Submerged by Dani Pettrey + Giveaway

About the Book:

A sabotaged plane. Two dead deep-water divers. One single clue.

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska, again. She has a past, and a reputation--and Yancey's a town that doesn't forget. She's returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey's own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town. But facing the reality of Bailey's reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart... but doesn't seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he's not the same guy she left behind.

Racing against the clock and a rising body count, Bailey and Cole must move beyond the hurts of their pasts to work together until the truth of what is hidden in the depths finally surfaces.

My Review:

4.5 stars

Alaska, romance, page turning suspense what more could you ask for in a book! Dani Pettrey did an amazing job at writing this novel and it made it hard to believe that it was her debut novel. Submerged is book one in the Alaskan Courage series and I am excited to read the rest which hopefully won't be too long a wait. I found the Russian history mixed into the story to be super fun but not so much that it took away from the story. There are so many things that are great about this book that it is hard to list them and one of the best is that the secondary characters were just as fun as the main ones.  Bailey and Cole were so much fun to read about and watch there romance develop. I liked how it was slow and steady and it felt more realistic than many books. Overall, I would recommend this book to any one who loves to read a good romantic suspense book or someone that loves anything Alaska!

* I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review.

Giveaway info:

1. Must leave comment AND e-mail
2. Live in the US
3. Ends Wednesday, June 6th
4. Have fun!

Skip Rock Shallows by Jan Watson

About the Book:

Lilly Gray Corbett has just graduated from medical school and decided to accept an internship in the coal camp of Skip Rock, Kentucky. Her beau, Paul, is doing his residency in Boston and can’t understand why Lilly would choose to work in a backwater town. But having grown up in the mountains, Lilly is drawn to the stubborn, superstitious people she encounters in Skip Rock—a town where people live hard and die harder and where women know their place. Lilly soon learns she has a lot to overcome, but after saving the life of a young miner, she begins to earn the residents’ trust.

As Lilly becomes torn between joining Paul in Boston and her love for the people of Skip Rock, she crosses paths with a handsome miner—one who seems oddly familiar. Her attraction for him grows, even as she wrestles with her feelings and wonders what he’s hiding.

My Review:

4 Stars

Skip Rock Shallows by Jan Watson takes readers into a small coal town where at first the idea of a lady doctor is rejects. Only after saving a young miner she starts to win there trust but even then it is slow and not all want her there. Though there are many residents who become very fond of her and she of them. Throughout the story Lilly faces many battles and wrestles with what to do with the future. Should she stay in Skip Rock or go home to Boston?  Then there is the character from her past, who is he and why is he so familiar. Lilly will not only have to face the future but the past as well but she is one strong lady with a trust in God that will help through all she does. Join Lilly and the cast of characters in this fun novel.

This book for me was fun to read and I enjoyed meeting all the residents of Skip Rock but the only thing for me was it never fully drew me in. I was easily able to set it down for awhile and come back to it. I am definitely glad I read it and would recommend it to those who love book about lady doctors in a time where that was not common. Overall good job Jan Watson!

* I received this book through Tyndale for the purpose of this review. My honest opinion was all that was requested. Thank you Tyndale.

The Ride of Her Life by Lorna Seilstad

About the Book:

She's planted firmly on solid ground.

He's ready to sweep her off her feet.

The only man pragmatic Lilly Hart needs in her life is a six-year-old. Widowed for three years, Lilly has decided to leave the home of her intrusive in-laws to stand on her own. However, her in-laws find her new life as a cook at Lake Manawa utterly unsuitable for their grandson. When an argument ensues, a handsome stranger--who designs roller coasters, of all things--intercedes on her behalf. But Lilly is not about to get involved with any man, especially this cocky gentleman. Little does she know she is about to begin the ride of her life.

Filled with the sweet romance of summer, The Ride of Her Life will have you laughing out loud and sighing contentedly as you spend the summer of 1906 at Lake Manawa.

My Review:

4 Stars

The Ride of Her Life concludes Lorna Seilstad's Lake Manawa Summers series and it is quite literally a roller coaster ride from the beginning to the end. This book picks up with Lilly Hart's story a character first introduced in book 1, Making Waves and she is a one fun lady with an adorable little boy that keeps everyone on their toes. The Ride of Her Life brings more of Lorna's talented writing and is full of humor like the previous books. The humor is what I love so much about the series. I will have to say though that while I greatly enjoyed this book I personally liked the first two books in the series better, not really sure why but just did. Either way if you are looking for a great historical romance filled with adventure and humor than look no further than this book and the the other two in the series: Making Waves and A Great Catch. While you could read this book without reading the first two I personally think you will enjoy it more reading them in order and knowing all the back story. Happy Reading. 

* I received this book from Revell Books for the purpose of this review, my honest opinion was all that was requested.

A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan

About the Book:

They're from two different worlds. Can love cross the divide?

Moved by a compassionate heart and the desire for adventure, twenty-year-old Shiloh Wainwright impulsively accepts a teaching position at the White River Indian Agency in northwestern Colorado. Eager to use her skills to help improve the lives of Ute Indian children, she looks forward to a fulfilling, independent life on the Colorado frontier.

But her new job isn't what she imagined it would be, and Shiloh soon finds herself caught in the cross fire between the Utes, their unyielding Indian agent, and a demanding US government. Her unexpected encounter with a half-Ute childhood friend, Jesse Blackwater, only complicates matters as they battle their growing feelings for each other amidst spiraling tensions that threaten to explode into a catastrophic uprising.

Set amongst the wilds of the Colorado Rockies in 1879, this tale from bestselling and award-winning author Kathleen Morgan explores the transformational power of forgiveness, compassion, and God's healing love with artistry and authenticity.

My Review:

A Love Forbidden by Kathleen Morgan is the second book in the Heart of Rockies series. While it is book two, it is not completely necessary to read book one first. The characters are introduced in book one but that is about it. This is in a way a simple story but at times more complex. I am not really sure what I think of it. The first book, A Heart Divided, in my opinion was a lot better than this book. I will say that I love the setting and love picturing the mountains in my head. Shiloh was a fun character to read about and to watch her face her many challenges. Overall I would recommend this book and series to those who love historical romance set in 1800's in the mountains.

*I received this book from Revell for the purpose of this review.

Winners

The Winner of the two book giveaway is: Nancee
* Thanks to all my new followers! The winner will receive an extra book since I met my goal of 100 followers.

The Winner of My Stubborn Heart is: Bluerose

Congrats to the winners!

The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport

About the Book:

She has a secret to keep. But will she give her heart away?

Lucy Banning may live on the exclusive Prairie Avenue among Chicago's rich and famous, but her heart lies elsewhere. Expected to marry an up-and-coming banker from a respected family, Lucy fears she will be forced to abandon her charity work and squeeze herself into the mold of the well-dressed wife who spends most of her time and money redecorating.

When she meets Will, an unconventional young architect who is working on plans for the upcoming 1893 World's Fair, Lucy imagines a life lived on her own terms. Can she break away from her family's expectations? And will she ever be loved for who she truly is?

Get swept away into the lavish world of Chicago's high society as Olivia Newport brings to life an age of glitz and grandeur, stark social contrasts, and one woman who dares to cross class lines for what she 

believes.

My Review:

Olivia Newport's debut novel The Pursuit of Lucy Banning is a winner and I am so glad there are two more books in the series, Avenue of Dreams, coming in the future. I loved the setting of this book and also have not read that many books set in Chicago which was fun. I find reading that time period to be so much fun and interesting. Lucy is such a fun character and enjoyed the suspense of how people start figuring out her secret and their response to it. Though I will have to say my favorite character is one of the maid's, Charlotte. Her character was fascinating for the time period and book 2 focuses on her story which I can't wait for. 

Oliva Newport weaves together a great story full of adventure, suspense, romance, and so much more. Join Lucy, Charlotte and the rest of the characters in this fun and enjoyable story. Final rating 4.5 stars!

*I received this book from Revell Books in exchange for my honest opinion.

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade + Giveaway

About the Book:

Kate Donovan is burned out on work, worn down by her dating relationships, and in need of an adventure. When her grandmother asks her to accompany her to Redbud, Pennsylvania, to restore the grand old house she grew up in, Kate jumps at the chance.

Upon her arrival in Redbud, Kate meets Matt Jarreau, the man hired to renovate the house. Kate can't help being attracted to him, drawn by both his good looks and something else she can't quite put her finger on. He's clearly wounded--hiding from people, from God, and from his past. Yet Kate sets her stubborn heart on bringing him out of the dark and back into the light... whether he likes it or not.

When the stilted, uncomfortable interactions between Kate and Matt slowly shift into something more, is God finally answering the longing of her heart? Or will Kate be required to give up more than she ever dreamed?

My Review:

My Stubborn Heart is a light, and somewhat funny contemporary romance filled with hope, healing, and waiting on God's perfect timing. I loved Kate in this book, she really is stubborn, curious and so much more. She has always planned on meeting the perfect guy and getting married but for one reason or another it just has not happened yet, that is till she meets Matt Jarreau and she is now wondering if he is that perfect guy. Join in on her adventure as she tries to get to know him, help him move forward and just maybe fall in love. The key to this is she needs to learn to wait till God says yes!

I really enjoyed the beginning and the ending of this book, but somewhere in the middle I was getting bored and it felt like it would never end. Overall the book is pretty light with not a whole lot of depth but definitely makes a great beach read. I give this book 3.9 stars, only because the middle was a little long. I will be looking forward to reading more book from Becky Wade in the future, this book is her debut novel!

*I received this book from the author and Bethany House publishers for the purpose of this review, an honest opinion was all that was requested.

Giveaway:

1. Live in the US

2. Leave a comment and your e-mail address

3. Ends Thursday May, 17th