The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer

Lydia is returning to her Amish home in West Kootenai, Montana to mourn the passing of her mother. Lydia left the Amish way of life years before and has seldom returned. When she stops to take a picture of her family home she meets Gideon Hooley, a young bachelor there in the Kootenai for the hunting season. Gideon is not happy with some Englisher taking pictures of an Amish farm. When he finds out that Lydia is there for the funeral of her mother Mrs. Wyse he feels more sympathy for her. Both Lydia and Gideon feel an instant attraction for each other but both know that Gideon will never turn from his Amish way of life and it is very unlikely that Lydia will return to it.

Both Lydia and Gideon are hiding secrets. Lydia was adopted by the Wyse couple as a baby. When she found out the truth behind her birth she left the Amish and her adoptive parents behind. When she returns her father gives her a special box that Mrs. Wyse called her Promise Box. It contains many verses of scripture that inspired her throughout Lydia's life and many letters to Lydia. Reading the contents of the box helps heal Lydia's heart and she begins to hear God speaking to her heart wooing her back to her roots.

Gideon has been in the Kootenai many years before. As a child he was lost in the woods and the whole town was out looking for him. Gideon has always known that there was something else that went on that day when he was lost but his parents would never talk about it. Gideon has returned to find out the truth, but will he be able to forgive himself when he learns what his disobedience cost one family?

This is the second book in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series and is set in the same Amish/English community that the authors Big Sky series is set. We even got a little glimpse into Marianna Sommer the main character in the Big Sky series. I really liked The Promise Box. I loved the idea that Lydia's mother had written down all of her thoughts and feelings and scriptures that comforted her. Each letter and each verse seemed to be read at just the right time for Lydia to be wooed back to her Amish roots. The author shows us how God loves His children enough to send circumstances into their lives to bring about His perfect plan for them. I'm liking this community where the Amish and English grow in faith together. Now I need to go back and read The Memory Jar and look forward to reading The Kissing Bridge which comes out in April 2014.

Check out my reviews of The Big Sky series:
Beside Still Waters
Along Wooded Paths
Beyond Hopes Valley

Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley

Annie(Miranda Hunt) is a Pinkerton Detective assigned to find out who the leader of a ring of thieves is. The "Phantom" has been robbing trains and banks, and people in Arizona territory have had enough. The gang seems to be centered around Last Chance ranch, home to Miss Eleanor Walker an aging cattle rancher bent on finding an heiress for her ranch. Annie knows that applying as one of the potential heiresses will be the perfect cover for her to hunt down the Phantom.

When "Annie" arrives at the ranch Miss Walker has a mishap that causes her to be laid-up in bed with Annie as her caretaker. Before long Annie finds a new ranch hand lurking around the house going through Miss Walker's office. "Branch" is the perfect candidate for the "Phantom". Having met him in a train robbery on her way into town Annie has no problem suspecting him as being the Phantom, now she just needs to find the evidence to prove her theory. The only problem is that Annie has become attracted to Branch, but she is determined that nothing will stop her from bringing justice to this guilty man.

I thought this was a great conclusion to The Brides of Last Chance Ranch series! With Annie constantly plying Miss Walker with tea I found I could sympathize with the old gal as I dislike tea! But I also found it heartening to read that finally Miss Walker may have met her match for stubbornness. And the way that Annie softened Miss Walker's heart was touching. The Brides of Last Chance Ranch have been a fun three book series that had me looking forward to each new installment. I was quite satisfied with the ending. If you like historical/western/romances then this is the book for you!

Check out my reviews of the first two books in the series:

Dawn Comes Early
Waiting for Morning

Thanks to the publisher Thomas Nelson through NetGalley for my copy of GUNPOWDER TEA for review. This is my honest opinion.

Special Edition Cover Reveal-Haunting Joy by Lena Goldfinch

About the Book

Joy’s new dress has a secret – one with a little supernatural history, one that’s a little more than she expected.

It all starts one ordinary afternoon, as seventeen-year-old Joy tries on some thrift-store clothes her grandmother gave her. The little white dress fits perfectly. Trouble is, now it won’t leave her alone. Soon Joy is swept up in an extraordinary journey to help a ghost complete some unfinished business. If only that didn’t involve Joy driving through dangerous intersections...or calling up her high-school crush, Nick...or getting stuck at a cemetery after dark.

Will Joy accept this ghostly challenge to be "more"? And just how far will she go to uncover the truth?

Light Paranormal Novella

 ~ Coming October 20, 2013

COVER REVEAL:

My Impressions: 

October is the perfect time to launch this book! Isn't October the month that is set aside for Ghosts and Goblins and everything spooky? I love the cover. The dress hanging there with the light giving it a bit of an "other-worldly" glow piques my interest. And while I am not a believer in Ghosts and Goblins I am definitely a fan of stories featuring Ghosts, Goblins and other Spooky Specters. AND I am a sucker for anything with the name JOY in the title as my youngest daughter is named Joy! With the flowers dotting the j and the i the font used for the title gives me the impression that the story is not scary, but maybe a bit more light-hearted. Having read Songstone by the same author I am looking forward to reading Haunting Joy. 

A Note About the Cover

The special edition (black and white) cover is for the paperback version of the book only, for some extra “spooky” fun. The purple and pink cover is for the e-book version.

Which cover do you prefer? The special edition(black and white) paperback cover or the purple and pink e-book version? I'm kind of torn as for the black and white edition I didn't fully see that the dress was hanging on a door with a latch. The door is more pronounced in the color photo. But in the black and white photo you get more of the affect of the light coming through the door and the dress...

About the Author/Cover Designer

Lena lives in a scenic small town in Massachusetts with her husband, two kids, and a very spoiled Black Lab. She writes fiction for young adults, mostly light fantasy with a healthy dose of "sigh-worthy" romance. You can visit her online at www.lenagoldfinch.blogspot.com.  

About the Blog Tour

Haunting Joy will be released October 20, 2013. To celebrate, there will be a blog tour October 22-31, complete with reviews, giveaways, and Halloween fun! Visit the blog tour page to keep up-to-date on the latest book and blog tour news, including information on how to purchase the special edition paperback when it’s available.

I will definitely be looking forward to reading Haunting Joy in October. How about you? Do you set aside October as the month to read Ghost/Scary Stories? 

 

Thread of Suspicion by Susan Sleeman

Luke Baldwin's company SatCom is on the line when someone hacks into his supposedly unhackable military program. Having sunk all of his money into this program, and his reputation on the line, Luke must convince Dani Justice that he is innocent of treason and that someone is out there trying to sabotage him.

Dani too has to do some convincing, with her family that is. Growing up the youngest sibling in the Justice family, Dani has had to fight over and over for her independence. Convinced that Luke is innocent Dani wants to take his case even though she knows that the other members of the Justice team will say no.

Much to both Luke and Dani's dismay there is an immediate attraction between the two. But Dani is leery of overbearing-take-charge men and Luke cannot allow a woman in his life until he is able to provide for her. When the hacker/killer continues to destroy the safety nets that they set up, the Justice siblings close ranks around Dani. Things proceed beyond either of their control and they are thrown together with Luke determined to keep Dani safe and Dani determined that she will not be over-run by another man in her life.

My Review:

From the first page THREAD OF SUSPICION had me sitting on the edge of my seat! The suspense had me stressed out and the romance was pretty sweet. I loved reading about another Justice sibling. I believe each book in the Justice Agency series could stand alone since this is the second book in the series that I have read and I actually started with the 3rd book in the series. I have the first two on my Kindle and plan to read them when I go on vacation soon. The author manages to keep the pace of the story moving quickly with no time for the reader to become complacent. For a fast-paced mystery/romance be sure to check out The Justice Agency series. I look forward to the next installment, I'm hoping that Derrick Justice has his day.

Other books in the Justice series:

Double Exposure
Dead Wrong
No Way Out

Visit author Susan Sleeman at her website HERE

Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren

As the Kensington's and the Morgan's continue on The Grand Tour every precaution is being taken to keep the group protected from falling into the hands of Nathan Hawke. They are also trying to remain out of the spotlight so that Nathan and his group will not know where they are traveling to.

Cora's father, sensing that she has a head for business even though she is a woman, insists on teaching Cora every aspect of the business much to Andrew Morgan's dismay. Things are tense between he and Val which he blames on Cora.

A generous gesture by Cora has the group being introduced to Eleonora, a young widow who owns a vineyard. Eleonora invites the group to come visit her in Italy and they accept. Eleonora is quite attractive and catches the eye of the men in the group, including Will. This causes friction between Cora and Will.

When the group reaches Rome they are swarmed by reporters. Pierre shows up for one last attempt to win Cora's heart. Danger and tragedy await them in Rome. Will Cora and Will's love survive or will Cora's heart be wooed away by Pierre? 

My Thoughts:

With this being the end of the Grand Tour we can see how much the individuals have grown during the tour. Cora has found her place among her siblings and even has earned the respect of her father. I enjoyed the descriptions of the sites throughout the Grand Tour and even enjoyed some intrigue as Cora's life seems to be in danger throughout. I did find myself getting frustrated with Cora and Will's relationship. Jealousies and spats throughout had me wondering if this couple should really get together. All was settled to my satisfaction at the turning of the last page. If you are an armchair traveler, romance lover, historical fiction fan then The Grand Tour series will be the perfect series for you to read just as it was for me!

Read my reviews of the first two books in the Grand Tour series:

Glamorous Illusions
Grave Consequences

I received my copy of Glittering Promises from the publisher David C. Cook through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.