COTT {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!

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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. 

Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson

Book Description:  Reluctant debutante Keziah Montgomery lives beneath the weighty expectations of her staunch Confederate family, forced to keep her epilepsy secret for fear of a scandal. As the tensions of the Civil War arrive on their doorstep in Savannah, Keziah sees little cause for balls and courting. Despite her discomfort, she cannot imagine an escape from her familial confines―until her old schoolmate Micah shows her a life-changing truth that sets her feet on a new path . . . as a conductor in the Underground Railroad.

Dr. Micah Greyson never hesitates to answer the call of duty, no matter how dangerous, until the enchanting Keziah walks back into his life and turns his well-ordered plans upside down. Torn between the life he has always known in Savannah and the fight for abolition, Micah struggles to discern God’s plan amid such turbulent times.

My Thoughts:  Sometimes one just doesn't know what to do or what to expect from life...such is the case of Keziah Montgomery's life. 

It seems that her epilepsy is a "curse" to her and her family.  Just how is one suppose to keep episodes of seizures a secret unless one doesn't need to go anywhere.

Keziah is comfortable in her own family surroundings so when the Civil War and all that it entails comes to her doorstep, well, life changes.

And then her school friend, Micah, shows her that life can be so much more when helping others.

Micha is a doctor and when Keziah is back in his life his own plans are turned inside out.

Micah and Keziah must both seek God and learn to trust Him even when life is not what they would like.

A great historical novel that has excitement, romance and history.

*This book was provided for review by Tyndale*

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 1, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496428315
• ISBN-13: 978-1496428318

The Orphan's Wish By Melanie Dickerson

Book Description:  Orphaned and alone, Aladdin travels from the streets of his Arab homeland to a strange, faraway place. Growing up in an orphanage, he meets young Lady Kirstyn, whose father is the powerful Duke of Hagenheim. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn’s favorite companion, and their childhood friendship grows into a bond that time and opposition cannot break.

Even as a child, Aladdin works hard, learning all he can from his teachers. Through his integrity, intelligence, and sheer tenacity, he earns a position serving as the duke’s steward. But that isn’t enough to erase the shame of being forced to steal as a small child—or the fact that he’s an orphan with no status. If he ever wants to feel equal to his beautiful and generous friend Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim and seek his fortune.

Yet once Aladdin departs, Lady Kirstyn becomes a pawn in a terrible plot. Now, Aladdin and Kirstyn must rely on their bond to save her from unexpected danger. But will saving Kirstyn cost Aladdin his newfound status and everything he’s worked so hard to obtain?

My Thoughts:  I loved The Orphan's Wish!   

One of the reasons I loved this story is because it does not "follow" the Disney story of Aladdin.  There is an an Aladdin in this story but I love that this is "its own story."

Melanie Dickerson does a great job of "rewriting" the classics.  This is the eighth one that she has written.  And this story takes place in Germany.

I also love that there is no magic but just hard work and family.  Family is important!  Although Aladdin does have some real people issues.

This is a fast read.  

I would recommend that ages 13 and up read this retelling of a wonderful classic.

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

Formula of Deception by Carrie Stuart Parks

Book Description:  After the murder of her twin sister, Murphy Anderson changed her name and appearance and moved to Kodiak, Alaska, to avoid the press and publicity. But when local authorities discover she’s an artist and request her help in drawing a dying man’s memories, she unintentionally ends up in the limelight again—and back in the killer’s crosshairs.

The deathbed confessions of an Alaskan hunter have Murphy drawing the five bodies he discovered on remote Ruuwaq Island ten years ago. But what investigators find has them mystified. Evidence suggests that the bodies were deliberately destroyed, and what they uncover in an abandoned Quonset hut from World War II only brings more questions.

My Thoughts:  To me Carrie Stuart Parks is the Alfred Hitchcock of books.  I try to never read her stories at night.  

Murphy Anderson has changed her name and her appearance and moved to Kodiak, Alaska since someone murdered her twin sister.  She has avoided press and publicity until the local authorities find out that she is artist and request her help to draw a dying man's memories.

Well, this puts Murphy right smack in the limelight and the killer is on her trail once more.

But this is a most unusual case.  Once Murphy has drawn the five bodies that the Alaskan hunter found on the remote Ruuwaq island there are only questions.

This quite an interesting read with tons of suspense.  And at times there are more questions than answers in this case.  It's quite a challenge for the armchair detective to figure out what this case is all about and how it is all connected.

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 3, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718083857
• ISBN-13: 978-0718083854

The House at Saltwater Point (A Lavender Tides Novel) by Colleen Coble

Book Description: Ellie Blackmore is making a name for herself as a house flipper. But when her sister Mackenzie disappears, Ellie can’t focus on anything but uncovering what happened. Her only clue is the bloodstain on the deck of Mackenzie’s boat. Ellie knows her sister isn’t on the best of terms with her ex-husband, Jason, but he wouldn’t kill her—would he? 

Coast Guard intelligence officer Grayson Bradshaw believes Mackenzie faked her own death after stealing a seized cocaine shipment. The problem is convincing Ellie, who seems to view him as the true enemy.

My Thoughts:  I truly enjoyed The View From Rainshadow Bay so I delved into this second book in the Lavender Tides, The House at Saltwater Point.

This book is intriguing because Ellie Blackmore flips houses.  When women flip houses it seems that they get it not more work than they anticipate.  And Ellie does, too, only not in flipping houses but in trying to uncover the death of her sister, Mackenzie's disappearance.

Of course, if the reader is familiar with Colleen Coble's writing then the reader knows that the mystery going to be more than meets the eye.

The bloodstains on Mackenzie's boat are just the beginning. 

And everyone becomes suspect.  Mackenzie's ex-husband seems to be the best fit but would he actually kill.

Then when Ellie meets Grayson Bradshaw he believes that Mackenzie faked her own death to steal the cocaine shipment.

The clues are there but can Ellie and Grayson see them in time to find the truth before time runs out?!?!?

Loved this read!

Makes a great story to take to the beach...if you dare!😉

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: A Lavender Tides Novel (Book 2)
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 3, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718085809
• ISBN-13: 978-0718085803

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

We love peach cobbler and I was ecstatic to find a crockpot recipe on Pinterest.  It's delicious and so easy!  So great for those family get togethers!

Ingredients

1. 29 oz Del Monte Sliced Peaches in Heavy Syrup
2. 1 tsp cinnamon
3. 16.5 oz yellow cake mix
4. 3/4 cup pecans (chopped)
5. 1 stick butter (sliced)
6. Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

1. Spray crock pot with non stick cooking spray. Layer remaining ingredients into crock pot in order shown. DO NOT MIX. Just sprinkle the ingredients on top of each other. Turn the crock pot on high for 2 hours. Remove from heat and enjoy with ice cream!

Life Behind The Wall

Book Description:  Cut off by the Iron Curtain This epic tale extends across generations and unfolds against the backdrop of a dangerous Cold War Berlin. This historically accurate, action-packed, three-books-in-one edition features three generations of resourceful teens living in the shadow of the Berlin Wall. Titles include: Candy Bombers: In spring 1948, teenage cousins Erich and Katarina are simply trying to survive in war-ravaged Berlin when the Soviets blockade the east side of the city, isolating its citizens---and starving them---behind the Iron Curtain. Beetle Bunker: In August 1961, Sabine discovers a forgotten underground bunker. Though she first uses it to escape her crowded home, she soon realizes her hideout could possibly take her family under the wall to West Berlin and freedom! Smuggler's Treasure: In spring 1989, life is good in West Germany, and even the Cold War seems to be thawing in the warmer weather. But as Liesl works on a class project about the history of the wall, she stumbles onto a startling secret no one will talk about.

My Thoughts:  Oh! Be.Still.My.Heart!  I could not believe my eyes when I saw this book . . . I was so excited. . . . like a kid on Christmas morning!  This is THREE books in one volume!  All three of the Life Behind the Wall books by Robert Elmer!  
I first read Candy Bombers about 10 years ago.  But I never got the next two books Beetle Bunker and Smuggler's Treasure.
I must tell you, that even though I am an adult, these are the best books ever!  
In Candy Bombers the reader is introduced to Erich and Katarina living in the city of Berlin after the Soviets blockade the east side of the city.
Then in Beetle Bunker, the reader meets Sabine who discovers an underground bunker.
And then in, Smuggler's Treasure the reader meets Liesl who lives in West Germany during the Cold War.
Sorry my book descriptions are short but I hope they are teasers for you (no spoilers) so that you will read this wonderful trilogy!
Yes, these books must be read in order because there are overlaps in each book from the previous.  And what a better way to read them in order than to have a 3-n-1 book!  
I love this trilogy!

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz; Revised edition (May 6, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031074265X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310742654