Undaunted Hope Jody Hedlund (Beacons of Hope #3)

Tessa left her home to go to the middle of nowhere. She came to be a school teacher, but not everything always goes according to plan. Upon her arrival, they inform her that they don't want a female teacher. This is about to be a huge issue. She can't when suddenly things change and they decide to keep her as a teacher. Alex saved her dignity not too long after her arrival. Tessa might really like him, but as a teacher, she is suppose to be above reproach. 

Tessa soon loves her students, but some major foul issues are occurring in this mining town. Secrets are starting to come to the surface. Dangerous secrets, not just gossipy secrets. To make matters more complicated, this tiny town doesn't have a lot of single women. Now Tessa is going to have to face some of her fears, including her fear of lighthouses and the reason why they scare her. Lots of trust, and broken trust, forgiveness, love and so much more!

This book stands alone, but is part of a wonderful series. I really enjoyed this rapidly moving story. It was finished far faster than I expected. 

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

Carol :) 

1871
Eagle Harbor, Michigan
In a Town Mired in Darkness, 
She May Shine the Light They Need

Running from the mistakes of her past, Tessa Taylor heads to the uppermost reaches of Michigan, planning to serve as the new teacher to the children of miners. She quickly learns the town had requested a male teacher, but Percival Updegraff, superintendent and chief mine clerk, says she can stay through winter since it's too late to replace her. Tessa can't help but thank him and say she is in his debt. 

Determined to make herself irreplaceable once spring thaw arrives, Tessa throws herself into her work, and soon two students have decided Miss Taylor is the right match for their grieving father. At the same time, charming assistant lightkeeper Alex Bjorklund makes his interest known, surprising Tessa, who has never had men fight for her hand before. But not all is well as she feels that someone is tracking her every move, and she may not be able to escape the trap that has been laid for her.

Jody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including Love Unexpected, Captured by Love, Unending Devotion, The Preacher's Bride, and A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a bachelor's degree from Taylor University and a master's from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at www.jodyhedlund.com.

Dr. Who: Royal Blood by Una McCormack

The Doctor and Clara arrive on a plant in need. Once high tech, this place has forgotten their roots! The people of this land think that The Doctor is there to start a war. Suddenly, a new man shows up and muddies things up by claiming he is the ambassador. That means now we have a war brewing for sure. The "Holy Grail" got a bit confused in the mess. It sort of popped up in there, and didn't totally close as well as it could have.

I liked it anyway, but it did come across as weaker. That was sad, because I think it could have been a bit stronger with some help.

My copy came from Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.

Carol :)

The book link is here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctor-Who-Royal-Blood-Dr/dp/184990992X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1453873319&sr=1-1&keywords=Dr+Who+royal+blood

The Painter's Daughter By Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen did it again! This is another great read!

Sophie agrees to marry Stephen. He is willing to rescue her, she a woman in terrible distress, for Sophie is with child, and without a husband. Who is her child's father? Well, ready for this? Stephen's brother! Stephen and Sophie get to spend time at Overtree Hall, and then he is called away to war. He is fighting against the French forces, but if she opts for a marriage in name alone, it will give her and the baby some standing. After all, she is in a major mess with out support for herself and her child.

Now another complication arises. The father of her child, Wesley has come back. Things are getting very complex indeed. The girl who just wanted to paint might have painted herself into a major corner. Who does she love, and who should she trust for her live and the sake of her baby?  This was so hard for everyone! I really felt so much for Sophie and how her life just keeps changing so dramatically. The little twists and turns work to create another wonderful story that I am so happy to get to read!

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

About

Sophie Dupont assists her father in his studio, keeping her own artwork out of sight. In private, she paints the picturesque north Devon coast, popular with artists--including handsome Wesley Overtree, who seems more interested in Sophie than the landscape.

Captain Stephen Overtree is accustomed to taking on his brother Wesley's responsibilities. Near the end of his leave, he is sent to find his brother and bring him home. Upon reaching Devonshire, however, Stephen is stunned to learn Wesley has sailed for Italy and left his host's daughter in serious trouble.Stephen feels duty-bound to act, and strangely protective of the young lady, who somehow seems familiar. Wanting to make some recompense for his own past failings as well as his brother's, Stephen proposes to Miss Dupont. He does not offer love, but marriage "in name only" to save her from scandal. If he dies in battle, as he fears, she will at least be a respectable widow.

Desperate for a way to escape her predicament, Sophie finds herself torn between her first love and this brooding man she barely knows. Dare she wait for Wesley to return? Or should she elope with the captain and pray she doesn't come to regret it?

Photo Credit: © Farrow Media

JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for genre fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing's BEST Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America's RITA Awards and ACFW's Carol Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.

The Shock of Night by Patrick W. Carr (The Darkwater Saga)

Oh my! I'm still reading! LOL! This is a long book indeed, but one I didn't want to put down. The problem is that I had NanoWriteMo and that backed me up a bit. ;) That is totally NOT the fault of this book!

If you wish for world building, it is happening in this book. There are different groups of people, and they all have a purpose. A strong Christian theme is present.  We have romance, and Willet is one of our main characters. He is a reeve to the king. His job is to be an investigator, and a murder that they can't solve gets more and more wild when the church stops them from solving this mystery. What really makes it messy is that as we go along we find that Willet can't let this go. He has to have answers. He has a secret buried away, and that never stays hidden.

The "darkwater" area has evil and all kinds of things locked away. No one goes in and comes out the same. The violence didn't bother me in this book. It doesn't take away from it in my opinion. Real life had death, and murders and mysteries.

It is long, as I mentioned, but I don't dislike that in a book. I didn't feel that it was slow, as much as greatly detailed.

Carol :)

The Shock Of Night - http://www.amazon.com/Shock-Night-Darkwater-Saga/dp/0764213466/

Author Website - http://www.patrickwcarr.com/

Thomas Clayton Booher
Keanan Brand
Beckie Burnham
Carol Bruce Collett
Carol Gehringer
Victor Gentile
Rani Grant
Rebekah Gyger
Bruce Hennigan
Janeen Ippolito
Carol Keen
Rebekah Loper
Jennette Mbewe
Shannon McDermott
Meagan @ Blooming with Books
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Joan Nienhuis
Nissa
Audrey Sauble
Chawna Schroeder
Jessica Thomas
Robert Treskillard
Shane Werlinger
Phyllis Wheeler
Nicole White

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.