The Gentleman Spy

 

Marcus Haverly is determined to keep his life in neat compartments: spying for the crown; uncovering diabolical plots; caring for his family estate and its responsibilities, and now having a new wife. As he gets to know Charlotte better he is having seconds thoughts about how he is possibly going to do this. 

Charlotte has a tender heart and is determined to help those women who are less fortunate than her, threatening to expose very powerful men. This will lead to her endangering herself and wreck havoc on Marcus's well-ordered life.  Her compassion and determination to see life change for these women locked in a life of prostitution was something that I admired about her. She wasn't worried about her reputation and called out the someone very close to her to bring attention to the situation. 

The fast-paced plot, intrigue and suspense made this a book that I give it 5/5 stars. This is the second book in the Secrets and Serendipity series and highly recommend The Lost Lieutenant too. 

About the Book: 

He only wanted a duchess for a day--but she’s determined to make it a marriage for lifeWhen his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming family, the duke impulsively marries a wallflower. After all, she’s meek and mild; it should be easy to sequester her in the country and get on with his life--as a secret agent for the Crown.But his bride has other ideas. She’s determined to take her place not only as his duchess but as his wife. As a duchess, she can use her position to help the lowest of society--the women forced into prostitution because they have no skills or hope. Her endeavors are not met favorably in society, nor by her husband who wishes she’d remain in the background as he ordered.Can the duke succeed in relegating her to the sidelines of his life? When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability

The Cowgirl's Sacrifice

Kate Rainbolt sacrificed all- her loving family, her sweetheart Jess McNally, and the large family ranch to join the rodeo in hopes of finding her father who abandoned them years ago. When Kate is seriously injured in a career-ending accident, she returns home to heal. Kate is in for a huge surprise  when she discovers that the job she was counting on has been filled by none other than Jess. 

As Kate navigates her way through her new life on the ranch she must deal with past hurts and the reality that not all questions can be answered, that there is happiness and joy. I was glad to see Kate let her family and Jess help her and to trust them and discover love. I could almost sense the burden that she had been carrying with her being lifted. It was a good reminder that we are not alone since we have God and others that are there for us. 

If you are wanting to read an inspiring, uplifting book, The Cowgirl’s Sacrifice is just the book for you. While this is a stand alone book, I highly recommend that you read the other books in this fictional series so that you have a better picture of the Rainbolt family and the townsfolk of Rebel, Oklahoma. Once you have met them you will want to visit and perhaps move there. 

My thanks to the author for a copy of the book. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

About the Book: 

This cowgirl has wandered back home…

Will she choose her past or her future?

Needing time to heal after a rodeo injury, Kate Rainbolt heads to her family ranch to accept the foreman job her brothers offered her months ago. But the position’s already been filled by her ex-boyfriend, Jess McNally, and the only open job reports to him. With Jess as her temporary boss—and turning into something more—might he finally convince Kate to put down roots?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Hearts of Oklahoma

Book 1: Finding the Road Home
Book 2: Ready to Trust
Book 3: His Holiday Prayer
Book 4: The Cowgirl's Sacrifice

The Scarlet Pen

Oh, watch out Emma! The nice, sometimes bullied boy that you remembered from your childhood is not the same man you have fallen in love with. Emma is drawn to Stephen Dee Richards because of his charming personality, the attention that he gives her, and her sweet and rescuing nature.  Their whirlwind courtship is suspect as Stephen does not ask her father’s permission to marry her and seems to be in a rush to set the date. Promising to Emma and her father that he will return with income to support her, Stephen leaves on a westward journey where he leaves a deadly trail of people who were unfortunate to have met him.  

The latest in the True Color series, Jennifer Uhlarik takes the difficult and chilling story of a serial killer and lets you see into the mind of Stephen Dee Richards. The way in which it is written shows us how under the charming and affable veneer of this man lies a callous, ruthless, and brutal murderer. Weaving the story of writing mundane details to his sweetheart, Emma, of his travels after he commits heinous acts was an excellent way of showing his blatant disregard of life and his truly evil nature. 

The relationship that Emma develops with Clay Timmons, a Secret Service agent, shows the contrast between the two men and provides light in this dark tale and gives the balance of a selfless godly man. He only wants the best for Emma and to keep her safe as he uncovers clues of Stephen’s activities.  He writes her encouraging scriptures as he tracks the killer and offers her the opportunity to choose between two very different paths. If you have read any of the other True Color series books, you don’t want to miss this one! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publications for an arc of the book. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own. 

Rocky Mountain Restoration

Josie Thorebourne is a lovely and trusting young lady, too bad she finds herself on the run from her family after she has been deceived by the charlatan, Jake (Snoop) Rice.  Filled with guilt, shame and remorse for the things she has done, Josie can’t see her way out of the terrible situation and ends up on the SS Jameson with Snoop. As Josie begins to see that there can be redemption and forgiveness for past doings, she begins to open her heart to others and the possibility of making restitution. 

I liked how Josie had to deal with the consequences of her actions and took the advice and counsel of Owen and her friends. I was happy to see she had the courage she needed to make things right with her family. I found the story of hope and faith to be very encouraging. This is the third book in the Rocky Mountain Revival series and can be read as a standalone book. 

Thank you to Wild Heart Books and the author for an ARC of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

A Colonial Courtship

Abigail Martin is in trouble. Big trouble. Her only chance of escaping is to go to a time traveling Bed and Breakfast called Back Inn Time to see if she can undo the past. The funny and sometimes embarrassing predicaments that arise as she and her high school crush, Evan Blake, are transported to a completely different era make this an enjoyable read. Evan Blake’s reaction is priceless as he has no idea they have time traveled. Why are they in costumes? Where is a phone so he can call for help?

As Abigail and Evan encounter Colonial social norms and their consequences, they must trust each other. I thought using these experiences was a terrific way of helping each of them to break down the walls of past hurts they had built.

Abgail’s story of trying to fix things on her own is something that I think we can all relate to in our lives. The unexpected journey as she discovers her need for help and trusting God and others was inspirational and timeless.  As Abigail reflects upon her past mistakes and the choices she has made, I found this quote to be pivotal for her and applicable to us. “I won’t let the past have any say over what I want for the future.” 

I enjoyed reading this third time slip book in the Back Inn Time series. This can be read as a stand alone, but you will want to read the other books as well. Each book is set in a different time period that makes these books not only fun, but you learn a bit about that time period with the details that are included in the stories. If you like historical and/or Christian fiction, you will enjoy this story.

I was given a complimentary copy from the author/ publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Heart of the Frontier

I enjoyed being taken back in time to the western frontier. Each novella has a strong, courageous woman who faced her own set of challenges and finding love. 

In The Gamble, spunky Ella Merriweather determines to confront Mr. Jasper Howe and expose him for the weasely businessman who takes people’s money. Sir Thomas Clayborne’s trusting nature and honesty find him as one of Howe’s victims. Together Ella and Thomas confront him about his shady activities. The way that Ella shows evidence of what Howe is truly like made me cheer to see that he would not be able to continue his scheming. 5/5 stars

In Her Frontier Bandit everything is not as it seems. Rebecca Bailey and her father travel to a small Idaho town for him to practice medicine. Imagine Rebecca’s surprise when she discovers that her ex-boyfriend, Ray Harrison, robs the train on which she is traveling! Adding to the confusion is he is the town’s sheriff. I was swept along as the story unfolds and I witness Rebecca’s new respect and love for Ray grow. 4/5 stars

In Sagebrush Sally life is far different living in Idaho for Sally Cranston than what it was living in England. She is truly a greenhorn with frontier living.  Thankfully, she has Gabe Jensen to help get her out of multiple scrapes. Sally becomes entangled in discovering who is rustling cattle on her uncle’s ranch and helps bring them to justice. I enjoyed riding along with Gabe and her as they face dangerous men and circumstances. It was exciting to see that she was a part of the adventure and I was happy that she was going to have a wonderful new life. 4/5 stars

In Celebration for Celia I saw that war changes not only the soldier, but their family as well. Sweet and caring Celia Edwards tries to engage her father in returning to life. The tasteful way that Ms. Frank portrays the grief and disappointment of Celia and her family was well done. With the love and thoughtfulness of Bruce Pickett, Celia has a wonderful surprise and new hope for her family. 3/5 stars

If you like Lynette Bonner's Wyldhaven series and Cathy Marie Hakes' Only in Gooding series, or western romances I am sure you will enjoy this book. 

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

About the Book: 

The Gamble by Brittany Larsen

British aristocrat Thomas Clayborne anticipated a grand adventure in America—but what he imagined is a far cry from the rough-and-tumble reality. When his journey West brings a bold young woman into his life, will he risk everything for true love?

Her Frontier Bandit by Jen Geigle Johnson

When Rebecca and her physician father relocate to a frontier town in desperate need of a doctor, Rebecca believes it will be an opportunity to mend her recently broken heart. But she quickly realizes that no matter how far she runs, true love always finds a way.

Sagebrush Sally by Jennie Hansen

English rose Sally is finding it difficult to bloom in the rugged wasteland of the West. But with two handsome cowboys vying for her affections, it seems that even amid cattle thieves and gunfights, the truest danger lies in losing her heart.

Celebration for Celia by Carolyn Twede Frank

Though Celia generally adores Fourth of July festivities, she finds herself weighed down by uncertainties that dim her anticipation of the holiday. Then fate brings into her life a dashing stranger who is determined to give Celia a celebration she’ll never forget.