Now and Forever Review

Saddle up for romance and adventure with the Wilde sisters!
Shannon Wilde is the middle sister--and the one who loves animals. She's established her own homestead and is raising sheep for their wool. Things are going fine...until Shannon gets swept over a cliff by Matthew Tucker!

Tucker seizes every opportunity to get away from civilization, but one particular walk in the woods ends with him sprinting away from an angry grizzly and plunging into a raging river, accidentally taking Shannon Wilde with him. Their adventure in the wilderness results in the solitary mountain man finding himself hitched to a young woman with a passel of relatives, a homestead, and a flock of sheep to care for.

As Tucker and Shannon learn to live with each other, strange things begin to happen on Shannon's land. Someone clearly wants to drive her off, but whoever it is apparently didn't count on Tucker. Trying to scare Matthew Tucker just makes him mad--and trying to hurt the woman he's falling in love with sets off something even he never expected.

Now and Forever by Mary Connealy was the amazing second book in her latest series Wild at Heart. I loved this book so much! But that should be no surprise because I love all of Mary's books! I have yet to read one that has left me disappointed! Her books always make me laugh and are a great pick me up. Great characters and great writing make for a great read. Shannon is a character that I think everyone will fall in love with immediately, as well as Tucker. Shannon's a tough heroine that doesn't just stand off to the side and swoon as the men take care of things. No, she gets right in there and helps save the day. Super fun read that you must start as soon as you can!

5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that I'm sure you'll love now and forever!

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

The Innocent Review

She longs for peace--for her land and her heart--but can it truly be found at Harmony Hill?
Carlyn Kearney has spent two lonely years not knowing whether to mourn or to hope after she receives word from the Union Army that her husband is missing. When the war ends without further word, Carlyn finds herself penniless, in debt, and forced from her home. With nowhere else to go, she seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill.

The Shakers profess peace through simple living, but to Carlyn, the Shaker life seems anything but simple. When mysterious deaths disturb the peace of the village, Carlyn falls under intense scrutiny. Can a kind sheriff help her expose the true culprit?

The Innocent by Ann H. Gabhart was a book that I enjoyed immensely. I liked both of the main characters, Carlyn and Mitchell, and their story. This is the first book I have ever read about the Shaker community and I found it to be very informative. This is also the first time I have read a book by Ann and I now look forward to reading more of her writing. I'm pretty sure I have one of her books in my tbr kindle pile (which is way to big). I have a vacation coming soon though and I think I have one of the books that will be coming with me. :)

5 out of 5. A delightful Afternoon Snack.

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

Blessing Review

An impetuous love swept Blessing Brightman away from the Quaker community, into the highest ranks of Cincinnati society. But behind the glitter of ballroom and parlor, her spirit slowly eroded in an increasingly dangerous marriage. Widowed young, determined never to lose her independence again, Blessing reclaimed her faith and vowed to use her influence to fight for women’s rights and abolition.

Gerard Ramsay, scion of a wealthy Boston family, arrives in Cincinnati hoping to escape his father’s clutches with a strategy that will gain him independence. His plan is soon complicated, however, by the enchanting widow. Never before has a woman spoken as if she’s his equal―or challenged him to consider the lives of others.

In a city nearly ablaze with racial tensions quickly dividing the country, can two people worlds apart possibly find common ground?

Blessing is the second book in Lyn Cote's Quaker Bride series. I really enjoyed Blessings character but I have to be honest, it took me awhile to warm up to Gerard's character. It wasn't until close to the very end that I started to like him. After having finished this book I now like the pairing and felt that this book had a good ending, but while reading it I just kept waiting for Gerard's to become someone that I felt Blessing deserved. It did happen but I just wish it had happened a little sooner. Other than that I really enjoyed Blessing and can't wait to get to know her sister! (The next book if I'm not mistaken) 

4.5 out of 5. 

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

Summer by Summer Review

When Summer took a job as a nanny for a couple vacationing in Belize, she imagined it would be a fresh start before starting college in the fall. And while she adores her charge, Josh, she can't say the same for her employers' oldest son, Bray. He's cocky, inconsiderate, and makes her feel she's a chore he has to put up with. In short, he's everything she dislikes in a guy.

Bray had a plan for the summer: party, hang out with friends, and forget all the responsibilities waiting for him back home. But every time he's forced to be around Summer, her dour, serious mood sets him off. Not to mention she has a habit of picking up on what he already knows is wrong with him.

Then the two find themselves on a dive trip gone wrong, stranded on a remote island. As they focus on survival, their differences melt away, and they find being together may be what both needed all along.

Okay so hopefully by now you know that I really don't like to write negative reviews. But sometimes it can't be helped. I really wanted to love this book, it had a lot of promise but there was also a lot that I didn't like. First, there was the famous YA cliche, Summer went from a kinda mousy, modest dressing girl to a head turning, high lighted, bikini wearing, model almost a few chapters in. After that Bray went right from despising Summer to being super attracted to her. I barely ever felt the dislike between them that the back cover talks about. There was the first meeting and instant dislike then the next day they were attracted to each other. Second I felt their whole relationship was based on physical attraction.  Bray couldn't stop thinking about Summers beauty.  And the same goes for Summers thoughts on Bray. In the matter of about a month I think they went from despising each other (for about one day) to being physically drawn to each other to being in love. It happened way to fast, nothing of substance got to grow between them in my opinion. Also we never find out anything about Brays beliefs. Just that before he met Summer he was a party boy who loved hooking up with hot party girls. After meeting Summer he seemed all to willing to wait for her but not because of any conviction on his part. Anything faith related seemed to come from Summer. From what I saw it seems like Summer is what us Christians call un-equally yoked. As I said before this book had a lot of promise. I really could see it becoming a favorite if there had been more depth to their relationship, if Summer hadn't gone through a make-over in like the third chapter, and if I could have seen any real signs of faith in Bray. I really loved the premise I read on the back cover but I don't feel like I got that book. 

2 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that I felt could have been so much better.

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

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.