Twilight at Blueberry Barrens by Colleen Coble

Kate Mason has devoted herself to caring for her family’s blueberry barrens. But after her fields stop producing fruit, she’s forced to come up with alternative ways to make a living.

Renting out the small cottage on her property seems an obvious choice, but it won’t be enough. When entrepreneur Drake Newham shows up looking not only for a place to rent but also for a nanny for his two nieces, it’s almost too good to be true. And maybe it is—because Drake brings with him dangerous questions about who might be out to kill his family.

The more time Kate spends with Drake and the girls, the more difficult it becomes to hide her attraction to him. But a family crisis isn’t exactly the ideal time to pursue a romance.

Meanwhile, Kate learns that her uncle—in prison for murder—has escaped. Add to that a local stalker who won’t leave her alone, and Kate is looking over her shoulder at every turn. With threats swirling from multiple directions, she wonders if her blueberry fields will ever flourish again . . . or if this twilight is her last.

Another hit for Colleen Coble. This is the third book in this series.  Each book can be read independently.  But each book is excellent so I would recommend reading them all. Kate has not had an easy life growing up and has a lot to overcome.  The first book in the series tells more of her early life. This isn't a high suspense story but the mystery runs clear to the end of the book.  I would have liked a little more information about Kate's illness.   Not much is said except she was sick and tries to eat healthy.  Overall a very good book.

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

Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter

Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are derailed when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Watching the love of his life fall for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.

But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige
.
Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances Riley is adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up with the money needed to save it.

As the weeks wear on, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into uncharted territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

This is third book in the "A Summer Harbor Series".  It's not necessary to read the first two books in the series but it would be helpful.  Of all three books this one was my least favorite.  It was good but just not what I was expecting.  I didn't understand how come Riley went to live with Paige when he came home. To me it would have been improper for them to be in the same house together.   I realize that was part of the story.  But it could have been achieved another way.  It was a good story but seemed to drag in spots.  This is a good story, just not great.  It did make a nice ending to the series.

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

Catching Heat by Janice Cantore

Twenty-seven years after the deaths of Detective Abby Hart’s parents, she’s desperate to find the proof that will put the mastermind―the governor’s wife―behind bars. When she joins a newly formed task force and teams up with PI Luke Murphy, Abby is sent to San Luis Obispo to work the cold case of a murdered college student. Realizing their investigation will bring them near the town where Alyssa Rollins grew up, Abby decides to do a little digging of her own into the Triple Seven fire.

Luke is eager to help Abby close the books on a case they both have personal stakes in. But as she uncovers long-held secrets, Abby stumbles into an explosive situation, and Luke fears that her obsession may prove deadly.

Abby became a police officer because of the murder of her parents when she was a child.  That event shaped her adult life.  She meets Luke in the first book in this series.  Luke's uncle was murdered in the same fire that killed Abby's parents.  So together they search for answers.   Abby has almost become obsessed with trying to find answers.  Luke is the voice of reason.  Along with Woody, Abby's former police mentor, they keep her grounded.

This is the third book in Cold Case Justice series.  It would be beneficial to read the first two books in this series.  They first two books have an ending as they solve a crime in each book.  This book solves a crime as well as wraps up the murders of Abby's parents and Luke's uncle. 

I would recommend this book as well as the first two books in the series.

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


https://www.amazon.com/Janice-Cantore/e/B005O35IBE/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

The Domino Effect by Davis Bunn

Esther Larsen, a leading risk analyst at one of the country's largest banking institutions, is becoming more and more convinced that she has uncovered a ticking bomb with the potential to overshadow 2008's market crash. And as her own employer pursues "investment" strategies with ever-increasing levels of risk, she becomes convinced she must do something. Yet what can one person really do?

The markets are edging closer to a tipping point--like the teetering first domino in a standing row that circles the globe. And when Esther does sound the alarm, she wonders if anyone will take her seriously. But as public support grows for her ideas, so does the desperation of those whose conspiracy of greed she seeks to expose. With global markets on the brink, and her own life in danger, Esther is locked in a race with the clock to avert a worldwide financial meltdown.

Unfortunately I didn't care for this book.  The premise of the book was good.  It got really bogged down with all the very detailed technical aspects of the stock market.  Even after reading some of the technical stuff I didn't understand.  I admit to skimming a lot of the technical stuff after awhile.  I did enjoy the characters of the book.  Esther was a very likable character.  Actually I liked all the characters.  The book could have been half the size without all the detailed market information.

I can't say I would recommend this book unless you want a lesson on the stock market and how it works.  I don't like giving bad reviews.  But I just couldn't get into this book.  I have never read a book by this author before and probably won't ever again.

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

The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck

It's the early 1930s, but Cora Scott is walking in stride as a career woman, after having inherited her great aunt's wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, where brides come from as far away as Birmingham to experience her famed bridal treatment. Meanwhile, Cora is counting down the days until her own true love returns from the river to make her his bride. But days turn into months and months to years. All the while, Birch Good continues to woo Cora and try to show her that while he is solid and dependable, he can sweep her off her feet.

More than eighty years later, former, Air Force Captain Haley Morgan has returned home to Heart's Bend after finishing her commitment to military service. After the devastating death of her best friend, Tammy, and discovering the truth about the man she loved, Haley is searching for her place in life.

When Haley decides to reopen the romantic but abandoned wedding shop where she and Tammy played and dreamed as children, she begins a journey of courage, mystery, and love.
As Cora’s and Haley's stories intertwine through time in the shadow of the beloved wedding shop, they both discover the power of their own dreams and the magic of everyday love.

I enjoyed reading this book.  I thought it started out a little slow.  But as it progressed it got better.  There were four main characters that we read about.  Cora and Birch.  Their story took place in the early 1900's.  Haley and Cole's story takes place present day.  I couldn't decide if Cora was truly blinded by love or just plain naive.

Haley was not only wanting to reopen the Wedding Shop.  She was trying to discover her faith again. 
Cole had been engaged to Haley's best friend Tammy.  She feels it would be disloyal to Tammy to have feelings for Cole.  Even though Tammy has died.

There is one very big surprise in the book I didn't see coming at all.  It really tied the story together though. 

I would recommend this book to everyone.  The next book in the series is The Wedding Dress.  The dress was introduced in this book.  I am anxious to see where the dress has been and is going.

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

The Artisans'sWife by Judith Miller

As Ainslee McKay reluctantly leaves all she's known, the beauty of forgiveness and new beginnings comes to light in a West Virginian town with hidden depths.
Ainslee McKay's world is upended when her twin sister secretly elopes and leaves Ainslee alone to move to Weston, West Virginia, to fulfill their obligation at the McKay family's new tile works. While her brother, Ewan, agrees to travel with her and help her learn the ropes, she still intends to sell this business she no longer wants if a buyer can be found.

When the talented Levi Judson arrives to show Ainslee his designs for new tiles, she's impressed by his skill and passion for the business but feels she must keep her true plans for the business a secret from him. And though Levi hopes for a long, successful career at McKay Tile Works, he's hiding his true reason for coming to Weston. Can the growing feelings between them survive if the truth comes to light--or is a future together as uncertain as the future of the tile works itself?

The continuation of the McKay family was good to read.  Ainslee does not want to go to Weston, WV and leave everything and everyone that she loves.  She goes on the condition that a new buyer will be found and she can come home as soon as possible.  Little does she know that she will develop a love for Weston and a certain man who arrives in town looking for a job. Levi comes looking for a job with grand ideas for new tiles.  His devotion to his brother is commendable. 

I enjoyed reading this story.  I would recommend this book to anyone.  This is the third book in the series.  But it wasn't necessary to read the first two to read and understand this one.

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

The Things We Knew by Catherine West

After her mother’s death twelve years ago, Lynette Carlisle watched her close-knit family unravel. One by one, her four older siblings left their Nantucket home and never returned. All seem to blame their father for their mother’s death, but nobody will talk about that tragic day. And Lynette’s memory only speaks through nightmares.


Then Nicholas Cooper returns to Nantucket, bringing the past with him. Once Lynette’s adolescent crush, Nick knows more about her mother’s death than he lets on. The truth could tear apart his own family—and destroy his fragile friendship with Lynette, the woman he no longer thinks of as a kid sister.

As their father’s failing health and financial concerns bring the Carlisle siblings home, secrets surface that will either restore their shattered relationships or separate the siblings forever. But pulling up anchor on the past propels them into the perfect storm, powerful enough to make them question their faith, their willingness to forgive, and the very truth of all the things they thought they knew.

I am having a little bit of trouble deciding how to rate this book.  A big indicator for me is whether or not I would go back and re-read the book.   The answer is no I will not.  It's not a bad book but it didn't grip me like other reviewers have stated.  The Carlisle family is very dysfunctional.  Lynette has the sole responsibility for her dad and the upkeep of their home.  No other member of the family seems to care one way or the other.   One brother is a druggie, one is unemployed, the other is a missionary.  Lynette's sister is an attorney with anger issues.  I can't say I really cared for any of the siblings.  Lynette needed to get a backbone and stand up to her siblings.  I did like Nick.  It seemed he was the only ally that Lynette had. It was interesting to see how the story unfolded.  The siblings did care for each other but it seemed circumstances drove them apart.

The religious aspect was lacking.  Nick and Lynette were the only ones remotely living a Christian life.  There was no language or sex scenes in the book.

Would I recommend this book?  It would not be on the top of my recommendation list.  Not a bad book, just not my style I guess. 

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