The Happy Camper Review

Home is the place to heal, right? At least, that's what Dillon Michaels is hoping as she leaves her disappointing career and nonstarter love life behind to help her grieving and aging grandfather on his small Oregon farm. The only problem? Her eccentric mother beat her there and has taken over Dillon's old room. After a few nights sleeping on a sagging sofa, Dillon is ready to give up, until she receives an unlikely gift--her grandfather's run-down vintage camp trailer, which she quickly resolves to restore with the help of Jordan Atwood, the handsome owner of the local hardware store.

But just when things are finally beginning to run smoothly, Dillon's noncommittal ex-boyfriend shows up with roses . . . and a ring.

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson is quick read and a very light-hearted story that is a great get-away from life, one that we might all need right about now. Dillon is a character who wasn't quite my cup of tea but I did enjoy the renovation of her cute little camper and her relationships with those that surrounded her. The Happy Camper is a fast paced story of romance and restoration and might be a good read for you if you're a fan of Hallmark style stories and country life. If you've never wanted to live the camper life after finishing this story you might change your mind!

 4 out of 5.

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

Out of the Embers Review

Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents' murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don't include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Out of the Embers was a wonderful way to start the new series, Mesquite Springs by Amanda Cabot. I really enjoyed the characters, main or otherwise in this story, especially Polly. That being said, I found Evelyn to be a wonderfully strong female character, who when faced with hardship does her best with the circumstances. I loved her entrepreneur spirit with how she was able to open her own restaurant, Polly's Place. With just a touch of mystery and suspense mixed in with the faith and romance, Out of the Ember is the perfect book to spend a day or two with.

5 out of 5.

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

Star of Persia Review

In an effort to complete a war his father had planned to win, King Xerxes calls every governor, satrap, and official in his vast kingdom to his palace in Susa to strategize and feast. When they finally leave, he decides on one more week of frivolity, which ends in the banishment of his favorite wife, something he never intended to do. But when he discovers Esther, Xerxes is sure he has a second chance at happiness.

In her wildest dreams, Esther could never have imagined that she would end up as queen of Persia. Yet she knows better than to become complacent. Another of Xerxes's wives is vying for position, and his closest advisor has a deep and dangerous grudge against Esther's adoptive father. Caught in the middle of palace politics, Esther will find herself in an impossible position: risk her life or consign her people to annihilation

Star of Persia by Jill Eileen Smith is a wonderful fiction retelling of Esther's story from the Bible.  I've read several fiction retelling of Esther before and while none of them disappointed me, I think this one took it a step farther to be different. Jill Eileen Smith stays true to the biblical account but digs deeper into the history surrounding this story. I love how she brought some new characters (or honestly historical figures) into play. Being a fan of Esther I never thought to look into other historical accounts about the people surrounding her. 

Again Star of Persia by Jill Eileen Smith is a wonderful book a I recommend it to all who love biblical retellings.

5 out of 5.

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

The Land Beneath Us Review

In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the US Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers' betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for--fulfilling the recurring dream of his death.

Leah Jones works as a librarian at Camp Forrest, longing to rise above her orphanage upbringing and belong to the community, even as she uses her spare time to search for her real family--the baby sisters she was separated from so long ago.

After Clay saves Leah's life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grow between them before Clay's recurring dream comes true?

The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin is a brilliant WWII novel with a message of grace and forgiveness beautifully weaved throughout the book. I thoroughly enjoyed watching both the characters of Leah and Clay grow as the story progressed. They both presented interesting points of view to the plot and the history of the war. As with her other books Sarah Sundin does a great job with her historical research and with how she includes it into her stories. I learned a lot about Rangers as well as WWII. 

5 out of 5.

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

The Roll of the Drums Review

Ruby Weaver's curly red hair isn't the only thing that sets her apart from her Amish community in 1863. Twenty-eight and single, Ruby doesn't believe a woman needs to be married in order to be happy. Her ailing friend Lovinia Fischer, however, has other ideas and wants Ruby to promise to marry her husband after she dies. Never imagining she'd have to fulfill that vow, Ruby agrees. And she's not the only one. Lovinia has extracted a similar promise from her husband, Gideon.

With both Ruby and Gideon reluctant to keep their promises, a compromise must be reached. Ruby will spend her days with Gideon's family--helping to raise the children and keep the house--but her nights will be spent at her sister's neighboring house. But this arrangement raises eyebrows in their conservative Amish community, and it soon becomes clear that Ruby must make a decision--marry Gideon or turn her back on her friend, the children she's grown to love . . . and their father.

The Roll of the Drums by Jan Drexler is such a sweet story. This Amish romance is set in the civil war and finds these two characters struggling with not only feelings and faith, but fear of a not so distant war. You could tell a lot of research and knowledge went into the creation of The Roll of the Drums and the twists and turns in this story take you on a journey. If you are a fan of Amish or historical fiction be sure to pick up this book as well as the first in this series. 

5 out of 5. 

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

Always Look Twice Review

At the advice of her therapist, homicide survivor Harper Reynolds has traded her job as a crime scene photographer for a more peaceful life taking photographs of the natural world. But her hopes for a life surrounded by the serenity of the outdoors are dashed when she inadvertently captures a murder being committed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She flees the scene in fear--and loses the camera.

Former Green Beret Heath McKade is a reserve deputy in an understaffed county who has been called in to protect Harper, a childhood friend he is surprised to see back in the area. When Harper learns that the sheriff's department can't find any evidence of the murder she witnessed, she is determined to do what she can to see that justice is done. What neither Harper nor Heath could know is how many explosive secrets from the past will be exposed--or how deeply they will fall for each other.

Always Look Twice by Elizabeth Goddard is the second book in the Uncommon Justice series. if your looking for a thrilling mystery to escape into for awhile this is the book for you. Harper and Health are both interesting characters and the adventure they have in this story is full of twists and turns even the most avid mystery reader wont see coming. While this book is the second in its series it can be read on its own. I missed the first one, but now I cant wait to go read it! 

 5 out of 5.

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

Dark Ambitions Review

Former Army Night Stalker Rick Jordan usually has his camp for foster children to himself during the winter months. But someone has visited recently--leaving a trail of blood. One of the two clues left behind tips Rick off to the identity of his visitor, who soon turns up dead. The police deem it an accident, but Rick isn't convinced. With the help of private investigator Heather Shields, he sets out to decipher the remaining clue. Except someone doesn't want them to succeed--and will stop at nothing to keep them from finding the truth.

Dark Ambitions by Irene Hannon is the third book in her Code of Honor series and a thrilling suspense read. Old and new characters combine to create a compelling mystery, that has to have become one of my favorites by Hannon. Full of shocking twists and turns Dark Ambitions will keep you on the balls of your feet from beginning to end. If you are a fan of Irene Hannon or just a suspense novel lover in general you will be sure to enjoy this book. 

5 out of 5.

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