A Beautiful Kind of Broken by Katie Ganshert

About the Book:

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sometimes everything you ever learned about yourself is wrong

Fashion is a fickle industry, a frightening fact for twenty-four year old model Ivy Clark. Ten years in and she’s learned a sacred truth—appearance is everything. Nobody cares about her broken past as long as she looks beautiful for the camera. This is the only life Ivy knows—so when it starts to unravel, she’ll do anything to hold on. Even if that means moving to the quaint island town of Greenbrier, South Carolina, to be the new face of her stepmother’s bridal wear line—an irony too rich for words, since Ivy is far from the pure bride in white.

If only her tenuous future didn’t rest in the hands of Davis Knight, her mysterious new photographer. Not only did he walk away from the kind of success Ivy longs for to work maintenance at a local church, he treats her differently than any man ever has. Somehow, Davis sees through the façade she works so hard to maintain. He, along with a cast of other characters, challenges everything Ivy has come to believe about beauty and worth. Is it possible that God sees her—a woman stained and broken by the world—yet wants her still?

My Review:

5 Stars

I have loved all of Katie Ganshert books, but this one just may be my favorite. It was such sweet story filled with the power of redemption. Bittersweet at times all the characters are so fun, charming and have something to learn. 

I just loved Ivy! She is hurt, confused, feels unlovable and so much more but through the power of redemption she learns that beautiful can come from broken things and there is a reason for everything. I do not think there was anything I did not like about this book. The depth, the setting, the emotions and so much more made this a powerful and deep story.

Fans of contemporary romance will love this book. If you haven't read Katie Ganshert books make sure you do, they are all great!

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

Goodnight Angels

About the Book:

Genre: Children's Board Book

Now available in the popular board book format, Goodnight Angels is a beautifully written bedtime book for young children that presents a new spin on the bestselling, Goodnight Moon complete with the message of prayer and thankfulness.

This charming bedtime story in the vein of Goodnight Moon will lull little ones to sleep with its soothing rhymes and gentle rhythms. Children will love the board book format, and parents and grandparents will love the quiet message of peace and gratitude for God’s tender, loving care.

My Review:

4.5 Stars

Very sweet bedtime book for toddlers. Melody Carlson's popular book Goodnight Angels is now available in board book format which perfect babies and toddlers. This book will last you years and years. Told in the similar style as Margaret Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon. I loved the illustrations and the simple but meaningful story. I love the rhyme and rhythm of the book which makes it so easy to read aloud over and over, the words just roll together so nicely.

This would make a great addition to any child's library and the perfect story to finish the day with!

* I received this book from Book Look Bloggers for the purpose of this review. Thank you!

Echos of Mercy by Kim Vogel Sawyer

About the Book:

Genre: Historical Romance

Sometimes a secret must be kept for the truth to be revealed.

When a suspicious accident occurs at the famous Dinsmore Chocolate Factory in Sinclair, Kansas, Caroline Lang goes undercover as a factory worker to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and how the factory treats its youngest employees—the child workers. Caroline’s fervent faith, her difficult childhood, and compassionate heart drove her to her job as an investigator for the Labor Commission and she is compelled to see children freed from such heavy adult responsibilities, to allow them to pursue an education.

Oliver Dinsmore, heir to the Dinsmore candy dynasty, has his own investigation to conduct. Posing as a common worker known as “Ollie Moore,” he aims to find out all he can about the family business before he takes over for his father. Caroline and Oliver become fast friends, but tension mounts when the two find themselves at odds about the roles of child workers. Hiding their identities becomes even more difficult when fate brings them together over three children in desperate need. When all is revealed, will the truth destroy the love starting to grow between them?

My review:

5 Stars

Wow, I am convinced this is Kim Vogel Sawyer's best book yet. I think it will be hard for future books to live up to this one, it truly was that great! From the first page I was hooked and could not put the book down. I just loved how fast she transported me back in time! 

I really enjoyed the setting of being in a chocolate factory, but seeing the story played out through two undercover workers both with their own agendas but finding they need each other to get the answers they need. What they find out is more related then they ever could imagine and really brings light to some problems that still exist today. I loved the secondary message of how children need a family and an education, not to just learn how to work a job.

 

Fans of Kim Vogel Sawyer will not be disappointed at all. I will say I would love a second book to go further into the lives of Ollie, Carrie and the three children.

* I received this book through Blogging for Books for the purpose of this review. Thank you!

Shadows of the Past by Patricia Bradley

About the Book:

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Book 1 in Logan Point Series

While she's stalking the truth . . . someone is stalking her.

Psychology professor and criminal profiler Taylor Martin prides herself on being able to solve any crime, except the one she wants most desperately to solve--the disappearance of her father twenty years ago. When she finally has a lead on his whereabouts, Taylor returns home to Logan Point, Mississippi, to investigate. But as she works to uncover the truth, someone else will do almost anything to keep her from it.

Nick Sinclair pens mystery novels for a living, but the biggest mystery to him is how he can ever get over the death of his wife--a tragedy he believes he could have prevented. Now that his estranged brother is the only family he has left, Nick sets out to find him. But when he crosses paths with Taylor, all he seems to find is trouble.

Join the chase as Taylor and Nick search the murky shadows of the past for the keys to unlocking the present--and moving into a future they never imagined.

My Review:

4 Stars

Patricia Bradley debut novel Shadows of the Past is ta great book for the start of her Logan Point series. I was very excited to read this book as I normally love romantic suspense and while I enjoyed the overall story I did feel that the beginning was a tad slow and hard to get into. Once I reached the half way point there was no choice but to finish it as the story really got good. She did not keep me guessing as long as some do but sometimes I feel it is fun to figure it out on my own. Both ways work and both lead to enjoyable stories 

I do look forward to continuing the series on and seeing Patricia grow as an author. Fans of romantic suspense will enjoy having another author to read. Great job.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher

About the Book:

Genre: Contemporary with Historical mixed in

God was going to save her marriage, Allison was sure of it. But neither her husband nor her marriage had been saved.

What had become of His promise?

Tony Kavanagh had been Allison’s dream-come-true. They were in love within days, engaged within weeks, married and pregnant within a year. Her cup bubbled over with joy . . . but years later, that joy had been extinguished by unexpected trials.

The day Allison issued her husband an ultimatum, she thought it might save him. She never expected he would actually leave. She was certain God had promised to heal; it was clear that she’d misunderstood.

Now, living in the quiet mountain cabin she inherited from her single, self-reliant Great Aunt Emma, Allison must come to terms with her grief and figure out how to adapt to small town life. But when she finds a wedding dress and a collection of journals in Emma’s attic, a portrait of her aunt emerges that takes Allison completely by surprise: a portrait of a heartbroken woman surprisingly like herself.

As Allison reads the incredible story of Emma’s life in the 1920s and 1930s, she is forced to ask a difficult question: Does she really surrender every piece of her life to the Lord?

Drawing from her own heart-wrenching story of redemption, A Promise Kept is Robin Lee Hatcher’s emotionally charged thanksgiving to a God who answers prayers—in His own time and His own ways.

My Review: 

4 Stars

There is something about a Robin Lee Hatcher book that I know it will be super enjoyable to read but also a quick read. It is that perfect kind of book when life is busy and hard to find time to soak in a long book. She writes both in the contemporary and historical genres but this book merged both together which I always find enjoyable. I enjoy seeing how the past and present work together to form a fantastic story.

I had a hard time deciding which story line I enjoyed better but in the end I just loved Emma's story and would have loved a whole book just about her. I enjoyed the whole story and just loved the ending. The books message of surrendering everything to God is one we all need to hear over and over again, what a hard thing to do but also what amazing things come out of it when we do.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Friend Me by John Faubion

About the Book:

Genre: Suspense

“You’re afraid you are becoming unfaithful, aren’t you?”

Scott and Rachel’s marriage is on the brink of disaster. Scott, a businessman with a high-pressure job, just wants Rachel to understand him and accept his flaws. Rachel is a lonely housewife, desperate for attention and friendship. So she decides to create a virtual friend online, unaware that Scott is doing the exact same thing. But neither realizes that there’s a much larger problem looming. . . .

Behind both of their online creations is Melissa, a woman who is brilliant— and totally insane. Masquerading as both friend and lover, Melissa programmed a search parameter into the Virtual Friend Me software to find her perfect man, but along the way she forgot to specify his marriage status. And Scott is her ideal match. Now Melissa is determined to have it all—Scott, his family, and Rachel’s life.

As Melissa grows bolder and her online manipulations transition into the real world, Scott and Rachel figure out they are being played. Now it’s a race against time as Scott and Rachel fight to save their marriage, and their lives, before it’s too late.

My Review:

4 Stars

My first thoughts on this book was not as much about the struggle the main characters had with their marriage but with the way technology can be used.  The technology described in this book could be a really positive force but as this book clearly shows even something that is a positive force could be corrupted and for bad purposes. In this I'm not only speaking of how Melissa manipulated the software she created but also how Scott used the software and how that affected his marriage.  Overall I think the gender rolls used in this book could fit a lot of couples out there where two people are each trying to do what they think should make the other person happy ,e.x. working tons of hours to provide everything their family "needs", when in reality all they really want is to spend some time with you.  I wouldn't say that this book kept you guessing at every turn but it did give you alot to think about with how we interact with other people and especially how we try and fool ourselves into thinking that what we are doing is the right thing.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

With Autumn's Return by Amanda Cabot

About the Book:

Genre: Historical Romance

Book 3# in Westward Winds

She's planning on instant success. She didn't plan on love.

When Elizabeth Harding arrives in Cheyenne to open her medical practice, she is confident that the future is as bright as the warm Wyoming sun. Certain she'll have a line of patients eager for her services, she soon discovers the town may not welcome a new physician--especially a lady doctor. Even Jason Nordling, the handsome young attorney next door, seems to disapprove of her chosen profession.

When a web of deceit among Cheyenne's wealthiest residents threatens to catch Elizabeth and Jason in its snare, they must risk working together to save one of Elizabeth's patients--even if it means falling in love.

My Review:

5 Stars

I just loved Amanda Cabot's final book in her Westward Winds series, so much in fact that I think it was my favorite. Throughout the first two books I was looking forward to hearing about Elizabeth's story and it did not disappoint. While this book could easily be read on its own, I personally think reading in order will give you the full dynamic of all the characters and not give things away also.

I loved both Elizabeth and Jason's characters and found them to be charming, entertaining and abit stubborn. Reading about young women doctors back in a time where it was a mans profession is always interesting to me so this book was perfect. From page one I was hooked and wanted to read more. The only down side is this was the final book in the trilogy and that is always a sad thing when they are so good.

Fans of Amanda Cabot will not be disappointed with this book. For those new to her but love historical romance than this book/series is for you. I will now not so patiently wait for her new series to begin this fall.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."