Monday, April 29, 2019

The Inn at Ocean's Edge (Shadow Bay) by Colleen Coble

Book Description:  Claire’s visit to a luxury hotel in Maine awakens repressed memories, threatening all she holds dear.
In 1989, Claire Dellamare disappeared from her own fourth birthday party at the Hotel Tourmaline on the island of Folly Shoals, Maine. She showed up a year later at the same hotel, with a note pinned to her dress but no explanation. Nobody knows where Claire spent that year—and until now, Claire didn’t even know she had ever been missing.
But when Claire returns to the Hotel Tourmaline for a business meeting with her CEO father, disturbing memories begin to surface . . . despite her parents’ best efforts to keep them forgotten.
Luke Rocco lost his mother under equally mysterious circumstances—at the same time Claire disappeared. After a chance encounter reveals the unlikely link between them, Claire and Luke set out together to uncover the truth about what happened that fateful year.
With flashbacks swimming just beneath her consciousness and a murderer threatening her safety, Claire’s very life depends on unscrambling her past . . . even if her family refuses to acknowledge it. Someone—maybe everyone—is hiding something from Claire Dellamare, and it will cost her everything to drag the truth out into the light.

My Thoughts:  I was drawn to the cover of this book.  I love the landscape and the picture goes so well with the title.  I can just "see" a mystery lurking at the doorstep of this read!  
And, lo and behold, there is a mystery! Quite a suspenseful mystery, too!
This is an interesting story that leaves the reader on pins and needles. 
It seems that when Claire goes to the luxury motel, Hotel Tourmaline , she has repressed memories.  And these memories keep the local sheriff wondering what in.the.world.is.going.on!
Claire also witnesses an employee of the hotel being murdered. But when she awakens there is no body! Absolutely nothing!
And 25 years ago Luke's mother went missing.  It seems that Claire and Luke's mother are somehow "bound" together in this haunting mystery.
Secrets, Secrets abound everywhere!  But with Luke's help maybe Claire will be able to unravel this quite disturbing "memory."
Colleen Coble has outdone herself in this fantastic read! 
If you enjoy romantic suspense then this is the book for you!
This is also the first book in the Shadow Bay series.  

  • Series: Shadow Bay (Book 1)
  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1401690262
  • ISBN-13: 978-1401690267

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

These cookies are SOOO good! You won't even miss the flour!

Monday, April 22, 2019

{Barbour Blog Tour} The Inn at Hidden Run (Tree of Life) by Olivia Newport

Book Description:  Meri’s family has been producing doctors for so many generations that no one remembers why, so when she flunks out of medical school, she runs as far from her parents as she can get. In the small mountain town of Canyon Mines, Colorado, she takes a job at the Inn at Hidden Run B&B. And waits. It’s only a matter of time.
What she doesn’t count on is genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy and her father, Nolan, having her back when it takes everything she has not to bolt again but to stay and face the truth that only unfolding her family’s history will reveal. While Nolan works on keeping Meri calm—and in town—Jillian pulls out of her gems of information she doesn’t know she has and arranges the puzzle pieces.

My Thoughts:  This is such an interesting story.  And since Olivia Newport is a new to me author her style of writing easily engaged me in the story of Meri and her family.
This is the first book in the Tree of Life series.  And it sets the tone for the other books to come.
There are two time periods and the secrets of the family.
Of course, the small town of Canyon Mines, Colorado was interesting because I love Colorado and learning about this beautiful state.
Learning about family trees and how to track down genealogy was fascinating to me since I have a friend who does this type of work.  
The story itself is good but the author does go back and forth quite a bit between the two time periods.  Mostly for information on family tree items, I think.
The story is all about family and faith on God. 


*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.*

  • Series: Tree of Life (Book 1)
  • Paperback: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Shiloh Run Press; Tree of Life #1 edition (May 1, 2019)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1683229940
  • ISBN-13: 978-1683229940

A Heart's Danger (A Journey of the Heart, Book 3) by Colleen Coble

Book Description:  On the brink of war with the Sioux, Sarah risks everything to expose the betrayal threatening the man she loves.
Christmas is coming, and the air at Fort Laramie has turned cold . . . but relations with the Sioux have turned colder. As tensions between soldiers and natives approach a tipping point, a trap has been set for Rand Campbell.
Rand’s new fiancĂ©e wants to keep him from returning to Sarah Montgomery . . . for whom his heart clearly still yearns.
Sarah just wants to move on with her life at Fort Laramie, but doing so under the watchful eyes of both Campbell—the man whose love she craves—and Croftner—the man whose lies have cost her everything.
Will Rand fall victim to the conspiracy and go through with his wedding? Or will he declare his love for Sarah and make good on the promises that brought her into the rugged western territories?

My Thoughts:  I love this "series."  I know that these books are taken from a bigger book and made into a "series."  But there is just something about reading a short "mini" story that fits into my schedule.
A Heart's Danger is book 3, in the Journey of the Heart series.  
If you've read the last two books then you know that Sarah is at Fort Laramie trying to expose the wrong against the man she cares for.  However, the Sioux Indians are angry at the white man for lack of keeping their pacts (can't say I blame 'em.)  With the Sioux Indians on the warpath it makes everyone on edge at the Fort
Unbeknowst, to Rand or Sarah a trap has been set for Rand.  His"new" fiancee wants him to forget Sarah and stay with her but Rand longs to be with Sarah .... ah! true love!
This is quite an interesting "little" story in its own stand alone way.  However, you'll want to read the whole set to get the "gist" of what is going on and, I dare say, that I think you'll find the stories quite good!
Good clean romance and adventure at its best!



  • Series: A Journey of the Heart (Book 3)
  • Paperback: 112 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0718031660
  • ISBN-13: 978-0718031664

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Settle My Soul: 100 Quiet Moments to Meet with Jesus by Karen Ehman

Book Description:  Whether you're a working professional, a wife, a mom, a sister, an aunt, a daughter-in-law, or any combination of these, your life is busy. And no matter what stage of life you may find yourself in, what your hurried and overcrowded heart needs most is rest. Beyond time-management skills or tips for worrying less, you need a few minutes to connect with God's heart.

My Thoughts:  If you're a mom or a working woman then you know how busy life can get.  Or let's just admit it, all women are busy.  There's always something to do.
As the keeper of the house, the time management lady or the grandma who helps out.  Women find there time is short and much to do.
So, when I saw this nice medium sized, hardback devotional it was love at first sight.  The cover has a "springy" look with small pinkish flowers all around the from cover. There are 100 quiet moments/devotionals that help calm our soul and draw us closer to God.  And I love the subtitle. Pressing Pause, because that is exactly what we need to do to find our strength in Him.
There are some questions that help the reader to think about her life and then a short space with about three lines to write one's thoughts on.
The font is nice and in a green color with pink writing through out the devotional.
It's such a relaxing color scheme that it's a joy to open the book and read.
There is a scripture at the top of each devotional. 
Love this book!  And it makes a wonderful gift!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

  • Series: Pressing Pause
  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: Zondervan (March 26, 2019)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0310095409
  • ISBN-13: 978-0310095408


Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

COTT {Clash of the Titles}

 We have some amazing backyard patio reads for you. Take a look at the compelling covers below and answer one question: Which one is a MUST for your to-be-read pile?

Follow the Amazon link below each book if you want to learn more or purchase a book. Don't we have some amazing titles this month?

And on with the clash!


The Tomb, a Novel of Martha

by Stephanie Landsem


Everyone in Bethany admires Martha, the ideal Jewish woman, but only she knows the price she's paid for her perfect reputation. You'll never see the story of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus the same way again.



Find it on amazon


Andrea and the Five Day Challenge

by Cindy K. Green


A Bible Study Challenge, a Prayer Journal, and Homecoming, the combination just might change her life.


Find it on Amazon






Nila's Hope 

by Kathleen Friesen


She has survived years of abuse. Can an apprentice carpenter's faith overcome the danger now stalking her?




Find it on Amazon

Broken Silence




by Annslee Urban


SHE'S HIDING A DEADLY SECRET…and someone wants to make sure Amber Talbot never reveals it. The person charged with protecting her is police detective Patrick Wiley—the fiancĂ© she walked away from but never forgot and now he must save her from an unknown attacker from their past.

Find it on Amazon

Jacket Image


The Hawk and the Dove

By Penelope Wilcock


A young girl learns the stories of a group of monks in fourteenth century Yorkshire. They lived six centuries ago, yet their struggles are our own—finding our niche; coping with failure; living with impossible people; and discovering that we are the impossible ones.

Find it on Amazon