Can't Wait Wednesday: The Rescue (All Roads Lead to Texas Book 1) by Tanya Eavenson

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring The Rescue (All Roads Lead to Texas Book 1) by Tanya Eavenson releasing September 2.

About the Book

Sometimes the path to freedom is found in an unexpected future.

Upon the death of her mother, Rosalind Standford’s life shatters, the pieces scattering to the wind when she is forced into a betrothal to a cunning banker. But when a telegram arrives announcing the man who captured her heart is on a train to Boston, Rosalind must hide her true feelings before the thin cord of her existence unravels the deadly secrets she keeps.

Cowboy Trent Easton returns to his roots in Boston society to find his childhood friend, the love of his heart. Instead he finds a broken woman engaged to a man close to her father’s age. Though she once rejected him, when Trent learns she’s in danger, he determines to do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even taking her to the altar in the black of night. But will his name and the remote wilds of his Texas ranch be enough to protect her? Or will freedom cost them their lives?

Why I Need It

First of all, how gorgeous is that cover? Love it! I'm a big fan of this author. I've read and enjoyed all of her previous books and am so excited to check out her first historical fiction! It sounds like an exciting and romantic read.

What upcoming release are you excited about?

Mini Review: Up from the Sea (Whose Waves These Are 0.5) by Amanda Dykes

About the Book

Deep in a New England forest, an ancient tree stands at the center of a tale passed down through the generations. So much so, that the residents of Ansel-by-the-Sea, Maine, no longer know what is truth and what is fable. A woman fleeing in the night, rumors of treason, revolution, retribution . . .

When Savannah Mae Thorpe, born and raised near the golden sands of the South, arrives with a version of the story unlike any heard before, she finds herself the unlikely leader of an expedition into the woods to discover the truth. With help from local lumberjack Alastair Bliss, who holds a shadowed past of his own, her search to discover the truth of the Atonement Tree may have unexpected ramifications on her life--and the lives of those around her.

A tale of origins, this novella is a story complete on its own but also an invitation to discover the legacy that came before the story of Robert Bliss, the fisherman-poet who changed the tide of a nation with his unsuspecting words in Amanda's full-length novel, Whose Waves These Are.

Amazon / Goodreads

Available as a free e-novella

My Thoughts

I've been hearing how amazing Whose Waves These Are is, so I thought I'd give the free prequel novella a try. Wow, what a breathtakingly beautiful story! You can be sure that the full length book has moved up on my wishlist! I was swept away to the past and didn't want to leave. The vivid descriptions and lyrical prose brought this story to life. I can't recommend it highly enough!

Favorite Quote

Lord, you created the dark just as you created the light. Help me find life there, and not fear.

Five Stars

Review: Tate (The Montana Marshalls #2) by Susan May Warren

About the Book

What will it cost this bodyguard to save the woman he loves?

*Susie writes a delightful story! - NYT bestselling author Dee Henderson.*

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over 65 novels, including the best-selling Montana Rescue and Montana Fire series.

Bodyguard Tate Marshall, has always been the family troublemaker…

Maybe it’s his propensity to get entangled in other people’s problems. Now, he’s in over his head because he’s desperately in love with the woman he’s tasked to protect, the beautiful Gloria, “Glo” Jackson, daughter of US Senator and presidential hopeful Reba Jackson. A member of the country band, the Yankee Belles, Glo was targeted in a recent terrorist attack designed to deter her mother from running, and Tate will do anything to keep her safe. Even if it means letting her go.

Country music artist Glo Jackson isn’t afraid of trouble…

Stubborn and brave, Glo isn’t about to hide from threats, at least the kind that won’t cost her heart. She’s already paid a terrible price for the war on terror, and she refuses to fall for a man who might die, especially because of her. Better to keep him away, even if it means sacrificing her heart.

But when danger threatens them both, what will they sacrifice to keep each other safe?

As the presidential campaign heats up and the threats deepen, so does the attraction between Tate and Glo. But what will it cost Tate to keep her alive? And what will Glo do to keep from losing another man she loves?

The gripping second installment of the Montana Marshalls series.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

Tate is book two in the Montana Marshalls series and picks up right where Knox left off. I'd definitely recommend starting with book one. They're both so interconnected, I wouldn't want you to be lost if you start here.

This story focuses on Tate, the troublemaking brother in the family, and Glo, a member of the country band the Yankee Belles. I'll go ahead and admit it. Glo wasn't my favorite person. I thought maybe, eventually, she'd grow on me, but that just wasn't the case. She was so flighty and flip-floppy with Tate. She had her reasons, but that shouldn't excuse her behavior, the way she was almost toying with him. It made for a frustrating read, at times. And, I feel bad for saying this, but in the end, I wasn't completely convinced that they were right for each other.

While this wasn't my favorite Susan May Warren book, it was still enjoyable. There was lots of suspense and a great spiritual message. Plus, I really enjoyed the secondary story featuring Ford (Tate's Navy Seal brother) and his love interest Scarlett. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book for more of them! And to discover more about the situation with Ford's twin sister, Ruby Jane.

Favorite Quote:

"When you show up with nothing and discover that you’re loved because of who you are—that’s when you realize what it means to be a son of God. That’s when you discover that you’ve inherited more than you could possibly imagine. It’s pretty breathtaking.” He grinned. “Sort of like free-falling, knowing that your chute is going to catch you.”

Three Stars

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two.

This week I'm sharing The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel.

About the Book

Brought together by a charming bookstore in England, three women fight to defy expectations, dream new dreams, and welcome love into their lives.

As a counselor, Sophia Barrett is trained to help people cope with their burdens. But when she meets a new patient whose troubles mirror her own, she realizes she hasn’t dealt with the pain of her recent past. After making a snap decision to get away for the summer, Sophia moves overseas to an apartment above a charming bookstore in Cornwall, England. She is hopeful she will find peace there surrounded by her favorite thing: great literature.

Bookstore owner Ginny Rose is desperate to save her business without asking for help from a husband who’s decided to take a break from their marriage. Ginny never imagined she’d be solely responsible for keeping afloat her husband’s dream, but the unexpected friendship with her new renter has her feeling more optimistic. Between the two of them—and Ginny’s brother-in-law, William—the bookstore might stand a chance.

Then Sophia finds a notebook in the bookstore that contains journal entries from Emily Fairfax, a governess who lived in Cornwall more than 150 years ago. Sophia learns that Emily harbored a secret passion for becoming an authoress—as well as a deep love for her childhood friend, Edward, whose station she dared not dream to touch.

Eager to know more of Emily’s story, Sophia goes on a quest—dragging Ginny and William with her—to discover the heart of the woman behind the beautiful entries. Soon Ginny’s need to save the bookstore becomes more than a way to save her marriage, and Sophia finds new purpose of her own. Together they find that sometimes both heartache and hope can reach across the centuries.

Book Beginning (From Chapter 1)

When life was busy, three months had a way of flurrying by.

But Sophia Barrett's last ninety-two days had passed in a drizzle of constant monotony.

Friday 56

On the outside, I was a simple woman, with a simple life.

I did not however have simple dreams.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Margin of Error (Fog Lake Mysteries #2) by Christy Barritt

About the Book

Some secrets have deadly consequences.

Brynlee Parker thought her biggest challenge would be hiking to Dead Man’s Bluff and fulfilling her dad’s last wishes. She never thought she’d witness two men being viciously murdered while on a mountainous trail. Even worse, the deadly predator is now hunting her.

Boone Wilder wants nothing to do with Dead Man’s Bluff, not after his wife died there. But he can’t seem to mind his own business when a mysterious out-of-towner burst into his camp store in a frenzied panic. Something—or someone—deadly is out there.

The killer’s hunger for blood seems to be growing at a brutal pace. Can Brynlee and Boone figure out who’s behind these murders? Or will the hurts and secrets from their past not allow for even a margin of error?

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

Margin of Error is another fast paced and suspenseful read from Christy Barritt. You can always count on her to deliver a compelling and unputdownable story. This is the second book in the Fog Lake Mysteries series, but you don't have to read the first one to enjoy it. It stands on it's own perfectly fine.

On a hiking trip in memory of her dad, Brynlee witnesses something terrible. A beast mauls two men. A beast with claws and a human face. Local police are convinced it was a bear, but Brynlee knows what she saw. Plus, ever since she witnessed the attack, she's been stalked by that same beast-like creature.

The intrigue and action start right at the beginning, keeping me glued to the pages and making it almost impossible to set aside until I reached the thrilling conclusion. If you're a fan of romantic suspense, don't hesitate to pick up a copy! I can't recommend it enough!

Four Stars

Can't Wait Wednesday: Vow of Justice (Blue Justice #4) by Lynette Eason

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Vow of Justice (Blue Justice #4) by Lynette Eason releasing August 6.

About the Book

FBI Special Agent Lincoln St. John is living his own personal nightmare. When the woman he loves, Allison Radcliffe, is killed, he devotes his life to tracking down the killers and making them pay for their crimes. He expected it to be a challenge. What he never expected was to find Allison very much alive shortly after her "murder." As his anger and hurt mix with relief, Linc isn't sure how he's supposed to feel. One thing he does know for sure: he and Allison will have to work together to stop a killer before she dies a second time--this time for good.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason closes out her Blue Justice series with a story that will have you tearing through the pages to get to the stunning conclusion.

Why I Need It
I've loved this series about the St. John family and am sad to see it end, but am so excited to finally get Linc's story! It sounds like a thrilling read! The woman he loves comes back from the dead? Yeah, I can't wait!

What upcoming release are you excited about?

Review: New York (Daughter of Babylon #2) by Jamie Lee Grey

About the Book

Raging infernos. Widespread destruction. Nuclear disaster. And that’s just the first weekend.

As the United States reels from a devastating attack on California, terrorists move ahead with their next strike to trigger the American apocalypse. New York is ground zero.

Katie and Zach, who spent Saturday fleeing the fires, now spend Sunday running from the feds. And trying to figure out why they’re the target of a massive manhunt.

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., Basilia and Alana struggle to protect the country from utter devastation.

Is the worst finally over? Or is it just getting started?

NEW YORK is the second book in the apocalyptic thriller Daughter of Babylon series.

Amazon / Goodreads

My Thoughts

This book picks up pretty much right where the last one left off. It's just as fast paced and had me just as engrossed.

Katie and Zach are still on the run, but this time instead of fleeing the raging fires, it's the feds they're trying to evade. They're falsely accused of a horrendous crime, but with a nationwide manhunt underway, is there any chance of them escaping?

I'm completely invested in these characters and am so eager to find out what happens to them next!

Four Stars