The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

With Europe just coming out of WWII, Juliet Ashton is looking for something to write about. She receives a letter from someone on Guernsey who belonged to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society during the occupation. From there Juliet begins corresponding with several members of the society. Eventually she goes to Guernsey to meet the people that she has been corresponding with and not only falls in love with them, but also with Guernsey itself. Written in letter form, Juliet corresponds with several members of the society and with her editor about what happened on Guernsey during the occupation. When Juliet arrives on Guernsey she is at a loss as to how she wants to write her book, but eventually she finds her purpose and her goal and a new life for herself.

Okay, how had I not heard about this book?! My sister told me about it and said I must watch the movie. Well, I don't get Netflix so that wasn't going to happen, so she told me to get the book. I did, just to appease her! I AM SO GLAD I DID!!!! I absolutely loved this book! I fell in love with Juliet, and I definitely fell in love with all of the characters in Guernsey. Most of the time I chuckled through their antics, but the book isn't all that light-hearted. There are many stories that hurt the heart about the German's occupation. I loved how accepting the characters were of Juliet and how much she became a part of their group. This book warmed my heart and the characters will stay with me for a long while. Definitely a top favorite of books I've read this year! Now to get my hands on someone's Netflix account!!!

Cold Fear by Susan Sleeman

Riley can't believe he's on protection detail for Leah. After not seeing her for 5 years surely the feelings they used to have for each other have passed, right? When Leah walked away from their life to become a superstar it took Riley a long time to get over her, can he be around her again without the old feelings surfacing? But when women start being murdered and all fingers point to Leah as the murderer, Riley is determined to clear her name. All Leah has ever wanted is security. Will the one secret she has kept from Riley destroy her career? Where is God in Leah's plans?

I truly enjoyed this latest Cold Harbor installment. As part of the Blackwell Tactical team Riley is quite capable of protecting Leah, but will his heart suffer once again at her hands? They are a great couple, but their separate careers are once again causing them to be divided.

Author Susan Sleeman always manages to keep me on the edge of my seat with her suspense and this book was no different! I mean seriously, I was up until after 2am to finish! I loved Riley's character. What's not to love about a man that will put his own life at risk to protect yours? Or that has the capability to forgive and love after being burned? And Leah, girl needs some serious faith building! That's another thing I love about Author Susan Sleeman, she touches on the spiritual and both Leah and Riley have some great ah-ha moments of faith! I/m loving the Cold Harbor series and definitely loving the Blackwell Tactical Team. I definitely recommend this series!

Every Wicked Man by Steven James

This is the first book of the Bowers Files that I have read after The Pawn series, which kind of threw me off a bit. I thought this would be a continuation of Patrick Bowers after The King, but apparently these are prequels to that series. Sigh...I missed Every Crooked Path and Every Deadly Kiss, the first two books in this prequel set. BUT, that being said, I was able to follow the story well and I also was able to enjoy it very much.

In EVERY WICKED MAN Patrick is hunting down whoever is causing people to commit suicide and posting the event live online. There are several suspects and several different directions that the case goes in to keep the reader guessing who is the bad guy. As for Patrick's personal life, he's just gotten married and is now step-father to Tessa who is a bit impetuous, but not nearly as much as in later books! At the beginning of the book his wife Christie is off on a soul-searching weekend, and has to ask herself the question of whether it is kinder to keep a secret from your family or to share with them and allow them to be a part of what is happening. The suspense of Patrick trying to keep someone else from dying, and the family drama that goes on keeps the reader turning the pages and hanging on every scene. A total emotional roller-coaster that had this reader slumping with relief and wiping a few tears away by the end.

If you are a fan of suspense/murder mysteries/crime novels then definitely give this series a try. I would recommend starting at the beginning though, but since it seems I always start in the middle of a series this worked for me!

**I received my copy of EVERY WICKED MAN from Netgalley. All opinions are my own**

Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower

Fiona Knox is trying to get her flower shop up and running, but it is hard to do when a murder has occurred and once again Fiona is a suspect. It doesn't take long in the small village for the news to get out. Fiona is determined to clear her name. Will her magic garden be able to help her or will the visions that it reveal to her come true?

Not only does Fiona have a murder to solve, but she also has a sister who needs taking care of, a new shop to run, an attraction for the Chief Inspector to explore, and other small-town endeavors to be a part of.

As with any of this author's books I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the mystery, and the animals that have personalities of their own. Death and Daisies caused me to chuckle, gasp and turn the pages faster in order to find out how it all turns out. I'm becoming quite a fan of cozy mysteries and definitely recommend the Magic Garden series(Death and Daisies is book 2).

Called To Protect by Lynette Eason

When Chloe and her drug dog Hank are called to sniff out a cargo truck they find more than they bargained for. Women hidden in a secret compartment! This opens a case for a human trafficking ring in the area. Chloe meets Deputy US Marshal Blake MacCallum when one of the girls calls him from the hospital. It turns out that Blake's daughter was one of those rescued from the truck. Before Blake can even get to the hospital though Rachael disappears again. Will Chloe and Blake be able to figure out who is behind the trafficking ring before it is too late for Rachael?

Have you ever had one of those books where it is so good yet it stresses you out so much you have to keep putting it down? Called To Protect is one of those books! I loved the suspense, but yet the subject matter was so difficult. There are a few subjects that I have a hard time reading about. Abuse/kidnapping of children and then apparently human trafficking. I think the hopelessness for the victims in both cases touches something in my heart and I just can't deal! Anyway, the author did a great job depicting the subject matter and managed to make me uncomfortable and keep me on the edge of my seat. The relationship between Chloe and Blake was sweet and developed slowly and left in the early stages at the end. They definitely have chemistry together.

So, if you like true-to-life stories and like suspense then I recommend this book to you!

**I received a e-copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes, all opinions are my own**