Book Review: Along the Rio Grande

 

Is her compassion doing more harm than good?

Recently widowed Susanna Jenkins has decided to follow her family to the booming town of San Marcial, New Mexico, for a fresh start and to aid in her family's sudden change in fortune. They are tasked with managing her uncle's new Grand Hotel, and it takes all her patience to try to help her parents see the good of their circumstances and relinquish their sense of entitlement.

She's hopeful when her brother becomes determined to get a job and make his own way, and she feels drawn to his kind boss, Owen Turner, who works as a boilermaker for the Santa Fe's train shops in town. But the hard work only seems to fuel her brother's anger, and his rough new friends give her pause.

When misguided choices put Susanna's family in an even more precarious situation, she worries her help has only made things worse. Leaving her family to fend for themselves seems like the best option, but how can she walk away from the true friendships--and love--that she's found?

My Reflections:

Tracy Peterson remains one of my favorite authors, and for good reason. Her newest book took me away to another time and place. I could not put this book down, the characters jumped off the pages and I became one with their world for a short time. Set in 1899 in New Mexico this story begins with Susanna's plight of trying to contend with not only becoming newly widowed but also trying to help her family where she can. I had a hard time with her father, brother, and mother's attitudes, whew I wanted to jump into the pages and set some boundaries!

 Susanna is a hardworking kind-hearted character. She is truly invested in her family and the world around her. It is hard to believe she was raised by her parents as they are polar opposite! Many times I found myself wanting to have a good heart to heart with this character, coming from a co-dependent family I could have told her a thing or two!

Owen was one of my favorites as well. He tries to live a life pleasing to God and live by his values. Susanna and Owen are a wonderful match as they both want the same things in life. But Owen must face his own skeletons before he can truly help Susanna and her family.

This is a fantastic read. I enjoyed how the details about the job, setting, and people brought the details to life and breathed a cohesive story into the making.

If you are looking for your next Traci Peterson fix here you have it, my friends. A whole new series to binge read on! Now we just have to wait for her next installment..

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Tracie Peterson (www.traciepeterson.com) is the award-winning author of over 100 novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit...

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Book Review: In Search Of A Prince

 

From The Back:

It seems like a dream come true . . . until it forces her to question everything.

Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha's Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops a bombshell--Brielle is really a princess in the island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, the king, is failing.

Distraught by all the secrets her mother kept, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before her coronation, or the crown will pass to another. Brielle is uncertain if she even wants the throne, and with her world totally shaken, where will she find the courage to take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring?

My Reflections:

In Search of a Prince weaves the classic fairy tale into a realistic modern-day version. This is the modern princess we have all been waiting for. 

I blissfully enjoyed every page of this book, it hit all the right places. Faith, romance (yet be it slow and simmering) strength of spirit, and a touch of surprise. This story feels fluffy on the outside but it delves much deeper into the core beliefs we all must tease out in life. I enjoyed the beautiful setting, the storyline, and the adorable characters.

I so appreciated the character and strength Brielle exhibited. Such a hefty role to have thrust upon you, yet Brielle masterfully pulls it off making this a believable story in an otherwise unbelievable storyline. 

This is a rare jewel, it made me laugh, cry, and anxiously await the next page. If you are looking for a new romance that is modern yet picturesque of your fairy tale days this is the book for you, my friends!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Toni Shiloh

Toni Shiloh (www.tonishiloh.com) is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. Her novel Grace Restored was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, and Risking Love was a 2020 Selah Award finalist. As a member of the American...

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Book Review: Life Flight

 

From the back:

EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high-stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient--and a serial killer on the loose--tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield's help. But she's not out of the woods yet.

In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer--before the killer catches one of them.

My Reflections:

This is the first book in Lynette Eason's newest book "Extreme Measures"

If you are looking for a book that boasts extreme Action danger and psychological terror this is the book for you. The bad guy is truly chilling, and the twists and turns keep the reader entranced through the whole book.

Penny Carlton is a spunky fighter, her actions to thwart the killer are nothing more than amazing. I don't think I would hold up to the stress this character boasts. She is always on her toes and is willing to do what it takes to catch the suspect, even if it puts her life on the line.

Holt is the a likeable character his ability to dodge danger is however lacking as Penny is often the one to save him. He is adorable with Penny, and they make a sweet couple. Throughout the book I felt like he should hurry up and just reveal his past and get on with things. Their relationship is slow moving but the unfurling is worth the wait.

The villain's in this novel are creepy and some scenes are pretty dark. I was sure glad I was hiding behind pages instead of living this drama.

All in all I rate this book five stars. Lynette Eason has never disappointed me. Her books are always filled with sustenance and life. You won't regret opening this book, but beware it is quite the ride!

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Lynette Eason

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Life Flight and the Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award,...

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