Fired Up Review

Dare Riker is a doctor who saves lives, but someone seems determined to end his. It may have something to do with the traitors he dealt with during the Civil War, or it might be related to the recent incident with Flint Greer and the ranch. Whoever the culprit is, he or she seems really fired up, and Dare can't let his guard down for a moment, which is a challenge, since right now he's trying to win the heart of the recently widowed Glynna.

Glynna Greer came west as a mail-order bride and ended up in a bad situation. Now her husband, Flint, is dead, and she's determined to care for her son and daughter on her own. She wants to believe Dare Riker is as decent as he seems, but she's terrified to lock herself into another marriage. She plans to support her small family by opening a diner--never mind that cooking is not her greatest talent. The men in Broken Wheel, Texas, are so desperate for home cooking that they seem willing to overlook dried-out beef and blackened biscuits.

Glynna can't help but notice that danger follows Dare wherever he goes. There's the avalanche. And then the fire. But things really get out of hand when someone plunges a knife from Glynna's diner into Dare's back. Are Flint's cronies still plotting revenge? Is Glynna's son engaged in a misguided attempt to protect his mother? Is a shadowy outsider still enraged over past injustices? And can Dare survive long enough to convince Glynna to take another chance on love?


Fired Up by Mary Connealy kept me up well into the night. I just couldn't seem to ever find a spot to convince myself to put it down so I could go to bed. There was never a pause in the action/romance/humor. Yes, it was a little predictable... But I still absolutely loved it! Connealy's hero as always was a perfect mix of handsome and gallant. *swoon* ;) And the introduction of a new character has me wishing for book number three in the Trouble in Texas series.

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack sure to fire up you taste buds. 

I got a free review copy of Fired Up from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review

Chasing Hope Review

A Touching Story of Two Unlikely Friends. 
The Power of Trust. 
The Struggle of Pain. 
And How, Sometimes, Following God Can Lead You to the Most Unexpected Places.
A talented runner determined to make the Olympics, Sabrina Rice had her dreams shattered by a devastating diagnosis. One forfeited scholarship and several years later, she's forged a new vision for her future that has nothing to do with running, which she's buried deep, intent on forgetting...

Until the day she sees Brandy Philip running across the college campus, easily outpacing security. Sabrina immediately recognizes world class potential, and it's all the more painful that it belongs to a troublemaking teen. When a chance encounter brings the two young women together, Sabrina realizes she's Brandy's best hope to salvage a life about to spiral out of control forever. 

Chasing Hope was an inspiring story by Kathryn Cushman. I had never read a book by this author before so I came in to it not know what exactly to expect. Maybe satisfaction or maybe disappointment. I got neither, definitely not disappointment and so much more then satisfaction, I was amazed by how much I connected with her writing.The characters and their struggles felt so real it was almost as if they were my own. Now I can't wait to read more by Kathryn Cushman! :)
5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that fulfills so much more then just your hunger for a good book.

Critical Pursuit Review

Officer Brinna Caruso has built a reputation at the precinct as the cop to call when a child goes missing. For Brinna, it’s personal because she was once one of them. Brinna and her K-9 search and rescue dog, Hero, will stop at nothing to find a missing child, no matter the stakes.

Detective Jack O’Reilly isn’t ready to return to his homicide duties, after losing his wife to a drunk driver. He’s on the downside of his career, and bent on revenge, when he’s assigned as Brinna’s partner. While on patrol, Jack struggles between his quest for personal justice and his responsibility to those around him, especially his partner.

Skeptical of Jack’s motives, Brinna isn’t sure she can rely on her new partner, whose reckless abandon endangers the safety of those around him. But when a man surfaces with an MO similar to the criminal who abducted Brinna twenty years earlier, Brinna and Jack must cast aside previous judgments and combine efforts to catch the kidnapper, and finally allow Brinna the peace stolen from her as a child.


Get ready everyone this is one action packed read you'll love!

Critical Pursuit by Janice Cantore was breathtaking! I loved every minute of every chapter. The characters as always were brought to life with Janice's writing. Just as I fell in love with her first heroine, Carly Edwards, I am now falling in love with Brinna Caruso. I can't wait for more! 

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that once your done you'll be asking for more. 

I received a copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for an honest review.

The Governess of Highland Hall Review

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Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help? 
 
Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey. 
 
Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith. 
 
While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?



The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky was a wonderful wonderful book. (Yes, I did mean to repeat myself. It was that good!) I enjoyed every minute I spent reading The Governess of Highland Hall. It was an intriguing, well written historical novel that I know many will love and want more of. I know I did! 

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack fit for a king. 

I was provided a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in return for my honest review.

Rules of Murder Review

Drew Farthering loves a good mystery, although he generally expects to find it in the pages of a novel, not on the grounds of his country estate. When a weekend party at Farthering Place is ruined by murder and the police seem flummoxed, Drew decides to look into the crime himself. With the help of his best friend, Nick Dennison, an avid mystery reader, and Madeline Parker, a beautiful and whip-smart American debutante staying as a guest, the three try to solve the mystery as a lark, using the methods from their favorite novels. Soon, financial irregularities at Drew’s stepfather’s company come to light and it’s clear that all who remain at Farthering Place could be in danger. Trying hard to remain one step ahead of the killer–and trying harder to impress Madeline–Drew must decide how far to take this game.

Rules of Murder is a wonderful debut book by Julianna Deering. I enjoyed the perfect, Agatha Christie style mystery a lot, but what really made me fall in love with Julianna’s book was the cast of characters she created. She took a young rich English playboy, a spunky American girl, and a best friend who is also the butler’s son, and made it blend together perfectly. Bring on the next Drew Farthering Mystery please!

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that was to die for.

I got a free review copy of Rules of Murder  from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

Aquifer Review

Only He Can Bring What They Needed to Survive.

In 2250, water is scarce, and those who control it control everything. And they’ll do anything to maintain their power – deceiving, dividing families, banning love ... even killing those who oppose them. But above all, they seek to control knowledge and communication – ensuring the truth that will bring their downfall will never be known. But one person verges on discovering it all. Sixteen-year-old Luca becomes the Deliverer, the only one allowed to contact the people called ‘Water Rats,’ who mine the essential water deep underground and bring it to the ‘Toppers’ who desperately need it above. But when he meets a Water Rat who captures his heart and leads him to secrets – secrets about a vast conspiracy, and about himself – the net around him tightens. Luca and those around him must uncover and share the truth needed to overthrow tyranny – even as they fight for their lives.

I absolutely loved this book! Aquifer by Jonathan Friesen was just what my summer needed. An engaging read that had me turning the pages faster and faster, wondering what was going to happen next.  The characters felt real and the futuristic setting was something I could believe. Aquifer is the second book I’ve read by Jonathan Friesen and has only endeared me to his writing more. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

                5 out of 5. This Afternoon Snack will keep me satisfied for a while. 

Faking Grace Review

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All she wants is a job. All she needs is religion. How hard can it be? 

Maizy Grace Stewart dreams of a career as an investigative journalist, but her last job ended in disaster when her compassion cost her employer a juicy headline. A part-time gig at a Nashville newspaper might be her big break. 

A second job at Steeple Side Christian Resources could help pay the bills, but Steeple Side only hires committed Christians. Maizy is sure she can fake it with her Five-Step Program to Authentic Christian Faith–a plan of action that includes changing her first name to Grace, buying Jesus-themed accessories, and learning “Christian Speak.” If only Jack Prentiss, Steeple Side’s managing editor and two-day-stubbled, blue-jean-wearing British hottie wasn’t determined to prove her a fraud. 

When Maizy’s boss at the newspaper decides that she should investigate–and expose–any skeletons in Steeple Side’s closet, she must decide whether to deliver the dirt and secure her career or lean on her newfound faith, change the direction of her life, and pray that her Steeple Side colleagues–and Jack–will show her grace.

Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh was a delightful story of love and grace. Its quirky characters and outside look at Christianity was fun and had me turning the pages until the very end. Following Maizy Grace Stewart’s 5-Step Program to Authentic Christian Faith was entertaining to say the least.  Maizy Grace’s initial look on what it takes to be a Christian and how she tried to fulfill what she thought were the expectations had me chuckling at times. Oh, the things she said and did! I highly recommend Faking Grace.

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that was quiet filling. 

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.