Selah by Lisa T. Bergren

Selah Banning has come of age on the West Indies island of Nevis, shaped by experiences far beyond the typical upbringing of a young British lady in 1776. She never anticipated that the most tumultuous time of her life might await her in the year ahead.

Jedediah Reed, a young Methodist preacher with a call to serve the slaves of Nevis, has settled at Selah's family's plantation, the Double T. As Selah's heart is drawn to the same people, their shared purpose brings them together--despite her guardians' concern with a romance that promises little security for the future.

As Jedediah's faith and Selah's abolitionist leanings lead to changes on the plantation, the Revolutionary War continues to build in the States. With the threat of starvation and the conflict with island mogul Angus Shubert growing ever stronger, the future of the Double T and its people hangs in the balance.

This is the third story in the series The Sugar Baron's Daughters.  To fully understand where this story begins you should probably read the first two books in the series.  I enjoyed reading about the youngest daughter, Selah, in this book.  There were places that I thought dragged a little bit and I found myself skipping some of that.  Other parts held my interest and I wanted to see what happened next.  Overall all it was a good book and nice ending to this series.

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

The Mail Order Standoff

Marriage plans are put on hold in the Old West when four mail-order brides have second thoughts. How will their grooms win their trust?
 
Right on Time by Angela Breidenbach
Montana, 1883
Could two people be less suited than an English gentleman and a western gal who is used to giving the orders? From the wild Montana Territory to the refined Kentucky horse farms, can Timothy prove worthy of Tara’s heart?
 
Pistol-Packin’ Bride by Margaret Brownley
Prickly Pear, Texas, 1885
Attorney Ben Heywood didn’t expect to get shot on his wedding day—and certainly not by his mail-order bride.
 
The Bride Who Declined by Susan Page Davis
Boston, Massachusetts, 1885
Rachel Paxton turns down a mail-order proposal, but a few months later she learns the man she rejected has died—and left his ranch to her in his will.
 
Twice the Trouble by Vickie McDonough
Cactus Creek, Texas, 1888
When Connor McLoughlin and his cousin Brian order a pair of mail-order brides, they think they’re getting two sweet Irish lasses. But what they get is a stage load of shenanigans.

These all are sweet easy to read stories.  A good way to spend a quiet afternoon while enjoying the day.

I was given this book by Barbour publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in anyway.

One Little Lie by Colleen Coble

Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, after her father retires, but there's no time for an adjustment period. When her father is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, Jane quickly realizes she's facing someone out to destroy the only family she has.

After escaping with her father from a cult fifteen years ago, Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother—who refused to leave—ever since. Could someone from that horrible past have found them?

Reid Bechtol is well-known for his documentaries, and his latest project involves covering Jane's career. Jane has little interest in the attention, but the committee who appointed her loves the idea of the publicity.

Jane finds herself depending on Reid's calm manner as he follows her around filming, and they begin working together to clear her father. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross—especially once her father’s lie catches up with him.

One little lie changes everything for Jane.  She has overcome a lot since fleeing the cult with her father.  Her father has since become sheriff of Pelican Harbor and retired.  Jane has taken over as interim sheriff.  Reid wants to do a documentary on Jane as a female small town sheriff.  Pelican Harbor is a sleepy little town with hardly any crime.  Then murders start to happen.  Somehow her dad is connected to them.  The FBI gets involved and want to arrest her dad.  Who can she trust.  Reid is hiding something, her dad is hiding something.  

This is a great mystery.  I'm anxious for book two.

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

Flight Risk by Cara Putman

Savannah Daniels has worked hard to build her law practice, to surround herself with good friends, and to be the loyal aunt her troubled niece can always count on. But since her ex-husband’s betrayal, she has trouble trusting anyone.

Jett Glover’s father committed suicide over a false newspaper report that ruined his reputation. Now a fierce champion of truth, Jett is writing the story of his journalism career—an international sex-trafficking exposé that will bring down a celebrity baseball player and the men closest to him, including Savannah’s ex-husband.

When Jett’s story breaks, tragedy ensues. Then a commercial airline crashes, and one of Savannah’s clients is implicated in the crash. Men connected to the scandal, including her ex, begin to die amid mysterious circumstances, and Savannah’s niece becomes an unwitting target.

Against their better instincts, Jett and Savannah join ranks to sort the facts from fiction. But can Savannah trust the reporter who threw her life into chaos? And can Jett face the possibility that he’s made the biggest mistake of his life?

Another great book by Ms Putman.  There is a plot but several sub plots that all tie together in the end.  There are several surprises as well.  Savannah was hurt in her past marriage so she has trouble trusting men.  Let alone a journalist.  Jett is a journalist who wants to print nothing but the truth.  His father committed suicide due to false journalism.  Jett publishes a story that starts an avalanche of suspense.  The more that happens, he begins to question whether his facts were all true.  Savannah and Jett have to work together to get to the truth.   I recommend this book to all suspense fans.

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

Collision of LIes by Tom Threadgill

Three years ago, a collision between a fast-moving freight train and a school bus full of kids led to devastation and grief on an unimaginable scale. But a fresh clue leads San Antonio police detective Amara Alvarez to the unlikely conclusion that one of the children may still be alive. If she's correct, everything law enforcement believes about the accident is a lie.

With time running out, Amara must convince others--and herself--that despite all evidence to the contrary, the boy lives. And she will do everything in her power to bring him home.

Amara Alvarez is a police detective in the burglary division of the San Antonio Property Crimes Division.  She would like nothing better than to be moved over to homicide.  She gets her chance when someone tells her their son did not die in a school bus accident that happened three years ago.
At first she has trouble believing it, then as she starts digging deeper odd things start showing up.

This is a suspenseful book.  I am more used to reading high action type books.  This book was more procedural.  Even without the high action I didn't want to put it down.  I have never read any books by Tom Threadgill before. I will look for his books from now on.  This book was sold by a Christian publisher.  There were no religious talk in this book.  There were no foul words or sex scenes at all.   Very clean.  I recommend this book to all mystery readers.

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

Woman of Sunlight by Mary Connealy

After years of isolation on top of Hope Mountain, Ilsa Nordegren may finally be ready to leave. Raised to fear the world, Ilsa and her sisters never planned on coming down, but when the Warden family arrived in need, they had to help. And it may cost them everything.

Having made his fortune, Mitch Warden returned home and found the family homestead abandoned. In a land grab, a ruthless cattle baron had forced his family to escape up the mountain, and when he follows, the last thing he expects is to fall smitten to a black-haired woman who dresses like Robin Hood.

Warden is intent on helping his family reclaim their land, but doesn't realize the risks his past has brought. Dangerous men have tracked him, and rather than risk innocent lives, he's determined to end the danger. But that means a journey to the city--and when Ilsa insists on joining him, the mismatched pair suddenly find themselves on a venture they'll never forget.

Another great book by Ms. Connealy.  This is the second book in the series. It is not necessary to read the first book but it would be beneficial to read it to understand why Ilsa is the way she is.  It was entertaining to see how Ilsa reacted to the world out side her beloved mountain.   She had never been off the mountain and then she travels by horseback and train to Chicago.  Her perspective is really enjoyable to read.  There is also a good mystery involved.  Someone is trying to kill Mitch. Little does he know that Ilsa can take care of herself in a fight.

This is a highly entertaining book and I recommend it to everyone.  It has mystery, romance and laughter all rolled into one.

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

Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot

Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents' murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don't include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.

I have enjoyed previous books by Amanda Cabot and this is no exception.  Evelyn will do just about anything to keep the little girl she claims as her sister safe.  When a fire at the orphanage kills everyone but her and Evelyn, she does the only thing she can think of to do.  Run.  They end up in Mesquite Springs during a terrible thunderstorm.  Wyatt rescues them and  takes them home with him so his ma and sister can take care of them.

The back of the book calls this suspenseful and sweetly romantic. There is a mystery but I would not call it suspenseful.  It was romantic.  I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.  A nice enjoyable read.

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