REVIEW: I was delighted to receive Christmas Secret by Violet Howe. This is book number fourteen in the Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge. I’ve read several books from this series. I’ll receive another one before the end of the year and just purchased the other three I haven’t read yet. I’m so excited that I will be caught up with this series by the new year! That’s a lot of books and a ton of love for the Soul Sisters. This is one of the most heart-warming series I’ve ever read and it helps a little that it is right at Christmas time. If, you still have not read any of these books, do yourself a favor and go download the first one, Christmas Sisters, free right now! Go! 

I’m guessing I don’t have to tell you how much I love this series since I’ve read so many of the books and will be caught up soon. This book was expecially close to my heart. It is a continuation of Maddie’s story. She is the Matriarch of the family and if not for her this whole series would not exist. You’ll fall in love with her. She is one special lady. She is blessed with a few surprises in this chapter of her life. You will definitely want to read this one if you have read any of the stories so far. I feel like you could jump in anywhere and not be lost but, the best experience would be to start from the beginning. The books are all short and will only take you an evening or so to finish them. 

I love all the characters. I love the storyline. I love that they are Christmas stories. I love them period. You can not tell the authors apart. These books all read as if the same person wrote them. They flow easily. If you need some quiet time away from all the preparation for the holidays, do yourself a favor and pick up these books. They let you steal away for a while and forget your chores are waiting for you. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review!

I received a copy of this book from the author. Thank you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!

SYNOPSIS: Random circumstances brought them together. Love made them family.

When Maddie first fantasized about a wedding with Robert, they were on a tropical vacation with plenty of time on their hands and only the two of them to consider in the daily schedule. But when they returned home after getting engaged, any real consideration for wedding plans had to be put on the back burner as real life kicked into gear again.

Now, it’s a year later, and between Maddie’s four daughters and their budding families, her mother’s never-ending escapades, and the drama surrounding the wedding of Robert’s son, it seems as though they’ll never find time for a trip down the aisle of their own.

But the holidays have always been a magical time for Maddie and her family, and there’s something about Christmas that makes the impossible seem possible. Will the busy pressures of the season spoil her wedding plans once more? Or will love find a way after all?

If you’re a fan of heartwarming, second-chance, holiday romances with later-in-life heroes and heroines, you’ll love this volume of the Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge series!

✓ Don’t miss a Soul Sisters book – download them all today!
Book 1: Christmas Sisters – perma-FREE prologue book
Book 2: Christmas Kisses by Judith Keim
Book 3: Christmas Wishes by Tammy L. Grace
Book 4: Christmas Hope by Violet Howe
Book 5: Christmas Dreams by Ev Bishop
Book 6: Christmas Rings by Tess Thompson
Book 7: Christmas Surprises by Tammy L. Grace
Book 8: Christmas Yearnings by Ev Bishop
Book 9: Christmas Peace by Violet Howe
Book 10: Christmas Castles by Judith Keim
Book 11: Christmas Star by Tess Thompson
Book 12: Christmas Joy by Judith Keim
Book 13: Christmas Shelter by Tammy L. Grace
Book 14: Christmas Secret by Violet Howe

REVIEW: I was offered the chance to read and review What We Found in Hallelujah by Vanessa Miller through First Editions. This book is published by Thomas Nelson. I took them up on the offer and I am so glad that I did! This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. I am not sure why she hasn’t come up on my radar before because she has 56 books out! I’m sure there are some of them that will move my soul as much as this one did.

The storyline in this book was realistic, interesting, and compelling. I had a hard time putting it down to do my daily chores. I hurried whatever I was doing so I could get back to this book. This is a book written about the faith of a family that has endured terrible loss and how that family has fallen apart from each other and God, then found their way back. It is not over the top religious. It does speak of faith and how we move on after tragedy and putting our faith in God to handle all of our problems. I found this book so uplifting and it not only filled my soul and heart, it brought me to tears in many places remembering my own journey through life and my relationship to my Lord and Savior. 

The characters were just like you and I. They were beautiful and flawed at the same time. They were so well thought out and developed. I felt like I knew these people. They were a family I fell in love with even with those flaws. The beauty of this book shone through every page. The love a mother has for her daughter, the love spouses have for each other, that love you have for your church and your pastor and that love you hold in your heart for the rest of your life for your first love. The characters in this book learned what was important in life. The importance of letting past hurts go and the importance of family and your faith in God.

I’m not trying to be all preachy here. I just was touched in so many ways while reading this book. I don’t think you have to be Christian or religious to read What We Found in Hallelujah. This book without the religious aspects is still just as important because it brings to light how we should love and treat others in our life. For anyone who loves a heartfelt book, family drama and a little mystery thrown in will enjoy this book. I would highly recommend it. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review!

I received a copy of this book from #FirstEditions, #ThomasNelson and #Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!

SYNOPSIS: Another storm is on the horizon for the Reynolds women. And the only way out is to go through it.

Good things never happen in November—at least not for the Reynolds women. It was the month they lost their patriarch. And the month when fourteen-year-old Trinity went missing during a tropical storm. So Hope Reynolds isn’t surprised when it becomes the month she walks in on her boyfriend kissing another woman. Or when she receives a panicked call from her mother about a mistake that could cost the family their treasured beach house.

Meanwhile, Faith Reynolds-Phillips is facing her own financial struggles. She’s also looking down the barrel of divorce and raising a daughter who reminds her so much of her younger sister, Trinity, that sometimes it physically hurts. The last place Hope and Faith want to be is in Hallelujah, South Carolina, during hurricane season. Going home will force them to confront the secrets that have torn their family apart. But if they can survive another storm, they’ll have a chance to rebuild on a new foundation—the truth.

In the latest novel from prolific writer Vanessa Miller, three women must find the strength to endure the storm and the faith to believe in a miracle.

“A heartwarming, page-turning, beautiful story about family secrets, mother-daughter relationships, forgiveness, and restored faith.” —Kimberla Lawson Roby, New York Times bestselling author

• Inspiring contemporary fiction
• Stand-alone novel
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs
• Other books by Vanessa Miller: Something Good

REVIEW: Oh Boy! Readers are in for a ride. Fallen Crown by Wendy Million takes us on the roller coaster ride that is the life of Brice Sommerset in the Bellerive Royal Series. I have to admit I’ve taken great pleasure in reading this series. It is a guilty pleasure for me! I would love for the series to go on forever but, I have not asked Wendy what her plans are. I’m going to have to!

In case you are new to this series, Brice is the youngest royal son. Therefore, a lot has not been required of him and he has been able to pull off some wild behaviors without many consequences. Brice is one of those fun loving characters that everyone loves. He is the life of the party. Never sticks to one woman and doesn’t ever see himself getting married. A royal on Bellerive can’t divorce so, Brice isn’t taking any chances on getting stuck with one woman for the rest of his life. Then comes Maren Tucker. Is she the one that changes his mind? She hates Brice and all he stands for. The characters in this installment will steal your heart. You’ll find yourself rooting for the Bellerive team to win the race. Such fun!

I really have enjoyed the royals of Bellerive. They have different laws than we do and it has been interesting to see how being head of a country allows you certain privilege and abilities to change things that don’t work. I brings to our attention how public figures do not live a private life at all. The outside world constantly sees, hears and judges what they do or don’t do. Nothing is very private for them. It does have a profound influence on their lives and how they see and react to the world around them.

Wendy Million has written and outstanding book and series. Her story telling is effortless. If you like the crown or anything to do with royalty, you will fall in love with this series. I haven’t watched the crown yet but, I think I’m going to fall to it’s intrigue. I’m not easily offended by intimate scenes but, I wouldn’t describe them as over the top. Just right. I highly recommend the Bellerive Royal Series and the new release Fallen Crown. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you love by leaving a review!

I received a complimentart copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

SYNOPSIS: Maren Tucker is done with men who check in for the good times and check out for the bad. As a member of one of the oldest families in Bellerive, she doesn’t have to play nice with the Summerset Royals.

Brice Summerset is the life of every party, and as the third in line to the throne, he’s never had to take anything in life particularly seriously. Show up. Charm a few people. Make a generous donation. Move on.

But Brice’s life is on the cusp of big changes. His father is sick. His two older brothers are settling down, and he’s starting to wonder what else life has to offer.

When Maren tries to block Brice from joining her charity adventure race team, Brice balks at the notion he’s not up to the challenge. As the two butt heads over everything from training philosophies to life goals, they begin to see something in themselves and each other that they never expected.

REVIEW: I’m feeling the warm fuzzies and looking forward to Christmas. I can’t wait to put up the tree and enjoy the lights out on the front porch. That is what happened to me while reading Christmas Shelter by Tammy L. Grace. If you love Christmas books, love stories and books with lots of dogs, this book should definitely be on your radar. Christmas Shelter is book number thirteen in the Soul Sister at Cedar Mountain Lodge Series. I’ve read several of the books in this series and it is my aim to read all of them.

This installment is about Gina. She is the woman who moved back to Granite Ridge after her divorce with her two teenage daughters and opened the pet store in town. She is the sister of Luke who is married to Jo. This Christmas she is going to be alone because her daughters are going to Florida to be with their father and the rest of her family is gathering with her parents in California. She is kind of feeling sorry for herself. Let’s put it this way, with a blizzard on the way and an emergency at the animal shelter she is far from alone!

I don’t think there is a primary character in this whole series that I haven’t liked. There are lots of side people but, we don’t get to know them that well. They just fill a purpose. I have liked all of the storylines and the books have all kept me interested. The series has several authors that have contributed books to it but, I can’t tell one author from another. The books flow seemlessly from one story to another. I have fallen in love with this series and I think you will too. The characters are all different age groups so there is something for everyone. 

If this sounds interesting, you will certainly love this series. You can jump in anywhere. I don’t think you will feel lost. Each book gives you enough information so you know what is going on. I think you should start from the beginning as you will learn the history of what the books and people are all about but, it is not necessary. It is just the fun way to appoach this series of books. They are not terribly long and make a nice evening or two of reading. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

SYNOPSIS: Random circumstances brought them together. Love made them family.

Luke and Jo are spending Christmas in California, leaving Gina, Luke’s sister, in charge of their dogs. Gina’s already feeling sorry for herself with her girls gone for the holidays, choosing to spend their vacation with their dad in Florida.

Determined to make the best of it, Gina consoles herself with all her favorite Christmas treats, a little wine, and lots of streaming of the shows she hasn’t had time to watch. She’s snuggled into her favorite chair, when a broken water main, a winter blizzard, six shelter dogs, and a power outage throw a wrench in her plans for a quiet Christmas.

Along with all the chaos comes Tommy Lane, an old classmate of Gina’s and the local electrician and businessman who helped Jo get her non-profit project for foster children established in Granite Ridge. He offers to help Gina deal with the turmoil and in the process, they end up spending time together.

Tommy doesn’t celebrate Christmas and never puts up a tree, preferring to work through the holidays. Gina’s house is decorated with thousands of lights, two fresh trees, wreaths in every window, and she makes her own ravioli for the holiday meal.

Will a little Christmas magic help the two lonely souls realize they both deserve more, and despite their past, it’s never too late for a second chance?

If you’re a fan of small towns, heartwarming family holiday stories, along with a few furry friends, you’ll fall in love with the latest book featuring more from the Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge Series written by USA Today bestselling author, Tammy L. Grace.

✓ Don’t miss a Soul Sisters book – download them all today!

Book 1: Christmas Sisters – perma-FREE prologue book
Book 2: Christmas Kisses by Judith Keim
Book 3: Christmas Wishes by Tammy L. Grace
Book 4: Christmas Hope by Violet Howe
Book 5: Christmas Dreams by Ev Bishop
Book 6: Christmas Rings by Tess Thompson
Book 7: Christmas Surprises by Tammy L. Grace
Book 8: Christmas Yearnings by Ev Bishop
Book 9: Christmas Peace by Violet Howe
Book 10: Christmas Castles by Judith Keim
Book 11: Christmas Star by Tess Thompson
Book 12: Christmas Joy by Judith Keim
Book 13: Christmas Shelter by Tammy L. Grace
Book 14: Christmas Secret by Violet Howe

REVIEW: Everytime I pick up a book by Kiersten Modglin, I’m filled with excitement and trepidation. Excitement because I know I’m in for a good read and trepidation because she scares the pants off me. I have dreams of her books. So, I can’t just put it down and go to sleep. Yes, I can, but I’m going to dream about it all night. A Quiet Retreat was no exception.

This book is written in two time lines. The first one is a writer’s retreat in a victorian mansion in South Dakota. The other is a timeline that takes place before the retreat. Probably years ago. Both of the timelines were interesting but they were so different. I felt like I was shifting gears all the time. That is not so much of a problem. I think the problem was my mind trying to figure out how in the world these two timelines come together. Never fear I didn’t figure it out…AT ALL! Kiersten’s mind is so twisted. I still don’t know how she thinks up these scenarios. Who has a mind like hers?

Her characters are interesting and I tried to figure out who the authors were at the retreat. After all, I think they were real authors with the names changed to protect the innocent! They were all supposed to be the favorite authors of the invitee. I think Daniel was Stephen King but, who am I? I need to ask Kiersten about that. I haven’t figured out if one of them was actually Kiersten. Let me know what you think when you read the book. I’d like your opinion.

If you are looking for a fun and exciting read for Halloween, this would be the book I would choose for you. You can’t go wrong with any of Kiersten’s books but, releasing this one on Halloween was pure genius! If I were you, I would turn off my lights, light a candle, get a hot drink, a fuzzy blanket and a snack or two and forget about those trick or treaters. Settle in with Kiersten Modglin’s new book A Quiet Retreat and enjoy your evening. 

Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own!

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!

SYNOPSIS: You are cordially invited to visit the new Black Hills Manor Writing Retreat.

That’s how it all begins—with a simple invitation.

For five authors, it’s meant to be the start of a restful week, filled with free food, drinks, and likeminded company.
But shortly after their arrival, things take an unsettling turn.

Broken property, missing items, and strange noises are just some of the odd occurrences that have each member questioning their companions. As suspicions mount, the authors are pitted against each other.

Whom can they trust in a house full of strangers?

With tensions rising, the writers find themselves in the middle of their own mystery. Death, terror, and despair are common elements in their books, but at Black Hills Manor, the murders being plotted are their own.

REVIEW: The Miner’s Canary by Barbara Pronin was one book I read this year that grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let me go until the very end! It has some twists and turns I didn’t expect. I am so pleased that I was approached to read and review an early copy of this book. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it won’t be my last!

I have to admit I read the synopsis when Ms. Pronin first offered her new book to me to read but I forgot what the book was about when I picked it up. I went in cold. I’m so glad I did. The surprises along the way were a delight. I didn’t remember that it was a mystery. I thought it was a cute story about a woman that inherited her Aunt’s home. I was so mistaken.

The characters in this book are lovable and believable. I liked Julie, who is the main character. She is the widowed mother of a young girl. The town the Aunt lived in is Deadwood, South Dakota and the Police Chief is Charlie. Julie has every intention of selling the house and going back to California. In the short time she is in Deadwood, she meets people she considers her friends. It becomes obvious she has more friends there than she has back home. She moves with her daughter and the young woman who does child care for her back to Deadwood.

There are questions she has about the sudden death of her Aunt and things begin to happen to her and her daughter that makes her think someone in Deadwood doesn’t want her there. Problem is there are at least three people she can think of that would like her to leave. She decides they are not going to drive her out. She stays and fights back! Good for you, Julie!

This book literally had me sitting on the edge of my chair. I couldn’t put it down. I spent every spare minute I had in two days to finish The Miner’s Canary. If you love a book filled with mystery and suspense, then this book is for you! I loved it. I’m sure you will too. If you read this book, let me know what you think. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!

SYNOPSIS: “A smart heroine with a haunted past . . . a who-done-it full of twists and turns.”

Haunted by a death she might have prevented, single mom Julie Goldman returns to the brooding Black Hills of South Dakota to turn the old Victorian she inherits from her aunt into a bed-and-breakfast inn. But mysterious deaths are piling up, and a series of vaguely escalating threats convince her that someone wants her gone. When daughter Lu is run off the road while riding her bike, Julie knows she must find and stop whoever has them squarely in their sights.

REVIEW: Once again Ashely Farley has come through with another great addition to the Virginia Vineyards series. Forbidden Love is book three. This is a spin off of the Hope Springs Series and I loved that one too. Who am I kidding? I have loved every book I’ve read by Ms. Farley. Her books are so down home. These books just give me a good feeling when I read them. They are filled with love, angst and everything in between.

The characters are pretty much the same and we hear a little more from some of the characters than we did before. Laney is prominent in this one. She is the wife of the oldest son whose name is Hugh. We follow Ada on her path to independence. I really enjoy these characters…well most of them. Hugh and his father Daniel are quite something. They leave a little to be desired. Not my favorite characters. This author does a great job of developing her characters. You learn more from them by how they act than by her just telling us who they are. The characters show us who they are. I love the females in this book who are standing up and asserting themselves. They are becoming strong and building a life they are meant to live. I lile the men who are there to support them and have stepped up to the plate.

There is at least one more book in this series called Love and War. The title tells me there are going to be some sparks flying. Daniel just ioves to cause trouble. Is he going for the big one this time? I don’t know it’s just a hunch that might be the war part? Who is going to fall in love?  Is that the love part or coming together after the war? Folks, that is just my brain running ahead of itself while waiting. Just contiplating all that could happen…

If you love family sagas, you will most likely enjoy this series. Of course, I highly recommend this set of books. I’ve enjoyed them all and find myself anxiously awaiting the next book. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own!

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!

SYNOPSIS: A father’s lie tears his family apart in the captivating continuation of the bestselling Virginia Vineyard series.

Daniel Love has alienated his loved ones. And he’ll stop at nothing to have his daughter and long-time mistress back in his life. He resorts to drastic measures, devising a wicked scheme intended to elicit sympathy from his family. All hell breaks loose when his plan backfires.

Ada is torn between her fathers. Her recently discovered biological father wants her to help run his equestrian center, but his son, Ada’s new half brother, Stuart, isn’t too keen on the idea. Meanwhile, Daniel, the man who raised her from birth, has a special request only she can grant.

Laney is trapped in a loveless marriage. Her husband refuses to divorce her, and she lacks the resources to support her teenage daughters on her own. New friend and local winemaker, Bruce Wheeler, encourages her to start her own floral design business. But their friendship quickly develops into forbidden passion.

REVIEW: The Color of Ice by Barbara Linn Probst was my first book by this author and hopefully, it won’t be my last. Let me give you a word of advise before you dive into this book. Please take your time. In my opinion this is not a book you want to fly through just to get it done or because it is so good. Take your time or go back and read it again. This book is packed full of wisdom. Words we all need to hear at one time or another.

This is such a truly beautiful story. It has a lot to do with relationships on so many levels. Cathryn is the main character. She is a widow who on a whim travels to Iceland to do a photo shoot of a a glassblower named Mack. She is a freelance photographer and winds up spending a bit of time with him learning about glassblowing. 

Cathryn has children from her late husband who are grown and for the most part on their own. They are back in the United States going through their own tribulations and in the process finally growing closer to one another. So far we have possible romantic relationships and sibling relationships. Cathryn meets a woman at a botanical park that is also a different kind of a relationship in this book. There are also the long term business relationships she has developed over the years. I love the explorations of relationships and how they change.

She also brought me along to a beautiful country I have never visited before either in my life or in a book. She describes the beauty in Iceland and makes you feel like you are on the trip with her. Her journey along the roads and the places she ends up are little gems in the book that I enjoyed. Even the trip through a very long one lane, two way tunnel. Oh my! Hang on to your seats.

If you haven’t read anything by Barbara Linn Probst, I highly recommend this book and I will at some point go back and read her other books. She is a gem. She will make you feel what her characters are feeling and let you go where they go. That is a gift that is not possessed by all authors. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, #Netgalley and #SheWritesPress. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!

SYNOPSIS: Set among the glaciers and thermal lagoons of Iceland, and framed by the magical art of glassblowing, The Color of Ice is the breathtaking story of a woman’s awakening to passion, beauty, and the redemptive power of unconditional love.

The stunning new novel by the author of award-winning novels Queen of the Owls and The Sound Between the Notes . . .

Cathryn McAllister, a freelance photographer, travels to Iceland for a photo shoot with an enigmatic artist who wants to capture the country’s iconic blue icebergs in glass. Her plan is to head out, when the job is done, on a carefully curated “best of Iceland” solo vacation. Widowed young, Cathryn has raised two children while achieving professional success. If the price of that efficiency has been the dimming of her fire—well, she hasn’t let herself think about it. Until now. 

 Bit by bit, Cathryn abandons her itinerary to remain with Mack, the glassblower, who awakens a hunger for all the things she’s told herself she doesn’t need anymore. Passion. Vulnerability. Risk. Cathryn finds herself torn between the life—and self—she’s come to know and the new world Mack offers. Commitments await her back in America. But if she walks away, she’ll lose this chance to feel deeply again. Just when her path seems clear, she’s faced with a shocking discovery—and a devastating choice that shows her what love really is.

REVIEW: Kerry Anne King has a new book out titled “Improbably Yours”. You would think right off the bat this is a romance book. Well, it is and it isn’t. It is so much more than a romance. The book revolves around a treasure hunt. In fact the whole visit to this island is a treasure hunt. The island of Vinland has make itself into a destinaltion treasure hunt. You have to make reservations a year or two in advance. Background checks are done and you have to be approved to set foot on the Island. You just can’t show up. 

On the island of Vinland there is Flynn and his niece Savannah and a whole host of characters. The inhabitants of this island make money off of the visitors who supply them with their livelihood. It is an interesting concept and sounds like a fun thing to do for vacation especially since you can choose to play as a Viking or a Pirate. I would love to do this for vacation. Do you want to go?

Blythe is the main character who is there with a request from her long ago deceased Grandmother, Nomi. Nomi has set up a treasure hunt of sorts for Blythe she has to complete to claim her inheritance. Blythe was on her way to a high powered career and marriage she really didn’t want and this gives her a way out and maybe a beginning to a new life. The house she rents on Vinland is the Improbable House. So, now you can see a little bit about where the name of the book comes from. 

I really can’t tell you more about the book without giving away too much of it. I want you to have the surprise of the discoveries that Blythe makes along the way. Who she meets. The things she finds. It is all very enchanting. Kerry did a fantastic job of writing in all the fabulous things about Vinland and the Grandmother that Blythe has missed for years. I love the bond they had. 

There is something very special about this book and I can’t put my finger on it. I could go on and on about all the little details in this book that probably have meaning behind them. There is a lot of hurt and healing involved. You MUST read this book! Until next time…Happy Reading.

Don’t forget to support the authors you love by leaving a review! 

To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Thank you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

SYNOPSIS: An unusual inheritance leads to a life-changing journey in a novel of romance, secrets, and the treasure of found family.

Blythe Harmon is on the fast track to a life she never wanted. On her thirtieth birthday, just as she’s about to lock herself into a high-powered job and accept a marriage proposal to match, an unusual bequest from her beloved late grandmother, Nomi, offers an escape and an invitation to adventure.

Equipped with Nomi’s urn of ashes and a treasure map, Blythe sets off for a small island in the San Juans where she rents the mysterious and unsettling Improbable House. Secret by secret, clue by cryptic clue, she begins to unravel the puzzle her grandmother has left her to piece together. Her quest is complicated, though, by a powerful attraction to an enigmatic islander and empathy for his orphaned niece, both of whom are inexorably tied to the old house.

Just when Blythe thinks she’s on the verge of solving the mystery, her quest takes an unexpected turn, and she discovers that the treasure she’s really seeking is something that could never be buried in the ground. While she’s on the treasure hunt of a lifetime, the past and the future are coming together in this magical novel by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Whisper Me This.

REVIEW: Vanished on Vacation by Jenifer Ruff is her newest release. It’s a good one and you may want to clear some time on your schedule to read this one. It is a “Must Read”. This is book six of the Agent Victoria Heslin Series. I have read all of them except the first two books which I own. I just have to carve out some time in my schedule to read them!

This book is filled with interesting characters. Of course you have the main character Vicoria Heslin and her boyfriend Ned. Now, Ned is quite a guy. He doesn’t mind Victoria leaving on a moments notice, he doesn’t get upset when her life is in danger and he stays at her house when she is away to take care for her animals. His is also a Veterinarian so…what more could you ask for? Her partner is Rivera and he is the same solid guy. This one takes place at a resort in Mexico so, you know there are going to be some quirky guests.

The twists in this book will keep you on your feet. There are a few of them I didn’t see coming at all. We pretty much know who the criminals are but, they somehow think they are going to walk away from their crimes without paying a price. We shall see about that! Everyone in this book seems to have a secret they are hiding. I mean every. single. character. That might be hard to believe but, think about it. Don’t we all have some secrets we aren’t telling? I know I might have one or two.

This was one of the best books I’ve read by Jenifer. All of her books have been enjoyable. I’m not sure if it was the crime, the setting or what really held my attention but, I’m guessing it was a combination of all of those things. Her writing is smooth and easy to follow. I never get lost in an investigation. That really helps. I hate going back to figure out what I missed ore didn’t understand. That never happens in a book by Jenifer Ruff. 

If you like mystery and suspense then this is a book for you. Go ahead and buy it now and add it to your list. You know you’ll want to read it soon. I highly recommend this series and this book. They are all written as stand alone so you won’t feel like you are missing anything if you jump into this series now. Until next time…Happy Reading!

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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SYNOPSIS: Three college students enjoy a fun resort vacation in Mexico…until one of them disappears.

As a frantic search for missing student Avery Jennings begins, everyone is hiding something—Avery’s family and friends, the resort’s staff, and its wealthy guests. It’s up to FBI Special Agent Victoria Heslin to dig deeper. Motivated by her own mother’s abduction years ago, she’s determined not to let Avery become another missing person statistic.

The Mexican authorities aren’t cooperating, and Victoria realizes she’s up against something more powerful than she imagined. Taking matters into her own hands, she plunges into a hellish ordeal that will test her strength and courage like never before.

“How much will you risk to find this girl?” the officer asked.
“Whatever it takes,” Victoria answered without hesitation.

Or is it already too late?