The Cryptographer's Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander

About the Book 

A Code Developer Uncovers a Japanese Spy Ring

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this new series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.

FBI cryptographer Eloise Marshall is grieving the death of her brother, who died during the attack on Pearl Harbor, when she is assigned to investigate a seemingly innocent letter about dolls. Agent Phillip Clayton is ready to enlist and head oversees when asked to work one more FBI job. A case of coded defense coordinates related to dolls should be easy, but not so when the Japanese Consulate gets involved, hearts get entangled, and Phillip goes missing. Can Eloise risk loving and losing again?

My Thoughts

WWII is my absolute favorite time period to read about so I was very excited to dive into this story, especially after a ringing endorsement from my bestie!

Eloise and Phillip were both great characters and I really admired their desire to serve their country no matter the cost! Their relationship went from annoyance to friendship to something more rather seamlessly and while I would have enjoyed more romance I thought it was well paced.

The “Doll Woman” spy was a story I hadn’t heard before and I was fascinated by the details of it and the process of hunting her down! I also enjoyed traveling around the country through the characters!

In short this was a really solid read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

Meet the Author

Johnnie Alexander is a wannabe vagabond with a heart for making memories. Whether at home or on the road, she creates characters you want to meet and imagines stories you won't forget.

Her award-winning debut novel, Where Treasure Hides, is a CBA bestseller and has been translated into Dutch and Norwegian. She also writes contemporary romances, cozy mysteries, and historical novellas. The Mischief Thief is her first suspense novel.

Johnnie is on the executive boards of Serious Writer, Inc. and Mid-South Christian Writers Conference, co-hosts an online show called Writers Chat, and interviews inspirational authors for her Novelists Unwind program. She also teaches at writers conferences and for Serious Writer Academy.

A fan of classic movies, stacks of books, and road trips, Johnnie shares a life of quiet adventure with Griff, her happy-go-lucky collie, and Rugby, her raccoon-treeing papillon.

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. 

What Hope Remembers by Johnnie Alexander

About the Book
When Amy Somers loses her job as a lobbyist, she moves to Misty Willow, well aware that she's crossing bridges she'd burned years before. With all the mistakes she's made and the uncaring things she's done--even to her own family--she can hardly believe that happiness will find her, especially when Gabe Kendall, her first crush and her first kiss, rides back into her life atop a buckskin mare.
A former Marine, Gabe is at loose ends after serving a prison sentence for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He sees beyond Amy's hard exterior to the girl he once knew and loved, and he longs to see her open her heart. Yet with his vision clouded by shame for his past and fears about the future, he finds it difficult to see the path ahead.

But the memory of that long-ago kiss just may have the power to reignite a romance that brings out the best in both of them.

My Thoughts
This author is one that I forget how amazing their books are until I'm lost within the pages of the next book. But I'm glad that I keep coming back because she has yet to disappoint!
I'll be honest, I didn't like Amy at all in the previous two books. She was cold, calculating, manipulative, and in general not a pleasant person. There are few authors who can redeem a disliked character and thankfully Johnnie is one of them. After a wake-up call regarding her health Amy really begins to reevaluate her life, and not really liking the person she's become, decides to start to make changes. It was nice to get into her head and see the emotions she was experiencing when she did the things she did. While it didn't excuse them it helped to see that her actions came more from a place of hurt than malice. Amy was such a real character. She wasn't just suddenly perfect, the journey from who she was to who she wanted to become was slow and difficult and mistakes were made along the way. But I admired how she never gave up. The author handled the issue of her eating disorder with grace while also showing the very real struggles that those suffering from conditions like Amy's face. My heart broke for all the pain she'd endured in her life and I loved watching her rise from the ashes of it all.
Heath was awesome. As someone who was sentenced for a crime he didn't commit he could have been bitter and angry but instead he saw the way God used that time for good and was determined to make the most of his life. I loved the way he cared for his aunt, and their close relationship was beautiful. I also loved the way he interacted with Amy, being there for her when needed but never pushing her beyond what she was comfortable with. Their relationship blossomed slowly but beautifully and it was a joy to watch it unfold.
It was great to catch up with AJ and Shelby, and Brett and Dani, as well as the kids. I had a wonderful time getting to know this family and I'm sad to see this series end!

Meet the Author
Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides and Where She Belongs, as well as an accomplished essayist and poet. Her Misty Willow Series was inspired by a 19th century house she lived in as a teen. Join her at www.johnnie-alexander.com to experience the love of random travel and the joy of treasured moments.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Top Four New to Me Authors I Read in 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I've had a crazy busy year and haven't got nearly as much reading done as I'd like. So with limited reading time I wasn't as inclined to try out new authors. I did try these four and I absolutely loved Kara and Susan's books! Johnnie's and Rachelle's were very enjoyable too!

#1. Kara Issac

#2. Susan Anne Mason

#3. Johnnie Alexander

#4. Rachelle Dekker

Top Ten Books TBR on My Kindle

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

This week's topic was all about villains but since I'm not one to really focus on bad guys and I was having too hard of a time putting a list together. So I decided to instead list 10 of the books I have waiting on my kindle that I really want to read!


#1. Montana Fire Series by Susan May Warren

#2. The Gifting by K.E. Ganshert

#3. Miss Match by Erynn Mangum

#4. While You're Awake by Amber Stokes

#5. The Wedding Game by Amy Matayo

#6. Bloodline Trilogy by Jordyn Redwood

#7. Helsinki Sunrise by Marion Ueckermann

#8. When Love Calls by Lorna Seilstad

#9. Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander

#10. Accused by Janice Cantore

When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander

About the Book
An Unlikely Couple Struggles to Reconcile the Burdens of Their Past
Dani Prescott came to the children's hospital to spy on Brett Somers--so how did she end up on a date with him? Weeks earlier she'd seen an interview in which he blamed her mother for the plane crash that had killed his parents. But the crash had killed her mother as well, so Dani can't believe the story Brett's trying to sell to the media.
Vowing to find a way to discredit the privileged--and maddeningly handsome--Brett, Dani has been following him and taking photos, hoping to find something she can use against him. But when she catches his eye instead, she quickly finds herself offering up a fake name and agreeing to a date. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something--but he's got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is? Will Dani and Brett look beyond their own heartaches to discover a love that could heal their deepest pain?

Fresh, flirty, and fast-paced, When Love Arrives is an engaging story that will have readers falling in love with the characters as they navigate the tricky waters between romance and revenge.

My Thoughts
I have slightly conflicting opinions of this book. On one hand I really liked it, but on the other hand there were some things that didn't click right for me. Overall though it was a good read. The first book in this series was the first that I had read of this author and I enjoyed it enough to really want to read this sequel. Brett was a bit of the "bad guy" in book one so I was interested to see how the author would redeem him. I was actually a bit surprised that it took no time at all for me to like the man he was becoming whereas Dani was harder for me to warm up to. I think one of the main reasons was the fact that her whole plan to destroy Brett simply for saying something about her mother seemed way too far fetched for reality and honestly made her come off in a bad light. Despite that, she grew on me a bit and I was happy to see how the romance between her and Brett played out. The main focus of this book seemed to be on relationships and the interactions between the characters. Whether it was cousins who had buried past hurts and were getting closer, or siblings who weren't the best at communicating, or someone who'd been hurt by another person learning to forgive. It all connected to weave an enjoyable tale that was fun to read. I'll be interested to see where Amy's story takes us!

Meet the Author
Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides and Where She Belongs. Johnnie is an accomplished essayist and poet whose work has appeared in the Guideposts anthology A Cup of Christmas Cheer. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and taking road trips. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Waiting on Wednesday #219: When Love Arrives

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander
Revell-September 20, 2016

About the Book

An Unlikely Couple Struggles to Reconcile the Burdens of Their Past
Dani Prescott came to the children's hospital to spy on Brett Somers--so how did she end up on a date with him? Weeks earlier she'd seen an interview in which he blamed her mother for the plane crash that had killed his parents. But the crash had killed her mother as well, so Dani can't believe the story Brett's trying to sell to the media.
Vowing to find a way to discredit the privileged--and maddeningly handsome--Brett, Dani has been following him and taking photos, hoping to find something she can use against him. But when she catches his eye instead, she quickly finds herself offering up a fake name and agreeing to a date. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something--but he's got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is? Will Dani and Brett look beyond their own heartaches to discover a love that could heal their deepest pain?
Fresh, flirty, and fast-paced, When Love Arrives is an engaging story that will have readers falling in love with the characters as they navigate the tricky waters between romance and revenge.

Why I Want It

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved the first book in this series and I am excited to see what this story has in store for us!

Where She Belongs by Johnnie Alexander

About the Book
Shelby Kincaid is ready to move on from her grief. With high hopes for the future, she longs to purchase her family's ancestral homestead so she can raise her young daughters in the only place she ever truly belonged. She plans to transform the abandoned house into the perfect home of her memories. But she'll have her work cut out for her.
AJ Sullivan never wanted the homestead. Inherited as a punishment from his grandfather, it has sat empty for fifteen years and fallen into ruin. He's glad to finally unload it. But a clean break isn't possible when he can't get the young widow Shelby off his mind.

Welcome to Misty Willow, a place that will have as great a hold over the reader as it does over its inhabitants. With writing that evokes a strong sense of place and personal history, Johnnie Alexander deftly explores the ties that bind us to home--and the irresistible forces that draw us to each other.

My Thoughts
I have had this author's previous novel on my TBR list pretty much since it first came out but I just haven't gotten around to reading it. So when I had the opportunity to review this book I jumped at the chance (even though the plot didn't sound like my typical read) because I knew if I ended up loving her other book I would be kicking myself for passing up on this one.
Shelby and AJ where both great characters and despite a slightly rocky beginning they really fit well together. I really liked how AJ didn't let money change who he was or keep him from doing what he loved. And I loved how he was always trying to help and care for those around him. Also it was so cute how he interacted with Shelby's daughters. Shelby fiercely loved her girls and was determined to give them the happy memories she'd had from her childhood. She was a little stuck in the past but with good intentions and even though she was a little irrational at the very beginning she turned out to be pretty great and I loved watching her and AJ's relationship unfold.
Shelby's neighbors were all very kind and welcoming and I really liked their characters. AJ's cousins on the other hand where a different story. I didn't like Brett and Amy at all from the get go, though Brett did start to redeem himself as the book went on. I'm very interested to see how his story will play out in book two.
The plot was well done and kept me engaged the whole time. There was a slight mystery deeply hidden that really intrigued me and though it could have been woven throughout the book a little more the end was satisfying.
So all that to say, I enjoyed this book, I'm looking forward to book two, and if this sounds like your cup of tea then I highly suggest you check it out!

Meet the Author
Johnnie Alexander is the award-winning author of Where Treasure Hides. Johnnie is an accomplished essayist and poet whose work has appeared in the Guideposts anthology A Cup of Christmas Cheer. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with her grandchildren, and taking road trips. She lives near Memphis, Tennessee.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.