FIRE AND ASH by Anne Patrick

Sadie McGregor is a fire investigator. When a suspicious fire kills a college student in her hometown of Emerald Point, Missouri she is asked to return to investigate it. There she meets up with the handsome Sheriff Quinn Harrington. As they work together to discover the truth of what really happened they find a lot more than ever bargained for... both privately and professionally.

Anne Patrick has done it again! I loved this story! Fire and Ash is the perfect blend of mystery, suspense and romance. The chemistry of all the characters flowed so naturally and was so believable you felt by the end of the story that they were your very close friends. One thing I really appreciate about Anne's work is she writes about real people who have real problems. She shows you how they struggle with issues in their life but she also shows you how the Lord places certain people in your life at certain times for a certain purpose. I also like how Anne never really allows you to know who did it until the end. I always think I know the answer but then another clue pops up and it leads to another suspect. She always keeps you guessing. I highly recommend Fire and Ash! Great job Anne!!

FLASHPOINT by Stephanie Newton

Lara Hughes is a firefighter who would rather risk her life rushing into a burning building rather than risk her heart in a relationship. Her feelings of unworthiness go deep. Matt Clark is a firefighter and Lara's partner. He is developing strong feelings for Lara as he sees what a strong and caring woman she is, but she won't seem to give him a chance. As the two of them investigate suspicious fires that seem to be connected to a drug ring, they become targets. Will they be able to find out who is truly behind this activity before it's too late and will this change how Lara thinks?

After reading four books by this author I've come to believe that you are guaranteed a GREAT story! Her characters come to life and seem to be real people. She makes you care about them. I like that she's kept the characters from previous books interactive in the story but not in such a way that you would be lost if you picked up any book in the series. She did a great job addressing Lara's feelings of unworthiness. It was believable to me. I also liked how Matt kept gently showing her that everyone has a past but God is bigger than all of that. One thing that I really enjoy about this author's books is she has a lot of interactive dialog between the characters, which keeps you turning pages. I took a liking to Matt's brother Tyler and would love to hear more from him. If you like Dee Henderson, Irene Hannon or Lynette Eason you will definitely want to pick up all of Stephanie Newton's books. I highly recommend this story and am looking forward to "Christmas Target". A thank you goes to the author for sending me this book to review.

DARK ALLIANCE by Anne Patrick

Tara is a princess. She will soon marry and accept a duel ruler-ship with her father. But first, she wants to find her brother who was kidnapped when they were kids. Former CIA agent Alex Girard is perfect for the job. In guarding the princess and helping her he is also fulfilling a personal quest to avenge his father's death. Alex viewed Tara as a rich spoiled princess but as he spends time with her he quickly realizes how wrong he has been. The attraction is growing between them but a future isn't possible....or is it???

This was a good story by Anne. She always portrays great strength and character in her heroes and heroines. This story was no exception. I was enthralled from the beginning to its satisfying conclusion. Once again she keeps you guessing as to who the culprit is until the end, with lots of twists and turns along the way. I thought I had it figured out a couple of times but found I was wrong. I would like to mention that although it was a great story it would not be considered "Christian Fiction" due to some of the language used. Despite that, there was a message of love and forgiveness.

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.