THE INN AT OCEAN'S EDGE by Colleen Coble

Claire Dellamare returns to Folly Shoals Island to help her father with an important merger, but from the moment she arrives she’s overcome with strange feelings and even a panic attack.  To calm her nerves, she takes a walk along the beach where she witnesses a murder.  The police are skeptical, however, when they find no evidence.  Claire knows that when she was four years old she went missing from this very place and was returned a year later.  She wants to know what happened to her during that year.  Why can't she remember and why do the woods look so scary and familiar.  Luke Rocco is home on leave from the Coast Guard when he meets Claire.  They both love the water.  When Luke finds out what she witnessed as well as her long ago disappearance he wants to help.  He shares with Claire that his mother went missing the same time that she did.  Together they try to find out all they can to solve a very complicated puzzle.  Somebody however, doesn't want the truth to come to light and is willing to do anything to keep the decades old secrets buried forever.

Wow!  Talk about a tangled web of lies and deception.  The Inn at Ocean’s Edge will keep you on your toes as you try to unravel the truth along with Claire and Luke, but it will also keep you quickly flipping pages.  It was tightly written with so many twists and turns, that I admit I was stumped and not sure how it all fit together until the very end. To me, that’s great writing!  Usually I have an inkling but not with this story.  The characters were all very interesting, although I had a hard time liking Claire, in the beginning.  I liked Luke and thought he was a good guy. Kate was also a likeable person.  I really admired her strength and fortitude in finding out the truth.  The theme of the story is best said in the author's note at the end, "I firmly believe that every challenge we face in life can make us better people if we let it. We have to accept the things that come from God’s hand and allow him to use them to mold and shape us."  Some of those things are hard to face.  But in my own experience, I can honestly say that I've done the most growing through difficult circumstances.  Okay, are you ready to visit the island and find out for yourself just what happened?  I highly recommend you go, just be prepared, the waters get rough at times but I promise your visit to The Inn at Ocean’s Edge will be well worth it.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

For more information about this book or other books by Colleen Coble, I recommend you visit her website at http://colleencoble.com/

A HEART'S OBSESSION by Colleen Coble

Sarah Montgomery watched the man she loved ride away. She chose to stay and care for her dying father and little brother, Joel, instead of going with him. When her father finally passes, her wicked brother tries to force her to marry Ben Croftner. Sarah escapes with Joel and joins Jacob and Amelia as they head for Fort Laramie, Wyoming, where Jacob (Rand's brother and fellow soldier) is assigned. It's also where Rand Campbell is stationed. Rand's feelings for Sarah run deep but he doesn't believe he'll ever see her again. When he meets the Major's daughter, Jessica DuBois, he is rather taken with her. Sarah was hoping for a happy reunion with Rand, but that was not to be. Sarah finds he's with Jessica now. Though heartbroken, she decides to stay at the fort and try to win Rand back. Things get complicated however, when Ben shows up and vows to have Sarah one way or another and Jessica will do whatever it takes to keep Rand for herself.

I enjoyed this installment much more than the first. The characters are better developed and I felt the reactions of Rand and Sarah were more realistic than in the first. The author does a great job of building the tension and I found I couldn't read fast enough. These installments are short, about 128 pages or less, so they are easy to read in a sitting or two, which I actually really like. It's done in a serial format, so be sure to read them in order. Also, the ending is left open, leaving you anxious for the next part. So saddle up and head on over to Fort Laramie. Though things are unsettled with the Indians, there just might be an uprising in the Fort. I’m looking forward to A Heart's Danger.

*This complimentary copy was provided by Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review*

For more information about this book or other books by Colleen Coble, I encourage you to visit her website at http://colleencoble.com/

WANTED: ROYAL PRINCESS WIFE AND MOTHER by Anna Dynowski

Sofia Burska is just a normal young woman working as a journalist. She really needs a big story though to gain a promotion to help pay off her mountain of school loans. Her boss decides to give her the assignment of going to Mondoverde to meet with Prince Stefano and get an exclusive story. Prince Stefano Graziani knows who he is and accepts his royal responsibilities, with God's help, of caring and ruling the people of Mondoverde. Knowing it's time to marry and produce an heir has caused him great anxiety. He wants to marry for love but knows that that's impossible, until he meets Sofia. Stefan is immediately taken with Sophia but she's a reporter and Stefan doesn't like or trust reporters. Sophia has never met a man quite as handsome and charming as Stefano. The problem is, he's a prince and she's a commoner. Nothing can ever be between them, or can it?

I loved this story with its charming characters and fairy tale type storyline. You'll find yourself quickly immersed in the lives of Sophia and Stefan. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of them as well as the Graziani family. Though they are royalty, they are a God-fearing family you just enjoy spending time with. Stefan is a swoon-worthy hero. Strong, gentle, romantic – yep – all the things you want in a hero. Sophia was really a great gal to get to know. She was down-to-earth with a genuine sweetness about her that just made you want to be her friend, even if I did want to shake some sense into her sometimes. The romantic tension between them absolutely sizzled, which I loved! Though Sophia and Stefan were believers, they struggled with many of the same issues we struggle with, which I appreciated. We learn that God is always with us so we need not be afraid, that’s encouraging! You will love the ending and find yourself longing for the next installment. Really this story would make a great Hallmark movie. If you enjoy a good romance, one that will carry you away from chores you really don't want to do anyway, then I would highly recommend a trip to Mondoverde. I enjoyed my visit and can't wait to go back.

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

For more information on this book or other books by Anna Dynowski, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.annadynowski.com/.