The Brass Verdict ~ Michael Connelly

Just finished The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly......This book was Awesome! It is the second in the Lincoln Lawyer series. I will confess that I did not read the book Lincoln Lawyer, I just watched the movie. The movie got me hooked on the books and so I am now reading through the series. This book picks up a year after the first book(and movie). Mickey Haller (the lincoln lawyer) receives a new stack of cases due to the fact that his lawyer buddy was killed and willed his cases to him. One of the cases is a murder case, where a studio producer is accused of killing his wife and her lover. Other cases get thrown in the mix and the FBI jumps into the investigation of the dead lawyer....drama, lawyers, lies, mystery, intrigue.....the book has it all!

Goodness Gracious Green ~ Judy Christie

This is the sequel to Gone to Green and it is an okay book. I really liked the first book better. It had a more original storyline and the story harder to figure out. This book was an easy summer read but if it takes you longer than a couple of days to read, you may loose interest in the story.

Lois is back at the paper but not without problems. Someone keeps setting fire to the paper and the original owners keep showing up offering to buy back the paper.

I still think this is a good book to read however I bought this book back in January and just now go around to reading it.

Fatal Judgment ~ Irene Hannon

This story starts off with the need of protection for a federal judge. The protector, US Marshal Jake Taylor is reunited with his best friends widow, Liz Michaels. She is a new federal judge who's sister is attacked in her home. The investigators have to find the killer and fast. It seems that the attack was not meant for the sister but for the judge. As Jake protects Liz, he realizes that his best friend had deeper issues and that his widow is not the mean person she was made out to be. You will hang on every word as you share the adventure of Jake and Liz as they try to find her sister's killer and the person who is still trying to kill her.

Learning ~ Karen Kingsbury

The second book in the Bailey Flanigan series is great. The story picks up as soon as Bailey leaves the hospital and Cody forever. The story shows how Cory goes on in his football coaching career and his relationship with Cheyenne. Many different readers are picking either Team Cody or Team Brandon. This book makes me love Brandon just a little more. Bailey also have a hard time adjusting to life as a dancer and performer on Broadway. I recommend starting this series with Leaving and following how God moves in the lives of Bailey, Brandon, Cody and the people they interact with on a daily basis.

Canary Island Song ~ Robin Jones Gunn

I love this author and every book she has ever written. This is a stand alone novel for readers but an added bonus for all the Christy Miller fans out there. This brings Todd's Dad, Bryan Spencer into the picture and is a love story about him and an old friend from his late teens. Carolyn is a widowed mom who has raised her daughter, taken care of her sister and nieces and now in the words of her daughter she needs to "get a life".

As Carolyn goes to visit her mom in the Canary Islands, she revisits her summer boyfriend from when she was 18. During her visit she lets go of her anger toward God, embraces the love God has for her and finds that life is never turns out like you planned.

I loved every miniute of this book and read it in less that 24 hrs. There is also a surprise family connection that you find at the end.....Enjoy this book today!

Serendipity ~ Cathy Marie Hake

Serendipity is an okay book. But not one I would pay full price for. This is a borrow from a friend or library book. It took me too long to read this book. Generally if I take more than 2 weeks to read a book with less than 500 pages then the book drags or is hard to get through. This was one of these books. If you are a skim reader then you might enjoy this book more.


Margaret (Magpie, Maggie) is a collector of treasures and like to barter and trade for her goods. She makes jams and jelly's, lotions and perfumes from her rose garden all for her trading. She is a lonely woman living with her uncle and cousins. She has no women around her to socialize. As Todd Valmer comes to town looking for a Dr, and is brought to Maggie's house, their lives change forever. Todd's mom has suffered a stroke and can only use the left side of her body. Maggie takes care of her and finds herself liking Todd in return. She marries Todd on the promise of love and to help him with his farm and mother. As the story unfolds, Todd's mom belittles Maggie and makes it hard for her on the farm. I got very mad through this part at the way Maggie was treated and how Todd was "being a guy" and not noticing how he was hurting his wife. The story gets better and Todd and Maggie work out their problems and fall in love. But it is a painful trip to love for both Todd and Maggie as well as the reader.
Not to totally dog this book, there were some funny and loving parts as well as Scripture based stories and biblical guidelines. For me the book just was a little to long with not much adventure.

When looking for some other books by Cathy Marie Hake, check out Fancy Pants, Forevermore, Bittersweet and Letter Perfect. All are great books by Hake.

Undercover Pursuit ~ Susan May Warren

This book is the third in the Mission series. These are smaller books for a faster read but they are not small stories. Warren packs a lot of story, love, adventure into the books. This one was my favorite of the three in the series.
Scarlett Hanson is flying to paradise for her sisters wedding. After landing, she is rushing around the airport trying to find her sisters wedding dress, frustrated and mad at herself for not carrying the dress on the plane she jumps in the cab for the hotel. Luke Dekker is waiting on his (spy) partner for his current undercover job as a groomsman for a drug cartel's nephews wedding, when Scarlett jumps in his car. In all the excitement, Luke mistakes the flighty Scarlett for his partner. As the story unfolds and the multiple weddings take place, spys are added, jealous fiancées, dead shark, guns, crazy brides, and more to hold your interest through this heart-pounding story. You will be on the edge of your set with excitement and laughter at the turn of every page. Enjoy this buy the pool or in your cozy chair this weekend!

My Foolish Heart ~ Susan May Warren

Back in early 2000's, Warren started a series called Deep Haven. There were 3 books written over a few years and this is the series that introduced me to this author. I have read every book since. She just published this new book in the series. Isadora Presley is the radio persona for Miss Foolish Heart. A lady who is an expert at dating and waiting for the right man that God has planned for you to marry. Issy has her own issues with love and life. Her mother was killed and her father paralyzed in a car accident when she was is collage and the fear and phobia from that night have crippled Issy to never leave her house. As God introduces Caleb, the next-door neighbor, into Issy's life she starts to trust God more for her fears and learn to move on with her life. This is a great book about love and trust in our Savior and how He does not want us to live in fear but embrace life and our trust in Him. There is added humor to the book with the playful dog Roger/Duncan that runs a muck through the town. This book also brings back characters like Dan and Ellie Matthews and Annie Lundstrom from the previous Deep Haven books. I hope you enjoy this book and want to read the first 3 in this series. 

The Blacksmith's Bravery ~ Susan Page Davis

I finished this book a couple of weeks ago and it was very good. This is the third in the Lady's Shooting Club series. This book is about a saloon girl, Vashti, who has received salvation and started waiting tables in a respectable diner in town. She also loves horses and wants to learn how to drive the stage with 6 horses. Griffin Bane is the stithy, and stage coach manager. He does not want a woman driving his stage or working for him. As things get tighter and harder to manager Griffin gives in and starts to let Vashti work for him. I learned a lot about horses and how to handle a stage in this book. The author gave just enough info about driving to be interesting but not so much that it became a technical story. As the stage coach gets robbed and friends are killed, the stage routes are more dangerous for everyone especially a girl driver. I loved reading this and watching Griffin and Vashti learn to work together and fall in love. This is a great book to get and read poolside! 

Leaving ~ Karen Kingsbury

"Leaving" is a book about Bailey Flanigan, she is a recurring character from the Baxter series books. Karen Kingsbury has developed a love for the Baxter family through 3 different sets of books. They start with Redemption Series, Firstborn Series, Sunrise Series and now the Bailey Flanigan Series.

The story starts with Bailey preparing for an audition in NYC. She has to decide to let her high school boyfriend go and embrace the adventures God has in store for her life. As Bailey embraces the new adventures she also prepares to leave her family and home town and move to NYC to start in a broadway play.

You do not have to have read the other Baxter series to enjoy this book. Once you have read and fallen in love with the characters I strongly recommend starting with Redemption and making your way through the series. This book is a great read and story of encouragement for young girls in high school and college.

Mission: Out of Control ~ Susan May Warren

This is the second book in the Mission of Mercy Series. I read this book in 4 hours sitting by the pool. I just could not put it down. The story starts off with Brody "Wick" Wickham, who was a green beret and he is on vacation from his securities job. He goes to a concert with his much younger sister and rescues the singer from a mob. Later he is hired to protect this singer on her tour through Europe. As the singer, Veronica "Vonya" Wagner sets out on tour, she has her own agenda and reasons to keep Wick away. Bullets start flying, things get stolen, CIA gets involved and these go crazy. During all the action can Wick and Vonya learn to let God be in control and trust Him to take care of them?

Point of No Return ~ Susan May Warren

This book is the first of three books in the Missions of Mercy series. I love reading these Love Inspired Suspense books because they have great stories but can be read in a day. This book picks up some characters from Warrens' Mission: Russia series from a few years back.

Chet is an ex-military man who now owns a security firm in Prague. He loves Mae but will do anything and everything to keep her safe from danger and him. Mae is the best pilot who has to settle for tour guide because the man she loves told her no. When Mae's nephew Josh goes missing in the country of Georgia, Mae goes in to rescue him and Chet goes in to rescue her. Through their adventure they find trust in God and love in each other.

Can Chet let go of his past mistakes to open up to Mae? Can Mae trust another man and give control over to God? Find out in this great book...Once you read this one you will be dying to read the rest of the books.

Tick Tock by James Patterson

Tick Tock by James Paterson is the next book in his series about Michael Bennett. Bennett is a cop with  10 adopted kids, one grandfather and a nanny all living under one roof. His wife passed away due to cancer a few years back. Bennett tries to juggle the job of cop and dad. This book is about the Bennett's being on vacation, kids getting bullied, and a bomber repeating the crimes of past serial killers. Different types of murders are committed and it is up to Bennett and the FBI to find the killer before more people are hurt. This book was a little slower then most of the Patterson books. If you like the Bennett series then it is a good read but if you have never read a Patterson book, do not start reading his books with this one. You will be disappointed.

A Billion Reasons Why - Kristin Billerbeck

I just read this book in one day, yesterday. It was so good. The story is about Katie who loved Luc in college but was turned down when she proposed to him. So now she is marrying the perfect, practical man....Dexter. Luc shows up on Katie's doorstep to ask her to come sing in his brother's wedding. Luc still loves Katie but is it too late for their love? Katie and Luc share a love for Cary Grant and all the 40's themed movies. I love these movies too. Reading this book made me want to watch Casablanca and An Affair to Remember.

As I read this I found myself not liking Dexter, which is the point of the love story. He reminds me of someone I dated in high school. I laughed, I cried, I just could not put this book down. You will love every minute and not be able to put this book down.

Jenna's Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater

Jenna Callahan's family owns a ranch in a small town in Texas. Jenna has a two year old boy from her high school sweetheart turned husband turned ex. As the book starts, Jenna has already home to her family ranch to become a partner and be surrounded by her loving family. Nate (her best friend from high school) comes back to town to stay. He has been out on two tours in Afghanistan and is home to help his family on their farm. Nate gets a part time job on the Callahan's ranch. Nate and Jenna's love story unfolds as they work together on the ranch. Nate has some issues with coming home from the war. He must find a way to trust God and the family around him to help him through this transition home. I was crying at random times in this book as it spoke to me. I hope you will enjoy reading about Nate and Jenna's story.

Too Close To Home By Lynette Eason

The is book is the first in the Women of Justice series. In this book, Samantha Cash is a FBI agent who uses her knowledge about computers, internet, ip addresses and hard-drives to help capture criminals. Connor Wolfe is the agent assigned to the case to help find missing teenagers (some who have been found dead). The killer is using the computer, chat rooms and the promise of money to lure these girls to him. He is very good but the FBI is better. Connor has a 16 year old daughter who is upset about all the hours that Connor works and the fact he is never home. She looks for companionship on the internet and puts herself in sight of the killer. You will be on the edge of your seat waiting to see how the story unfolds.

Don't Blink By James Patterson

I have been reading more books but not having a chance to review and write about them. I just finished this great book by James Patterson. I love his books. They are very easy reads and have short chapters. In this book, the main character, Nick is a journalist who gets pulled into a murder investigation involving mobsters, corrupt politicians, and killing. Nick has to find out who killed the mob boss's attorney and why they keep trying to kill him as well. I don't want to give too much of the story away, because part of the enjoyment of this book is finding the little connections to the mystery on your own. It was a great read that kept me turning the pages. I hope you enjoy this book too. 

Sharpshooter in Petticoats ~ Mary Connealy

This is the 3rd (and probably the last one) in the Sophie's Daughters series. This book starts 2 years after Wrangler in Petticoats, which is about Sally and Logan. Mandy, the oldest sister and the mother of 3 little kids, is dealing with the death of her husband and a family of Cooter's who want her dead. Mandy is "rescued by Tom" and helped to defend herself and her kids from the family  hunting her down. This book brings all the sisters together along with characters from her other books like The Reeves from Calico Canyon and Belle and her family from The Husband Tree. This book has sadness, lonelyness, joy, laughter and the joy or reading all in one book. It only took me 2 days to read this book. I just could not put it down. I can't wait to see what else Mary Connealy has in store for her readers.

Wrangler in Petticoats

I have been keeping up with my New Years Resolution to read a book a week. This is the end of the 4th week of the new year and I have finished my 4th book. This is the second book in the Sophie's Daughter's series. This book is about the daughter Sally. She is traveling to visit her sister Mandy who is in a hard marriage and expecting her 3rd child in 3 years. Sally is attacked and injured while traveling to Mandy's. She is rescued by Logan, who is a painter and nothing like any man Sally has ever met. The men who attacked Sally on the trail are still after her. While Sally is hiding she falls in love with Logan. I enjoyed the book but the parts about Logan and his painting dreams were a little boring to me. I am not an artsy type of person so these parts of the book did not hold my attention. However, the rest of the book is so Awesome that I still read the book quickly and with great enjoyment.

The next one in this series is Sharpshooter in Petticoats...which I started reading last night and I am almost half way through it .

The Gunsmith's Gallantry ~ Susan Page Davis

Great western book! This book gives you "girl shooting power." The series is set in 1886 in Fergus, Idaho. In this book their is a group of ladies who have learned how to shoot guns, in order to help protect themselves and their town. Hiram Dooley is dreading the fact that is sister-in-law is coming to town for a visit. Rose is the sister to Hiram's late wife. She is not use to the life out west and becomes a burden to the family. Hiram's sister Trudy is trying to be the better woman in the situation. Trudy hopes to marry the Sheriff, if he will every propose to her. The book will have you laughing out loud and living life in the pages of the book. There is a level predictability in the book but the story flies off the pages and leaves you looking for the next book in the series.

Secrets of Harmony Grove ~ Mindy Starns Clark

I was looking for a great page turning book. This one hit the mark with flying colors. I read this book in 3 days while still working and taking care of the family. I just could not put it down.



Secrets of Harmony Grove is about a advertising agent, Sienna who owns a bed and breakfast in Lancaster Count (Amish Land). She has hired a manager of the B and B but winds up in a Attorney General investigation. When Sienna goes to the Band B to ask some questions, she stumbles on a murder on the property. Sienna, her boyfriend Heath and the detective Mike must combine their resources to help solve the murder and other mysteries surrounding Harmony Grove. This book will keep you ready till the last page.

Licensed for Trouble ~ Susan May Warren

I have not had any time to read over the last 2 months...With starting a new job and serving through the holiday's, I have not had any free time. Since Christmas, I have read three books. Here is the review of the first book.

Licensed for Trouble is the third book in the PJ Sugar series by Susan May Warren
This book is about PJ Sugar, who is trying to learn how to be a PI without getting herself into so much TROUBLE! She has a couple of guys after her love and affection. PJ inherits an old house, has a homeless man with no memory show up on her front porch, a mystery to solve about her past and boyfriend drama. All of this makes for a great book with lots of mystery and Laughter. A couple of times I was laughing out loud, and Nate would stop and ask me what? I could not explain because you have to read the book to understand the laughter and humor of the characters.