Through the Deep Waters by Sarah Sundin

War is coming. Can love carry them through the rough waters that lie ahead?

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Handsome and outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. On shore, Jim encounters Mary Stirling, a childhood friend who is now an astute and beautiful Boston Navy Yard secretary.

When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is discovered, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them.

This book brought out the struggles the American people has with the world conditions around them prior to the United States involvement in WWII.  I didn’t remember from history class that US ships were sunk before Pearl Harbor. 

I did like Jim and Mary’s characters.  Although I did think Mary was a little wimpy when her friend came to town.  Jim was also a little wimpy when he didn’t confront Mary with his feelings.  Otherwise it was a good book and one I would recommend to others.

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

Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

After losing everything she held dear, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy may just spur her to wonder if love might be worth the risk.
Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the cozy town of Wishing Springs, Texas. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby . . . if she’s brave enough to reach out and take it by the reins.
Bo Monahan isn’t interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become—or the women who might be looking at him like he’s their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn’t looking for serious romantic commitments. But when the infant son he never knew about shows up at his doorstep, his world is turned upside down.
This confirmed bachelor might not think he needs a wife, but he sure needs help. Even Abby can see that, and despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she can’t help but be drawn to this new father-son duo. As Abby throws herself into helping Bo navigate fatherhood, hope sparks between them, revealing that maybe, just maybe, they can navigate their dark pasts and emerge together into a future as bright as the Texas sun itself.
Cons:  I had some trouble understand Abby.  She sells her house and moves to Wishing Springs, TX all because of a blog in a newspaper.  I know she has lost her husband in a terrible accident and blames herself and is having trouble forgiving herself.  But I would have thought she would have at least visited before moving there.  Then she is very indecisive about helping Bo with the baby.  One minute she is going to help then the next she’s not.
Now onto Bo.  He has a child he didn’t know anything about.  I understand that happens.  But all of a sudden he decides to stop sleeping around.  But he gets carried away one more time. No explanation about why he decided to stop sleeping around. For a Christian novel this was disappointing to me as I would have thought this would have been a perfect place for the author to show why he quit sleeping around.  Also, faith was hardly mentioned at all in the book.
Pros:  I did finally start to like Abby.  But I still had some issues with her.  The concept of the story was good and I liked how the Monahan clan and town of Wishing Springs rallied around Bo to help him take care of the baby.  I think Bo was the more believable character in this novel.  Bo was willing to take on the responsibilities of his actions and raise his son.  It was comical in spots in how he went about trying to take care of a baby. 
Overall it wasn’t a bad book just could have been better. It was good enough that I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. The first book in the series “Betting on Hope” was better. 
I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.