My Heart Belongs in San Francisco

When Abby Effingham becomes stranded in the middle of the California gold rush, her money depletes quickly even while her prospects for marriage increase daily. But Abby is on a mission to find her mother—not romance. Will a ridiculous scandal keep her from traveling on, or will it wake up an aloof innkeeper to the treasure right under his roof?

Samuel Harris runs a moderately priced hotel where Abby and her family’s elderly butler find shelter. He is looking forward to when she—and her parade of suitors—move on, though he concedes to let her work in his restaurant. When the sassy socialite is in trouble, will Samuel come to her rescue or find himself alone?

I found this book to be disappointing.  I have read lots of other books by Janice Thompson and I didn't think this one was near as good.  The story line was very good and I liked the characters.  Flaws and all.  But every situation called for a scripture verse and then it was expounded on. Don't get me wrong,  I'm a Christian and there is a scripture for all our situations.  The book probably could have been a novella if not for what I felt was filler. 

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

Kill Shot

As the ballistics and weapon's expert for the FBI's special task force nicknamed the White Knights, Rick Cannon has known the Department of Defense was developing self-steering bullets. Rick feared these smart bullets--which have one hundred percent accuracy that can turn even a novice into a lethal sniper--would eventually end up in the hands of the wrong people. But since the ammunition was still in the development stage, he figured they had plenty of time before that happened. He was wrong. Dead wrong.

Until they become reality.

When a homeless vet is killed with a smart bullet, it's clear that the ammunition has been stolen, and the Knights are called in to find the thief and stop the killings. But they aren't the only ones desperate to find the killer. Therapist Olivia Dobbs is well known for her success in counseling military veterans with PTSD. When she discovers one of her clients moments after he is murdered, she becomes both the FBI's prime witness, and suspect.

Despite the mutual attraction that immediately sparks between them, Rick can't--no he won't--let Olivia interfere with his investigation. But when the sniper trains his rifle on her, Rick must recall all the skills he learned as a Marine sniper to make sure the next bullet fired isn't a kill shot that takes Olivia out.

What a great book.  There were twist and turns everywhere.  I had a lot of trouble putting it down.  I enjoyed it so much that I bought the first book in the series.  I didn't feel it was necessary to read the first book to understand the second book.  I just wanted to read it as Kill Shot was such a good book.  I look forward to reading more books by Susan Sleeman.

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

Oath of Honor

Police officer Isabelle St. John loves her crazy, loud, law-enforcement family. With three brothers and two sisters, she's never without someone to hang out with--or fight with. And she knows they'll be there for her when things get tough. Like when her partner is murdered and she barely escapes with her own life.

Determined to discover exactly what happened, Izzy's investigation sends her headfirst into a criminal organization, possibly with cops on the payroll--including someone from her own family. With her dead partner's handsome homicide detective brother Ryan shadowing her every move, Izzy's head is spinning. How can she secure justice for her partner when doing so could mean sending someone she loves to prison? And how will she guard her heart when the man she's had a secret crush on for years won't leave her side?

With her signature fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat action, Lynette Eason invites readers into a captivating new series where justice is a family affair.

Lynette Eason did not disappoint in her latest novel.  It was as described.  Fast paced and edge-of-your seat.  There's twist and turns every  time you turn a page. 

The death of Izzy's partner is especially hard on her as he is not only her partner by her very best friends from grade school days.  In fact they have a pact that if neither of them are married by the time they are 50 they will marry each other.  Izzy and Ryan do a fancy side step with their attraction for each other throughout the story.  She's had a secret crush on him and he's had a secret crush on her. 

I recommend this book to everyone.  It was a great read.  I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

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

Troubled Waters

Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants--except a happy ending. Or at least that's what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.

Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.
Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants--except a happy ending. Or at least that's what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.

Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.

When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore.

It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra's relationship.

This is the fourth book in the Montana Rescue Series.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ian and Sierra's story.  Learn how Ian lost his money and how Sierra finds Esme.  There's a mystery to her disappearance that isn't wrapped up in this story.  But is expect it to be in the next book.  Does anyone remember Gilligan's Island and their 3 hour tour.  Well Ian and Sierra go on a 3 day tour with pretty much the same results. 

I would recommend this book to everyone.  I would also recommend that you read the first 3 books in the series first.  It's not completely necessary but would be very helpful in connecting the characters.

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

Holding the Fort by Regina Jennings

Louisa Bell never wanted to be a dance-hall singer, but dire circumstances force her hand. With a little help from her brother in the cavalry, she's able to make ends meet, but lately he's run afoul of his commanding officer, so she undertakes a visit to straighten him out.

Major Daniel Adams has his hands full at Fort Reno. He can barely control his rowdy troops, much less his two adolescent daughters. If Daniel doesn't find someone respectable to guide his children, his mother-in-law insists she'll take them.

When Louisa arrives with some reading materials, she's mistaken for the governess who never appeared. Major Adams is skeptical. She bears little resemblance to his idea of a governess--they're not supposed to be so blamed pretty--but he's left without recourse. His mother-in-law must be satisfied, which leaves him turning a blind eye to his unconventional governess's methods. Louisa's never faced so important a performance. Can she keep her act together long enough?

Louisa never had a chance in life to learn how a proper lady was to behave.  Her mother was a prostitute and treated her and her brother badly.  They had to get by the best that they could.  The one experience that Louisa had with church and the good "Christian" ladies was to be shunned for who her mother was.  This is a good lesson on how not to treat people. Unfortunately, Christians of today aren't a lot different than when this story was taking place.  Louisa learns the true meaning of what God is about from Major Adams. 

I recommend this book.  It was really enjoyable.

Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

Miss Gertrude Cadwalader works as a companion for the wealthy Mrs. Davenport, who secretly and impulsively pilfers other people’s personal belongings. One of Gertrude’s tasks is to return the stolen items. The wealthy Mrs. Sinclair, catches Gertrude trying to return the items, and jumps to the wrong conclusion. Harrison Sinclair is the son of Mrs. Sinclair and tries to convince his mother that his friend Gertrude is not a thief. He finds helping Gertrude is anything-but-ordinary.

This is the second book in this series.  It isn't necessary to read the first book.  But it helps explain some of the comments in book two.  The book started out a little slow but picked up speed as it went along.  Mrs. Davenport's bizarre behavior gets explained towards the end of the book.

This is an entertaining book.  If you enjoy a light read,  this is for you.

The Sound of Rain by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Judd Markley is a hardworking coal miner who rarely thinks much past tomorrow until he loses his brother--and nearly his own life--in a mine cave-in. Vowing never to enter the darkness of a mine again, he leaves all he knows in West Virginia to escape to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It's 1954, the seaside community is thriving, and Judd soon hires on with a timber company.

Larkin Heyward's life in Myrtle Beach is uncomplicated, mostly doing volunteer work and dancing at the Pavilion. But she dreams of one day doing more--maybe moving to the hollers of Kentucky to help the poor children of Appalachia. But she's never even met someone who's lived there--until she encounters Judd, the newest employee at her father's timber company.

Drawn together in the wake of a devastating hurricane, Judd and Larkin each seek answers to what tomorrow will bring. As opposition rises against following their divergent dreams, they realize that it may take a miracle for them to be together.

Judd is trying to recover from losing his brother due to a mine cave in.  The same cave in that broke Judd's leg and left him with a limp.  He moves to Myrtle Beach and starts working in a lumber camp.  This is his journey to forgive himself for living.  He meets Larkin whose goal it is to help the poor Appalachia mountain people.  Her problem is that her dad is dead set against her doing anything except staying home, marrying well, and being a socialite.  Larkin has to determine what is actually God's will.

I recommend this book to everyone.  The only thing is I thought the book had a rather abrupt ending.