Stealing the Preacher

I have loved every book Karen Witemeyer has written, so I was really looking forward to her latest release, Stealing the Preacher, which continues the story of the Archer brothers who we first meet in Short-Straw Bride.

I am thrilled to report that the book has not only lived up to my expectations, it completely surpassed them.

Back cover copy:

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he's forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man's daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he's haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind--a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna's outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?

I loved the fact that Crockett Archer is a tough, gun-toting, not-afraid-to-get-his-hands-dirty preacher who knows when to let his actions speak for him and when it's time to let someone have it with both barrels. :-)

The way he lets his faith shine through his work not only made old Silas Robbins set up and take notice, it made me stop and think about how I live out my own faith. 

This story really touched my heart and without giving away any spoilers, by the time a certain climaxing scene between Silas and Crockett rolled around, I had tears in my eyes. 

Don't worry, the book didn't leave me crying. Within a few pages I was ready to smack a certain blond, interfering female. :-) But of course, by the last page, I was smiling and sighing in satisfaction. 

If you haven't read any of Karen's books yet, you're missing out on some delightful storytelling. I wholeheartedly recommend any and all of Karen's books for your own collection. Check her out today!

Talon: Combat Tracking Team

Back Cover Copy:

     Her brother is missing. And her only chance of finding him lies with a combat dog that has lost his edge.

     All Air Force veteran Aspen Courtland wants is her brother back. The US Marine Corps says he's dead, but Aspen won't believe it till she sees his body. Her only hope is her brother's tracking dog, Talon, but a brutal attack has left the dog afraid of his own shadow. 

     The truth is something Military Intelligence Operative Dane Markowski has never faced. But now it's the only thing--along with Talon's help--that can save him. But working with Talon means teaming up with Aspen as well, and Dane swore he'd never work with a woman. 

     Eventually they join forces to battle the elements and extremists. But if Talon can't rise up to his former glory for one last mission, the only outcome for all three will be game over.

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Talon: Combat Tracking Team is everything I hoped it would be and more! Book one of this series, Trinity: Military War Dog (see review here), gave us a glimpse of Aspen Courtland and Talon, so I was eagerly awaiting their story. 

I. Loved. It!

Explosive missions, hair-raising danger, deadly secrets, spies, romance (it has to have a little romance to sweeten it, you know :-), Talon has it all. If you want an adrenalin rush without ever leaving your chair, you have to try Ronie's books! She writes characters that are so real to me, I find myself wondering what they're doing, long after I've closed the covers of the book.

Which is why I'm impatiently waiting for the next book in the series, Beowulf: Explosives Detection Dog, which releases in January.

Now hurry up and grab yourself a copy of Talon: Combat Tracking Team. And while you're waiting, check out the book trailer...

Shattered

Shattered is the second book in the Alaskan Courage series. (See my review of book one here.)

From the Back Cover:

When her prodigal brother Reef's return to Yancey, Alaska, is shattered by his arrest for murder, Piper McKenna is determined to protect him.

Deputy Landon Grainger loves the McKennas like family, but he's also sworn to find the truth. And he knows those closest to you have the power to deceive you the most. With his sheriff pushing for a quick conviction, some unexpected leads complicate the investigation, and pursuing the truth puts Landon's career in jeopardy.

When Piper launches her own investigation, Landon realizes he must protect her from herself--and whatever complications await as the two follow clues deep into Canada's rugged backcountry. Not only does their long friendship seem to be turning into something more, but this dangerous case is becoming deadlier with each step.

I absolutely loved my return visit to Alaska with the McKenna clan and had trouble putting the book down to do other things. Really?! Who needs to go to work when you can follow Deputy Logan and Piper McKenna around Alaska and Canada?! (Just watch out for the bad guys!) :-)

It's awesome to have another author to add to my list of favorite romantic suspense/adventure writers. Dani Pettrey is right alongside Dee Henderson, Ronie Kendig, and Irene Hannon. And if you haven't discovered Dani's writing yet, you're missing out. You need to head to your nearest bookstore now!

Book three, Stranded, releases September 1st. I can hardly wait!

I'm hooked on Elizabeth Camden

Last year I reviewed Elizabeth Camden's Rose of Winslow Street.
Click here to read the review.
The book was so good that I ordered her other two books. This week, I picked one of them out of my ever-growing to-be-read pile and was instantly reminded why I liked this author in the first place:

Elizabeth Camden's writing sucks you in and doesn't let you go. Not even when you've turned the last page and shelved the book.

  

In The Lady of Bolton Hill, we meet Clara Endicot, American-born female journalist who has made a reputation for herself by championing the poor of London. But now she's come home to find that her childhood best friend, Daniel Tremain, is no longer an impoverished factory worker. He's a powerful industry giant whose business practices are hurting the very people she's dedicated herself to help.

Sparks fly as these two reunite, but can Daniel let go of the revenge that's driving him? Or will the consequences of his vendetta destroy the very person he cherishes the most? 

I loved the characters in this book so much! Elizabeth Camden creates heroes that make you fall a little bit in love and heroines who are strong enough to handle them. 

When the book ended, I was so glad I had the next one on hand, because one of the characters you meet in The Lady of Bolton Hill has his own story in Against the Tide. I grabbed it and started reading. 

Lydia Pallas finally has a job she loves, a home she loves, but most importantly, the elusive security she has searched for since losing her family at a very young age. That is, until Alexander "Bane" Banebridge walks into her life. There is nothing safe or secure about Bane, but Lydia is irresistibly attracted to the aggravating yet charming man. 

When her translating skills draw her into Bane's private war against the most dangerous criminal organization on the East Coast, will Lydia survive to find the real source of security? 

Oh. My. Goodness! I loved Bane! He's almost larger than life, but totally believable. I loved his roguish gentleness with Lydia as well as all the twists and turns and suspense in the story.

Do yourself a favor and read these two books. In the world of historical fiction, Elizabeth Camden just landed at the top of my pre-order-their-next-release list. And "Yay for me!" Her next book releases in August. 

A sweet and easy treat

My sister found a new-to-us cookie at our Aldi store and included it in a special snacks-for-work basket that she gave me at Christmas. Since then, I'd been thinking that it would make a really pretty treat.

This weekend I gathered up the ingredients, put it together, and it was an immediate hit.
And oh, so, easy.

The ingredients:

The results:

Oh. 
My.
Goodness!
They were wonderful!
The perfect light dessert for spring and Easter. In spite of the fact that it was dumping 9+ inches of snow outside.

If you like Nutella and strawberries and have an Aldi nearby (or can find an equivalent cookie), try it and let me know what you think.

A Bunch of Freebies as of March 13, 2013

Free sounds good, doesn't it?

I like free books. Especially if they're good ones. And there are some free e-books available right now that are excellent. If you have an e-reader or the Kindle app on your computer or mobile device, then you need to check these out. Because after all, one can never have too many books. You never know when you might need a backup to pull out and read while you're waiting in line or sitting at the doctor's office. :-)

So without further ado...

 I've read this one and have it on my shelf. Excellent!

 If you haven't tried a Mary Connealy book yet, here's your chance! Great fun!

 I haven't read this one yet, but I just downloaded it because I really enjoy this author.

 Another author I enjoy and a good read.

I haven't read these next ones yet, but they're waiting on my Kindle for me. Heartsong titles are shorter reads, but I've always found them quality writing. So if you're looking for quicker fare, check these out.

Flora's Wish

From the minute Flora ducked behind the greenery in the ballroom and proceeded to climb out the fourth story window, she not only had Pinkerton Detective Lucas McMinn's attention, she had mine as well!

Fatal Flora, so-called because of the death of four fiances, needs to get married and she needs to get married fast. Trouble is, her latest fiance keeps disappearing. And the Pinkerton Detective thinks she has something to do with it. 

Lucas McMinn will get his man if it means clapping the lovely Flora Brimm--of the Natchez Brimms--in jail.  But if he's going to catch Will Tucker, the slippery thief/fiance, he needs Miss Brimm as bait. So for now, handcuffs will have to do.

Will Flora convince Lucas that Will Tucker isn't a thief and that she's not part of his latest scam? Will Lucas be able to convince Flora that Will Tucker is a thief and be able to keep Flora from the danger that neither one realize is lurking in the shadows?

This story is non-stop action. The pace doesn't stop or slow down from page one to page The End. And I loved the characters--Grandmama Brimm's a hoot! (But don't tell her I called her that. She won't appreciate it! ;-)--and Flora and Lucas... They are so much fun together. Handcuffs, fourth-story windows, clever inventions... You just have to read this one.  It's going on my keeper shelf to read again.