SMOKE SCREEN by Stephanie Newton

Jake Rollins used to be a firefighter until he sustained an injury forcing him to give it up. He is now pastor of a church and the fire department Chaplin. He loves what he does and has a great relationship with people. So why is it that someone is trying to hurt him by going after the people he cares about.

Chloe Davis is a special agent with the FBI and a good friend of Gabe Sloan (we met them both in Moving Target). Gabe requests that Chloe come down to assist in the investigation because of her expertise in Serial Crimes. Jake is afraid to let anyone close because of what's happening and Chloe just doesn't believe anyone could ever love her and that she could ever put down roots. Will they discover what God has in store for them or will it be too late?

This was another great story in the Emerald Coast 911 Series. I love how the author intertwines the characters from the previous stories but not in such a way that you would feel lost if you didn't read them. I also really like that you don't exactly know who the villain is until the end. The author does a great job in pointing out that God is still in control when life throws us a curve. Jake was such a great character. He could have been bitter but he chose to trust the Lord. Chloe had a hard time trusting but Jake was patiently showing her. I love the "cookie" example. (you have to read the story). I would definitely recommend Smoke Screen! She keeps you turning pages from beginning to end. For a much richer series I recommend you read Perfect Target (Bayley & Cruse's story) and Moving Target (Sailor & Gabe's story) first. Looking forward to reading Flashpoint (Lara & Matt's story).

LOVE ON A DIME by Cara Lynn James

Lilly Westbrook and Jack Grail were young, in love and planning to marry. Her family was wealthy and Jack was not. When Lilly convinces Jack to go and talk to her father, Jack overhears her parents talking about how unsuitable he was for Lilly. Feeling like he would never have their approval, he leaves without saying goodbye.

6 years have passed and Lilly fills the void in her heart by writing dime romance novels under the pen name of Fanny Cole. Nobody knows except her good friend Miranda. It's not fashionable for a lady to do that sort of thing. While Lilly and her family are summering in Newport, Rhode Island she runs into Jack again. The feelings are strong but she won't make the mistake of trusting him again. A complication comes to light when she finds out that Jack has purchased the publishing company that prints the Fanny Cole novels. What will happen when Jack finds out Fanny Cole is really Lilly? Let's not forget The Colonel who threatens to expose Lilly if she doesn't pay him money. And what about her sister-in-law? Humm...

This was a fun story set in the gilded age. Where money was everything and if you didn't have it you weren't suitable. A women was a kind of ornament that a man would where on his arm to a party. She had a certain image to live up to. It was a time when one family member doing something wrong would disgrace the entire family. It was also a time when a father had the final say in who his daughter would marry. We see Lilly struggle with several of these issues. Although she wants to please, she is a very independent type girl. I liked the character of Lilly but there were times in the story when I just wanted to shake some sense into her. I enjoyed the character of Jack. He was very good for Lilly and patient in ways she needed it. The author does a great job with the underlying spiritual message of "Are you trusting the Lord or trying to do it on your own" and "Is this what the Lord wants or what you want"? Along the way we also see what real love is and what it is not. I recommend this story and look forward to reading Love on Assignment! Thank you to Thomas Nelson who provided me with this complimentary copy for review.

SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY by Siri Mitchell

Clara and Lizzie are best friends who are to debut in the same season. Each of their families have their sights set on the same man, Mr. Franklin De Vrie. Clara and Lizzie vow not to let their debut or any man come between their friendship. Clara, however, finds herself drawn to Franklin's brother Harold. He has an easy going, fun loving personality. But he's not the heir. Will Clara play out the game to end or will she deem the cost too high?

This was a really great story! The Gilded Age was certainly an interesting period in history. When classes of people were very defined. The author brings to life the complete cast of characters and the way of life in those days with such clarity that I truly felt I was at the ball or sitting at the banquet. I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Clara. For one who had grown up in privilege she was such a genuine sole with a warm heart toward others. Never really buying into the whole glitz and glamor but knowing she needed to play along for her families sake. I enjoyed the friendship between Lizzie and Clara. I liked that they really were friends who cared about each other. I totally fell in love with Harry De Vrie. You can see what Clara saw in him. I liked that you really didn't know the outcome until very near the end. There was several places that I found myself laughing out loud. She Walks in Beauty kept me entertained from first page to last! I highly recommend this story. Great job Siri! Thank you goes to Bethany House for sending this complimentary copy for review.

TICKETS

On most sites we reviewers give the books we read "star" ratings but on my blog I have always just posted the review itself. I thought I would add this feature but since my blog has a travel theme I would use tickets instead. The rating scale is still the same 5 tickets being the best down to 1 ticket being not so good.

I hope you will find these ratings helpful.

IN HARM'S WAY by Irene Hannon

Rachel Sutton is a music teacher who leads a very quiet life. Not really by choice, she has no family. Growing up in foster care has made her appreciate her cozy and permanent home though. Her quiet life is turned upside down one morning when she finds a Raggedy Ann doll under a snow drift. Picking it up will change her entire life.

Nick Bradley is a Special Agent with the FBI. In his years of work he has seen many unusual things. But when Rachel Sutton arrives at his office claiming she has a "reaction" when she picks up the doll he's thinking she's just another nut. As he talks with her though he realizes she is very perceptive, intelligent and attractive. So what could her reaction mean?

This is the third and final installment in the Heroes of Quantico Series. I really liked all the stories but I have to say this one was my favorite. I think it was because there was lots of interplay between Nick, Mark, Emily, Coop and Monica. Those were thoroughly enjoyable moments for me in the story. I also really liked the characters of Nick and Rachel. I enjoyed watching how open and honest Nick was about his faith and how honest Rachel was in saying she had none. The author did a great job in pointing out how one person can make a huge difference in someones life and not even realize it. This was a very engaging story from the beginning right up to it's outstanding conclusion and loaded with lots of twist and turns. I only regret that we must leave these "very real" characters with the close of this book. I felt very endeared to these Heroes of Quantico. Great job Irene!

TEXAS PURSUIT by Debra White Smith

Tanya O'Brien has always wanted a family but the right man just hasn't come alone. She decides to head half-way around the world to adopt a boy named Coty. On her return flight a man named Maurice gets seated next to her. He converses with her and tells her she reminds him of his old girlfriend. She finds herself stalked by this crazy but police can't really do anything to someone who is just "watching". She finally moves to a different place and thinks she is finally rid of him. But is she?

Sonny Mansfield has a past he regrets and because of that has pretty much hit bottom. He's a good private investigator though and in need of rent money. When Maurice hires him with a bogus story to find his "ex-wife" who stole their adopted boy, Sonny jumps at the chance to make some money. But...Sonny soon realizes that he may have made a mistake. He formulates a plan of how he will protect Tanya and her son. But can he protect them? And will he be able to protect his heart?

This was an Excellent read!! I read the book in one sitting because the pages kept begging to be turned! I totally fell in love with Sonny. He was SO real because he was so flawed. I loved the interaction between all three Mansfield brothers. How they banded together and supported one another just made you want to be in that family. Tanya was a great match for Sonny. She made him see his spiritual need in a non-threatening way. The author did a great job dealing with lots of issues like divorce, infidelity, forgiveness and honesty just to name a few. There is an underlying story of Sonny's older brother Ryan and his ex-wife Shelley. The third book will be their story. You also catch up with Charli and Jack from Texas Heat as Jack helps out Sonny. I highly recommend Texas Pursuit! This story can be read as a stand alone and you won't feel lost but as with most series it's a much richer experience if you read book one first. A thank you goes to the author and publisher for sending me this book to review.

CALCULATED REVENGE by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Laney Thompson has lived with the guilt of the abduction and killing of her sister, Gracie, 18 years ago. She is now a teacher and has a daughter she raises on her own since her husband left and divorced her. Her world is flipped upside-down when Gracie's backpack shows up on the playground of her school. As Gracie's items continue to turn up she realizes the killer has returned. But who could it be?

Noah has a past that Laney is unaware of. He has feelings for this gentle, single mother and her daughter but will it be enough for him to use his skills he had put to rest several years ago because of his own guilt. When Laney finds out his previous occupation she offers to pay him for his services. Will they find who the real perp was? and will Laney and Noah find the future they're looking for?

This was a great mystery filled with lots of twists and turn and several red herrings. I love it when you figure out the case alone with the lead characters. Though it was a short story it did not feel rushed as all. The characters were well developed and the interaction between all of them felt very natural. I really fell in love with Brianna (Laney's daughter). What a sweet little girl, filled with faith. A great example to the adults in the story. This was a difficult story to put down. I wanted to keep turning pages to find out how it all came out. Laney dealt with guilt but was a very strong woman and had a fierce love for her daughter. Noah was a great hero and I loved the way he was with Brianna. If you are looking for a quick but satisfying read with a good message of faith and forgiveness I would totally recommend Calculated Revenge. A thank you goes to the author for sending me this copy for review.

FATAL LOYALTY by Sue Duffy

Andie Ryborg is trying to live a normal life. It's hard when your father is running for governor and has a zero tolerance for the drug cartel. When her peaceful existence is threatened she runs. When she does she meets up with an older woman, Thea, who gives her shelter and some loving advice. Evan Markham has been watching Andie from afar for awhile now. He's trying to protect her and therefore can never really know her. But when their paths cross what will the outcome be? Will Andie's faith be enough to get her through a really tough situation? This story was one that was filled with many twists and turns. Some were unexpected which I like in a story. I wish there would have been more interaction between Andie and Evan but what there was did feel natural to the story. I felt like the author did a good job in developing her characters. They seemed real and genuine. I don't want to give anything away but as a reader I wished the end would have been a little bit more complete. Overall is was a good story with a good faith message. My review copy was complements of LibrayThing Early Reviewers.

DISASTER STATUS by Candace Calvert

Erin Quinn loves her job as an ER charge nurse, except today. She's called into work on her day off when the ER becomes overwhelmed with victims from a hazardous material spill. In the rush to get to work she forgets her ID. That's when she meets up with Fire captain Scott McKenna. He is a hard-nosed, by-the-book, kinda guy and their personalities immediately clash. Scott is not happy about working with Erin at first but as he slowly gets to know her he begins to see her in a different light. Past experience tells Erin that you can't really rely on men but as she sees Scott interact with his nephew, Cody, she begins to think maybe he's one of the good guys. Will they both live up to each others expectations? Will their faith be strong enough to get them through some tough situations?

This is the first book I've read by this author and I have to say that she drew me into the story and totally brought the pages to life. The story was spellbinding as the details unfold and you became acquainted with each character. They seemed so real to me. Erin had a strong faith and loyalty to family but was dealing with issues from childhood. Scott was a great hero. Rugged, tough as nails but always felt like he was living in the shadow of his hero dad. I loved the dialog and interaction between these two. I also liked the sub-story going on between Leigh and Nick which will be played out in the author's next book called Code Triage.

Disaster Status was a terrific blend of drama, romance, mystery and even some humor. Even though its the second book in the Mercy Hospital Series I didn't feel at all lost. I would definitely recommend this book and am really looking forward to Code Triage. Thank you Tyndale House Publishers for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book.