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!

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

Giveaway Time!

This time I am not just giving away one book but 2 books to one lucky winner!

Rules:
1. Must live in the US
2. Be a follower or become a follower
3. Leave a comment with you e-mail, no e-mail and your entry won't be counted
4. Ends Sunday May 13th

Bonus Entry:
Leave a comment on one of my many reviews and leave a separate comment here with where you comments.

Extra Bonus:
If I reach a 100 followers from this giveaway a surprise book will be given to the winner!

Have fun!

About the Book:

What if you had the power to amend choices you made in the past? Would you do it even if it changed everything?

Mercy Land has made some unexpected choices for a young woman in the 1930s. The sheltered daughter of a traveling preacher, she chooses to leave her rural community to move to nearby Bay City on the warm, gulf-waters of southern Alabama. There she finds a job at the local paper and spends seven years making herself indispensible to old Doc Philips, the publisher and editor. Then she gets a frantic call at dawn—it’s the biggest news story of her life, and she can’t print a word of it.

Doc has come into possession of a curious book that maps the lives of everyone in Bay City—decisions they’ve made in the past, and how those choices affect the future. Mercy and Doc are consumed by the mystery locked between the pages—Doc because he hopes to right a very old wrong, and Mercy because she wants to fulfill the book’s strange purpose. But when a mystery from Mercy’s past arrives by train, she begins to understand that she will have to make choices that will deeply affect everyone she loves—forever.                                                                                          

About the Book:

Marnie didn’t know much about miracles.
Mistakes maybe. Accidents. And monstrous mess-ups. She knew a lot about those.
But miracles? Those were for other people.


Marnie Wittier has life just where she wants it. Quiet. Peaceful. No drama. A long way away from her past. In the privacy of her home, she fills a box with slips of paper, scribbled with her regrets, sins, and sorrows. But that’s nobody else’s business. Her bookstore/coffee shop patrons, her employees, her friends from church—they all think she’s the very model of compassion and kindness.

Then Marnie’s past creeps into her present when her estranged sister dies and makes Marnie guardian of her fifteen-year-old son—a boy Marnie never knew existed. And when Emmit arrives, she discovers he has Down syndrome—and that she’s woefully unprepared to care for him. What’s worse, she has to deal with Taylor Cole, her sister’s attorney, a man Marnie once loved—and abandoned.
As Emmit (and Taylor) work their way into her heart, Marnie begins to heal. But when pieces of her dismal past surface again, she must at last face the scripts of paper in her box, all the regrets and sorrows. Can she do it? Or will she run again?