Book Review: ‘A Hopeful Harvest’ by Ruth Logan Herne

December 17, 2019March 22, 2020 susansnodgrass

You can’t always pick who you fall for…

Her orchard. His heart.Can they successfully heal both?

When her family’s apple orchard is damaged by a storm, single mom Libby Creighton knows the harvest she’s depending on is in jeopardy. Though he prefers a solitary life, Jax McClaren has the skills to revive Libby’s orchard—and her guarded heart. But he’ll have to overcome the secrets of his past if he and Libby are going to have a fruitful future together.

About Ruth Logan Herne

USA Today bestselling, award-winning author Ruth Logan Herne is the author of over 50 novels and novellas. She loves God, her family, country, coffee, chocolate and dogs, and wishes possums would leave the cat food on the side porch alone. And yet… they don’t. With over two million books in print, Ruthy is living her dream of touching hearts and souls by writing the kind of books she likes to read.

She lives on a pumpkin farm in Western New York where they grow all kinds of cool things for fall from sumptuous squashes and veggies to gorgeous stacking pumpkins. Ruthy’s farm is quickly becoming the place to be every September and October. Ruthy herself is in charge of the kitchen and her very own baked goods, jams and jellies are for sale. The farm gives Ruthy a chance to chat with real people… then turn them into fictional characters during the quiet of mid-winter, so be careful what you say!

She loves chatting with readers through her website blog http://ruthloganherne.com and hanging with readers and writers in Seekerville… http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com where coffee is always hot, fresh and good! She loves playing in the kitchen, too, with a wonderful group of regionally-inspired inspirational authors at the Yankee Belle Cafe http://www.yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com. On Goodreads, she’s (yes, you guessed it!) Ruth Logan Herne, and that’s how to find this prolific author on facebook, too!

My Rating: 4 Stars!

‘She could put the whole thing squarely where it belonged, in God’s hands. He’d gotten her this far.’

Libby Creighton is back on her grandparents’ farm and apple orchard to help out now that her grandmother has passed and her grandfather has Alzheimer’s. But devastating circumstances threaten to ruin everything until Jax McClaren pulls up in the yard with the skills necessary to save the orchard. Both he and Libby have secrets, but will they allow God to guide them through to a successful harvest, both materially and personally?

Ruth Logan Herne writes with her soul and this reader feels it each time she opens a book by Herne. Her characters are real with real issues, not some fairy land setting, and I love how she shares the love of God in her stories. And…she creates the most precious child characters! Five-year old CeCe purely stole my heart in this one. Recommended.

*My thanks to the publisher and author for a copy of this book. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

Publication Date: December 17, paperback (January 1, Kindle)
Publisher: Love Inspired
Genre: Inspirational Romance
Buy Here: https://amzn.to/2Z16i6O

Book Review: ‘The Dating Charade’ by Melissa Ferguson

December 7, 2019March 22, 2020 susansnodgrass

**Just when you think you’ve met your match . . . the charade begins.**
Cassie Everson is an expert at escaping bad first dates. And, after years of meeting, greeting, and running from the men who try to woo her, Cassie is almost ready to retire her hopes for a husband—and children—altogether.
But fate has other plans, and Cassie’s online dating profile catches the eye of firefighter Jett Bentley. In Jett’s memory, Cassie Everson is the unreachable girl-of-legend from their high school days. Nervously, he messages her, setting off a chain of events that forces a reluctant Cassie back into the dating game.
No one is more surprised than Cassie when her first date with Jett is a knockout. But when they both go home and find three children dropped in their laps—*each*—they independently decide to do the right and mature thing: hide the kids from each other while sorting it all out. What could go wrong?
Melissa Ferguson’s hilarious and warmhearted debut reminds us that love can come in very small packages—and that sometimes our best-laid plans aren’t nearly as rewarding and fun as the surprises that come our way.

About Melissa Ferguson

Melissa Ferguson lives in Bristol, Tennessee, where she is an assistant professor at King University and pens books that make her laugh and grow. She used to have hobbies like running and backpacking the Appalachian Trail outside her door. Now she and her husband are outnumbered, and her hobbies include diaper changes, chasing toddlers in parking lots, and admiring the Appalachian Trail out her minivan window while singing “Winnie the Pooh.” She survives by Jesus, rom coms, and roughly two espresso shots a day. The Dating Charade is her debut novel.

My Rating: 4 Stars

‘Does lying impress you? Because I can lie. I can be the best pathological liar you’ve ever met.’

Cassie Everson escapes bad first dates. She is now ready, after many abominable dates, to hang up her hopes for a happily ever after. Jett Bentley knew of Cassie in high school and has just seen heeer dating profile online. He contacts her and a nice date follows.

Sometimes you read a debut novel that just grabs you and draws you into the story first thing. This is such a novel. Well written, good plot, nice characters, with some pretty good with thrown in and you have a recipe for success. Give Melissa Ferguson a chance with this debut novel. You won’t regret it.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Book Review: ‘The Bridge To Belle Island’ by Julie Klassen

December 6, 2019March 22, 2020 susansnodgrass

After a humiliating mistake, lawyer Benjamin Booker resolves to never again trust a beautiful woman. When an old friend is killed, the senior partner isn’t satisfied with Bow Street’s efforts and asks Benjamin to investigate. Eager to leave London for a while, Benjamin agrees. Evidence takes him to a remote island on the Thames, a world unto itself, shrouded in mist and mystery. Soon he finds himself falling for the main suspect–a woman who claims not to have left the island in ten years. But should he trust her?

On Belle Island, Isabelle feels safe and leads a productive life, but fear keeps her trapped there. When Mr. Booker arrives with news of her trustee’s murder in London, Isabelle is stunned. She has not left the island, yet she has a recurring dream about the man’s death. Or is it a memory? She had been furious with him, but she never intended . . . this.

When a second person dies and evidence shockingly points to her, Isabelle doesn’t know who to trust: the attractive lawyer or the admirer and friends who assemble on the island, each with grudges against the victim. Can she even trust her own mind? While they search for the truth, secrets come to light and danger comes calling.

About Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane–Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit http://www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information.

My Rating: 4 Stars!

‘Did she believe God was loving? She wanted to trust, but fear and worry all too often won out.’

I have been a Julie Klassen fan since her very first book, which I have read several times. Her Regencies are perfect and the mystery she throws in completes them. I was drawn in immediately here and continually kept trying to find the culprit. Her characters are great and the plot was also the same and the build up to the ending was superb! Recommended.

*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

Book Review: ‘Echoes Among The Stones’ by Jaime Jo Wright

December 5, 2019March 22, 2020 susansnodgrass

After Aggie Dunkirk’s career is unceremoniously ended by her own mistakes, she finds herself traveling to Wisconsin, where her grandmother, Mumsie, lives alone in her rambling old home. She didn’t plan for how eccentric Mumsie has become, obsessing over an old, unsolved crime scene–even going so far as to re-create it in the dollhouse.

Mystery seems to follow her when she finds work as a secretary helping to restore the flooded historical part of the cemetery. Forced to work with the cemetery’s puzzling, yet attractive archeologist, she exhumes the past’s secrets and unwittingly uncovers a crime that some will go to any length to keep quiet–even if it means silencing Aggie.

In 1946, Imogene Grayson works in a local factory and has eyes on owning her own beauty salon. But coming home to discover her younger sister’s body in the attic changes everything. Unfamiliar with the newly burgeoning world of criminal forensics and not particularly welcomed as a woman, Imogene is nonetheless determined to stay involved. As her sister’s case grows cold, Imogene vows to find justice . . . even if it costs her everything.

About Jaime Jo Wright
Daphne du Maurier and Christy Award-Winning author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing suspenseful, mysteries stained with history’s secrets. Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimewrightbooks.com!

My Rating: 4 Stars!

‘There was never a good time for Death to visit. There was never a time when Grief would leave.’

Jaime Jo Wright’s debut novel a few years ago was a wonderful book and I determined to follow her and eagerly anticipated each novel. Her trademark dual time line novels are like reading two books at once. She is quite good at weaving these two stories together, while at the same time, creating very mysterious plots.

This time around, the story takes place in 1946 and the present day. A gruesome murder has taken place and never solved, while in the present day, the murder seems to be at the very heart of the plot and it is life changing for those involved. Watching how Wright unfolds her stories is incredibly interesting and quickly draws the reader in. Recommended.

*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Book Review: ‘Seconds To Live’ (Homeland Heroes) by Susan Sleeman

December 4, 2019March 22, 2020 susansnodgrass

When cybercriminals hack into the US Marshals’ Witness Protection database and auction off witnesses’ personal details to the highest bidders, the RED Team led by FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. But before he can even get started, the first witness is targeted and barely escapes with her life. Sean believes Phantom, an obsessed hacker who previously outwitted the top minds in the field, is behind the attack, and Sean needs this witness’s help, as she’s the person who has come closest to discovering Phantom’s identity.

Trouble is, she’s a witness under the care of US Marshal Taylor Mills, and Sean is reluctant to work with the captivating marshal who knows his deepest secrets. But Phantom claims he knows where the witness is hiding and will kill her, so to stop the hacker, Sean and Taylor must work through their personal pain and learn to trust each other. . . . The seconds are ticking down before someone dies.

About Susan Sleeman
SUSAN SLEEMAN is the bestselling author of over thirty-five novels with more than one million books sold. She writes romantic suspense novels that are clean with inspiring messages of faith. Readers love her series for the well-drawn characters and edge-of-your-seat action. She graduated from the FBI and local police citizen academies, so her research is spot-on and her characters are real.
In addition to writing, Susan also hosts TheSuspenseZone.com. She has lived in nine states but now calls Oregon home. Her husband is a retired church music director, and they have two beautiful daughters, a very special son-in-law, and an adorable grandson.
To learn more about Susan’s books sign up for her monthly email that includes exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and other goodies. http://www.susansleeman.com/susans-newsletter/

My Rating: 5 Stars!

‘Trust me, I know what I’m doing. I have more training and experience than any of them.’

When a cybercriminal hacks into the WITSEC program and begins auctioning off personal details to the highest bidder, the FBI and the U.S. Marshals must race to try and uncover the identity of the hacker before all the witnesses in the program are compromised or killed.

FBI Agent Sean Nichols must work with U.S. Marshal Taylor Mills, and they only know each other from an online presence. They now have to work against the clock and form a bond that will help them catch this devious hacker and now murderer before more people die.

Susan Sleeman is a go-to author for me for suspense. She is good at what she does, no doubt about it. I love how she brings in the technical details of each branch of law enforcement into the mix to make it even more interesting. The story builds excitement with each chapter and races to an exciting conclusion. I highly recommend this book. I am now eagerly awaiting more in Sleeman’s Homeland Heroes series.

*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

Prism Book Tour: ‘The Piper’s Pursuit’ by Melanie Dickerson

December 3, 2019March 22, 2020 susansnodgrass

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

The Piper’s Pursuit
(Hagenheim #10)
By Melanie Dickerson
YA Fairy Tale Retelling, Christian, Historical
Hardcover, Audiobook & ebook, 320 Pages
December 3rd 2019 by Thomas Nelson

A fairy-tale journey of intrigue and romance that reimagines the classic Pied Piper story.

A plague of rats. A giant beast outside the village walls. A host of missing children. And one young woman determined to save her people.

In 1424 Hamlin, Katerina faces threats from all sides. An outbreak of rats has overtaken the village, a mysterious beast is on a killing rampage of the village’s children, and Katerina’s evil stepfather is a dark presence inside the walls of her own home. Katerina is determined to hunt and kill the Beast of Hamlin herself before more lives are lost.

When Steffan, the handsome but brash duke’s son, comes to town seeking glory and reward, Katerina decides he might be the ally she’s been looking for—even though the only gentle thing about him seems to be the sweet music he plays on his pipe. But there’s more to Steffan than she suspects, and she finds herself drawn to him despite her misgivings.

Together Katerina and Steffan must stop the enemy from stealing the children of Hamlin. But their interference might create an even worse fate for the entire village.

Praise for The Piper’s Pursuit

“The Piper’s Pursuit is a lovely tale of adventure, romance, and redemption. Kat and Steffan’s righteous quest will have you rooting them on until the very satisfying end!” —LORIE LANGDON, author of Olivia Twist and the DOON series

(Affiliate links included.)
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | TNZFiction

Other Books in the Series

(Linked to an Amazon affiliate link.)

About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.

Tour Schedule

My Rating: 5 Stars!

‘You aren’t worthy because of what you’ve done, son. Because no one can ever do enough to be truly worthy. You’re worthy because God gave His Son to make us worthy.’

I recall vividly my mama reading bible stories and fairy tales to my little brother and me as we were growing up. I have never stopped loving fairy tales. And Melanie Dickerson has a way of taking an old fairy tale, breathing new life into it and turning it into a wonderfully fresh and new fairy tale which honors God! I love her work.

I have always loved the Pied Piper of Hamlin story and she does wonders with this one! I was captivated from the very beginning and read it in one day. Highly recommended.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Review: ‘Holiday Homecoming Secrets’ by Lynette Eason

December 2, 2019March 22, 2020 susansnodgrass

**A man from her past is back—**

to help her solve a holiday murder case.

A friend is missing and presumed dead, and detective Jade Hollis is determined to track down the killer. To do that she must team up with private investigator Bryce Kingsley—who doesn’t know he is the father of her child. But she’ll have to put personal secrets aside because the killer will strike again to keep the truth from being exposed.

About Lynette Eason
Award-winning, best-selling author, Lynette Eason writes for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line and for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her books have hit the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won numerous awards such as the prestigious Carol Award, the Selah, the Daphne, the IRCC award and more. Lynette is married, has two children, and lives in Greenville, SC.

My Rating: 4 Stars!

‘I’m really tired of getting shot at and people trying to blow me up or burn me alive.’

Lynette Eason knows suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this and read it in one day! She creates believable characters and great plots. She left me guessing till the very, very end. The culprit was a total surprise. And shock! She is an auto buy author for me. I highly recommend her books.

*My thanks to the publisher for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is my own.

Book Review: ‘Silent Night Suspect’ by Sharee Stover

December 1, 2019March 22, 2020 susansnodgrass

**Suspected of a crime she knows she didn’t commit…**

All she wants for Christmas is to remember.

Blood on her blouse. A gun in her hand. A cartel leader’s dead body in front of her. Widow Asia Stratton can’t remember what happened—just that she’s been framed. The only way to prove her innocence is to work with her ex-sweetheart, Nebraska state trooper Slade Jackson. But can they clear her name before this Christmas turns even deadlier?

About Sharee Stover
Colorado native Sharee Stover lives in Nebraska with her real-life-hero husband, three too-good-to-be-true children, and two ridiculously spoiled dogs. A self-proclaimed word nerd, she loves the power of the written word to transform, ignite and restore. She writes Christian romantic suspense combining heart-racing, nail-biting suspense and the delight of falling in love all in one. When she isn’t writing, Sharee enjoys reading, crocheting and long walks with her obnoxiously lovable German Shepherd. Visit her at https://www.shareestover.com/.

My Rating: 4 Stars!

‘Did his prayers reach God? Where else did desperate men go?’

When you wake up next to a dead drug kingpin with blood on your blouse and a gun in your hand, you can guarantee things are not going to look well for you when the police pull up. This is exactly what happens to Asia Stratton. She can’t remember a thing from the last two days, but she’s certain she isn’t a killer. And she doesn’t even know the dead man!

Sharee Stover is a new-to-me author and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it in one day and fully intend to continue to read her books. In fact, there is a secondary character in this book, who I would love to see get his own story. The characters were well formed, the plot was good and the action great. I love to see this in a book, situations where the reader is kept guessing until the end. Very nice to find a new author! Recommended.

*My thanks to the publisher and author for a preview copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Book Review: ‘How God Grows A Woman Of Joy’ by Anita Higman

November 30, 2019March 22, 2020 susansnodgrass

Featuring two hundred–plus devotional readings complemented by scripture selections and prayers, this lovely collection offers a powerful blend of inspiration, encouragement, and refreshment for every area of your life. Touching on topics like friendship, family, faith, God’s Word, prayer, serving, and more, you will find yourself drawn ever closer to your heavenly Father as you meditate on each reading and open your heart and mind to God’s Word.

Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over forty books published. She’s been a Barnes & Noble “Author of the Month” for Houston and has a BA in the combined fields of speech communication, psychology, and art.
A few of Anita’s favorite things are good movies, fairytales, traveling, gardening, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.
Feel free to drop by Anita’s website at anitahigman.com or connect with her on her Facebook Reader Page at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnitaH…. She would love to hear from you!

My Rating: 4 Stars!

This is very nice little devotion book. Joy is something we all need more of and joy is not dependent upon our circumstances. We can choose joy in the midst of tribulation and trials. The joy of the Lord is indeed our strength. I am thoroughly enjoying this little book. Each selection consists of a scripture, a short devotion and a prayer. Easily done in five minutes or less. Perfect for women on the go. I recommend this one.

*My thanks to Barbour Publishing for a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required and my opinion is entirely my own.