Monday, March 30, 2015

The Inn at Ocean's Edge

I received a copy of The Inn at Ocean's Edge by Colleen Coble from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A vacation to Sunset Cove was her way of celebrating and thanking her parents. After all, Claire Dellamore's childhood was like a fairytale. But with the help of Luke Elwell, Claire discovers that fairytale was really an elaborate lie . . .

The minute she steps inside the grand Inn at Ocean's Edge, Claire Dellamare knows something terrible happened there. She feels it in her bones. Her ensuing panic attack causes a scene, upsetting her parents. Claire attempts to quiet her nerves with a walk on the beach, to no avail. She's at too great a distance to make out details, but she believes she witnesses a murder on a nearby cliff. When local police find no evidence of foul play, they quickly write off the "nervous" woman's testimony as less than credible.

But Luke Elwell, home on leave from the Coast Guard, has reason to believe Claire. Years ago when his mother went missing, Luke's father suspected she'd been murdered. He died never having convinced the police to investigate. So when an employee of the grand hotel doesn't show up for work, Luke steps in to help Claire track down the missing woman.

I'm a big fan of Colleen Coble and she's done it again.  This was a very intricate story line.  It was very hard to put down right up to the last page.  It's amazing how one lie can tie 3 families lives in knots and cause so much heartache.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Dancing with Fireflies

Dancing with Fireflies book 2 in the Chapel Springs Series by Denise Hunter.

Jade returns home to Chapel Springs after years of protecting her fragile heart. Then along

comes Daniel, making her long to dance again.

Growing up in the mid western river town of Chapel Springs,Indiana, Jade McKinley felt like a weed in a rose garden. When she left, she thought she’d never look back. Now, pregnant, alone, and broke, she has no other choice but to return.

The mayor of Chapel Springs, Daniel Dawson, has been an honorary member of the McKinley family for years. While his own home life was almost nonexistent, Daniel fit right in with the boisterous McKinley family. He’s loved Jade for years, but she always thought of him as a big brother. Now that she’s back, his feelings are stronger than ever.

As Jade attempts to settle in, nothing feels right. God seems far away, she’s hiding secrets from her family, and she’s strangely attracted to the man who’s always called her “squirt.” Returning home may prove more difficult—and more wonderful—than she ever imagined.

Another good book in the Chapel Springs series.  Jade has always danced to the beat of her own drum and is the flower child of her family.  She leaves Chapel Springs and moves to Chicago to follow her dream of playing guitar.  Things don't go as she plans and now she's back with a big secret.  She begins to depend on her honorary big brother Daniel Dawson.  Will she have the future she seeks?

Friday, March 20, 2015

Barefoot Summer

Barefoot Summer book 1 in the Chapel Springs Series by Denise Hunter.

Madison's heart has been closed for years. But one summer can change everything.
In the years since her twin brother's drowning, Madison McKinley has struggled to put it behind her. Despite the support of her close-knit family and her gratifying job as a veterinarian in their riverside town, the loss still haunts her.

To find closure, Madison sets out to fulfill her brother's dream of winning the town's annual regatta. But first she has to learn to sail, and fast.

Beckett O'Reilly knows Madison is out of his league, but someone neglected to tell his heart. Now she needs his help--and he'll give it, because he owes her far more than she'll ever know.

Madison will do anything--even work with the infamous Beckett O'Reilly--to reach her goal. And as much as she'd like to deny it, the chemistry between them is electrifying. As summer wanes, her feelings for him grow and a fledgling faith takes root in her heart.

But Beckett harbors a secret that will test the limits of their new love. Can their romance survive summer's challenges? And will achieving her brother's dream give Madison the peace she desperately seeks?

This was a good book and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.  The McKinley family lives in Chapel Springs Indiana and are pillars of the community.  Madison's twin brother Michael died when they were seventeen.  Madison has a problem opening her heart for anyone since his death.  Beckett O'Reilly is a 'bad boy' that has liked Madison for years.  Can they work together to get Michael's boat ready for the annual regatta?

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Elementary My Dear Watkins

Elementary My Dear Watkins Book 3 in the A Smart Chick Mystery series by Mindy Starns Clark.
When someone tries to push Jo Tulip in front of a New York train, her ex-fiance, Bradford, suffers an injury while saving her—and the unintentional sleuth is thrown onto the tracks of a very personal mystery.
Jo’s boyfriend, Danny Watkins, is away in Paris, so she begins a solo investigation of her near–murder. What secret was Bradford about to share before he took the fall? And when Jo uncovers clues tied to Europe, can she and Danny work together in time to save her life?

This was a great book to end a wonderful series.  It kept me guessing the more I got into the story.  I love how Alexa, Mrs. Bosworth and Jo all got to know each other and find a love that they all needed.  I also was glad to see Jo stand up to her parents and that they finally realized all they had put her though.

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Blind Dates Can Be Murder

Blind Dates Can Be Murder book 2 in A Smart Chick Mystery series by Mindy Starns Clark.

Blind dates give everyone the shivers…with or without a murder attached to them. Jo Tulip is a sassy single woman full of household hints and handy advice for every situation. Her first romantic outing in months is a blind date—okay, the Hall of Fame of Awful Blind Dates—but things go from bad to worse when the date drops dead and Jo finds herself smack in the middle of a murder investigation.

With the help of her best friend, Danny, and faith in God, Jo attempts to solve one exciting mystery while facing another: Why is love always so complicated?

Another great book and I look forward to the next one.  Jo can solve any household problem but can't seem to help herself in the love department.  When they say love is blind it sure is for Jo.  The one she should be with lives next door and she doesn't even realize it.  Will she figure it out in time?

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

A Killer Among Us

A Killer Among Us Women of Justice book 3 by Lynette Eason.
What happens when the hunter . . . becomes the hunted?

Kit Kenyon is a first-rate hostage negotiator. Noah Lambert is a good detective with excellent instincts. These new partners have hardly had time to get used to each other when they are thrown into a grisly murder case. As evidence mounts up and more victims are found, Kit and Noah realize they are on the hunt for a serial killer. The problem is, he may be hunting one of them too.

With nail-biting suspense, clever plot twists, and a hint of romance, A Killer Among Us is the latest thriller from Lynette Eason.

This is the last book in the Women of Justice series.  I think it was the best of the three.
Kit Kenyon and Noah Lambert are paired together against Noah's wishes.  He had lost a female partner in the past and didn't want to go through that again.  They get involved in a murder case that turns out to be a serial killer on the lose.  As they continue to investigate they realize the killer is after them also.  Can they catch the killer before he catches them?