TRINITY: MILITARY WAR DOG by Ronie Kendig

Heath Daniel received an injury that ended his military career. His military war dog, Trinity, was also removed from service as she would only respond to Heath. Even though he would like to be back in the action with his team, he finds himself (along with Trinity) speaking and training other handlers and their war dogs. Darci Kintz (Jia) is on a secret mission when she is captured. Heath then reunites with his old team, as well as Trinity, to try to extract Darci from enemy hands. Will they make it in time?... and who is the real enemy?

Wow! This authors tag line is 'Rapid-Fire Fiction' and she isn't kidding! She keeps you busy from beginning to end, dodging bullets, ducking punches and hanging on for dear life! Through it all though, she adds comedic relief at just the right moment for the reader to catch their breath. I have to admit that some parts were difficult to read. War is hell and this author made it feel real. I loved getting to know the players. Heath and Darci were great characters who dealt with real issues including, where is God when all the bad stuff happens? I'm sure we've all ask that question. Trinity, the featured war dog, was fascinating. I wanted to crawl in the book and give her a hug. But she is a working war dog and to see her in action was something to behold. Trinity is a fantastic start to Ronie Kendig's latest series, A Breed Apart, and one I would highly recommend. Looking forward with great anticipation to the next installment!

File Size: 1209 KB
Print Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books (September 1, 2012)
ISBN-10: 1616265949
ISBN-13: 978-1616265946
ASIN: B0082HEKKY

*The complimentary copy provided by Barbour Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

LAKESIDE FAMILY by Lisa Jordan

Josie Peretti and Nick Brennan were high school sweethearts. After they parted ways, Josie found out she was pregnant. She tried to contact Nick but talked to his mother who said she would pass on the message, but never did. Years later, their daughter (now 9) has leukemia and Josie's marrow isn't a match. She contacts Nick who is shocked to find out he not only has a daughter but that she's very sick. Nick's marrow is a match and he vows to be there for Josie and his daughter from now on. Josie's not sure if she can trust Nick to stick around. Nick has something he needs to share with Josie and he's sure that once he does, she won't want him around their daughter. Will Nick and Josie learn to trust each other and take the second chance the Lord is giving them or will anger, fear and doubts steal that chance?

This is the first book I've read by this author and I thought it was a good story. I enjoyed getting to know the characters who felt very real, though I must admit that in places, the way Nick and Josie flipped back and forth about their feelings and so quickly jumped to wrong conclusions, got me a little frustrated. But that's what keeps you turning those pages, right? There were a couple of things said by the characters that stuck in my mind. One is "God may not always calm the storm, sometimes He calms the child." Another one is "Always having to do things by yourself without asking for help denies someone else the joy or the blessing of helping you." Awesome things to keep in mind. I know they were good reminders for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the ending and felt like it was fully development and very satisfying.

*This complimentary copy provided by Harlequin through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

File Size: 372 KB
Print Length: 220 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired (August 1, 2012)
ASIN: B00835TM0I

CHARITY'S GOLD RUSH by Cynthia Hickey

Charity O'Connell is left alone after her father dies. Unfortunately he gambled away all they had and left her nothing so she takes in laundry from the miners in order to survive. Along with the laundry, she receives numerous proposals of marriage. Then Charity saves a little girl from being trampled by a horse and her father, Gabriel Williams, asks Charity to be his wife. They agree that the marriage will be in name only and when spring comes they can have it annulled and go their separate ways. But will they want to? As Gabriel and Charity work together caring for the children, building a house and facing a formidable foe, by the name of Amos Jenkins, their feelings for each other begin to grow. Will they ever be honest with each other about how they feel? Can the Lord teach them that His grace is sufficient and that His strength is made perfect in weakness?

I love stories that have a 'marriage of convenience' theme to them. I enjoy watching the transformation of 'need' grow into 'want'. Charity's Gold Rush is no exception. The author keeps you entertained from beginning to end. Sometimes I got a little frustrated that Charity and Gabe couldn't admit their feelings for each other. But if we're honest, I'm guessing that a lot of us would be the same way. I enjoyed Charity's spunk and thought she really added a spark to the story. Gabe was a great guy but had a little trouble expressing himself. Amos Jenkins was an interesting 'bad guy'. The author wrote him in such a way that I found myself vacillating between 'not liking him' to 'feeling sorry' for him. I must admit, I normally don't feel sorry for the villain, so I felt that was good writing to be able to do that. While this is a story that involves searching for gold treasure, I appreciated the spiritual treasure the author sprinkled throughout the tale. The ending was enjoyable and satisfying but not everything was wrapped-up leaving room for another installment. If you'd like to strike it rich, I recommend you head for Montana and check out Charity's Gold Rush! You never know what treasure you might find!
File Size: 521 KB
Print Length: 255 pages
ASIN: B008DGH86W

*This complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

MAGGIE'S JOURNEY by Lena Nelson Dooley

Margaret Lenora Caine (Maggie) finds a chest in the attic where she discovers that she was adopted. Why was she never told the truth? Why did her real parents give her away? Maggie's life has become one filled with questions and uncertainty. It doesn't help that her mother is so critical of her either. Maggie would like to design women's clothing but her mother doesn't want her to do that. Maggie's grandmother is a well-known designer and when she asks Maggie to come for a visit, she welcomes the opportunity. Her father agrees to let her go if she takes her Aunt Georgia, as her companion, and his business partner, Charles Stanton, for safety while traveling. Will Maggie's Journey help her find the answers she seeking?

I thoroughly enjoyed Maggie's Journey. The story was as beautiful as the cover. And although Maggie does take a journey by train to her grandmother's house, it was also a journey of discovery, for not only Maggie but those around her. I felt like I was on the train and could hear the clickity clack of the wheels and feel the swaying of the car as we rode along. The story had a nice easy pace which I found very pleasing. It was fun getting to know all the characters. The author made you feel their struggles and their triumphs. Things that were very relateable. I'm sure all of us have questioned what God was doing or if he even cared, at some point in our lives. The verse that kept coming to mind while I was reading was "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." The author did a great job of bringing that verse to life in this story. This is Book one in the McKenna's Daughters Series. If you enjoy historical fiction with a budding romance as well as an encouraging message, then I would recommend Maggie's Journey. All-Aboard!!
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Realms (October 4, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1616383585
ISBN-13: 978-1616383589

*This complimentary copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*