The Hearts We Mend Review

Planning and Post-It notes are the epitome of Evie’s life. But when she meets Jack, her life gets more than a little complicated.

Thirteen years ago, Evie's firefighter husband was killed in the line of duty, leaving her to raise their young son, Cody, alone. Now, Cody is marrying the love of his life, and as he packs up his belongings, the house feels as empty as Evie's heart. But for all her planning and mad organizational skills, Evie could never have anticipated the dramatic shift her life is about to make.

Tattooed, rough-around-the-edges Jack raises quite a few eyebrows in the tight-knit community of Banister Falls. Where Evie's life is stream-lined, Jack's approach to living is moment-by-moment. But as Evie gets drawn into Jack's world—a world that isn't as safe or predictable as the one she's worked so hard to create—he challenges her to open her eyes to the problems outside the walls of the church.  

Jack doesn't make Evie feel comfortable, but he definitely makes her feel something. Something she hasn't felt since Max passed away—or, maybe ever. Because even though Jack isn't anything like her late husband, he just might be everything she needs.

The Hearts We Mend by Kathryn Springer was a super sweet read. Its characters are real and easy to fall in love with. At least I fell in love quick! Evie and Jack's story is one that I enjoyed so much reading. It's so realistic with all of its messy circumstances and the journeys that come with them. After reading this book I realized that this is a second book in the Banister Falls series, but reading the first book isn't required to enjoy The Hearts We Mend. (I just like to do things backwards so now its time for me to read The Dandelion Field!)

5 out of 5. An wonderful Afternoon Snack.

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

Playing the Part Review

Lucetta Plum is an actress on the rise in New York City, but is forced to abandon her starring role when a fan's interest turns threatening. Lucetta's widowed friend, Abigail Hart, is delighted at the opportunity to meddle in Lucetta's life and promptly whisks her away to her grandson's estate to hide out. 

Bram Haverstein may appear to simply be a somewhat eccentric gentleman of means, but a mysterious career and a secret fascination with a certain actress mean there's much more to him than society knows. 

Lucetta, who has no interest in Abigail's matchmaking machinations, has the best intentions of remaining cordial but coolly distant to Bram. But when she can't ignore the strange and mysterious things going on in his house, it'll take more than good intentions to keep her from trying to discover who Bram is behind the part he plays.

Playing the Part by Jen Turano was a great conclusion to her latest series A Class of Their Own. Lucetta Plum is a great character and it's great finally getting to read her love story. Bram is also a very fun character to follow around. I mean the first time Bram and Lucetta meet Bram's wearing an eye patch for no apparent reason at all! Who wouldn't be intrigued by that? Playing the Part is a wonderfully humorous story filled to the brim with mystery and romance. If you've ever read any books by Jen than you can look forward to the same wild ride you get with any of her books! Pick up Playing the Part, you won't be disappointed!

5 out of 5. A playful Afternoon Snack!

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

A Fool and His Monet Review

Sketchy politics and a palette of lies can't stop Serena Jones from exposing the mastermind behind the daring theft of a priceless work of art.

Serena Jones has a passion for recovering lost and stolen art--one that's surpassed only by her zeal to uncover the truth about the art thief who murdered her grandfather. She's joined the FBI Art Crime Team with the secret hope that one of her cases will lead to his killer. Now, despite her mother's pleas to do something safer--like get married--Serena's learning how to go undercover to catch thieves and black market traders.

When a local museum discovers an irreplaceable Monet missing, Jones leaps into action. The clues point in different directions, and her boss orders her to cease investigating her most promising suspect. But determined to solve the case and perhaps discover another clue in her grandfather's murder, she pushes ahead, regardless of the danger.

A Fool and His Monet is the first book in the Serena Jones Mysteries series and definitely a new favorite of mine.  I instantly fell in love with Serena and her compelling personality.  A Fool and His Monet (love this title!) is for sure my favorite of Sandra Orchard book to date. I love Serena's Aunt Martha and can't wait to see what kind of trouble she gets into next time. This book has a great pace that makes you want to continue turning it's pages until late into the night. 

5 out of 5. This Afternoon Snack was a piece of art.

TEAM TANNER!! 

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

A Sweet Misfortune Review

Rachel Matthews isn't one to rely on others to take care of her. Homeless and alone, she still wants to make her own way and her own money to buy back the family ranch--even if she's forced into the life of a dance hall girl. Horrified by her circumstances, Rachel's brother, who is away mining for gold, sends a friend to rescue her.

Cattle baron John McIntyre is focused on acquiring as much land as possible in Montana and has little time to deal with a dance hall gal. Rachel isn't sure she can take one more day in John's home--especially once she discovers that he's the one who holds ransom the key to her family's future.

A Sweet Misfortune is another wonderful book by Maggie Brendan and the second book in the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series. I have to say I enjoyed it more than the first book in the series, The Trouble with Patience. I think the timing was better and the story kept my attention.  The characters were really easy to connect with and it was fun to watch them interact with each other. A wonderfully written old west romance that you are sure to love.

5 out of 5. A sweet Afternoon Snack.

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

Always Watching Review

Intensity. Skill. Tenacity. The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all. When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians to protect his son. But when Wade's bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap.  Olivia's skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade's stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him--including Olivia. But in her mind, even more dangerous than the threats to her life is the hold her handsome client has on her heart. Always Watching is the first book in the Elite Guardians series by Lynette Eason was an amazing read. I loved every second of it. The plot was constantly twisting and kept me on the  edge of my seat wanting to see how the story ended.  The characters were all enjoyable and I enjoyed every suspenseful minute I spent in this story.  Lynette Eason is a great author and I can't wait for the next book in this series.  5 out of 5. An Afternoon Snack that is so worth it. I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Beyond the Silence Review

Lillian Porter has always wanted to fulfill her mother's dream of going west, so when she hears about a nanny position in Angels Camp, California, she defies her grandfather and takes a chance on a new future. But she quickly wonders if she made the right choice. There are rumors in town that her new employer, Woodward Colton, caused the death of his wife. This accusation doesn't match the man Lillian comes to know--and Mrs. Goodman, Woody's long-time housekeeper, is decisively on Woody's side--but many in town stay far away from Lillian because of her association with the Colton family.

Lillian's six-year-old charge, Jimmy, was there when his mother died, and he hasn't spoken a word since. Gently, Lillian tries to coax him out of his shell, hoping he'll one day feel safe enough to tell her the truth about what happened. But the Colton olive farm is no longer a safe place. Lillian encounters suspicious characters on their land and mysterious damage done to the farm. Will Mrs. Goodman and Jimmy be able to speak what they know in time to save Lillian from tragedy?

Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse was a beautifully written story. I really enjoyed the suspense that was weaved into this historical romance. Lillian and Woody were both great characters that are easy to feel for. Woody and his son Jimmy have seen some difficult times and the way Lillian comes in and helps really pulls on your heart strings. Beyond the Silence is a perfect blend of Tracie Peterson's historical romance and Kimberley Woodhouse's mystery/suspense and I hope to see more of their collaborations in the future. 

5 out 5. An Afternoon Snack that was beyond great.

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

Hannah's Choice Review

Hannah Yoder loves her quiet life on the banks of the Conestoga Creek. In 1842, this corner of Lancaster County is settled and peaceful--yet problems lurk beneath the placid façade. Hannah's father worries about the spread of liberal ideas from their Mennonite and Brethren neighbors. And Hannah blames herself for a tragedy that struck their home nine years ago. She strives to be the one person who can bind the threads of her family together in spite of her mother's ongoing depression and her sister's rejection of their family. But her world is threatening to unravel.

When two young men seek her hand in marriage--one offering the home she craves and the other promising the adventure of following God's call west--Hannah must make a choice. Faithfully perform her duties to her family? Or defy her father and abandon her community?

Hannah's Choice by Jan Drexler was a really engaging read! I have to say I normally hate love triangles because in most of the books I've read that have them there's always a clear couple and the other person who's just there to make thing complicated. In Hannah Choice I honestly couldn't tell who would be the couple in the end. I mean, I had my favorite choice but I had no idea which one the authors choice was. Hannah's Choice is definitely a book you should pick up. Great characters that pull you in and a story line that's not as predictable as you might think. 

5 out of 5. A lovely Afternoon Snack. 

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