Treacherous Trails

by Dana Mentink

Description

Falsely accused…

Can she escape the real killer?

In this Gold Country Cowboys story, farrier Ella Cahill is accused of murder—and only former marine Owen Thorn, her brother’s best friend, can help clear her name. Now with someone trying to kill Ella, Owen must protect her…despite his promise to her brother to stay away from her. But can they work together to find the true killer before she becomes the next to die?

Biography

Dana Mentink is a national bestselling author. She has been honored to win two Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion, and a Reviewer's Choice award. She's authored more than thirty novels to date for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense and Harlequin Heartwarming. Dana loves feedback from her readers. Contact her at www.danamentink.com

My Perspective ~

Ella Cahill, a childhood friend of the Thorn family is mistakenly suspected of murder. Signs that point to her continue while Owen Thorn does his best to help discover the answers to numerous questions. The entire Thorn family stands behind Ella and her disabled sister, as she follows every clue that may help to clear her name.

Characters are strong and relatable, while a fast paced plot keeps the reader steeped in suspense. This is not a book to slowly absorb! The action continues to the very end of the story, and there are no clues as to which way the plot will lead. Numerous signs lead to dead ends, while the real killer is still at large and posing new threats to Ella and her family. 

I was propelled through this book! This author has a habit of building a suspense filled plot, and leading the reader around corners that are not what one would expect. I read this book so fast that I may have to read it again just to enjoy the story at a slower pace! I highly recommend Treacherous Trails, the second in the Gold Country Cowboys series. 


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book with no expectations for a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own. 

A Refuge Assured

by

Jocelyn Green!

Description

Lacemaker Vivienne Rivard never imagined her craft could threaten her life. Yet in revolutionary France, it is a death sentence when the nobility, and those associated with them, are forced to the guillotine. Vivienne flees to Philadelphia but finds the same dangers lurking in the French Quarter, as revolutionary sympathizers threaten the life of a young boy left in her care, who some suspect to be the Dauphin. Can the French settlement, Azilum, offer permanent refuge?

Militiaman Liam Delaney proudly served in the American Revolution, but now that the new government has imposed an oppressive tax that impacts his family, he barely recognizes the democracy he fought for. He wants only to cultivate the land of his hard-won farm near Azilum, but soon finds himself drawn into the escalating tension of the Whiskey Rebellion. When he meets a beautiful young Frenchwoman recently arrived from Paris, they will be drawn together in surprising ways to fight for the peace and safety for which they long.

Biography

Jocelyn Green is a former journalist who puts her investigative skills to work in writing both nonfiction and historical fiction to inspire faith and courage. 

The honors her books have received include the Christy Award in historical fiction, and gold medals from the Military Writers Society of America and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. 

Complex and nuanced characters, rich historical detail and twisting plots make her novels immersive experiences. Her fiction has been praised by Historical Novel Society, Romantic Times, Library Journal, historians specializing in her novels’ time periods, as well as popular and acclaimed authors Laura Frantz, Lori Benton, Jody Hedlund, Sarah Sundin, Joanne Bischof, Julie Lessman, and more.

Jocelyn loves Broadway musicals, the color red, Toblerone chocolate bars, Mexican food, and well-done documentaries. She lives in Iowa with her husband, two children, and two cats she should have named Catticus Finch and Purrman Meowville. 

Visit her at jocelyngreen.com, and receive a free gift when joining her e-newsletter mailing list at jocelyngreen.com/subscribe.

My Perspective ~

It is sometimes difficult to write an adequate review for an eloquent story such as A Refuge Assured. A deeply emotional experience is how I reflect upon my reading of this book. Ms. Green has a gift with words that is poetic in nature, and strong in substance. A powerful novel plagued with adversity while fingers of beauty intertwine like silk threads evolving into lace. This is a tough one. I'm finding it difficult to describe something that is an experience, personal and unique to each individual.

An historic novel developed with depth and character, this story has obviously been well researched. A history lesson through fiction, my eyes were opened to the ravages in revolutionary France throughout the 1790s. Escape to America is an improvement, but not without harsh revelations. Descriptive and detailed, characterizations and landscape are well represented.

This deeply moving story moves along at a rapid pace while affording the reader adequate time to experience the plot through well depicted images. Numerous emotions are evoked, creating a host of reactions throughout this novel. I highly recommend this novel that contains a multiplicity of events and experiences. It is without a doubt Ms. Green's finest novel to date! 

Disclaimer: I received this book with no expectations for a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.

CONTEST GUIDELINES: Please leave a comment and your email address using [at] and [dot] to protect your email address. Giveaways are limited to residents of the continental US only, please. I am not responsible for loss or damage through the postal service. Winners have one week to claim their prizes. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate all of your comments!

Optional: For additional chances to win this giveaway, share this contest through either Twitter or Facebook, and sign up to follow my blog. Please let me know what you did for extra chances to win. Deadline for this giveaway is Friday, 2-23-2018.

Love by the Numbers

by Laura V. Hilton

Review & GIVEAWAY!

Description

After a buggy accident claims the life of her fiancé, Lydia Hershberger makes a fresh start in Jamesport, Missouri, managing a gift store. It isn’t long before she meets the young man hired to handle the bookkeeping—Caleb Bontrager, whose handcrafted cuckoo clocks are sold in the store.             

And it isn't long before Caleb has made up his mind about her: bright and sparkly but not right for him. Alarmed by his attraction to her, he determines to settle down with someone more practical. Less sparkle. More logic. But he can’t seem to shake his feelings for Lydia.      

     
When false allegations by the bishop back home catch up with Lydia and threaten to ruin her reputation, can she clear her name and find lasting happiness? Or will her sunny disposition fade away into heartbreak?

Biography

LAURA V. HILTON is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with more than a thousand reviews published on the web. Her first series with Whitaker was The Amish of Seymour, including A Harvest of Hearts (2012 Laurel Award winner, first place in the Amish Genre Clash); and her second was The Amish of Webster County. Her most recent series was The Amish of Jamesport, featuring The Post Card, The Snow Globe, and The Birdhouse. Laura and her husband, Steve, live in Arkansas with their five children, whom Laura homeschools.

My Perspective ~

Laura V. Hilton has been a long time favorite author of mine. In each of her series there is a wonderful connection from one novel to the next, with each novel containing its own merits. Love by the Numbers follows in this wonderful tradition. Old friends and family members are revisited while new characters are developed in their own rights.

It amazes me how this author can whisk me into a novel and have me captivated with little effort. Descriptive, enthralling and with continuity, the plot keeps whirling along seamlessly. Family and love are the epitome of the plot. Relationships spark and sizzle, but always tasteful and pure. Once again, love is in the air with a unique and exciting flair!

Join me in the pleasure and excitement that Laura creates in her books. You'll become a fan quickly if you aren't already!

Disclaimer: There were no expectations for me to provide a positive review, and all expressed opinions are my own.

CONTEST GUIDELINES: Please leave a comment and your email address using [at] and [dot] to protect your email address. Giveaways are limited to residents of the continental US only, please. I am not responsible for loss or damage through the postal service. Winners have one week to claim their prizes. Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I appreciate all of your comments!

Optional: For additional chances to win this giveaway, share this contest through either Twitter or Facebook, and sign up to follow my blog. Please let me know what you did for extra chances to win. Deadline for this giveaway is Friday, 2-16-18.

Roswell's Secret

(Defending America Series #2)

by Vannetta Chapman

Description

National Security Comes At a Price Dean Dreiser learned that lesson long ago. Now, domestic terrorists are testing a biological weapon in southern New Mexico, and Dean is assigned a new partner—Dr. Lucinda Brown. Lucy is the leading expert in molecular biology, but she has no field experience. The terrorists are willing to kill thousands in order to trigger the fall of the two-party system and usher in a new political dawn. Lucy tracks the genetic print of the weapon while Dean hunts the insurgents. Separately, they don’t stand a chance against the terrible secret that dominates the night skies of Roswell, New Mexico. Together, they can do more than survive. They can combat and conquer this frightening threat. This fast-paced romantic thriller combines a twisting plot, believable characters, and fascinating details about military ops, bio-agents, terrorists, and forensics—all set against the backdrop of the dusty desert land of the Southwest. Be prepared for a read that will keep you up well into the night and an ending that will leave you questioning the true nature of Roswell’s Secret. Author Bio Vannetta Chapman is the author of over twenty bestselling novels, including Hidden, Protected, and The Remnant Series. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and a Christy award finalist. She has won over a dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She currently writes full time, teaches college students on the side, and resides in the Texas Hill country.

Biography

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She has published more than one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her novel Falling to Pieces was a 2012 ACFW Carol Award winner. A Promise for Miriam earned a spot on the June 2012 Christian Retailing Top Ten Fiction list. Anna's Healing was a 2015 Carol Award finalist. Chapman writes Amish romance, Amish cozy mysteries, and Christian dystopian (suspense). Chapman was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time. She lives in the Texas hill country with her husband. For more information, visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com 

For more information, visit her at 
webpage -- www.VannettaChapman.com 
blog -- http://vannettachapman.com/blog/
facebook -- www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks
pinterest -- http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman
instagram -- https://instagram.com/vannettachapman
twitter -- https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman

My Perspective ~

Dystopian fiction is a relatively new genre to me, and my introduction to this genre has been quite an experience! This author has convinced me that the genre is much more than just a label! Ms. Chapman is a favored author of Amish fiction, but her development as an author over the years has convinced me that she is a woman of many talents. Mystery, intrigue, suspense and drama are high points in this series of futuristic events. 

Characterizations and relationships are well established and believable. Settings are pictorial, and the plot is impressive. I was so immersed in this book that I found myself holding my breath at times. I had to put the book down occasionally due to my reactions to the chilling suspense and fear that overcame me. These events could be actual! 

Totally unpredictable and riveting, Roswell's Secret is high on my list of recommendations! Pick up a copy and prepare for an unexpected experience!