Their Second Chance at Love by Kayla Tirrell

 

Their Second Chance at Love by Kayla Tirrell

 

Summary:

Erin’s a single mom doing her best to make ends meet. She and her children live with the eccentric widow in town, and she’s finally getting her head above water when a familiar face from her past returns. Logan’s back to fix up the house he grew up in and get it ready to sell, but he never thought he’d find the woman he once loved living there with her two young children.

While Erin’s looking for a way to buy the old Victorian, Logan’s looking for a way out of town. But neither one expected to find love in the process.

Their Second Chance at Love is a Christian romance that will make you believe in second chances and remind you of God's faithfulness even in the darkest of storms.

Review 2-Star

I had high hopes for this book, but was sadly disappointed in the fact that I could not picture any of the characters cause besides the color of Aunt Betty you don’t learn anything about how Erin, Logan, or even the kids look like. When I’m reading, I like to be able to paint a picture in my mind for the book to come alive.  Not even a real description of the house wasn’t given and the term old Victorian can cover a few different styles of homes. Even the old red convertible we don’t know the make and model so it’s just a car.

The overall story is well-written, and the editing is spot on. It just lacks the stuff that makes a story stand out and be memorable.

Conclusion:

Will I recommend this book to others?    NO

Will I read other books written by this Author? Maybe

 

I was given this book by NetGalley for my honest review

Red Dead's History by Tore C Olsson

 

Red Dead’s History by Tore C Olsson

 

Summary:

Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption II, set in 1911 and 1899, are the most-played American history video games since The Oregon Trail. Beloved by millions, they’ve been widely acclaimed for their realism and attention to detail. But how do they fare as recreations of history?

In this engaging book, award-winning American history professor Tore Olsson takes up that question and more. Weaving the games’ plot and characters into an exploration of American violence between 1870 and 1920, Olsson shows that it was more often disputes over capitalism and race, not just poker games and bank robberies, that fueled the bloodshed of these turbulent years. As such, this era has much to teach us today. From the West to the Deep South to Appalachia, Olsson reveals the gritty and brutal world that inspired the games, but sometimes lacks context and complexity on the digital screen. Colorful, fast-paced, and dramatic, Red Dead’s History sheds light on dark corners of the American past for gamers and history buffs alike.

 

Review -5-star

As someone who loves history and gaming and is very much into the game of Red Dead, this was a fun read, I loved the history lesson I got and I was correct in my thinking that the game was out of the time frame they are trying to portray. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the book and was pleasantly surprised at how the author broke it down. Even knowing that the game is out of the time frame they wanted to portray I will still enjoy the game and continue to play it.  I enjoyed the writing style of this author and would love to read more.

I received this book for my honest review.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

 

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown

 

Summary:

Cassie Andrews works in a New York City bookshop, shelving books, making coffee for customers, and living an unassuming, ordinary life. Until the day one of her favorite customers—a lonely yet charming old man—dies right in front of her. Cassie is devastated. She always loved his stories, and now she has nothing to remember him by. Nothing but the last book he was reading.  

But this is no ordinary book…

It is the Book of Doors. 

Inscribed with enigmatic words and mysterious drawings, it promises Cassie that any door is every door. You just need to know how to open them.

Then she’s approached by a gaunt stranger in a rumpled black suit with a Scottish brogue who calls himself Drummond Fox. He’s a librarian who keeps watch over a unique set of rare volumes. The tome now in Cassie’s possession is not the only book with great power, but it is the one most coveted by those who collect them.

Now Cassie is being hunted by those few who know of the Special Books. With only her roommate Izzy to confide in, she has to decide if she will help the mysterious and haunted Drummond protect the Book of Doors—and the other books in his secret library’s care—from those who will do evil. Because only Drummond knows where the unique library is and only Cassie’s book can get them there. 

Review: 4-star

Wow, what a ride this book took me on.  I so wish I could have given it a 5 star, but it was easy to put down and do other things and come back to it.  To me, a 5-star read is one I can’t put down. It kept me on my toes as I couldn’t figure out what was going to happen and it kept me surprised and satisfied.  As this a the first book from this author I will be looking out for more books written by him as I know it will be a journey well worth my time and money.

 

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

 

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh

 

Summary:

In 1872, New Orleans is a city ruled by the dead. But to seventeen-year-old Celine Rousseau, New Orleans is a safe haven after she's forced to flee her life as a dressmaker in Paris. Taken in by the sisters of the Ursuline convent in the middle of the carnival season, Celine is quickly enraptured by the vibrant city, from its music to its fancy soirées and even its danger. She becomes embroiled in the city's glitzy underworld, known as La Cour des Lions, after catching the eye of the group's enigmatic leader, Sébastien Saint Germain.

When the body of one of the girls from the convent is found in Sébastien's own lair--the second dead girl to turn up in recent weeks--Celine battles her attraction to Sébastien and suspicions about his guilt along with the shame of her own horrible secret.

After a third murder, New Orleans becomes gripped by the terror of a serial killer on the loose--one who has now set Celine in his sights. As the murderer stalks her, Celine finally takes matters into her own hands, only to find herself caught in the midst of an age-old feud between the darkest creatures of the night, where the price of forbidden love is her life.

Review: 3-star

The overall book is very well written, I just didn’t connect with it the way I like to connect so, it was easy to put down and walk away for days at a time. Not sure what the author could have done differently to make me connect.  I think it was just me at the moment I was reading this book. I can say that the editing of the book was above my standards which is a great thing when I read so many that are riddled with errors.

I received this book for my honest review.

Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise by Anne Blackburne

 

Ruth’s Ginger Snap Surprise by Anne Blackburne

 

Summary:

Ruth Defies Authority to Hold on to her Family Farm
Full of faith, hope, and romance, this new series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.
 
Ruth Helmuth has never been rude in her life; trust her to choose the bishop of her Amish community for her first time!

Ruth has worked hard to keep body and soul together since her husband, Levi’s, death. She tends her herd of goats, making her living from the milk and fiber she gets from them, all while running a farm and household by herself—and very competently, thank you! How could she imagine the bishop suggesting she should give it all up to another family, who will “make better use of the space”?

Enter widower Jonas Hershberger, owner of a pair of adorable dimples and father of a charming 4-year-old daughter. Jonas is in need of a larger place to house his growing business. Ruth’s big red barn may be just the ticket. Little Abigail is in need of a new mother. Ruth might be just the ticket there, too!

Can two independent souls learn to work together for their mutual good? And will they be willing to explore what grows between them?  Or will Ruth’s fear over her “big secret” and Jonas’s caution about allowing someone new to get close to his young daughter, kill their love before it has a chance to grow?

Luckily for both of them, God’s plan involves the stubborn pair getting a little help in the form of a wise, elderly friend; a quirky orange kitten; and a smart little girl who takes one look at Ruth and decides she would make her the perfect new mother!

 

Review: 5-Star

This is one of those page-turners which you can’t put down so you read from cover to cover in one sitting.  The flow, the editing along with the character development is spot on. I don’t know what else to say.  The characters felt real, and the way the emotions were captured was brilliantly done as I could feel each emotion and they were spot-on.  I will most definitely read other books written by this Author and I’ll let all my friends who enjoy this type of book know that this is a must-read.

 

I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review

Double Take by Lynette Eason

 

Double Take by Lynette Eason

 

Summary:

Detective James Cross has been honorably discharged from the Army Criminal Investigation Division due to wounds sustained when an IED blew up near him. Now with the Lake City Police Department, he's rooming with this good buddy and partner, Cole, while he figures out his family dynamics.

Physician Assistant Lainie Jackson is eighteen months out from an attempted murder perpetrated by her ex, which ended when she managed to grab the weapon and shoot him. When he appears to have survived and is back to finish the job he started, Lainie insists it's not possible. But someone keeps trying to kill her, and she keeps seeing his face.

Together, Lainie and James must work together to find out who, exactly, is after her and why he wants her dead. And failure is not an option.

 

Review: 5=Star

Wow, just Wow… I read this story in one sitting I couldn’t put the book down didn’t want to miss a thing. My Kindle powered down and I looked at the clock it was way past the time for me to be able to go get more feed for my horses and I had to feed horses in the dark, but I put my Kindle on the charger and came back inside to finish the book about 1 am. I’ve struggled to find faith-based thrillers. Most are missing that spark that keeps you reading, but this one from the very first page to the last page kept me reading. The flow was perfect and the character development was spot on.  They felt so real and the writer put me right there I could picture everything in my head.  I look forward to reading more from this author just found myself another author to follow.

I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review

Miracles at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

 

Miracles at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

 

Summary:

Returning to the fan-favorite world of Promise Lodge, the small-town Missouri setting for her beloved Amish inspirational romance novels, Charlotte Hubbard charms readers with a Mother’s Day themed tale perfect for fans of Shelley Shepard Gray and Beth Wiseman!

A season of change has blessed the Amish of Missouri’s Promise Lodge, as mothers-to-be anticipate the arrival of their little miracles and one young man’s life is about to take an unexpected turn as he sheds his bad boy reputation and embraces the value of faith and hard work.

Long-time residents of Promise Lodge welcome a wave of newcomers that includes a pretty potter who’s come to help an expectant couple, and a hard-working dairy expert ready to manage the herds on the expanding Burkholder farm. Then there’s Isaac Chupp, the handsome, charming son of a notoriously unyielding Bishop from nearby Coldstream. Isaac has recklessly rebelled against his dat, and his bad boy reputation precedes him. Now he seeks a fresh start, applying for work at Dale Kraybill’s bulk store.

Proving himself reliable while Dale takes off for his wedding trip is Isaac’s bold first step. But more miraculous awakenings may come as he settles into the warm new light of the faithful community. And while Promise Lodge celebrates an abundance of newborns as summer turns to fall, Isaac discovers a kindred soul who has her own share of challenges. In helping her, he just may find his true purpose in loving selflessly, building up, and giving back . . .

 

Review- 3-Star

I struggled to read this book not because it’s poorly written, but I couldn’t connect with the storyline or the characters. I would read a few pages maybe a chapter at a time. It didn’t hold me like most books do. I could easily put it down and do other stuff.  The editing was spot on and that’s the only reason it’s getting a 3-star review.

 

I received this book from NetGalley for my honest review