You're The One That I Want by Susan May Warren

Owen Christiansen has been in a downward spiral since an injury ended his NHL career. But a job on an Alaskan crabbing boat offers a fresh start . . . maybe even a shot at romance with Elise “Scotty” McFlynn, the captain’s daughter. 

Used to being one of the guys, to never relying on anyone, Scotty doesn’t believe in happily ever after―especially with someone like Owen. Her instinct is confirmed when Casper Christiansen arrives to drag his prodigal brother home, bringing with him a truckload of family drama―and even worse, the news that Casper is wanted for questioning in connection to a crime back in Minnesota. 

But Owen is more than the sum of his mistakes, a truth both he and Scotty discover when she escorts both brothers to Deep Haven as part of her new job on the Anchorage police force. Thrust into an unfamiliar world of family, faith, and fresh starts, Scotty begins to see potential for a happy ending . . . if she’s brave enough to embrace it.

My Take:

This is the last book in the Christiansen family series. I've been looking forward to this one just because I read so much about Owen from his siblings books. The action begins on the first page and doesn't end until you close the book. I loved the mystery Scotty and Owen help solve involving Monty and Casper! I definitely recommend you read the first five books in the series just because there is a lot past drama involving the characters in this book that would be confusing if you didn't read the previous books. I really like this book and I was rooting for Scotty and Owen the whole time! Even though there were times that I thought Owen should've used his brain before he opened his big mouth. All in all this was a great ending to the Christiansen family series. 

* Tyndale house publishers has provided me with this complimentary book in exchange for my honest review. 

Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg

A dying newspaper. An intriguing mystery. And a love they didn't see coming.

Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But her new life as a newspaper editor is shaken when the small-town paper is in danger of closing. Her one hope: A lead on an intriguing story that just might impress the new publisher...if only she knew who he was.

After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker now has the chance of a lifetime--a spot on a presidential campaign. But his plans are interrupted when he finds out he's inherited his hometown newspaper. He travels home intent on selling the paper and spending some much-needed time with his young daughter before making the leap into national politics.

But instead of a quick sale and peaceful break from his hectic career, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. They may butt heads more than expected, but a series of leads on Maple Valley's quirky unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.

My Take:

Like never before is the second book in the Walker family series. I have read the first book, From The Start, but you wouldn't need to read it to enjoy this book. I would recommend it though because it's so cute and you would be introduced to these characters and get to know them a little, they are so easy to love! There's something special about Melissa's unique writing style, her stories are so full of sweetness and fun, as well as page-turning, thought provoking situations that leave you thinking about them long after you close the book. There is so much to love about this story!

Amelia's obsession with aviators Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart add a really fun touch, not to mention the awesome Gilmore Girls/Stars Hollow vibe and the old movie references. The only part that I didn't like is that the ending seemed unfinished, but maybe we will learn more about the ending/continuation in book 3. Overall this is another enjoyable Tagg novel and I can't wait until I can read Beckett and Kitts story in book 3!!

*I received a copy of this book from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Check Out Melissa Tagg's website here 

The masters of fashion illustrated adult coloring book

I was so excited when I was contacted by Wendy to review her new coloring book! If you love fashion and coloring you will love this book! The designs are all hand drawn and they have very clear lines. I love the test pages at the front of the book because I usually like to test my writing instrument before coloring 😀 I do wish the book had lines to tear out, but thankfully there is plenty of room to cut them out of you wish. 

Here is a picture of the one I colored 😀 

Thank you to the author Wendy Piersall for this free copy in exchange for my honest review! 

Check out her website here: http://www.wendypiersall.com

Cold Shot By Dani Pettrey

Four Best Friends. 
And Then One Went Missing . . . 

In college, Griffin McCray and his three best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore Police Department, Declan Grey would head to the FBI, and Parker Mitchell would study to become a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world--and friendships--crumbled. 

Now years later, Griffin has left the police and his friendships behind. Still trying to forget a case that went bad when he was a SWAT team sniper, he's living a quiet life as a park ranger at Gettysburg. Quiet until skeletal remains are uncovered near Little Round Top--and they aren't Civil War-era. 

Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott discovers evidence pointing to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Grey steps in to take over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he'll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he--and those he cares about--are going to escape a downward spiral of crime, danger, and murder

My Take:

I've been hooked on Dani Pettreys books ever since I read SUBMERGED! I was so sad when the alaskan courage series ended. But thankfully she started this awesome new series!! Cold shot is a very promising start of something new! I love how the main characters remind me of Booth and Brennen from the TV show "BONES" I had to wonder if she's a fan?! :-) I also love the setting! Very interesting! The plot was great! I love that I was kept guessing who did it? until the very end. My only complaint is that I thought Finley should've had more input into the investigation then she did. She is a forensic anthropologist after all. I thought she would've been finding way more clues from the body than she did. All in all this was a great book! And I can't wait to read more about these characters!

* I received this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own. 

Check out this awesome link for character profiles etc! 

www.danipettrey.com/fun

Thin Ice - Irene Hannon

If Ginny Reed is still alive--who is the woman buried in her grave?
After losing her parents and her sister, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Now, life is finally starting to feel normal again--until an envelope addressed in her sister's handwriting arrives in the mail. And the note inside claims she is still alive. 

FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case . . . but he's coming up with more questions than answers. Is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game--or the target of a sinister plot? As Lance digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: someone in the shadows has a deadly agenda. 

My take:

I've been wanting to read a Irene Hannon suspense novel for a while now and when I saw Thin Ice on Revells review list the premise pulled me in. I've always loved figure skating. This book is well researched in this regard, although skating isn't mention much because the heroine is a retired skater. Thin Ice is book 2 in the Men Of Valor series but I read it as a standalone and it wasn't confusing. I liked how fast-paced and well written this book was and the suspense is great but I thought it was kind of stupid the FBI wouldn't protect Christy. I mean isn't that part of their job?! And the villain was really creepy I didn't like reading the parts about him and what he was thinking (shiver) he was mean to his grandma and he tortured mice. But I guess in order to have a good suspense book you need a nasty villain but I didn't exactly enjoy exploring his mind. All in all it was a good book but it could have been better.

* I received this book from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Until The Dawn - Elizabeth Camden

Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie van Riijn sees no harm in setting up a rooftop weather station for her work with the newly established Weather Bureau. While the villagers are suspicious of the mysterious estate and its tragic history, Sophie has come to see it as her own enchanted piece of paradise. 

The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover Sophie trespassing on his land. 

Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie yet find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There's a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark can no longer be kept in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail

My Take:

I love historical fiction and Elizabeth Camden is by far one of my favorite authors in this genre. I've read four of her books before this one and I've loved everyone of them! But this one just didn't grab my interest as much. It was a good book and I enjoyed the story but I didn't have any trouble setting it down to do other things. The characters were interesting but Quentin and Sophie didn't seem to have the usual banter or chemistry characters in Camden's other books had. All in all, I still think that Until The Dawn is worthwhile reading, Camden knows how to tell a good story. Until The Dawn does have a prequel Toward The Sunrise get it FREE HERE! While the characters in it aren't mentioned much in Until The Dawn it's a really nice intro into Dierenpark and a cute short love story.

* I received this book for free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Biography

Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian at a small college in central Florida. Her novels have won the coveted RITA and Christy Awards. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband near Orlando, Florida.

She regularly posts about the joys of the book world at http://elizabethcamden.com/blog

Streams Of Mercy-Lauraine Snelling

Anji's Return to the Red River Valley Offers a Fresh Start--and a Surprising Second Chance at Love. 
Anji Baard Moen, recently widowed in Norway, returns to North Dakota with her children. She quickly settles back into life in the familiar surroundings of Blessing, teaching in the high school and writing articles for the Blessing Gazette. In the midst of an unexpected crisis, Anji is thrust into a role she never imagined. And almost without her even being aware, an old friendship begins to show signs of developing into something more. 

Meanwhile, Thomas Devlin, a minister without a post, has arrived in town. Devlin supports himself as a journeyman carpenter, and with the town growing rapidly, he has no shortage of opportunities. Establishing himself in a new community has its challenges, but as the newcomer gets to know the young widow whose house he's been working on, he thinks he may have found yet another reason to stay. . . . 

My Take:

I've been a fan of Lauraine Snellings books for years. But for some reason I can't seem to appreciate this series!

I like that I can catch up with character friends from other books, but it seems like Lauraine is so into writing this book about the town that the romance that the back cover insinuates is put on the back burner. Anji and Thomas aren't even part of the central plot! To be honest I had a hard time getting through this book the only reason I continued reading is because I'm already invested in and love these characters and wanted to see how things turned out but I'm debating if there is a next book if I'll even bother reading it or not. All in all if your a fan of Lauraines other 'Blessing' books you might like this one.

* I received this book for free from Bethany house publishers in exchange for my honest review.