Rising Darkness by Nancy Mehl (Finding Sanctuary #3)

Sophie is a crime reporter, well she wants to be one. She is working in a newspaper office when a lead breaks. She got here after breaking  free from her strict past, forging her way in a world very different from how she grew up. No longer a Mennonite, but now this changes everything. A murder ties back to her old life, and could expose her past. The huge amount of money missing is a strong motivation for lots of people to go digging to solve this. Topping that off, an old flame is now a Pastor in Sanctuary. Is her life in the hands of Johnathan who is from her Kingdom past?

Sophie and Johnathan need to trust God is that something that they can do? This is a very good third book in this series. I'm happy to have read it!

My copy came from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.

Carol :)

About

Sophie Wittenbauer left her strict Mennonite hometown under a cloud of shame and regret. Certain she's left her past far behind her, she's now focused on her job at a newspaper and is shocked when she stumbles upon the name of someone she knew in her old life. But when she learns the man--a prisoner--claims a suspect from a decades-old unsolved crime is hiding out in the small town of Sanctuary, Missouri, she can't resist following the lead in hopes of furthering her career. 

Almost immediately upon her arrival, Sophie's confronted with a face from her past and fears her intention of using a false identity to investigate is doomed. But with the help of Sanctuary's charismatic young pastor, Sophie knows she's getting close. Will she be able to conceal the truth of her own past long enough to find the suspect before someone puts a stop--fatal or otherwise--to her investigation?

Nancy Mehl is the author of twenty-one books, including the Road to Kingdom and Finding Sanctuary series. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson. Visit www.nancymehl.com to learn more.

Reviews

"Romantic suspense at its best, with an engaging plot that's not overpowering. Mehl is an amazing author who writes believable stories, knows what fans expect and does not disappoint."

RT Book Reviews

Every Girl Gets Confused by Janice Thompson (Brides with Style #2)

This book is Doris Day themed. I loved it! In Every Girl Gets Confused, we follow Katie Fisher and Brady James. The dress Katie won has every one a-buzz. Katie has her hands full, her Grandmother Queenie is getting married! Everything is going as you might expect, and then in comes Katie's ex! He wants to get back with her? Wait a second! That is confusing to start with right? Oh it gets, far, far better!

Which man is right for Katie? Brady or Casey? Who do you spend the rest of your life with? What is God's plan in all this? Oh yes! Every girl can and does get confused at times! This is a great second book in this series, and like all of  Thompson's books, it's good. It doesn't lack in any way. Humor, pain, love, forgiveness sorry, and joy.

Want to find out who Katie picks? You have to read this!

My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.

Carol :)

Katie Fisher and Brady James may be a match made in heaven, but that doesn't seem to guarantee them a happily ever after accompanied by angelic choirs. In fact, the sounds being heard at the bridal shop where she works are on the contentious side lately, as a bride- and groom-to-be try to mediate the growing rivalry between their basketball-obsessed families in the middle of play-off season. On top of that, Katie's parents are nagging her to get out of Dallas and come home to tiny Fairfield where her former boyfriend Casey is waiting for her, ready to rekindle their relationship. Oy vey! What's a girl to do? And will she ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?

The breezy fun continues as Janice Thompson throws everyone's favorite small-town girl into big-city bridal chaos--and makes her choose between the love she thought she lost and the love she stumbled upon in the aftermath.

How can she choose between the love she thought she lost and the love she stumbled upon in the aftermath?
Katie Fisher and Brady James may be a match made in heaven, but that doesn't seem to guarantee them a happily ever after accompanied by angelic choirs. Katie's almost-fiancé Casey is back in Fairfield, ready to rekindle their relationship. And there's nothing Katie's parents want more than for their small-town girl to leave Dallas and come home for good.

But can she really leave Brady behind? And will she ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?


"Every Girl Gets Confused is romantic comedy at its best. A sweet romance. A wonderful band of supporting family and friends. And enough humor to keep me smiling on each page. I highly recommend it!"--Cara Putman, award-winning author of Shadowed by Grace and Where Treetops Glisten

"A delightful mix of romance, inspiration, and humor, woven together with Thompson's trademark Texas storytelling and a happily-ever-after ending that will make you want to swoon."--Judy Christie, author of Wreath, A Girl in the Wreath Willis series

"Janice Thompson tosses her readers into a humorous whirl of romantic possibilities with characters I swear I've met in small-town Texas. Fun!"--Julianna Deering, author of the Drew Farthering Mystery series


Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series, the Backstage Pass series, and the Weddings by Design series, as well as Every Bride Needs a Groom. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.

About the Author

Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series, the Backstage Pass series, and the Weddings by Design series, as well as Every Bride Needs a Groom. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.

The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson, I do love you! It's hard to have book after book that is a great read, but you have done it again! This is a wonderful read! Elderly Widowed Joy Jorgenson has sold her home. Goodbye Chicago, and hello Phoenix. It's near her sons, and while it is a retirement home, that is ok. She was going to fly there but she changed her mind. She has something to do first. 

The RV is dusted and packed, and Joy is going by herself! She is going on a trip spreading Christmas joy! Alone, did I mention alone and in her 80's? Her friend Miranda decides that is a bad thing, and so now Miranda is along for the ride. She has been through it of late. Major life changes. So here they go! This ride is to have six stops to spread love and joy. Decked out with lights and more, the RV of fun is on the way! 

Will they make it to all their stops? Will they spread the love and joy they mean to spread? Or will disaster and stress overtake them? Full of humor and love, fun and hope, this book is a wonderful Christmas read! 

My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more. 

Carol :) 

The Christmas Joy Ride
by Melody Carlson

Miranda did not put adventure on her Christmas list, but thanks to her eighty-five-year-old neighbor Joy, that's exactly what she's getting this year. When Joy tells Miranda that she plans to drive an old RV decked out inChristmas decorations from their Chicago neighborhood to her new retirement digs in Phoenix--in the dead of winter, no less--the much younger Miranda insists that Joy cannot make such a trip by herself. Unemployed and facing foreclosure, Miranda feels she has nothing to lose by packing a bag and heading off with Joy toward Route 66. But Joy has a hidden agenda for their Christmasjoyride--one that could derail the whole venture.

No one captures the heartwarming fun of the Christmasseason quite like Melody Carlson. Fasten your seat belt, because it's going to be an exciting ride!


Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than two hundred books with combined sales of more than six million. She is the author of the bestselling TheChristmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, Christmas at Harrington's, and The Christmas Cat. She received aRomantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series and Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more atwww.melodycarlson.com.

Keeping Christmas by Dan Walsh

Judith and Stan are now empty nesters and they can't even bear to put the "ugly" decorations their kids made on the tree this year. Thanksgiving was a bust, and Judith is depressed. Can they rescue Christmas in more ways than one? Each ornaments had a story, and a time that that child made it. Maybe they can spread this tradition, of wacky homemade tree ornaments, and maybe in the process find Christmas again. I didn't connect with this story as well, but it was still sweet. 

My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more. 

Carol :) 

Keeping Christmas by Dan Walsh Stan opened the ugly ornaments box and pulled out the top three ornaments, the ones wrapped in green paper, the kids' favorites, and set them on the coffee table. He picked up the first one, the biggest one--Anna's blue pinecone--and began to unwrap it. Without thinking, Judith walked up, stopped him, and gently took it out of his hand. She wrapped it back up, set it carefully in the box. Then picked up the other two ornaments, put them in the box, and closed the flaps. "What's the matter?" Stan said. "Did I do something wrong?" "I don't think I can do this." Nothing is more beautiful than family For the first time since their children were born, empty nesters Judith and Stan Winters spent Thanksgiving without the kids, and it's looking like Christmas will be the same. Judith can't bring herself to even start decorating for the holiday; her kids always hung the first ornaments on the tree, ornaments they had made each year since they were toddlers. Sure, the ornaments were strange-looking--some were downright ugly--but they were tradition. With Judith refusing to decorate the bare spruce tree in their living room, Stan's only hope for saving the holiday is found in a box of handmade ornaments . . . Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Unfinished Gift and The Restoration Series with Gary Smalley. He has won three Carol Awards, and three of his novels were finalists for the RT Book ReviewsInspirational Book of the Year. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Dan served as a pastor for twenty-five years. He lives with his wife in the Daytona Beach area, where he's busy researching and writing his next novel. Learn more at www.danwalshbooks.com.

Hand Me Down Princess by Carol Moncado

I have only read some of this, because I signed up in NanoWriteMo!

What I have read so far is good. Prince Malachi is being forced to marry. He is 21 and this is it folks! So, he is now marrying 19 year old Jessabelle. (I don't really like her name, but that is just me!) She has not dated, she hasn't had a "life" so to speak and now she is marrying a prince and now she is stuck being a public figure. There some new marriage stress with a couple who doesn't even want to be married! Malachi is good to her, so they stand a chance if they can get past the issues and keep focused on God.

Carol :)

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Hand Me Down Princess

CANDID Publications (August 31, 2015)

by

Carol Moncado

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

When she’s not writing about her imaginary friends, Carol Moncado is hanging out with her husband, four kids, and a dog who weighs less than most hard cover books. She prefers watching NCIS to just about anything, except maybe watching Castle, or Girl Meets World with her kids. She believes peanut butter M&Ms are the perfect food and Dr. Pepper should come in an IV. When not watching her kids – and the dog – race around her big backyard in Southwest Missouri, she’s teaching American Government at a local community college. She’s a founding member and President of MozArks ACFW, category coordinator for First Impressions, blogger at InspyRomance, and represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of The Steve Laube Agency.


 ABOUT THE BOOK

Prince Malachi Van Renssalaer of Mevendia is getting married. The problem? He’s never even met his bride. His father arranged everything, right down to the marriage contract. Malachi swears to himself that he will be nothing like his father in the ways that count - including his fidelity to his wife.

Jessabelle Keller would happily spend her entire life in obscurity, but her father once saved the life of a future king. Before he dies, her father is committed to seeing that king make good on his promise to have one of his sons marry her so she would be taken care of for life.

No sooner than Prince Malachi and Jessabelle return from their honeymoon, they find themselves dealing with both private trauma and the very public drama of groundless accusations from the press. Just as they begin to weave their fragile trust back together, a ghost from the king’s past arrives and threatens everything they’ve ever held dear.


Secrets have a funny way of coming out and this one could rip the faith of the country in their leaders to shreds. Malachi is determined to protect Jessabelle no matter what it takes, but will it ever be enough for her to not feel like a Hand-Me-Down Princess?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Hand Me Down Princess, go HERE.

Carol Moncado can be reached through the Contact link on her Website 

The book link is: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00ZYYUMYQ

A Reason to Stay by Kellie Coates Gilbert (A Texas Gold Novel)

This book was better than the last, if you ask me. This book can stand alone. It is about Faith Marin, a woman who is up and coming in journalism. Faith comes from a shattered past. Her Dad died in a car wreck, with his mistress. If that wasn't bad enough, it was enough that her Mom killed herself. That should have been more than enough for anyone, but nope. She's hooked into a family that isn't good for her, and her brother has a major addiction. Her husband, he is a jerk! Frankly, Faith's life is in shambles and all she has left is her job. Her show is called "Faith On Air". I liked that name a lot!

Something major happens, something that rocks her world on top of everything else she has already dealt with. Is this even enough to destroy her? Is God in her life, or is this all she had left? A rather interesting read!

My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.

Carol :)

A Reason To Stay

By Kellie Coates Gilbert

Sometimes the thing that keeps us from making the wrong choice is the one thing we can't control

As an investigative reporter and the host of her own TV talk show, Faith Marin works to expose the truth for her viewers. But in her personal life, she's anchored her world with firm boundaries in order to hide a family history she'd like to forget. By contrast, her husband Geary's life is an open book. An easygoing pro bass fisherman, Geary is the ultimate family man--and his overbearing relatives don't know the meaning of boundaries.

Faith and Geary haven't been married long when their differences start to derail their tender relationship. Surely love shouldn't be this hard. While Faith considers whether divorce is the only answer to their issues, tragedy strikes. With her life in the balance, she finds that the one she has been shutting out may be the very one she cannot bear to lose.

Kellie Coates Gilbert takes you on an emotional roller coaster as she weaves together unexpected trial, self-discovery, and forgiveness in this profoundly honest portrait of the tensions that can break a marriage--and the ultimate healing power of love.

"I cheered, I cried, I fell in love. An excellent read."--Deeanne Gist, bestselling author of Tiffany Girl

"Kellie gathers the broken shards of a woman's life and with masterful precision pieces together a poignant and victorious story of committed love."--Lynne Gentry, author of The Carthage Chronicles


Kellie Coates Gilbert is a former legal investigator and trial paralegal and the author of A Woman of Fortune andWhere Rivers Part. Gilbert crafts her emotionally charged stories about women in life-changing circumstances in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her husband. Learn more at www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com.

Vendetta by Lisa Harris (The Nikki Boyd Files)

A girl named Bridgette is missing. This is now personal to Nikki Boyd, because her sister also went missing. Nikki wants to nail the Angel Abductor who took her sister. She is sure these new missing teens are connected. She wants revenge, she has been tormented and hurt for so long from this.  

Tyler and Nikki are interesting. They really have to recover from their pasts and work together to solve this, much less heal from their pasts and what pain they have been through. 

Over all, this is a good cozy mystery that I enjoyed.

My copy came from Revell in exchange for my honest review and nothing more. 

Carol :) 

Vendetta

by Lisa Harris

"Filled with red herrings and heart-pounding danger,Vendetta will leave readers anxiously awaiting Nikki Boyd's next adventure."--Irene Hannon, bestselling author of the Private Justice series

No one needs to push Nikki Boyd to excel on the Tennessee Missing Persons Task Force. The case of her own missing sister, still unsolved after ten years, is the driving force in her work. When a Polaroid photo of a missing girl shows up at a crime scene, Nikki quickly recognizes similarities to the past. The closer she gets to the abductor, the more she feels this case has become personal, and she is not the hunter . . . but the hunted.

With this explosive first book in The Nikki Boyd Files, award-winning author Lisa Harris takes you on a fast-paced pursuit of justice that will have you holding your breath until the heart-stopping finish.

Praise for the suspense novels of Lisa Harris

"Readers looking for a strong female protagonist and a unique murder mystery will find much to admire in Harris's work."--Publishers Weekly on Dangerous Passage

"A thrill ride from start to finish. Full of twists and turns, this exciting story will keep readers enthralled."--RT Book Reviews, 4-star review of Fatal Exchange

"Appealing characters along with fast-paced action . . . a great read for fans of romantic suspense."--Booklist onHidden Agenda

Lisa Harris is a Christy Award winner and the winner of the Best Inspirational Suspense Novel for 2011 fromRomantic Times. The author of nearly thirty books, including Dangerous Passage, Fatal Exchange, andHidden Agenda, Harris and her family have spent twelve years living as missionaries in southern Africa. They currently live in Mozambique. Learn more at www.lisaharriswrites.com.