The Garden Girls by Jessica R Patch review

 Title: The Garden Girls

Author: Jessica R Patch

Ch: 30 plus epilogue

Pg: 367

Series: Strange Crimes

Genre: Christian Suspense with a hint of romance

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: love inspired

I loved The Garden Girls. I have to say it might be my favorite of the series. But then I’ve wanted Tiberius Ty’s story since the first book Her Darkest Secret. And it didn’t give me nightmares like A Cry in Dark thought that was because it was in my backyard. But after reading The Garden Girls I’m not going to look at dogwood flowers the same way again.

I’m not going to lie Ty give me Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds vibes. And I loved his friendship with Owen. I love their banter.

Though this one kept me guessing from page one more so than the previous books. I have to say that I didn’t see that twist. Patch knows how to write page turning suspense that’s still faith filled.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel review

 Title: Walking on Hidden Wings

Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel

Ch: 37

Pg: 328

Genre: Christian historical fiction Christian historical romance dual time

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Kregel publisher

Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel may be her most emotional book to date. It’s also her steamiest in the sense that the couple is married, but it’s still a clean read. But you can still feel the love that they have for each other despite what they’ve been through. And the book is still faith filled.

Geneva Ashcroft Hayes is determined to find out what’s happen to her husband Warren Hayes. I love how this story plays out and is told in dual timelines. I also enjoyed learning more about wingwalking and barnstorming a lesser known piece of 1920s history and I’ve always loved planes. McDaniel never disappoints with the mystery romance and faith filled stories.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

I received a copy of this book from the author . I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Better Late than Never by Jess Mastorakos review

 Title: Better late than never

Author: Jess Mastorakos

Ch: 22 plus epilogue

Pg: 302

Series: Love in Charlotte Oaks books 5

Genre: Rom com

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: indie

Just when I think I know which hero from Love In Charlotte Oaks is my favorite, I get thrown a curve ball. First it was Riley and then we got broody Travis. But now we have loyal sometimes to a fault and slightly grumpy Adam Wilson. The Oldest Wilson brother former Marine and town cop. I’m pretty sure him and Travis are tied for favorite with Riley being a close second.

Then we have Paisley Stevens, former music manager turned Charlotte Oaks 911 dispatcher. We first met Paisley in No Place Like Home, the first one in the series. Yes, the books, even though each is a standalone, need to be read in order. I admit I didn’t like Paisley at first but in this one I loved her. And as a fellow big sister she’s easy to relate to.

Paisley and Adam’s relationship may be my favorite of the series. I love their banter. Their banter throughout the series as the one couple we’ve seen grow and change throughout the whole series. Another reason to read in order. So, you don’t miss anything. So needless to say, I loved these two older siblings butting heads and get more of their back stories of why they are the way they are. Yes, this one has flashback chapters. And of course, this one also features everyone’s favorite matchmaker goat Gertie. And I also enjoyed seeing a character with my name even she was only a secondary character. 

Betrothal or Breakaway by Leah Brunner review

Title: Betrothal or Breakaway

Author: Leah Brunner

Ch: 50 plus prologue and epilogue

Pg: 318

Series: DC Eagles book 3

Genre: Rom Com

Rating: 5 stars
Publisher: Indie

Ford Remington is the best book boyfriend not just for the reasons you’ll find out once you read Ford and Amber’s story Betrothal and Breakaway by Leah Brunner. The newest book in The DC Eagles series. But because as a teenager he didn’t fall into a certain body spray craze. And as a millennial woman who was in high school during that craze would have loved Ford because didn’t fall into that craze.

But importantly Ford’s a good friend and is willing to put his feelings aside to help Amber when she and her daughter Nella need a safe place to land. And of course, a hockey player holding a baby and glasses let the swooning begin. And he’s a neurodivergent hero who Leah wrote brilliantly because being neurodivergent is a spectrum. As someone who has a cousin on the spectrum and a sister with ADHD, I love seeing neurodivergent characters done right in books.

Amber is a woman who’s pretty much been hurt everyone in her life but her daughter and Ford. Her best friend since childhood and whose friendship she doesn’t want to lose.

My favorite genre in a romance or rom com is marriage of convenience which is something you don’t see much in contemporary rom coms, but I’ve never seen it paired with friends to more not something I tend to always pick up. But with Amber and Ford it works, and I love it. Because their friendship is something they both want to protect going.

Two best friends, a marriage of convenience, a baby, concerned parents an ex, and throw in a hockey team of course chaos is going to ensue. And you get a laugh out loud hockey rom com that’s so much more. There’s always layers to Leah’s books that make it so much more than a simple hockey romance. She’s made me love hockey romances when I normally don’t like sports romances and because of how beautifully she wrote Ford and Ambers story made me love a friends to more story.

Just for the Summer by Melody Carlson review

Title:  Just for the Summer 

 

Author: Melody Carlson 

 

Chapters:34

 

Pages: 288

 

Genre: Christian Contemporary Fiction Christian Contemporary romance 

 

Rating: 4 stars

 

Publisher: Revell

 

I enjoyed Melody Carlson's Just for the Summer. I love a good switcharoo story. And Just for the summer doesn't disappoint. Though I have to admit I liked Ginny's point of view more than Jacqueline’s, it took me quite a bit to warm up to her.  But Ginny I clicked with from the beginning. Big sister to big sister. Though the age gap between me and my sister is nine years not ten. So, I could easily see myself in Ginny's story. With Jacqueline for most of the story I felt like she didn’t realize what she had. And the love stories were sweet.

 

I do have to say there was quite a lot of character growth. And like most contemporary books I read I enjoyed the secondary characters who help make the story. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour  I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

March Wrap Up

  I read or listened to a total of 18   books across 4659 pages and 40:37:32 hours. My average rating was 4.11. And I DNF 4 books. And got my total unread books down to 86

1. My Fair Brady by Brian D Kennedy 

2. Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks (ebook)

3. The Sniper: The Untold Story of the Marine Corps’ Greatest Marksman of all time by Jim Lindsay (nonfiction) 

4. How to Dance by Jason B Dutton (audio)

5. Destination Unknown by Agatha Christie 

6. Never Falls by Lynn H Blackburn (review book)

7. One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey 

8. Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin (owned) (review book) 

9. Murder in the Bayou Boneyard by Ellen Byron (audio) 

10. The Garden Girls by Jessica R Patch (ebook) (review book) 

11. When I was your Age by Kenan Thompson (audio)

12. If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer

13. Cajun Kiss of Death by Ellen Bryon (audio) (finished series) 

14. Four Thousand Paws: Caring for the Dogs of the Iditarod: A Veterinarians Story by Lee Morgan (nonfiction)

15.   The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel (owned) (review book) 

16. The Last Word by Gerri Lewis 

17. A Groom of One’s Own by Emma St. Clair (ebook)

18. The Irish Fally by Brooke Gilbert (ebook)

The Lady with the Dark Hair by Erin Bartels review

 Title: The Lady with the Dark Hair

Author: Erin Bartels

Pg: 352

Genre: Christian Fiction dual time 

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell 

 

 

While I didn't love The Lady with the Dark Hair by Erin Bartels. I did enjoy reading the dual time story. I'm a sucker for a good dual time novel.  Normally I find myself loving one time period more than the other. And that held true for this one. I loved the 1879 story a little more than the present day one. Though the present-day story with Esther kept me turning pages, because I do indeed love a good family secret story.  I love reading and seeing the character growth that comes with learning that their family might not be as perfect as they think. As well as seeing their emotions and thoughts run the gambit till, they get to the point they solve the mystery and expect it.  And end up better for it. 

 

This book gave me three things I love in a novel. Good historical fiction, romance and a mystery. I think that's one of the reasons that I love dual-time novels, it gives me both a contemporary story and a historical fiction. As well as the chance for a mystery and romance.  I look forward to more by the author.  

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour  I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Cold Case Target by Jessica R Patch review

 

Title: Cold Case Target

Author: Jessica R Patch

Ch: 14

Pg: 208

Series: Texas Crime scene cleaners

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: love inspired

 

Cold Case Target kept me on my toes. I ended up finishing it in one day because I just had to know how it ended. Like with other books by this author, the balance between suspense and romance is the perfect balance. But what stands out to me the most is that Sissy's and Beau faith is clear though out the book. And while I'm normally not a fan of second chance romance but I found Sissy's and Beau story bittersweet and I love the ending we get. 

 

I received a copy of this book from the author . I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

Never Falls Again by Lynn Blackburn review

 Title: Never Fall Again

Author: Lynn Blackburn

Ch: 35

Pg: 352

Series: Gossamer falls book one

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell

I’m not going to lie Never Falls Again is one of the author’s slower paced novel. But it is still a good read. I have to say that my favorite character was Eliza Landry’s daughter and Maisy Cal’s dog. Unlike most romantic suspense I preferred romance over the suspense and mystery because of the slow burn. Because of Landry’s trauma and Cal’s past. But this book ends up being a great example of God’s plan even when you think you have a plan and everything figured out.

But I loved meeting the secondary characters that I have a feeling will be part of the following books in the series. And of course the North Carolina mountains which is a character in itself. And it’s hard to imagine this book taking place anywhere else. And of course, small town life at its best where everyone is family.

I have to say I didn’t see the twist coming and I enjoyed that. Can’t wait to see what the next one in the series has to offer.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour  I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Books read in February

 I read or listened to a total of 16 books across 3611 pages and 46:34:05 hours. My average rating was 3.88. And I DNF 4 books. And got my total unread books down to 86. 

1. Second Duke’s the Charm by Kate Bateman 

2. The Fairytale life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra (audio)

3. The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose 

4.  Sisters in Arms by Kaia Alderson (owned) 

5. Cold Case Target by Jessica Patch (Ebook) (review book) 

6. The Dog Across the Lake by Krista Davis 

7. Fatal Witness by Patricia Bradley (Owned) (review book)

8. Saving the Single Dad’s bookstore by Nicole Lam 

9. Ghosts of Honolulu by Mark Harmon (audio) 

10. The Women by Kristin Hannah (audio) 

11. Drive you Crazy by Jessica Kate (Ebook) (review) 

12. Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer (auido) 

13. While Idaho slept  by J. Reuben Appleman 

14. Ready or not by Cara Bastone (owned) 

15. He’s so not my Valentine by Savannah Scott 

16. Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery: When war comes home by Robert M. Poole

Drive you Crazy by Jessica Kate review

Title: Drive You Crazy

Author: Jessica Kate

Ch: 52 plus epilogue

Pg: 364

Series: Amity Creek Romance book 1

Genre: Rom Com

Rating: 4.5 stars

Publisher: McWhirter & Spencer Publishing

I have to say I was hooked with the first line of Drive you Crazy by Jessica Kate. Because it pretty summed up real life in small towns. Ashley was as easy heroine to love and relate too. I loved how she remembered her mom with showtimes. I’m the same way when I’m missing my mom expect its classic rock and cheesy 80s movies. And reading Ashley’s point of view makes me thankful for my dad.

I love the fact that this one was grumpy/sunshine which has always been my favorite troupe. Not to mention the banter between Justin and Ashley being on point. I always know these books are going to not only make me laugh out loud but are going to be faith filled. And I mean what’s not to love about an Aussie hero.

 

I received a copy of this book from the author I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Mockingbird Strike out by Maria Lewis

Title: Mockingbird Strike Out

Author: Maria Lewis

Ch: 21

Pg: 329

Series: Marvel Heroines

Genre: Superhero

Rating: 3.5 stars

Publisher: Marvel press

I have to admit I loved this one more than I thought I would. Though Rogue untouched is my favorite in this series because Rogue will always be my favorite Marvel heroine. I did enjoy Mockingbird Strike Out. I love the spy aspect in this one. Not to mention seeing Hawkeye in a different light. But I love that it focused on Bobbi Morse AKA Mockingbird AKA Agent 19.

Even though this wasn't a cannon comic but a novel it had me looking at Bobbi in a new light.  I hate to say it but she's better than Black Widow.  And I just have to say that the MCU robbed comic fans. We could have Mockingbird but instead we only get them hinting at her in a TV show because the writers added characters in Age of Ultron, and they later had to fix a plot hole.  

Hawkeye: Bishop Takes King by Ashley Poston review

 

Title: Hawkeye: Bishop Takes King

Author: Ashley Poston

Ch: 34

Pg: 278

 

Genre: Comic retelling, mystery superhero, Marvel

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Marvel Press

After Watching Hawkeye and reading all the Hawkeye comics I could that had Kate Bishop in it, I still wanted more Kate. Because I'm not holding out hope that the MCU is going to give us the young Avengers.  And I got more Kate in this one. Hawkeye: Bishop Takes King is the perfect combination of the comics and the TV show. Kate in the book is more like TV show Kate and the glimpses we get of Clint is more comic Clint than either MCU or TV Show Clint.  But what I loved most is seeing grow and become more of herself. Though Lucky stole the show.  

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.