BOOKS AFLOAT by Delores Topliff, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

 

I love stories that are based in fact and this one was a top-notch rendition. I learned new things about the US in war time.

Annie Mettles is determined to captain a floating library along the Columbia River to deliver books to folks and complete the Governor’s Challenge. After a shaky start, she embarks with pilot, Char Young and mechanic, Ted Vincent. They meet interesting people who crave books. In addition they are on the look out for Japanese boats trying to infiltrate the river from the Pacific. Ted, Anne and Josh, who is away at war, were childhood friends. As they navigate West toward the Pacific, Ted and Anne draw closer as circumstances test their resolve. The author weaves a faith thread throughout, taking us back to a time when people relied more on God and prayed for each other and their neighbor.

One of my favorite characters was Johnny, a wiry, old fella who lives off the grid and shows the boaters all kinds of interesting things.

The story kept me turning pages to find out if Annie completed her challenge, if dangers were around the next bend and how her budding romance with Ted turned out. And look out for peril from the river and unexpected places.

The next book promises more about this interesting time in history. 

*I won a copy of this ebook in January 2022. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:

Based upon a historical event—a network of undercover volunteers plot to prevent Japanese saboteurs from invading the Columbia River during World War II.Oklahoma Dust Bowl survivor Anne Mettles creates a floating library to provide books and materials for Columbia River residents. But wartime budgets slash funding, and Washington’s governor can only find money if Anne will conduct secret military surveillance along the river to monitor and report any enemy activity. Anne wants to operate Books Afloat alone but must accept help to pilot the boat. 

Mechanic Ted Vincent insists on being onboard and discovers that unusual boat damages are not accidents, but sabotage. A young man who will do anything to win Anne’s affections and an ambitious reporter writing public interest stories also ride along, complicating matters.Anne and team hazard their lives to save the nation they love and discover newfound courage, giving her and Ted a chance at love—if they can survive. 

Scrivenings Press, January 2023

Available in digital ebook and paperback 

Buy BOOKS AFLOAT at Amazon

BETTER TOGETHER by Mandi Blake, Reviewed by Kim #NewRelease

Better Together is the 4th story in the Wolf Creek Ranch series by Mandi Blake. Just like the rest of the books in this series, it can be read as a stand alone, but if you read the whole series, you will get a great feel for the ranch and all the people who live there. This story has so many things I love- marriage of convenience, friends to more, romance, faith, and a bit of unexpected suspense!

Colt and Remi are best friends when tragedy strikes Colt's family leaving his niece and nephew without parents. They decide to get married to more easily gain custody of the kids. While Colt has been in love with Remi for awhile, Remi has completely kept Colt in the friends only zone. It was fun seeing Remi and Colt become a family and watching how Colt slowly breaks down all of Remi's barriers. While Remi sometimes irritated me, I really loved when we found out what happened in her past and how the Lord changed her life.

I always love how Mandi Blake ends her story with not only an epilogue, but a bonus epilogue which gives us a sneak peak at the next story in the series. Because of this bonus epilogue, I'm already looking forward to Brett and Thea's story!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is medium.

BackCover Blurb:
She doesn’t believe in love, but a marriage of convenience with her best friend might change her mind.

Colt has been in love with Remi for years, but she friendzoned him a long time ago. When tragedy strikes, Remi comes up with a plan to help--she'll marry him so he can get custody of his niece and nephew. All the odds are stacked against him, but Remi’s crazy proposal just might work.

Remi wants nothing to do with relationships, but when she sees how determined Colt is to help his niece and nephew, she can't stand by while they're taken from him. Her painful childhood might be locked up in the past, but she has a chance to give these sweet kids the life she always wanted. Marriage doesn’t have to mean risking her heart, right?

Being married to Remi is Colt's dream come true, but the hurts of her past keep her at arm's length. Can he show her that love is the path to healing?Better Together is a sweet friends to more romance and the fourth book in the Wolf Creek Ranch series.

Available in digital ebook and paperback. Buy BETTER TOGETHER at Amazon 

EXPIRED RETURN by Lisa Phillips, (Last Chance Fire and Rescue #1), Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"It only took a near-kidnapping to get you to talk to me."

True. Immediately following Pepper Miller's heart-wrenching break-up with Allen Frees, his life had been upended by a terrible on-the-job accident, leaving the once active police officer in a wheelchair. Even in their small town, the two had managed to avoid much contact . . . until . . . Pepper's life takes a dangerous turn. Her sister is nowhere to be found and Pepper's young niece Victory is nearly kidnapped. Whose help does she long for? Allen's.

Now serving as a liaison between the Fire Department and City Hall, Allen's connections within the law enforcement community have remained strong. He wants to help Pepper, but she is a risk in more ways than one. Having never fully understood her reasons for ending their relationship, it's obvious that she is in something over her head, maybe time hasn't expired for them after all.

High energy and action filled, this romantic suspense also takes the time to explore second chances, and that process was my favorite part of the story.

*I bought this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
Pepper stood up. “How dare you.” She could spit fire at him right now. She’d loved and supported Victory since the day she was born. “You know nothing about me.”

“What’s this?”

Pepper whirled around at that voice. Heart. Breaking. She loved that gruff, commanding voice more than anything else in the world.

He wore a look a lot like Aiden’s. Blank, which she knew—or hoped—had to do with protecting his heart because he still cared for her. Except he probably hated her.

Donaldson sat back in his chair. “Allen.”

Former police officer Allen Frees had both hands on the wheels of his chair. He wore a fire department uniform of slacks and a white shirt. Emblems. A badge. His life of service hadn’t ended when he landed in that chair after a building blew up over his head.

As far as she’d been able to tell, it barely slowed him down.
She’ll give everything to protect her family.
He always knew she was the one.

Veterinary tech Pepper Miller lives a quiet life in Last Chance County. She’s watching her niece until her sister shows up…if she ever does. When Victory’s father demands he take over her care, Pepper knows something has gone wrong. With a new drug in town, and her sister embroiled in a dangerous bargain, it’s up to Pepper to protect the people she loves.

Even if it costs every secret she’s ever kept.

Fire Department liaison Allen Frees lives with the injuries he sustained as a police officer in a raid gone wrong. He’s put his life back together but getting the truck crew and engine squad to succeed might be his toughest assignment yet. When Victory is nearly kidnapped at a community event, Allen steps in to help Pepper keep her niece safe. The one thing he couldn’t fix was the love he lost, but he isn’t going to let Pepper walk away this time.

No matter what walls he has to break down.

Last Chance County returns in this blazing new series from Sunrise Publishing.

Sunrise Publishing, January 31, 2023
Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook
Buy EXPIRED RETURN at Amazon,  or Christianbook .com

 

BENEATH HIS SILENCE by Hannah Linder, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

This story was reminiscent of Jane Eyre with its eerie setting and mysterious widower who is hiding something in his huge manor house.

Ella has assumed a false name in order to find out how her sister died. Is Henry Sedgewick really a murderer? She takes a position as governess to five-year-old Peter, her sister’s child, and grows ever fonder of the boy and his father. She is very outspoken and determined yet has mixed feelings as she delves into the mystery.

Ms. Linder gives vivid descriptions of the estate, the parties and makes the characters come alive with realistic concerns and problems. The faith struggles are real and lessons are learned in forgiveness. She adds danger to the mix to make a story that was hard to put down. I am looking forward to the next book by this author.

*I purchased this ebook from Amazon. All opinions are my own.5 stars and an interwoven faith thread

SEE TRIXI'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Will Seeking Justice Lead to Her Own Demise?

A Gothic-Style Regency Romance from a Promising Young Author

Second daughter of a baron—and a little on the mischievous side—Ella Pemberton is no governess. But the pretense is a necessity if she ever wishes to get inside of Wyckhorn Manor and attain the truth. Exposing the man who killed her sister is all that matters.

Lord Sedgewick knows there’s blood on his hands. Lies have been conceived, then more lies, but the price of truth would be too great. All he has left now is his son—and his hatred. Yet as the charming governess invades his home, his safe cocoon of bitterness begins to tear away.

Could Ella, despite the lingering questions of his guilt, fall in love with such a man? Or is she falling prey to him—just as her dead sister?

Barbour Publishing, November 1,2022

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy BENEATH HIS SILENCE at Amazon, Christianbook .com or Baker Book House