TITLE:  Acceptable Risk (Danger Never Sleeps #2)
AUTHOR:  Lynette Eason
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: ****

Sarah Denning is a military journalist with the Army in the Middle East when her convoy is attacked and she's taken hostage. When former Army Ranger Gavin Black is asked by his old unit commander--Sarah's imposing father--to plan an extremely risky rescue, he reluctantly agrees and successfully executes it.

Back in the US, Sarah is livid when she's discharged on a false psychiatric evaluation and vows to return to the Army. Until she learns of her brother's suicide. Unable to believe her brother would do such a thing, she puts her plans on hold and enlists Gavin to help her discover the truth. What they uncover may be the biggest story of Sarah's career--if she can survive long enough to write it.

Non-stop tension and action fill the pages of Acceptable Risk, another fast-paced story by Lynette Eason. From the first pages, Sarah shows her tender heart by her actions when her life and the lives of her students are threatened. But her that tenderness vanishes whenever her father, the General, is mentioned.

The relationship between Sarah and Gavin grows as they work together to solve a thoroughly tangled mystery that could end their lives at any time. Who is after them? Is Sarah the target, or Gavin? Questions kept the pages turning and my blood pressure high right to the satisfying end.

However, even in times of great danger, faith barely entered the scene. This disappointed me and brought the rating from five stars to four. Acceptable Risk is a thriller sure to entertain lovers of this genre. I received a copy of Acceptable Risk from the publisher.

TITLE:  The Protector (The Dumont Chronicles Book 3)
AUTHOR:  Gloria Repp
DATE:  2018
PUBLISHER: MTL Resources LLC
STARS: *****

A heart divided . . . An enemy unseen . . . A riddle of trust.

Lindsey Dumont, photographer, must defend her home in the Pine Barrens while she struggles to revive her career and salvage a long-distance romance. But who can she trust?

In The Protector, we follow Lindsey from high hopes to broken dreams, deep fears to bold courage. After reading the first two books in this series, I slipped easily into this story as though revisiting dear friends.

When she learns her niece Mollie may be in danger, Lindsey leaves the west coast and Colin, the man who’s becoming scarily important, to help Mollie deal with the Manor and whatever is threatening them both. Twists and turns include new, intriguing characters, who bring more reasons for Lindsey and Mollie to learn to depend on God.

As with the other books, faith pulses through this story, bringing it and my own trust to brighter life. I identified with Lindsey’s struggle to trust God with every detail and admired her courage and growing wisdom.
​
I loved this book, a gift from the author, and award it five stars. Highly recommended.
 

TITLE:  The Forever Stone (The Dumont Chronicles #1)
AUTHOR:  Gloria Repp
DATE:  2012
STARS: ****
​
The paperweight—a summons to courage . . . A new home, new love, new fears . . . and a mystery. How will she face the challenge? And what does God have in mind?

Madeleine, a young widow, is determined to break free from her paralyzing memories and controlling family. Her father’s gift spurs her to declare independence, and she joins her aunt’s house-restoration project in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Two men enter her life, bringing joy, conflict, and danger. She’ll need courage to fight the treachery she discovers and faith to step into a new life of promise. Can she do it?

Because I’d read the second of this series first, I looked for familiar names as I began to read. The lack of surnames in the opening scene confused me a bit, and I was relieved when it was revealed the Madeleine was also known as Mollie. That grounded me in the story, and the rest was an emotional and enjoyable journey.

While The Forever Stone employs a slightly slower plot than Deep Focus (book 2), the depth of each character drew me in, and the secrets and discoveries kept me riveted. The author deals with deep grief gently and unflinchingly. I learned a great deal through this story, as it took me through grief, hope, puzzlement, anger, joy and understanding. I will carry these characters in my heart for a long time.

I received a copy of The Forever Stone from the author; all opinions are my own and unsolicited. I truly enjoyed this story and give it a strong four stars. Recommended.
 

TITLE:  An Appalachian Summer
AUTHOR:  Ann H. Gabhart
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****

In 1933 Louisville, Kentucky, even the ongoing economic depression cannot keep Piper Danson's parents from insisting on a debut party. After all, their fortune came through the market crash intact, and they've picked out the perfect suitor for their daughter. Braxton Crandall can give her the kind of life she's used to. The only problem? This is not the man--or the life--she really wants.

When Piper gets the opportunity to volunteer as a horseback Frontier Nursing courier in the Appalachian Mountains for the summer, she jumps at the chance to be something other than a dutiful daughter or a kept wife in a loveless marriage. The work is taxing, the scenery jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the people she meets along the way open up a whole new world to her. The longer she stays, the more an advantageous marriage slips from her grasp. But something much more precious--true love--is drawing ever closer.

Before reading These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart, I hadn’t heard of the Frontier Nursing Service in the Appalachian Mountains begun by a real-life heroine, Mary Breckinridge. The author wove a wonderful story into the fabric of history in the first book, so when An Appalachian Summer became available, I grabbed the chance to read it.

This tale focusses on Piper, who in a spurt of courage mixed with desperation, volunteers to be a courier for the Frontier Nursing Service. As an accomplished rider who loved caring for horses, Piper figured she could easily manage a summer of riding and other menial chores in the mountains. Little does she know how the experience will stretch her! For a young woman of society, mountain life is a huge shock.

Piper is a plucky young lady, and I greatly admired her willingness to try whatever was asked of her. The other couriers, Miss Breckinridge, and especially the people of the mountains made this story come alive. The setting is a character in itself, with its steep trails, wild weather, and gorgeous scenery. Faith plays an integral part in this tale, as Piper learns to trust God in every circumstance.

I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications. I loved An Appalachian Summer and award it five stars. Highly recommended!
 

TITLE:  At Love’s Command
AUTHOR:  Karen Witemeyer
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
STARS: *****

Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger’s Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler’s bullet leaves one of them at death’s door, they’re the ones in need of saving.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she’s not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew’s dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine’s respect, and when her brother is abducted, he becomes her only hope for rescue.

When plans go awry and Josephine is caught in the crossfire, Matthew may have to sacrifice everything—even his team—to save her.

Female doctors are a rarity in 1890s Texas, but Dr. Joe is the only doc close enough to try to save the life of one of Hanger’s men. Matt is desperate enough to take a chance on her, and before young Wallace recovers enough to move out of her clinic, desperation becomes interest of an entirely different kind. In spite of (or maybe because of) the beautiful doctor’s “ten-dollar words,” Matt can’t quit thinking about the lovely Dr. Josephine.

Jo gave up any dreams of marriage years ago when she decided to pursue a career in medicine. No man she’d ever met could handle her strong will, disregard for societal niceties regarding a woman’s place, or her intelligence—until she met Matthew Hanger.

I loved the unfolding relationship between these two, opposites in some ways and alike in others, like determination to hold to their own creeds. Faith becomes integral to their story as each realizes he/she must relinquish ideas and plans to the One who sees and knows.

Secondary characters, especially the other three Horsemen, Luke (Preach), Mark and Jonah, richen this book, and I hope to read their own stories when available. The setting of rural Texas comes to life under the author’s pen, making me want to visit there again.
​
Intense action, romance and redemption—what more could a reader want? At Love’s Command easily earns five stars. I received this book courtesy of Baker Publishing and Graf-Martin Communications.

TITLE:  What Momma Left Behind
AUTHOR:  Cindy K. Sproles
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: ****

Worie Dressar is seventeen years old when influenza and dysentery ravage her Appalachian Mountain community in 1898, leaving behind a growing number of orphaned children with no way to care for themselves. Worie's mother has been secretly feeding a number of these little ones on Sourwood Mountain. But when she dies suddenly, Worie is left to figure out why and how she was caring for them.

Plagued with two good-for-nothing brothers--one greedy and the other a drunkard--Worie fights to save her home and the orphaned children now in her begrudging care. Along the way, she will discover the beauty of unconditional love and the power of forgiveness as she cares for all of Momma's children.

What Momma Left Behind made reviewing difficult for me. I enjoyed the story, once the Appalachian dialect became more familiar, but the harsh details that made the story real were disturbing. Worie’s life is turned upside down when her beloved mother suddenly dies, leaving her alone in the world for all practical purposes. When her momma’s quiet practice of feeding orphans falls onto Worie’s young shoulders, her struggle to carry on her mother’s legacy of caring creates an unforgettable story.
​
Love, loss, redemption and hope combine in What Momma Left Behind. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and award it four stars.
 

TITLE:  Rocky Mountain Revenge
AUTHOR:  Rhonda Starnes
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Love Inspired Suspense
STARS: *****

Temporarily home to help at her family’s vet clinic, Grace Porter has no intentions of staying—but someone’s determined she won’t live long enough to leave. With both Grace and her sister in the crosshairs, her ex-boyfriend, Police Chief Evan Bradshaw, must protect them. But can the single dad lawman uncover the truth about why a killer’s out for vengeance before time runs out?

Rocky Mountain Revenge starts with one of the best first paragraphs I’ve ever read. It’s shared here with permission of author Rhonda Starnes.

Grace Porter regretted she hadn’t stopped for fuel before leaving Denver two hours ago, when it was still daylight. If she had, she wouldn’t be at a run-down gas station that looked like it belonged in a low-budget horror movie. A dim yellow light flickered overhead and made a strange buzzing sound. The attendant, a tall, gaunt man with oily brown hair, stood behind the counter and stared at her through the window, reminding her of Norman Bates.

Did that make you shiver in anticipation? Me, too. The rest of this fabulous story keeps its promise of great writing, tight suspense and fantastic characters.

When danger replaces the expected tedium in helping her sister with the family veterinary business, Grace has to re-examine her long-held beliefs—and those she’d set aside. She’s determined to discover who attacked her sister and threated her, complicated by having to rely on her old flame, the police chief.

Chief Evan, single father of six-year-old cutie, Camden, needs to protect Grace and her sister Chloe from unknown attackers while managing his police force. He also strains to control his reignited attraction to Grace—a lot of roles to juggles. Maybe too many?

With a multi-layered plot filled with suspicion, treachery, faith and love, Rocky Mountain Revenge easily earns five stars. I was given an ARC of this book by the author, and I highly recommend it.
 

TITLE:  On a Coastal Breeze (Three Sisters Island #2)
AUTHOR:  Suzanne Woods Fisher
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****
For Madison Grayson, life is good. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can't wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island--they're all too young, too old, or too weird--Maddie feels like she's finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.

And then Ricky O'Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again--the one who'd been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance--parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O'Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.

Time to panic.

With wit and a bit of whimsy, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Three Sisters Island where family, forgiveness, and a second chance at love await.

On a Coastal Breeze welcomes you back to Three Sisters Island, a small, rugged island off the coast of Maine where loyalty and faith are honored and eccentricity is celebrated.

I enjoyed getting reacquainted with the Grayson family, Paul, his three daughters, and little Cooper. This is Madison’s story, for the most part, but as in real families, the rest of the family is involved. Cam, the elder sister, still has things to learn about redeeming the time, Blaine, the youngest, is fighting for her own identity, but Madison finally feels settled. Except for the anxiety that plagues her, especially with Rick O’Shea.

Her past relationship with Rick is shown in flashbacks, glimpses of the puzzle between them. In this story, flashbacks work. Rick makes a fantastic hero with his tall-dark-and-handsomeness enhanced by his vibrant faith. Curiosity as to what shaped him kept the pages turning, as did the challenges facing each character.
​
On a Coastal Breeze is a rich feast of setting, multi-dimensional characters and realistic story lines, worthy of five stars. I look forward to the next installment of the Three Sisters Island series. I received this book courtesy of the publisher; all opinions are my own.
 

TITLE:  Standoff (Natchez Trace Park Rangers #1)
AUTHOR:  Patricia Bradley
DATE:  2020
PUBLISHER: Revell
STARS: *****

The Natchez Trace National Parkway stretches 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez, the oldest town on the Mississippi River. It's the perfect road for a relaxed pleasure drive. Unfortunately for Luke Fereday, it's also perfect for moving drugs.

Sent to Natchez to infiltrate the organization at the center of the drug ring, Luke arrives too late to a stakeout and discovers the body of his friend, park ranger John Danvers. John's daughter Brooke is determined to investigate her father's murder but soon finds herself the target of a killer who will do anything to silence her.

Luke will have his hands full keeping her safe. But who's going to keep him safe when he realizes he's falling – hard – for the daughter of the man he failed to save?

Standoff starts off with a bang, almost an accident but shrouded in desperation and mystery, and continues to weave a tangled web of suspicion, desire, and betrayal. The taut pace of this story kept the pages turning with barely an interruption.

Luke is a man of many secrets, but his past relationship with Brooke threatens not only his job but his life—and hers. Luke’s Grandma Daisy adds a touch of humor and normalcy, and the danger-filled, tentative romance between Luke and Brooke adds anticipation of love to a story laced with death.
​
With many interlaced relationships, secrets and deceits, Standoff is a great read for anyone who enjoys romantic suspense and earns five stars. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher; all opinions are my own.