Book Review: Break of Day by Colleen Coble

Break of Day - Colleen Coble - 5 Stars - A solid ending for the trilogy! Great romantic suspense story!

What a solid ending for our characters in this trilogy! I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Annie, Jon, Kylie and the others. Kylie played a smaller role in this one, but I was completely invested in the storyline here - it made sense. In this one, we see more of the continuation from the event at the end of book 2, (can't say because it would be a spoiler), but, our characters are trying to still digest everything learned at the end of book 2 here. Annie and Jon find themselves in a very tough situation here and we see the family dynamic play out in full throughout the story.

This one was very fast paced, which I love. Such non-stop action that will take you on quite the journey ya'll! I loved seeing the resolution to the mystery surrounding the missing hikers and the leader...whaaaaat! Surprised to say the least. I was on the edge of my seat as we have a bit of cat and mouse going on here where some characters are hiding from the bad guys in the woods but that's the whole part of their game - let people go so they can chase them.

I love how real the characters felt, the family drama going on added to the story in a good way and you really feel connected to them! Such depth to them. Highly recommend this awesome romantic suspense trilogy! (Look at me, finishing a trilogy, what!) :)

Review for Book 1 and 2: 

Edge of Dusk: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/03/book-review-edge-of-dusk-by-annie.html
Dark of Night: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/2023/03/book-review-dark-of-night-by-colleen.html

Book 3 on Amazon:  https://amzn.to/44IQYfW
Book 3 on Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/517177

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5727073029

YouTube Review: https://youtu.be/72VyCcYGEx4

Book Review: A Torn Allegiance by Jen Geigle Johnson

A Torn Allegiance - Jen Geigle Johnson - 3.5 Stars (Book 2 in the Royal Regency Series)

When the man she has to spy on becomes the man she loves....

Another clean, regency romance story! Lady Elsie is a strong and outspoken woman asked to spy on Prince Hayes by her father. Little does she know, feelings will start to form between the two during her spying and she will have to make some decisions and judgements regarding this situation. I really liked the romance that developed between them. Elsie has a Scottish heritage that I enjoyed learning about too. She really did not want to lose her roots and that was nice to see. 

Prince Hayes is in England to help ties with England as the looming threat of invasion from Napoleon weighs heavily on the royal family. His allegiance is questioned when he is seen with a French representative. We see some of the political intrigue play out in the story as details are revealed. 

These characters are easy to love and the story is historically rich. The only thing is I don't feel like I "got into" the book as much as I wanted to. This could be a personal thing for me at the time. It did feel a little rushed between them.

Clean regency romance lovers will enjoy this story.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5722948650
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3q6EorW
YouTube Review Video: https://youtu.be/72VyCcYGEx4

Book Review: Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl

 

Cold Pursuit - Nancy Mehl - 4.5 Stars - A spiritually uplifting Christian suspense novel that will leave you immersed from start to finish!

"And I will bring you through this storm. You are my beloved child, and I never left you."

I am not really a general suspense or thriller reader - but now I will be, as Nancy Mehl is now a new favorite author! WOW, I read this in 1 day ya'll. ONE. DAY. This was so close to a perfect read for me and I can't wait for book 2 as this ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger! It's fast paced, has great faith elements and discussions surrounding mental health (schizophrenia and synesthesia).

In the story we are following River Ryland and Tony St. Clair. They are now private investigators in their own practice and former FBI employees. River and Tony are great friends and now partners in this new practice together. As we see them start to work on getting new cases, there are remnants of a previous case that we see from the prologue still haunting them. They also have some personal issues they are each dealing with that bring emotional depth to the story. 

As they get their first case to try and find a mother's missing teen that has been missing for 4 years, we get the perspective of someone named Brian - we know Brian is a killer but how is he involved in their case? Brian has schizophrenia and synesthesia - both mental illnesses that have went untreated for too long and he is suffering. Some parts of his POV as a killer were a little unsettling for me to personally read, but it really did add to the depth of the story and I understand why it was added. You have empathy and compassion for Brian because of what he is going through mentally, but you also don't excuse what he is doing because we know everyone ultimately is responsible for their own actions, regardless. We see how he is tied in with the case River and Tony are working through and it's all makes for an action packed story!

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries, thrillers or suspense novels. I loved our characters and hope there will be a little bit of a romance form between them. I felt like it was hinted a little bit in book 1, so hopefully we will see more development there. 

For content warnings: Clean read, but some of the killer POVs may be a little unsettling with mentions of the killings, blood, mental illness, etc. Also, River's mother has Alzheimer's so we see some of her struggles in that regard.  

Thank you to Baker Publishing and Bethany House for providing a copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5714926874
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Kcji24
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492072
YouTube Review Video: https://youtu.be/72VyCcYGEx4

Book Review: A Foreign Crown by Jen Geigle Johnson

 

A Foreign Crown - Jen Geigle Johnson - 3.5 stars - A clean, regency romance.
(Book 1 in the Royal Regency series)

Lady Aribella Bardsley is summoned to be a lady-in-waiting for the Queen. Prince Layton Wilhelm, the youngest of 8 sons, is determined to prove his worth and unwilling to turn a blind eye to Napoleon's privateers. Layton embarks on a journey to England to petition the British Navy for aid. He becomes aquainted with Lady Aribella and they have an instant connection. They are not really a match made in public - they know they can't truly be together but they are torn between loyalty and love....

I liked this story and will continue on in the series but there was something missing to the plot for me, personally. More character driven, than plot. This is set in 1810 England and has historical details of King George III's madness and Napoleonic wars. I liked the historical aspects shown and the royal family details. The romance was sweet but I felt like they never truly got to know one another - of course, this did not always happen back then due to the nature of events going on during that time period. This has a very fairy tale feel to the story and I think those who enjoy a good regency story would enjoy this one. 

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5715353596

Amazon: https://amzn.to/43Gjhu3
YouTube Review Video to come.

Book Review: The Love Script by Toni Shiloh

The Love Script - Toni Shiloh - 5 Stars - Beautiful, Christian contemporary romance that truly encouraged my faith! (Book 1 in A Love in the Spotlight Series)

Toni Shiloh does it again! Loved this so much. The Love Script is a beautifully written Christian contemporary romance that weaves together faith, love and personal growth perfectly. 5 big stars! Toni is truly an auto buy author for me!

This is all about Hollywood movie star, Lamont Booker and his mother’s hairstylist, Nevaeh Richards. Nevaeh is helping his sick mother out one day when the paparazzi capture a photo on his front porch of them that leave the public wondering if Lamont’s Christian values have all been for show. With the public going crazy over this photo and cancel culture looming over Lamont, his team feel it would be best for Nevaeh and Lamont to “fake date” during this time and stay true to their Christian values. Neither Lamont, nor Nevaeh want to lie. They feel they will be dishonoring God. So they decide to try and date for real, get to know one another and see how things go…but will the paparazzi be too much for their relationship?

The faith in this story is what stood out most for me. I LOVED how refreshing this story was with a strong Christian male lead. His friend, Chris and Tuck were awesome. They always made sure to pray for their friend and check in to see how he was doing in every situation. I related to Nevaeh in some of her church going struggles too. The discussions surrounding church attendance really ministered to me and encouraged my faith. Each one of Toni’s books have encouraged my faith in some way and this was just wonderful.

I also appreciate the importance of abstinence of sex before marriage in this story and how it was completely ok to wait. We need more of this portrayed in books, especially for our younger generation. God was ever present in this story and I love how she truly weaved in prayer, church and His plan/will for our lives and decision making here for our characters. The side characters were perfect too and I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series.

Thank you to Toni for another amazing story with Godly wisdom and a sweet romance. Thank you to Baker Publishing and Bethany House for a copy to honestly read and review.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5680945874
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pXLcbj
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492080
YouTube Review Video: https://youtu.be/72VyCcYGEx4

Book Review: Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

Hello Stranger - Katherine Center - 4 Stars 

Katherine Center sure can tell a good story ya'll! This was my second Katherine Center book and I just love the way she writes a story with these characters who are very real and relatable. This story gave us such an interesting plot. I have never heard of facial blindness, or “Prosopagnosia”, and this book really gave us an insight into the acquired type. 

Our main character, Sadie, is a portrait artist who must have brain surgery after having a seizure in the grocery story parking lot. She is devastated to learn that she has facial blindness as an after effect from the surgery and can’t see anyone’s face – especially when she is supposed to compete in a major portrait competition in only 6 weeks. She is struggling financially, and this competition means a lot to her for the money it could bring and since it was the same competition her mom was supposed to do before she passed away. There is no guarantee that her condition will resolve, and she sinks into a bit of a depressive state, as expected. 

The only thing keeping her happy is her sweet dog, Peanut, who I LOVED seeing in this story…..until she meets 2 guys along the way and a relatively small love triangle forms. For those who don’t love the “love triangle” trope, I honestly wouldn’t really call this a true “love triangle”, because 1 of the guys is more in the story then the other and really, she was just “originally interested” in the other guy, but nothing pans out there. This entire circumstance of her love life leaves us with many laughs along the way with some witty banter between our main couple here. 

We see Sadie trying to work through so much in this story. She is going through the motions of her diagnosis with her doctor and dealing with trauma from her mother’s death in the past and her evil-step sister. I loved her growth in this story as she went through all of this, and the growth between her, her step-mother and her father. 

Overall, the romance was sweet, the twist was great, and it is SUCH a bingeable read! I read this so fast! There were some parts I rolled my eyes at and didn't always love, but overall really enjoyed it. Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy to honestly read and review. I did listen to the audiobook too, but read most of the ARC e-book so I appreciate that.

Content: Language, 5 “F” words, 10-15 “S” Words and other mild words used. Sexual content was clean for me, just some steamy kisses and discussions of sex.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5106460936
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rCRRYQ
YouTube Review Video: https://youtu.be/72VyCcYGEx4

Book Review: A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz

A Bound Heart - Laura Frantz - 4.5 Stars - A Captivating Christian Historical Romance!

A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz is a captivating Christian Historical Romance that will transport readers to 18th-century Scotland and Colonial Virginia. We have a richly detailed setting, complex characters, and a beautiful love story. As someone who found her love for Scotland through books like Outlander but am now looking for clean reads that have the same atmosphere, this gave me everything I was looking for in that regard. It’s so nice to read a story in 1700s Scotland, around the time of the Culloden War, plus on the brink of the American Revolution and have a story that is clean and have faith elements! Thank you, Laura Frantz, for bringing the characters and story to life!

This is the story of Magnus MacLeish and Lark MacDougall. They grew up on the same castle grounds and Magnus is now the Laird of the great house and the Isle of Kerrera. Lark is the keeper of the bees there and helps his wife’s fertility issues with elixirs and healing herbs. One day, his wife dies suddenly, and Lark and Magnus find themselves under some outrageous accusations. They are sent away from their island and start new in the Virginia Colony. Lark finds herself a caretaker of a newborn little boy and we see so many twists and turns in the story as they embark on this new beginning.

This was SO close to a 5-star read for me, I think many of you will LOVE it too! I wanted a little bit more of Lark and Magnus together, maybe an epilogue of sorts and while I didn’t love some of the love triangle bits, these moments definitely contributed to the emotional depth of the story with the ending. Overall, such a compelling historical romance that brought us a great Scottish love story!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5697409190
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rvSm6Z
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/39059 

YouTube Video Review: https://youtu.be/72VyCcYGEx4

Book Review: Pixels and Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter

 

Pixels and Paint - Kristi Ann Hunter - 5 Stars! A Great Christian Rom-Com!

Step into the world of Art and Love with Pixels and Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter! This is a delightful Christian contemporary romance that effortlessly combines the worlds of art, technology, and personal growth. We have GREAT engaging characters, a nice faith element and so many cute and funny moments! This book truly captures the essence of following one's passion and finding unexpected connections. I really related to our main character of Emma – her relaxed style, people-pleasing tendencies, love for video games and other personal interests – so relatable.

In this book, Carter Anderson has been struggling to find inspiration for his paintings – until he sees Emma at a local art showing. Emma’s not too thrilled to be there and he can see it immediately. He is so fascinated with her, and she becomes an inspiration for him to create new art that he hasn’t been able to create in 2 years! She is truly an answer to his prayers.

Emma is a TRUE people pleaser who tries to make her mom, sister, coworkers -everyone happy! Whether it be through her mom and sisters’ art events, her fashion choices, or her home décor – she is constantly trying to appeal to their wishes. We see Emma really grow in this book and start to realize it’s ok to just be who she is, regardless of what everyone else wants. She wants her family to be proud of the work she does in her job, so she ends up getting sucked into a project for the art museum that she really isn’t prepared for. That’s when Carter Anderson comes in as they talk all things art appreciation – while getting to know each other on a few dates along the way….

I am so glad I read this one – it was a great time! If you love a good rom-com, STEM romance and a sweet, lighthearted read, this is it! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5654711263
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Ohsp48
YouTube Review Video: https://youtu.be/72VyCcYGEx4

Book Review: An American In Scotland by Lucy Connelly

 

An American In Scotland - Lucy Connelly - 4 Stars - An enjoyable Scottish Cozy Mystery! (Book 1 in A Scottish Isle Mystery Series)

This book was so much fun, I really enjoyed my time reading it. My friend Tammy recommended it to me and it was definitely an "Amanda" book :) In this delightful Scottish cozy mystery, we have our American protagonist, Dr. Emilia McRoy, at the heart of the story as she is Sea Isle's new doctor in town. She moved from the busy emergency room in Seattle in hopes of settling down as a small-town doctor in a town where she learns she may have ancestorial heritage roots. She's been through some really tough things losing family members and a traumatic experience with losing her husband so she is hoping to start fresh in this new place. But as soon as she gets to Sea Isle, she stumbles across a dead body and realizes she has to be the one to help investigate as the towns new doctor. She meets the local constable, Laird Ewan Campbell, and while they butt heads for a while, they work together to solve this mystery.

What really made this cozy mystery great for me was the characters - even the side characters were amazing. The strength of it lies in the well-crafted characters and the immersive Scottish setting. My favorite side characters were Abigail and Tommy. Tommy is a character on the autism spectrum and while he can't speak, he works well and helps others, so that was amazing to see. His sister helps take care of him and becomes great friends with Em. It was also cool to see Em's setup as a doctor there and how the village was so small and quaint that they all really took care of one another. There is a little bit of a side romance starting to bloom that I really liked too :)

There were a few parts of this I didn't love reading but overall it's on the higher end of my Scottish cozy mystery reads that I plan to pick up book 2 when it comes out!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5692203629

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NXsjgE
YouTube Review Video: https://youtu.be/72VyCcYGEx4

Book Review: The Circus Train by Amita Parikh

 

The Circus Train - Amita Parikh - 5 Stars - Wow, what a surprising read and breathtaking read!

I was completely immersed from the first chapter of this book. FINALLY a BOTM pick I enjoyed! I have had a tough reading week with so many DNFs and then picking this one up has been wonderful!

Lena is a young girl who is the daughter of a circus illusionist, Theo. She is so smart and loves the world of science and medicine. Her father is very overprotective though and limits her activities because she is disabled as she had polio as an infant and is unable to walk. Things take a big turn when they rescue Alexandre, a jewish orphan with many secrets. Alexandre and Lena start to form a friendship and a small romance over the years they are together and he trains under her father to be an Illusionist's apprentice. Problems start to erupt though when World War II begins....secrets are revealed, people are separated, doubts must be confronted and you have no idea what's going to happen next!

This story really captivates you from the beginning and I loved the growth of the characters that spanned from the late 1930s to mid 1950s. This is a historical fiction story but has a circus twist. We didn't see a lot of the circus but it was a moving theme throughout the story as they were traveling throughout the book from shows. If you like historical fiction stories, a strong female lead who perseveres, disability representation, a small side romance plot, strong family vibes and circus elements, this is for you! 

As for trigger warnings, I didn't really see much as far as content issues. There was no language that I remember and no excessive violence other then mentions of parents dying or other war time deaths/scenes but they were not graphic.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5687713908
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NOThqF
YouTube Review Video: https://youtu.be/72VyCcYGEx4

Book Review: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen - 5 Stars - A World of witty social commentary, endearing characters and playful satire. 

I had so much fun diving into this book! Classics can be hard for me to read but thankfully the audiobook + the physical book together, plus many chapter summaries and videos online, helped me grasp what was going on in each chapter and I am SO glad I finally got it! I LOVED Pride and Prejudice so when Jane Austen July came up this year, I wanted to try another Jane Austen read from her main novels, and Northanger Abbey did NOT disappoint!

Jane Austen invites us into a world of witty social commentary, endearing characters and playful satire. This is a beautiful coming of age story of Catherine Morland and it offers a unique blend of romance, mystery and Austen's witty dialogue! 

This is set in the town of Bath, England and follows the adventures of Catherine Morland. She is our heroine of the story as a young, average girl. She leaves to travel with the Allens and meets several people along the way, including making the acquaintance of the Tilneys and Thorpes. Her journey is filled with humorous misunderstandings and a touch of Gothic intrigue. 

I loved Catherine, Henry and Eleanor most of all. Catherine is a realistic and relatable character who truly shines in this book. She is naïve abotut life but with her lively imagination, she truly captures you in the reading experience as she learns many valuable lessons about life. Henry is DASHING!  Eleanor is a kind friend! And then we have the Thorpes --- LOOK HERE JOHN THORPE, I am giving you the side eye....right along with Isabella Thorpe. They were very rude, lying and manipulative people and Catherine starts to see how unchecked assumptions can have consequences with them. 

Overall, Northanger Abbey is a delightful and witty novel that gives us a glimpse into the social landscape of Regency England and has charming characters with timeless themes. Jane Austen truly was a genius for storytelling and satire. 

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5667863040
Amazon: https://amzn.to/46IUOHi
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mj7Hz0PH6w&t=5s

Book Review: Hot Pot Murder by Jennifer Chow

 

Hot Pot Murder - Jennifer Chow - 4 Stars - A sizzling mystery that leaves you hungry for more! (Book 2 in the LA Night Market Series)

Hot Pot Murder picks up where we left off after Death by Bubble Tea with Yale and Celine back at the center of armature sleuthing and whipping up some great eats! This delightful and mouthwatering mystery combines the intrigue of a whodunit with the delectable world of hot pot dining. I had such a great time getting back into this series! 

Our girls find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery when Jeffery Vue, president of the local restaurant association, receives a literal shock to his system and dies. We also see Detective Strauss back in action - although I would have liked to see more of him in this one. 

What makes these cozies so much fun is the author's ability to weave the cultural elements seamless into the story. She effortlessly explores the intricate dynamics of family and tradition and gives us a glimpse into the customers and traditions of Chinese cuisine and the close-knit communities that surround them. I am always so hungry when I read these books! 

If you are in the mood for a delicious blend of murder mystery and culinary delights - this series is a must read ya'll! 

Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5152549705
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3O7hTMs
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mj7Hz0PH6w&t=5s

Book Review: The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow

 

The Other Bennet Sister - Janice Hadlow - 4 Stars - I will never see Mary Bennet the same again!

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow will give you such a different perspective on Mary Bennet and several other characters in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. We see many of the events in Pride and Prejudice from Mary's point of view - she is labeled the "ugly ducking" if you will - and her family, specifically Mrs. Bennet, is downright mean to her, making her feel as though she is not good enough and will never find a match to be married. In this story, we see Mary Bennet finding herself and her happy ending and I loved it. It was a bit long for me, but every time I picked the audio back up, I was completely immersed in this story. The characters felt true to the story of Pride and Prejudice.

Janice Hadlow skillfully weaves a captivating narrative that aligns with the events of Pride and Prejudice so well. She brings such depth and complexity to a character we often dismiss in Austen's story. She was transformed from being a timid overlooked sister into a woman who was discovering her true passions and desires. I think many of us will see a lot of ourselves in Mary Bennet. It really makes you reflect on the limitations imposed on women during that era and the importance of defying the "rules" to pursue personal happiness and fulfillment.

Overall, this book is such a captivating tribute to Jane Austen's world as the author truly breathed new life into a beloved classic and gave a voice to a character too often overlooked. Prepare to be transported back in time and discover a new appreciation for the quiet strength and hidden depths of Mary Bennet.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5662298253

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rhNhPA

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mj7Hz0PH6w&t=5s