Kim

Sabotaged
by Dani Pettrey
Rating: 5/5
Alaskan Courage Series Book 5
Bethany House – Romance | Mystery | Suspense

Kirra Jacobs has a hard time recognizing the new Reef McKenna. Growing up, they were always at each other’s throats, but now, she’s not sure whether she can trust him. Reef is no longer the partying, adrenaline junkie he used to be. They are, once again, partners in search-and-rescue, except the event is the Iditarod race, one that her uncle usually places in the top ten. When her uncle doesn’t make the checkpoint, Kirra suspects that something is wrong and tries to search for him alone at night, but Reef won’t leave her side. When they find her uncle, something is definitely wrong, and he tells them to find his daughter who has been kidnapped. Uncle Frank warns that many people will suffer if they can’t rescue his daughter while he does the kidnapper’s bidding. The entire McKenna clan races to find Frank’s daughter, who is like a sister to Kirra, and also discover what the evil plans are. Kirra can’t comprehend why this close knit family would come to her aid. Can Reef earn Kirra’s trust and maybe even love? Can Kirra trust that Reef is a changed man who deserves another chance? Can Kirra and Reef find out what’s really happening and save Frank’s daughter before it’s too late? Will they learn to let go of the past and trust God has everything in control?

I was so sad to see this series come to an end. I don’t want to leave the McKenna family. Reef was the last family member whose story still needed to be told and I absolutely loved it. I was so impressed with the story and the intrigue in the plot. I loved the fast pace and the character development. Reef and Kirra were definitely such an interesting couple to get to know. They had real faults and needs, making them relatable and endearing. I am so impressed that this is Dani Pettrey’s first series. She is super talented and I can’t wait for her next series, Chesapeake Valor!

I definitely recommend this book for anyone interested in a fun, fast-paced story with romance and mystery!

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm: An Amish Love Story
by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Rating: 5/5
Revell – Fiction/Amish

Bess Riehl should be excited to be getting married to Amos Lapp. He is everything that a good Amish man should be and he loves her. As she prepares for her Christmas wedding at her home, Rose Hill Farm, she never imagined her groom would be Amos; her first love would always be Billy Lapp, Amos’ cousin and best friend. After Billy abruptly left home and broke her heart, Amos was the one to help console her and patiently waited to court her. Although life is not what she originally imagined, she is happy with Amos and feels she has forgiven Billy wherever he is. However, Billy has become the rose rustler, one who researches and identifies unknown roses, and Bess needs his help. She and her father have taken over the rose business and happen to find a rose bud that was hidden and is unidentifiable. Penn State sends its rose rustler to investigate and Billy suspects that the rose is an old rose that hasn’t been seen in hundreds of years, but he must wait until it blooms to be sure. As Billy travels back and forth, he can’t help the old feelings for Bess, but she is engaged to a good man. Will Bess reveal what she thinks she knows about that particular rose or will she keep it to herself to keep Billy coming back? If Bess is ready to say “I do” to Amos, why does she still feel a connection with Billy when he lets his guard down? Can Billy find peace for the reasons that he left in the first place? Can God show him the way back home and does that include Bess? Will this Christmas be full of miracles and redemption?

I do not think I’ve ever read anything from Suzanne Woods Fisher, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Love triangles seem to be so common, but the author was still able to spin some fresh material that was heartwarming and heartbreaking. I’ve never read an Amish romance that had a family like Billy Lapp’s family, but the reader definitely sympathizes with Billy and his struggles. The author was not afraid to portray some darker sides and struggles of humanity no matter their background. I love how she continued to weave faith into this story about miracles and Christmas. I couldn’t put the book down and want to read more from the author about this charming community.

Being a biology major, I was also fascinated with the research about roses that went into the story. I had no idea about the huge rose community that existed. I always enjoyed botany in college, but the story made me love roses even more and want to search out the rarer breeds. I was also impressed with the greenhouse technology, but also confused since I didn’t think the Amish used any machines; I guess I’ll have to research that information more.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes Christian romance from an Amish perspective.

I received this book for free from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Surprised by Love
by Julie Lessman
Rating: 5/5
The Heart of San Francisco Book #3
Revell – Fiction/Historical Romance

Megan McClare is back in San Francisco after spending her senior year in Paris and has emerged as a young woman who feels less like the shy and awkward child she was. Ever since she was little, she has turned to her best friend, Abraham “Bram” Hughes, for his brotherly support and counsel when she was unrelentingly teased by her nemesis and childhood crush, Devin Caldwell.

Meg is excited to start an internship in the district attorney’s office for the summer in an effort to decide if she wants to pursue law (like most of the men in her family) or medicine (which she got a taste of from her mentor in Paris). Whichever profession she chooses, she wants to defend and help the unfortunate women enslaved in brothels. When Devin shows up as another intern at the D.A.’s office, Bram advises Meg to forgive Devin and give him a second chance. However, Bram realizes that he is attracted to Meg but unable to act on his feelings. Ten years her senior, can Bram shut off his stronger feelings for Meg and only see her as his kid sister? Will Meg be able to trust Devin with her heart or do her feelings for Bram still have a hold on her?

Julie Lessman is such an amazing author and storyteller! I’ve read a few of her other stories and I can never put her books down. From the start, the story is captivating and written so the reader doesn’t want to stop reading. Even though I haven’t read the first two books in the series, I did not feel confused or need to somehow “catch up” because her writing and explanations are just that good. She always has some twists in the plot that keep things interesting. It is a little like a soap opera but in a good way – the drama is so heartfelt and authentic. There’s also another love story woven into the book that is just as interesting – one might say this is a story with two love triangles (not just one). I also love all of the scriptures and biblical messages of forgiveness and redemption. The characters are real with fears and faults but also have their moments encountering God’s grace and restoration.

Seriously, readers will not want to miss this one. I recommend this book for anyone who loves romance, especially historical romance. There were little bits and pieces of information that made the story so authentic — I could tell the research that went into the story to get those little details just right. I now must read the other books in this series.

I received this book for free from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for a review.