NEVER TOO LATE by Susan Tuttle, Reviewed by Kim #ReleaseDay

Susan Tuttle has an amazing talent for writing stories that completely immerse you in the lives of the characters! And, speaking of her characters, they are always wonderfully drawn and feel so real! Every one of them, including the secondary characters, really add to the overall story. I also love friends to more stories and this is one of the best I’ve read!

My favorite part of this story was a toss up between the banter between Rachel and Evan and Evan! Both were perfect! I mean Evan is up there in my book of top male characters! I also really loved Rachel and her growth throughout this story. You really felt for her and all she had gone through and completely understood why she protected her heart as she did.

I seriously loved the addition of floriology, the language of flowers, in this story. It was so interesting and I love how it was used by both Evan and Rachel. It really added a wonderful and meaningful element!

While reading this story, I felt the gamut of emotions. The humor had me laughing out loud and kept the story from being too heavy and my heart literally ached right along with the characters. This is definitely the mark of a great author! This story is one for the keeper shelf! Do not miss it! Definitely a top read of 2021 for me! All the stars!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is medium.

BackCover Blurb:
Once, her art brought her fame. This time will it bring her love?

Widowed homemaker Rachael Stark isn’t quite sure what comes after her only child leaves for college. To fill her suddenly quiet hours and scrawny bank account, she needs a job. But painful memories prevent her from resurrecting her former art career, and “motherhood” isn’t much of a résumé. When her best friend needs help recovering from a gunshot wound that occurred in the line of duty, she is there. Finally, someone to take care of.

Evan Wayne won’t let his injury keep him from being a police officer. His dedication to protect the innocent stems from the guilt he carries over having failed his childhood friend. What he needs now is to recover and get back on the streets. Instead, he’s handed a myriad of light-duty tasks by his captain—one of which involves heading up the department’s entry into the town’s annual mural contest. He’s not an artist, but he definitely knows one. And he’ll take any excuse to spend more time with her.

When Rachael agrees to paint for Evan, she never expects to also be drawn into finding answers for the mother of a missing child. As the two friends work side by side on the mural and the case, their feelings move beyond friendship. But with Evan unwilling to leave his dangerous job, and Rachael unwilling to risk another loss of a loved one, their fears may paint over the promise of a beautiful future together.

Bling Romance Publishing, November 2021

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon

AFTER SHE FALLS by Carmen Schober, Reviewed by Nicole Cook #ReleaseDay

When I saw the blurb of After She Falls by Carmen Schober, I decided to read this debut novel because of the interesting sounding storyline. I do not know much about mixed martial arts, but I am always open to learning new things, especially through inspirational fiction.

After She Falls was a well written debut novel. For individuals sensitive to certain content, this novel has raw, gritty moments, instances of violence including one toward a pet dog, and a heroine who was in an abusive relationship. The spiritual thread is woven naturally throughout the book.

Although this book had many positive qualities, unfortunately it just wasn't the book for me. I had trouble connecting with the characters and the writing style made it difficult to maintain my interest while reading.
However, I have seen many wonderful reviews about this book, and I would still recommend anyone interested in this subject to give the book a try!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
She's always had that fire in her. She just needs to find it again.

Strong-willed Adri Rivera nearly achieved her goal of being a professional mixed martial artist, but then she fell in love with a man who knocked all the fight out of her. When their abusive, tumultuous relationship finally comes to a head, Adri flees with their young daughter to her small hometown in the mountains of Pennsylvania. There, she must face the people she left behind and put her broken life back together again.

A hardened Max Lyons can't believe Adri is back in town after abruptly cutting him and everyone else off years ago. Despite the distance that grew between them, he feels compelled to help her regain her independence and offers her a job at his gym. But regaining each other's trust is another matter, made even more complicated by the lingering spark between them. As Adri dares to pursue her dream again, she trains for a big tournament with Max's help, but they'll both have to confront their own doubts in order to rise victorious.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Carmen Schober (www.carmenschober.com), author of After She Falls, is a wife, mom, and design show enthusiast! Growing up, she experienced two fascinating worlds, thanks to her mother's Cuban heritage and her father's ties to the American South. When she's not writing fiction, she curates lifestyle content for fans interested in faith, food, fashion, and everything in between. Carmen earned a master's degree in English literature and creative writing from Kansas State, and she currently lives in Manhattan, Kansas.

Bethany House Publishing, November 2021

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy After She Falls at Amazon

Buy After She Falls at Christianbook.com

Buy After She Falls at Baker Book House

THE MOBSTER'S DAUGHTER by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Reviewed by Kim and Paula #ReleaseDay

KIM'S REVIEW:

I’m just going to start this review by saying if you have never read a Rachel Scott McDaniel book, do yourself a favor and pick one up now! Whichever one you choose, you have an amazing read ahead of you! Rachel McDaniel is not only an auto buy author for me, she is on my list of top authors. I will read anything she writes.

 

That being said, let’s talk about The Mobster’s Daughter! First a question! How do you cure a book hangover? Answer? Read The Mobster’s Daughter! This story is perfection! I loved every word, every character, every twist, and every feeling it gave me!

 

Kate is such a wonderful heroine! She is definitely one of my all time favorites! I loved how caring she was, especially with Charlie. I loved her courage during scary times and I loved her relationship with Rhett. Rhett is the epitome of a hero! He’s protective, compassionate, honorable, and just plain swoony! Put these two together and you have great banter and a perfect romance!

I also really loved feeling like I was in the 20’s! I was googling things to see if they really happened or not! I should’ve waited because Ms. McDaniel has an authors note at the end that answers all those questions.

 

I could go on and on about this wonderful story, but I’ll stop here and tell you that I highly highly recommend The Mobster’s Daughter! This will definitely be in my top reads for 2021! All the stars!!

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

 

PAULA'S REVIEW:
Bootlegging, speakeasies, flappers, KDKA Pittsburgh and hidden identities. Ms. McDaniel takes us to the underworld of 1920s Pittsburgh in this suspenseful tale about a daughter looking for her father. It is aptly releasing on the 101st Anniversary of the radio station, KDKA.

Kate Chamberlin travels from Italy to Pittsburgh to search for her father whom she has not seen for 17 years. Is he the papa she remembers or are the rumors true that he is a mobster? After she receives a cryptic note, private detective Rhett Jennings becomes her protector, little knowing that their pasts are connected.

Through all the confusion and danger, Kate holds on to her faith. “God, You are my hiding place. The prayer had become like a mending lyric to the broken melody in her heart.”

An intricate and interesting story where things are not what they seem to be. Polished and well plotted with excitement, romance and a faith thread permeating it all. You will cheer when it comes to a thrilling conclusion. I love the Roaring Twenties World of Rachel Scott McDaniel.
*I received a complimentary ebook from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 5 stars and a solid faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
The one man who could help her, must never know her name.

If Kate Chamberlin can't reveal her true identity to the world, she must settle for sharing only her talent. Hired as a musician for KDKA radio, Kate plays everything from sponsors’ jingles to complex sonatas. As long as the whispers around the broadcasting room refer to her as “Killjoy Kate” and not “Catarina the crime ss's daughter,” then her life is safe from danger.

Or so she thinks.

When anonymous, violent threats surface, Kate's wary of accepting protection from the handsome private investigator, Detective Jennings. His save-the-world attitude is as charming as his manners, but no one, especially him, can know the gruesome realities of her birth.

The 1924 Pittsburgh underworld is as complicated as it is elusive, and though the dealings of the Salvastanos have dwindled, Rhett Jennings is certain the man responsible for his father's death is still at large. But his personal hunt for justice must be set aside when his day job requires him to investigate threats directed at a young radio broadcaster with enamoring brown eyes and secretive behavior.

When danger surrounds them, will the truth of Kate's past become the key to their survival?

November, 2021

Buy The Mobster's Daughter in digital ebook or paperback at Amazon

 

LOST IN DARKNESS by Michelle Griep, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

Michelle Griep has gone over to the dark side and embraces a Gothic tale in her latest book Lost in Darkness. It is 1815 and medical practices are somewhat barbaric and experimental. Mr. Peckwood, a surgeon, especially embodies the seedy side of Regency Era medicine.

“Family, no matter the size of it, is precious. Never leave a loved one behind.”

Amelia Balfour, a travel writer, has come home to see that her father’s last wishes are fulfilled. Her brother, Colin, suffering from a deformity, needs an operation. The upshot is that her late father contracted Mr. Peckwood to perform it.

Graham Lambert, a former Navy surgeon, seeks out Mr. Peckwood based on his reputation as a forward thinker and meets Amelia and her brother. His quest to further his career changes when the case takes a personal turn.

As dark and difficult this story is, it conveys hope. Colin, despite his challenges, has great faith. “God’s arm is not shortened that He cannot save. And He is my Salvation, no matter the outcome of tomorrow’s procedure.”

The cast of characters are varied and each one contributes nicely to the story. Two older women, Mrs. O and Mrs. Bapp, add wisdom to the spiritual journeys of Amelia and Graham, as well as a legacy from Graham’s mother written in an old Bible. And the surprise appearance of Mary Shelley is a bonus.

Well written book that teaches great spiritual truth.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a solid faith thread.

BackCover Blurb:
Even if there be monsters, there is none so fierce as that which resides in man’s own heart.
Enchanting Regency-Era Gothic Romance Intertwined with Inspiration from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Travel writer Amelia Balfour’s dream of touring Egypt is halted when she receives news of a revolutionary new surgery for her grotesquely disfigured brother. This could change everything, and it does. . .in the worst possible way.

Surgeon Graham Lambert has suspicions about the doctor he’s gone into practice with, but he can’t stop him from operating on Amelia’s brother. Will he be too late to prevent the man’s death? Or to reveal his true feelings for Amelia before she sails to Cairo?

Barbour Publishing, November, 2021

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy Lost in Darkness at Amazon

Buy Lost in Darkness at Christianbook.com

Buy Lost in Darkness at Baker Book House