Carol Moncado

To Die For, is the story of Meg Wyatt, pledged forever as the best friend to Anne Boleyn since their childhoods on neighboring manors in Kent. When Anne’s star begins to ascend, of course she takes her best friend Meg along for the ride. Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling at first, but as Anne’s favor rises and falls, so does Meg’s. And though she’s pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what the test, Meg just might lose her greatest love—and her own life—because of it. 

Meg’s childhood flirtation with a boy on a neighboring estate turns to true love early on. When he is called to follow the Lord and be a priest she turns her back on both the man and his God. Slowly, though, both woo her back through the heady times of the English reformation. In the midst of it, Meg finds her place in history, her own calling to the Lord that she must follow, too, with consequences of her own. Each character in the book is tested to figure out what love really means, and what, in this life, is worth dying for.

Though much of Meg’s story is fictionalized, it is drawn from known facts. The Wyatt family and the Boleyn family were neighbors and friends, and perhaps even distant cousins. Meg’s brother, Thomas Wyatt, wooed Anne Boleyn and ultimately came very close to the axe blade for it. Two Wyatt sisters attended Anne at her death, and at her death, she gave one of them her jeweled prayer book—Meg.

I’ve had this book and the one following, The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr, sitting in my TBR stack for a long time – I mean – check out those covers! I offered to review the third in the series, Roses Have Thorns: A Novel of Elizabeth I, knowing it would mean I’d have to read the first two ;). Look for reviews of the other two coming soon.

Sandra sucked me into the world of England, in a time period I don’t think I’ve ever read before. Romance and intrigue. Treason and loyalty. Faith and fear. All come together as she weaves a masterful tale surrounding one of Henry VIII’s wives – one who ultimately lost her head*. Literally.

Meg spends her life in service to Anne, doing her best to keep her dear friend safe from those who would do her harm. Anne leads the charge – as much as a woman with the ear of the king can – away from Catholicism and into a reformation that, eventually, leads to others separating from the Catholic Church [and the Church of England] and into denominations as we know them today. She is instrumental in seeing the Holy Writ translated into English so everyone can read it, not just the priests.

Though I already knew the outcome, the romantic in me loved the relationship between Anne and Henry, until it started to devolve, of course. My heart broke for Meg. Deep inside, she wanted nothing more than to be free to love Will Ogilvy – her childhood sweetheart and only love. Will has become a priest and Meg serves Anne and has no dowry, leaving their love as secondary to their other pursuits, no matter how much they might have wished otherwise.

Despite all the mayhem and death, beheadings, seemingly false accusations of adultery and treason, Sandra manages to give something of a happy ending in a way that very pleasantly surprised me, but I won’t spoil it here :D.

Reading The Secret Keeper has already commenced and will be reviewed shortly – and after that Roses Have Thorns, the story of Elizabeth I – daughter of Anne and Henry. I only hope Meg makes an appearance or two :).

Overall rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars

*The story is based on a true one, so no need for a spoiler alert there ;).

Winsome and Romantic–the Perfect Summer Read!

When Meg Cole’s father dies unexpectedly, she becomes the majority shareholder of his oil company and the single inheritor of his fortune. Though Meg is soft-spoken and tenderhearted–more interested in art than in oil–she’s forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of her father’s empire.

The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father’s thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo’s determined to resent the woman who’s decided to rob him of his dream. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them–her wealth, his unworthiness, her family’s outrage–and earn the right to love her.

But just when Meg begins to realize that Bo might be the one thing on the ranch worth keeping, their fragile bond is viciously broken by a force from Meg’s past. Can their love–and their belief that God can work through every circumstance–survive?

It’s no secret that I absolutely loved Becky’s debut novel, My Stubborn Heart. If you haven’t read it, you should. It was one of my top five books last year – it’s too hard to decide which is number one ;). And hey – you can get it for $5.60 on Amazon right now :). Her sophomore effort doesn’t disappoint. One of the things I told her on Facebook:

I have four more words for you.

Not nearly long enough.

That is all.

Plus Jake best get a story. If he doesn’t for realz, I’ll hunt you down in Indy and have you make one up over lunch.

Meg and Bo are FABULOUS! Undeniably Yours jumped to the top of my reading pile when it arrived, because I absolutely could not wait. Bo is one of those heroes you sigh happily over and wish you could write as well [at least, if you’re a writer like I am]. Meg is a wonderful heroine, scarred and scared, wanting only to make her late father proud but feeling completely over her head.

Plus Bo is a cowboy. What more do you need?

The romance is wonderful. The writing better – drawing the reader into the story world and making her [or me anyway ;)] wish it would last forever. The upside of the ending [if there is such a thing], there’s at least two more books in this series with the stories of Bo’s brothers. The down side? As always, the time between books :(.

Don’t start Undeniably Yours unless you have time to finish – you won’t want to put it down! I know I didn’t – and I can’t wait to reread it!

Overall rating: 9.75 out of 10 stars

Thanks to Becky and her publisher for an influencer copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

In Always the Baker, Never the Bride, readers fell in love with Emma Rae and Jackson, and they’ve gotten more acquainted with them in the two books that followed. 

But now it’s time for the diamond to meet the road as Jackson fields an offer to sell The Tanglewood, a move that will uproot this high-flying family act once and for all. Get reacquainted with all of the lovable and quirky characters from the first three books as your favorite diabetic baker figures out if she’ll achieve her greatest goal of all: Will Emma, at last, become FINALLY the Bride?

 

 

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Emma Rae Creations series! I do wish I would have gone back to reread the other three before starting this one [that whole “horrible with names” thing], but it wasn’t long before it all came flooding back to me – in a good way ;). If you haven’t read the first three, I don’t think it’s necessary, but I do think it would be very beneficial.

Jackson has an offer to buy Tanglewood. He and Emma, as they finalize plans for their wedding, try to decide what to do – what is best not only for them, but also for everyone else at Tanglewood who are family – literally or figuratively.

But between new babies, Emma’s health, and the pressure of trying to create the perfect cake for their wedding, it’s all too much.

Sandy does a wonderful job of pulling us back into the Tanglewood world and leaving us wishing it was real. We’re staying in the area next month and I so wish we could stay there!

And Hildie – I LOVE Hidlie! Oh how I wish we’d get to see more of her!

A wonderful final installment of the Emma Rae series, and a wonderful read besides! One thing I love? I’ve already got an advance copy of Sandra’s next offering waiting to be read :D.

Overall rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.

Five years ago, Keelyn Blake’s armed, mentally ill stepfather took her family hostage in their house in rural Colorado. She and her half-sister Raven made it out alive, but others did not. Authorities blamed the father’s frequent hallucinations about a being named Lucent, but in the end, even the best of the FBI’s hostage negotiators failed to overcome the man’s delusions and end the standoff peacefully.

Now, Lucent is back, and he’s no hallucination. In fact, he is a very real person with dangerous motives. He has kidnapped Raven’s daughter, and–Keelyn worries–maybe has hurt Raven as well. Though she is estranged from her sister, Keelyn feels the immediate need to find Raven and save what family she has left. But when others who were involved in that fateful day start dying, some by mysterious circumstances, Keelyn wonders if she can emerge unscathed a second time.

Can I say how much I LOVE the covers of Jordyn’s books? So much cover-love out there these days! [I have three more book reviews to write today – one of the covers is good – I like it a lot, but the other two? LOVE them!]

Poison picks up about five years after Proof leaves off. If you’ve read Proof, I’d recommend a quick reread or scan of reviews/synopses just to remind yourself of who is who, but if you haven’t you’ll be just fine. I have a hard time remembering names in real life and in fiction and then find myself going, “who is that again?” instead of just reading, so a reread would have been a good plan.

Keelyn is still scarred from the day her step-father killed her mother and most of the rest of her family. Only two escaped – Keelyn and Raven. She tried to get custody of her younger sister, but young and without good income, it simply wasn’t possible. Now, Raven’s daughter has been found abandoned outside the restaurant where Keelyn and her fiance, Lee, are having lunch – and her step-father’s psychiatrist dead in the front seat.

Keelyn and Lee must work together – along with Nate and Lilly from Proof – to figure out who’s killing all the people involved in that fateful day. Other police officers (Lee was on the scene and Nate was the FBI negotiator) are dying. Doctors. Psychiatrists. Is Lee next? Keelyn? Is Raven safe? And what about the man claiming to be Lucent – the supposed hallucination that “forced” him to kill his family?

It’s a race against time when people start dying and the threats get closer and closer to Keelyn and her niece, Sophia – and to Lee and Nate. Can they figure it all out in time? And can Keelyn and Lee’s relationship stand the tests – and the secrets – coming their way?

Once again, Jordyn hits it out of the park. A fast paced thrill ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat from page one until the resolution at the end. Don’t read this at night for two reasons – random noises in the yard will make you jump as you’re immersed in the story world and you’ll be up way too late.

Book three, sadly the last book in this series, is too far away.

Overall rating: 8.75 out of 10 stars

Thanks to Jordyn and the publisher for an influencer copy in exchange for my review.

NOTE: AS OF 4/23 – STRAND OF DECEPTION IS 1.99 ON KINDLE!!!!!!!!! No idea how long it will last so double check before clicking buy!!

When Gina Ford, the daughter of a prominent Tennessee politician, goes missing from the University of Memphis a week after another girl was murdered on the same campus, police call in the FBI. Nick Hagar, married to his job as Special Agent in Charge, is assigned to the case, and when Gina’s body is found, her father demands justice.

Maddie Baxter is the forensic expert running DNA tests from the crime scene. When they come back without a match, Nick asks her to do a familial DNA run that yields a shocking result: the prime suspect is Adam Alexander, the very same guy who broke Maddie’s heart when she was in college.

But do scientific advancements tell the whole story? Strand of Deception offers romance, suspense, and a lively debate about the impact of DNA testing, for better or worse, on the United States justice system.

The third in Robin’s Justice Seekers series brings closure to the third Baxter sibling. You do not need to have read the first two in order to enjoy this one, but I recommend it anyway ;). Reviews can be found on this site.

It’s a page turning [or right arrow pushing] novel, hooking you from the opening page until the last waffy sigh. With twists and turns worthy of a good NCIS episode [or maybe Castle is more appropriate?], I was kept guessing the whole time. The person who did it was on my radar, then off, then on, then off. And I don’t think I ever guessed the truth – something I’m usually pretty good at.

I loved Maddie and Nick and wished we’d get to see them again in the future, but as this is the last of the series, that’s unlikely. :/

The main plot revolving around the death of Gina Ford is a great one, but just as good is the subplot about a man Maddie helps set free when the evidence simply isn’t there to uphold his conviction*.

I know Robin is working on some other projects, but I look forward to another romantic suspense!

Overall rating: 8.75 out of 10 stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.

*Random aside: It made me think of the Ryan Ferguson case and wonder when he might finally get to go free since there’s no physical evidence he was there…

In 1882, Sarah Whittier dreams of opening an art studio run by immigrant women. She plans to use the house left to her by family friend Josiah Cady as collateral for her studio. But will all be lost when the inheritance is challenged by an angry man claiming to be Josiah’s son and legal heir? Rumor of gold nuggets hidden in the house, place Sarah’s life in danger. Her future uncertain and her safety threatened, Sarah has nowhere to turn. That is, unless she can soften a vengeful man’s heart–and they both learn that love is finer than any gold.

 

 

 

Ms. Herriman’s sophomore effort is every bit as good as her first. In fact, it’s a bit more my speed as it’s set in the US rather than the British Isles. I thoroughly enjoyed Irish Healer, but I loved the foray into San Francisco.

Both Sarah and Daniel have reason to distrust each other and to stay as far away from each other as possible. Rumors of treasure left by Josiah – Daniel’s long-absent father and Sarah’s employer/father figure – brings out the worst in many people, including the two of them from time to time.

A brilliant cast of characters comes to life as the streets of San Francisco become the backdrop to a love story that overcomes all odds. Daniel has his twin ten-year-old sisters to take care of and Sarah wants nothing more than to help immigrant women better their lives

With a twist at the end you have to read to believe [be careful reading Amazon reviews – someone gave it away :(], the two struggle to reconcile reality with their perceptions and set aside preconceived notions to see what might be between the two of them.

I look forward to Ms. Herriman’s next offering!

Overall rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ecopy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Jilted by a fortune hunter, cowgirl Cassidy McClare is a spunky Texas oil heiress without a fortune who would just as soon hogtie a man as look at him. Hoping a summer visit with her wealthy cousins in San Francisco will help her forget her heartache, Cassidy travels west. But no sooner is she settled in beautiful California than Jamie McKenna, a handsome pauper looking to marry well, captures her heart. When Jamie discovers the woman he loves is poorer than he is, Cassidy finds herself bucked by love a second time. Will Jamie discover that money can’t buy love after all? And can Cassidy ever learn to fully trust her heart to a man?

With delectable descriptions and a romantic sensibility, bestselling author Julie Lessman brings the Gilded Age to life in this sumptuous new series. Readers will faithfully follow Lessman to the West Coast for more romance, passion, and surprising revelations found in Love at Any Cost.

It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I adore Julie Lessman. She’s utterly adorable, so sweet, and such a wonderful encourager.

Even if she does make me cry.

At least two Facebook status updates, the day I read this, railed at Jules for that fact. I already had a headache [stupid weather system coming through], but I trust Julie [and Pepper Basham had already assured me it all ended up good in the end].

In Julie’s first departure from Boston and the O’Connor family, she finds a winner in San Francisco and the Cousins McClare.

Cassie is a spunky cowgirl, reminiscent [in a great way] of a Mary Connealy heroine, uprooted from her Texas ranch and transplanted to Nob Hill. Jamie is an up and coming lawyer, working three jobs at times to pull himself, his mother and his crippled sister out of Barbary Coast and into respectability.

From page one, sparks fly and they find more in common than either could have imagined. But the one thing that drives them apart is faith in God – Cassie’s faith and Jamie’s lack.

Jamie convinces Cassie to open her heart to the possibility of an “us” while she convinces him to open his heart to the Creator of the universe.

But when things are looking good, something happens to rip them apart. One thing after another. One obstacle is overcome and another thrown in their path. The obstacles don’t feel forced or like Julie sat around and said “Huh, what else can I throw at them?” but organic to the story.

Can Cassie truly open her heart, let Jamie earn her trust? Can Jamie look at his past in the light of shocking revelations and realize that God’s hand has been in his life all along?

Tears of joy, tears of sorrow and God’s plan through all of it. A Julie Lessman novel through and through.

Oh – did I mention the secondary story? Cassie’s aunt Caitlin and her late husband’s brother, Logan? They made me cry as much as Cassie and Jamie did. But, stinker that Julie is, their story is going to span all three novels in the Cousins McClare series. It irritates me to no end that I have to wait for them ;). I may have to go find her and coerce the rest of the story out of her with cookies.

The good thing about this series? The books are coming more often than Julie’s last two series. The bad thing? It’s still nine months until the next one. Sigh.

Overall Rating: 9.25 out of 10 stars

Available April 15, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thanks to Revell and NetGalley for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.

 

 

A Love Worth Fighting For

When Slade McKennon comes looking for Mia Cooper, the Dawson sheriff’s only mission is to keep her safe. But the wounded DEA agent isn’t ready to trust the man whose past is so entwined with hers. Slade lives by his own code of honor—one that prevents the widowed father from pursuing the woman he’s known most of his life. But for the first time in ages, Mia feels safe. And she’s finally starting to seal up the scars on both her body and her heart. Can Slade and his sweet but aching son provide the healing touch of love?

 

 

 

I think this is my first book of Brenda’s [though I have several on my bookshelf, but amid all of the other books in my TBR stack I’ve not gotten to them :(]. I wish I had. I will, one of these days.

But her newest release, The Cowboy Lawman, was a great way to be introduced to her and to Cooper Creek.

I loved Slade. The tough cowboy/deputy is also Mia’s best friend’s widower and the man she’s always made certain to remain just friends with. Because Slade and her BFF were meant to be together from the beginning, she never let anyone know about her feelings for the man – really, not even herself.

But now, Slade’s taken it upon himself to make sure she’s okay after being shot in the line of duty and the more he’s around – the more his little boy’s around – the more she wishes she could be a part of their lives, that she could somehow be the wife and mother her best friend had been.

It’s up to Slade to decide if he’s really ready to move on and, if he is, if his late wife would be okay with them moving on together.

Brenda drew me in, kept me hooked, and left me wanting more. I let her know, minutes after I finished reading, that I fully expect a certain secondary character to get a story one of these days. The business in Cooper Creek isn’t done.

The only thing that bugged me was… not a lack of emotion at one point, but, in my mind, there would have been MORE emotion. The particular incident [whether good or bad] was taken too much in stride, but overall it didn’t diminish my enjoyment at all.

Overall rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.

Does a second chance at life and love always involve surrender?
 
A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.
                                      
So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight.
 
As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own.
 
With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances. 

Last year, I hated that I didn’t love Katie’s debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter. I didn’t NOT like it, but I didn’t love it like I wanted to. But when I discovered my favorite secondary character would be the heroine in Wishing on Willows, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.

I had to wait a whole year…

But it was worth the wait.

I loved Robin and I loved seeing the characters from Wildflowers. Ian and Robin meet and sparks fly – but not necessarily the good kind as Ian wants nothing more than to drive Robin and the cafe she and her late husband had dreamed of out of it’s home.

Both Robin and Ian feel pressured to fulfill the dreams of those around them. In Robin’s case, it’s the dream she shared with her late husband. For Ian, it’s the pressures of his parents and their company which depends on him to land this deal.

They both try to take matters into their own hands, but ultimately, they realize only God holds the key to their problems.

Can they come to a true compromise? Both giving something while both also gain something in the process? And can they fall in love even if they can’t?

Just as well-written as Katie’s first project, Wishing on Willows doesn’t disappoint and I can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us in the future.

Overall rating: 8.5 out of 10 stars

Recently widowed Annalisa Werner has the feeling her husband was murdered but can’t prove it. Alone with her young daughter in 1881 Michigan, she has six months left to finish raising the money needed to pay back the land contract her husband purchased, and the land is difficult to toil by herself. She needs a husband. With unmarried men scarce, her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Annalisa a groom.

For nobleman Carl von Reichart, the blade of the guillotine is his fate. He’s been accused and convicted of a serious crime he didn’t commit, and his only escape is to flee to a small German community in Michigan where he’ll be safe. He secures a job on Annalisa’s farm but bumbles through learning about farming and manual labor. 

Annalisa senses that Carl is harboring a secret about his past, yet she finds herself drawn to him anyway. He’s gentle, kind, and romantic–unlike any of the men she’s ever known. He begins to restore her faith in the ability to love–but her true groom is still on his way. And time is running out on them all.

I’ve read all three of Jody’s books and loved them all. This is the first of the three that were not based on true stories.

First, I loved the cover! Especially the cravat blowing in the wind ;).

Jody does an excellent job of bringing the past, particularly the German subculture in rural Michigan. The characters are vivid and realistic. Human without being completely unlikable [except one ;)]. Both Annalisa and Carl captured my heart from the beginning and I rooted for them to get together. The chemistry between the two was undeniable, even though Annalisa was to marry someone else. Can they find a way around seemingly unsurmountable odds?

Though the hardships and realities of life in rural America crash in, we’re left with a wonderful satisfying ending, like we’ve come to expect from Jody.

I can’t wait for her next release – a retelling of John and Abigail Adams, another one that is sure not to disappoint.

Overall Rating: 8.75 out of 10 stars

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for an ecopy in exchange for my honest review.