Dueling Hearts by Vickie McDonough

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Heartsong Presents
• ISBN-13: 9781616265397

Ever since her brother, Johan, was killed in a duel with their neighbor, Reed Bishop, the full responsibility of caring for their South Carolina plantation home and their convalescent father has fallen to Carina. A German immigrant, she never expected, nor received, help from her neighbors.


But when Reed Bishop returns home after spending years in Scotland, things change. Reed seems determined to help Carina deal with her overwhelming problems while Carina fights a growing attraction to the tenderhearted man Reed has become. Can she ever love the man who killed her brother? And even if she could, her father has other plans for her -- plans that don't include giving her in marriage to a member of the family he despises. 


When the full truth of the duel between Johan and Reed Bishop is revealed, can Carina's dueling heart at lest find peace?

I really enjoyed this book. I like the time period and the general setting of where the book takes place. This is a Christian historical fiction book. There is just enough of the Christian part to not overwhelm the story but gives it the right touch. You find yourself routing for Carina and Reed even though they know they don't belong together. Each of them loves the other only they don't know it. I really like how Carina treats her slaves as family and not as slaves, you can tell she really loves them. Carina's dad makes me mad every time he appears in the story, he tries everything he can to make her life miserable. Watch as both Carina and Reed make changes in their life and see if they end up together. 4 stars.

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
• ISBN-13: 978-1402258589 

 Eva Ward returns to the only place she truly belongs, the old house on the Cornish coast, seeking happiness in memories of childhood summers. There she finds mysterious voices and hidden pathways that sweep her not only into the past, but also into the arms of a man who is not of her time.

But Eva must confront her own ghosts, as well as those of long ago. As she begins to question her place in the present, she comes to realize that she too must decide where she really belongs.

From Susanna Kearsley, author of the New York Times bestseller The Winter Sea and a voice acclaimed by fans of Gabaldon, du Maurier, and Niffenegger alike, The Rose Garden is a haunting exploration of love, family, the true meaning of home, and the ties that bind us together. - Taken from the back of the book.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I am glad that I read this book. I like the time travel as it is subtle and just makes the book flow. I felt sorry for Eva from page one and as the book went on I found myself wanting her to find happiness. When she met Daniel I fell in love with him just like Eva did. It must have been hard for her going back and forth between the two times periods and having people you love on both sides. I like how in the last chapter Susanna explains everything and gives you and ending you can be satisfied with although I wanted a little more.  The was Susanna describes the time travel in her story makes you wonder can this really happen. There were a few people I did not like in the book but I enjoyed most of the characters. I don't want to say too much as I feel it will ruin the story for you. I know after reading this book I now have a couple more of Susanna's books on my wishlist. I give this book 5 stars

Angel's Peak (Virgin River #10) by Robyn Carr

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira
• ISBN-13: 978-0778327615 

Four years ago, Air Force sweethearts Franci Duncan and Sean Riordan reached an impasse. She wanted marriage and a family. He didn't. But a chance meeting proves that the bitter breakup hasn't cooled their sizzling chemistry. Sean has settled down in spite of himself—he's not the cocky young fighter pilot he was when Franci left, and he wants them to try again. After all, they have a history…but that's not all they share.
Franci's secret reason for walking away when Sean refused to commit is now three and a half: a redheaded cherub named Rosie who shares her daddy's emerald-green eyes. Sean is stunned—and furious with Franci for the deception.
News travels fast in Virgin River, and soon the whole town is taking sides. Rebuilding their trust could take a small miracle—and the kind of love that can move mountains.
 

This was the 10th book in the Virgin River series. Of course Robyn does not disappoint in this book either. I had many emotions with this book which makes it even better. I was a little surprised by some things that happened but won't spoil the story for you. It was nice to learn more about Luke's family as this story's main focus was on Luke's brother Sean. We also learned a little more about his mother. Throw in a few of the newest members of Virgin River and you don't want to put the book down. I felt like the ending of the book left me wanting a little more but then that is what keeps up coming back to this little town. 5 Stars.

North by Northwestern by Captain Sig Hansen

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• ISBN-13: 978-0312672546 

In the tradition of Sebastian Junger and Linda Greenlaw comes Captain Sig Hansen’s rags-to-riches epic of his immigrant family’s struggle against deadly Alaskan seas, freezing shipwrecks, and dangerously brutal conditions to achieve the American Dream. For Captain Sig Hansen and his brothers, Norman and Edgar, commercial fishing is as much a part of their Norwegian heritage as their names. Descendents of the Vikings who ruled the northern seas for centuries, Sig and his brothers learned to fish from their father when they were boys, just as their father had learned from his father. And after twenty years as a skipper on the commercial fishing vessel the Northwestern Sig has lived to tell the tales.
This is the story of a family of survivors; part memoir and part adventure tale, North by Northwestern brings readers on deck, into the dockside bars and into the history of a family with a common destiny.  Built around the gripping tale of a deadly shipwreck like The Perfect Storm, North By Northwestern tells the multigenerational history of the Hansen family, a clan of tough Norwegian-American fishermen who have become modern day folk-heroes.

I picked this book up because I am fan of the tv show Deadliest Catch and one of my favorite boats on the show is the Northwestern. Because of this when I walked into the bookstore and saw this sitting there I had to read it. I have to say I was thinking this may be a dry book that I was not sure I would be able to finish. I was very wrong. Reading this book is like listening to a friend or family member telling you stories of days gone by. I really enjoyed this book and recommend reading it if you are a fan of the show or want to know more about the fishing industry. I loved hearing about the family and how they came to be fisherman. 4 Stars.

Song of My Heart by Kim Vogal Sawyer

   

• Paperback: 348 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• ISBN-13: 978-0764207860 

Sadie Wagner has always been devoted to her family. So when her stepfather is injured and can't work, she decides to leave home and accept a position as a clerk at the mercantile in Goldtree, Kansas. Goldtree also offers the opportunity to use her God-given singing talent--though the promised opera house is far different from what she imagined. With her family needing every cent she can provide, Sadie will do anything to keep her job.

Thad McKane comes to Goldtree at the request of the town council. The town has been plagued by bootlegging operations, and Thad believes he can find the culprit. After he earns enough money doing sheriff work, he wants to use it to pay for his training to become a minister.

Thad is immediately attracted to the beautiful singer who performs in Asa Baxter's unusual opera house, but when he hears her practicing bawdy tunes, he begins to wonder if she's far less innocent than she seems. And when Sadie appears to be part of the very crimes he's come to investigate, is there any hope the love blossoming between them will survive?

I am a fan of Kim's books and this one did not disappoint. This book caught me from page one. I loved Melva and Shelva - the really helped make the book. I did not like Sid at all - he just seemed like not a nice person to me. Sadie was a strong person to move away to get a job to help earn money to take car of her dad. Then in the end she finds love as well. I enjoyed the book being set in 1800s Kansas, one of my favorite time periods to read about.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

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The Chocolate Bear Burglary by Joanna Carl (Chocoholic Mystery #2)

• Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Signet 
• ISBN-13: 978-0451207470 

CONFESSIONS OF A CONFECTIONER

After leaving her bad-news husband back in Texas, Lee McKinney moved up north to a quaint resort town. Now she keeps the books for her aunt’s luxury-chocolate shop. But Lee soon finds that Michigan winters can be murder....

Lee and Aunt Nettie can’t believe their luck. A teddy bear promotion will have tourists flocking to Warner Pier, which could mean skyrocketing sales for TenHuis Chocolade. To help decorate the scrumptious store, their friend Gail, an antique dealer, lends them a collection of valuable chocolate molds. But after a burglary at the shop, Gail meets with a grisly fate—and the main suspect in her murder is Lee’s troubled teenage stepson. Lee sets out to clear his name, but awakening long-hibernating family secrets might be more than this daring crime solver can bear…

INCLUDES TASTY CHOCOLATE TRIVIA! - Quoted from the back of the book

This is the second book in JoAnna's Chocoholic Mystery series. This book grabbed me from page one.In fact it read so fast for me I finished it in two days. I loved the teddy bear theme behind this mystery. Even though it has been awhile since I have read the first book, I was able to pick up and remember the main characters with no problem. I was a little worried about Lee and Joe's relationship and how it was going to play out in the end but I don't want to spoil anything. Bringing in Lee's ex-stepson was a nice twist to the story. As for the crime for part of the book there really only seemed to be one suspect but you did not want to believe it was him, then as a good mystery goes along you start thinking maybe it was someone else. I will not spill the beans and tell who did it, but you may be surprised to figure it all out. I give this book 5 stars.

Dr. Alexandra Gladstone Series Blog Tour

This is my first time participating in a blog tour so I will ask for your patience please.

I am excited to tell you about the Dr. Alexandra Gladstone series by Paula Paul. This series is a historical mystery series set in Victorian England.

Let me start by telling you about the books in this series. I have included links for you to purchase the books as well.

The first book in the series is Symptoms of Death. (Gladstone) Symptoms of Death from Amazon

 You can’t cure murder …

When the old country doctor of Newton-Upon-Sea passed away, he left his only daughter, Alexandra, with the secrets of his trade. Now, the village depends on its lady-doctor Gladstone for its births, deaths, and all inconveniences in between.

Dr. Alexander Gladstone is visiting the Lord of Dunsford, when he’s found murdered in his bed. Joined by Nancy, her maid, the London barrister, Nicholas Forsythe, and her faithful dog, Zack, she soon discovers that other nobles in Lord Dunsford’s circle of acquaintances have very good reasons to see him dead. The symptoms of death begin to multiply as they uncover a dangerous plot of revenge, hatred, and blackmail. And unfortunately for Alexandra, this rage could get her killed …

Second in the series is An Improper Death (Gladstone) An Improper Death from Amazon

Always Dress Well for Murder

The small town of Newton-Upon-Sea is stunned by the death of a retired admiral of her Majesty’s Navy, and even more shocked at the state in which he is found. Everyone is ready to assume that he took a drunken fall from a cliff, except for Dr. Alexandra Gladstone. Along with Nancy, her maid, the London barrister, Nicholas Forsythe, and her faithful dog, Zack, she will battle local authorities, morticians, and the gossip of the town in order to learn the truth. And when she does, she just might find that the truth is worse than she could ever have imagined…

After that we have Half a Mind to Murder (Gladstone) Half a Mind to Murder from Amazon

Always Dress Well For Murder…

Murder is in the air in the small town of Newton-Upon-Sea. A mysterious illness is claiming the lives of men of a certain age, and where the illness fails, a sharp knife does not. Dr. Alexandra Gladstone is at a loss to determine what is causing the sickness, and the only survivor of the illness is soon found with his heart surgically removed. The panic-stricken townsfolk do not know who to trust, and Constable Snow is at a loss to find the killer, or protect innocents from the frightened, unruly mob. 

Dr. Gladstone is sent to London by Snow to discover some answers that might help them catch the madman who is committing the murders. When she realizes the truth, she knows that she may already be too late to save those that she loves the most…

And I am happy to announce that there will be a fourth book in this fantastic series. The Queen’s Crime will be released in 2013. Below is a link to the first chapter to give you that sneak peek.

Paula Paul's Newsletter

You may also purchase the books from Cool Well Press and here is their link - Cool Well Press

Now let me tell you a little bit about the author Paula Paul. Paula Paul has published 25 novels for both children and adults.  Her popular historical mystery series featuring Dr. Alexandra Gladstone is being re-released in both print and electronic format by Cool Well Press.  New books in the series will be forthcoming, beginning with The Queen’s Crime, scheduled for release in January 2013.

                Paula has written contemporary mysteries as well as historical and contemporary romance novels and literary novels.  Her favorites are her historical and literary novels.  She has won awards from Women Writing the West, New Mexico Book Association, the Zia Award, National Press Women Award for Fiction, Texas Institute of Letters Award, and a Texas Bluebonnet Award.

                Growing up in Texas on a cotton farm and ranch that was 30 miles from the nearest town, she had plenty of time to develop a very severe reading addiction that eventually translated into crafting her own stories and books.

                A former journalist, she is the recipient of several state and national awards for reporting and feature writing.  She lives in Albuquerque, NM, with her husband.  She has two grown children and six grandchildren who keep her life full and interesting.  She also has an adorable if annoying Schnoodle (Poodle and Schnauzer mix) who makes certain she takes a break from writing and gets her three-mile walk everyday.

For an added bonus Paula is hosting an e-book giveaway of her books on her blog. Here is the link to her blog Paula's Blog