Standing Watch

To protect an innocent witness…a K-9 must sniff out a killer.

When K-9 task force officer Zach Kelsey’s estranged wife is attacked at a Mount Rushmore observation deck, he and his K-9, Amber, are quick to come to her rescue. He discovers not only that Eden, a park ranger, is carrying his child, but that she saw her coworker’s murder. As the only witness to the crime, Eden has no choice but to accept Zach’s protection. But with a ruthless killer ramping up his vicious attacks, they must put their differences aside to catch the murderer…before Eden becomes his next target.

My Review:

Phew! Heart-in-throat opening scene sets the tone for this tense, action packed romantic suspense! The way Reed describes Eden’s desperation and panic kept me frantically listening. (Yes, this was another audible read for me – wonderful performance by a favourite narrator, Tanya Eby.) And the emotional turmoil of the reunion romance added a whole other kind of tension. I just had to keep ‘reading’ in order to get to the happily-ever-after reward.

So, Zach and Eden have a history — and it’s pretty fresh. They’re married but have been separated for a couple of months. Feelings are tender. Miscommunication rampant. Secrets need to be shared. All while trying to stay one step ahead of a very determined killer.

This is the third book in the Dakota K-9 Unit multi-authored continuity series but makes an excellent standalone read as well. There is one over-arcing suspense plot that carries through from the first book to the last while each story has its own suspense and romance with complete resolution.

A captivating page-turner (or compulsive listen.) Zach and Eden’s story is an incredible addition to the series and I’m excited to be back with the team next month for another installment!

A is for Amish + Giveaway

In a heartwarming new series from New York Times bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray, four siblings take a genuine leap of faith when they move to their grandparents’ farm in rural Ohio and decide to become Amish.

Exploring the relationship between Amish and English cultures through the lens of a single family, the Amish Again series is perfect for fans of Beverly Lewis, Suzanne Woods Fisher, and Charlotte Hubbard – and anyone who enjoys uplifting stories about faith, family, love, and the simple life.

Siblings Martin, Kelsey, Beth, and Jonny are as different as can be, but they have one thing in common. They’re all longing to reinvent their lives. Raised by their divorced lapsed-Amish father and English mother, they only knew real stability and a sense of family when visiting their Old Order grandparents, Josiah and Sylvia Schrock, in peaceful small-town Millersburg, Ohio. Now the four want to try living with them and joining their faith—much to the Schrocks’ surprise . . .

Martin, the eldest, is reeling from a bad breakup, so he’s especially determined to make a fresh start. When he meets his grandparents’ neighbor, Patti Coblentz, he’s immediately drawn to her outgoing, helpful nature—but is so overwhelmed that he appears blunt and rude. Is there any way he can drop his defenses enough to admit she’s captured his heart?

Always self-conscious about the birthmark on her temple, Patti is resigned to never marrying and busying herself with the responsibilities of the large home and property she has inherited. Besides, Martin’s ill-mannered behavior and disconcerting directness make him the last man she’d ever want to wed—no matter how handsome he is.

Yet given time and patience—and adhering to their grandparents’ unexpectedly challenging rules—the whole family might just find what they’re looking for, even Martin and Patti.

My Review:

I really enjoy Shelley Shepard Gray’s distinctive storytelling style. And I love the emotional depth in her characters and the realistic situations she puts them in. It all feels so very real and plausible and like something I can relate to. So easy to become completely immersed in the story. And I also appreciate the way she builds a series. The stories are interconnected and some plot lines carry over from book to book, but somehow she still makes each one work as a standalone.

So, the premise of this Amish ABCs series centres around four siblings who have had an unorthodox upbringing with borderline negligent, definitely emotionally detached parents. Their one constant and only security during their childhood was the summers they spent on their grandparent’s farm – their Amish grandparents.

Fast forward a decade or so and we find Martin, Kelsey, Beth and Jonny making an unusual pact. They’re ready (or so they think) to leave their complicated ‘English’ lives behind for the simple pleasures of plain living. Naturally, it’s not that simple and we only get part of the story in this first instalment. And this is where it get’s tricky to review without major spoilers.

I’ll just say that I was completely captivated by Gray’s multiple POV storytelling which reveals individual insecurities and misconceptions that stirred up so many emotions in my compassionate reader’s heart. I might have teared up a time or two. Plus there’s a bit of a cliffhanger ending to one major plot line in ‘A is for Amish’ so I have to get a copy of ‘B is for Bonnet’ and dive back in to this charming fictional world as soon as possible!

Sometimes You Stay + Giveaway

For digital content creator Cretia Martin, home is wherever her carry-on suitcase lands. And it’s constantly landing in new places as she travels the world. She’s never been interested in settling in one spot–after all, houses are just places that collect junk and tie you down. But when she literally bumps into local dog breeder Finn Chaffey on Prince Edward Island and all of the tools of her trade end up in the harbor, she can’t exactly leave until she gets things sorted out.

Finn is horrified by the part he played in the accident and offers to help, arranging for Cretia to stay with a friend at the beautiful Red Door Inn. The longer Cretia is forced to remain in one place, the more she discovers what she’s been missing with life on the road–and the more she wants to see Finn and his business succeed. But helping him means staying put, the one thing she always swore she wouldn’t do, and risking the only thing she’s never put on the line–her heart.

New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson invites you back to the Red Door Inn on Prince Edward Island for an inspiring story full of adorable puppies, sweet friendship, and unexpected romance.

My Review:

Mercy! I think my toes are permanently crimped from all the toe-curling romantical moments in this story. Swoonable from start to finish — even though the meet-cute was anything but cute! Totally funny and kinda embarrassing though. And I love the way Joe Jr. saved the day! Bwahahaha!

Poor Finn. He’s way out of his element from the moment he meets Cretia and his discombobulated state doesn’t ease up any time soon. Conflicted is the word of the day for these two because of personal histories and the whole location issue. Cretia travels the world for her job, after all and Finn is rooted in the deep red soil of his PEI farm where he breeds and trains search and rescue Newfoundland dogs (eeeeppp, one of my favourite breeds!) And collects an assorted menagerie of rescue animals. Happy sigh, Farmer Finn is my kind of hero.

This opposites attract romance is so achingly tender and full of emotion. It’s sweet and funny but when the sizzle starts to spark, watch out, sensitive readers might feel a little singed around the edges! Love the balance between lighthearted moments and the deep soul-searching ones. Finn and Cretia both have to come to terms with their pasts in order to be free to create a future together. This is a bit of a redemption story for both of them.

Love that we get glimpses of what life is like at the Red Door Inn since Marie (Red Door Inn heroine) takes Cretia in when she finds herself stranded after an unfortunate occurrence (the aforementioned meet-cute.) And the familiar small town community vibe adds warmth and grace to the story. Reading ‘Sometimes You Stay’ felt very much like a homecoming. Cozy and comforting and so, so satisfying!

I enjoyed listening to the audible edition narrated by Kelli Tager. She did a wonderful job bringing these characters to life. Would definitely recommend the audio edition to discerning listeners.

Hope Harbor + Giveaway

Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life–and love–altered her plans. When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda. Nor is it on Michael Hunter’s. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives–including their own.

Fan favorite Irene Hannon brings a whole new cast of characters to life in a charming Oregon seaside village. Emotional and heartwarming, this story invites readers to come home to Hope Harbor, where love and hope bloom–and hearts heal.

My Review:

first published in 2015

I am so in love with this series that  I’m re-reading them — well, listening this time round because I LOVE Therese Plummer’s narration — again. This will be my third time starting with book one and going right through to book 11. I realized from the comments on my review of Sunrise Reef last week that there are a number of readers who haven’t so much as dabbled a toe in Hope Harbor! So here’s your chance to take the plunge (ha, see what I did there?) I’ll be reading (aka listening) to a book a month so there will be plenty of opportunities to jump on board with this series…or fill the gaps in your collection if you missed some along the way.

So much more than a love story. In fact, I’d consider it the perfect example of the ultimate love story — the one we each share with God. Honestly, I was moved to tears quite a few times during my reading experience. And even now, as I write this review I’m getting all teary eyed. How to convey why? Let me try to explain.

Told from multiple viewpoints, this is more than just Tracy and Michael’s ‘winds of change’ story. Diverse characters, all harboring pain from regrets they can’t seem to overcome, have important roles to play. Hannon does an incredible job of weaving their stories together, expertly building them into a crescendo of a climax that left me sobbing. The author’s brilliance is evidenced by the way each character’s story intersects. Story threads merge and blend and become something so much bigger than each individual triumph. I found it totally moving.

The inspirational thread is strong but not overbearing. It flows as a natural extension of characters who strive for relationship with their Heavenly Father. And there’s this one character, Charley, who is pivotal to the whole plot though he really takes a backseat in the overall scheme of things. But I have my suspicions about Charley which has me grinning from ear to ear.

Hope Harbor dishes out hope and healing, not just to the characters within its pages, but to the readers on the outside looking in. Definitely one for the keeper shelf.

A Faithful Gathering

Leisel Bachmann left her Amish roots and beloved sisters to pursue a career in medicine without a second thought. She has an Englisch boyfriend, Nick Jordan, and dreams of a new life–but those dreams come crashing down when her sister Marie is diagnosed with cancer.

Soon nothing is going as she planned–not her state boards, not her first nursing job, and certainly not her relationship with Nick. As she becomes increasingly discouraged, her aunt shares the story of Leisel’s grandfather during World War II and the struggle he faced between returning to Lancaster or being with the woman he loved.

Peace and a vision for the future are difficult to find, and when Nick leaves Pennsylvania for a completely new life, Leisel is faced with impossible choices. Will she stay in Lancaster, close to her family and the traditions of her past? Or learn from her grandfather’s story and embrace a life of love and service in an uncertain future?

My Review:

Not your typical Amish romance! I really appreciate the unique approach Leslie Gould has taken with this series. I read book one, loved it, skipped book two because I didn’t much care for the sister it featured but now that I’ve read the third book I definitely have to backtrack and read the second one. 🙂 I should have trusted the author all along.

Tough subject matter, both past and present (this is a dual timeline story as we observe WWII through the eyes of Leisel’s grandfather) highlight the real struggles of finding peace in the midst of trauma and pain.

Leisel grew up in a less that ideal enviroment, left her Amish community to pursue her calling as a nurse and returns home to support her sister diagnosed with cancer. She’s caught between two worlds, which, sadly (for me) includes two fellas. So…a bit of a love triangle adds yet more angst to the mix.

Love the way her grandfather’s experiences being conscripted into the Civil Public Service during the war carry into Leisel’s present day. The timelines are woven seamlessly and make an emotional impact.

A stirring redemptive story of faith and hope.

The Song of Sourwood Mountain + Giveaway

The doors she thought were closed forever are starting to open up . . . just a crack

Though the century began with such promise, it is 1910 when Mira Dean’s hopes of being a wife and mother are dashed to pieces. Her fiancé dead from tuberculosis, Mira resigns herself to being a spinster schoolteacher–until Gordon Covington shows up.
 
No longer the boy she knew from school, Gordon is now a preacher who is full of surprises. First, he asks Mira to come to Sourwood in Eastern Kentucky to teach at his mission school. Second, he asks her to marry him. Just like that.
 
With much trepidation, Mira steps out in faith into a life she never imagined, in a place filled with its own special challenges, to serve a people who just might end up becoming the family she always yearned for.

My Review:

Lyrically beautiful storytelling. Gabhart brings Appalachian culture and community to life in such a vibrant way that it’s easy to picture every detail as the story unfolds.

Gordon caught my attention in the very first chapter with his unorthodox proposal which sends Mira’s world spinning out of control. Loved the marriage of convenience storyline with Mira being scooped out of all that is familiar and deposited into a very different environment.

And, oh my goodness, the characters (both loveable and not so much) in those Kentucky hollers! Love Mira’s grit and determination and her unflinching compassion in every situation. Particularly when dealing with ten-year-old orphan, Ada June. The girl has gumption! And such a big heart but she’s so misunderstood and overlooked. I really enjoyed having part of the story told from Ada June’s perspective. Added even more emotional depth to this classic-feeling Appalachian tale.

The romance between Gordon and Mira is gentle and tender and develops slowly from a foundation of mutual faith and trust in God. It felt so natural and plausible and emotionally satisfying. There’s lots of growth, both in their relationship as well as with the people in the community they have been called to serve.

I love becoming immersed in a story and ‘The Song of Sourwood Mountain’ was that kind of read for me. These characters will stay with me (so hoping for an Ada June story sometime in the future!) A classic Ann H. Gabhart bestseller!

Lethal Standoff + Giveaway

Justice can be elusive. Family secrets can be deadly. The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking in a volatile criminal case filled with unanswered questions. And Carrington Reed is running short on time to piece together clues that will solve the puzzle.

Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is called to the scene when reports come in that fifteen hostages are being held by the Kendrix brothers in an abandoned house in south Texas. When she arrives on site, Carrington quickly learns that the brothers are armed and refuse to release their victims, a group of undocumented immigrants, until the local police identify their father’s murderer.

Working closely with Levi Ehrlich, a handsome investigative reporter who has covered some of Carrington’s negotiations in the past, she finds herself being undeniably drawn to him. Carrington digs deeper into the death of the Kendrixes’ father and begins to notice that some details surrounding his death aren’t adding up.

As Carrington investigates the brothers’ claims and tries to piece together their motive for taking innocent people captive, it soon becomes clear that they are trying to hide something and that revenge for their father’s death may not be what they’re really bargaining for after all. To protect the hostages and ensure the brothers don’t carry out the rest of their sinister plot, Carrington must get to the bottom of one family’s secret and the truth they’re trying so hard to hide before time runs out.

Award winning author DiAnn Mills delivers pulse-pounding romantic suspense about secrets, betrayal, and finding a path to forgiveness.

My Review:

Tense. Edgy. Intriguing. Mills has crafted a page-turning thrill of a read that highlights the aftermath of physical abuse and psychological trauma. So many layers to delve into! Both in the case and the personal lives of both hero and heroine.

Levi is a Messianic Jew and there are some really interesting insights into his faith that were eyeopening for me. As a man of integrity and deep faith, he’s the kind of journalist who strives to tell both sides of the story, reporting with accuracy and a godly world view.

Carrington is all kinds of complicated with a past that still haunts her and an intense life-or-death job that completely occupies all of her time and energy. Some say she might even use it as an excuse to avoid getting involved…and they wouldn’t be wrong.

When investigative reporter and hostage negotiator agree to work together on a disturbing case with more questions than answers, secrets are threatened…and so are their lives. In fact, together Levi and Carrington are “a dangerous pair. Curiosity and compassion. Always in trouble.”

Unputdownable!

Hunted on the Trail + Giveaway

A killer out for vengeance…but this bloodhound has his scent.

Ambushed by sudden gunfire, former cop Stephanie Wolfe realizes the tracking competition she entered with her bloodhound is a setup. An escaped fugitive has lured her into the remote wilderness to exact his deadly revenge. And her ex-boyfriend, bounty hunter Vance Silverton, has fallen into the fatal trap, too. Now cut off from civilization with only minimal supplies and their two dogs, the pair must depend on each other to survive. But with a treacherous storm approaching, it’s not only a cold-blooded killer they’ll have to escape.

My Review:

Quintessential Mentink! Everything I love about her writing is right here in this book! I’m particularly appreciative of her ability to get into deep characterization with K-9s! Seriously, this author speaks dog and I love the way she brings these critters to life in her stories. And the way she portrays the human/dog dynamic is brilliant and funny and so relatable (if you’ve ever been owned by fur buddy, that is!)

Loved the opening scene that morphs into action pretty quickly. This is very much a wilderness survival kind of suspense where Stephanie and Vance are cut off from the rest of the world and are being hunted by a nefarious villain. The relentless pursuit, near misses and plenty of gasp-out-loud moments build up the tension as their circumstances grow more dire, making for an unputdownable read.

But, what I love best about this story is the way the author deftly brings humour to even the toughest situations. So many laugh out loud moments — usually involving a certain dog and a certain hero. Loved their interactions and the way Vance is so defensive of his K-9. Honestly, I fell in love with Vance because of the way he treats that fur ball. I have no idea how Stephanie resisted for so long! But then, they have history so – yay – for a Second Chance Romance trope which adds its own kind of tension to the plot.

I enjoyed listening to the audio edition of ‘Hunted on the Trail’. Narrator Abby Craden did a phenomenal job breathing life into these characters and conveying all the tension and drama through her performance. A brilliant listen!

My thanks to Harlequin Audio and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.

Sunrise Reef + Giveaway

After years of searching, Bren Ryan has found her place in Hope Harbor. Working as a barista suits her to a T, as does the laid-back vibe of her adopted town. Nothing is lacking in her life–except romance. But that’s okay. Men are a complication she doesn’t need.

Buttoned-up CPA Noah Ward isn’t looking for love, either, when he arrives in town on a mission to convince his father to move closer to him. And he certainly doesn’t intend to fall for the quirky, free-spirited woman who’s taken up residence in his father’s guest cottage. But when he finds himself sucked into her quest to help a struggling teen, might the two of them discover there’s more to each other than meets the eye

Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites you back to the charming town of Hope Harbor–where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

My Review:

Picture me, blissfully basking in a post-read afterglow because Hope Harbor is my happy place and these folks are my found family! If only I could magic myself there!

The next best thing is listening to Therese Plummer’s heartfelt performance as she narrates the audio book. Plummer captures all the emotional nuances of the story and delivers the kind of performance that suggests she relishes every word as much as I do. A winning author/narrator combination! And I love the consistency of using the same narrator for each book in the series. It feels like a real homecoming the second I hear Therese Plummer’s voice reading Irene Hannon’s words!

And, oh my, but does this eleventh book deliver all the feels and so much hope! (No worries, it can be read as a standalone too, but once you’ve visited Hope Harbor, you’ll be sure to go back time and time again!) Love getting glimpses of past heroes and heroines as well as steadfast secondary characters (Charley! Dueling clergy!! Floyd and Gladys!!!)

Aside from Noah and Bren’s story, there’s a secondary plot involving a young woman striking out on her own for the first time. The way her life merges with Bren’s, and consequently Noah’s, makes for masterful storytelling. It’s funny, and touching and ultimately so inspirational. Love the balance Emma brings to the very slow-burn romance building between our hero and heroine (even though it starts out with a very fiery meet-cute. Bwahahaha!)

Their’s is an enemies to more, opposites attract kind of love story with lots of starts and stops along the way. They are thoughtful and careful…and yes, wary. Honestly, we have most of Hope Harbor to thank for getting Bren and Noah together in the end. Because found family takes care of each other like that. 🙂

I so enjoyed my sojourn back to Hope Harbor. Hannon has created another exceptional story full of grace and hope and a true sense of belonging. A stunning addition to a much loved series.

Protecting the Orphan + Giveaway

An innocent baby is targeted…he’ll guard the child with his life.

Retired soldier Heath Adler never thought he’d see his ex-girlfriend, private investigator Rebecca Campbell, again—much less become her protector. But when her stepsister is murdered and her infant nephew is at risk, Rebecca soon has a target on her back. Whoever killed her stepsister is still out there—and they’re coming for Rebecca and the baby next. Now Heath will do anything he can to guard them both, but it’s one thing to hunt a killer…and quite another to stop one.

My Review:

Mercy! What a tilt-a-whirl of a read! Gripping from the opening scene and chock full of tension and drama right through to the end. I was completely engrossed and listened to the entire book in a day. Lisa Lindsley did an awesome job delivering a sense of urgency and angst in her narration. Kept me even more on edge as I eagerly listened for what would happen next.

And there was so much happening! Both with the suspense and the romance. A second chance love story that teases at their past without revealing all until close to the end. Eeeeeppp….so deliciously riveting because that past has messed with Rebecca and Heath’s minds and makes it harder for them to address the issue and move on. I do so love getting all caught up on romantical tenterhooks!

And the suspense — twisty turny with gasp-put-loud moments that totally threw me for a loop. I’m still a tad discombobulated.

This second Trinity Investigative Services book reads well as a standalone. It’s my intro to the series and I enjoyed getting to know the team and am eager to hear their stories in future books.