At Home in Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong

Kaitlyn Reed and Steven Braden have always had a similar philosophy of life: when the going gets tough, they get going--out of town and away from the problem. Now they are both back in Last Chance, New Mexico, and trying to start over. Kaitlyn is working to reestablish a relationship with the seven-year-old daughter she left behind six months earlier. Steven is trying to prove to his family that he is not the irresponsible charmer they have always known him to be. As Kaitlyn and Steven find themselves drawn to one another, one big question keeps getting in the way: How will they learn to trust each other when they don't even trust themselves?

With emotional depth and characters who leap off the page and into the reader's psyche, Cathleen Armstrong continues to delight her readers and win new fans. Readers will be thrilled to return once more to the small town they've grown to love.

I haven’t read the other books in this series, but I will definitely look them up now that I have read this one.

Kaitlyn has returned to Last Chance to reunite with her daughter she had left with her brother, Chris, six months earlier. Her desire is to provide a stable home for her daughter, Olivia, and to prove that she is there to stay. The town people, and even family, remember her as the troubled girl who ran away. She desires to make changes and repair relationships. Her daughter is her number one priority but is there room for a chance at real love? Steven, who has had his own troubles and is seen by the town folks and family as an “irresponsible charmer”, is interested in Kaitlyn. He has to prove to her that he is responsible and can be part of a stable relationship. Steven’s grandmother becomes an important part of her life as Kaitlyn cares for Olivia and tries to establish a future in Last Chance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of this review.

Review of Rise and Shine by Sandra D. Bricker

Shannon Malone thought she'd found her happy ending when she married Edmund Ridgeway, but a diving accident on their honeymoon left her in a coma. Waking up to the news that she's thirty years old would have been daunting enough . . . but she also learns that Edmund has lost his interim battle with cancer and the world has marched on without her. Her gorgeous doctor, Daniel Petros, seems to know everything about her and becomes Shannon's tour guide into a whole new world of madness where reality television has taken over the planet and everyone's life appears to revolve around a tiny screen on their cell phones!As Shannon struggles to navigate through the changes-both in the world and in her-she also must discern real memories from imagined ones. Did she really ever wear capris pants and entertain in her living room, or was that Laura Petrie from her favorite classic TV show? And where is her beloved dog, Freeway? Oh, wait! That was Jonathan and Jennifer Hart's dog, not hers.

Shannon's three elderly aunts flit through her life in true Sleeping Beauty style with her well-being always a priority. And Edmund's sister Millicent descends like the Evil Queen she is, trying to extract Shannon from any claim on the Ridgeway family fortune. When a tornado moves through town and Shannon is knocked unconscious, will Daniel's kiss awaken her once and for all?

I thoroughly enjoyed this fun contemporary fairy tale. This is an enjoyable light read!

Waking up 10 years after a diving accident on her honeymoon, Shannon realizes the love of her life has since died and she must start again. As she adjusts to a new life, she must learn about cell phones and tablets. The doctor, Daniel Petros, who has been caring for her for the last decade becomes her guide into this new world. However, her dead husband’s sister, Millicent, decides Shannon is only out for Edmond’s estate and tries to thwart her efforts to have some normalcy in her life.

Shannon’s best friend, Izzy, laughs and cries with her as she encourages Shannon to follow her dreams and a new venture. Shannon wants a second change to a fairy tale and a happily ever after.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of this review.

Review of If the Shoe Fits by Sandra D. Bricker


Julianne used to believe in fairy tales; but she's never come any closer to finding the perfect man than tripping over her childhood best friend, Will. And now she and Will are attorneys, joined up in private practice.On her way to court one day, Julianne runs right smack dab into Prince Charming: The Prince's toolbox has fallen off the back of his truck, and one work boot along with it. What better way for God to grab her attention than to show her a glass slipper...errrr, work boot?Julianne is on a collision course with God's perfect plan for her life...if only she could open her eyes and see it before it's too late. After all, who finds their Prince Charming on a 10-speed bicycle on the other side of the cul de sac? Well... Julianne does. Only she doesn't have a clue.

I love fairy tales! This contemporary fun fairy tale did not disappoint. It was a light enjoyable read! Julianne has waited for a long time for her fairy tale prince to show up—she has list with everything he needs to be. She is sure she has found him when a handsome young man takes the time to rescue an injured dog and loses his tool box and one boot. She is determined that when she finds him and returns his belongings, he will sweep her off her feet.

Her dear childhood friend Will Hanes is always there for her as she is for him. They are starting a law firm together but will their friendship survive the venture?

Julianne desires a fairy tale romance and can’t wait to meet her Prince Charming. This was such a fun story to read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purpose of this review. 

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All she's ever wanted was a home. But stranded at Presque Isle port after their steamboat sank, Emma Chambers and her brother, Ryan, couldn't be farther away from security. While Ryan at least can find work, Emma can't even find a place to stay. An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper, who recently lost his wife and is struggling to raise his young son, arrives in town. A traveling preacher believes they might be the answer to each others' problems, and after a hasty marriage, Emma is headed back to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger.

But nothing in her wandering life has prepared her for suddenly being asked to raise a child and keep a house. Struggling at every turn, Emma also suspects Patrick may be keeping something hidden from her. In town she hears whispers about strange circumstances surrounding his previous wife's death, and it seems as though Emma's answered prayer for a home and family may actually be something much more dangerous.

I truly enjoyed this first novel in the author’s Beacons of Hope series. After a marriage of convenience for both Emma and Patrick, the lighthouse keeper, Emma moves in to the lighthouse to care for Patrick and his little toddler. She enjoys finally having her own home but is unsure of how to care for her new son. He is mischievous and she has to learn how to deal with the “terrible twos” in order to keep an orderly house. Throughout the story there are pirates, threats of harm and troublesome family members and villagers. Will this convenient marriage become a true love story?

I was swept into the romance between Emma and Patrick as they sought to find their place in each other’s lives especially with a toddler in the mix. I was interested in the lighthouse and the story behind it, which the author explains at the end of the book.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Abigail Foster fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms and the one man she thought might marry her--a longtime friend--has fallen for her younger, prettier sister.

When financial problems force her family to sell their London home, a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play . . .

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem to know something about the manor's past, the only information they offer Abigail is a warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure. 

Hoping to improve her family's financial situation, Abigail surreptitiously searches for the hidden room, but the arrival of anonymous letters addressed to her, with clues about the room and the past, bring discoveries even more startling. As secrets come to light, will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?

I very much enjoyed reading this historical fiction story. Because of a financial loss, Abigail finds herself living at Pembrooke Park with her father in order to prepare for the arrival of her mother and sister. Abigail is intrigued by stories of a secret room and long sought after treasure. Mysterious letters arrive, hinting at past events and clues about the secret room. Abigail searches for the room and the elusive treasure.

The curate and his family become friends although one family member is not as welcoming. They seem to know secrets of family history but are unwilling or unable to share.

Some people are not who they seem to be but will the truth be discovered in time? If you enjoy historical fiction, you will surely find this book a satisfying read. I have avoided historical fiction for a few years, but I am so glad I picked this one out!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Review of A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings

Abigail Stuart marries a dying soldier, Jeremiah Calhoun, knowing that she will care for his ill sister as well as tend to his horse farm.  She is accepted into the family by Jeremiah’s mother and they quickly form a bond.  Rachel, Jeremiah’s sister, is much slower to accept Abigail. 

The real fun begins when the real Jeremiah shows up.  Who was the man who claimed to be Jeremiah and who Abigail married?  The story has many twists and turns including an indecisive Jeremiah who has to choose between his “bride” and his Laurel.  The neighbour’s children provide frustrating as well as humorous situations.  Abigail is fiercely loyal and wants to do right.  She puts other’s needs before her needs and desires to improve the lives of those around her.

I haven’t read any other books by this author, but would definitely enjoy the opportunity.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Book Review: Deceived by Irene Hannon

From the Back Cover:

For three years, Kate Marshall has been grieving the loss of her husband and their four-year-old son in a boating accident. But when she spots a familiar-looking child on an escalator in the mall, she is convinced it is the son she thought was dead. With police skeptical of her story, she turns to private investigator Connor Sullivan. The former Secret Service agent is dubious but agrees to investigate. Digging into the case he discovers that the incident may have been no accident at all. But if Kate's son is alive, someone is intent on keeping him hidden--and may be willing to go to lethal lengths to protect a sinister secret.

My Review:

I couldn't put this book down! Three years after losing her son and husband in a boating accident, Kate Marshall believes that she has seen her son at the local mall and she thinks he remembers her as well. Kate's husbands body was found after the boating accident but since her young son's body was never recovered, she believes the boy at the mall is her son. She hires Connor, private investigator, to determine the identity of the boy she saw. Kate and Connor, with help from his partners, work to unfold the deception that has taken place. Danger awaits as they rush to identify the child before it is too late. Irene Hannon has created a suspenseful story that will keep the reader engaged until the very end!

I thoroughly enjoyed this third book in the Private Justice series and highly recommend it! (I enjoyed the first two books, Vanished and Trapped, and recommend reading them first)