A Bound Heart - A Review

Published - January 2019, Revell Books
Author - Laura Frantz
Title - A Bound Heart
Format - ebook, paper
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About the book:
Though Magnus MacLeish and Lark MacDougall grew up on the same castle grounds, Magnus is now laird of the great house and the Isle of Kerrera. Lark is but the keeper of his bees and the woman he is hoping will provide a tincture that might help his ailing wife conceive and bear him an heir. But when his wife dies suddenly, Magnus and Lark find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of accusations, expelled from their beloved island, and sold as indentured servants across the Atlantic. Yet even when all hope seems dashed against the rocky coastline of the Virginia colony, it may be that in this New World the two of them could make a new beginning--together.

My Thoughts:
Combine Scotland, historical fiction, plus a book by an author I have read everything from, and what do you get? A book that is amazing!

I'll admit that I'm a sucker for anything Scottish or Irish. There's just something about those locations that I love. When I learned that Laura Frantz had a new novel coming out that was partially set in Scotland, it immediately hit my radar. 

It was easy for me to be drawn into this beautiful story. Lark is easy to love. And so is Magnus. As their story unfolded, I felt that these characters were now friends of mine. I didn't want the book to end. I truly didn't.

As always, I look forward to the next book that this author has to offer.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in order to share my honest opinion of it. I was not required to like the book, only share my opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of historical fiction, Jody Hedlund, Laura Frantz

Rating - 5 stars

Code of Valor - A Review

Published - January 2019, Revell Books
Series - Blue Justice Book 3
Author - Lynette Eason
Title - Code of Valor
Format - ebook, paper
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About the book:
What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend's cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe--and catch those who would see her dead.

Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn't trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don't share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.

My Thoughts:
This book was a page turner from start to finish. I couldn't put it down. 

I am really enjoying reading about the St. John family. They remind me so much of other fictional families. 

I loved seeing how Brady and his brothers worked to keep Emily safe. There was a plot twist that I didn't really see coming that had me going wow. Now, I did manage to figure out the overall villain in the book, but the suspense still had me quickly turning pages.

I received a copy from the publisher in order to share my honest opinion. I was not required to like the book, only give an honest opinion of it. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Dani Pettrey, Dee Henderson


Rating 4 stars

We Hope for Better Things - A Review

Published - January 2019, Revell Books
Author - Erin Bartels
Title - We Hope for Better Things
Format - ebook, paper
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About the book:
When Detroit Free Press reporter Elizabeth Balsam meets James Rich, his strange request--that she look up a relative she didn't know she had in order to deliver an old camera and a box of photos--seems like it isn't worth her time. But when she loses her job after a botched investigation, she suddenly finds herself with nothing but time.

At her great-aunt's 150-year-old farmhouse north of Detroit, Elizabeth uncovers a series of mysterious items, locked doors, and hidden graves. As she searches for answers to the riddles around her, the remarkable stories of two women who lived in this very house emerge as testaments to love, resilience, and courage in the face of war, racism, and misunderstanding. And as Elizabeth soon discovers, the past is never as past as we might like to think.

Debut novelist Erin Bartels takes readers on an emotional journey through time--from the volatile streets of 1960s Detroit to the Michigan's Underground Railroad during the Civil War--to uncover the past, confront the seeds of hatred, and discover where love goes to hide.


My Thoughts:
Wow! So unexpected, but so good! I'm always a little leery of books by debut authors. I'm never sure what to expect. This one though, it blew me away.

There are three generations whose story is told - Mary (Civil War), Nora (1960's), and Elizabeth (modern). As Elizabeth searches for answers, she discovers more than she bargained for.

This book deals with a very difficult topic - racism in America. How the author addressed it was part of what blew me away with this book. It reminded me of several of Katie Ganshert's books.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in order to share my honest opinion. I was not required to like the book, only give my honest opinion. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of Katie Ganshert, Lisa Wingate

Rating - 5 stars