Friday, June 30, 2017

AN UNCOMMON PROTECTOR by Shelley Shepard Gray


Laurel Tracey is concerned. Trying to run a two hundred acre ranch by herself is more than she can handle. Her step siblings are no help at all and treat her really bad. And now she's having problems with squatters. Laurel's neighbor (whom she's known along time) would be more than happy to marry her and add her land to his, but she's not comfortable with that idea. The Sheriff, wanting to help Laurel, sends some of the prisoners out to work on her fence. She's finds herself intrigued with Thomas Baker. A prisoner that's a bit scary yet also a gentleman. She overhears that he could be free the next day if there's a buyer when they auctioned him off. Feeling like she's willing to take a chance, she gathers the last of her money and buys Thomas Baker's freedom. In exchange, he agrees to work for Laurel for one year. Thomas is totally taken with this woman who is so strong yet so tender-hearted. He knows there could never be anything between them, but he's vowed to protect her with his life, if necessary. The attraction between Laurel and Thomas is strong but Thomas knows it's in both their best interest if he keeps his distance. That becomes next to impossible when their lives are on the line. When things begin happening that Thomas feels he just can't safely handle on his own, he calls on his former soldier friends for help. And they always abide by the promise they made years ago.

Another great story! Loved getting to know Thomas and Laurel. They were really good characters. The story's opening was a little slow for me but it did lay the ground work for what was to come. Throughout the story you get glimpses (with flashbacks) of the relationship Thomas had with his fellow POWs and the reason they are always there for each other. I loved their comradery and how they interacted together. I also appreciated how Thomas was with Laurel. Kind, sweet and gentle. The idea of maintaining your faith in the Lord even in difficult circumstances shined through and was encouraging to the reader. Overall this was a good story and a good addition to the series. You could read it as a stand alone but there is the thread of friendship running through each story which is why I would recommend reading them in order. Now, I look forward to Love Held Captive!

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

Some favorite moments:

Men didn't go around saying such things to gently bred women. They most certainly did not speak of the female form and attributes in mixed company....Of course, if he was being completely truthful, he didn't deserve all the blame. The problem was partly Miss Laurel's doing. The Lord had been generous with his gifts to her. Actually, she had a whole plethora of attributes that most of the male population would find difficult to ignore.

Most of the time he'd been given only the leftovers, what no one else wanted. His only exception had been his relationships with the other men in Captain Monroe's unit. Those were the best men he'd ever met, and he'd felt as if the Lord had given him those men's regard as a gift for all that he'd endured in his lifetime.

Johnson's Island had one thing Thomas was fond of, and that was lightning bugs. He spent a great many hours watching their flickering lights dance across the camp and light up over the calm waters as though they were stars falling from the sky. Their dancing and darting had become a source of hope for him. Thomas liked to think their appearance in his life was a sign from God, a reminder that good could be found anywhere and at any time. One just needed to have his eyes open and be watchful.

If your interested in more information about this book or other books by this author I recommend you visit her website at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com


Wednesday, June 14, 2017

THE ONLY WITNESS by Laura Scott


Miles Callahan finds out his friend, Jason, has been murdered. He heads over to the house of the man he thinks is responsible only to find the man's ex-wife and daughter under fire from a gunman. Miles manages to get Paige Olson and her daughter, Abby, someplace safe. But Abby witnessed something while video chatting with her dad and now she's stopped talking. Meanwhile they can't find Paige's ex-husband to question him about Jason's murder. Miles retrieves something Jason mailed to him the day before he died. He's hoping it will shed some light about what's going on but Miles doesn't understand it because to him it's all scientific mumbo jumbo. What could Jason be trying to tell him?. And somehow, now matter what they do, the gunmen always seem to find out where they are. Miles is in full-on protective mode and beginning to see Paige (and her daughter) as something more precious than just people he's protecting. Not knowing who to trust, Miles calls on his brothers for help. Will they figure out what the papers mean, what happened to Jason and Paige's ex-husband, and who is behind the whole mess before it's too late?

This is the second book in the Callahan Confidential series and it was just as good as the first. I have fallen in love with the Callahan family. The author's note in the back of the book says "The Callahan family has a legacy of choosing careers that support and protect their community, but these jobs also put them in constant danger." That's a great description but what I thoroughly enjoy is their interaction with each other; their camaraderie. They are close knit and help each other out. Paige and her daughter, Abby, really make this story special. At their lowest point, with everything going on, they still encourage Miles in his faith. At the same time, Miles shows Paige what a man of integrity looks like. This is one of those stories that is hard to put down because there is always danger lurking around every corner. There were several gasping moments and twists I didn't expect, which I love. There was one aspect that I didn't feel was resolved but it wasn't anything major. Each book in the series can be read as a stand alone but the thread of the Callahan family runs through each book so they are best read in order to see the correct timing of family activities. If you enjoy romantic suspense then you will thoroughly enjoy The Only Witness! Can't wait for the next one!

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

A few favorite moments:

"Hey, Maddy, do you think I can have a few minutes alone with Paige?" "Sure, but keep in mind that Miles saw her first." Maddy winked at Paige before relinquishing her chair to her brother.

"It's very nice of your mother to offer." "Oh, don't thank us, yet. I think she's hoping to grill you about your relationship with Miles, " Michael said with a quick grin. She hoped her blush wasn't too noticeable. "There's nothing to tell. He saved our lives and almost died for his effort. I'm surprised she's not upset with me." Michael rose to his feet and began clearing away the debris from their table. "She was the wife of a copy for a long time..."

For more information about his book or other books by Laura Scott, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.laurascottbooks.com



Book I've Been Reading...

Sherry's bookshelf: read

Almost Like Being in Love
Wanted: Royal Princess Miracle Bride: Royal Hearts of Mondoverde Series, Vol. 3
Her Rancher Bodyguard
Traces of Guilt
The Stronghold
Close to You
Protecting Her Daughter
The Goodbye Bride
The Rancher's First Love
Reclaiming His Past
Keeper of the Stars
Cold Shot
Mermaid Moon
Thin Ice
Buried Secrets
Murder at Black Lake
Christmas With Miss Austen
Falling Like Snowflakes
Married 'til Monday
Second Chance Hero


Sherry's favorite books »