Once Upon a Summertime Review

She's looking for her big break. She never imagined it would depend on a blast from her past.
Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it's a safe choice for a young woman starting out her career.

Then, out of the blue, she gets the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to reinvent herself and reinvigorate her career by moving to New York City. She applies for a management position at a stylish new hotel, The Rothsberg. But the city is full of surprises--not the least of which is discovering that Sean O'Neil, a once-upon-a-time crush, has applied for the very same position. 

Once Upon a Summertime by Melody Carlson was a sweet summertime read that is perfect to take on your vacation this summer. It was a real quick read with some very likable characters. There were some parts where I found my mind start to wonder and get distracted but for the most part I really loved the sweet predictable romance that Melody created in Once Upon a Summertime. Be sure to grab this book and pack it with you for your next vacation read! 

4.5 out of 5. A satisfying summer Afternoon Snack.

  I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Love's Rescue Review

Can a girl enamored with the adventurous seas ever be content with the tame life of a Southern belle? 

When her mother dies, Elizabeth Benjamin heads home to Key West, determined to transform herself into the perfect Southern belle her parents always wished her to be. But nothing goes according to plan. Her brother resents her, the servants do not obey her, and Rourke O'Malley, the dashing man she vowed to forget, refuses to relinquish his hold on her heart. Worst of all, it becomes painfully obvious that her father is not the man he appears to be.

As family secrets come to light, Elizabeth is faced with a difficult choice: to perform her duty and abandon her dreams, or to leave her life of privilege behind to chase the man her father sees as little better than a pirate.

Love's Rescue by Christine Johnson was an amazing read. I instantly fell in love with Rourke and I think that so will you. He is every bit the dashing hero that everyone loves to love. Elizabeth was also a character that I loved, she went through a lot but in the end we get that happy ending we all love and come to expect with romance books. And while Love's Rescue was a wonderful romance it also had a great suspense aspect. I was constantly on the edge of my seat. This was the first of Christines books that I have read and I have to say not the last!

5 out of 5. A great Afternoon Snack!

 I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Taken Review

An investigator who knows tragic loss firsthand, 

and his new client, missing far too long...

Abducted at the age of sixteen and coerced into assisting the Jacoby crime family, Shannon Bliss has finally found a way out. She desperately wants to resume some semblance of normal life, but she also knows she has some unfinished business to attend to. She might have enough evidence to put her captors behind bars for a very long time. 

When Shannon contacts private investigator Matthew Dane, a former cop, to help her navigate her reentry into society, he quickly discovers that gaining her freedom doesn't mean her troubles are over. If the Jacoby family learns she is still alive, they'll stop at nothing to silence her.

If justice is to be done, and if Shannon's life is ever to get on track again, Matthew will need to discover exactly what happened to her--even if it means stirring up a hornet's nest of secrets.

Taken by Dee Henderson was another win in my book for her. I may be a little biased because since the first book of hers I read (Danger in the Shadows) I have been in love with her amazing suspense and mystery writing skills. Taken is no different in that I loved every minute of it! I loved this new psychological thriller of hers and these new characters and some old ones too! That was a welcome surprise! I thought that Matthew Dane was a great hero, I  loved his character and the chemistry that he and Shannon had together. If you loved all of Dee's other books then your sure to love this one.  

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that will not disappoint!

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

As Love Blooms Review

Young romance opens like a rose . . . but even a rose has its thorns.

Tessa Gregory is nothing if not tenacious. Denied a position as a horticulturist at prestigious Como Park in Saint Paul, Minnesota, she is not above a little benevolent deception in order to get the park superintendent to change his mind and hire her. She plans to infiltrate the world of wealthy and influential people in hopes of drumming up financial support for a world-class conservatory. But before she can put those plans into action, she meets Reese King, a handsome gardener at Como Park--and a major distraction. Still, Reese might be the key to achieving her dream. But is his goal to help her . . . or to capture her heart?

As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad was a great fun to read. I loved the character of Tessa, she's sweet and sassy! My kind of main character. She's has to be one of my favorites. Very fun to get to know and read about. Also Reese is a top notch hero. I loved his determination to be somebody. I thoroughly enjoyed As Love Blooms and wish that the book hadn't ended. If your looking for an amazing historical read with some women's suffrage then As Love Blooms is the book for you. You won't regret reading it!

5 out of 5. A sweet Afternoon Snack.

 I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

No Place to Hide Review

She'll defend her friend until the bitter end--but is she in over her head?

It's not every day you see your childhood friend and one-time crush on national news. Jackie Sellers just wishes it were under different circumstances. She can't believe that Ian Lockwood is wanted in connection with a terrorist plot, and she's determined to find him and help him clear his name. But she's not the only one looking. The FBI wants him captured. The bad guys want him dead. Ian just wants to stay alive long enough to save thousands of innocent lives.

No Place to Hide by Lynette Esason does not disappoint in the least! Every minute I spent reading the book was filled with action and suspense. No Place to Hide is the third book in the Hidden Identity series and one you won't want to miss! I always love a good suspense novel and this one is just that. I had a hard time ever finding a place to set the book down so that I could get stuff done. I fell quickly in love with the characters and I thought that the plot was amazing. You must read this book. Now!  

5 out of 5. This Afternoon Snack is a must have!

 I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

A Faith of Her Own Review

Jeremiah thought leaving Middlefield was the hardest thing he'd ever do. That was nothing compared to returning home.

When Jeremiah left his Amish community to pursue his dream of becoming a veterinarian, he left more than just his faith behind-he walked away from his family and his childhood friend, Anna Mae. Now that he's returned to help out his mentor and work in a Yankee veterinarian practice, Jeremiah must face his past-and the people he betrayed.

Anna Mae had finally put the loss of Jeremiah and the broken vow between them behind her. Even though she supported her best friend's pursuit of his dream, she never let on how his departure left her questioning her own place in the Amish world. With his return, new questions arise, along with feelings she'd never fully acknowledged before.

As their rekindled friendship begins to turn into something more, Jeremiah and Anna Mae must examine their own faith and their relationship with each other and their families. With both of them torn between loyalty to their loved ones and being pulled in different directions, they must decide whether to heed God's call, even if it means being apart forever.

A Faith of Her Own by Kathleen Fuller was one of the best Amish novels I have read in a while. I loved the sweet story that Kathleen masterly crafted. Jeremiah and Anna Mae were characters that really seemed to come to life for me. I have to admit that until about a year ago Amish stories were not my cup of tea but lately I have been finding several authors who have really got me hooked and Kathleen is now one of them. A Faith of Her Own is a beautifully written story about faith and God's plan. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

5 out of 5. An delightful Afternoon Snack.

I received a copy of this book from BookLook in exchange for my honest review.

From the Start Review

Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley. 

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?

From the Start by Melissa Tagg was such a joy to read.  I adored every minute I got to spend with these characters and I can't wait to spend even more time with them in the future books of this series. I felt Kates uncertainty about her future and loved seeing her get to grow from that by seeking God's plan. I also loved Colton, I mean it would be hard not to! He is an amazingly written character and totally swoon-worthy! From the Start is a great christian romance with characters that are sure to quickly find their way into your heart. 

5 out of 5. One of my favorite Afternoon Snacks! 

I got a free review copy of From the Start from Bethany House Publishers in return for my honest review.

Also check out this giveaway from Melissa Tagg!