The Curiosity Keeper (A Treasures of Surrey Novel) by Sarah E. Ladd

Book Description:  “It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail’s egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whoever possesses it.”

Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She’s done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille must allow a mysterious stranger to come to her aid.

Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content to work as the village apothecary. But when his brother’s death made him heir just as his father’s foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may be the answer to his many questions.

Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, these two determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, they will have to decide how much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.

My Thoughts:  Sarah E. Ladd is a new author to me and I decided to read this book because of the book description, “It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail’s egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whoever possesses it.”  

I thought this is going to be good read. Not to give spoilers, but this is fantastic read!  I delved into it and loved it.

The romance, the suspense, and that ruby....well, you just gotta read this for yourself.

In my opinion, I liked Camille and Jonathan.  When I read a book I don't look at all the angles and I don't look for a deeper meaning.  I like to read a book for its face value and enjoy it.  So, if you're a "deeper meaning/character developer"  you may see something else in this read than I did.  But if, like me you just like a great story, then this is the read for you!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: A Treasures of Surrey Novel (Book 1)
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 7, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718011783
• ISBN-13: 978-0718011789

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Sizzling Summer Champ

I know, technically Summer just Started, but...

Thank you all for participating in our special May releases Clash of the Titles

We appreciate the efforts of all of our fans, and particularly our authors this month,

   Rachel James

      Jennifer Rodewald

          Heather Day Gilbert

and 

                 Sarah Loudin Thomas

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Some of the very encouraging words from 

our readers include:

Love reading your books. Can't put them down. 

Great looking reads.  All new authors to me. So, looks like I have great TBR pile for the rest of the summer.  

Love all of Amanda Cabot's books. I have Firefly Valley here ready to read.

I love Heather Gilbert's books. She writes in such a fresh and wonderful way, I feel I'm right there with her characters. I especially love Tess's character!

Sarah Loudin Thomas, I have loved both of your books!  Keep 'em comin'!

Trial by Twelve is a masterful suspense novel. I love that it is set in West Virginia and has a married couple as main characters. I hope there is a sequel! Bravo, Heather Gilbert!

  

Blue Columbine is a favorite and can't wait for more of Jen's books to come out.  

Rachel James is  an exciting new author of engaging historical characters.

And the champ of this clash is...

Amanda Cabot, In Firefly Valley

She’s lost her dream job—but has she found the man of her dreams?

Devastated by a downsizing, Marisa St. George has no choice but to return to the small Texas town where she grew up. Though it means a giant step backward, she accepts a position as business manager at the struggling Rainbow’s End resort. The only silver lining: Blake Kendall, a new guest who might make her believe in love at first sight. But will Marisa’s dreams of happily-ever-after be turned upside down when she discovers Blake’s real identity?

This warm and witty story of dreams deferred and mistaken identity will have you believing in second chances.

Buy the book on Amazon, Barnes and Noble

A NOTE FROM AMANDA

My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who helped make In Firefly Valley the winner of this month’s Clash of the Titles. Your support means so much to me! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: you’re the reason I write. Thank you for your belief in me and my writing.

I’ve been delighted with the response to this book. A number of you have told me you think it’s even better than the first of the Texas Crossroads stories, At Bluebonnet Lake. Since I hope that my writing improves with each book, hearing that has been the encouragement I need to work even harder on the next book.  

I’ve also been pleased with the praise reviewers have given In Firefly Valley. RT BookReviews rated it a page turner and said, “Cabot’s heartfelt storytelling rings true as she addresses the pains of bitterness and resentment, as well as the hard fight to love again and forgive all hurts. ...Charming secondary characters and the beautiful Texas Hill Country setting cap off a story that is a delight to read.”  

Blogger Trudy Shiroma Koeffler had the following to say: “To say I have a new favorite author is an understatement! This book was absolutely fantastic on so many levels! First of all it brought deep spiritual truths into the story naturally and realistically. The love story was the sweetest one I’ve read in a long time, but it was not a predictable love story at all. It had twists and turns, and nail biting episodes that had me guessing till the end. I was impressed with the mature way love was displayed in this story on all fronts with the various characters. This book is not some fairytale romance but rather a tale of characters with real issues, fears, heartaches and hang-ups. The author deals with each issue in a detailed, emotionally healthy and spiritual rich way. The description of landscape, cabins, cooking and friendships will make you wish you could take a little trip to Dupree and visit Firefly Valley yourself!”   

Thank you again for your support. I’m excited, overwhelmed and more pleased than I can ever say at having In Firefly Valley win this award. And, for those of you who’ve asked “what’s next?” the third of the Texas Crossroads books, On Lone Star Trail, will be released in February 2016. If you’d like to learn more about that and my other books, I invite you to sign up for my online newsletter. It’s simple: just send me an email. You’ll find the address on my web page. I look forward to hearing from you.

About Amanda: Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of more than thirty novels including the Texas Dreams trilogy, the Westward Winds series, and Christmas Roses. A former director of Information Technology, she has written everything from technical books and articles for IT professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages.  Amanda is delighted to now be a fulltime writer of Christian romances, living happily ever after with her husband in Wyoming. 

Visit her website and Facebook page

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Shadowed {Heart of A Warrior Series, Book 2} by Kariss Lynch

Book Description:  Nick Carmichael faces the demons of his past on a Navy SEAL mission to catch arms dealer Janus.  Meanwhile his girlfriend, Kaylan Richards, must come to terms with loving a man who is often gone and in harm's way.  She is adjusting to life in a new city with new friends, new neighbors, and an internship.  But she still wonders if she will ever find her place and wrestles to develop the strength for the future she wants to have with Nick.

As Nick and the SEAL team chase Janus, she turns the tables, attacking their

families, which places Kaylan in harm's way.  When Kaylan begins receiving

threatening notes and items begin to disappear from her home, Nick must 

learn to trust God with her life as he and his team fight for justice and 

answers to his past.  Will light shine in the darkness, or will Kaylan and 

Nick's love forever be stalked by shadows?  

My Thoughts: I loved Shaken, the first book in this Heart of A Warrior Series, so I picked Shadowed because it continues  Kaylan Richards and Nick Carmichael's story.

Yes, you probably need to read the first book, Shaken before reading Shadowed.  There is a lot about Kaylan and Nick that you will want to know before going into the second read.

Shaken begins with more of a of a let's get acquainted type of read but Shadowed begins with a bang!  It's a page.turner! One of those ... just one more chapter books!

The plot is well developed....I like the realism of Nick and Kaylan's lives.  It isn't easy being a SEAL especially when you're in a case and then that person you're chasing down turns the tables and begins attacking the ones whom you love.  

As Nick and the team chase down Janus (the 'bad' person), she turns the tables.  Kayla begins to receive threatening notes and things begin to disappear or are being misplaced in her home.  

Nick has to trust God to take care of Kaylan since he can't be by her side.  And Kaylan, too, must trust God and not man.

A fantastic christian novel especially if you love suspense and military reads!

*This book was provided for review by Bookteria*

• Series: Heart of a Warrior (Book 2)
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Realms (March 3, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1629980064
• ISBN-13: 978-1629980065

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

I found another great recipe form Pinterest . . .This is an easy and delicious meal:  

INGREDIENTS

• 1 - 3-4 lb. chuck roast, remove excess fat (when I'm in a hurry I just use roast beef lunch meat form the deli)
• Montreal Steak Seasoning
• 2 olive oil
• 1/4 C soy sauce
• 1/4 C water
• 4 whole black peppercorns
• 2 C beef broth
• 1/2 tsp dried, crushed rosemary
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 TBSP minced onion
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 6-8 french rolls
• 6-8 slices of cheese, provolone is my preference

INSTRUCTIONS

• Remove excess fat from roast.
• Sprinkle with Montreal Steak Seasoning
• Brown in heavy pan with 2 tsp olive oil. Brown on both sides
• Place in crock pot
• Mix together soy sauce, beef broth, water, peppercorns, rosemary, thyme, garlic, onion
• Pour mixture over roast.
• Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6. Cook until tender and easy to shred.
• Shred with a fork and the place on sandwich buns.
• Strain remaining juice and use for dipping

A Heart's Promise (A Journey of the Heart Series, Book 5) by Colleen Coble

Book Description:  Emmie makes a promise to her friend that, if fulfilled, could mean the end to her dreams of a future with Isaac.

Emmie Croftner let Isaac Liddle go to avoid telling him about her past. But Isaac remains determined to win Emmie’s heart and hand. Though Emmie resolves to keep her heart in check, it hurts when she sees that another woman has set her bonnet for Isaac.

Then Emmie’s dear friend extracts a costly promise: if anything happens to her in childbirth, Emmie will marry her widower and raise the baby herself. And it seems Emmie may have to fulfill that promise. But can she live happily without Isaac?

My Thoughts:  This is the fifth book in the Journey of the Heart "series."  These mini books are about 112 pages in length and can be read in about an hour.  Or at a doctor's office. {smile}  

This is a wonderful "series."  I didn't read or even know that there was a "full" book out with this story in it.

Anyway, I love "mini" books!

If you've been reading a book every month then you know that in this fifth book Emmie feels that she may be making progress in her life.  

I have to admit that last month's book was so sad to me.  Now this book brings happiness with it and promises.

This book is aptly titled "A Heart's Promise" because Emmie's heart is very much involved.  

Of course, this is not the end of Emmie's story.  Next month, A Heart's Home, brings more excitement about Emmie and Issac's lives.  

And more on the Sioux Indian wars.

Great reading!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: A Journey of the Heart (Book 6)
• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 4, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718031695
• ISBN-13: 978-0718031695

COTT {Clash of the Titles} It's a New Sizzling Summer Reading Clash of the Titles!

Looking for some awesome take-me-away Summer Reading?

Check out these new releases and I dare you to tell me which one you'd put on the top of your reading list. We offer contemporary and historical romance, a little fantasy, danger, mystery, suspense!

*******************************

Fantasy

TheLast Princess of Meigen

Rachel A. James

To unite the kingdoms and bring peace, Princess Alena must enter into a royal marital alliance, but when the handsome physician, Sherwin, befalls her, matters become complicated. Torn between obligations to her young son and country, she faces a difficult decision, will Alena obey the king’s orders, or choose to follow her heart?

Romance

Blue Columbine 

Jennifer Rodewald

Friendship, love, and then betrayal...for Jamie Carson one thing becomes clear: Andrew needs a savior, and she cannot be it. Will Andrew allow the hand of grace to redeem his legacy of addiction, or will he and Jamie remain the casualties of heartbreak?

Suspense

Trial by Twelve

Heather Day Gilbert 

Tess Spencer loves her low-key job at the Crystal Mountain Spa, which allows her plenty of down-time with her one-year old daughter and lawyer husband, Thomas. But when a pool installation turns up eight skeletons in the spa's back yard, Tess becomes entangled in a sleuthing job destined to go awry...even as she sifts through layers of deceit, Tess realizes too late that a serial killer's sights have zeroed in on her.

Contemporary Romance

Firefly Valley

Amanda Cabot  

Marisa St. George has lost her dream job and come home to manage the struggling Rainbow’s End resort in the small Texas town where she grew up. The only silver lining is Blake Kendall, a new guest who is making her believe in love at first sight. But is he really who she thinks he is? 

Historical Romance

Until the Harvest

Sarah Loudin Thomas 

When family tragedy derails Henry Phillips’s college studies, he consoles himself with his fiddle and the family farm. His grandmother’s helper, Margaret Hoffman, is always around, ready to push his buttons, and it seems she doesn’t care about his troubles. But Margaret has her own problems. Henry and Margaret soon find themselves relying on each other as they face potential loss and find healing in the most surprising places.