First Kisses

My review today is on a novella, First Kisses. The first story is The Ramble's Bride by Linda Goodnight. I really enjoyed this story. I think Linda is a great story teller, especially westerns. This story is well written and will touch your heart. Faith is very much a part of this story, I love that.

Jericho North (don't you love that name?) comes to the ranch of his deceased brother with the will and the deed to the ranch. He has every intention of throwing the harlot his brother married out and taking over the ranch. He's not sure how she manipulated his brother to marry her but he would make fast work of getting rid of her. Imagine his shock when he arrives and find a beautiful woman fighting with a man on the doorstep. After he stops the abuse of the man, she says "You're here" and throws herself in his arms and kisses him. What can a man do but kiss back? Then he finds she has a child, this changes everything.

Esther North came out west to live with her cousin after her family had died in an epidemic but soon realized her mistake when she met her cousin's husband. After only a week he forced her to work in his saloon cleaning and cooking for the girls upstairs. Theo told her she had to earn her keep. She married Silas North out of desperation and to help him. Silas was a man destroyed by an accident and lost in a bottle but they helped each other. In a final act of honor Silas pushed her out of the way when a wall of the barn they were building fell. Esther was pregnant and he had saved her life but now a widow her cousin was trying to force her to sell her ranch.

A great story of desperation, forgiveness, and restoration. I know you will love this story. See how God can intervene and change everything. He always has a plan.

Huckleberry Harvest by Jennifer Beckstrand

My book  review today is Huckleberry Harvest, the next fifth book in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill. This book is an Advance Readers Copy so it isn't available yet but you can preorder it. I loved this book and the whole series. Jennifer's books are well written, very humorous, but heart warming. They will touch your heart. In this book you see how an honorable Amish man tries to deal with and alcoholic dat. A hard situation in anyone's culture but unthinkable in an Amish community. Jennifer handles the problem in a touching way. I know you will love this book.

Anna and Felty Helmuth are  caught unprepared for their granddaughter's visit. Mandy is coming to stay with them for one month. Anna has no idea who to match Mandy with, Felty thinks Noah Mischler would be a good match but Anna thinks he is to sad for Mandy. Anna devises a plan, she goes throughout the district and invites all the eligible boys to visit, bribing them with knitted potholders. Felty buys a new stove and has Noah come to install it and then fix his roof.

Mandy comes to visit her grandparents because her best friend is brokenhearted because her boyfriend broke up with her through a text. Mandy has to come and fix the problem. No man should break up over a text. What kind of Amish boy texts anyway? He was baptized for heaven sakes. But why does he have to look so good and have all those muscles?

Noah meets the beautiful Mandy when she comes to his door and yells at him for breaking the heart of her best friend, Kristina. Although he slams the door in her face he is intrigued by her freckles. As he works at Felty's he is drawn to the nosy beauty. How can he keep her out of his business when he can't keep her out of his head?

I love this story of two people who are trying to serve God in the only way they no how but God's plan doesn't seem to be working for them. God makes a way where there seems to be no way.

Targeted by Becky Avella

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Targeted. This is the first book I have read by Becky but I really liked it. I'm sure I'll be reading a lot more of her work. The story was well written, full of action, and fast paced. Her characters were regular flawed people just trying to survive until God's plan took over. I like that!

Seattle Police K-9 officer Rick Powell and his partner, Axle are chasing a serial killer. When they break into the killer's house they find two boards one with his victims pictures, three of whom they hadn't known about. What shattered Rick's heart was the pictures on the other board, a picture of his next victim, a woman he recognized and knew well. He tried to get a hold of her and then rushed to the school. Horrified when the man was in the room with her.

Stephanie O`Brien is a teacher at the Lincoln Elementary School. She had won a grant and received new computers and equipment for her fifth grade class. One Saturday, while Stephanie reviews her lesson plan and dreams of the time she can return to Africa as a missionary.  There is a noise as someone unlocked her class room door, her IT guy has shown up. He points to the new boxes in the corner full of more equipment. As she moved around the table she notices Rick standing outside her window with a gun pointing at her, no not her.

These two take the journey of a lifetime as they try to stay on step ahead of the killer. God has a plan and leads them in the way they should go. A great story that you don't want to miss.

Presumed Guilty by Dana R. Lynn

My review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Presumed Guilty. I don't think I've ever read any of Dana's books but I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more of her work.  This story is well written, action packed, and fast paced. I liked her characters, they were complex broken individuals trying to survive and find a way out of the darkness.

Melanie Swanson is released from prison. She has been incarcerated for four years for a crime she didn't commit. Now the real murderer is trying to kill her and anyone that was involved in the murder trial. As people involved in the case begin to be picked off around her, she  and the officer assigned to protect her search for the killer.

Police Lieutenant Jace Tucker picks up Melanie as she is released from prison and rescues her from the angry mob. The time of her departure has been changed and yet the parking lot is filled with reporters. Jace was the one who gathered the evidence against Melanie and was instrumental in sending her a way. Now as she is attacked and threatened he realizes he may have made a mistake. Can he keep her alive and not lose his heart to this beauty?

This is a great journey of two broken people seeking justice, forgiveness, and love. God always has a plan and if we give Him a chance He will turn your life around. His plan is always much better than anything we ever hoped for.

Sealed With a Kiss--With Love, Cowboy by Lacy Williams

This is the last review of the Sealed With a Kiss Novella. This story is With Love, Cowboy by Lacy Williams. I think Lacy does a great job with cowboy and western stories. I come from Nebraska and we have a lot of cowboys (though very few are Christians) and she does really well in her descriptions of them. I love that she does faith throughout her stories. This one is well written, has great characters, and will touch your heart.

Ryan Michaels has been in love with Ashley most of his life. Unfortunately he is two years younger and she won't take him seriously. When Ashley returns home wounded he is determined to make her fall in love with him. He has spent the decade she has been gone caring for her parents, their land, and their business. Her father is suffering from Alzheimer's and her mother is recovering from a heart attack. He has written to Ashley faithfully every week that she has been gone even though she has never answered them. He takes her mother to Walter Reed to be with Ashley as she recovers from an amputation of her arm and other serious injuries.

Ashley Reynolds found out that she was adopted in her teen years. Running a way she joined the Marines and worked with a  Military Working Dog both were blown up by a bomb. Atlas, her dog was injured and unable to return to the military so they let her take him home. Ashley has a hard time readjusting to her new life but is shocked by how much her parents have declined. Ashley wasn't sure what to do with Ryan as he seems to have taken over their lives, she is attracted to him but has always seen him as the kid who had tormented her. She still had his letters although she hasn't opened one of them. How can she trust him when he hasn't let her know about her parents?

A great journey of undying love, trust, and finding God's plans for your life. We all need to find God's plan for our lives. I guarantee it will be much better than the plan you have. Just trust God, He loves you.

Sealed With a Kiss---Unshakeable Pursuit by Camy Tang

My book review today is on the third story in the novella, Sealed With a Kiss. This story is Unshakeable Pursuit. I don't know about you but I love Camy's work. It is always well written and full of action. I also like the way she uses faith throughout her work. God has a plan in her stories and God has a plan in our lives, sometimes finding that plan is difficult but well worth it.

Doctor Geoffrey Whelan went through a terrible experience in Japan during a Tsunami. He is now broken and trying to find his way back. Working in the the Free Children's Clinic a young woman comes up to him and tells him that he and Nurse Maylin Kinley are in terrible danger. Geoff goes in search of Maylin to tell her what the woman had told him. He takes her into the break room and no more than shares this threat when a nurse tells them that two FBI agents are waiting for him in his office. These two men are both rumpled, Asian looking, and speak with Chinese accents. Something wasn't right here.

Maylin Kinley is a nurse at the free clinic. She knew Geoff when he was a resident and although he was very good looking she didn't like him much. Now years later he didn't seem to be the same man. She was still attracted to him but he was to controlling for her taste. Between her parents and an abusive boyfriend she wasn't about to let any man tell her what to do but as they are attacked she finds herself wanting to obey the man.

Two hurt, broken people have a harrowing journey to find out who is after them and why. Both are running from God but discover He is there only hope. A great story.

Sealed With a Kiss--Deadly Intent by Margaret Daley

My book review today is on the Novella, Sealed With a Kiss. This is the second story in the novella. I loved this story but then I love all of Margaret's work. This story is an excellent example of her but to short, of course that is the problem with novella. This story is well written, action packed, and I loved her characters. It's hard to get complex characters in a short story but these are awesome. I like the way she always weaves faith throughout her work like a tapestry.

Texas Ranger Sarah Osborn is called out to the ranch of her former boyfriend. She has been searching for cattle rustlers but when a prize stallion is stolen the sheriff thinks they might be connected. She is shocked when she meets with her ex-boyfriend, even though he had broke her heart and left her, there are still feelings there. As his life becomes threatened, she needs to figure out how to protect Ian and her heart at the same time.

Ian O'Leary had left years ago to join the FBI, now after a disastrous case he has moved home and taken over the ranch. When his prize stallion is stolen the sheriff sends the love of his life to investigate the theft. He had left her to find revenge when his best friend is killed by terrorists. Now he has experience a devastating case and realized it had all been a horrible waste of time when they could have been together. Now someone was trying to destroy them both.

This is an adventurous journey of two broken people trying to stay alive and protect each other. I highly recommend it.

Sealed With a Kiss---Mail Order Sunshine Bride

This is a novella so today I'm writing a review on the first story, Mail Order Sunshine Bride by Janet Tronstad. I loved this story. I really like mail order bride stories and Janet's are some of the best. I can't imagine being that desperate that I would be willing to marry a complete stranger. Although people do it everyday with online dating services. I know people who have been truly blessed but some have had real disasters. This story is well written and quite humorous. I enjoyed her characters.

Widow Eleanor O`Reilly is desperate after the death of her uncle. She puts an ad in the newspaper calling herself the Sunshine Bride. She's been told by her family that she isn't pretty but she considers herself with a sunny disposition. She and her young son use their last pennies to board a train and head out to Miles City, Montana but when they arrive her new husband is no where to be found.

Sheriff Patrick MacDonald goes to meet the young widow. He hates this part of his job. He introduces himself and then escorts her and her son to the jail to get them out of the blizzard.The woman doesn't even have a decent coat. They just arrive when her intended shows up along with the mountain man who won her in a poker game.

Shocked she tries to figure out what to do now; alone in a strange city, no way to return even if she had a place to return to, no money to live on, plus she owes her intended the money for the tickets to come. Nellie, as she is called, becomes faint as she hasn't eaten for days. Patrick steps up to protect the woman. A great journey of two lonely people and a plan that God works out for them.

Accidental Fiancee by Mary Moore

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Historical, Accidental Fiancee. I loved this book. I've always loved the marriage of convenience stories and this is a close example. I loved the way Mary uses her faith throughout the story. How difficult it would be to be thrown into an engagement to a man you don't know, a man that goes against everything you believe in, basically living a lie. The story is well written, full of complex characters, and tense situations. You will love this book.

Lady Grace Endicott is traveling to London to chaperone her young, beautiful sister to come out in the upcoming season. As they rest at an inn Grace overhears a conversation about how a young woman was going to trick Lord Weston into a comprising situation and force him to marry her. Grace doesn't know this rake but is determined to save him from this woman's clutches but in doing so find herself in a comprising situation. The Lord tells everyone they are engaged and so the story begins.

Lord Weston, Brandon Roth does what he thinks is right. A short engagement will save this woman's reputation and also help get him through the season without the troublesome mothers of the ton throwing their daughters at him. He soon realizes that Grace is unlike any woman he has ever known and finds himself wanting to continue the engagement. Does her faith in God has anything to do with the woman she has become?

A journey of discovery of two flawed, brokenhearted people drawn together by God's  perfect plan. God always has a plan for us, sometimes discovering that plan can be difficult and painful but it is always worth the journey.

The Gift of a Child by Laura Abbot

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Historical, The Gift of a Child. I enjoyed this story. It is well written, humorous, and heart warming. Laura shares her faith throughout the story. I like that. I know you will like this book.

Rose Kellogg had a bad relationship that has changed her life. Her beautiful sister has married and has a beautiful daughter. Now she has reached the age of twenty-seven she realizes she will never marry but she prays for a child anyway. One day she finds the answer to her prayers asleep in the barn with a note on his chest. The young abandoned boy heals her broken heart.

Seth Montgomery is a big, awkward farmer. He was teased unmercifully as a child and has made up his mind to never marry. His brother has married the love of his life the sister of Rose Kellogg. Seth is drawn to the sweet generous woman but has thought of her as a part of the family. He finds a special bond in the young child she has taken in and begins to see Rose in a new way.

When the mother comes and get the boy both are devastated. They set out on a journey to find the child and the love that has been slowly growing between them. They find that God has a plan and He has been there beside them all the time. A great read.

Big Sky Homecoming by Linda Ford

My review today is on the Love Inspired Historical, Big Sky Homecoming. This is the third book in the Montana Marriages Series. I have really enjoyed this series and hate to see it end. I loved the Bells and how under great persecution they stood fast. This book is well written, humorous, and will touch your heart. I love Linda's books; it is a true ministry.

The Bells found three little girls out on the prairie and took them home to feed them. When their parents weren't found they adopted them. Rose Bell is the last sister left at home. Both of her sisters have found good men of God, married them, and have homes of their own. Rose is convinced that her calling is to care for her aging adopted parents, the animals, and the farm. She was determined to protect her family from the harassment from the Caldwells. Everything changes when she finds Duke wounded after being thrown from his horse. She must care for him.

Duke Caldwell has been visiting his grandparents in Philadelphia but didn't feel like he belonged there any more than he did at his father's ranch. An only son who seemed to never find a place in his father's life. When he returns he is drawn to the beautiful Rose Bell even though there was a feud between their families. Duke had always been attracted to her even when they were children, not knowing what else to do he teased her unmercifully. Now he had to find a way to show her how he felt but all she saw was the danger the feud was causing her family. Duke went to his father and asked him to end the war. But there was no end to the harassment.

This is a journey to find redemption, forgiveness, and God's plan in their lives.. A great story of faith and love.

The Nany Arrangement by Lily George

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Historical, The Nanny Arrangement. I enjoyed this book. It's a cute story, well written, and very entertaining. I enjoyed her character although they were complex hurting people. I recommend this book.

Rebecca Siddons is working in her sister's millinery shop. At one time all three sisters worked there and it was a lot of fun but now Susannah's married and Nan doesn't want Beck's fancy hats, she wants plain serviceable bonnets. Becky fought with her continually feeling  as if there was no place left for her. A broken relationship was the last straw. She takes a position as a nursemaid with a man she has known most of her life. His niece was being sent from Italy. Upon meeting the headstrong, defiant child she finds herself in over her head.

Paul Holmes was a man of wealth and influence. He was put in charge of his home and family at a very young age. After the death of his fiancee he loses himself in the baser thing during the London Season.
The death of his young sister brought his failures to the surface. He hires his best friends sister-in-law to be a nanny for his young niece not knowing it would turn his world upside down.

A journey of two people finding their place in the world through God's grace. God always has a plan for us, although it can be difficult to find and understand. Sometimes it means leaving what we know and are comfortable with into the unknown. It is always worth the risk. 

Duty Bound Guardian by Terri Reed

My book review today is on the Love Inspired Suspense, Duty Bound Guardian. This book is the second book in the continuation series Capitol K-9 Unit. I love those series and this one is by six of my favorite authors.  This book is well written, fast paced, and full of adventure but at the same time it is full of faith and I love that. Terri writes a great suspense and I love her work.

Lana Gomez just lost her estranged sister and finds out she has a nephew that needs a family to love. Coming from an abusive married she is unsure of whether she can care for the boy. She petitions the court to obtain custody but before her court day she is attacked and a valuable artifact is stolen from the museum where she is curator. All the evidence points to Lana as being the thief. Will this effect her custody petition and why is someone threatening her?

Capitol K-9 Unit Officer Adam Donovan becomes involved in the investigation believing it is connected to their murder case they were still investigating.(see first book) Lana is a person of interest in his search but soon is led to believes she is being set up. He moves her to his brothers home for protection but is drawn to the beautiful woman.

A journey of two brokenhearted people trying to protect themselves and each other. A great adventure of forgiveness, restoration, and finding God's plan in the midst of destruction. A great read,I highly recommend it.