One More Tomorrow by Melanie Stevenson

Book Descripion

One woman finds herself bound to a past she cannot forget.

Another, driven by past choices she can neither change nor accept.



It's been over a year. That should be enough time to forget a first love. But aspiring artist Katie Banks is still waiting. Not even Justin Burke, her university classmate, has been able to erase the hurt Aiden Ford inflicted, or weaken Katie's resolve to never date a man who doesn't share her faith. When Katie accepts a scholarship to study in Paris, it places much-needed distance between her and Justin. But love still eludes her, until a stormy night and a tragic accident change everything. The possibility that she and Aiden might be able to find their forever love this time both excites and terrifies Katie. Can she forgive past hurts, or will the walls she's built to protect herself keep love a distant dream?One woman finds herself bound to a past she cannot forget.

Another, driven by past choices she can neither change nor accept.



It's been over a year. That should be enough time to forget a first love. But aspiring artist Katie Banks is still waiting. Not even Justin Burke, her university classmate, has been able to erase the hurt Aiden Ford inflicted, or weaken Katie's resolve to never date a man who doesn't share her faith. When Katie accepts a scholarship to study in Paris, it places much-needed distance between her and Justin. But love still eludes her, until a stormy night and a tragic accident change everything. The possibility that she and Aiden might be able to find their forever love this time both excites and terrifies Katie. Can she forgive past hurts, or will the walls she's built to protect herself keep love a distant dream?One woman finds herself bound to a past she cannot forget.

Another, driven by past choices she can neither change nor accept.

It's been over a year. That should be enough time to forget a first love. But aspiring artist Katie Banks is still waiting. Not even Justin Burke, her university classmate, has been able to erase the hurt Aiden Ford inflicted, or weaken Katie's resolve to never date a man who doesn't share her faith. When Katie accepts a scholarship to study in Paris, it places much-needed distance between her and Justin. But love still eludes her, until a stormy night and a tragic accident change everything.

The possibility that she and Aiden might be able to find their forever love this time both excites and terrifies Katie. Can she forgive past hurts, or will the walls she's built to protect herself keep love a distant dream?

My thoughts:

This debut novel by Melanie Stevenson is an emotionally charged novel of four friends and the choices they make throughout their college lives and after career paths. I loved Katie Banks, her faith is unshakable which made her stand out as a strong young woman who knows what she wants and won't settle for anything or anyone she knows isn't right for her.  I liked Rachel, Justin and Aiden as much as I liked Katie, but she stood out to me because of her strong beliefs throughout the story.

Overall, I thought this is an impressive debut novel, with flawed but likeable characters. It's a beautifully crafted story and I look forward to reading more of this authors writing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions are my own.

Matchmaking Can Be Murder by Amanda Flower

Book Description

When widowed Millie Fisher moves back to her childhood home of Harvest, Ohio, she notices one thing right away—the young Amish are bungling their courtships and marrying the wrong people! A quiltmaker by trade, Millie has nevertheless stitched together a few lives in her time, with truly romantic results. Her first mission? Her own niece, widowed gardener Edith Hochstetler, recently engaged to rude, greedy Zeke Miller. Anyone can see he’s not right for such a gentle young woman—except Edith herself.

 
Pleased when she convinces the bride-to-be to leave her betrothed before the wedding, Millie is later panicked to find Zeke in Edith’s greenhouse—as dead as a tulip in the middle of winter. To keep her niece out of prison—and to protect her own reputation—Millie will have to piece together a patchwork of clues to find a killer, before she becomes the next name on his list . . .

My thoughts:

Matchmaking Can Be Murder is the first book in An Amish Matchmaker Mystery series penned by  Amanda Flower . In this book we meet widowed matchmaker Millie Fisher and her two rambunctious goats, Peter and Phillip and reconnect with characters from the authors series An Amish Candy Shop.  Speaking of reconnecting, widowed Millie Fisher reconnects with Lois Kenny, her Englisch friend when she moves back to her childhood home of Harvest, Ohio.   They soon become involved in a murder mystery much to the chagrin of Deputy Aiden Brody and much to my delight as I laughed throughout this novel.

Millie and Lois are really serious about their sleuthing, Lois has even given Millie somewhat of a code name, I had to admire their spunk and commitment to proving a persons innocence. They may be amateur sleuths but I can easily imagine many more investigations and justice being served with the help of this dynamic duo. There are some unexpected plot twists along the way and I honestly thought I knew who the culprit was but as usual in the end I was completely surprised. 

Overall, I thought this novel was well written with well developed characters and that it moved a great pace.   The description of the town, the businesses and the animals added to the story and held my interest throughout, making everything and everyone come to life.  I am looking forward to the next book in the series to find out what the author has in store for her readers next.  I have a feeling it's going to be another fantastic read. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions are completely my own. 

The Gray Chamber (True Colors) by Grace Hitchcock

Book Description

Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

Will Edyth prove her sanity before it is too late?

On Blackwell Island, New York, a hospital was built to keep its patients from ever leaving.

With her late father’s fortune under her uncle’s care until her twenty-fifth birthday in the year 1887, Edyth Foster does not feel pressured to marry or to bow to society’s demands. She freely indulges in eccentric hobbies like fencing and riding her velocipede in her cycling costume about the city for all to see. Finding a loophole in the will, though, her uncle whisks Edyth off to the women’s lunatic asylum just weeks before her birthday. Do any of Edyth’s friends care that she disappeared?

At the asylum she meets another inmate, who upon discovering Edyth’s plight, confesses that she is Nellie Bly, an undercover journalist for The World. Will either woman find a way to leave the terrifying island and reclaim her true self?

My thoughts:

Grace Hitchcock has penned another compelling novel that I read in one day.  I loved everything about this book from her thorough research to her incredible characters.  The Gray Chamber is a heart wrenching  story of fictional character Edyth Foster who was placed in a very real and horrible asylum on Blackwell Island, New York.

Edyth is such a free spirited young lady who enjoys her life as a single lady of leisure would do but unfortunately her relatives saw that as an opportunity to have her committed.  The horrible treatment she and the other ladies placed there experience will break your heart.  It's hard to imagine that people were institutionalized in some cases because families couldn't deal  with them or for more nefarious reasons.  

I loved seeing the appearance of Nellie Bly an undercover journalist and the work she did to help expose the atrocities the patients suffered, but what I loved most of all was the caring people in Edyth's life.  

True Colors written by various authors has been one of my favorite series and has jarred my memory on historical events that I had forgotten about. 

If you love Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime then you'll definitely want to read this series.  They are all standalone novels which I love.

Overall, I thought The Gray Chamber was a fast paced, heart-pumping read.  It kept me engaged from beginning to end which is why I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy.  All opinions are completely my own.

A Cousin's Promise by Wanda Brunstetter

Book Description

When a horrific accident cripples Wayne Lambright, he finds it difficult enough to take care of himself, much less Loraine Miller, his future bride. Will he sacrifice his happiness to give her a better life? Having already been jilted once, Loraine is terrified of yet another rejection. But does she love Wayne enough to marry him, for better or worse? When her old boyfriend Jake Beechy returns from exploring the English world, he hopes Loraine will give him another chance. 

Will she renew their love or wed Wayne as promised? How will God work to give Loraine the desires of her heart.

My thoughts:

I read this book in December 2014 but read again recently when I was going through some of my older books.  I have been a fan of this author for quite some time and this series was one of my favorites.

The story moves a great pace and the characters are well developed as I have come to expect from Ms. Brunstetter.  The decision  made by the group of friends to go to an amusement ends in tragedy as the vehicle they are in is involved in a terrible accident which leaves one of the crippled.  The troy follows his recovery and how he deal with his new way of life is realistic and heartbreaking at the same time.

Overall, I found this novel to be one worth reading once again.  

Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything by John Perritt

Book Description

With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him?

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him?

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him?

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.With this twelve-week accessible study for young adults, Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything, John Perritt points readers toward a better love and appreciation for their compassionate savior and suffering servant.

Created for one-to-one discipleship, small group, or large settings, this guide is theologically rich in a time when biblical illiteracy is growing among Christians. Rather than a message of moralism, Mark introduces students to Jesus: the lover of the least and the hero of heroes.

Perritt outlines many helpful questions paired with Scripture readings for personal reflection or group discussion. Through in-depth examination of the book of Mark, article readings, and applicable exercises, students experience the compassion and authority of Christ.

He helps young adults ask difficult questions: Why was Jesus angry in the book of Mark? How does Peter’s denial of Jesus still fit into God’s perfect plan? What does it mean that even Jesus begs his Father to allow suffering to be removed from him? 

By helping students walk away with a better understanding of the themes in the gospel of Mark, Perritt offers them a better understanding of the man, Jesus Christ, who is the gospel—the one who changes everything.

My thoughts:

A nice study guide of the Gospel of Mark geared towards young adults.  I'm certainly not a young adult but felt this would be a nice edition to have in my collection.  I don't normally read too much  nonfiction but found this fairly interesting and recommend it to other readers of all ages. 

If you are a parent or person who works with young adults then this would be a great study to share with a your child or youth group.

I received a copy through Netgalley.  Opinions expressed are my own.

Deadly Christmas Pretense (Roughwater Ranch Cowboys #2) by Dana Mentink

Book Description

A cowboy to her rescue…

but she’s not who he thinks she is.

Posing as her sister for Christmas is the only way to save her, but Maggie Lofton needs help—even if it means working with her twin’s cowboy ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike. But between the bull’s-eye on her back and the dangerous connection she’s forming with Liam, Maggie’s mission is harder than expected. Will their tenuous partnership be enough to shield her when the killer closes in? A cowboy to her rescue…

but she’s not who he thinks she is.

Posing as her sister for Christmas is the only way to save her, but Maggie Lofton needs help—even if it means working with her twin’s cowboy ex-boyfriend, Liam Pike. But between the bull’s-eye on her back and the dangerous connection she’s forming with Liam, Maggie’s mission is harder than expected.

Will their tenuous partnership be enough to shield her when the killer closes in? 

My thoughts:

What a page turner Deadly Christmas Pretense is.  I seriously had a hard time putting this book down because I didn't want to miss out on one single detail in this suspenseful novel.  I knew the action would still be there if I stopped reading but I just kept getting pulled into the storyline. Ms. Mentink has a way of doing that in every book that I read of hers.

Liam Pike is the perfect hero for Maggie Lofton, even if she doesn't realize it at first but you cant really blame her for keeping her distance from him as she pretends to be her twin sister, sinceis he is her twins ex-boyfriend.  I absolutely loved this storyline and the wonderful characters.  

There's enough action and suspense to hold your interest throughout this fast paced, and wonderfully written book.  I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Seconds to Live (Homeland Heroes #1) by Susan Sleeman

Book Description

When cybercriminals hack into the U.S. Marshal's Witness Protection database and auction off personal details to the highest bidder, FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. 

Trouble is, he has to work with U.S. Marshal Taylor Mills, who knows the secrets of his past, and  the seconds are ticking down before someone dies.

My thoughts:

Seconds to Live the first book in the Homeland Heroes series by Ms. Sleeman is a fantastic read. The novel is fast-paced and action packed. The premise of hacking into the Witness Protection database, though frightening to imagine was incredibly interesting and held my attention throughout.  

Taylor Mills and Sean Nichols had been communicating with each other online which I thought was a nice touch and helped explain their friendship which seems plausible given their  careers.  I can easily imagine how they would have had that interaction and made their face to face meeting natural and less awkward.  It made their attraction to each other believable because of their communication with each other.

I loved seeing different agencies working together to protect witnesses and to find who the hacker is. There is a lot of hard work and dedication that goes into what they do to keep us safe. 

Overall, Seconds to Live is an interesting, suspenseful  novel that I really enjoyed and recommend to readers  of this genre. I look forward to the next book in the series to find out what's in store for the Homeland Heroes.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.