THE VIEW FROM RAINSHADOW BAY by Colleen Coble

Shauna McDade lost her husband, Jack, in a climbing accident.  Now she’s raising their son, Alex, and trying to keep her helicopter charter business going.  When her good friend gives her a box to give to his wife along with a crypt message, Shauna fears she may be in danger.   Zach Bannister was her husband’s best friend and a good friend to her too.  She however, blames him for Jack’s death and has had nothing to do with him since then.  Then something happens that requires her to seek his help and protection.  Zach blames himself for what happened to Jack, so he’s willing to help Shauna out with whatever she needs.  Neither one is prepared for the feelings that arise as well as the secrets; ones that go all way back to when Shauna was just a girl.

WOW!  Coble does it again!  This was not only hard to put down but difficult to figure out.   It kept me turning pages as fast as I could to find out just who was involved.  I love it when a story challenges me that way.  I enjoyed getting to know Shauna, Zach and Alex.  All really great characters!  There is a back story concerning Shauna that I believe will carry over to the next book, which I can’t wait to read!  One thing I really appreciated was the little spiritual truths that popped up all through the story.  I found that very encouraging.   The View from Rainshadow Bay has a beautiful soothing cover.  But reader beware, once you open the book you’ll find yourself in the middle of a well-crafted, hard to put down, full of twists and turns story that will keep you up long past your bed time.  It’s one I highly recommend.

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

Some favorite moments:

Life doesn’t always fit into our neat boxes.

“Have the courage to admit you want justice for you, not for them.  Justice this side of heaven is a myth.  It’s not our job anyway,  Real justice belongs to God.”

God never said bad things wouldn’t happen, but he’s promised to work those things for good in our lives.

God is faithful through everything that comes.

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

LOVE HELD CAPTIVE by Shelley Shepard Gray

Major Ethan Kelley and Captain Devin Monroe are each tryin to put their lives in order since the war ended.  Ethan Kelly is haunted by the memory of the woman (with the cut on her face) whose house they raided during the war and can’t seem to rid himself of the guilt.  Miss Lizbeth Barclay is working as a maid in her sister’s hotel.  When a guest makes unwanted advances toward Lizbeth, she ducks into Ethan’s room to quickly escape, not knowing the room was occupied by a guest.  Ethan recognizes the face that’s haunted his dreams and wants to help her.  Devin Monroe struggles through each day as a worn-torn solider until his path crosses that of Julianne VanFleet.  He’s drawn to her like no one before.  But when she tells him what she’s done to survive the war he has a difficult time accepting it.  Ethan and Devin both discover that their former colonel, Daniel Bushnell is behind the pain caused to both Julianne and Lizbeth.  Knowing what they must do, they decide to call in their close friends and former comrades to help find him and seek justice for the things he’s done.

This was a very good story.  One that held my interest from start to finish.  Love Held Captive was Ethan Kelly and Devin Monroe’s story.  We meet them in the previous books in the series but here you get a closer look at them.  This is the third story in the Lone Star Hero’s Love Story series, but it’s definitely my favorite.  Each book tells the history of these ‘band of brothers’ by flashbacks of their time of imprisonment together.  This book didn’t have quite so many of those flashbacks and I think that’s why I enjoyed it more.  I love the way this group of men always bands together to help each other out no matter what.  That kind of friendship and loyalty is something I thoroughly enjoy reading about.  Everyone longs to have those types of friends.  You get a glimpse into the suffering that went on and the sacrifices made during the war and also the aftermath of it.  My only wish is that there would have been an epilogue, especially since it was the end of the series.  I felt that the end was a bit flat.  That begin said,  I would still recommend this book as well as the whole series.  This author writes believable characters that crawl into your heart and stay with you long after you close the book.

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

A few favorite moments

“I’m just, I don’t know, thinking about how two such unlikely people became enamored with each other.  It’s curious, don’t you think?  I never understand how and when the Lord chooses to bring people together.”  “That’s why we have God.  We trust in him so we don’t have to try to understand such things ourselves.”

“What does your guilt have to do with her?”  “Everything.  If I made things right, I might be able to find absolution too.”  Devin sighed.  “Ethan.  That isn’t how it all works.  God grants absolution.  God will help you find solace.”

He should probably go inside…Maybe even open the book he’d purchased on a whim the last time he visited the mercantile.  It was a rag highlighting the escapades of the notorious outlaw Scout Proffitt.

If you want more information on this book or other books by Shelley Gray, I recommend you visit her website at http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com/ 

BLUE RIDGE SUNRISE by Denise Hunter

Zoe Collins vowed never to return to Copper Creek again or have anything to do with the man who broke her heart.  All that changes when she unexpectedly inherits her Granny’s peach farm.  She loved Granny but there is no way she can keep the orchard.  She returns home with her daughter and boyfriend Kyle to sell the orchard and be on their way.  Everyone is shocked because they believe running is orchard is something she’s meant to do.  Being back there again begins to stir up long buried memories, both painful and good.  Cruz Huntley has never stopped loving Zoe even with all that happened between them.  But she was the little sister of his best friend Brady, so it was not a good situation.  Now they’re all grown up but so much stands between them.  The more they find themselves together working on the orchard the more old feelings begin to rise to the surface.  When Zoe makes a decision that Kyle isn’t happy with his true colors are revealed and Cruz is there to help.  Will Zoe and Cruz get a second chance at love or will it be ruined when Zoe reveals a truth she’s kept hidden?

Another outstanding story by Denise Hunter.  I appreciate the way this author always pens true-to-life characters complete with flaws.  After-all, we’ve all got them.  Blue Ride Sunrise is an honest look at returning home and trying to fix wrongs.  The book deals with pre-marital sex, secret pregnancy and abuse.  But as always, it is handled with truth and grace.  It shows the feelings and ramifications of decisions made.  You’ll find yourself caught up in the drama all the while getting to know the town and people; some of whom you’ve met before in the first book, Sweet Briar Cottage.  To me, the faith element was well done.  Good Christian people fail, make bad decisions and fall into sin but hope is always on the horizon.  You learn the history between Zoe and Cruz throughout the story as flashbacks which were well done and easy to follow.  So the story, though full of drama, is an encouraging one and one I would recommend.  You could read this as a stand alone but there is some history you would miss reading them out of order.  I am now looking forward to Honeysuckle Dreams.

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

Some favorite moments:

Cruz had been coming around for a couple years, hanging out with her brother.  He was so handsome, with his beautiful skin and guarded brown eyes.  Just looking at him put butterflies in her stomach.

“I can’t believe how far I’ve fallen.  I’ve completely lost my way, Hope.”  “Well, lucky for you, God specializes in recovery of the lost.”

“I need you,” she whispered… “I need you too, me leona.”  Her gaze raked over his face.  “What does that mean?”  Heat suffused his neck at the admission.  “My lioness.” Her mouth turned up just before he brushed her lips in a slow, sweet kiss.

If you’re interested in this book or other books by this author, I encourage you to visit her website at https://www.denisehunterbooks.com

BENEATH COPPER FALLS by Colleen Coble

Dana Newell is a 911 dispatcher looking for a change in her life and a way to escape her abusive, sometimes scary, boyfriend.  She decides to move back to Rock Harbor knowing she’ll get support from good friends.  It feels good to her to be in familiar surroundings again even with the sad memories related to Rock Harbor.  It doesn’t take long though for things to take a dangerous turn.  She’s afraid her ex-boyfriend is stalking her, then she answers a call at work and is horrified when she hears her friend’s screams on the other end of the phone.  Boone Carter loved being a smoke jumper until an accident left his face permanently scarred and his fiancé walked out.  Now he’s an outfitter and loves it.  When Boone and Dana meet there’s an immediate connection.  But Boone knows that both love and women are fickle.  Dana knows that love can be scary.  As they strike up a friendship, Dana tries to help Boone figure out who killed his sister since the police don’t seem to have a clue.  When tragedy strikes again, Boone and Dana begin gathering clues.  But what they discover is so much more than anyone could have ever imagined.

Wow!  Another edge-of-your-seat-thrill-ride-of-a-story by Colleen Coble.   I loved returning once again to Rock Harbor and mingling with the familiar folks I’ve come to know and love in the previous stories.  Bree, Samson, Kade, Lauri and others are all part of this story which made it really special.   Get ready though to set aside some time because once you start you will be hard pressed to put it down.  There were several twists and turns along the way and things I didn’t expect or anticipate.  One thing I really appreciated was the idea that we should not worry so much about what we look like on the outside but more about what’s on the inside.  I think that’s so important and that’s really what God does.  He doesn’t look on the outward but on the heart.  This is a must-read for Rock Harbor fans, that said, you could read this with no problem if you haven’t read any other books in this series.  So, grab your hot chocolate, get comfortable in your favorite easy chair and head for Rock Harbor and find out what happened Beneath Copper Falls.

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

Some favorite moments:

“The scars don’t define you.  Who you really are inside is what matters.

She’d spent too much of her life worrying about the face she presented to the world and much too little on the character she needed to be developing every day.

We are just to be faithful with our lives and our words.  If the Holy Spirit prompts you, then be faithful to what he has told you.”

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

THE ENGAGEMENT CHARADE by Karen First

Ellie Jameson is a widow who cooks for The Plum Cafe.  Alexander Copeland is her reclusive boss but he is quickly becoming a friend as well.  When Ellie’s in-laws threaten her, Alexander   proposes that they pretend to be engaged, in the hopes that would deter any further threat.  After losing his wife and child Alex has vowed not to involve himself in other peoples affairs.  However, he wants to protect Ellie, who is always positive, encouraging and optimistic. He just didn’t plan on his heart getting involved.   Although Ellie hates deceiving her friends, she decides to go along with the charade feeling like it will help.  She doesn’t expect to fall for her very closed-off yet protective boss. Will the charade lead to a lasting happiness or will Ellie’s in-laws get their way?

This was a great edition to the Smokey Mountain Matches series.  I enjoyed getting to know Ellie and Alexander.  I like how the author brought these two people together from very different backgrounds yet they each helped the other in very specific ways.  Alexander was an interesting character who really made a big change throughout the story.  You meet up with some folks you’ll be familiar with if you’ve read other books in this series.  Always an adventure when you head back to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and The Engagement Charade is no different. You can read this as a stand alone but there are threads of people and history that make reading them in order more organized.  I thoroughly enjoy Karen Kirst books and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

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

A couple favorite quotes:

She gazed at the star-studded heavens.  You hung those stars, God.  You placed the planets in the sky.  My problems seem mighty to me, but to You they’re easily managed.  Lead me, Father.  Give me wisdom.

Sometimes trials find us, and we can’t see any logical reasons why God allows them.  We simply have to trust in His divine plan and lean of Him strength.

For more information about this book or other books by Karen First I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.karenkirst.com

A MATTER OF TRUST by Susan May Warren

Gage Watson is known for his award winning skills at backcountry snowboarding.  But when a snowboarder died and Gage was blamed, he was sued and lost all his sponsorships.  Wanting to remain in the mountains, he now works ski patrol and also joined the PEAK Rescue team, in an attempt to rebuild his life.  Ella Blair had a major crush on the famous Gage Watson.  She finally got to meet him and it was instant attraction.  The future seemed very promising until, as a junior attorney, she’s finds herself on the team that was suing Gage Watson.  Three years later, Ella returns to Glacier National Park to find her brother who is going to attempt a very dangerous peak once done by Gage.  Ella begs Gage for his help in finding her brother but how can he help the woman who cost him his career?  And not only does she want his help but she insists on going with him.  He finally agrees to let her go and they soon fall into a comfortable rhythm as old feelings begin to stir.  But both will have to face not only the extreme elements but a truth that Ella has yet to share.

Wow!  This story was intense and pretty much kept my heart racing from beginning to end.  I felt like I was right there on the mountain with them, taking in the scenery as well as feeling the apprehension of their tasks.  I really liked Gage and the down-to-earth kind of guy he was.  Ella was someone that I could be friends with; no pretense, just real.   I enjoyed watching the two of them together.  The romantic tension was beautifully done and keeps you rooting for them all the way through.  The secondary stories going on, and there are several, really added a lot to the story.  That said, I would recommend reading this series in the order it was written, for a much richer reading experience.  I have enjoyed all the books in the Montana Rescue but I have to say this was my favorite so far.  I just felt like everything flowed together really well.  There is a conclusion to this story but the secondary stories are left for the next book which I cannot wait to read!  A Matter of Trust is a high octane, tightly written adventure you won’t want to miss!

*This complementary copy was provided by Revell through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

A few moments from the story:

I thought by doing the right thing, it would protect me, and him.  But life doesn’t work that way.  Doing what’s right comes at a cost.  I just wasn’t ready for it.”

“Chet says the same thing.  That we shouldn’t base God’s desire to help us on our opinions of ourselves.  Otherwise we’d always be in over our heads.  We need to start believing that he wants to help us.  Even when we make mistakes.”

Their eleven-person team consisted of three EMTs - Gage, Pete, and Jess - their chopper pilot Kacey Fairing, their administrative assistant Sierra Rose, team incident commander Miles Dafoe, country crooner Ben King, and his father, Chet, who started the team way back with it’s founder, Ian Shaw, and their sheriff department liaison, Sam Brooks.

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

SWEETBRIAR COTTAGE by Denise Hunter

Josephine has been deeply hurt by men and has learned she can’t trust them.  That is, until she meets Noah Mitchell.  Noah and Josephine are drawn to each other right from the start.  Time shows her that Noah is different from other man she’s known and when he asks, she agrees to marry him.  Then something happens that devastates Noah and he files for a divorce, gives up the job with his family construction business and moves to a remote horse ranch.  Giving him some much needed distance from his one true love.  One day Noah receives a letter from the IRS stating that he and Josephine are still married.  He confronts Josephine with the letter.  Josephine blames herself for their failed marriage and failed divorce.  Wanting to somehow make up for it, she decides to deliver the paperwork to his ranch.  When a bad spring snowstorm hits, she becomes stranded at Noah’s ranch.  Noah struggles with hurt and resentment toward his wife and yet at the same time he still finds himself drawn to her.  They call somewhat of a truce because they’re stuck together.  When a horse is spooked and runs away they venture out in the storm to find him.  Both will be tested beyond their strength and relying on each other in a way they never have before.  Josephine finally reveals to Noah about her past; that she’s never experienced unconditional love.  Can Noah find it in his heart to completely forgive Josephine and love her like she’s never been loved before?  Can Josephine finally trust Noah with her whole heart?

Heart-wrenching, thought-provoking and emotionally-charged are just a few things that come to mind with this story.  Although this is a very well-written story it is also a difficult story to read just because of the nature of the situation.  I thought the author did a wonderful job of painting a realistic picture of the feelings and emotions of both Noah and Josephine.  You learn the background of their story through flashbacks that are intermingled with the present day.  Noah and Josephine are both lovable characters that have faults just like the rest of us.  To me, that gave them flesh and bone realism.  It’s a story that keeps you engaged and cheering on our lead couple. This is a standalone story and I would highly recommend reading the authors note at the end.  It was fun and interesting.  I also appreciated that there was an epilogue.

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

A few favorite moments:

“Well, sure.  You just send a copy of that final decree, then, and that’ll be the end of it.”  The end of it.  The divorce had been uncontested, as simple as the act could be, he supposed.  But there was nothing simple when it came to separating one flesh.

But whatever God’s reasons are for the things He allows, His love for me, or for Granny or anyone else, isn’t something I question.  He settled that one on the cross.”

She was going to believe it.  Maybe it didn’t all make sense to her - how God could love someone like her.  Or why He allowed some of the things that happened.  Maybe she didn’t have to understand everything.  She closed her eyes.  I'm just going to go ahead and believe, if that’s all right by You, God.

For more information about this book or other books by Denise Hunter, I encourage you to visit her website at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com/index.html

YOU'LL THINK OF ME by Robin Lee Hatcher

Brooklyn Meyers is well acquainted with rejection and abandonment.  Her mother, her father and even her husband, Chad, whom she grew up with and married,  have all abandoned her.  But somehow she’s managed to carve out a life with her daughter, Alycia.  Then she receives word that Chad died and left her his family home in their hometown.  She doesn’t really want to go back there but her good friend encourages her that this may be the Lord’s way of providing for their future.  When she arrives, Brooklyn soon learns that Derek, Chad’s best friend, is a Sheriff as well as her neighbor.  Derek Johnson loves organic farming and and was counting on Chad’s property to expand his business.  That’s the agreement he and Chad made.  Then Derek receives a letter from Chad's lawyer informing him that he gave the house to Brooklyn and asks him to be a father to Alycia.  Derek understands about giving the house to Brooklyn but just how is suppose to be a father to Alycia?  He never liked Brooklyn and blamed her for coming between him and Chad.   But as Brooklyn and Derek help each other out and get to know each other better they both begin to see each other in a different light.  One that just might change their future.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story.  The book has a beautiful cover and contains a beautiful, relationship driven story.  There were a few places where I thought it slowed a bit but it also felt like a natural timeline of events.  I enjoyed watching the relationship build between Derek and Brooklyn.  Derek was definitely my kind of hero.  Brooklyn was so realistic and your heart goes out to her for all she’s been through.  But the Lord put people in her path that helped her along the way, which made her faith grow.  It’s encouraging to realize that’s what He does in our lives too.  There’s a little bit of everything in this story.  You’ll find humor, heartache and even a little suspense, which made if feel very well rounded.  I encourage you to read the author’s note at the end.  It gives you a little insight about the author and why she wrote the story.  If you enjoy a heartwarming story then I recommend You’ll Think of Me.

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

Some favorite moments:

“You’re right, Sandra.  Love isn’t enough.  Not if what you mean by love is that butterflies-in-your-stomach sensation.  It takes ever so much more than that.”

Let go.  Trust.  Her breathing slowed.  “I’ll try, God.  I want You to be in control, but it’s hard not to hold on tight to those things that matter.

“Considered the possibilities first.  Then look for solutions.  If God can gave you a house, He can surely take care of all the other details.” 

For more information about this book or other books by Robin Lee Hatcher, I encourage you to visit her website at https://robinleehatcher.com