A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller

About the Book:

Can a marriage of convenience ever become one of true love?

Ingrid Larsen arrives in Michigan in 1871 with little more than the clothes on her back and a determination to find her brother, who has disappeared into the dangerous lumber camps. Destitute and barely hanging on to hope, the young Swedish immigrant crosses paths with Joshua Hunter, a newly widowed farmer with eyes the color of the ocean she had crossed and five rambunctious children to raise on his own.

Marriage would solve both of their problems, and Ingrid finds herself proposing in broken English to a man she barely knows. Many difficulties lie ahead--but the hardest battle of all will be winning the heart of her new husband.

My Review:

4.5 Stars

I have come to the conclusion that Serena B Miller books are just plain awesome. I have enjoyed every one I have read and find myself greatly looking forward to another one. I love how she writes in more than one setting, but I will say the logging setting is very interesting to me. Partially since I didn't know that much about it and it is not a setting that is written in as much.

I really liked Ingrid in this book, she did a bold and courageous move offering to marry Joshua Hunter so he wouldn't lose his kids. The crazy part was that throughout the whole book she kept making bold moves. She was not afraid and always tried to what is right. I couldn't imagine making the decisions that she did and in many ways thankful I do not have to.

I highly recommend this book to everyone that loves a good historical romance based on some real history. Serena really does her research and makes the setting the come to life.

* I received this book from Revell Books for the purpose of this review. Thank you!

A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman

About the Book:

Orphaned in Iowa, Annie Kennedy moves to Boston to stay with her spinster aunt. She longs for romance to fill the void left by her parents' death. But when she falls hard for Steven O'Connor, the man who broke an engagement to her sister, Annie is worried. Will he break her heart too when he discovers who she really is?

With heart-pounding romance, intense family drama, and emotional twists and turns, A Love Surrendered is everything Julie Lessman's many fans have been waiting for.

 My Review:

5 Stars ( or more like 10 stars )

What a fantastic book this was to read!!! A Love Surrendered is the third book in Julie Lessman's Winds of Change series and I think it was my favorite in this series. Annie Kennedy just jumped out of the pages and into my heart the minute  I met her. She was so much fun to read about and get to know. It was unique because she had not been in any of the others books so she was brand new to the family. It was also great catching up with the rest of the O'Connor's and learning about their plans and schemes!!!

With this book it is sad to think the end has come to the O'Connor family but the road was so much fun in hearing of all their adventures. Julie ended the book fantastically and I felt sad that it was over but there was still a conclusion to wonder six books that spanned two series and many decades. At least there is one more book to read, a lighter simpler tale of how Marcy and Patrick met all those years ago.

I highly (and even higher than that) recommend Julie's books to everyone who loves a good story filled with drama, tension, romance and wonderful Christian lessons. Though I warn any new reader to Juile, DO NOT read them out of order! Each book builds on the past one and it would just not be right to read them out of order. 

Congrats Julie on another wonderful novel that will remain in my heart and on my bookshelf for years to come.

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

When A Heart Stops by Lynette Eason

About the Book:

A killer's deadly game needs new players . . . but someone's about to change the rules

As a medical examiner, Serena Hopkins is used to dealing with death. But that doesn't make it any easier when she's called to the eerie scene of a murder--especially when Serena realizes that she knows the victim. Nearly as unnerving is the presence of FBI agent Dominic Allen, her childhood crush.

As evidence mounts and points to a serial killer with disturbingly familiar methods, Serena and Dominic must work to find a pattern and stop the killings before the murderer strikes again. And when Serena's own life seems at stake, she must decide if the secret she has been keeping has put her next on the killer's hit list. Can she trust Dominic with the truth before it's too late?

My Review:

4 Stars

When A Heart Stops is book 2 in Lynette Eason's Deadly Reunions series. This book picks up where the last book ended and I strongly recommend reading the books in order. In fact it would be easy to be confused if you had not read the first book. While I found the first book to be filled with non stop action and and a complete page turner I did not find that with this book. I did find that the suspense was more chilling, creepy and very intricate and that made me want to finish the book to find out what happens. The only problem I had in the end is that this book ended with another cliff hanger just like the first book. Now to wait more months till the final book comes out and the story can wrap up. This is the type of series that I would much rather read all at once then waiting for each book to come out.

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

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

About the Book:

They know everything about each other--except their real names.

Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she's never met--even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence--he's been trying to escape his infamous name for years.

As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other's true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?

Combining a flair for romance with excellent research and attention to detail, Sarah Sundin vividly brings to life the perilous challenges of WWII aviation, nursing--and true love.

My Review:

5 Stars

WOW, I loved this book from the very first page to the last page. I didn't want it to end and I can't wait to read the next two books in the series and get to know to of the minor characters from this one. With Every Letter is the first book from Sarah Sundin that I have read and now I can't wait to go back and read her other books. I loved having a romance set during WWII and seeing a happy story develop in the midst of war. Many stories set during war times can be so sad, and they forget there were many happy things going on during that time too. I was swept into the romance of this story and couldn't wait to see how they would find out who each other is and where it would go from there. In the end, I really can't say enough good things about this book and recommend it to everyone.

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

The Reunion by Dan Walsh

About the book:

Everything lost can be found.

Aaron Miller knows a thing or two about loss. He's lost love. Dignity. Second, and even third, chances. Once honored for his heroism, he now lives in near obscurity, working as a handyman in a humble trailer park.

But God is a master at finding and redeeming the lost things of life. Unbeknownst to Aaron, someone is searching for him.

With deep insight into the human heart, consummate storyteller Dan Walsh gently weaves a tale of a life spent in the shadows but meant for the light. Through tense scenes of war and tender moments of romance, The Reunion will make you believe that everyone can get a second chance at life and love.

My Review:

4.5 Stars

The Reunion by Dan Walsh is the third book I have read from him and I find myself loving every book so far. I will admit that his spring 2010 release, The Discovery, was definitely my favorite but this on is a close second. I just loved the romance part of this story, it was so sweet, gentle and showed that love can happen anywhere at any time. Dan Walsh did a great job at weaving a love story, war story and story of healing and reunion. At times it was said to see all that Aaron lost but what was even sadder was seeing what he had that he didn't see. We as humans so often don't see what others see and what God is trying to show us. This is a great story of honoring heros, opening closed doors and finding new love. Great job, Dan and I can't wait to read more from you in the future.

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

Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz

About the Book:

On a bitter December day in 1784, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of blacksmith Liege Lee in York County, Pennsylvania. Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship quickly and move west. But because he is a fast worker and a superb craftsman, Liege endeavors to keep him in York by appealing to an old tradition: the apprentice shall marry one of his master's beautiful daughters.

Eden is as gentle and fresh as Elspeth is high-spirited and cunning. But are they truly who they appear to be? In a house laced with secrets, each sister seeks to secure her future. Which one will claim Silas's heart--and will he agree to Liege's arrangement?

In this sweeping family saga, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. This is the Ballantyne Legacy.

My Review:

5 Star

Love's Reckoning is the first book I have read from Laura Frantz and I know with out a shadow of a doubt I will be reading more from. I know many people who love her books and now I know why. This book is wonderful and I enjoyed every minute of it. Laura Frantz writes with a different style then many other authors out there and I felt like it read more like classic books. That is just my own opinion. The characters, setting and such are described in great detail and she takes her time in developing the characters. By the end of the story they feel real and multidimensional. The characters of Eden and Elspeth are both fun and different and I came to like them for different reasons. I am greatly looking forward to following their story in the future. The only downside I found with the book is that I have to wait a year for book 2 to release. I recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romances and family sagas, which to me makes a great combination. Way to go Laura Frantz on an excellent book!

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