Review: Always Look Twice

Always Look Twice

"At the advice of her therapist, homicide survivor Harper Reynolds has traded her job as a crime scene photographer for a more peaceful life taking photographs of the natural world. But her hopes for a life surrounded by the serenity of the outdoors are dashed when she inadvertently captures a murder being committed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She flees the scene in fear--and loses the camera.

Former Green Beret Heath McKade is a reserve deputy in an understaffed county who has been called in to protect Harper, a childhood friend he is surprised to see back in the area. When Harper learns that the sheriff's department can't find any evidence of the murder she witnessed, she is determined to do what she can to see that justice is done. What neither Harper nor Heath could know is how many explosive secrets from the past will be exposed--or how deeply they will fall for each other.

In this suspenseful page-turner, bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard keeps you on the edge of your seat as you discover that uncommon justice lies just on the other side of fear."

Author: Elizabeth Goddard

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Series: Uncommon Justice (book 2)

Justice Lies 

Just on the Other Side of Fear

Y'all, I was excited for this book! I've never read a book with crime scene photographer as a main character before. It sounded so cool, but it didn't hit the mark for me. 

Nothing about the story felt genuine. The chemistry felt forced, the suspense didn't grip me, and the motive made no sense.

The whole thing felt rushed, and incomplete.
I couldn't place my finger on it, but I truly felt like I was missing something throughout the entire story. There were puzzle pieces that just weren't given.

I liked Heath & Harper, but I didn't love them. I didn't connect with any of the characters. There were so many side characters at play I felt like my brain was playing tug-of-war, and nobody won.

I really really wanted to love the book! But it jut didn't click with me sadly. 
2.5/5 stars.

Review: Cry of the Raven

Cry of the Raven

"Lady Selene Ravenwood has come into her full power as a dreamwalker just as the war with the Dominia Empire begins. Working with the other Great Houses, Selene and Damien use their gifts to secure the borders and save those devastated by the war. But conflict, betrayal, and hatred begin to spread between the Great Houses, destroying their unity as the empire burns a path across their lands. At the same time, Damien Maris starts to lose his ability to raise the waters, leaving the lands vulnerable to the empire's attacks.

The only one who can unite the houses and restore her husband's power is Selene Ravenwood. But it will require that she open her heart to those who have hurt her and let go of her past, despite the one who hunts her and will do anything to stop her power.

Will Selene survive? Or is she destined to fall like the dreamwalkers before her?"

Author: Morgan L. Busse

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Ravenwood Saga (book 3)

As War Looms, 

Will Her Power Be Enough to 

Save the Ones She Loves?

Y'all. I honestly don't know where to start...
This series has been AMAZING! 
I think there's totally room for more stories! 😍😉 *hint hint*

I've loved every minute of these books, and this one was no less impactful! The redemption arcs that were pumping through the pages were beautiful. They were written perfectly, and you can truly see the character growth from book 1 to now. In each character, not just the main ones.

We got more Damien in this story, and I've never been happier!!! He's been a FAN favorite from the beginning, and I really liked seeing him go through life in this book.
I loved watching Selene become more sure of everything as the story went on. 

I liked the unique gifts each had, and when unified they totally encompassed the Light and all He is!
There were so many great parallels you can draw between real and fiction world. And I enjoyed taking time to find them.

I really loved this series! It's not something I would normally pick up, but I'm so glad I did. I can't give too much away, because spoilers, but you should just give this series a try. I truly think you'll love it.

There were just so many things! In this book, and in the whole series. I just loved it all so much!!
5/5 stars!

*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*

Review: Hope's Highest Mountain

Hope's Highest Mountain

"Ingrid Chastain readily agreed to accompany her father to deliver vaccines to a mining town in the Montana Territory. She never could have anticipated a terrible accident would leave her alone and badly injured in the wilderness. When rescue comes in the form of a mysterious mountain man who tends her injuries, she's hesitant to put her trust in this quiet man who seems to have his own wounds.

Micah Bradley left his work as a doctor after unintentionally bringing home the smallpox disease that killed his wife and daughter. But his self-imposed solitude in the wilds of Montana is broken when he finds Ingrid in desperate need of medical attention, and he's forced to face his regret and call on his doctoring skills once again.

Micah can't help but admire Ingrid's tenacious determination despite the severity of her injuries, until he learns the crate she brought contains smallpox vaccines to help quell a nearby outbreak. With Ingrid dead set on trekking through the mountains to deliver the medicine--with or without his help--he has no choice but to accompany her. As they set off through the treacherous, snow-covered Rocky Mountains against all odds, the journey ahead will change their lives more than they could have known."

Author: Misty M. Beller 

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Hearts of Montana (book 1)

The Journey Ahead 

Will Change Their Lives

This was my first book by Misty Beller, and I'm definitely looking forward to my next. 

I've noticed the last few "mountain books" I've read I didn't end up liking. There is always some empty headed character, but there wasn't anybody like that in this book. I enjoyed the characters, and hope to see them again throughout the series. 

It was a really cute story. It was very spiritual, which I really enjoyed! I loved that prayers were completely written out. You could feel the emotion jumping off the pages. 

I liked the two main characters! They worked well together, and even though they fell in love in a short time span it didn't feel rushed. 

This is a highly saturated genre, but this author is one to look for. If you want a sweet, wholesome, Christian based romance definitely check this author out. 

Its the perfect, quick romance when you don't quite know what you want to read.
4/5 stars.

*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*

Review: A Pursuit of Home

A Pursuit of Home

"In early 1800s England, Jess Beauchene has spent most of her life in hiding and always on the move in an effort to leave her past far behind her. But when she learns the family she thought had died just might be alive and in danger, she knows her secrets can only stay buried for so long.

Derek Thornbury loves the past, which has led him to become an expert in history and artifacts. He knows Jess has never liked him, but when she requests his help deciphering the clues laid out in an old family diary, he can't resist the urge to solve the puzzle.

As Jess and Derek race to find the hidden artifact before her family's enemies, they learn as much about each other as they do about the past. But can their search to uncover the truth and set history right lead to a future together?"

Author: Kristi Ann Hunter

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Haven Manor (book 3)

Can Searching for History 

Lead to a Future Together?

The LONG awaited story that all Kristi Hunter fans wanted is here! Jess has found her somebody.

I loved getting to see both series collide into the book mashup of the year! 
Though I loved seeing the characters together, something felt off about the chemistry. It oozed off the pages in the other books, but there was just something about this one I couldn't put my finger on. 

It took me a while to get into the story. The middle drug out for me with all the traveling, but once some action started I was a pretty happy duck. 

I really did like seeing how Jess' brain worked, and what truly made her tick. And seeing her grounded by an art nerd was a fun touch!
Derek was a quirky and adorable character. I loved that he knew his own strengths and weaknesses! 
They really were a good match for each other, though not expected. (Probably why we liked it)

It was a great ending to a wonderful series! I'm sad to see everyone go, but I know I'll revisit them.
4/5 stars.

*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*

Quotes:

"It was natural to miss people who changed your life in some way."

"He could miss her and still be happy for where life took her."

Review: The Major's Daughter

The Major's Daughter

"Caroline Adams returns to Indian Territory after tiring of confining society life. She wants adventure, and when she and her friend Amber come across swaggering outlaw Frisco Smith, they find his dreams for the new territory are very persuasive. With the much-anticipated land run pending, they may just join the rush.

Growing up parentless, all Frisco Smith wanted was a place to call his own. It's no wonder that he fought to open the Unassigned Lands. After years of sneaking across the border, he's even managed to put in a dugout house on a hidden piece of property he's poised to claim.

When the gun sounds, everyone's best plans are thrown out the window in the chaos of the run. Caroline and Frisco soon find themselves battling over a claim--and both dig in their heels. Settling the rightful ownership will bring these two closer than they ever expected and change their ideas of what a true home looks like."

Author: Regina Jennings

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Fort Reno Series (book 3)

She Staked a Claim on His Land.

He Staked a Claim on Her Heart.

After 3 years we're saying goodbye to Fort Reno, and all the lovable characters who lived within the pages.

This was a cute story. I really enjoyed the "new town" premise! It's not something you see a whole lot of in the genre. 

I was looking forward to seeing more of Amber and Bradley, but they honestly fell a bit short for me. I felt like I was missing the character development we got in their origin novella. 
The "fighting" between Bradley, Amber, and Caroline got annoying really fast. It ended up pushing the plot, so I guess I understand why it was there but I didn't enjoy it.

Caroline & Frisco's relationship was cute. I liked the troupe that the author used, not quite "hate to love:, but fun nonetheless.
The "mystery" element was perfect for this story. Though a smidgen predictable, it fit wonderfully.

Regina is the perfect author to pass the time with. Her books are sweet, fast, light reads. They're the perfect thing if you just need a break. I'm excited to see what she has coming down the road.

Overall it was a cute story.
3.5/5 stars.

*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*

Review: Echoes Among the Stones

Echoes Among the Stones

"After Aggie Dunkirk's career is unceremoniously ended by her own mistakes, she finds herself traveling to Wisconsin, where her grandmother, Mumsie, lives alone in her rambling old home. She didn't plan for how eccentric Mumsie has become, obsessing over an old, unsolved crime scene--even going so far as to re-create it in the dollhouse.

Mystery seems to follow her when she finds work as a secretary helping to restore the flooded historical part of the cemetery. Forced to work with the cemetery's puzzling, yet attractive archeologist, she exhumes the past's secrets and unwittingly uncovers a crime that some will go to any length to keep quiet--even if it means silencing Aggie.

In 1946, Imogene Grayson works in a local factory and has eyes on owning her own beauty salon. But coming home to discover her younger sister's body in the attic changes everything. Unfamiliar with the newly burgeoning world of criminal forensics and not particularly welcomed as a woman, Imogene is nonetheless determined to stay involved. As her sister's case grows cold, Imogene vows to find justice . . . even if it costs her everything."

Author: Jaime Jo Wright

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Explosions, Murder, 

Disappearances, and Ghosts.

I honestly don't know how to feel after finishing this book... 
I felt every emotion when reading this book. Joy, sadness, fear, awe. Just all the things! 

Jaime writes such unique plots and will always make your head spin when the bad guy is revealed. She's keeps you guessing from the first page until the last.

I loved both Imogene and Aggie, and was FULLY invested in both of their story lines and their lives.
They were spunky, head strong, and independent. I just really enjoyed their characters!
The men were just as great! (Though that is never a surprise with Jaime) They all complemented each other and I loved them!

This book was full of hurt, pain, and grief, but it was also full of healing!
Life isn't all happily ever afters. It hurts. It stinks. But with God we can find the strength to keep going.

This was an emotional book, and I totally teared up a few times. This is by far my favorite book by this author so far!
If I could rate it higher I would.
5/5 stars!

*I received this book from the publisher**All opinions are my own*