In the Shadow of Denali (The Heart of Alaska) by Tracie Peterson, Kimberley Woodhouse

 

 

Book Description:  Cassidy Ivanoff and her father, John, work at the new and prestigious Curry Hotel outside Mt. McKinley. While John will be expedition and wilderness exploration guide for the wealthy tourists, Cassidy has signed on as a cook's assistant. Both are busy as the hotel prepares to welcome the president of the United States on his way to drive in the golden spike to officially complete the railroad.

Allan Brennan travels to the Curry Hotel to be an apprentice of a seasoned Alaska mountain guide. Ever since his father's death climbing Mt. McKinley, he's worked to earn enough money to make the trek to the Alaska territory himself. His father's partner blames their guide for the death of his father, but Allan wants to find the truth for himself. He finds an unlikely ally in Cassidy, and as the two begin to look into the mystery, they suddenly find that things are much less clear, and much more dangerous, than either could ever imagine.

My Thoughts:  I've always loved books authored by Tracie Petersen and now she has teamed up with Kimberley Woodhouse to write a great story set in Alaska.

Cassidy Ivanoff and her father, John, are in Alaska to work at the famous Curry Hotel which is within view of Mt. McKinley.

Cassidy is working as a cook's assistant and her father will be a guide in the wilderness for wealthy guests.

Then Allan Brennan comes along to be an apprentice as a mountain guide.

This historical romance was fascinating!  And Cassidy's cooking skills...as well as, the mountain guides adventures was a fun lesson for this reader.

There is a bit of a mystery in this read too.  Allan's father's guide blames the death of his father on their guide but Allan is there to be an apprentice so he can to find out the truth concerning his father's death.

Meeting Cassidy and finding that she is a great partner in helping him find out the truth in this somewhat dangerous mystery.

Then the president of the USA is making a stop at the hotel as he travels to drive the golden spike to complete the railroad.

A lot of history and mystery combined with some sweet romance.

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• Series: The Heart of Alaska (Book 1)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764219235
• ISBN-13: 978-0764219238

The Blended Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter & Jean Brunstetter

 

Book Description:  Sadie Kuhns has a lot happening in her life. She is creating a unique quilt by blending a traditional Amish pattern with a Hawaiian pattern as a tribute to her time spent in the islands, and she is working on a self-published book. But her relationship with Wyman Kauffman has stagnated after six months of courtship. He can’t seem to commit to a profession that would secure a future, and he is jealous of the time Sadie gives to her own pursuits. Is there really any reason to drag this courtship out? 

My Thoughts:  Ahh!  The trials of budding romance.  Except that poor Sadie seems to have a bit more of the trial then most.  Her relationship with Wyman seems to budding and thriving and then nothing!  A nothing more than 'hi' relationship.

Sadie like most Amish young women knows how to quilt and do it well.  The only thing is Sadie has been to Hawaii, remember the Hawaiian Quilt?  Now Sadie wants to make a quilt putting Hawaii and her Amish roots together.  What a grand idea!  Sadie also wants to self publish a book. But her relationship or lack or relationship with Wyman seems to keep all her projects and thoughts on the back burner.

As the story evolves so does the relationship of Sadie and Wyman evolve with all of its ups and downs.

Sadie learns to overcome and Wyman learns to be productive.  Quite a gut story.

*This book was provided by Barbour Publishing*

Joy to the World By Carolyn Miller, Amanda Barratt, and Erica Vetsch

 

Book Description:  In Heaven and Nature Sing, two music lovers, parted in youth, find their way back to one another. A woman and child cross paths with a wounded veteran and discover healing in Far As the Curse Is Found. And in The Wonders of His Love, can a portrait painter thaw a widow's heart? 

"Heaven and Nature Sing" by Carolyn Miller When family obligations part two people in love will they ever have a chance to love again?  Edith and George take family quite seriously, almost too seriously, until per happenstance they are in each others company once again after having fallen in love years before.  Edith longs for a family and George longs for Edith.  George must once again win Edith over. "Far as the Curse is Found" by Amanda Barratt This was an interesting short story.  A woman with a child out of wedlock in a day and age when such things were frowned upon.  And a poor, wounded solider.  When Dwight offers Jenny a job so she can feed her child happiness begins to blossom in two hearts. "Wonders of His Love" by Erica Vetsch Oh, my!  This story was so toughing,  A widow with a heart frozen with hurts as wide as a glacier and a painter with a warm heart just ready to heat up a frozen tundra.  The way that Hamish melts Cilla's heart is such a sweet story.  A story full of love and grace. These three stories are perfect to begin the holiday season.  Stories that will brighten your day and help you to get ready for warmth and happiness. *This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*

All Is Calm, All Is Bright: A Colleen Coble Christmas Collection by Colleen Coble

 

 

Book Description: Return to two of Colleen Coble’s most beloved settings—Bluebird Ranch and Hope Beach—for holiday romance and mystery!

All Is Calm

It’s going to be an unexpectedly romantic Christmas at Bluebird Ranch.

Brendan Waddell has always considered Bluebird Ranch a little piece of heaven: an idyllic ranch that pairs abused children with abused horses, run by one of his Marine buddies. Now, it seems just the place to spend Christmas recovering from an on-the-job injury.

Lauren Everman first came to the ranch as a foster kid, but now knows it’s the perfect hideout. As the witness to a murder, Lauren needs somewhere to lie low. Her beauty immediately catches Brendan’s attention—but so does her secretive behavior. This Special Ops Intel man knows a woman on the run when he sees one. Can he trust her, or is she putting the ranch at risk? One thing is certain: he’s going to do everything he can to keep her safe so he can see what magic Christmas brings.

All Is Bright

A romantic Christmas wedding at Tidewater Inn gives Delilah’s unique gifts a chance to shine. But will her light be snuffed out before the bride and groom say “I do”?

As manager of the Tidewater Inn, Delilah Carter has been planning a spectacular Christmas wedding for her friend, Elin Summerall. But when Delilah’s car is forced off the road and into the ocean, she finally has to admit that the strange phone calls she’s been receiving lately may be more than just pranks.

Sheriff Tom Bourne has always had a soft spot for Delilah, and he’s determined to protect her. He hopes to win her heart by giving her the surprise gift of a lifetime . . . but first he has to make sure nothing happens to her before Christmas Day.

My Thoughts:  The Christmas reads are coming in...yay!  

Coleen Coble has two great novellas in one sweet book. 

The first novella, All Is Calm, is full of suspense.  Ironically, all is not calm at Bluebird Ranch.  Lauren Everman comes to the ranch to hide out.  She remembers the ranch from her days as a foster child. And Brendan Waddell comes to the ranch to visit friends. 

Brendan feels "love at first sight for Lauren.  But as he gets to know her he knows she is hiding something.  

A great short story full of suspense and mystery!

Then All Is Bright is the story about Delilah.  Delilah wants her friend to have the dream wedding she always wanted.  Sheriff Tom Bourne has admired Delilah and wants to protect her...he also wants to win her heart.  He plans a great surprise for her.  

Another great suspense short story with wonderful characters that come to life in the pages of a great read!

This book would make a nice Christmas card for someone who needs a lift during the holidays.

• Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718037820
• ISBN-13: 978-0718037826

Peace on Earth {A Christmas Collection} by Mary Engelbreit

 

 

Book Description:  I surely wish with all my heart, This day of Jesus' birth, That peace and love and happiness Soon cover all the earth. Mary Engelbreit rings in the holiday with a Christmas collection that includes many of her favorite carols, the story of Jesus' birth, and beloved poems that touch the heart and celebrate the miracle of the season.

My Thoughts:  I absolutely Mary Engelbreit's artistry!  So, I was excited to receive this beautiful, hardback book where every page is filled with  Mary Engelbreit's beautiful art! 

The book is full of Christmas poems, Christmas carols and the Christmas story from the book of Luke.  It is suppose to be for kids ages 4-8 but it's SO sweet and unique that this "big" kid loves it, too!  This is an all things beautiful about Christmas book!

It's a keepsake book that should be saved, read at Christmastime and handed down to the next generation.  It's a book that many adults would like to read and look at too!  

The art work is fantastic and ever so colorful!  A wonderful addition to any Christmas tradition.  

I love this book!  It would also make a great gift...to be opened on Christmas Eve.

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310743400
• ISBN-13: 978-0310743408

Over the Edge by Irene Hannon (Book 2)

 

Book Description:  Trauma survivor Lindsey Barnes hasn't fully recovered from the ordeal that almost took her life, and now she's in the middle of another crisis. Not only is she the sole witness in a high-profile murder case, but someone is also pushing her to question her sanity. 

Police detective Jack Tucker doesn't know what to make of her story, especially when her elusive enemy leaves no evidence behind to lend credence to her claims. Yet the more he gets to know the appealing personal chef, the more he's convinced someone is targeting not only her sanity, but her life. 

And unless they can figure out who is behind the campaign to undermine her credibility, a murderer could slip away--leaving more than one body in his or her wake.

My Thoughts:  Irene Hannon is another favorite author of mine.  

I love the action and suspense of her stories.

In this story Lindsey Barnes is still recovering bring from an attack that almost took her life.  As life would have it she's now in another crisis.  It's a crisis that could make or break her. But she loves being a personal chef and refuses to give up. 

Whoever is at the bottom of this crisis is also trying to make her question her own sanity.  

Lindsey knows what she saw and what happened so she reaches out to Police Detective Jack Tucker.  Poor Jack!  Lindsey's story sounds so unbelievable.  So out there!  Can he really trust her?  

Police Detective Jack decides to help Lindsey since getting to know her he realizes she's quite sane. 

However, there is a time issue to find the "bad guy" before more people are hurt or murdered.

I loved this story for one thing I've never known a personal chef and Lindsey's job was quite interesting as was the mystery of the "bad guy."

*This book was provided by Revell Reads*

Deadly Revenge by Patricia Bradley

 

Book Description:  Deputy Jenna Hart has only been working in her sleepy hometown of Pearl Springs for seven months when city officials begin to be targeted by a killer. Twenty years ago, the construction of a dam caused people to lose their land to eminent domain. That wound has not healed with time, and someone bearing a grudge is clearly set on revenge. With the former mayor of Pearl Springs now running for the US Senate, Jenna will have to call in backup to ensure his protection.

That's where Agent Maxwell Anderson comes in. He and Jenna used to work together in the Chattanooga Police Department, and there was even a smoldering fire of attraction. Now they team up to track down the killer before a big political rally that promises to bring not only the former mayor into the crosshairs but hundreds of civilians as well.

My Thoughts:  I love Patricia Bradley's books.  It's like eating a sub sandwich-flavor upon flavor with that great chipotle sauce.

Deputy Jenna Hart is one tough lady but then steps in Agent Maxwell Anderson Jenna's old work mate and things begin to sizzle And I'm not talking about the case.  They have quite an attraction between them.

I loved this wonderful story.  It's full of adventure, romance and getting the bad guy.

The story begins with Jenna Hart in the sleepy town of Pearl Springs. It seems that nothing happens in this sleepy town until, twenty years later, people still remember that the dam caused many people to lose their land. Then a killer shows up at the right time to spur emotions of the people on an old wound. 

Jenna knows secant do this jib by herself is she calls in an old flame, Agent Maxwell Anderson. 

Sometimes a reader just needs a fantastic, romance filled story and this is it!

*This book was provided for review by Revell Reads*

Long Absence but I'm back

 So sorry I've been absent but I broke my arm and it's been a slow heal. But now I'm back with a bunch of new reads in the parlor.  

Thanks for your patience.