Like a Winter Snow by Lindsay Harrel

About the Book
In this standalone holiday novella, return to the charming Cornish village readers fell in love with in The Secrets of Paper and Ink.
Women’s counselor Joy Beckman has always been a friend and helper to all. That’s why she’s given up everything to be with her parents as her mother suffers through Alzheimer’s. Joy may not have a thriving career or a love life at the moment, but she’s doing what she does best—taking care of others. And even though it’s difficult, she knows it’s where she is supposed to be.
But life throws a curveball when she has to leave her parents temporarily to travel to Cornwall, England, for the Christmas-time wedding of her best friend. While there, Joy helps Sophia tackle her last-minute to-do list, and in the process, finally meets a man who turns her head—and her heart. The only problem? He lives in snowy London, and her life is with her parents back in sunny Florida.
She tries to resist Oliver Lincoln’s charms, but it’s harder than it should be. With her heart torn in two, Joy is forced to choose between a life she knows she’s meant for and the one she didn’t see coming.

My Thoughts
This novella was absolutely charming and sweet and everything I wanted it to be! I loved travelling back to the enchanting town of Port Willis. It captured my heart in The Secrets of  Paper and Ink and I was delighted to have the chance to visit again. I was also really happy that Joy got her story! Both she and Oliver were really great characters and while their romance was a bit of a whirlwind it was the absolute sweetest. Their spark was there from the very first time they met and just grew from there. Sometimes these quick novella romances come across inauthentic but that wasn't the case here, I honestly felt their connection and absolutely loved them together. It was also really fun to catch up with Sophia and William, and Ginny and Stephen, so great to see how their lives were turning out. Basically my only complaint about this story was that it was too short and I wanted more!

Meet the Author

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd with a B.A. in journalism and M.A. in English. She lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. Lindsay has held a variety of jobs, including curriculum editor for two universities, medical and business writer, and copywriter for a digital marketing agency. Now she juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with working freelance jobs, teaching college English courses online, and—of course—writing novels.
When she actually has time to do other things, she loves to sing, read, and sip passion iced teas from Starbucks. She loves to watch God work in ordinary lives to create something extraordinary, and she writes to bring hope to those who may have lost it along the way. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com and any other place she hangs out online, including Facebook and Twitter.

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. 

Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon

About the Book
Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan usually has his camp for foster children to himself during the winter months. But someone has visited recently--leaving a trail of blood. One of the two clues left behind tips Rick off to the identity of his visitor, who soon turns up dead. The police deem it an accident, but Rick isn't convinced. With the help of private investigator Heather Shields, he sets out to decipher the remaining clue. Except someone doesn't want them to succeed--and will stop at nothing to keep them from finding the truth.

With her trademark psychological suspense ratcheting up the tension on every page, bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon takes you on a search for a cold-blooded killer with an ambitious goal and deadly intent.

My Thoughts
I have been an Irene Hannon fan since her debut novel came out and after loving Rick in the previous two books of this series I was excited to get his story! While this one didn't end up being my favorite of Hannon's it was still an enjoyable read! Unlike this author's previous books that seem to start with high action and not let up, this one was more of a slow burn. But when the action did start up, things moved at lightning speed and you were never quite sure just what would happen next. Reader's are kept on their toes with multiple POVs that make it hard to tell just who the bad guy is, though I will say I did guess right!
Rick and Heather had an instant attraction to each other that only intensified as the story progressed. I would have preferred a little more depth to their relationship, instead of all the focus on the physical (and Rick's descriptions of Heather's outfits were just way too detailed for any straight man) but I did like them as a couple and was happy that Rick found someone.
I loved the fact that this story took place in connection with the PI firm from the Private Justice series! It was fun to not only catch up with the characters from the previous books in this series but also with the Phoenix guys! It's so fun when author's connect their series.
I'm sad to see this series end but I cannot wait for whatever else this author has for us!

Meet the Author
Irene Hannon is the best-selling author of more than 35 novels. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, the Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine and the Daphne du Maurier Award for mystery/suspense. Irene and her husband make their home in Missouri, USA. Irene invites you to visit her at her website, www.irenehannon.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 Distance Too Grand by Regina Scott

About the Book
Meg Pero has been assisting her photographer father since she was big enough to carry his equipment, so when he dies she is determined to take over his profession--starting with fulfilling the contract he signed to serve on an Army survey of the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1871. What she doesn't realize is that the leader of the expedition is none other than the man she once refused to marry.
Captain Ben Coleridge would like nothing more than to leave without the woman who broke his heart, but he refuses to wait even one more day to get started. This survey is a screen for another, more personal mission, one he cannot share with any member of his team.

As dangers arise from all sides, including within the survey party, Meg and Ben must work together to stay alive, fulfill their duties, and, just maybe, rekindle a love that neither had completely left behind.

My Thoughts
I had never read anything by this author before but I'd heard good things about her Love Inspired titles so I decided to give her first full length novel a shot. The premise was intriguing and I loved the setting of the Grand Canyon, a place I've always wanted to visit. Unfortunately this book wasn't quite what I was hoping it would be and I was left wanting a little more. Overall it wasn't bad, things just moved at a slow pace and honestly I was kinda bored. There were hints of a mystery and I kept wanted that angle to burst on the scene a little more but everything was kept pretty low key. Ben was a pretty good guy, but Meg was rather annoying and reckless with always wanting to get "the shot". This book had a similar feel to Karen Witemeyer and Regina Jennings but was just missing a little something. I think a lot of the things I had trouble with stem from the fact that the author is transitioning from shorter novels to longer ones and maybe had a little trouble filling the story out. It was a quick read though and overall it was a decent story. I'm sure there will be many people who will thoroughly enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me. If the premise interests you please go check out some other reviews and don't just take my word for it!

Meet the Author
Regina Scott is the author of more than 40 works of warm, witty historical romance. Her writing has won praise from Booklist and Library Journal, and she was twice awarded the prestigious RT Books Reviews best book of the year in her category. A devotee of history, she has learned to fence, driven four-in-hand, and sailed on a tall ship, all in the name of research. She and her husband of 30 years live south of Tacoma, Washington, on the way to Mt. Rainier.

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. 

One Final Breath by Lynn H. Blackburn

About the Book
When investigator Gabriel Chavez had his cover blown by an aggressive reporter, the silver lining was being able to rejoin the dive team. The downside? Dive team captain Anissa Bell--a woman who both fascinates and frustrates him.
Anissa grew up as a missionary kid on the Micronesian island of Yap and always planned to return after college. But she remained stateside, determined to solve the case that haunts her--the murder of her best friend and the disappearance of a three-year-old child.
When Anissa's fractured past collides with Gabe's investigation into the tragic shooting death of a teenage boy in Lake Porter, they'll have to put their complicated history with each other aside in order to uncover the identity of a killer. What they'll discover is that revenge has no statute of limitations.

Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn closes out her nail-biting Dive Team Investigations series with a story that will have you wondering how long you can hold your breath.

My Thoughts
Lynn H. Blackburn has done it again! When I read her debut novel I knew that she had something special and would be one to watch. And boy was I right! She just keeps getting better and I think this was probably my favorite of the series! Gabe and Anissa’s story had been a long time coming and it was everything I was hoping it would be and so much more!
I really could relate to Anissa, the way her brain worked was very similar to how mine does so it was easy for me to connect with her. I loved her in the previous books but it was even better when you got inside her head and really got to know her.
I loved Gabe a whole lot. On one hand we didn’t get a lot of his story but it wasn’t relevant to what was going on and the author gave us enough to still get to see a little of what had shaped the man he was today. His sense of humor had me laughing out loud several times but he also knew when to be serious and honestly had me melting at times. Together Anissa and Gabe just made sense. Everyone could see it. They not only complimented each other’s personalities but also were so in tune with each other in a way that made them a perfect team.
I was totally hooked into the mystery and suspense aspect of this book. At first things seemed a little random but as the story progressed all of the pieces made sense and I was totally invested and seeing how things would work out.
I loved getting to catch up with the rest of the dive team crew. Their group dynamic was more like family than coworkers and I loved all of their banter and the way they were always there for each other! Also Mr. Cook was awesome with his words of wisdom and his uncle-like affection.
In short this was an amazing book and I recommend it and the rest of the series to all romantic suspense lovers!

Meet the Author
Lynn H. Blackburn is the author of Beneath the Surface, In Too Deep, Hidden Legacy, and Covert Justice. Winner of the 2016 Selah Award for Mystery and Suspense, and the 2016 Carol Award for Short Novel, Blackburn believes in the power of stories, especially those that remind us that true love exists, a gift from the Truest Love. She's passionate about CrossFit, coffee, and chocolate (don't make her choose) and experimenting with recipes that feed both body and soul. She lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina, with her true love, Brian, and their three children.

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. 

The Lieutenant's Bargain by Regina Jennings

About the Book
Hattie Walker dreams of becoming a painter, while her parents want her to settle down. As a compromise, they give her two months to head to Denver and place her works in an exhibition or give up the dream forever. Her journey is derailed when a gunman attacks her stagecoach, leaving her to be rescued by a group of Arapaho . . . but she's too terrified to recognize them as friendly.
Confirmed bachelor Lieutenant Jack Hennessey has long worked with the tribe and is tasked with trying to convince them that the mission school at Fort Reno can help their children. When a message arrives about a recovered survivor, Jack heads out to take her home--and plead his case once more.
He's stunned to run into Hattie Walker, the girl who shattered his heart--but quickly realizes he has a chance to impress her. When his plan gets tangled through translation, Jack and Hattie end up in a mess that puts her dreams in peril--and tests Jack's resolve to remain single.

My Thoughts
I have been excited for this story since the moment I found out it was going to be about Jack! I loved him in the first book and couldn’t wait for his story! I loved him even more in this story. He was adorably nerdy while being a strong soldier, he was all business about important things but had an entertaining sense of humor, and he had a strong devotion. I loved how sacrificial he was through all the crazy circumstances, even though he would have to leave his whole life he cared more about the effects on the people he loved. He could have gotten upset on more than one occasion but he always chose to look at things from the other people’s perspective.
Hattie honestly annoyed me a bit at the beginning but I enjoyed seeing her character grow. She was an only child who had always gotten what she wanted and while she wasn’t a snob her upbringing definitely showed. Life at Fort Reno gave her a new perspective and she started to see life differently. It also made her see Jack as the man he’d become instead of just her know-it-all former classmate. She took a bit to come around but I loved seeing her slowly fall in love with who Jack was not for what he could or couldn’t give her.
It was fun to see the characters from the previous stories and get to spend more time at the fort! I also enjoyed learning details about the history of that time.

This was a great read and while it does take place around Christmas I’m sure it would be enjoyable anytime of the year!

Meet the Author
Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She is the author of numerous novels, including For the Record, A Most Inconvenient Marriage, Sixty Acres and a Bride, and Caught in the Middle, and contributed a novella to A Match Made in Texas. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children and can be found online at www.reginajennings.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. 

The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof

About the Book
Raised amid the fame and mystique of the Big Top, Charlie Lionheart holds the audience in the palm of his hand. But while his act captivates thousands, it's away from the spotlight where his true heart lies. Here he humbly cares for his pride of lions as if they were his brothers, a skill of bravery and strength that has prepared him for his most challenging feat yet--freeing an orphaned infant from the dark bondage of a sideshow. A trade so costly, it requires his life in exchange for hers, leaving him tarnished by the price of that choice. As the circus tents are raised on the outskirts of Roanoke, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. All under the watchful eye of a guardian who not only bears a striking resemblance to the child, but who protects the baby with a love that wraps around Ella's own tragic past, awakening a hope that goodness may yet reign. When their forbidden friendship deepens, Charlie dares to ask for her heart, bringing her behind the curtain of his secret world to reveal the sacrifice that gave hope to one little girl--boldly showing Ella that while her tattered faith is deeply scarred, the only marks that need be permanent are his own.

My Thoughts
When this book came out it seemed it was all anyone (in the Christian book community) could talk about. I’m a bit ashamed at how long it took me to finally read it, but I tried to make up for it by reading all but fifty pages in one sitting. I know now what everyone was raving about and I’m ready to start raving too. This book was amazing and beautiful and just completely wonderful from start to finish. I’m starting to become a little obsessed with circus themed things especially after a certain musical came out, but this was so much more than just a circus book.
Charlie was everything. His quiet faith, the irreversible sacrifices he made for Holland, his strength, and his vulnerability. How could you not love Charlie?! My heart broke for what he had to endure, but he did it willingly and without complaint as long as it meant protecting his family. Also a man with a baby is the single most attractive thing!
Ella was wonderful too, the way she cared so deeply for people, unwilling to stand by while someone suffered even if helping came at a personal cost. What she suffered at the hands of someone she should have been able to trust made me want to weep and then go hit the louse.
I loved watching Charlie and Ella slip beneath the other’s defenses until they were both so deeply connected to each other. Neither of them expected to fall in love but they were each exactly what the other didn’t know they needed.
Everything about this novel was superb and I loved every single second. I read it while at a super late night babysitting job and the time simply flew by as I lost myself in these pages. I’m adding my recommendation to so many others out there, you absolutely need to read this book!

Meet the Author

A Carol Award and three-time Christy Award-finalist, Joanne Bischof writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the reader’s heartstrings. She was honored to receive the SDCWG Novel of the Year Award in 2014 and in 2015 was named Author of the Year by the Mount Hermon Writer’s conference. That same year, her historical novella, This Quiet Sky, broke precedent as the first self-released title to final for the Christy Awards. To Get to You, her 2015 release, was the second. Joanne’s 2016 novel, The Lady and the Lionheart, received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from Romantic Times Book Reviews among other critical acclaim. She is represented by Sandra Bishop of Transatlantic Literary Agency.