND

by

SHANNON HALE

If you are looking for a bit of a flashback to the days of Jane Austen with a bit of mystery added in, then this book is for you! I admit I am a big, big Jane Austen fan, and I do read all books I can get my hands on dealing with this subject but I really think you will like this book. It kept me going to the very end. I found it to be an easy read that flowed very naturally and it was very enjoyable! I really liked this book!

Our lead character in this book, Charlotte Kinder finds herself badly needing a vacation. ( I just love the name Charlotte, it has an old timey feel to it!) She has to deal with an ex-husband, his new wife, and of course her own 2 children who at times seem to dislike her intensely. Charlotte decides to leave the U.S. on an adventure to Austenland. She arrives in England at Pembrook Park Manor and immerses herself into the Jane Austen era.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that there are some very handsome actors there who give the guests just a touch of romance, Jane Austen style. There are other guests there as well and before you know it, they are embroiled in "Bloody Murder"! This book takes you from parlour games to ancient ruins and tales of murder along with a bit of romance! So, will Charlotte find an escape and love in Austenland?

You'll have to read it to find out! Don't miss out on this book, it's a good read!  Till next time!

HAPPY READING!

Crystal Gardens

CRYSTAL GARDENS by Amanda Quick

Evangeline Ames is a novelist and a professional companion. She has rented a cottage in a small country town in order to recooperate from an attack on her life. Her small cottage is located next to an area of paranormal energy called Crystal Gardens. Evangeline diverts herself by sneaking into these gardens to explore. She finds them fascinating!

Once again Evangeline is attacked while at the cottage. She flees to Crystal Gardens to outrun the villian and finds herself face to face with the owner of Crystal Gardens, Lucas Sebastian. He is more than eager to help this lady in distress.  Who is chasing Evangeline and why has she been attacked twice?

Crystal Gardens and Lucas Sebastian's family have been a hot topic around the town of Little Dixby. People sense that there is something very unusual about these gardens and the experiements Lucas' uncle did on them. Add a rumour of ancient buried treasure into the mix and you have a story of mystery, love and strange  botanical plants that like to eat whatever and whomever they can get their vines into. The plants have gotten quite worse over the years and it seems as if some paranormal energy is helping them to thrive.

Can Evangeline and Lucas find the source of energy that feeds these plants and can they save Evangeline from these men who are trying to kill her? I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did. I found it quite entertaining and I think you will too.

Happy Reading!

What Doesn't Kill You



WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU by Iris Johanesn

We were all introduced to this main character Catherin Ling in the Eve Duncan novels by author Iris Johansen. But here she has a book all of her own. CIA Agent Catherine Ling is thrown into danger and mayhem in this new book and only time will tell if she can survive this round of dangerous criminals.  This is a personal mission for Catherine, a very personal mission. Her friend and mentor Hu Chang is in deep trouble and Catherine has to find a way to rescue him. Hu Chang likes to delve into herbs and plants and discovers a formula that is much sought after not only by the CIA, but also by some very dangerous people who only want to use his formula to kill!  And they will do everything they can to make sure that they get it, including kidnapping Hu Chang! Now Catherine must do everything in her power to get Hu Chang out of this tangled web hi finds himself in.  Things get really complicated when Catherine's own son Luke, goes missing and is kidnapped. But where is Hu Chang and who has taken Luke?

Here comes John Gallo riding to the rescue! Most of us remember John Gallo as the father of Eve Duncans's daughter Bonnie. But as you know, whenever John and Catherine get together, sparks fly high!  I really enjoyed this novel as it takes us into the underworld in the streets of China.  As I was reading I found this a difficult book to put down.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  Till next time!

Happy Reading!

The Lost Saints of Tennessee

THE LOST SAINTS OF TENNESSEE - by Amy Franklin - Willis

Published by Atlantic Monthly Press

Publication Date: 2-7-2012

     A stirring novel about love, lost loves and how the death of a loved one can affect who we are. This story is about a

Tennessee family, but mostly about twin brothers named Ezekiel and Carter. At first I didn't care for the character of Ezekiel very much at all, but as I read this book I found myself coming to understand him and liking him.  Ezekiel is now a middle aged man whose life has not turned out as he expected.  In his early 40's Ezekiel finds himself  divorced, and a father of 2 teenish aged girls. His ex -wife and high school sweetheart has just gotten remarried. He has lost his job, one he never cared for, and is at the lowest ebb in his life.  Ezekiel had better expectations for himself, his family had better expectations for him as well.  Now all he could think about was ending his miserable life. But, even that endeavour goes sour and Ezekiel finds himself very much alive and in need of a big change in his life.  Ezekiel decides to head to Virginia and visit his cousins.  He arrives at Lacey Farms the home of his cousin Georgia and her husband Osborne, and they welcome him with love and open arms.  The love he finds at Lacey Farms will indeed change his life for the better.

      The book flashes back and forth from the past to the present, but it really helps you understand how the events of the past have molded who Ezekiel is today. It especially shows how the loss of someone we love can have a deep effect on our lives. Especially when we can't seem to get over the loss of that someone. All in all I liked this book. It has a southern flair and quality that I enjoyed. It shows that even when we are at our lowest and feel there is nothing left out there, someone can reach out and touch our lives and make us feel loved and wanted and needed. We can find ourselves again! There is always HOPE for a better life!

The Scottish Prisoner - Review

The Scottish Prisoner - Review

     Howdy Everyone and welcome to my latest book review!  I was really excited about this book, mostly because I am a big fan of Diana Gabaldon and I love reading all her books.  Her characters come alive and seem so real, that you can't help but wonder, do these people really exist?  Well I was eagerly anticipating this book, and quite anxious to get started with my reading.  If you haven't read any of Diana's books, I must tell you that it is quite alot of reading as most of her books are.  This one consisted of 507 pages, plus authors notes and a tiny sampling of her upcoming book. But I view it as a Must Read!

     This particular book is about Lord John Grey and Jamie Fraser.  I hope I spelled those correctly (sigh)!  It takes place during the time that Jamie Fraser was a prisoner for his part in the Jacobite Uprising and after the battle of Culloden.  Jamie is serving time at an estate called Helwater and is serving the estate by tending to the horses there.  The Earl of Parloe, brother to Lord John, comes across a plot of uprising Jacobites.  He calls in Lord John to help him discover who these traitors are, and the Earl decides they need the help of a scottish prisoner, namely Jamie Fraser.  Lord John is reluctant at first, especially since he is very attracted to Jamie.  But duty to his country prevails and they become involved in an adventure of spying and intrigue and danger. 

     If you haven't read any of Diana Gabaldons books before, don't worry.  This story can stand on its own  two feet.  But if you want to familarize yourself with these characters I suggest you start by reading her first  book The Outlander.  Don't be intimidated by the size of this authors books.  They storylines flow so smoothly and are so interesting that you find yourself not wanting to put the book down.  I hope you will like the Scottish Prisoner as much as I did.  But I do love all things Scottish and particularly Jamie Fraser! Thanks to author Diana Gabaldon for her writing skills and imagination.  Can't wait for your next book in the continuing story of Claire and Jamie Fraser.