Eve

I received a copy of Eve by WM Paul Young from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When a shipping container washes ashore on an island between our world and the next, John the Collector finds a young woman inside—broken, frozen, and barely alive. With the aid of Healers and Scholars, John oversees her recovery and soon discovers her genetic code connects her to every known human race. She is a girl of prophecy and no one can guess what her survival will mean...

No one but Eve, Mother of the Living, who calls her “daughter,” and invites her to witness the truth about her story—indeed, the truth about us all.

Eve is a bold, unprecedented exploration of the Creation narrative, true to the original texts and centuries of scholarship—yet with breathtaking discoveries that challenge traditional misconceptions about who we are and how we’re made. As The Shack awakened readers to a personal, non-religious understanding of God, Eve will free us from faulty interpretations that have corrupted human relationships since the Garden of Eden.

Eve opens a refreshing conversation about the equality of men and women within the context of our beginnings, helping us see each other as our Creator does—complete, unique, and not constrained to cultural rules or limitations.

Another great book by WM Paul.  It took me a while to put everything together, just like Lilly did.  Lilly is found thought to be dead but is dearly hanging on to life.  John the Collector finds her and helps nurse her back to life.  She doesn't know where she's from or who she is but with John's help begins on a journey of a lifetime.

Falling Like Snowflakes

I received a copy of Falling Like Snowflakes by Denise Hunter from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When the Christmas season finds Eden in Summer Harbor, Maine, she’s on the run from trouble. Romance is the last thing on her mind.

Riding in a bus in the thickly falling snow, Eden Davis wonders how it ever came to this—fleeing under cover of night with young Micah sleeping fitfully in the seat beside her. When a winter storm strands them in Summer Harbor, Maine, Eden wonders if what might have been the end could be a new beginning.

Beau Callahan is a habitual problem-solver. He’s recently left his job with the sheriff’s department to take over the family Christmas tree farm to save it from insolvency. But he’s flummoxed. During the busiest season of the year, he’s shorthanded. Then Eden shows up looking for work, and Beau believes he’s been rescued. Competent, smart, and beautiful, Eden’s also guarded and quiet. He soon figures out she comes with a boatload of secrets. But Beau can’t seem to help himself from falling for her.

As Christmas Eve approaches, Beau discovers he’ll do anything to keep Eden safe. But who’s going to protect his heart from a woman who can’t seem to trust again?

Loved this book!  Denise Hunter has done it again.  Eden and her son, Micah, are on the run and have car trouble in Summer Harbor Maine.  After her car breaks down and her backpack is stolen they're left with no money and no where warm to stay.  In search of work Eden finds the Callahan family, but will she be able to trust enough to get the help she needs?

The Lopsided Christmas Cake

I received a copy of The Lopsided Christmas Cake by Wanda E. Brunstetter from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Join the Hochstetler twin sisters on stage as they bumble their way through baking a cake for a charity auction in front of a live audience. The take-charge Elma and the klutzy optimist Thelma manage to entertain their audience—and attract the admiration of two bachelors, an outspoken woodworker and a shy harness maker from a neighboring Amish community. As fall leads into the Christmas season, could romance be blossoming for one or more of the Hochstetler twins? Find out in this brand new romance from New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter, writing with her daughter-in-law Jean Brunstetter.

This book was different than I expected.  Twins Thelma and Elma Hochstetler inherit their grandparents farm and store.  They are for the first time in their lives are on their own and running a household and business.  Even though they are twins they couldn't be more different.  Can they each use their own strength to fix up their grandparents house and keep store going?

Counting on a Cowboy

I received a copy of Counting on a Cowboy by Debra Clopton from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
After losing everything dear to her, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy spurs her to wonder if maybe love is worth the risk.

Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the homey town of Wishing Springs, Texas, after her favorite advice columnist found love and a home there. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby too . . . if she’s brave enough to reach out and take it.

Bo Monahan isn’t interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become—or the women who might be looking at him like he’s their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn’t looking for serious romantic commitments. But unexpectedly the young child he never knew about appears on his doorstep and Bo’s world is turned upside down.

This confirmed bachelor might not need a wife, but he sure needs a woman . . . and newcomer Abby Knightly is definitely a woman. When she comes to his rescue to help him navigate fatherhood, he slowly uncovers her own history. And suddenly Bo’s thinking maybe, just maybe, together they can help each other work through the problems of the past to create a future of their own.

This is the second in the Four of Hearts Ranch series and is just as good as the first book.  Abby is heading to Wishing Springs for a new start after losing her husband and baby.  The last thing she's looking for is romance.  When on her way into town she wrecks her car avoiding a steer in the road, she meets Bo Manahan.  Bo also isn't in he market for romance because he has enough on this plate taking care of his stir up business and his ailing grandfather.  Will they each realize that they are a perfect pair?

Drawing Fire

I received a copy of Drawing Fire by Janice Cantore from NetGalley in exchange for an honest reveiw.

One case from her past defines homicide detective Abby Hart.

With a possible serial killer stalking elderly women in Long Beach, California, Abby’s best lead is Luke Murphy, an irritating private investigator who saw a suspect flee the scene of the latest homicide. When Abby discovers that the most recent victim is related to the governor, she’s anxious to talk to him about a cold case that’s personal to her—one Luke is interested in as well.

As she learns more about the restaurant fire that took her parents’ lives years ago, Abby discovers why Luke is so invested in finding the ones responsible. The more they uncover, though, the more questions they have. Can Abby find peace without having all the answers?

I love Janice Cantore's books.  She has a way of drawing you in and inspiring you at the same time.  Abby's parents were murdered when she was six and all her life she's wanted to find the killers and bring them to justice.  She becomes a homicide detective so that she can help other people who've suffered like she has.  While working on a murder case she crosses paths with Luke Murphy, a private investigator, who also has a connection to her parents murder.  Luke's uncle worked at Abby's parents restaurant and died because he helped save Abby.  Luke and Abby start working together to solve the Triple Seven murder case.  Can they find all the answers they've been looking for all their lives?

Made With Love

I received a copy of Made With Love by Tricia Goyer and Sherry Gore from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Dash of Love, a Pinch of Hope, and a Whole Lot of Good Cooking

Lovina Miller should be thrilled. Pinecraft, Florida, has everything a young Amish woman could ask for: sun, sand, volleyball games, and evening singings in the park. But Pinecraft lacks the one thing Lovina desperately wants—a pie shop of her own. She longs for a place to gather with the community and serve the treat she loves.

A young carpenter named Noah Yoder strolls into her life and offers a way to make her dream come true. But before Noah and Lovina can build a shop—and a life—together, they must each face heartaches from the past. Is their new love stronger than their regrets?

I really enjoyed this book.  It was a great story about Lovina an Amish woman who has a dream about opening a pie shop.  Her mother only wants one thing for her and her 4 sisters - for them to get married and have children.  Lovina finds the perfect place for a pie shop along with the perfect person to help her get the place ready.  Noah has a shady past that he's trying to make right.  Will helping Lovina with her pie shop be enough to recover his reputation?

Midnight on the Mississippi

I received a copy of Midnight On The Mississippi by Mery Ellis from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Midnight on the Mississippi begins the new Secrets of the South Mysteries from bestselling author Mary Ellis. These complex crime dramas follow an investigator’s quest to make the world a better place…solving one case at a time.

New Orleans—Hunter Galen, a stock and securities broker, suspects his business partner, James Nowak, may be involved in embezzling their clients’ money, but he’s reluctant to jeopardize their friendship based on suspicion alone. After James turns up dead, Hunter realizes his unwillingness to confront a problem may have cost James his life.

Nicki Price, a newly minted PI, intends to solve the stockbroker’s murder, recover the missing millions from the client accounts, and establish herself in the career she adores. As she ferrets out fraud and deception at Galen Investments, Hunter’s fiancée, Ashley Menard, rubs Nicki the wrong way. Nicki doesn’t trust the ostentatious woman with an agenda longer than the Mississippi River. Ashley seems to be hiding something, but is Nicki’s growing attraction to Hunter—a suspected murderer—her true reason for disliking Ashley?

As they encounter sophisticated shell games, blackmail, and murder, Nicki and Hunter’s only option is to turn to God as they search for answers, elude lethal danger, and perhaps discover love along the way.

I really enjoyed this book.  For a while I didn't see how what Nicki was doing was helping to find James Nowak's killer.  It seemed like Hunter and Nicki were just having fun getting to know each other and spending time together.  Of course them getting to know each other and their families helped to find out what James had been up to before his death.  Will Nicki's inexperience help or hinder Hunter's case?