Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot

Out of the Embers: Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents' murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don't include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.

Heidi here. Isn't that a great cover? It was a treat to read Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot! I love that Evelyn Radcliffe is such a strong woman, she can take care of herself and doesn't need a man to care for her. I adore the amount of "show" in this book. The author did a great job showing Evelyn's tenaciousness and independence and how much Wyatt, based on his mother and father's relationship, believes women need to be cared for. He has a gradual shift in his beliefs as the book progresses ~ based on observations he draws and statements people make. Evelyn slowly learns to trust. 

I admit I haven't read a historical in awhile, so this was a nice change of pace. And I adore Amanda's writing anyway. Pick u your copy of Out of the Embers today :-)

You Belong with Me by Tari Faris

You Belong with Me: Realtor Hannah Thornton has many talents. Unfortunately, selling houses in the town where her family name is practically poison isn't one of them. When a business tycoon determines to raze historic homes in the small town of Heritage, Michigan, and replace them with a strip mall, Hannah resolves to stop him. She sets about helping Heritage win a restoration grant that will put the town back on the map--and hopefully finally repay the financial debt Hannah's mother caused the town. But at first no one supports her efforts--not even her best friend, Luke.

Luke Johnson may have grown up in Heritage, but as a foster kid he never truly felt as if he belonged. Now he has a chance to score a job as assistant fire chief and earn his place in the town. But when the interview process and Hannah's restoration project start unearthing things from his past, Luke must decide if belonging is worth the pain of being honest about who he is--and who he was.


Heidi here. In one word: Amazing. Debut author, Tari Faris has hit You Belong with Me out of the park! I loved how real Hannah and Luke are. Their childhoods were not perfect, they are not perfect, and that makes for an unforgettable and heartwarming story. Now I want to visit Heritage, Michigan, in the summer mind you, as much as I’ve longed to spend a weekend in Stars Hollow. Grab your copy today! Go to Tari's website and you can download a FREE copy of the prequel of Hannah and Luke's story :-)

The Holiday Secret by Kathryn Springer

The Holiday Secret: Family’s all Ellery Marshall wants for Christmas. To connect with her long-lost brothers, she travels to Castle Falls and instantly falls for the innkeeper’s five-year-old granddaughter, Bea. Carter Bristow—Bea’s handsome father—has given up on love. But Bea hasn’t given up on him, and Ellery could be the answer to her holiday wish to make Daddy happy again.

Heidi here. Let me just say that I adore Kathryn Springer's writing. Not only is The Holiday Secret an amazing premise, but Ellery & Carter have deep and painful wounds that they work on throughout the novel. I love how Ellery meets Bea before she realizes that Carter is Bea's father. So, of course, Ellery falls for sweet Bea ~ who wouldn't?

The plot is superb, The Holiday Secret keeps moving with no lags anywhere. All the plot points intersect at just the right times. I specifically liked the horse-drawn carriage ride on the evening of the parade. The atmosphere. The uncertainty of Ellery before they stepped into the carriage. Carter's surprise (and shock?) to see his daughter at the parade he could not attend. Carter's willingness to take part in the remaining carriage ride.

Superlative writing. Satisfying Christmas read. Buy your copy of The Holiday Secret today (as I am writing this, the kindle version is only $1.99).

Sweet on You by Becky Wade

Sweet on You: Britt Bradford and Zander Ford have been the best of friends since they met thirteen years ago. Unbeknown to Britt, Zander has been in love with her for just as long.

Independent and adventurous Britt channels her talent into creating chocolates at her hometown shop. Zander is a bestselling author who's spent the past 18 months traveling the world. He's achieved a great deal but still lacks the only thing that ever truly mattered to him--Britt's heart.

When Zander's uncle dies of mysterious causes, he returns to Merryweather, Washington, to investigate, and Britt is immediately there to help. Although this throws them into close proximity, both understand that an attempt at romance could jeopardize their once-in-a-lifetime friendship. But while Britt is determined to resist any change in their relationship, Zander finds it increasingly difficult to keep his feelings hidden.

As they work together to uncover his uncle's tangled past, will the truth of what lies between them also, finally, come to light?

Heidi here. Sweet on You was even better than Falling for You, but only by a hair. Can't Becky Wade write more than one novel a year? Just kidding Becky, take all the time you need to produce these awesome reads!

In Sweet on You, Zander has been in love with Britt since high school. Britt, on the other hand, considers Zander her very best friend. Except, when Zander returns from an 18 month trip and discovers his uncle may not have died from natural causes, Britt and Zander choose to work closely together to untie the mystery. That's when Zander realizes that taking an 18 month break didn't diminish his love for Britt, time only made their bond stronger. And Britt discovers, much to her dismay, that she may very well be in love with her best friend and that is not okay. She adores the relationship she and Zander have and does not want it to change. At all. But then he kisses her, which leads them on a road of trying to get back to "just friends," which isn't possible.

I think the thing I loved the most about this romance was how they were best friends before page one. How Zander has been head over heels in love with Britt forever. And how Britt, much to her surprise, has also been in love with Zander but was afraid to face those feelings. That premise created a strong romantic conflict that ran the course of the entire novel.

Grab your copy of Sweet on You today!

Season of Hope by Lisa Jordan

SEASON OF HOPE: 

Jake Holland’s peaceful dairy farm is a sanctuary—one he wants to share with other worn and weary veterans. He just needs one more piece of land to start his program…and it belongs to Tori Lerner, his ex-wife. A collaboration could benefit them both, but with a past full of secrets between them, is there any hope for renewed love?

Heidi here. Season of Hope by Lisa Jordan is a sweet read. I love the premise: Jake wants the land that his secret ex-wife just inherited.

Because Jake and Tori had been married, there is tons of conflict! Not only with them, but with his family because they kept it secret. Everyone tries to push them together, but they are their own worst enemies. In the end, they get back together.

I especially liked the part where Jake "rescues" Tori when she has a fever and is uber sick. And then Tori "rescues" Jake when the barn he was going to have the fundraiser in collapsed (she comes up with a unique, crafty, and free alternate location for the event).

Grab your copy of Season of Hope by Lisa Jordan today!

The Memory House by Rachel Hauck

THE MEMORY HOUSE: When Beck Holiday lost her father in the North Tower on 9/11, she also lost her memories of him. Eighteen years later, she’s a tough New York City cop burdened with a damaging secret, suspended for misconduct, and struggling to get her life in order. Meanwhile a mysterious letter arrives informing her she’s inherited a house along Florida’s northern coast, and what she discovers there will change her life forever. Matters of the heart only become more complicated when she runs into handsome Bruno Endicott, a driven sports agent who fondly recalls the connection they shared as teenagers. But Beck doesn’t remember that either.

Decades earlier, widow Everleigh Applegate lives a steady, uneventful life with her widowed mother after a tornado ripped through Waco, Texas, and destroyed her new, young married life. When she runs into old high school friend Don Callahan, she begins to yearn for change. Yet no matter how much she longs to love again, she is hindered by a secret she can never share.

Fifty years separate the women but through the power of love and miracle of faith, they each find healing in a beautiful Victorian known affectionately as The Memory House.  

Heidi here. THE MEMORY HOUSE is my personal favorite of Rachel Hauck's novels to date. Wounded yet likable characters, snappy dialogue, and the plot ~ oh the plot. This novel was nearly impossible to put down as the author expertly wove secrets and truths throughout, creating a mega page-turner. I loved the theme of second-chances.

Snap up your copy of THE MEMORY HOUSE by Rachel Hauck today!

Please note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Flights of Fancy by Jen Turano

FLIGHTS OF FANCY: Miss Isadora Delafield may be an heiress, but her life is far from carefree. When her mother begins pressuring her to marry an elderly and uncouth duke, she escapes from the high society world she's always known and finds herself to be an unlikely candidate for a housekeeper position in rural Pennsylvania.

Mr. Ian MacKenzie is known for his savvy business sense and has built his reputation and fortune completely on his own merits. But when his adopted parents are in need of a new housekeeper and Isadora is thrown into his path, he's unexpectedly charmed by her unconventional manner.

Neither Isadora nor Ian expected to find the other so intriguing, but when mysterious incidents on the farm and the truth of Isadora's secret threaten those they love, they'll have to set aside everything they thought they wanted for a chance at happy-ever-after.

Heidi here. Jen Turano is one of my favorite Christian historical fiction authors. She always writes with a lighthearted and comical twist. FLIGHTS OF FANCY does not disappoint.

The premise was simple, Isadora's mother will do just about anything to ensure that Isadora marries well. She goes a little too far and Isadora flees her home and assumes a new identity as a housekeeper. Except, as an heiress she has never done housework. Somehow Isadora is able to talk her way out of anything. Ian takes a liking to her and a romance ensues. As always, a very enjoyable read.

While writing this I noticed that FLIGHTS OF FANCY by Jen Turano is on deep discount for the kindle, so grad your copy today!

The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

The Secrets of Paper and Ink: Brought together by a charming bookstore in England, three women fight to defy expectations, dream new dreams, and welcome love into their lives.

As a counselor, Sophia Barrett is trained to help people cope with their burdens. But when she meets a new patient whose troubles mirror her own, she realizes she hasn’t dealt with the pain of her recent past. After making a snap decision to get away for the summer, Sophia moves overseas to an apartment above a charming bookstore in Cornwall, England. She is hopeful she will find peace there surrounded by her favorite thing: great literature.

Bookstore owner Ginny Rose is desperate to save her business without asking for help from a husband who’s decided to take a break from their marriage. Ginny never imagined she’d be solely responsible for keeping afloat her husband’s dream, but the unexpected friendship with her new renter has her feeling more optimistic. Between the two of them—and Ginny’s brother-in-law, William—the bookstore might stand a chance.

Then Sophia finds a notebook in the bookstore that contains journal entries from Emily Fairfax, a governess who lived in Cornwall more than 150 years ago. Sophia learns that Emily harbored a secret passion for becoming an authoress—as well as a deep love for her childhood friend, Edward, whose station she dared not dream to touch.

Eager to know more of Emily’s story, Sophia goes on a quest—dragging Ginny and William with her—to discover the heart of the woman behind the beautiful entries. Soon Ginny’s need to save the bookstore becomes more than a way to save her marriage, and Sophia finds new purpose of her own. Together they find that sometimes both heartache and hope can reach across the centuries.

Heidi here. Well, Lindsay Harrel has just become my favorite new author! I adored her latest novel, The Secrets of Paper and Ink.

The premise to this story was intricate yet simple. The characters were deep and wide, their problems very normal, yet difficult to escape. 

I adored the setting of the bookstore in Cornwall, I could just imagine all the rock walls and brick paved roads. The bookstore made me want to go to a library and breath deep!

And the writing, oh my, Lindsay has a way with words and story. Can't wait for her next novel! In the meantime, grab a copy of The Secrets of Paper and Ink.

Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets by Jill Kemerer

Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets: 
A nanny at Christmastime…
Will she find love in this Wyoming Cowboys novel?

Six weeks on a ranch caring for quadruplets—aspiring nurse Ainsley Draper’s prepared for a busy Christmas. When the children’s handsome uncle opens the door, her task gets extra complicated. Marshall Graham is upholding his promise to look after his twin sister, the babies’ mom. But as family loyalty clashes with new love, will the perfect present include a future with Ainsley?

Heidi here. Ohh, this was SUCH a fun read! Jill Kemerer has outdone herself on the Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets.

Ainsley's biggest obstacle is a character trait Marshall shares with her father ~ the one that forced her to distance himself from her only living family. On the other hand, Marshall is so entwined with his twin sister, he won't even allow himself the liberty to consider a future life for himself.

Marshall's sister is disinterested in her four infants for much of the book, allowing for many points of conflict with all parties involved. Loved this read, highly recommend Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets by Jill Kemerer.

The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

The Heart Between Us: Megan Jacobs always wished for a different heart. Her entire childhood was spent in and out of hospitals, sitting on the sidelines while her twin sister Crystal played all the sports, got all the guys, and had all the fun. But even a heart transplant three years ago wasn’t enough to propel Megan’s life forward. She’s still working as a library aide in her small Minnesota hometown and living with her parents, dreaming of the adventure she plans to take “once she’s well enough.” Meanwhile, her sister is a successful architect with a handsome husband and the perfect life—or so Megan thinks.

When her heart donor’s parents give Megan their teenage daughter’s journal—complete with an unfulfilled bucket list—Megan connects with the girl she meets between the pages and is inspired to venture out and check off each item. Caleb—a friend from her years in and out of the hospital—reenters her life and pushes her to find the courage to take the leap and begin her journey. She’s thrown for a loop when Crystal offers to join her for reasons of her own, but she welcomes the company and the opportunity to mend their tenuous relationship.

As Megan and Crystal check items off the bucket list, Megan fights the fears that have been instilled in her after a lifetime of illness. She must choose between safety and adventure and learn to embrace the heart she’s been given so that she can finally share it with the people she loves most.

Heidi here. Well, I have a new favorite author! In her debut novel for Thomas Nelson, Lindsay Harrel does not disappoint. The Heart Between Us is a gripping story about twin sisters who aren't close at all, thrown into an unknown situation with the other. They both assume certain things about the other. They both expect certain reactions and behavior. 

Suffice it to say that they are surprised when they both begin to mature and grow spiritually, and most important they grow much closer together.

I loved how broken Crystal was, yet no one knew. I loved how open to change Megan was, the girl who had never left her hometown. Crystal and Megan are fighters, and it was a joy to be with them on their journey. Thank you, Lindsay, I loved The Heart Between Us and can't wait for your next release!

The Bachelor's Perfect Match by Kathryn Springer

The Bachelor's Perfect Match: After agreeing to help Aiden Kane find his long-lost sister, librarian Maddie Montgomery is surprised at her instant attraction to the daredevil. As they uncover the truth, Aiden pushes Maddie out of her comfort zone—but he never imagined that in solving the puzzle of his past, he’d find the only woman he can imagine a future with.

Heidi here. Okay, y'all know I enjoy Love Inspired, but Kathryn Springer is my favorite and The Bachelor's Perfect Match doesn't disappoint.

The character's are deep and very opposite of one another. Maddie likes to read, never takes chances, doesn't do anything outside, whereas Aiden prefers the outdoors and is always, always on the move. Except, while Maddie attempts to help a small group of high school students, she discovers the only thing that interests them is Aiden and his adventures. We meet Aiden while he is impatiently mending from a car accident, and he is super unhappy about sitting still.

Maddie thinks no one like Aiden would ever like, like her, she is too boring. And Aiden, like his brothers, isn't looking for love. So when he finds it, he is surprised and none to thrilled.

Another great read by Kathryn Springer!

A Borrowed Dream by Amanda Cabot

A Borrowed Dream: Catherine Whitfield is sure that she will never again be able to trust anyone in the medical profession after the town doctor's excessive bleeding treatments killed her mother. Despite her loneliness and her broken heart, she carries bravely on as Cimarron Creek's dutiful schoolteacher, resigned to a life without love or family, a life where dreams rarely come true.

Austin Goddard is a newcomer to Cimarron Creek. Posing as a rancher, he fled to Texas to protect his daughter from a dangerous criminal. He's managed to keep his past as a surgeon a secret. But when Catherine Whitfield captures his heart, he wonders how long he will be able to keep up the charade.

Heidi here. Amanda Cabot has written another awesome read! A Borrowed Dream has love, hope, dreams, conflict, three-dimensional characters, and more.

The premise is outstanding: Catherine Whitfield would love nothing more than to marry, but has no intention of being a man's second choice. So, when she meets Austin Goddard, a widow, she immediately writes him off as she doesn't want to be a man's second love. On the other hand, Austin's six-year-old daughter, Hannah, has no interest in a new mother. And the last thing Austin wants to do is mess up Hannah's life any more than he already has.

Austin and Catherine have strong romantic feelings for each other, but continue to hold those feelings far away for as long as possible. I also enjoyed the complexity of Austin's daughter as she used to be cheery, but now barely speaks and is clearly unhappy. This was a fun storyline to unpeel.

Another winner by Amanda Cabot, grab your copy of A Borrowed Dream today!

Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren

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.

Heidi here. Oh my, Susan May Warren writes the most captivating and broken and likable characters ~ in each and every book she authors. Troubled Waters is no exception, except maybe it's even better than her last! She wrote a craft book, Deep and Wide (which I believe has been renamed Make Your Plot Wider and Your Characters Deeper), which delves into how to do what she does ~ but I am telling you she is THE master at making characters deep and wide. 

Ian and Sierra are so broken that they have no idea true love is right in front of them. Well, it may be the secrets they are keeping from each other, or the fact that they are living in the past, but however Susan May Warren does it, Troubled Waters is a thoroughly enjoyable read.

The cast of characters that has been created, the entire Peak Team members and now Ian's wealthy friends, are all multi-dimensional. Even though the reader doesn't know the characters backstory, having deep secondary characters makes the main characters even more interesting.

I highly recommend Troubled Waters as well as all of Susan May Warren novels and craft books!

In This Moment by Karen Kingsbury

In This Moment: From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury comes a brand-new Baxter Family novel about a beloved high school principal who starts a Bible Study to improve the lives of his struggling students, only to become the national focus of a controversial lawsuit.

Hamilton High Principal Wendell Quinn is tired of the violence, drug abuse, teen pregnancies, and low expectations at his Indianapolis school. A single father of four, Quinn is a Christian and a family man. He wants to see change in his community, so he starts a voluntary after-school Bible Study and prayer program. He knows he is risking his job by leading the program, but the high turnout at every meeting encourages him.

A year later, violence and gang activity are down, test scores are up, and drug use and teen pregnancy have plummeted. The program is clearly working—until one parent calls the press. Now Quinn faces a lawsuit that could ruin everything.

With a storm of national attention and criticism, Quinn is at a crossroads—he must choose whether to cave in and shut down the program or stand up for himself and his students. The battle comes with a high cost, and Quinn wants just one attorney on his side for this fight: Luke Baxter. In This Moment is an inspiring, relevant story about the nuances of religious freedom and how a group of determined people just might restore the meaning of faith in today’s culture.

Heidi here. Oh, this was good. I loved how the principle, Wendell Quinn, stood up for his beliefs in the world that we live in today and was willing to suffer the consequences. I enjoyed that we see a non-believer, Cami Nelson, begin to attend these Bible Studies and her life turns around ~ that was a nice "show" for how Wendell's plan actually took foot to action.

Wendell started the Bible Study because of a quote from Alexander Hamilton "Those who stand for nothing ...  fall for anything," referring to his student body. And then asks himself, "If not me, then who?" That question is a good question for every believer to ask ~ how can they share the gospel in their neighborhood, workplace, family?

The subject matter is so timely. It was a blessing to see Luke Baxter back on the page, love the Baxter's. Nice plot and well-rounded characters. Highly recommend In This Moment by Karen Kingsbury.

The Rancher's Christmas Bride by Brenda Minton

The Rancher's Christmas Bride: After being jilted at the altar, all Marissa Walker wants for Christmas is to escape her life. Fleeing to Bluebonnet Springs and the ailing grandfather she’s never known seems like the perfect solution. But when her limo breaks down, neighboring rancher Alex Palermo comes to her rescue. With his ranch in jeopardy, Alex can’t afford any distractions right now—until he sees a bedraggled runaway bride on the side of the road. Alex can’t turn his back on the spunky city girl, and soon his priority becomes convincing her to stay. Because Christmas—and his future—would be much merrier with Marissa as his bride.

Heidi here. Oh. My. This is a good book! I mean, let's be real, Alex is driving along in his truck and sees a bride in a white wedding dress walking along the side of the road, he stops, it starts raining. Come on people, a premise can't get better than that!

I loved that Marissa had never met her grandfather, yet that's the one place she wants to be after she is jilted at the altar. Marissa's grandfather is such a lovable character, gruff yet welcoming at the same time.

Both Marissa and Alex have strong and interesting backstory's. Brenda Minton did a nice job stringing out the romance and never really allowing Alex and Marissa to get together, until the end of the story of course. I also loved that the last thing either character wanted was a relationship 😀 Pick up your copy of The Rancher's Christmas Bride today!

The Engagement Plot by Krista Phillips

Six months ago, William stole Hanna’s heart and shattered it in front of millions of people on a reality TV dating show. And now the big-wig CEO is back on Hanna’s home turf in Minnesota and wants her to forgive him? Fat chance of that. But life is swirling around faster than snow in a blizzard, and despite her objections, teaming up with William seems like the only option to rescue her reputation.
              
William has never regretted anything more than the day he gave that ill-fated interview for the reality show, The Price of Love. But while he can’t change the past, he’s determined to fix the future. He just needs to convince Hanna to forgive him—and pretend to be engaged with him. Simple, right?

When the media erupts with even worse accusations, teaming up and pretending to be engaged seems to be the only way to salvage their reputations.  Despite the media frenzy that swirls around them, an attraction neither of them can fight off begins to surface. Could this love run deeper than a scandal, or will old wounds tear them apart once and for all?  When all seems lost, it’s only with help from above that Hanna and Will may find their happily-ever-after.

Heidi here. Well, The Engagement Plot sounds like reality television, but it isn't, not really. The entire novel happens after the two are on a show very much like The Bachelor.

The plot is fresh and fun and quick-paced. Krista Phillips has an engaging and easy-to-read voice. I want to be friends with Hanna and keep wondering how she's doing.....proves The Engagement Plot was a great read! Grab your copy today :-)

Amish Christmas Twins by Patricia Davids

With Christmas just around the corner, widow Willa Chase will do anything to retain custody of her twin girls and unborn baby—even if it means escaping to her childhood Amish home. After her grandfather turns her away, Willa finds herself stranded at the home of blacksmith John Miller. A widower, John buries himself in work—until Willa's vibrant twins become impossible to ignore. And before long, John is smitten with their beautiful mother, too. But when Willa's past secrets are revealed, will they prevent John's Christmas wish for a happily-ever-after from coming true?

Heidi here. Patricia David's newest novel, Amish Christmas Twins starts with a strong premise that leads Willa Chase right into the arms of John Miller, even though neither one is looking for romance.

The conflict for the main character is deep and believable enough to last the entire novel. The romance builds nicely, moved forward from time to time by John's mother, a great secondary character.

And, I simply loved the twins! The girls were so unique and not the same at all, definitely three-dimensional characters. Grab your copy of Amish Christmas Twins today! 

The Soldier's Secret Child by Lee Tobin McClain

The Soldier's Secret Child: Former soldier Vito D'Angelo has come home with a foster son—and a secret that could devastate his comrade's lovely widow. Lacey McPherson is Vito's childhood friend and the last person he wants to hurt. But as their friendship turns to more, the truth grows harder to reveal. Lacey's trying to renovate her guesthouse and build a peaceful single life. Yet letting ruggedly handsome Vito and young Charlie stay on her property awakens a longing for the family she's sure she'll never have. But it may open the door to a loving future…if the onetime boy next door proves to be just the man she needs…

Heidi here. Lee Tobin McClain's latest novel is so sweet. Again, it's all about the premise. In The Soldier's Secret Child, Vito arrives back in his hometown with his foster son, anticipating that he can easily stay away from childhood friend Lacey. Easier said than done as he very quickly discovers that Nonna is living with Lacey because of some health problems and has therefore rented out his childhood home. With nowhere to stay, it quickly becomes obvious that Vito and Charlie should stay in Lacey's guest house with Nonna, except living on Lacey's property is the exact opposite of Vito's plan. The main character's were three-dimensional, they had real issues to overcome that forced them to continue to peel the ugly layers back. I loved how well-thought out Nonna's character was. I adored Charlie and liked that he was a confused kid and at times acted out. The Soldier's Secret Child was an enjoyable read, grab your copy of  today!

The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin

The Two of Us: After two broken engagements, nurse practitioner Mia Robinson is done with dating. From now on, she only trusts herself and God, and she's focused on her eighteen-year-old sister, Lucy, and caring for patients. Just as she applies to work for an international aid organization, a phone call from Lucy, who's pregnant and running off to marry her twenty-one-year-old boyfriend, throws a wrench into all of Mia's plans.

Jake Tanner may have recovered from the physical injuries he sustained on the job as a police officer, but his heart has yet to heal from losing his former partner in the tragedy. He's poured himself into starting a camp for the sons of fallen officers and mentoring Sam, the adult son of his deceased partner, who's asked him to be his best man at his wedding. 

Mia is expecting a mess when she arrives to sort out the situation with Lucy, but she wasn't expecting Jake. And Jake, who can't help envying Sam and Lucy, doubts he'll ever experience their happiness for himself. But maybe Jake's courage and Mia's caring spirit are just what they need to bring them a lifetime of healing and a forever kind of love. . . .

Heidi here. So, it all starts with the premise, no? Victoria Bylin created a world for Mia Robinson that would never, ever have a man included. Mia has gone so far as to commit herself to overseas missionary work to ensure she remains single. Except, when she doesn't get the job right away she realizes she must show adaptability. To do this she moves to a small town where there is a job opening and viola she meets wounded and stubborn Jake Tanner. Ahh, this was a good read, a really good one. The author has a way with words, with creating believable conflict, and with ending each scene making the reader wanting more. I highly recommend The Two of Us, grab your copy today!

A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson has left the limelight behind after the death of one of his fans. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, he's remade his life as a ski patrol in Montana's rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team. But he can't seem to find his footing--or forget the woman he loved, who betrayed him. 

Senator and former attorney Ella Blair spends much of her time in the limelight as the second-youngest senator in the country. But she has a secret--one that cost Gage his career. More than anything, she wants to atone for her betrayal of him in the courtroom and find a way to help him put his career back on track. 

When Ella's brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park's most dangerous peaks, Gage and his team are called in for the rescue. But Gage isn't so sure he wants to help the woman who destroyed his life. More, when she insists on joining the search, he'll have to keep her safe while finding her reckless brother, a recipe for disaster when a snowstorm hits the mountain. 

But old sparks relight as they search for the missing snowboarder--and suddenly, they are faced with emotions neither can deny. But when Ella's secret is revealed, can they learn to trust each other--even when disaster happens again?

Heidi here. This was the first of the Montana Rescue Series by Susan May Warren that I've read, and I simply adored it. I tend to like more of a cozy romance, but I should have known better! I didn't think I'd enjoy reading about snowboarding, but again, I should have known better! Susan May Warren had me hooked from the first page, though I must admit up front that I adore her writing. I can always count on her words to engage me, and she did it again. Gage and Ella were practically four-dimensional they were so complex, their wounds so painful I felt for them each time their past was torn open a little. The subploy of Ty and Brett was expertly woven in, can't wait to read a bit more about them in a later novel.

The premise of this book doesn't disappoint, Suzie writes such BIG books with BIG characters, and she somehow does it over and over again in fresh backdrops with unique characters. She is a master storyteller.

Can someone fall in love in just three days? Pick up A Matter of Trust and find out!