Review: A Refuge in Montana (Three Sisters Rescue Farm) by Allie Pleiter

SYNOPSIS

In Big Sky Country,
Sometimes forgiveness takes the most courage…

For her son’s sake, widowed veterinarian Vicky Siden works hard to pretend all is well. But the arrival of game warden Nick Youngston at her family’s animal rescue—with a horse and donkey in tow—changes everything. With three-year-old Taylor eager to help Nick rehab Buddy and Dunk, Vicky can’t avoid her late husband’s best friend, who she’s always blamed for his death. Nor can Nick avoid the real reason he’s in town. As old wounds resurface and feelings spark to life, facing the truth could keep them apart—or lead to an unexpected second opportunity at love.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / Author Website

MY THOUGHTS

“Of all the unpleasant, unwanted surprises in Vicky Siden’s life, few topped the sight of the man standing in front of her.”

This was a really sweet and heartwarming story of grief, hope, and forgiveness.

There was a lot of history and hurt between Vicky and Nick. He was her husband’s best friend, and she blames him for his death. When he brings a neglected donkey and horse to the Three Sisters Rescue Farm for some rehabilitation, they have a chance to hash things out. I was really rooting for them to work things out.

Vicky’s son Taylor was adorable. And I loved Dunk the donkey and Buddy the horse. I liked seeing Taylor’s sweet relationship with the animals.

I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet and inspiring contemporary romance. Even though it’s part of a series, it stands alone perfectly fine.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Review: Scent of Peril (National Park Protectors Book 3) by Darlene L. Turner

SYNOPSIS

An innocent witness taken…
A K-9 in hot pursuit.

Dispatched with her K-9 partner, Shadow, to locate an abducted boy, Constable Taylor Grant finds herself ambushed in the wilderness along with Wyatt Hoyt, the child’s father. As Taylor and Wyatt relentlessly pursue the kidnappers and follow the little boy’s cryptic clues through treacherous terrain, they face persistent attacks and lethal traps. Each step closer to rescuing young Levi uncovers a deadly conspiracy tied to Wyatt’s past and a weapons-smuggling ring. With time running out, can they outwit a ruthless mastermind to save Levi before it’s too late?

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I loved this action-packed romantic suspense! There was hardly a dull moment. The danger kept intensifying, which made this book impossible to put down. I flew through the pages.

I really liked Taylor and Wyatt. They were exes, but I liked how they were able to come together to find and protect his son. There were still obvious feelings between the two. They had amazing chemistry despite the tense circumstances. Shadow, Taylor’s K-9, was awesome, and Wyatt’s son Levi was adorable.

I had a pit in my stomach for parts of this book. There were many times I forgot this was a fictional book. It felt so real that I found myself praying for these characters.

I loved the strong message of faith to let go, surrender, and trust God. It was really powerful. If you’re a fan of inspirational romantic suspense, don’t hesitate to grab a copy of this book. I highly recommend it! It’s fantastic!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Scent of Peril (National Park Protectors Book 3) by Darlene L. Turner

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. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 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. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Scent of Peril (National Park Protectors Book 3) by Darlene L. Turner. 

SYNOPSIS

An innocent witness taken…
A K-9 in hot pursuit.

Dispatched with her K-9 partner, Shadow, to locate an abducted boy, Constable Taylor Grant finds herself ambushed in the wilderness along with Wyatt Hoyt, the child’s father. As Taylor and Wyatt relentlessly pursue the kidnappers and follow the little boy’s cryptic clues through treacherous terrain, they face persistent attacks and lethal traps. Each step closer to rescuing young Levi uncovers a deadly conspiracy tied to Wyatt’s past and a weapons-smuggling ring. With time running out, can they outwit a ruthless mastermind to save Levi before it’s too late?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

Silence blanketed the normally bustling wilderness of Teragoose National Park, Newfoundland. Odd.

Friday 56

Taylor extracted a butter knife from the utensil drawer with her shaky fingers and took several cleansing breaths to calm her shattered nerves.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: A Taste of Tea and Tenderness by Gabrielle Landi

SYNOPSIS

A pinch of fake dating, a dash of fundraiser mayhem, and a love that rises when their future is on the line.

Running the Cozy Cat Café while its owner is away would have been enough work, but apprentice Linnea added another complication: catering the local school’s fundraiser. Surviving the week seems debatable…until the quiet schoolteacher she might be falling for offers to help her. Faking a relationship to avoid one of his students is only the icing on the cinnamon roll.

Conrad hasn’t been able to take his eyes off Linnea since he first saw her, and the fact that she’s on her own with the cafe for a week seems like the perfect opportunity to show her how much he cares. But with more suitors vying for her hand, an encounter with a hive of bees gone wrong, and clingy students that he can’t shake, proving that he’s the man for her is turning out to be more work than he expected.

Between batches of pastries and mugs of tea, can Conrad and Linnea's fake relationship rise to the occasion, or will they both end up burned?

A Taste of Tea and Tenderness, a no spice fairy tale retelling of Thumbelina, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes such as fake dating, he falls first, and wound tending. It is part of The Enchanting Confections series, a collection of clean and cozy stories guaranteed to delight your sweet tooth. Perfect for fans of whimsical fairytale romance, cozy Hallmark vibes, and sweet & swoony heroes.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was a really sweet and cozy read. It’s a Thumbelina retelling, which was fun. I haven’t read many of those.

Linnea is taking care of the Cafe for a little while. Even though she was intimidated, I loved seeing her commitment to it. I thought her and Conrad were very sweet together. I appreciated having both of their POVs.

I love the world of Galamere and always enjoy revisiting it and its characters again. This is standalone, though, so if you haven’t read any of Landi’s other books, you’ll be able to dive right in.

While there wasn’t much conflict or tension, this was still an enjoyable read. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a very cozy, non-stressful read. I look forward to reading the author's next book!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

THREE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: A Lady's Handbook to Gadgets and Guile (A Daughters of Genius Society Novel) by Angela Bell

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 A Lady's Handbook to Gadgets and Guile (A Daughters of Genius Society Novel) by Angela Bell releasing July 7.

SYNOPSIS

Margaret Kingsley's routine revolved around invention not investigation--until her ordered world springs a gasket.

London, England, 1895
Ambulatory wheelchair user Margaret Kingsley secretly crafts gadgets for the Daughters of Genius Society, a covert team of lady inspectors disguised as harmless bluestocking spinsters. While her fellow inspectors gallivant about London solving crimes, Margaret has been perfectly content assisting from the sidelines--until her expertise is needed to infiltrate the domain of London's most prolific inventor.

Charles Noble sacrificed his career as a musician to support his family after his father's stroke. Now he balances ledgers as a secretary by day and tends his disabled father by night, but he can't pass up the chance to take a temporary job as event coordinator for a famous inventor commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of his mechanical empire. As strange occurrences cause Charles's event planning to collide with Margaret's case, the pair must unravel a plot of sabotage against the inventor's legacy while also investigating the sparks of attraction between them.

 "Utterly charming! What an original and adorable story."--JEN TURANO, USA Today bestselling author on A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure

Little Women meets Inspector Gadget in Angela Bell's witty romp of brilliant women, whimsical gadgetry, and sweet he-falls-first romance set in the Victorian era with themes of disability representation, women in STEM, light academia, and steampunk.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters

SYNOPSIS
They were each other's first love. Now they might be each other's last hope. Perfect for fans of Ally Carter, Spies, Lies, and Alibis is an unputdownable binge-fest, full of laughs, heart, and mischief.

Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she's perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss's criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez--a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans--she'll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.

Then he walks back into her life.

Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get . . . complicated.

The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster--and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide.

Forced to work dangerously close, neither knows the other's true agenda. Cybil sees the boy who once broke her heart, now a man whose motives are deeply suspect. Ben sees the woman he never got over but can't determine if she's an innocent caught in the crossfire or a willing accomplice. As they navigate a world of spies, lies, and fragile alibis, they must dismantle the walls around their hearts.

The intel is classified. The trust is fragile. And their covers are one lie away from blowing wide open.

Dive into a hilarious, fast-paced romantic suspense that balances danger with wit and charm. Early readers are loving the gripping twists, engaging humor, and clean, chemistry-filled romance that make Spies, Lies, and Alibis such a fun, page-turning ride. Grab your copy today for a story packed with intrigue, heart, and just the right amount of sass.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! This was an absolute blast to read! I knew I was going to love it just from the opening line, and it only got better from there. I was laughing out loud in several spots and then holding my breath in suspense in others. I thought there was a really good balance of action, suspense, and comedy.

I really liked Ben and Cybil. There was quite a bit of history between them, and I was rooting for them so hard. They had amazing chemistry. The banter between them was hilarious! Also, I can’t forget to mention Ben’s grandma. She was a hoot! I’d love a spin-off series featuring her and all of her antics.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to whatever Natalie Walters writes next. I highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters

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. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 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. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters. This is a really fun action rom-com. I've laughed out loud so many times. 

SYNOPSIS

They were each other's first love. Now they might be each other's last hope. Perfect for fans of Ally Carter, Spies, Lies, and Alibis is an unputdownable binge-fest, full of laughs, heart, and mischief.

Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she's perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss's criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez--a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans--she'll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.

Then he walks back into her life.

Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get . . . complicated.

The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster--and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide.

Forced to work dangerously close, neither knows the other's true agenda. Cybil sees the boy who once broke her heart, now a man whose motives are deeply suspect. Ben sees the woman he never got over but can't determine if she's an innocent caught in the crossfire or a willing accomplice. As they navigate a world of spies, lies, and fragile alibis, they must dismantle the walls around their hearts.

The intel is classified. The trust is fragile. And their covers are one lie away from blowing wide open.

Dive into a hilarious, fast-paced romantic suspense that balances danger with wit and charm. Early readers are loving the gripping twists, engaging humor, and clean, chemistry-filled romance that make Spies, Lies, and Alibis such a fun, page-turning ride. Grab your copy today for a story packed with intrigue, heart, and just the right amount of sass.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

The day I walked into school in my Sunday suit, my hair slicked back, and my orange juice in a martini shaker I took from my house, I felt like the coolest kid in school.

Friday 56

There's an art to schmoozing criminals. You don't want to look too eager, or they'll think you're an informant. Too aloof, and they'll think you're a cop. The trick is to be just corrupt enough to belong, but not so corrupt someone assumes you're a threat and end up in a ditch.

What have you been reading lately?