Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Lived Up to the Hype

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

As a reviewer I get the chance to often be one of the people creating the hype around a book but every so often some slip through the cracks. And then through the blogging/bookstagram community I'll hear about them endlessly until I finally get to read them for myself! Here are 10 books that people kept talking about and when I read them myself I loved them as much as everyone said I would!

#1. Close to You by Kara Isaac

#2. Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh

#3. The Everstone Chronicles by Dawn Crandall

#4. Love in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan

#5. Just the Way You Are by Pepper Basham

#6. The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

#7. Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon

#8. The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

#9. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

#10. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #303

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

Sadly not loving these latest Dickerson books-just falling flat for me.

What I am currently reading:

About to start this one!

What I hope to read this week:

Excited for this one!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #302

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

Had a busy week adjusting to being back from vacation so I only finished this one book but it was an amazing book so....

What I am currently reading:

Just started this one but so far so good!

What I hope to read this week:

Catching up on the Melanie Dickerson books!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Top Ten Tuesday: Short Stories/Novellas

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I didn't realize how many novellas I love until I tried to make this list-lol! So I decided to do ten contemporary and ten historical!

CONTEMPORARY NOVELLAS

#1. Three Little Words by Melissa Tagg

#2. Enchanted novellas by Melissa Tagg

#3. As Easy As Riding a Bike by Bell Renshaw

#4. One Christmas in Winter by Bell Renshaw

#5. Love in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan

#6. Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful by Susan May Warren

#7. Second Impressions by Pepper Basham

#8. A Place to Belong by Melissa Tagg

#9. Crossfire by Susan May Warren

#10. Titanis & Lygos by Ronie Kendig


HISTORICAL NOVELLAS

#1. This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof

#2. A Lady of Esteem by Kristi Ann Hunter

#3. For Love of Liberty by Julie Lessman

#4. Facade by Pepper Basham

#5. Out of the Storm by Jody Hedlund

#6. Love by the Letter by Melissa Jagears

#7. Worth the Wait by Karen Witemeyer

#8. Gentleman of Her Dreams by Jen Turano

#9. A Search for Refuge by Kristi Ann Hunter

#10. Bourne & Tributary by Lisa T. Bergren

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #301

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

Vacation was amazing! I read a total of 19 books over the 10 days I was gone and I loved all of them! So many of these were ones that have been on my TBR pile for forever and it was so good to get them all read!

What I am currently reading:

Loving this!

What I hope to read this week:

It's a Melanie Dickerson week!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey

About the Book
Burning debris littering the ground . . . smoke pluming in the acrid air . . . this is just the beginning if he fails.
Seven years ago, operative Luke Gallagher vanished to become part of an elite team set on capturing a deadly terrorist. When Luke returns to face those he left behind, their help becomes his only hope of stopping his target's latest threat of an attack that would shake America to its core.
Private investigator Kate Maxwell never stopped loving or looking for Luke after he disappeared. But she also never imagined he left her or his life by choice. Now he's back, and together they must unravel a twisting thread of secrets, lies, and betrayal, all while on the brink of a biological disaster.

Will they and their love survive, or will Luke and Kate become the terrorist's next mark?

My Thoughts
Finally!! I’ve been waiting to find out what happened to Luke since the very beginning of this series and now the mystery is finally solved!
Everything came to a head in this book, the last in the series. Not only did we get the culmination of Luke’s seven year hunt for the terrorist Ebeid, but the case of Griff’s sister Jenna’s murder also was wrapped up. To be honest I was a little more invested in finding Jenna’s killer but I loved how the author worked on both cases simultaneously. I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book, just trying to figure out how everything would piece together, and hoping the team found the answers in time!
I really liked Luke. He had walked away from his entire life in the name of protecting his country. And even though he’d done some things he wasn’t proud of, his love for Kate kept him grounded and gave him something to hold onto. I also loved that he kept his faith in God, it wasn’t always the strongest but through all that he’d gone through he never turned his back.
Kate was awesome! She never gave up hope that Luke was alive somewhere, constantly searching for him. She was understandably hurt when she realized he’d left willingly, but she didn’t let the hurt close her heart off completely and slowly let herself start trusting Luke again.
If ever there were people meant to be together it was these two. They endured 7 years of separation but through everything they never faltered in their love for each other, and I was so happy to see them together again finally!
We got to see a little more of the other members of the group’s stories as well. I loved watching Griffin and Finley find justice for Jenna, and seeing Declan and Tanner’s relationship grow. Parker and Avery were in the story a bit as well and I’m not gonna lie, the one Parker scene made me choke up.

Overall this was a satisfying conclusion to an amazing series! Can’t wait to see what this author has next for us!

Meet the Author
Dani Pettrey is the bestselling author of the Chesapeake Valor series and the Alaskan Courage series and winner of the 2014 Daphne du Maurier Award for Inspirational Novel, the 2014 Christian Retailing's Best Award for Suspense, and the 2013 Holt Medallion for First Novel. She and her husband reside in the D.C. Metro area. She can be found online at www.danipettrey.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Trauma Plan by Candace Calvert

About the Book
Sidelined by injuries from a vicious assault, chaplain Riley Hale is determined to return to her former duties as an ER nurse. But how can she show she’s competent when the hospital won’t let her attempt even simple tasks? Determined to prove herself, Riley volunteers at a controversial urban free clinic despite her fears about the maverick doctor in charge.
Dr. Jack Travis defends his clinic like he’s commander of the Alamo. He’ll fight the community’s efforts to shut its doors, even if he must use Riley Hale’s influential family name to make it happen.
As Riley strives to regain her skills, Jack finds that she shares his compassion—and stirs his lonely heart. Riley senses that beneath Jack’s rough exterior is a man she can believe in. But when clinic protests escalate and questions surface about his past, Jack goes into battle mode and Riley wonders if it’s dangerous to trust him with her heart.

My Thoughts
I was a little wary starting this book because it was medical and I have a very weak stomach. But thankfully the author, didn’t go into any gory details. There was a decent bit of medical talk though it was just enough to give it an authentic feel but not so much that it bogged down the story or confused anyone who’s not in a medical profession.
I really enjoyed all of the characters! Jack was an adventure-seeking champion of the little guy. He’d experienced some brutal tragedies and as a result he closed himself off from God and didn’t really let people get close to him.
Riley was always there for people and she cared deeply. After the attack and resulting injuries she never gave up instead she constantly pushed herself to get better despite what doctors said. I really admired the way that she still gave her all to her job even though it wasn’t the one she longed to do again, and how she didn’t lash out when things didn’t go the way she wanted.
Jack and Riley were great together and I loved watching them grow personally as they grew closer to each other.
The secondary characters were also fantastic and I especially loved Bandy with his wisdom and positive outlook. I’m excited that Kate gets her story next and since I have it on my kindle I’ll probably be reading it sooner rather than later!

Meet the Author
Often called the author of "medical hope opera," Candace Calvert is an ER nurse who landed on the other side of the stethoscope after the equestrian accident that broke her neck and convinced her love, laughter--and faith--are the very best medicines of all.
Her popular medical drama series (Mercy Hospital, Grace Medical and Crisis Team) offer readers a chance to "scrub in" on the exciting world of emergency medicine, along with charismatic characters, pulse-pounding action, tender romance, humor, suspense--and an encouraging prescription for hope. Think "Grey's Anatomy finds its soul"!

A native northern Californian, mother of two and proud grandmother to eight, Candace is a passionate "foodie," equally at home with a whisk in her hand as she is penning stories. Folks who follow her on Twitter and Facebook will find photo-embellished recipes,funny insights into the writing life, snippets of upcoming work, and a chance at book giveaways. Please visit her website at: www.candacecalvert.com.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #300

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

Vacation started on Friday and so did the reading! So all but the first two were finished this weekend! The Hope of Azure Springs was a decent debut, Facade was amazing, and I just discovered Jennifer E. Smith but I'm hooked! And of course Denise Hunter's books were all amazing!

What I am currently reading:

Posting this on Tuesday not Monday so my currently reading has changed a bit over the last two days.

What I hope to read this week:

So many books! I'm on vacation till Sunday so I hope lots of reading is in store!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

The Hope Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham

About the Book
Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone.
For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He's determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn't expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart.
Debut author Rachel Fordham invites historical romance readers to the charming town of Azure Springs, Iowa, where the people care deeply for one another and, sometimes, even fall in love.

My Thoughts
When I first heard about this debut on another blog I was intrigued and instantly added it to my TBR. I was excited when I had the opportunity to receive a copy for review and shortly after it arrived in my mailbox, I dove in.
I'll start by saying that I absolutely did enjoy this book and read through it rather quickly. That being said at the very outset I had a little trouble getting into the story and connecting with Em. I think a lot of that stemed from the fact that the heroine had spent the last seven years-the most formative years of a girl's life-away from civilization. So while she was technically an adult a lot of things about her still felt childish and I think it took my brain awhile to make it all click.
I did really like Em, even though she'd had a rather hard life she still kept a kind heart and was a balm to many around her. She was a hard worker and didn't back down from a challenge. Caleb was a great hero as well, always determined to right wrongs in the world and do whatever needed doing. Both of them had some emotional baggage to work through and I loved seeing them come out on the other side of it.
Caleb and Em's relationship developed slowly starting as sheriff and victim, moving to friends, and eventually realizing they wanted more than friendship.
The ending of this book, for me, was the best written part and I was really able to connect more the charcters and feel their emotions.
A random thing that amused me was how many names in this story were names of people in my life including my own, the hero and heroine had the same names as two of my siblings, and there were a couple names of children I watch.
Overall this was a well-written enjoyable read and while there were some things that maybe felt a little off for me it wasn't anything extreme that completely turned me off. I look forward to seeing what else this author has for us.

Meet the Author
Rachel Fordham started writing when her children began begging her for stories at night. She'd pull a book from the shelf, but they'd insist she make one up. Finally she put her love of good stories with her love of writing and she hasn't stopped since. She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Loving Grace by April Smith

About the Book
Grace Summer lands herself in a melon load of trouble when she becomes torn between the boy of her dreams and the boy almost next door. As the newly crowned Watermelon Queen, she is thrust into the spotlight, meets the dreamy Warren Hartley, and continues trying to get over an accident that rocked her world. Mix in working with Beau Baron who Grace happens to fight with just about as much as breathing and the metaphorical sparks fly.

Like most things in life, Grace must learn to take the good with the bad. While the good is the handsome and fun Warren Hartley, the bad is Beau Baron—or at least being around his annoying and rude self way more than she would like. For Beau, Grace is nothing more than aggravating and an irritating reminder from the night of the accident. Tensions soar as Grace and Beau fight to love themselves and maybe, just maybe, each other.

My Thoughts
This was a fun, quick, YA read that I enjoyed more than I anticipated.
I love watermelon quite a lot but I never knew there was such a thing as a Watermelon Queen but you learn something new everyday.
Grace was a fun heroine, she knew how to be poised and sophisticated but also wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty and have fun. The only thing that bugged me about her was the way she just fell for the first guy who showed her any attention, completely ignoring the warnings and advice from those she trusted.
The whole Baron family was great. I loved how they took care of Grace like she was their own and the teasing between the boys and Grace made me smile a lot.
Beau didn’t always handle things the best way but that’s to be expected of a teenage boy and his heart was in the right place.
The whole “Watermelon Queen” experience was definitely unique and entertaining.

Overall this was a short enjoyable read that is perfect to pick up this summer.

Meet the Author
April Smith grew up spending summers working on her best friend's family watermelon farm and she was one of those watermelon queens she writes about. She has her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a Master s Degree in the Art of Teaching.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

The Rancher's Surprise Daughter by Jill Lynn

About the Book
Luc Wilder’s surprised when his ex-girlfriend Cate Malory arrives at his Colorado guest ranch. And he’s downright stunned when she introduces him to his three-year-old daughter, Ruby. Bonding with the bubbly little girl is easy—Ruby loves ranch life, just like her daddy. But after all the secrets, can Luc and Cate find a way to trust in each other again?

My Thoughts
When the author contacted me about reviewing this book I hadn’t really heard of her before. But after checking out the book description, it sounded like a good read so I agreed. And I’m glad I did.
I really admired Luc and the way he had matured in the years since everything had happened with Cate. He’d learned to control his temper and he handled things much better this time around. Of course he still got upset but he worked through it in a healthier way and was considering other people’s feelings.
Cate took a little longer for me to warm up to, she was always guarded and seemed to be always waiting for things to go wrong. A lot of that had to do with her childhood but it was still frustrating at times. I loved the way Luc tried to understand where she was coming from and reassured her as much as she could.
There were definitely some things for them to work through but I was rooting for them and not just for Ruby’s sake.
I also loved Luc’s sisters, they were really fun characters.

All in all a good read that I finished in less than half a day!

Meet the Author
Jill Lynn lives in Colorado with her husband and two children. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bethel University and is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers group. In 2013, she won the ACFW Genesis award. Jill enjoys reading and writing stories filled with grace, humor and happily-ever-after. When she’s not plotting her next book, she can be found hanging out with her entertaining family.

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

Falling for You by Becky Wade

About the Book
Famously beautiful model Willow Bradford is taking a temporary break from her hectic schedule to work as the innkeeper at her family's small-town bed-and-breakfast. She was enjoying the peace of her hometown, Merryweather, Washington, right up until she came face-to-face with Corbin Stewart, the man she loves to hate. A thoughtful rule-follower by nature, Willow threw caution to the wind four years ago when she entrusted her heart to Corbin--and suffered the consequences when it all fell apart.
Former NFL quarterback Corbin is forceful, charming, and accustomed to getting what he wants . . . except where Willow Bradford is concerned. Unable to forget her, he's never stopped regretting what happened between them. When their paths unexpectedly cross again, he's determined to make her give him a second chance.
When a decades-old missing persons case finds Corbin and Willow working together, they're forced to confront their past and who they've become--and whether they can risk falling for one another all over again.

My Thoughts
It’s no surprise that I loved this book! Becky Wade is extremely talented and that talent was once again showcased in this novel. We got a brief glimpse into Willow and Corbin’s relationship in the previous book of this series and the sparks that flew in that scene had me impatiently waiting to get all of their story!
Corbin was awesome! He was a bit cocky but in the charming way, without being obnoxious, well Willow would have disagreed. It’s almost hard to describe him because most of the things I loved about him would be annoying on someone else, but they worked on Corbin and made him totally endearing. I especially loved the way he was constantly baiting Willow, from comments to blatantly breaking her “rules”, he kept me laughing and smiling throughout the book. I also loved his interactions with Charlotte, he was so good with her.
Willow was pretty great herself. She wasn’t what you’d expect when you think of models, she was more down to earth and always wanted to help those around her. She definitely was the perfect match for Corbin, able to match and even best him occasionally in their verbal sparring, keeping his head from getting too big.
The mystery of Charlotte’s great-aunt had me totally intrigued and I was hooked into the search for what happened to her till the very end!
I also loved getting more of the sisters and their relationship. They made me miss my sisters who are closest in age to me but live too far away.
Honestly I absolutely loved this book from start to finish and I cannot wait for Britt’s story!!

Side note to whom it may concern: There is a bit of talk about sex in this book, nothing graphic though just discussion about past indiscretions and the impact they played on the present.

Meet the Author

Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and now lives in Dallas. A favorite among readers of Christian contemporary romance, Becky has won a Christy Award, a Carol Award, an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and an INSPY Award. Learn more at www.beckywade.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter

About the Book
When Katherine "Kit" FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she's forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. What should have been a chance encounter becomes much more as Graham embarks on a search for his friend's missing sister and is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she's telling.
After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different for the first time in her life, but what she wants can't matter. Long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. And as much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, revealing the truth isn't worth putting him and everyone she loves in danger.

My Thoughts
As sad as I was to see this author’s last series end, I was equally excited for this one to begin! The prequel whetted my appetite and I could not wait to dive into this book! Over a decade had passed between the two stories and quite a lot changed for Kit and Daphne over those years. They took a awful situation that life handed them and used it to help others instead of letting it break them.
Kit was such a strong character and I admired the way that she did whatever was necessary to protect and provide for those in her care. Her motives and methods might not have been the best but overall she was doing what she thought was necessary to right wrongs.
I couldn’t have loved Graham more. He led a privileged life but he didn’t let that make him a snob. I loved the way that he let his preconceptions be challenged, and allowed that challenging to change the way he thought and acted. He jumped in whenever he was needed doing whatever was asked of him with out question.
I really loved Graham and Kit together, the way he softened her jaded edges and the way she opened his eyes to things he hadn’t seen.
The secondary characters were also fabulous. The no-questions-asked bond between Graham, Aaron, and Oliver was a wonderful things to see, they were brothers just not by blood. And it was really cool how Kit, Daphne, and Jess all used their different strengths to make Haven Manor possible.
Basically I loved everything about this book and I’m chomping at the bit to get book two and find out what happens to Daphne!

Meet the Author

Kristi Ann Hunter is the author of the Hawthorne House series and a 2016 RITA Award winner, an ACFW Genesis contest winner, and a Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for excellence winner. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh

About the Book
For Quinn Collins, buying the flower shop in downtown Harbor Pointe fulfills a childhood dream, but also gives her the chance to stick it to her mom, who owned the store before skipping town twenty years ago and never looking back. Completing much-needed renovations, however, while also competing for a prestigious flower competition with her mother as the head judge, soon has Quinn in over her head. Not that she’d ever ask for help.
Luckily, she may not need to. Quinn’s father and his meddling friends find the perfect solution in notorious Olympic skier Grady Benson, who had only planned on passing through the old-fashioned lakeside town. But when a heated confrontation leads to property damage, helping Quinn as a community-service sentence seems like the quickest way out―and the best way to avoid more negative press.
Quinn finds Grady reckless and entitled; he thinks she’s uptight and too regimented. Yet as the two begin to hammer and saw, Quinn sees glimpses of the vulnerability behind the bravado, and Grady learns from her passion and determination, qualities he seems to have lost along the way. But when a well-intentioned omission has devastating consequences, Grady finds himself cast out of town―and Quinn’s life―possibly forever. Forced to face the hurt holding her back, Quinn must finally let go or risk missing out on the adventure of a lifetime.

My Thoughts
Another amazing and beautiful book from the talented Courtney Walsh!! I’m a relatively new fan (only read my first novel of hers in October) but this is my fifth book of hers and she has officially become one of my favorite authors!
I not-so-patiently awaited this book’s arrival in my mailbox and when it came I immediately set aside my current read (sorry not sorry) and dove in.
I was completely in love with both Grady and Quinn. Grady had a lot of work to do, but I loved watching him strive to be a better man and was cheering for him all the way. He always did life fast and his own way never listening or caring what others had to say but then Harbor Pointe forces him to slow down and Quinn gives him a reason to be better. His transformation throughout the book was one of my favorite parts and by the end he really was someone to admire!
Quinn is stuck, she does life by the book, and doesn’t deviate from the plan of how she thinks her life should go. Until Grady. It was such fun to watch him push her out of her normal little by little. They were as opposite as you can get but in all the right ways that complimented and challenged the other.
I absolutely loved revisiting Harbor Pointe and it’s become one of my favorite fictional towns. I love all the various townspeople and the unique flair they each brought. Especially Quinn’s Dad and the judge.
Also loved the whole Olympics aspect of the story since I’m a bit of an Olympics junkie!
I devoured this story and could stop reading because I just had to see how it would all work out! I can’t recommend Courtney’s books enough and this one is beyond amazing!

Meet the Author
Courtney Walsh is an author, artist, theatre director, and playwright. Just Let Go will be her eighth inspirational romance novel. Her debut, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists and was a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. A creative at heart, Courtney has also written two craft books and several full-length musicals. She lives in Illinois where she and her husband own a performing arts studio and youth theatre. They have three children.
Connect with Courtney online at her website (courtneywalshwrites.com) or on any of these social media platforms:
Facebook.com/courtneywalshwrites
Instagram.com/courtneywalsh
Twitter.com/courtney_walsh

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

A Search for Refuge by Kristi Ann Hunter

About the Book
Margaretta Fortescue desperately needs to disappear from London society, and her only hope is to follow the rumors of another young woman who recently made a life for herself away from the glare of society. Her search leads her to the market town of Marlborough where, in spite of her efforts to avoid attention, she can't seem to elude local solicitor Nash Banfield.
All Nash wants is a quiet, sedate life--no risks or surprises. When Margaretta, clearly on the run and unwilling to answer questions, interrupts his solitude, his curiosity and his principles won't let him leave this determined woman without assistance.

But will discovering the truth about Margaretta make him think twice about finally taking a risk on love?

My Thoughts
I fell in love with this author from the moment I started the novella prequel to her first series Hawthorne House. And while I'm sad to see that series end I am so excited for this new adventure! This story was the perfect way to kick it off and I absolutely loved it!
Nash and Margaretta we both wonderful characters and it was fun to watch as they went from wary strangers, to bantering friends, and finally to something more than friends! Nash's protective nature was endearing and I loved the way he looked out for all those around him. And I admired how Margaretta didn't take the easy route, instead doing whatever she had to do to keep an inocent life safe.
I also loved Mrs. Lancaster and her not so subtle meddling ways! In short this novella was such a good read and I cannot wait till the rest of the series releases!

Meet the Author
Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Computer Science but always knew she wanted to write. In addition to several pre-published contests, Kristi is a Rita award winner and has also been a finalist in the INSPY, Christy, and GRW Maggie Award of Excellence. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.

Together Forever by Jody Hedlund

About the Book
Marianne Neumann has one goal in life: to find her lost younger sister, Sophie. When Marianne takes a job as a placing agent with the Children's Aid Society in 1858 New York, she not only hopes to give children a better life but seeks to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train.
Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children--firm but tender and funny. Underneath his handsome charm, though, seems to linger a grief that won't go away--and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden. As the two team up placing orphans amid small railroad towns in Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.

My Thoughts
I loved this book so much!! Jody Hedlund never fails to deliver beautifully written books that I can barely stand to put down, and this one was no different! From the very beginning I was completely enraptured and could think of little else. We got to meet Marianne in the previous book and I was excited to get her story and see her find happiness. Her life had been far from easy and she’d faced tremendous loss but through it all she never gave in and managed to keep her head up.
I absolutely loved Drew’s character! The way he cared for the children and Marianne was enough to make any sane female melt. Add in his playfulness and humor and I was a goner!
Drew and Marianne were beyond perfect for each other, she was more serious and structured than he was but she was always willing to go along with his antics and never criticized who he was. Their banter and challenges to each other were the best and made me smile and laugh quite a lot!
It was fun to once again visit the setting of the orphan trains and get an inside glimpse of what it was like.

In short, this book was absolutely amazing and I couldn’t love it more! Highly recommend it!

Meet the Author
Jody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including With You Always, Love Unexpected, Unending Devotion, The Preacher's Bride, and A Noble Groom, and winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a bachelor's degree from Taylor University and a master's from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at www.jodyhedlund.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #299

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

Finally a decent week of reading! Enjoyed all of these though Falling for You was definitely my favorite!

What I am currently reading:

Have yet to actually start anything this week!

What I hope to read this week:

Newest review book that I'm excited for! Hoping to have it finished before I leave on vacation on Friday!

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

A Rebel Heart by Beth White

About the Book
Five years after the final shot was fired in the War Between the States, Selah Daughtry can barely manage to keep herself, her two younger sisters, and their spinster cousin fed and clothed. With their family's Mississippi plantation swamped by debt and the Big House falling down around them, the only option seems to be giving up their ancestral land.
Pinkerton agent and former Union cavalryman Levi Riggins is investigating a series of robberies and sabotage linked to the impoverished Daughtry plantation. Posing as a hotel management agent for the railroad, he tells Selah he'll help her save her home, but only if it is converted into a hotel. With Selah otherwise engaged with renovations, Levi moves onto the property to "supervise" while he actually attends to his real assignment right under her nose.

Selah isn't sure she entirely trusts the handsome Yankee, but she'd do almost anything to save her home. What she never expected to encounter was his assault on her heart.

My Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book and was actually so caught up in the story that I finished it a lot faster than I anticipated. During my middle school days I used to be obsessed with the Civil War time period and I still have a fondness for it. So it was rather fascinating for me to read a book that took place after the fact and focused on characters who were facing the aftermath of those dark years.
I really liked Selah and Levi. They both had endured unspeakable things during the war but they managed to come out stronger for it. I admired the way that Selah didn’t back down and just give up when things got hard. Instead she fought and sacrificed to keep save her family’s legacy. Levi was a great hero, he was still haunted by the war but he found purpose in his detective work. I loved the way he was able to read people.
There was also a bit of mystery and suspense to the story and even though we had some clues I still wasn’t sure how everything turned out!
Overall this was a great read and I enjoyed learning more about this time in history! I’m looking forward to book two and getting Joelle’s story!

Meet the Author
Beth White's day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. A native Mississippian, she writes historical romance with a Southern drawl and is the author of The Pelican Bride, The Creole Princess, and The Magnolia Duchess. Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers' Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award. Learn more at www.bethwhite.net.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.