CHARLOTTE'S PROMISE by Jennifer Moore

CHARLOTTE'S PROMISE by Jennifer Moore. When I got this book I found the cover to be a bit odd, but I couldn't wait to read it. Once I finished the book, the cover had grown on me. The plot sounded fascinating and it held true. The readers were thrown into the story in such a way that you immediately feel for Charlotte and her position, as well as her reasons for attempting to gain passage to New Orleans. The voyage over was harrowing as several things went wrong. And the adventure continued into New Orleans. This adventure is worth risking it all for. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a great seaworthy tale as well as some romance.

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One year ago Charlotte Bower’s life was ripped apart when Creek Indians attacked, killed her parents, and separated her from her young brother—now, she will stop at nothing to find him. After a year of captivity, she has finally made her escape. Her search will begin in New Orleans, where captives were taken after the raid. But how to reach a city hundreds of miles away? As she watches men boarding a waiting ship, Charlotte formulates a bold plan: if it’s men they need for the ship’s crew, it’s a man they’ll get. Taking on her childhood nickname, Charlie, it is all too easy to gain passage on the New Orleans-bound vessel. Easy, that is, until Charlie is caught . . .

From the moment he sets eyes on the new deckhand, Captain Alden Thatcher knows one thing for certain: Charlie Bower is no man. But for reasons of his own, he keeps her secret. As their journey progresses, however, the voyage is increasingly ill-fated. With danger ever present, Charlie and the captain find themselves relying on one another in ways they’d never imagined. As they draw closer to her goal, Charlotte is faced with the most perilous adventure of all—an adventure that may risk her heart.

FINDING ANNE DE BOURGH by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

FINDING ANNE DE BOURGH by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen. This book left me feeling a bit unsettled. I'm used to the author writing mystery/suspense novels, yet this one has a strong romantic element to it that overshadowed the mystery side of it. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery, although I was able to figure out what was going on halfway through the story. I wasn't sure how Anne and Owen were going to get together. It ended well and by the end of the story I felt a little more settled in the story. I haven't figured out if I wanted more mystery to be there or if the romantic element was too strong for my expectations of the story. I'm not sure. I would recommend it to anyone who does love a good romance with mystery elements in it. 

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As heiress of Rosings Park, Anne de Bourgh's heath is utmost importance to her mother, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Thus, following the shock of a recent fire at Rosings Park, the young woman is spirited away to Brighton to take the cure. While her domineering mother is bent on healing her daughter's sickly constitution to secure her a suitable match, Anne herself is far more concerned with sketching the flora and fauna of the lovely sea town. It is in pursuit of artistic inspiration among the flowers that Anne becomes acquainted with Mr. Owen Talbot, a charming man with whom Anne feels an immediate connection, notwithstanding their differing stations.

But despite their growing esteem for one another, the couple faces an insurmountable problem: Lady Catherine has set her sights on a rich, well-connected man for her daughter, and Mr. Talbot is simply too common. With their love in jeopardy, the couple soon faces far graver problems. There has been a murder in Brighton, and Anne is innocently drawn into an amateur investigation that ultimately traces its roots to her own family. With a frightening foreshadowing regarding the de Bourghs, Anne begins to question whom she can truly trust.

UNDERCOVER HONEYMOON by Kari Iroz

UNDERCOVER HONEYMOON by Kari Iroz. I have really enjoyed Jack's journey through A DATE WITH DANGER and MORMON GIRL: INCOGNITO. This new installment is so much fun. Jack just has a habit of stumbling into things she probably shouldn't and how she is able to help makes it even better. There were some character twists in this one I didn't expect. It would be interesting to read all three back to back and see if I missed some of the foreshadowing of those twists. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance with a good dose of mystery and suspense. I look forward to any other stories about Jack and Damon.

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Wedding bells are finally ringing for Jacklyn "Jack" Wyatt and her FBI-agent fiancé, Damon Wade. After their adventurous beginning, the happy couple finds the relative calm leading up to their big day, a huge relief. Unfortunately, it seems that the peace and quiet were too good to last. As they embark on their honeymoon, a weeklong cruise, Jack can't shake the feeling that something is off with her new husband. When she stumbles upon a secret plot—one in which her husband is a key player—she realizes this getaway will be anything but smooth sailing. When she delves into the shady happenings aboard the ship, she realizes Damon's involvement is just the tip of the iceberg—she has become an unwitting player in a deadly conspiracy, and in such close quarters, there is no escape. Now, Jack has no choice but to work with her spouse to unravel the truth before their happily ever after—and their lives—are ended all too soon.

PLAGUE by Gregg Luke

PLAGUE by Gregg Luke. Wow. What a fantastic, fascinating, incredible read. I was enthralled from the first chapter to the end. The pages kept turning themselves. About a quarter to midway through the book I realized that the story covered an incredible amount of scientific information that I wouldn't normally read about. Yet, I was hooked in this book. It was so well presented that I didn't feel like I was being lectured. I discovered it the same and some of the characters, and it was done in a way that was entertaining. I've had thought about everything covered in this book and the probability of something similar happening for days. I LOVE books that make me think on a whole different level. And the cover is amazing. My kids loved it, especially because some of it was raised and they could feel it. They have been asking me about it since they laid their eyes on it. (Although I have very young children and the whole novel would be way over their heads. They will appreciate the words someday.) I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. For me, this is one of my favorite books this year. 

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Centuries ago, the Black Death shadowed the world, claiming the lives of tens of millions. Now the world is on the brink of another scourge—and this time, it will be an extinction-level event. . . .

Professor Mitch Pine knows all too well the history of epidemics, so the startling new information he's discovered has him racing to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Mitch has uncovered a startling pattern: dramatic environmental changes always occurred prior to devastating outbreaks, and current climate change may be such a catalyst. But before his plane lands, Mitch's journey takes a terrifying turn. He is intercepted by a woman who represents a dangerous faction whose interest in Mitch's research opposes his mission to save lives. To secure Mitch's cooperation, his research assistant is being held hostage. With so many lives on the line, Mitch embarks on a turbulent trip around the world, uncovering pieces of the puzzle until he ultimately holds the key to prevent—or precipitate—global devastation. Unless he can find a way to stop the lunatics behind his abduction, a plaque the likes of which the world has never known will be unleashed.

WIZARD FOR HIRE: APPRENTICE NEEDED by Obert Skye

WIZARD FOR HIRE: APPRENTICE NEEDED by Obert Skye. This is a great addition to the WIZARD FOR HIRE series, see my review here. Throughout the entire first book and most of this book I found myself going back and forth on whether or not I believed Rin was a real wizard. Everything was so masterfully done that I'm still debating. I loved the continuing adventure Ozzy, Sigi, and Clark are on. And the bombshell that is dropped 3/4 of the way through the book is fantastic! This is a series that just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait for the next one to come out. I would highly recommend this book to any and everyone of all ages.

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Ozzy Toffy's adventure, which began in Wizard for Hire, continues when one dark and windy night, he gets out of bed, jumps out his window, and walks straight into the ocean.

More than ever, Ozzy could really use the services of Rin, the wizard he hired to help find his parents—but Rin is missing, despite Ozzy's continual attempts to contact him. And Clark, the mechanical bird his father left him, is as peculiar and vain as ever.

When a mysterious package arrives, Ozzy and his good friend Sigi are sure that the plane ticket and thumb drive they find inside are from Rin. Trying to get Clark through security at the airport proves complicated—as most things are with Clark. But when they arrive in New York, they discover there's even more adventure in store for them.

Will Rin return and save the day? Will Ozzy figure out why he keeps walking into the ocean? Can Sigi find a way to trust her delinquent father? Will someone please appreciate Clark the way he'd like to be appreciated? For once? Wizard for Hire: Apprentice Needed is a story filled with humor and excitement that shows us the magic in everyday things.

MISS ADELINE'S MATCH by Joanna Barker

MISS ADELINE'S MATCH by Joanna Barker. I love this cover. I would have picked up the book just for that. The story was equal to the cover and did not disappoint. Miss Adeline was a perfect companion. I loved how she did everything she thought was best for Charity with the best of intentions. Isn't that we all do? And doesn't it feel like those best intentions sometimes blow up in our faces? I was very impressed with how she handled each situation she was in and accepted the consequences of her actions with dignity. The ending was perfect. I would recommend this to anyone who loves to see how someone gets through a sticky mess of their own creation while in the midst of trying not to fall in love.

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Miss Adeline Hayes is the perfect lady's companion: pleasant, conversational, and unceasingly proper. But when her closest friend, Charity Edgeworth, breaks off her arranged marriage without explanation, even Adeline's superior skills are put to the test. Charity's father banishes the two young women to the country, sending Adeline with a charge to find Charity a husband—or suffer dire consequences. As Adeline takes on the role of reluctant matchmaker, she discovers more than one obstacle in her path. Not only does Charity prefer escaping in books to socializing, but Adeline soon finds her own attentions distracted by the standoffish—and irritatingly handsome—Mr. Evan Whitfield. Amidst an eventful foxhunt and the unexpected arrival of Charity's former betrothed, Adeline simply doesn't have time for a battle of wits with Evan. But the two are continually drawn together until Adeline begins to question her tightly guarded convictions about love and marriage.

However, when secrets are revealed and truths made known, Adeline must face her most fearsome obstacle yet: herself.

Tour Schedule

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A SONG FOR THE STARS by Ilima Todd

A SONG FOR THE STARS by Ilima Todd. What a fabulous story. I love books that create a desire to read anything the author has written. This story was engaging from beginning to end. It covers an area in the 18th century that is not commonly written of. Hawaiian history is amazing. I felt like I was right in the middle of everything. My heart broke when Maile's fiance was killed. Maile's turmoil about John. The difficults the island faced as well as the English sailors. Everything was woven together seamlessly. What an amazing story. Everyone should read this book. Not only is it for the romantic at heart, but the historian, the adventurer, the sailor, the navigator. It's for everyone, and I would highly recommend it to any and everyone.

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Inspired by a true story

Hawaiian Islands, 1779

As the second daughter of a royal chief, Maile will be permitted to marry for love. Her fiancé is the best navigator in Hawaii, and he taught her everything he knows—how to feel the ocean, observe the winds, read the stars, and how to love.

But when sailors from a strange place called England arrive on her island, a misunderstanding ends in battle, and Maile is suddenly widowed before she is wed.

Finding herself in the middle of the battle and fearing for her life, Maile takes John Harbottle, the wounded man who killed her fiancé, prisoner, and though originally intending to let him dies, she reluctantly heals him. And in the process, she discovers the man she thought was her enemy might be her ally instead.

John has been Captain James Cook's translator for three voyages across the Pacific. He is kind and clearly fascinated with Maile's homeland and her people—and Maile herself. But guilt continues to drive a wedge between them: John's guilt over the death he caused, and Maile's guilt over the truth about what triggered the deadly battle—a secret she's kept hidden from everyone on the island.

When Maile is tasked with teaching John how to navigate using the stars so he can sail back to England, they must also navigate the challenges of being from very different cultures. In doing so, they might also find the peace that comes when two hearts become one.

EXCERPT

John Harbottle's Journal
4 February 1779

I fear we've overstayed our welcome.
My relief when the captain orders the ships ready to depart is palpable. Our duty is to search for the Northwest Passage, after all, not indulge ourselves in the pleasures of this paradise.

Yet what a paradise it has been.

Never on our previous two voyages have the natives been more accommodating, more praising, than here in this protected bay. Even the captain, whose demeanor has been despondent of late, has emerged a new man while ashore, as though the water here is a life-giving elixir. One must only drink to become transformed-translated into a more celestial state.

The natives revere the captain as divine, much to our advantage. Even as we make preparations to leave, we are inundated with such quantities of food and gifts that we haven't the room to hold it all. But perhaps the captain has seen what some of the sailors have as well-the natives grow impatient. Suspicious. What they expect us to do or say I know not, but after a month's recovery on the island, it is past time we take our leave.

Maile
I wasn't the only one who questioned Cook's divinity. There were many relieved expressions among my people when the white men finally sailed their ships out to sea. There are only so many pigs one can hunt on an isolated island to give as gifts to the foreigners. I was beginning to worry we wouldn't have enough supplies for our own needs.

I try to see the white men as he does. As revered guests. As a blessing. But there's still a part of me waiting for the trick to reveal itself, the proof that they're really a curse in the end.

This time, I know those white clouds low on the horizon are not clouds at all, but the large white sails of James Cook's Resolution and Discovery. And this time, I know he will not be welcomed.