This book will be published early August.  I received an e-galley from NetGalley.

Product Description

When Carolyn’s grown daughter tells her she needs to “get a life,” Carolyn decides it’s time to step out of her familiar routine as a single woman in San Francisco and escape to her mother’s home in the Canary Islands. Since Carolyn’s mother is celebrating her seventieth birthday, the timing of Carolyn’s visit makes for a perfect surprise.

The surprise, however, is on Carolyn when she sees Bryan Spencer, her high school summer love. It’s been seven years since Carolyn lost her husband, but ever since that tragic day, her life has grown smaller and closed in. The time has come for Carolyn to get her heart back. It takes the gentle affection of her mother and aunts, as well as the ministering beauty and song of the islands to draw Carolyn into the fullness of life. She is nudged along by a Flamenco dance lesson, a defining camel ride and the steady gaze of Bryan’s intense blue-gray eyes.

Is it too late for Carolyn to trust Bryan? Can Carolyn believe that Bryan has turned into something more than the wild beach boy who stole her kisses so many years ago on a balmy Canary night?

Carolyn is reminded that Christopher Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands in 1492 on his voyage to discover the New World. Is she ready to set sail from these same islands to discover her new life?

My Comments: I enjoyed this book because it reminded me in so many ways of the Sister Chick books also by Robin Jones Gunn.  The traveling, the new culture, the close family, and the renewed romance made this book a relaxing, enjoyable, entertaining read.  The returning to Christianity after being bitterly disappointed also spoke to me because of experiences I have had with that in my own life.  Turning back to God is the ultimate happy ending to a story.  If you enjoy a great escape, I recommend this book.

I received this book as an ebook from Simon Schuster.  Thank you!  It will be released the beginning of July.

Elizabeth Avery could easily be the girl next door.

But what she has planned will make your blood run cold.

At first glance, the crimes appear random. Arson. Theft. Fraud. Murder. But these are more than random crimes. They’re moves in an increasingly deadly game. And the one element they have in common: a woman who is gorgeous, clever . . . and lethal.

Elizabeth Avery has a winsome smile and flawless figure, but underneath is a heart of ice. She’s a master at manipulating people, convincing strangers to do the unthinkable. And she orchestrates it all without getting too close. Until now.

When Elizabeth ruthlessly disposes of an inquisitive young reporter, her crime catches the attention of Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, and crime reporter Cassidy Shaw. They know they’re dealing with a cold-blooded murderer who could strike at any time. What they don’t know is that they’re already on a first-name basis with the killer.

And one of them may be next on her list.

Because Elizabeth has no intention of getting caught – not when she’s having this much fun. She learned a long time ago that the safest place to hide is in plain sight . . . and the greatest way to defeat those weaker than her is to make it personal.

My Comments: Heart of Ice kept me on the edge of my seat, and I had a hard time putting it down.  I have often read about a male serial killer, but never a female.  This book is the third in a series (Triple Threat Novels) and I will be looking for the first two soon.

I always wonder what makes someone who can kill someone without a second thought tick.  I am pretty sure I couldn’t even hurt an animal, let alone a person.  I don’t think a person becomes a killer without many complex issues in their lives.  Of course everyone is an individual and there are many different type issues involved.

The heroines in this story are not your average amateur detectives – we have a reporter, an FBI agent, and a Federal Prosecutor – three very capable, very strong women.  They each have their own issues but easily could be somebody you know or have known.

Heart of Ice has a light Christian emphasis – not preachy at all – and could be enjoyed by anyone – person of faith or not.  The main characters are a mixed bag as far as faith is concerned.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it for anyone who enjoys suspense novels.

This book will be released the beginning of April.  I received my e-book copy via NetGalley. Thank you!

Olivia seems to have it all, but her heart yearns for more.Olivia Stewart’s family is one of the Four Hundred-the highest echelon of society in 1910. When her sister dies under mysterious circumstances, Olivia leaves their New York City home for Mercy Falls, California, to determine what befell Eleanor. She suspects Harrison Bennett, the man Eleanor planned to marry. But the more Olivia gets to know him, the more she doubts his guilt-and the more she is drawn to him herself. When several attempts are made on her life, Olivia turns to Harrison for help. He takes her on a ride in his aeroplane, but then crashes, and they’re forced to spend two days alone together. With her reputation hanging by a thread, Harrison offers to marry her to make the situation right. As a charity ball to rebuild the Mercy Falls lighthouse draws near, she realizes she wants more than a sham engagement-she wants Harrison in her life forever. But her enemy plans to shatter the happiness she is ready to grasp. If Olivia dares to drop her masquerade, she just might see the path to true happiness.

My comments: I always enjoy books by Colleen Coble and when I saw she had a series based somewhat on lighthouses I got excited!  This book has everything I enjoy: mystery, romance, and suspense.  The characters are likable, understandable, and I can relate to them.  Because it is Christian fiction I didn’t have to deal with censoring scenes in the book that I view inappropriate for my own personal reading.

I thought I had figured out the ending, but wound up being surprised.  I enjoy and appreciate that in a book!

This is the third in a series, and because I enjoyed this book so much I ordered the first book, The Lightkeeper’s Daughter and look forward to reading it.

This book will be published mid-April by Thomas Nelson.  I received an e-copy to review from NetGalley.  Thank you!

Handsome, headstrong Jacob offers Lilly his hand in marriage, but his heart belongs to someone else.

While Lilly Lapp has loved Jacob for years, she wouldn’t compete with Sarah King, the woman Jacob was determined to marry. But when Sarah marries another, Jacob spontaneously agrees to wed Lilly.

Lilly divides her time between teaching the local Amish children and caring for her widowed mother who suffers from depression. Lilly’s faith comforts her, but her heart still longs to be the sole object of Jacob’s affection.

As the days slip by, Lilly decides that hoping is too risky and vows to protect her heart. But God is subtly as work, and as winter turns to spring, their hearts awaken.

The furthest thing from Lilly’s mind is her Amish wedding quilt, a traditional gift for new brides. And the person she’d least suspect is the one making it. Like stray pieces of fabric quilted into a new design, Jacob and Lilly’s marriage begins to bind them together in ways neither expected.

My Comments: Why oh why do I love these Amish books so much?  I think it is because they are sweet, romantic, and CLEAN.  Again, I cried and I loved reading this book!  Again, it hits different issues and makes me long for a simpler life.  This is the second or third time I’ve read a book by Kelly Long and each story gets better.  Having gone through a major depression myself, I love the way Kelly handles this in her story.  Christians, especially need education about depression, and to do that in a story format is a great way to reach people with the truth.  Interesting to know that depressionis a problem also in the Amish community, but then again depression is no respecter of persons!

Also, the teaching aspect hooks me.  I can’t even begin to imaging teaching all grades.  The children must be well behaved!  Kelly touches on autism in a sweet way.  Of course, the characters are almost perfect, but I love the escape!

Please  leave a comment share with me the name of your favorite Amish book, or clean romance.  I know there must be other readers out there like me!

I obtained this book for my Nook on NetGalley (thank you very much).  It is set to be published by Thomas Nelson the end of March.

Inside their picture-perfect homes, the residents of this quiet California suburb are not at all what they seem.

Lance is a former weatherman, now a buff yogi, stay-athome dad, and manager of his daughter’s Girl Scout troop’s cookie distribution. Belle is his precocious and quick-witted daughter. Darlene is a classic Type A work-a-holic, she has little time or patience for the needs of her husband and daughter

And just down the street are Alec and Wren. Alec, a womanizing businessman, is also the financial backer—and sometimes more—behind Darlene’s burgeoning empire. Meanwhile, Wren is a doting mother and talented yogi, ready to lay down the mat for a quick session with Lance.

As looming Santa Ana winds threaten to turn brushfires into catastrophe; Playdate proves that relationships are complicated and the bonds between families, spouses and children are never quite what they seem. What happens next door, beyond the hedges, in the romper room and executive office—it’s all as combustible as a quick brushfire on a windy day.

My Comments: I read this and it’s not my type of book.  It is kind of depressing although it is advertised as funny.  I guess I just don’t think that adultery is funny at all.  The story, however, was written well enough to engage me and cause me to finish the book.

I love the idea of a nurturing stay-at-home dad.  If the mom can’t be that, it’s great that the Dad CAN be! Our main character stays at home with his young daughter.  He cooks, cleans and keeps the home fires burning.  His wife is trying to start a restaurant and is gone long hours.

This book well depicts different areas of CA.  It is not glamorous in all of southern CA, although many times Hollywood would like to make it out to be so.  Some areas are desert and just plain HOT.  There are rich, snooty areas and poor areas.  There are beautiful areas, and just plain awful areas.  This book distinguishes between two such areas, and well I believe.

The cover is pretty accurate.  The characters ring plastic and several are players (kind of Barbie and Kennish).  The fire is crucial in helping the characters realize what is truly important in life – kind of predictable.

I hope you have enough information to make an informed decision of whether or not to read this book.  It’s not for everyone.

Faithful Christian Deidre Clark-Morris is a professional career-minded woman with a loving husband and beautiful home, but no children. Kenisha Smalls has lived in poverty her entire life and has three children by three different men. After learning that Kenisha has inoperable cervical cancer, the relationship between these two women becomes a catalyst of hope, leading them both to a place of redemption and healing.

My Comments: I cried throughout this book – it was so sad, yet had a very satisfying conclusion.  The struggles the characters had with their faith in God were so real-to-life.  The author made it easy to relate to each character.  I love the idea of one of the main characters being the principal to the other main character’s child.  Even the problems the principal faced at school and with her superintendent struck a familiar chord.  I “know” some of these people close and personal and you may also.  I highly recommend this book to anyone strong in the faith, weak in the faith, or without faith.  You will find hope.

The cover is beautiful, don’t you think?  I look forward to reading more books by Vanessa Miller!

Thank you NetGalley for an e-copy of this book!