Tempest's Course

Kelly Frost is hoping to find the one job that will be enough to pay for her expenses and keep her head above water. When she finds herself in New Bedford at the Gray House, she begins the close examination of the vintage mariner's compass quilt that is in desperate need of restoration. Kelly is hoping that she will be able to make the bid on the restoration high enough to compensate her for the time and energy she will need to repair this quilt but also low enough not to outbid her chances. Fortunately for her she gets confirmation that she has won the right to this project. The only criteria she didn't plan on was the proprietor wants to quilt to remain in the house while the restoration is completed. They will allow her to move in and use the home for the length of the project.

Now if Kelly can only put her past behind her and continue to work on building her business after her failure with her recent breakup of a curator of a large museum. Turns out while he was romancing her, he failed to let on that he was married. Now placed in a precarious situation, she is in competition with his ex-wife in the very same industry of textile restoration. It seems that sometimes in life, you can't escape your past no matter how much you try to begin again.

Tom Pereira is the groundskeeper for the Gray House and has been asked by the foundation Firstborn Holdings, LLC,  to keep an eye on Kelly Frost. Even though she has passed the background, something in her character references if off and causes the owner concern. But Tom has his own demons that are haunting him about his past. He never can seem to measure up to the standards his father had wanted for him. giving up attending college and instead enlisting in the service was Tom's choice, his father felt the choice was the wrong one to make. Now plagued with seizures, Tom only hopes to get through this project and find a way to keep his own head above water. But with the downsizing in the economy, it seems like all his contacts are coming up short. Hopefully his job at Gray House will be enough.

I received Tempest's Course by Lynette Sowell compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and Abingdon Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed are strictly my own. Being a huge lover of quilts and occassionally trying my own hand at quilting, I know that most carry a story locked away in the fibers much like the Mariner's Compass Quilt does that Kelly Frost works on. Toggling back between an old journal she discovers from the quilts owner, she discovers that some secrets carry a great sacrifice and will one day shine the light on what the meaning of redemption really means. This is the 13th book in the Quilts of Love series and one I rate a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I've had the pleasure of reading almost all of them and each is truly their own work of art between the pages of the authors that have written them.

For more information about Tempest's Course, Lynette Sowell or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Tempest's Course by Lynette Sowell

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• Series: Quilts of Love (Book 13)
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (December 17, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426752768
• ISBN-13: 978-1426752766
• Product Dimensions: 0.2 x 7.3 x 9.5 inches

Somewhere in France

Lady Elizabeth Ashford wants to know what it feels like to fall in love. Tired of all the boring and stuffy suitors her mother finds suitable for her, she withdraws into the comfort of her brother's Edwards childhood friend, Robert Fraser. On the night of the ball she finds that after seven years of being away from one another and the games they spend time playing, they have both grown up quite a bit. She finds Robert charming and handsome but knows that her aristocratic parents will never let her marry a surgeon. They want her to marry and have children, but Lilly wants more out of life. She wants to travel and marry for love and not for money. She thinks Robert might just be the person she could fall in love with, if only her mother didn't intervene.

She learns after an unexpected quick departure that her mother had told Robert to forget setting his sights on Lilly. She was engaged to be married and they were only stalling on the announcement while waiting for the celebration of her brother Edward's wedding to die down. Her only ally is her brother Edward who truly wants to very best for his sister. However soon the war rears its ugly head and the men are thrust into battle in France during the Great War. Believing it will be over sooner than later, Edward takes up corresponding with his sister encouraging her to join in the effort to help. Knowing the campaigning for supplies to ship out is something more suited to her mother, she finds solace in learning to drive cars from one of the men in her families employ.

Yet once again Lilly is called out for her inappropriate behavior, first in corresponding with Edward and later Robert but in also taking up driving a car. Not the type of behavior for any lady. So Lilly does the unthinkable and moves out of her families home and influence and moves in with Charlotte Brown, a women who has tutored her as a young woman and now serves in the war helping out. She encourages Lilly to find something admirable to do. She moves to London and takes a newly formed position as an ambulance driver for the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps or WAAC's since they need more men on the frontlines and she does know how to drive.

Soon love grows between her and Robert as they continue to correspond during the war and they find that just the simple letters are enough for them to get to know one another. Robert continues as a surgeon in the war now and tries as best as he can to reassure Lilly that the war will be over soon and even that her brother Edward faces no harm considering his deployment status as a Lord. However soon the war continues longer than expected and Lilly wants to know if there is hope with Robert and gets assigned as an Ambulance driver for the 51st, the same division that Robert works as a surgeon in. But all is not fair in love and war and it will take a miracle for Lilly and Robert to survive.

I received Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. The love story and historical background are amazing and so beautifully put together. It reminded me of Downton Abbey a bit when the war entered the series and the youngest daughter left to be a nurse and learned to drive a car. In both instances the family believed the influence of the driver was at fault and had them dismissed. There are a few instances of profanity as Lilly encounters the military leaders who aren't used to having a female in the war but that is to be expected. There is the portion of the novel when Lilly and Robert meet at a hotel and end up making love with neither of them married. It may offend some readers and that is why I feel I should caution readers about the content. It was something that happened quite a bit during the war when people who fell in love didn't expect to see one another again. With that being said, I easily give this one a 4 out of 5 stars and can't wait to read more from Jennifer Robson in the future. This is Jennifer Robson's debut novel but definitely not her last. Historical romance fans will definitely LOVE this one.

For more information about Somewhere in France, Jennifer Robson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson

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To read more reviews on Somewhere in France, stop by William Morrow's website. 

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (December 31, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062273450
• ISBN-13: 978-0062273451
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches

The Execution

Jeremy Fisk has been cleared for police duty only it won't be the kind he was hoping for. It's United Nations Week in New York City which means he will be working Intel in aiding foreign dignitaries for their week long summit. After losing his former partner and girlfriend Krina Gersten in a terrorist plot what was discovered before it had a chance to be carried out, he still had feelings that justice had not been served the way he would have wanted. Even though the trial carried with it a guilty verdict, Fisk still wanted more than just seeing the man responsible spending life behind the bars of prison.

Fate would see to it that Fisk would be allowed that brief moment to right the wrongs he felt he was due in life and no one would be able to prove he had anything to do with it. Hoping to find out just what information they could gleen from Swedish Muslim terrorist Magnus Jenssen before he was locked up for good, Fisk was granted the opportunity to speak to him privately as long as he didn't physically lay a hand on him. The Feds believed that Jenssen would be smug enough to let something slip they could use to further prevent any further terrorist activity from occurring in the United States. Just because one terrorist act failed didn't mean there were not others who were working on bigger plans.

Once Fisk had his words with Jenssen, he began to work on Intel for the UN Week. What he didn't expect during this time was that he would once again be called back into work when a mass of headless bodies appears on Rockaway Beach. Could this have anything to do with the recent mass murders that are plaguing the Federal Police Department in Mexico headed up by Commandante Cecilia Garza, also known as the Ice Queen. Now assigned as the Personal Security detail for the Mexican President, she begins to work with Detective Fisk to uncover a bigger terrorist plot that will place both of their presidents at risk of execution, if only they can unravel it in time.

In the latest novel from Dick Wolf, the New York Times best selling author of the Intercept brings you the sequel The Execution. This one will leave you virtually hanging on every page as the threat draws closer and the body count begins to add up. The real back story is the past that both Fisk and Garza carry that refuses to let them see justice prevail despite the fact that the bad guy simply gets locked up. When things get personal, it seems that revenge in the purest sense begins to rear its head and shows that justice truly is blind in the eyes of the law and for the criminals. I love the way this one ended in a so called double standard but could see that as something I would be tempted to do as well. I'll have to let you see how it truly plays out in the end. If you love shows like Law and Order, then you will definitely want to pick this one up.

I received The Execution by Dick Wolf compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. Being a huge fan of crime novels, I easily give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars more for the ending than anything else without giving away the ending. I can't wait for more Jeremy Fisk novels from Dick Wolf in the future. For more information about The Execution, Dick Wolf or where to preorder a copy of this Jeremy Fisk Novel today, please click on the links below:

The Execution by Dick Wolf

You can find Dick Wolf on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on the Execution please visit William Morrow's website. 

• Series: Jeremy Fisk Novels
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (January 7, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062064851
• ISBN-13: 978-0062064851
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches

The Sweetest Thing

Jennie Copeland has agreed to completely swear off men forever following the divorce of her husband David eighteen months ago, after learning he was in love with someone he worked with who was much younger than she was. Now Jennie has opted to move to the quiet country away from the city that once consumed her and her three children, even if it means leaving all traces of their former life behind as well as friends and family. Moving to a small four acre farm in Devon, she has found the inspiration to begin her own small business of baking cakes and sweet treats. Only her kids aren't the least bit convinced the country life is for them.

For her oldest son Adam, the internet speed is more along the lines of snail mail, her precocious daughter Georgia, who is more like Jennie than she could imagine, is the only one who is convinced this is a great idea, followed on the heels of Sophie the youngest who can't imagine living in a disgusting old farm house inundated by cows. Yet despite all their misgivings the Copeland family buckles down and attempts to give it a go if only Jennie can convince herself this is a good decision. Her former ex believes that she has truly bitten off more than she can chew and her neighbor gives her more than just a great view to look at. He is the one who sold her his former farm house, while maintaining a home on the existing 150 acres of land for milking cows.

Will Jennie's vow to swear off men for good last as well as she thought or does love hold a second chance in it's grip for both Jennie and Guy Barnes, who have both been left with heart ache in their past lives? Only time will tell what kind of story plots, author Cathy Woodman has in store in her latest novel, The Sweetest Thing. I received The Sweetest Thing by Cathy Woodman compliments of Arrow Books and TLC Book Tours for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable one. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own and once again I am delighted to be taken back to Devon for a different look at the country life I had discovered when I read Country Loving, one her many books in the Talyton St George Series of novels she has written. Her writing style once again has managed to transport me to Devon and to the sights, sounds and warmth of the people who interact with both Jennie and Guy. From learning what it takes to raise chickens and get them to lay eggs to how milk gets from cows to cartons. Along the way love begins to take root and you find yourself hoping they will realize their feelings before you get to the end. I won't spoil it but you'll definitely want this one! I personally rate this one a 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about The Sweetest Thing, Cathy Woodman or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Sweetest Thing by Cathy Woodman

You can also find Cathy Woodman on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Sweetest Thing from the TLC Book Tours, please click here. 

• Series: Talyton St George (Book 3)
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Arrow (May 9, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0099551632
• ISBN-13: 978-0099551638
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces

   

Citadel

Like all great things, sometimes the U.S. is the last to receive them. This is very true of the latest novel from author Kate Mosse, Citadel. Released in the U.K. before it's debut here in the states, Citadel takes historical novels to a completely different level. This book isn't slated for it's U.S. release March of 2014. This is a definite must read for fans of historical fiction that involve strong female lead characters. Not the kind to sit back and wait for a historic rescue, the women you find in Citadel are the ones taking charge and moving forward in the Resistance movement in World War II, which was different from previous historical novels I have had the opportunity to read and review.

This was one that was definitely on my must read list and was not disappointed even though the size of the novel was larger than I had anticipated, it was worth every single page. For once, it didn't end too early for me and instead kept me engaged with the characters. Having not read the previous novels that background Citadel, there is a brief prologue to catch the reader up to speed to the present day. The first novels Labyrinth and Sepulchre take the reader back into more of a late historical past to arrive at where we find our current characters today.

This novel takes readers back to 1940's during the Nazi occupation of France and where a group of women work as Resistance Fighters code named Citadel. These are the women who find courage and fortitude to what they can to take back their country and go completely against the stereo type female characters of literature. These are the women who are armed and ready for action standing alongside men to fight back against the Germans who wanted to occupy France during the World War. It shows the character of these women who were willing to fight for what they believed in and that allowed them in places that no man could ever go. I mean if you really consider it from a writers stand point, imagine the ability of a woman to infiltrate places men would already be deemed as suspicious? It already gives credibility to just what you will find lurking beneath the covers of this book.

It gave life to something I had never considered before when you think about the role of some women during the wars. They simply didn't cower inside their homes waiting for their men to take on the war. These were women who fought just as bravely as their men counterparts and thus a major reason for me wanting to pick this one up. The writer gives a breath of reality in this novel as well as she illustrates beautifully just what these women were up against and it wasn't simply an easy way to aid in the war efforts. Even these women in Citadel often died the very same way men did, through being captured and executed by the enemy. They were not shown any favoritism simply because they were women. That was one of the things I enjoyed most about this novel.

I received Citadel by Kate Mosse compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. Being a huge fan of anything having to do with WWII historical fiction, I LOVED this one because it gave a different spin on what I was used to reading and not only that opened my eyes up to a different role women played in the war efforts as Resistance Fighters. I easily give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. This book will be available to order in the United State in March of 2014 but for now you can find copies on the internet through third party book sellers. Trust me if you love historical fiction as much as I do, you'll definitely want to carve out some time to read this one.

For more information about Citadel, Kate Mosse or where you can preorder up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Citadel by Kate Mosse

You can find Kate Mosse on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Citadel, please visit William Morrow's website. 

Awakened Love

Katie Detweiler is cursed. Cursed to wind up alone and a maidel while everyone else around her falls in love and gets married. At first, she didn't believe it, but the more her friend Patsy reminded her, the more she began to believe that the lot in life that was falling over her was due to being cursed. Losing her brother Noah in a freak accident has left her growing up alone and has caused her mother to remain in depressed state, leaving her and her father behind to stay with family away from the place that brings only loneliness and sadness.

Katie has always wanted to take part in the courtship of the Amish like all her friends, but soon realizes that dream will never come true. Patsy has asked her to stand up as part of her wedding part when she learns that Micah's cousin is in town. To Patsy that means all bets are off and she will stop at nothing to ensure that her and Abram Hilty are married this year. Too bad Abram isn't aware of that plan. Leaving his family to avoid his own past, Abram can't help but notice Katie. She's not like all the other girls he has met, that throw themselves at him, but instead seems to not be attracted to his good looks at all. Now if he can only convince her that he is interested.

When Katie notices Abram's persistent ways to be around her, she believes that he isn't really interested in her, but probably wants to date Patsy. However, Abram manages to persuade Katie that it is her that he wants to date and no one else. But because Katie has grown up believing she is cursed, she believes it's just a prank being played on her by the Amish boys. It will take a lot of convincing on Abram's part and if Patsy has it her way, it will never happen. Things are going to definitely get interesting to say the very least.

I received Awakened Love by Laura V. Hilton compliments of Whitaker House Publishers and Pump Up Your Book Tours for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are strictly my own. This is the third book in The Amish of Webster County and it's a mix of Amish Romance, coupled with a twist of suspense as both Abram's and Katie's past come back to disrupt their lives in ways neither one could ever manage. I literally inhaled this one in a couple of hours. This is a first novel with Laura V. Hilton but it definitely won't be my last. I will be going back to read the first two in this series! Her writing style is very easy going and keeps you hooked from the very beginning all the way to the end. I didn't want it to end. With that being said, it's easy to give Awakened Love a true 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Awakened Love, Laura V. Hilton or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Awakened Love by Laura V. Hilton

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To read more reviews on Awakened Love from the Pump Up Your Book Tour, please click here. 

Escaping Home

Just when Morgan Carter believed things couldn't get any worse they do. Facing unbeatable odds as more and more families turn to the FEMA and Department of Homeland Security to provide care and food during the nations crisis that has left people without any electricity or food. Not knowing where their next meal will come from or even how to gain medical needs, families are buying into the security that the government will help them. But Morgan knows that this is the deception the government want people to fall for, a sense of false hope.

Morgan and his family along with several neighbors left in his neighborhood are doing what they can to make sure that they provide security when armed raiders attempt to loot and steal from their homes. They will stop at nothing to ensure that their families are well cared for. Morgan is now joined by Thad and Sarge as their paths once again converge in an effort to help them all survive against the odds. Even their local Sheriff Mark is beginning to wonder if they aren't just battling an uphill climb and eventually succumbs to working alongside the government.

While doing a reconnaissance mission, Morgan, Sarge and Thad discover that Jess, the young girl that they helped return home, is now trapped inside the local FEMA camp where no one gets out alive. Only the dead are allowed to leave camp. The men will have to work to provide better security in their neighborhood when FEMA plots a way to disband the group. Soon Morgan will have to look at just what it will take to survive if he doesn't want to join Jess in the camp. Will he be willing to give up all his planning and abandon the only home him and his family have come to rely on to get through this latest crisis hitting the country? What will he be willing to do to fight for his own personal freedom?

I received Escaping Home by A. American compliments of Penguin Publishers and TLC Book Tours for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. Once again I applaud the author for providing a "mature audience" disclaimer on the rear cover of this book. It is truly not for the light of heart. This book contains graphic violence and language that might not be suitable to some readers. This is the third book in the Survivalist series and it is the most violent of the three I've read. This is truly a push come to shove moment when those who are resistant to the governments aid fight to retain their personal freedoms and find themselves the criminals in the eyes of the government. Action packed from start to finish, this series paints the possible picture of one man's survival against all odds when power is removed from the country. I rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion. A must read for survivalists and doomsday prepper fans!

For more information about Escaping Home, A. American or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Escaping Home by A. American

You can also find A. American on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on Escaping Home from the TLC Book Tour, please click here.