Love Everlasting

Julie Lessman has again written a great book with Love Everlasting, the second book in the Isle of Hope Series. This is the second book in the series, and it follows Shannon O’Bryen and Sam Cunningham. Sam works at the local hospital with Shannon’s Brother, Jack, who was the focus of the first book in the series. Although Jack warned Shannon about Sam’s background as a “ladies man”, they soon form a strong friendship as Shannon coaches Sam how to get back his ex-girlfriend. While their friendship develops, some secrets come out about Shannon’s past that could destroy their relationship. All while this friendship is growing, some characters from the first book face changes of their own. Shannon’s mom, and her next door neighbor Dr. Ben Carmichael, must move past some problems in their own relationship to determine God’s plans for their future. Jack O’Bryen and Lacey Carmichael O’Bryen also look forward to their future together, and the family they are hoping to grow.

 

I really enjoyed this book, and I was so excited to get the chance to read the second book in the series! The characters are very easy to relate to, and they seem to have the same problems and struggles that everyone can relate to; forgiveness, jealousy, and new relationships. I especially liked reading about some of the characters from the first book in the series. It was great to see how their lives have changed since last reading about the O’Bryen and Carmichael families. I’m also looking forward to the next book in this series, and I’m really hoping it’s about Cat, Shannon’s twin sister!! J

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."  

Love Everlasting

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A Beauty Refined

A Beauty Refined is the second book in the Sapphire Brides series by Tracie Peterson, and it followed Phoebe Von Bergen as she travels to Montana with her father, County Von Bergen, so he can purchase Sapphires from America. Little does Phoebe know, she is about to learn some things about her father’s past that will forever change her life. In addition to the family aspect of the book, there is romance as Phoebe meets Ian Harper, a lapidary in Helena, whose mother works at the Broadwater Hotel where Phoebe and her father are staying while in Montana.

 

This book really focuses on the theme of honesty, and how your life can be altered forever if you keep secrets from one another. Phoebe and Ian both faced lies in their pasts that are affecting them into their adulthood. Also, forgiveness is a theme, as they both must forgive those who wronged them in the past to move on to a future together.

 

While this is the 2^nd book in the series, you do not need to read the first book in order to follow the story of Phoebe and Ian. I enjoyed this and look forward to reading the 3^rd book in this series!!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

From This Moment

In Elizabeth Camden's new book, From This Moment, Stella West is convinced her sister’s suspicious death was not an accidental drowning as reported, and she has moved from her home in London to Boston to prove there was foul play involved in the tragic death of her sister. Romulus White is excited to learn Stella, the artist he had been attempting to hire at his magazine for the past few years, has moved to Boston. He soon makes it his mission to entice her to work for him, and that includes him helping with her investigation. Little do they both know the personal and professional problems they will face because of their looking into the corruption throughout the city.

 

Elizabeth Camden kept my interest completely throughout the entire book! From This Moment was not only great for the romance and mystery, but it had a lot of history in the book as it looked at Boston during the time of the construction of the first subway system in the United States. I really enjoyed the relationship that grew between Romulus and Stella, and they were both great characters that made me really root for them.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Her One and Only

Her One and Only is the first book I’ve read in the Porter Family Novel Series by Becky Wade, but I was so glad I was able to read it. It definitely made me want to go back and read the first 3 books that focus on the Porter brothers. This book looks at the youngest Porter, and the only sister, Dru. Dru is a former Marine who now works as an executive protection agent (bodyguard). When Dru’s new assignment has her protecting Gray Fowler, a NFL tight end for the Dallas Mustangs, she finds it difficult to keep her growing feelings for him from affecting her job.

 

Gray Fowler is not interested in having protective agents, even after receiving threating letters in the mail. When Dru is assigned to protect him, he immediately begins to feel a connection to her.  While I think his feelings for her were real, I don’t like the way in which he treated their relationship at some points. Placing bets on who can kiss Dru first would not be the way he should, or would, treat a person he had growing feelings for.

 

I really enjoyed this book. The suspense combined with the romance made this book one I didn’t want to put down. In addition to the romance, I liked how the book focused on both of these characters looking for something more in their life. Dru told how her life was before her relationship with Jesus, and how her life has changed now that she has a closer relationship with God.

 

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a Christian romance with suspense thrown in J

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Treasure Concealed

 

The Sapphire Brides Series first book, by Tracie Peterson, was a great read that had me not wanting to put the book down! In A Treasure Concealed Emily Carver has spent her life hiding herself from others as she moves from mining town to mining town with her father and mother. She longs for a home of her own, with a family that is not constantly relocating. Although she has this dream, she feels it’s her responsibility to care for her ill mother and her father, who is always searching for the wealth he feels the Lord has in store for him. Emily’s life is soon changed as Caeden Thibault moves to her community. Caeden is a government employee who is all too happy to leave his life in New York and travel to Montana.

As you can imagine, some romance, mystery, and drama is within the pages of A Treasure Concealed. I really enjoyed the characters in the book, and the tight-knit community they created. Everyone seemed to look out for one another, which I guess was a necessity during that time-period. I also liked seeing the relationship develop between Caeden and Emily, as we learned more about Caeden’s past. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Tough As They Come

When I saw an interview about the book Tough AsThey Come by SSG Travis Mills, I could not wait to read it and hear more of his story and the experiences he went through while recovering. Travis Mills, a member of the 82^nd Airborne Division, is a quadruple amputee veteran from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. His book was truly inspiring and shows the sacrifice he, and other soldiers, make on a daily basis. His story covers his younger years, his time in the military, and recovering from his injury. He didn’t gloss over the experiences he had and the way he felt in terms of his anger after the explosion. I also liked the focus on his friends, family, and soldiers – it was interesting to see the different perspectives of people who were close to him in his life.

 

I’m so glad I was able to read this book, and I have since passed it on to my sister who was interested in Travis Mills’ story since she, too, saw an interview discussing his time in the military. This is a great read for anyone who wants to hear an extremely inspiring story.  

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Blogging for Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Amish Sweethearts

Amish Sweethearts is the second book in the Neighbors of Lancaster County series by Leslie Gould, and it was one of my favorite books about the Amish because it shows the relationship between an Amish girl, Lila, and her plain neighbor, Zane. Zane enters the military when he realizes he has no future with Lila since she refuses to move away with him, and she is planning to marry within the Amish community. Although they’re separated by distance, their feelings for one another do not fade.

 

Although I didn’t read the first book in this series, I was able to follow along with this book and really connect with all of the characters. It did take me a little bit of time before I could tie all of the relationships and names together since there were a lot of characters mentioned within the first few chapters. After I got past that point, I really enjoyed reading about Lila, Zane, and the rest of the people in their community. Simon’s story was also interesting because I do not know of any Amish entering into the military.

 

Since I was such a fan of this book, I am looking forward to reading future books in this series. I may even go back and read the first book so I can see how the characters got to the point they are in the second book in this series.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A Worthy Heart

A Worthy Heart is the second book in the Courage to Dream series by Susan Anne Mason. Maggie Montgomery and her brother, Gabe, are in a new country as they came to America from Ireland to visit their brother Rylan Montgomery. Little do they know, they both find themselves falling for people far from their homes.  Maggie soon meets Adam O’Leary, a young man recently released from prison and looking for redemption from his past. After having strained relations with his family, he decides to focus on a new career. He does not feel worthy of a relationship with someone like Maggie, but they find themselves drawn to one another as he feels very protective of her as her past comes to haunt her in America.

 

I really liked this book and watching the relationship grow between Maggie and Adam. They both care deeply for their families, and you could tell they really cared for each other. I also enjoyed reading about Gabe and Aurora’s story, and I hope the next book in the series might focus on their relationship. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Bethany House. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."