The Road to Magnolia Glen by Pam Hillman

1792, Natchez Trace, MS
Bitter since his eldest brother abandoned their family in Ireland, Quinn O’Shea travels to Natchez, Mississippi, ready to shuck the weight of his duty and set off on an adventure of his own. It’s time Connor, as head of the family, took responsibility for their younger siblings. While aboard ship, a run-in with three Irish sisters lands Quinn in the role of reluctant savior. Though it may delay his plans, he cannot abandon the Young sisters, especially the tenacious yet kind Kiera.

Upon arriving in the colonies, Kiera Young prepares to meet her intended and begin her new life. But she soon discovers the marriage her brother-in-law arranged was never meant to be, and a far more sinister deal was negotiated for her and her sisters.

Quinn offers to escort his charges safely to Breeze Hill Plantation and his brother’s care, fully intending to seek his freedom elsewhere. But the longer he remains, the greater his feelings toward Kiera grow and the more he comes to realize true freedom might be found in sacrifice.

This is the second book in the series.  I didn't read the first book but I was able to follow the story without reading the first book.  I would class this as a clean book.  But I don't think I would want a young teen girl reading it.  I would recommend it more for late teens on up.  I liked Quinn and Kiera.  Quinn couldn't wait to leave his brothers with Connor and go exploring and Kiera wants nothing but to be able to take care of her sisters.  This story is their path to finding out God's plans for their lives.

This books is a good clean read and I recommend it.

Tyndale House Publishers provided me a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.  Hi was not compensated in any way.

http://www.pamhillman.com/

Justice Betrayed by Patricia Bradley

It's Elvis Week in Rachel Memphis, and homicide Detective Rachel Sloan isn't sure her day could get any stranger when aging Elvis impersonator Vic Vegas asks to see her. But when he produces a photo of her murdered mother with four Elvis impersonators--one of whom had also been murdered soon after the photo was taken--she's forced to reevaluate. Is there some connection between the two unsolved cases? And could the recent break-in at Vic's home be tied to his obsession with finding his friend's killer?

When yet another person in the photo is murdered, Rachel suddenly has her hands full investigating three cases. Lieutenant Boone Callahan offers his help, but their checkered romantic past threatens to get in the way. Can they solve the cases before the murderer makes Rachel victim number four?

Another great book by Patricia Bradley.   Rachel would really like to know what happened to her mother many years ago.  When Rachel is confronted by "Elvis" who says he has information for her her mothers death she jumps at the chance to investigate.  She is reluctant to tell Boone about what she finds because she doesn't what to be taken off the case. 

I really enjoyed the book and would recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Formula of Decption by Carrie Stuart Parks

After the murder of her twin sister, Murphy Anderson changed her name and appearance and moved to Kodiak, Alaska, to avoid the press and publicity. But when local authorities discover she’s an artist and request her help in drawing a dying man’s memories, she unintentionally ends up in the limelight again—and back in the killer’s crosshairs.

The deathbed confessions of an Alaskan hunter have Murphy drawing the five bodies he discovered on remote Ruuwaq Island ten years ago. But what investigators find has them mystified. Evidence suggests that the bodies were deliberately destroyed, and what they uncover in an abandoned Quonset hut from World War II only brings more questions.

As one by one the investigators who were at the hut die, Murphy knows there is something much darker at stake. What happened on this island during the war? And who is willing to kill to keep its secrets buried?

This book was very interesting and kept me guessing clear up to the end.  The trauma of the murder of her twin sister, sent Murphy into a tail spin.  As Murphy helps the police solve the murders of five people, she is confronted with reliving the death of her sister.  I would never have guessed the ending in a million years.  I'm not usually this surprised.

I have never read any books by this author before but I will be reading more her of books from now on.  I recommend this book to anyone who likes a great mystery.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter

When Katherine "Kit" FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she's forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. What should have been a chance encounter becomes much more as Graham embarks on a search for his friend's missing sister and is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she's telling.

After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different for the first time in her life, but what she wants can't matter. Long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. And as much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, revealing the truth isn't worth putting him and everyone she loves in danger.

I'm not sure how to describe this book.  It showed the plight of fallen women in London society.  Their life and that of their child was worthless.  The father's went on as if nothing had happened.  It was quite an eye opener.  This book was a romance with just a tad of mystery.

I wouldn't consider this a light read.  But it was good.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Falling for You by Becky Wade

Famously beautiful model Willow Bradford is taking a temporary break from her hectic schedule to work as the innkeeper at her family's small-town bed-and-breakfast. She was enjoying the peace of her hometown, Merryweather, Washington, right up until she came face-to-face with Corbin Stewart, the man she loves to hate. A thoughtful rule-follower by nature, Willow threw caution to the wind four years ago when she entrusted her heart to Corbin--and suffered the consequences when it all fell apart.

Former NFL quarterback Corbin is forceful, charming, and accustomed to getting what he wants . . . except where Willow Bradford is concerned. Unable to forget her, he's never stopped regretting what happened between them. When their paths unexpectedly cross again, he's determined to make her give him a second chance.

When a decades-old missing persons case finds Corbin and Willow working together, they're forced to confront their past and who they've become--and whether they can risk falling for one another all over again.

This shows the consequences of following the flesh rather than what God has ordained.  Willow has never been able to forgive herself so therefore she has never been able to forgive Corbin.  This is their struggle to receive forgiveness from each other and from God.  

This was an ok book.  It was not a book that kept in on the edge of the seat.  I'll admit that is more to my taste in books.  

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in anyway.

DarkWater Secrets by Robin Caroll

The Darkwater Inn stands tall and proud in the French Quarter, the hub of New Orleans. Bourbon Street is bustling, and general manager Adelaide Fountaine has her hands full with a hotel at capacity. But she is shocked when a body is found: a hotel guest stabbed with a kitchen knife.

Detective Beau Savoie, Adelaide's childhood friend, is on the case. As Beau digs into the victim's past, he unearths a shocking connection between Adelaide and the murdered guest. Beau is hurt that his friend--the woman he's quietly loved for years--kept the truth from him. To make matters worse, the stress of the investigation has sent Adelaide right into the comforting arms of her coworker Dimitri. But Beau can't press Adelaide too hard . . . because he's keeping secrets of his own.

I found this book quite interesting.  As well as a great story, it showed how entwined voodoo and hoodoo are with everyday life in New Orleans.  And yes it is real.  

Beau and Dimitri both are in love with Adelaide and will do whatever they can to clear her name.  She is hiding a secret from the past that has a direct effect on the murder victim.  She does not want the secret to come out.  But of course it does and now she looks guiltier than ever.  Dimitri loves to cook but is afraid to stand up to his father and tell him he doesn't want to be CEO of Darkwater Inn.  At the end there is a surprise that is thrown into the mix that really shakes things up.  

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next book in the series.

I was given this book by the author for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

The Lone Witness by Rachel Dylan

Prosecutor Sophie Dawson's first job in the White Collar division of the Fulton County D.A.'s office is to build a case against a local bank employee who may be cheating clients. But when circumstances beyond her control leave her as the only witness to a double homicide involving a vengeful gang, her world is turned upside down.

Former Atlanta police officer turned private security guard Cooper Knight is hired to ensure that Sophie is kept safe. But as threats escalate, they don't know who they can trust.

Sophie is determined not to back down, but her bank case gets more complicated by the day, and the gang will stop at nothing to keep her from testifying. Sophie wants to take a stand for what's right--but can Cooper, who is determined not to be distracted by their growing attraction, keep her safe so that she can finish her pursuit for justice?

I really enjoyed the book.  Sophie is tough as nails when it comes to wanting to persecute those who  break the law.   Cooper will do all he can to protect those he'd hired to protect.  It gets personal with Sophie and he doesn't like that at all.  He has vowed never to get married.  This isn't an edge of your seat thriller.  But still a good mystery.  I had some of it figured out before the end. But still a good book.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.