Those Texas Nights by Delores Fossen (3.5 stars)

About Those Texas Nights

Series: A Wrangler’s Creek Novel (Book 1)
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: HQN Books (December 27, 2016)

The Granger siblings thought they’d left their ranching days behind, until fate sends them home to Wrangler’s Creek, Texas—and into the passionate arms of those they’d least expect… 

It’s some run of bad luck when Sophie Granger loses her business and gets left at the altar all in one day. Desperate to not appear jilted, Sophie begs Clay McKinnon, Wrangler’s Creek’s smoking-hot police chief, to pretend they’re having an affair. But Clay refuses, leaving Sophie to retreat to the family ranch to lick her wounds.

Hoping to leave his disreputable past behind, Clay moved to Wrangler’s Creek for a fresh start. But that looks unlikely when Sophie’s ex-fiancé shows up married to Clay’s impulsive kid sister. Overcome, Sophie resuggests the affair—but this time for real. Clay is hesitant. City-girl Sophie isn’t usually his type. But he can’t deny the desire she elicits—or his yearning to have her plant her cowboy roots for good.

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Review

Runaway bride. It's basically how this story starts, but she's running away from an insensitive groom who changes his mind at the last minute. Then, she runs to Clay, hoping he'll help her save face. Ultimately, she moves forward on her own, but she keeps getting drawn back to Clay.

Through a series of crazy events, their lives become more and more intertwined, and their attraction builds.

While the heat between Clay and Sophie was palpable, and I was rooting for them to get together, I did not like how they dealt with everything else in their lives, especially other family members and their meddling. If the story could've focused more exclusively on the couple, I would have been more invested.

If you enjoy reading a hot couple, give Those Texas Nights a chance.

Rating: 3.5 stars

About Delores Fossen 

USA Today bestselling author, Delores Fossen, has sold over 70 novels with millions of copies of her books in print worldwide. 

She’s received the Booksellers’ Best Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award and was a finalist for the prestigious Rita ®. In addition, she’s had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines. 

Connect with Delores 
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Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on the Those Texas Nights blog tour page.

Wallflower Blooming by Amy Rivers (3.5 stars)

About Wallflower Blooming 

Paperback: 186 pages
Publisher: Wooden Pants Publishing; 2 edition (August 15, 2016)

Val Shakely is a list-maker. Daily routine. Check. Calm, quiet (but successful) business. Check. No drama. No excitement. Some might call it boring, but it’s precisely the way Val likes it. She loves her hometown of Cambria, nestled in the mountains of Colorado, and runs a fruitful PR firm. And that’s more than enough for Val. So what if she doesn’t have a social life?

Then, her cousin Gwen decides to take on the local political bully, the Mayor, in head-to-head combat for the Mayoral seat and Val takes her company reluctantly, and against her better judgment, into the fray. The minute Val takes on Gwen’s campaign, the safe world that she has carefully constructed begins to unravel. She feels the pressure of the campaign and the personal attacks by Gwen’s opponent.

And as if that wasn’t complicated enough, Val finds herself falling in love. Val’s desire to stay on the sidelines is put to the test and she’s forced to reexamine the life she’s built as she trudges toward a new and more exciting future. What Amazon.com reviewers are saying: 

“…the perfect, light, romantic book to read on a rainy day, sipping Earl Grey.” “…a delightful story!” 

“…an excellent, fast paced book that will not disappoint.” “A story with characters you will love, an entertaining plot, and a very enjoyable read.” 

Purchase Links 

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Review

When family asks for help, it's hard to say No, which is exactly what happens to Val Shakely, a successful public relations professional. Her cousin, Gwen, wants to run for mayor, but her chances are a long shot at best. 

Being in the spotlight is not part of the deal, but Val soon finds herself drawn to John, a local corporate celebrity. Will Val be able to keep it together as things get crazier?

If you love sweet, easy romances with a neatly wrapped up storyline, then this is the perfect light read. Val is an interesting character who has her heart in the right place. But, for me, the romance is too neat and too fast. But it's enjoyable, and I found myself curious as to how it would all work out.

Sometimes a light read is just what the doctor ordered, though, so definitely check this out.

Rating: 3.5 stars

About Amy Rivers 

Amy Rivers was born and raised in southern New Mexico and currently resides in Colorado. She had an idyllic childhood despite a severe visual impairment and, perhaps because of her disability, she learned a lot about compassion and empathy from a young age. Her keen interest in social issues and violence prevention led to a Master’s degree with concentrations in Psychology and Politics. 

She was the director of a sexual assault response program and remains an advocate for social justice. Amy has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Nurses, Novelty Bride Magazine, ESME.com and Splice Today. Wallflower Blooming is her first novel. 

Connect with Amy
Website | Facebook |  Twitter  | Goodreads | Amazon

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on the Wallflower Blooming blog tour page.

Honor Bound by BJ Daniels (3.5 stars)

About Honor Bound

Mass Market Paperback 384 pagesPublisher: HQN Books (October 18, 2016)

Protecting her life will mean betraying her trust

Ainsley Hamilton has always been the responsible one of the family. As the oldest daughter of presidential candidate Buckmaster Hamilton, she’s also a potential target. For months she’s sensed someone following her. When an expedition to scout locations for a commercial takes a terrifying turn, she’s rescued by a natural-born cowboy who tempts the good girl to finally let loose.

Sawyer Nash knows just how reckless it is to fall for someone he’s gone undercover to protect. Yet masquerading as an extra on set, he starts to see beneath Ainsley’s controlled facade. And with the election—and a killer—drawing closer, Sawyer stands to lose not just his job and his life but the woman for whom he’d gladly risk both.

Purchase Links

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Review

Ainsley Hamilton has been living life looking over her shoulder, sensing someone is following her. Sawyer Nash is recuperating from an injury when he's asked to look out for her. That her father is a presidential candidate only ups the ante for keeping her safe.

When lives are on the line, who we really are comes to the forefront.

Honor Bound is part thriller, part political commentary, part romance, and part suspense. It's a few too many parts, in my humble opinion. Just as I was getting wrapped up in a growing attraction between Ainsley and Sawyer, the focus would switch to a thriller about the past and politics. 

While I was interested in all the stories, I found transitioning between them sometimes difficult. But, honestly, my reaction could be as simple as being swept away in a story and then needing to reboot to another, equally intriguing plot line. 

Honor Bound is a roller coaster ride of intrigue, romance, and action. Even though it might feel like you are getting on and off different rides, the entertainment never stops. 

Rating: 3.5 stars

About B. J. Daniels

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author B.J. Daniels lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and three springer spaniels. When not writing, she quilts, boats and plays tennis.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on the Honor Bound blog tour page.

Lost Kin by Steve Anderson (3.5 stars)

About Lost Kin

Hardcover: 328 pages 
Publisher: Yucca Publishing (March 29, 2016)

Occupied Munich, 1946: Irina, a Cossack refugee, confesses to murdering a GI, but American captain Harry Kaspar doesn’t buy it. When Harry scours the devastated city for the truth, he finds his long-lost German brother, Max, who returned to Hitler’s Germany before the war.

Max has a questionable past, and he needs Harry for the cause that could redeem him: rescuing Irina’s stranded clan of Cossacks who have been disowned by the Allies and are now being hunted by Soviet death squads—the cold-blooded upshot of a callous postwar policy.

As a harsh winter brews, the Soviets close in, and the Cold War looms, Harry and Max desperately plan for a risky, last-ditch rescue on a remote stretch of the German-Czech border. A mysterious visitor from Max’s darkest days shadows them. Everyone is a suspect, including Harry’s lover, Sabine, and Munich detective Hartmut Dietz—both of whom have pledged to help. But before the Kaspar brothers can save the innocent victims of peace, grave secrets and the deep contempt sown during the war threaten to damn them all.

Lost Kin (Yucca Publishing; April 2016; 978-1-63158-081-9) is a stand-alone continuation of Steve Anderson’s novel Liberated, featuring the same compelling protagonist, American captain Harry Kaspar. Author Steve Anderson has two bestselling e-books, Double-Edged Sword and Sitting Ducks. With Anderson’s background as a Fulbright fellow in Munich, Lost Kin is a historically accurate, page-turning novel set just after World War II that will appeal to war history readers as well as war fiction readers.

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Purchase Links 

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Review

I'm a huge fan of World War II era books, as I'm captivated by the emotional intensity of the period. So many families were torn apart thanks to the cruel tyranny of a madman. However, most of the World War II books I've read have centered on the conflict during the war, not the devastating recovery afterward. 

Fate brings Harry to Irina, a refugee, who connects him to his brother, Max. A cat and mouse game begins. So many people are left without a purpose, while others will stop at nothing to thrust hatred in new directions. 

There's a delicate balance of describing the time period and story development in any historical novel. Too much background, and the story lags. Too much straight story, and the emotional connection can get lost. At times, I struggled with long sections of info dump when what I really wanted was action. Then, a long thread of intense drama would follow where I couldn't put the book down. I particularly connected to the relationship between the brothers, which was at times poignantly distant and other times entertaining in its bantering. 

Still, I felt I was missing something, as if I were dropped into the middle of a story without crucial background. Finally, in the last half of the book, I seemed to find the story's rhythm, and along with it, a strong desire to discover its conclusion. And, although beautifully written, there were several distracting grammatical and punctuation errors, which hopefully were cleaned up prior to publication.

Overall, Lost Kin is an intriguing story set during a fascinating time in our world's history.

Rating: 3.5 stars

About Steve Anderson 

Steve Anderson was a Fulbright fellow in Munich, Germany. His research on the early US occupation in 1945 inspired him to write several novels centered on World War II and its aftermath. 

Anderson has a master’s in history and has worked in advertising, public relations, and journalism. He lives with his wife, René, in Portland, Oregon. 

Connect with Steve 
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Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on the Lost Kin blog tour page.

Her One and Only by Becky Wade (3.5 stars)

About Her One and Only

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (May 3, 2016)

Gray Fowler, star NFL tight end, is being pursued by a stalker, so his team hires a protection agency to keep Gray under the watch of a bodyguard at all times. When Gray meets Dru Porter, an agent assigned to him, he’s indignant. How can an attractive young female half his size possibly protect him? 

But Dru’s a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt. She’s also ferociously determined to uncover the identity of Gray’s stalker. And she’s just as determined to avoid any kind of romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past. But the closer they get to finding the stalker, the closer they grow to each other. As the danger rises, can Dru and Gray entrust their hearts–and their lives–to one another? 

“Down-to-earth, in-depth characters give the story an authentic feel. Dru, being the youngest Porter, is headstrong and sympathetic, and when she matches wits with Gray, their connection is as electric as their budding romance is sweet. A delightful read.”—RT Book Reviews .

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Review

Dru Porter is a former Marine, expert markswoman, and a black belt. As the youngest in a family of all boys, she's always been tough. Now she's assigned to protect a star NFL player.

When she begins to develop feelings for him, she wonders if she can protect him.

Great characters are crucial components to an awesome read, and this story has them in spades. Both Dru and Gray are well developed through alternating points of view. And the romance between them is sweet and complicated--which I love because it's more realistic than most fictional romance situations. 

In addition, the mystery of who's stalking and threatening Gray is intriguing, and I appreciated the underlying Christian messages.

Then why a 3.5 rating, you might ask. This story had a bit of an identity crisis. It starts off as a suspenseful romance and becomes a Christian romance. I wish the two elements had been blended better, especially at the beginning.

Still, it doesn't keep this from being a sweet and page-turning read. A great choice for a summer read.

Rating: 3.5 stars

About Becky Wade

Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, took time off to raise her children, then felt God nudging her to pursue contemporary Christian fiction.

Becky is a Carol Award winner and a finalist for both a RITA and an INSPY Award.

Connect with Becky 
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Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on Her One and Only blog tour page.

The Rivals of Versailles by Sally Christie (3.5 stars)

About The Rivals of Versailles

Series: The Mistresses of Versailles Trilogy
Paperback: 448 pages 
Publisher: Atria Books (April 5, 2016) 

And you thought sisters were a thing to fear! In this compelling follow-up to Sally Christie’s clever and absorbing debut, we meet none other than the Marquise de Pompadour, one of the greatest beauties of her generation and the first bourgeois mistress ever to grace the hallowed halls of Versailles. 

The year is 1745 and Louis XV’s bed is once again empty. Enter Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, a beautiful girl from the middle classes. As a child, a fortune teller had mapped out Jeanne’s destiny: she would become the lover of a king and the most powerful woman in the land. Eventually connections, luck, and a little scheming pave her way to Versailles and into the King’s arms. 

All too soon, conniving politicians and hopeful beauties seek to replace the bourgeois interloper with a more suitable mistress. As Jeanne, now the Marquise de Pompadour, takes on her many rivals—including a lustful lady-in-waiting; a precocious fourteen-year-old prostitute, and even a cousin of the notorious Nesle sisters—she helps the king give himself over to a life of luxury and depravity. Around them, war rages, discontent grows, and France inches ever closer to the Revolution.

Enigmatic beauty, social climber, actress, trendsetter, patron of the arts, spendthrift, whoremonger, friend, lover, foe: history books may say many things about the famous Marquise de Pompadour. Alongside Catherine the Great of Russia and Maria Theresa of Austria, she is considered one of the three most powerful women of the 18th century, and one of the most influential royal mistresses of all time. 

In The Rivals of Versailles, Christie gets to the heart of Pompadour’s legendary relationship with Louis XV, France’s most “well-beloved” king. Pompadour was not only his mistress, but his confidante and influential political adviser for close to twenty years. Full of historical insight, decadence, wit and scandal, The Rivals of Versailles is about one woman’s trials and triumphs, her love for a kind, and her role in shaping a nation. 

Told in Christie’s witty and modern style, this second book in the Mistresses of Versailles trilogy will delight and entrance fans as it once again brings to life the world of eighteenth century Versailles in all its pride, pestilence and glory. 

Praise for The Sisters of Versailles: 

“Sally Christie’s The Sisters of Versailles is an intriguing romp through Louis XV’s France. Filled with lush backdrops, rich detail, and colorful characters, fans of historical fiction will enjoy this glimpse into the lost golden era of the French monarchy.” (Allison Pataki, author of THE ACCIDENTAL EMPRESS) 

“A stunning breadth of period detail, offered in a fresh, contemporary voice.” (Juliet Grey, author of the acclaimed Marie Antoinette trilogy) 

“Such an extraordinary tale makes for compelling reading and, as the lead book in a planned trilogy, will draw in readers who are interested in royal lives before the French Revolution…. Historical fiction fans, unfamiliar with the history of the Nesle sisters, will be intrigued.” (Library Journal) 

“Tantalizing descriptions and cliff-hangers will leave the reader rapidly turning the pages in anticipation… A wickedly delightful read.” (New York Daily News)

Purchase Links 

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Review

Sally Christie has a way with words, as evidenced in the summary above. I mean, what about the following description doesn't make you want to know more about this character: Enigmatic beauty, social climber, actress, trendsetter, patron of the arts, spendthrift, whoremonger, friend, lover, foe: history books may say many things about the famous Marquise de Pompadour.

Wow. And she is all of those things. But, I still had a hard time connecting with her. Rating a book is completely subjective, and I've discovered that this time in history doesn't enthrall me like it does others. It's a time where women controlled through sex, let's just be honest, because they couldn't hold any visible positions of power. But then, of course, the man (in this case the king) gets tired of them as they age or simply because he needs the latest conquest. 

What I found more fascinating than the supposed romance (it never seemed a true romance to me, because the king never seems in it past his own selfish needs) was how the Marquise handled things once she was no longer the king's favorite. That's where her real strength came through.

For history lovers, this is a captivating look at the underbelly of French society and government. I would've loved to have been privy to the king's point of view in this story, too. I think that would have made her true influence more clear.

Thanks to beautiful writing and intriguing characters, I would recommend this to people captivated by this time in history.

Rating: 3.5 stars

About Sally Christie 

Sally Christie was born in England of British parents but grew up mostly in Canada. As a child she moved around with her family and then continued her wandering as she pursued a career in international development; she’s lived in 14 different countries and worked in many more. She’s now settled in Toronto and loving it. 

Sally lives and breathes history; ever since she read Antonia Fraser’s masterful Mary, Queen of Scots when she was 10, she’s been an avid history junkie. She wishes more attention and technical innovation was devoted to time travel, because there is nothing she would rather do than travel back in time! Writing historical fiction is a poor substitute, but it’s the best one we have at the moment. When not reading and writing history, she’s a tennis and Scrabble fanatic. 

Connect with Sally 
Website | Goodreads

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on The Rivals of Versailles blog tour page.

When I'm Gone by Emily Bleeker (3.5 stars)

About When I'm Gone

Hardcover 
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (March 15, 2016) 

Dear Luke,
First let me say—I love you…I didn’t want to leave you… 

Luke Richardson has returned home after burying Natalie, his beloved wife of sixteen years, ready to face the hard job of raising their three children alone. But there’s something he’s not prepared for—a blue envelope with his name scrawled across the front in Natalie’s handwriting, waiting for him on the floor of their suburban Michigan home. 

The letter inside, written on the first day of Natalie’s cancer treatment a year ago, turns out to be the first of many. Luke is convinced they’re genuine, but who is delivering them? As his obsession with the letters grows, Luke uncovers long-buried secrets that make him question everything he knew about his wife and their family. But the revelations also point the way toward a future where love goes on—in written words, in memories, and in the promises it’s never too late to keep. 
  .

Purchase Links 

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Review

Luke has barely walked away from his wife's funeral when he begins receiving letters from her. Through the course of a continuing post-death correspondence, he gets an inner look at his wife's feelings about her declining health and the secrets she kept from him. 

What started as a poignant portrayal of life after extreme loss became a mystery about buried secrets. Personally, I found this transition a bit jarring. Swept up in the initial emotions, transitioning to a mystery was a slow adjustment for me.

However, I will say that I couldn't put the book down, completely intrigued with finding out these characters' backgrounds. And the journey was worth it. 

For potential readers, I'd say this... it might feel as first as if you are reading two different stories. But don't give up. Investing your time into these memorable characters will be worth it in the end.

Rating: 3.5 stars  

About Emily Bleeker 

Emily Bleeker is a former educator who discovered her passion for writing after introducing a writer’s workshop to her students. She soon found a whole world of characters and stories living inside of her mind. It took a battle with a rare form of cancer to give her the courage to share that amazing world with others. 

Emily lives in suburban Chicago with her husband and four kids. Between writing and being a mom, she attempts to learn guitar, sings along to the radio (loudly), and embraces her newfound addiction to running. Connect with her or request a Skype visit with your book club at emilybleeker.wordpress.com. 

Connect with Emily Website | Facebook | Twitter

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on the When I'm Gone blog tour page.

North of Here by Laurel Saville (3.5 stars)

About North of Here

Hardcover 
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (March 1, 2016) 

Many may dream of a simpler life in the north woods, far away from the complications of the modern world. But in her absorbing and uncompromising second novel, North of Here (Lake Union; March 1, 2016), Laurel Saville reveals the dark side of such a life for four young people living in the Adirondack Mountains. This story of misguided decisions, a dangerous back-to-nature cult, and the universal search for meaning and love intertwines these troubled lives into a riveting blend of penetrating love story and persuasive page-turner. Saville, author of the #1 Kindle bestseller Henry and Rachel, once again taps her astute narrative powers in a tale of tragedy, survival, and love. 

At the heart of the drama are four unforgettable, strikingly-drawn characters:

Miranda: A young “heiress” who discovers that the mountain property she has inherited is encumbered by her father’s debts and misdealing.

Dix: A self-assured “mountain man” who is really an educated, financially secure son of two accomplished professionals.

Darius: A preppy trust fund refugee who turns his own quest for meaning into a dangerous back-to-nature cult bent on healing lost souls

Sally: A brassy, street-smart social worker who, despite being perpetually unlucky in love, ultimately has the foresight to see the perils of loving Darius.

As this masterful novel unfolds, these four will become inextricably entwined in troubles that far exceed simple crimes of the heart. .

Purchase Links 

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Review

The story starts with Miranda and her deteriorating family life. Tragedy after tragedy strikes her family, leaving her in a fragile state. She struggles to find her value. All of this adds up to a very vulnerable young woman being taken advantage of by a very disturbed man. 

If you've ever wondered how a cult gains any footing, this story will show you just how easy it is to prey on those who are suffering and afraid. It's an intimate look into insecurity and a desperate need to find something, anything, to hold onto.

Because of the theme, the story is often difficult to read. As the reader, you want to shake some sense into some people and pull others into a healing embrace. By the end, I felt raw and exposed, desperately in need of something happy.

I commend the author on tackling such a difficult subject and creating an emotion-filled story. Unfortunately, I struggled through some of the characters and situations. I also felt the changing point of views disrupted the story, especially since I had one character I cared about more than the others (Miranda).

As far as rating this book, I went back and forth. Part of me appreciated the raw intensity of it, but another part felt disconnected, possibly because of the pain involved in the story. Since I received an uncorrected proof, I will hope some of the awkward phrasing, pronoun confusion, and flow was fixed in the final edit. 

If you appreciate a gut-wrenching and emotional journey, North of Here will give you plenty to ponder.

Rating: 3.5 stars

About Laurel Saville

Laurel Saville is the award-winning author of the memoir Unraveling Anne, the novel Henry and Rachel, and the four-part short story “How Much Living Can You Buy,” as well as numerous essays, short stories, and articles. 

She has an MFA in Creative Writing and Literature from the Writing Seminars at Bennington College. Once again, Laurel Saville applies her “poetic, lyrical voice” (Booklist) to a story that captures the complications of the lives we live—or wish to live. 

Connect with Laurel

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Thanks to TLC for my review copy.

Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own. 

Please visit other stops on the North of Here blog tour page.