An Appearance of Impropriety

As the youngest female judge in LA, Mahalia Jackson has her career goals carefully aligned. But when her mentor tells her she needs to break her shell of professionalism and show a little heart by volunteering for the Junior Jurors program, her plans begin to falter.

Attorney JD Cash heads up the Junior Jurors program, a project born out of his own troubled past. He leverages his position as an attorney to fulfill God's calling on his life, supporting the orphans and widows of society who have lost beloved husbands and fathers to TransNation's eighteen-wheeled time bombs roaming America's freeways.

Mahalia's rule—never date a lawyer—is a straitjacket that tightens when she presides over the case where JD serves as a young widow's attorney. But when an earthquake leaves JD and Mahalia in a vulnerable position, her resolve begins to waver and she finds herself opening up to the sad-eyed lawyer. But online, anonymous colleagues and adversaries attempt to destroy Mahalia’s reputation and career.

A legal drama threaded with romance, An Appearance of Impropriety will show readers that real love is worth the risk.

My Review: 

I haven’t read many courtroom dramas, but I enjoyed the cases that were presented. Not only is there the lawyer, James Dean Cash, but there is also a rising in ranks judge, Mahalia Jackson. First impressions and appearances are challenged as Mahalia sees an advertising billboard of Mr. Cash before meeting him and categorizes him as an ambulance-chasing lawyer. Nothing could be further from the truth. As Mahalia is “voluntold” to assist with Cash’s Junior Jurors program, she sees that he is a compassionate man who feels called to help widows and orphans, and at-risk teens.  

Mahalia knows that she has to prove herself to be capable and competent in order to advance in her career. She has built up walls and finds it difficult to let others in. I loved seeing James stand with her in difficult times. He let her be vulnerable with no judgement. He shared his past with her so she could be comfortable and realize that he had come through awful things but did well with God’s help. 

Things to enjoy: 

elevator incident

Mahalia’s clothes

junior jurors

military vet

faith thread

I received a copy of the book through Let’s Launch. I was no obligated to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Smoke and Ash

 If you saw Cody Buckner on a horse, you’d understand my obsession with him.

I’ve spent most of my life pretending I don’t have a thing for the rancher next door.
He’s my brother’s best friend.
My best friend’s brother.
And now—because fate clearly hates me—he’s the firefighter I have to work alongside as Waterford’s newest fire inspector.

Cody Buckner is steady where I’m stubborn, calm where I’m chaos, and way too good at showing up when I’m trying to keep my distance. Especially now, with my family ranch hanging by a thread.

Around here, everyone's got a front-row seat to everyone else’s business, and gossip travels faster than a brush fire. One look, one slip, and the whole town would know exactly how I feel about Cody.

But every time those brown eyes find mine, my whole list of reasons why we can’t be together just ... goes up in smoke.

Review: 

Carli and Cody have known each other all of their lives. When their feelings towards each other begin to change, their life relationship gets complicated, and so do their lives. Smoke and Ash has all the things I love about Hallmark Movies: small town, involved extended families, good friends, and of course, romance. Ms. Scott has written a story that you are sure to love with things such as:

childhood friends

rancher neighbors

nicknames

barn kiss

forbidden romance

horse rides

secret meetings

barn dance

day-long dates

ranch wedding

This is the third book in the Firemen of Waterford TN series, but it can be read as a standalone. There are other characters from previous books, but they do not interfere with the plot. This is a kisses-only romcom. 

I received a copy of the book, but I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Lilacs for Lucy

Lucy Hargrave spent years being rejected by medical schools, her dream of becoming a doctor denied at every turn. Returning home in 1856 as a trained midwife, she expects a place where her skill will finally be valued—and a chance to leave the past behind.

But William Ashford, a newly minted doctor and the childhood friend who once laughed at her ambition, has returned too.

When Farmer Jones’ pregnant daughter falls ill, treatment becomes a competition. The whole town watches to see who will handle the case best.

For Lucy, it’s a chance to prove her skill and secure her place. For William, it’s an opportunity to make amends—and perhaps win back the woman he never stopped thinking of.

Old wounds, anonymous letters, and one perilous birth force them to choose: will rivalry keep them apart, or can forgiveness take root—like lilacs after a hard winter?

Review:

William and Lucy were the best of friends while they were growing up, but one foolish comment and a misunderstanding at a ball puts William in Lucy’s despised category. While William knew he had blundered, I don’t think he realized how badly he had hurt Lucy until he returns home years later with the intent of wooing her. He has quite a bit to make up for, but William is determined to be humble and ask for forgiveness. I thoroughly enjoyed this story with its characters and message to not give up on your dreams. 

Things to love: 

second chances

Granny! 

midwifery

letters

symbolism

Be sure to read the author’s notes at the end.She shares some things that happened to influence the writing of this story. Additionally, she includes some historical information that was used throughout the novella. 

This is part of the Victorian Valentine’s series, but it can be read as a standalone. I highly recommend this clean, faith-filled romance for readers young and mature alike.

I received a copy of the book but was not obligated to write a positive review.

When I'm With You

 

She had her life mapped out perfectly—until love rewrote every plan.

Elizabeth Dorsey doesn't do detours. Fresh from MIT with honors and her sights set on Wharton's MBA program, she's got her next twenty years planned down to the minute. A quick summer stint at the family furniture business in sleepy Hearts Bend, Tennessee? Just a pit stop before conquering the Fortune 100.

But some destinations are worth changing course for.

Enter Ryder Donovan—the wildlife officer who once filled her teenage summers with friendship and innocent longing. Now he's all grown up, devastatingly handsome, and stirring feelings that threaten to derail everything Elizabeth thought she wanted. When a mysterious fire brings them together and false accusations tear them apart, Elizabeth must choose between the future she's always planned and the love she never saw coming.

In Hearts Bend, Tennessee, some fires burn hotter than others...

As Elizabeth uncovers fraud that could destroy Ryder's career, their chemistry ignites into something neither can ignore. But with her acceptance to Wharton finally in hand and Ryder facing a job offer in Colorado, can two people heading in opposite directions find their way to the same future?

Sometimes the biggest risk isn't following your dreams—it's having the courage to change them.

Review: 

Elizabeth is a driven young lady who wants to prove that she is capable of doing whatever she sets her mind to doing. After being sick for two years, she sees Hearts Bend where her extended family lives as a slight detour to her plans to attend grad school. But, what if the plan that she has isn’t what God had planned for her? Trusting that He has something even better takes a whole lot of faith when you can’t see your next step.

Things to enjoy:

childhood friends

small town

4th of July activities

mystery

family

pizza not-a-date

fire watch tower

MMC hero

All of us can relate to Beth when change occurs. Moving forward into the unknown can be scary, but when WMA Officer Ryder Donovan steps back into Beth’s life, she has a sounding board and friend to help her with her next steps. I love the friends to more trope, and this was well written with just the pacing. 

I recommend reading this book for its clean romance, a wonderful family, and its faith message. This is the first book in the Home to Hearts Bend series. 

I received a copy of the book through JustRead Tours, but  I was not obligated to write a positive review.

Forged in Shadows

 He had a dark secret. He took it to his grave…

With the help of her K9 partner, Koda, widowed airport security officer Demi De Luca is committed to keeping her passengers safe as they fly. But when she overhears a mysterious phone call, she soon finds out that the real threat might be closer than she ever expected.

As founder of his family’s private security company, Gabriel Forge knows his mission in take the lead, hold the line, and never let anything–or anyone–get in the way. Not his faith. Not the beautiful girl from his childhood he thought he’d never see again. And certainly not an unruly German Shepherd puppy determined to eat his freshly polished shoes.

As dangerous forces begin to collide, Gabe and Demi must figure out the truth together, or watch from the ground as everything goes up in smoke.

Serve. Protect. Redeem.

Forge Brothers Security is a clean and Christian romantic suspense series. Each book is a standalone and can be read in any order. Tropes for Forged in Shadows include infertility rep, type A hero, adorable dogs, and a thrilling race against the clock.

My Review: 

There is a high-stakes event that is going to take place at the North Star International Airport and widowed TSA agent Demi De Luca and her K9 partner, Koda, are assigned to find out the plan and stop it before it happens. Childhood friend, Gabe Forge, quickly becomes involved when Demi discovers a fleeing intruder in her home and turns to him for help. Since he is head of his own security company it should be easy to keep Demi safe, shouldn’t it?

Hold onto your seat because you are going on a wild ride as the past collides with the present that will affect the future. I love how storylines intertwine and keep you turning the pages.

Things to love:
the dogs
Forge family
mystery
suspense
danger
faith thread
clean romance

This is part of the Forge Brothers Security series, and I have read every one of them. It can be read as a standalone, but I love seeing the brothers make an appearance. This book ends with a cliffhanger, so I can’t wait to read what is going to happen next.

To Love a Lady

For fans of My Fair Lady and The Gilded Age

New York City, 1883. Keira O’Day has spent her life scraping by in the tenements, haunted by the mystery of her parents’ abandonment. When wealthy widow and social climber, Maude Hill, offers her a daring proposition—to be adopted, polished, and presented as a society bride for an English lord—Keira sees an opportunity she can’t pass up.

Maude’s nephew, Alexander Paxton-Hill, is skeptical from the start. Tasked with teaching Keira the art of charm and flirtation, he soon finds himself captivated by her honesty and warmth as she challenges everything he thought he knew about love—and about himself.

After navigating the glittering, treacherous world of New York society, Keira arrives in England and catches the eye of the elusive Duke of Severton. She’s poised to win everything until a lavish ball, a long-buried secret, and one reckless act of love threaten to unravel it all. Now Keira must choose: the role she’s been prepared to play—or the woman she’s become.

Review: 
Keira O’Day is given a once in a lifetime opportunity to leave the tenements behind and become an heiress. But, everything comes with a condition. Keira will have to help save Maude Hill and her hotel dynasty by marrying a person of nobility. As you can imagine, Keira is bewildered by all of the things she must learn of society. But, she has made a friend and ally, Alexander Paxton-Hill who helps her with all that she will need in order to succeed. The details of the opulence of New York's and London’s societies were described in such detail that I felt that I was experiencing things along with Kiera. The Worth gowns, the furnishings, and being introduced to the queen and prince was all so exciting and a bit breathtaking. I loved the retelling of my Fair Lady and the way that it ended for Keira and Alec. It was the perfect ending for Keira and even better than what I could have imagined. Thank you to the author for doing that, otherwise I would have been very disappointed. Things to love: classic movie retelling cottage secrets flirting lessons flower brooch ballroom dances wardrobes faith of characters We are introduced to some other characters who I came to love in the story, and I am excited to see they will be featured in a future book in the Dollar Princess series. I received a copy of the book, but I was not obligated to write a positive review.

A Fortunate Miscalculation

 

A wager. An inconvenient love. A fortunate miscalculation that changes everything.

Andrew Langford is an honorable man. So it is deeply inconvenient when Sophie Renard, the woman he loved, appears at his door on the very day he’s reminded of a youthful wager that will cost the last unwed man a small fortune. She is beautiful, desperate, and, Andrew believes, married.

Sophie came to London for a prestigious mathematics position that she’s worked toward for six years. But after the promised job is withdrawn, she faces humiliating failure unless she can persuade her employer to reconsider. With no one else to turn to, she seeks help from her old friend, Andrew.

Andrew offers assistance where he can, determined to be nothing more than a friend. But proximity rekindles old feelings neither of them can afford, and Sophie’s charm and brilliance remind him why he once fell for her. As secrets unravel and the future threatens to pull them apart for a second time, they both must decide what they are willing to risk for love.

A Fortunate Miscalculation is a clean regency romance without any explicit content.

Seven Gentlemen. One Reckless Wager. A Fortune in Play—and Their Hearts on the Line.
***The Gentlemen's Gamble is a series about six men racing to the altar in order to avoid losing a wager. Starting January, the books will release in an unannounced order to keep the loser of the wager a surprise.***

Review: 

Andrew and Sophie, childhood friends, find themselves in a precarious position as Sophie must find a place to live while she tries to figure out her next step for employment. Andrew’s family townhome becomes her only option, but there are complications. With misunderstanding, secrets, and avoiding the local gossips, Andrew and Sophie have to find their way through a maze of growing feelings and a fake marriage.

Ms.Thornell wrote some splendid scenes that evoke a variety of emotions. I was laughing as Andrew and Sophie trying to avoid a nosy woman who will tell all if she sees them together. I was angry with the thoughtlessness of her parents, and was ready to join Andrew in doing something to Sophie’s employer who belittles her. I love how both Sophie and Andrew encourage one another in their dreams.

Things to love:
friends to more
bluestocking
amazing former classmates
supporting each other

I highly recommend this book in the Gentlemen’s Gamble and look forward to reading more in the series. Who will be the last to marry and lose the bet that these men wagered?

I received a copy of the book, but I was not obligated to write a positive review.

A Madcap Arrangement

She was meant to be his bait, not steal his heart.

Richard Kendall, Marquess of Wilton, is a man on a mission. Determined to find the scoundrel who ruined his sister’s life, he tracks the elusive Mr. Smith to a quiet village—only to discover the man has vanished once again. In his place, Richard encounters Miss Theodosia Smith, a vexing young woman who insists she knows nothing of this mysterious relation. Unconvinced, Richard hatches a bold he’ll take her to London under the guise of serving as his sister’s companion, hoping her presence will lure Mr. Smith out of hiding.

Theodosia finds Lord Wilton to be arrogant, overbearing, and far too handsome for his own good. She has demanding responsibilities managing her deceased father’s estate. Yet the chance to see London is too tempting to resist, even if she must endure his constant suspicion. As their uneasy alliance grows, Theodosia glimpses a man weighed down by duty, while Richard discovers a woman far stronger and more capable than he imagined.

But Richard’s loyalty to his family leaves little room for trust—or for love. And when long-buried truths come to light, he must decide if protecting his family’s reputation is worth the cost of breaking Theodosia’s heart. Because this time, it isn’t just scandal he risks…it’s the only woman who could claim his guarded heart.

Review:

Ah, Theodosia and Richard! They are quite the pair that couldn’t be more different. He is the gruff, fierce, arrogant marquess and Theodosia is the independent, practical, and outspoken daughter of a baronet. I wasn't quite sure how Ms. Beers was going to be able to bring them around to caring for one another since they so vehemently opposed one another. But, the adage, "The lady doth protest too much," .But, she did it quite well and Theodosia grudgingly admires Richard, which then softens her heart towards him.

Things to love:

brooding MMC

enemies to more

mystery

banter

Richard's mother and sister

Richard was extremely brusque with Theodosia at times, but I loved how she saw beyond his crustiness and rudeness to the wonderful man he really was. We get to see his vulnerability and the self-imposed expectations of nobility he has in being a marquess. I loved seeing Richard and Theodosia's HEA. I can't wait to read more books in this series!

I received a copy of the book, but I was not required to write a positive review.

Track of Courage

 

Description: 

A hijacked plane. A pursuing killer. And a K9's instinct to help them make it out alive.

Pop singer Keely Williams's search for her biological mother in Alaska has been painfully unsuccessful. Now she just wants to escape this wild frontier and never look back. But when her plane is hijacked, she's suddenly plunged into a race against not only an Alaskan blizzard but also a killer who's on her tail.

After a career-ending injury, ex-cop Dawson Mulligan has only one friend--Caspian, the stray dog he adopted. Dawson just wants to figure out how to get his life on track, but during a flight home to Copper Mountain, he spots a downed plane and stops to help. Except, when his not-a-rescue dog runs off into the woods and discovers the trail of a missing survivor, it's up to the former cop to stage a rescue.

But Dawson has no idea he's being pulled into a deadly pursuit, or that Caspian is more than he seems. There might be redemption and second chances waiting for both Dawson and Keely if they have the courage to face their wounded pasts and fight for their future.

Join master storyteller Susan May Warren for a propulsive ride through the Alaskan wilderness, where love might be the riskiest--and most rewarding--adventure of all.

Review: 

I hate the cold and certainly blizzard-like conditions, but Susan May Warren’s books that are set in Alaska keep me coming back for more. Her books are well written, packed with action, danger, and romantic relationships that the outdoor elements provide suspenseful scenes and a glimpse into the tenacity of the people who live there. The story of Dawson and Keely was one that has several layers with not only the plot of criminals on the loose, but also deeper stories of adoption and trusting God. 

Be sure to read the author’s notes. It was so interesting to see that Ms. Warren had drawn from her personal experiences to write this amazing story.

I loved this story and highly recommend reading it if you like Christian romantic suspense. While this is the first book in the Call of the Wild series, there are characters from past books who are a part of this story. It makes it all that richer because it is like reuniting with old friends and seeing what they are doing. 

I received a copy of the book from Revell and NetGalley, but I was not obligated to write a positive review.