Sea Rose Lane by Irene Hannon

After a devastating layoff, attorney Eric Nash heads back to the town where he grew up--only to discover that his childhood home is being transformed into a bed & breakfast. Instead of plotting his next career move in peace, he's constantly distracted by noise, chaos--and BJ Stevens, the attractive but prickly blonde architect and construction chief who's invaded the house with her motley crew.

As for BJ, her client's son might be handsome, but after a disastrous romance, dating isn't high on her agenda. Yet when they join forces to create a program for Hope Harbor seniors, might they also find healing, hope, and a new beginning themselves?

Eric was on the fast track to being partner in the law firm he worked in.  Due to lay offs he is back home.  All he can think about is finding the next law firm and getting back on the fast track to partner again.  Little does he know God has something else planned for him.  He meets BJ who is renovating his childhood home into a B&B.  She wants nothing to do with him as she sees him as the same type of person who stuck a knife in her back in her previous career. 

This is a nice easy read.  Yes, you do know that the guys gets the girl in the end.  But don't they usually.  I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a clean, sweet romance.

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

Murder Comes by Mail by A. H. Gabhart

Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane doesn't particularly enjoy being touted as the hero of Hidden Springs after pulling a suicidal man back from the edge of the Eagle River bridge in front of dozens of witnesses--a few of whom caught the breathtaking moments with their cameras. But the media hype doesn't last long as a new story pushes its way into the public consciousness of Hidden Springs' concerned citizens.

Photos of a dead girl arrive in the mail, and Michael becomes convinced she was murdered by the man he saved. With a killer one step ahead, things in Hidden Springs begin to unravel. Now Michael must protect the people he loves--because the killer could be targeting one of them next.

This is the second book in the Hidden Springs Mystery Series.  It is not necessary to read the first book to read and enjoy this one.  Although I recommend reading it as it is just as good as this book.  The main character is Deputy Sheriff Michael Keane.  At one time he was a big city police officer.  But now he is back home where life is much slower and very little crime happens.  Until now.  It seems someone is out to frame his for the murders that are taking place in town.  He is also in fear for those close to him as those being killed have a connection to him in some way.

If you are looking for a good mystery, this book is for you. It has several surprises along the way.  I recommend this book to everyone.

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

Every Bride Has Her Day by Janice Thompson

Katie's determined to make it down the aisle this time--but it may be easier said than done

Katie Fisher is ecstatic. Pro basketball star Brady James has proposed, and she can't wait to start planning their life together. But it's hard to focus on her own happily ever after when her calendar is filling up with celebrations for friends and family. Beyond that, it seems everyone around her has an opinion--and a strong one at that--on what Katie's special day should look like. Will she ever manage to settle all of the details for her storybook wedding? Or will her overzealous friends and relations make a mess of everything?

This is the third book in the "Bride With Style" series.   I have read all the books in this series and have enjoyed them.  I would say to fully understand this book and not get lost with who the characters are, you would need to read the other two books. 

Katie is finally going to get married to Brady.  The problem is everyone keeps giving her suggestions on what kind of wedding she should have.  Nobody is asking her what she wants.  It's a hilarious ride.  Sometimes a little over the top.  But fun nonetheless.  In the end Katie and Brady get their way and she has the wedding of her dreams.  Not what she imagined it would be when she was dreaming about when she was in high school.  All the loose ends seem to get tied up in the end.  Not that the other books left you hanging.  Just that all the characters seem to find their happy ever after by the third book. 

If you are looking for an easy fun read, I recommend this book.

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest opinion.

Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin

Nothing slows Lillian Avery down--not her personal challenges and certainly not America's entry into World War II. She finally has a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The demands of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg's attentions only annoy--even if he is her brother's best friend.

During the darkest days of the war, Arch's destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves--and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions Lillian has been filling?

As the danger rises on both land and sea, the two must work together to answer that question. But can Arch ever earn Lillian's trust and affection?

This is the second book in this series.  It is not necessary to read the first book to enjoy this one.  Which I did.  The characters seemed will thought out.  We were shown the flaws as well as their strong points.  A lot of heroines and hero's are showed to be almost super hero types.  These were just ordinary people. Lillian has had to overcome her handicap of only having one leg.  In the 1940's this was looked down upon and she was not accepted.  Arch had what today we would call PTDS.  Back then you were just looked at as being weak.  Therefore, men just covered it up as best they could.  This is how the drug ring was introduced into the story.  Overall it was a very good story and I would recommend this book to everyone.  I look forward to reading the next story in this series.

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

Silence in the Dark by Patricia Bradley

When Bailey Adams left Logan Point two years ago she thought she was getting away from her problems. Running into her ex-fiancé Danny Maxwell was not part of the plan--neither was being chased through the city by the local drug cartel, the Calatrava. Now despite her best efforts, Danny is her only chance of escaping the people chasing her and getting back to Logan Point safely. Can Bailey find the strength to face what's coming? And in the midst of the chaos, can she keep herself from falling in love with her rescuer all over again?

With lean, fast-paced prose that will keep you turning the pages, Patricia Bradley pens a superb story of suspense and second chances.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  There was suspense and mystery.  Just the type of book I enjoy.  Bailey fears commitment.  She also struggles with her commitment to God.  She feels like a fraud being a missionary.  She does commit to bringing a little girl back from Mexico to meet her grandparents for the first time.  This is where the plot really starts getting interesting.  Bailey will do everything in her power to protect Maria.  Danny and Bailey run into each other in Mexico.  Danny still loves Bailey and will do anything to help her escape the kidnappers.

I liked that characters from the other books were brought into this one.  The only negative thing I can say about the book is that I would have like a short synopsis of the gun smuggling that took place in the previous books.  I have read all of them but I couldn't remember the whys and wherefores.  Other than that it was a great book.  You don't need to read the other Logan Point books to read this book.  I would recommend this book.

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

Traces of Guilt by Dee Henderson

Evie Blackwell loves her life as an Illinois State Police detective . . . mostly. She's very skilled at investigations and has steadily moved up through the ranks. She would like to find Mr. Right, but she has a hard time imagining how marriage could work, considering the demands of her job.

Gabriel Thane grew up in Carin County and is now its sheriff, a job he loves. Gabe is committed to upholding the law and cares deeply for the residents he's sworn to protect. He too would like to find a lifetime companion, a marriage like his parents have. . . .

When Evie arrives in Carin, Illinois, it's to help launch a new task force focused on unsolved crimes across the state. She will work with the sheriff's department on a couple of its most troubling missing-persons cases. As she studies old evidence to pull out a few tenuous new leads, she unearths surprising connections. One way or another, she knows Gabriel Thane and his family will be key to the answers she seeks.

 Evie is a super dedicated detective who enjoys solving mysteries rather than the day to day work of being a State Police Detective.  She is almost too intense.  We are reintroduced to Ann and Paul Falcon from previous books.  Ann is a likable person but she tends to be too perfect.  I liked Gabe the best.  He was the county sheriff who took his job very seriously.  He wanted these cold cases solved and was very willing to  help Evie solve them.  He was also interested in Evie in a personal way.  She was in him too.  She is not willing to commit to anyone and settle down.  The book left the relationship open at the end.  It appeared that maybe there would be book 2 of the Evie Blackwell Cold Cases. 

I mostly enjoyed this book.  The main reason is that there was too much description going on about possible scenarios for the cold cases.  It seemed to really drag at times and I found myself skimming those parts.  I would have liked to seen more action and less talk.  I prefer the old style Dee Henderson books that were action packed.  But these are still good.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in anyway.

The Magnolia Duchess by Beth White

As the War of 1812 rages across the newly formed United States, another war rages in Fiona Lanier's heart--one that threatens to tear her family apart.

Fiona can scarcely take in the news of her brother's capture and imprisonment by the British Navy. It is almost as unbelievable as the half-drowned British sailor who is washed ashore on the beach of Navy Cove.

Charlie Kincaid claims to have no memory of his life before being discovered by Fiona, but in a world that seems saturated with treachery, she cannot be sure he is telling the truth.
As Charlie's memory returns in agonizing jags and crashes, he and Fiona discover that falling in love may be as inevitable as the tide. But when political allegiances collide, they'll each have to decide where their true loyalty lies.

If you are a history buff, this book is for you.  I didn't really know a lot about the War of 1812.  But this book described a small portion of it.  Fiona is a very independent young woman.  Which is very unusual for this time in history.  Women were mostly keepers of the household and didn't venture beyond that scope .I enjoyed her journey to get her brother released from the British. A lot of times she acted without thinking things through first. Charlie didn't seem to be the typical British Naval Officer. He washed up on the beach where Fiona found him with no memory.  When his memory does start to return he stays and doesn't try to leave.  Although if he left, the story wouldn't have been near as interesting. 

The only negative thing I found about the book was that sometimes there was too much detail given on the battle plans. The other thing is that the exchange for Fiona's brother takes place but he is never mentioned after that.  What happened to him? Other than that I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more by Beth White.

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