The Price of Valor (By: Susan May Warren)

The Price of Valor
By: Susan May Warren

Series: Global Search and Rescue (Book #3)

Story Line: 5 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 4 Stars
Love Story: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

The Price of Valor is book three of the Global Search and Rescue series, and we finally get to read Ham's story. Author Susan May Warren does not disappoint! 

After Ham finds out he is father to a ten year old girl, he knows his wife Signe is still alive. Why has she been in hiding all these years? Why is he just now finding out about their daughter? Determined to find them both, bring them home and keep them safe, he embarks on a much bigger challenge than anticipated. 

Meanwhile, Signe has been on a deep undercover assignment that has gone way too far! In a desperate move to protect her daughter, Signe sends her home to the father she has never known - and the husband who has believed Signe to be dead all this time. Riddled with shame and guilt, Signe has little hope for her life moving forward. She just wants their daughter to be safe and for truth to come to light. She figures there is very little chance Ham would want her after everything. But Ham and his God are both in the business of offering grace and forgiveness. 

This book is very fast paced and will keep you turning the pages long into the night. We love the characters and Susan is one of our favorite authors! The only drawback is that at times this book was a little hard to follow - with so many things coming together at once, the reader must also have a good knowledge of the first two books in the trilogy and the series prior. It made our heads spin a little, but fans of Susan May Warren who have read all of these will be sure to enjoy this one as well.


Note:  We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

A Life Once Dreamed (By: Rachel Fordham)

A Life Once Dreamed
By: Rachel Fordham

Story Line: 4 Stars
Depth: 3 Stars
Faith: 2 Stars
Love Story: 4 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

Agnes Pratt's future is all planned out after being proposed to by her one true love. However, after learning a devastating secret from her past, she must flee Buffalo for a small mining town in the Dakota Territory. Leaving her fiance and the comforts of home, she must start over and keep the past in the past. 

James Harris has no idea why his childhood best friend and love of his life ran out on him six years ago. He promised her she was the only woman he would ever love. Where could she have gone? After receiving a letter from Agnes' mom detailing her whereabouts, he is determined to find out what happened and earn back her love. 

The new doctor in town has everyone talking, but one glimpse of him has Agnes shaking, speechless. How did he find her? Her heart still belongs to him, but she can't imagine getting involved again - he is the one person who cannot know her secret. When the truth is revealed, will they be able to work through the past or will they forfeit a future together? 

We enjoyed this lighthearted read and liked getting to know the characters. While a little slow at times, we were eager to see how the story would unfold. One area we would have loved to see more developed is the faith aspect. Overall we do enjoy Rachel's books and her ability to transport us back to frontier life in the 1880's.


Note:  We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

Bride of Convenience (By: Jody Hedlund)

Bride of Convenience
Series: The Bride Ships (Book 3)
By: Jody Heldund

Story Line: 4 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 5 Stars
Love Story: 4 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Zoe Hart eagerly awaits a new life in British Columbia after her passage on a bride ship. Knowing her brother fled to these parts after being falsely convicted of a crime, Zoe first and foremost wants to reunite with him. If she needs to wed a man in this new land in order to fulfill that, then so be it! The prospects in this new and unfamiliar place are plenty, but who can she give her hand to, and eventually her heart? How will she know who is safe and who will help her find her brother? 

Pastor Abe, whom we have been introduced to in previous books in this series, has a heart for the lost in these mining towns, and is content waiting to travel home to England to his love. He and Zoe meet right as a man is dying and asks them to find a home for his baby girl. Thrown into a most unusual circumstance, Abe wants to protect the baby and Zoe, but how? A man Abe does not trust has offered to marry Zoe and take the baby if needed. As Abe worries about what to do, he receives a most unfortunate letter from his intended in England with news she is engaged to another man. Heartbroken and upset, Abe steps in and says he will marry Zoe. 

Who doesn't love a good "marriage of convenience" story? Well written books like this become some of our favorites, and this one nestled its way into our hearts on a deeper level. The storytelling was excellent and we connected deeply with the characters. Both Abe and Zoe's were given tremendous character development as they learn how to be husband and wife, and more importantly, how to follow God's lead in learning to love others. The ups and downs of this story made a beautiful picture of how we are to treat and love others. We thoroughly enjoyed this book and we hope you do as well! 


Note:  We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

The Crushing Depths (By: Dani Pettrey)

The Crushing Depths
Series: Coastal Guardians (Book 2)
By: Dani Pettrey

Story Line: 3 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 3 Stars
Love Story: 4 Stars
Overall: 3.5 Stars

CGIS Agents Rissi Dawson and Mason Rogers and their team are back in book two of Dani Pettrey’s newest series, this time to investigate a suspicious death on an oil rigger off the coast of North Carolina. 

At the end of book one, The Killing Tide, Rissi and Mason are shocked to come face to face with each other after sharing a traumatic, complex history and having no communication for years. As they try to sort through the jumble of emotions upon seeing each other again, they must narrow their focus on the investigation at hand: the death and other strange occurrences on the oil rig, which is rumored to have a curse surrounding it. 

As she usually does, Dani gives the reader an excellent storyline to dig into. We alternately weave through the mystery and the relationships with eagerness and savor each morsel of intrigue. Mason and Rissi share a past as foster kids in a group home, and some darker subjects from this time in their lives are mentioned but not explored heavily. Their love story is touching, and had us cheering for them both all the way. 

However, this read fell short of our usual standards and Dani’s usual slam bang finishes. Although the storyline was excellent for the first three quarters of the book, we couldn’t help but feel the end was anti-climactic - there didn’t seem to be a climax, and the answers to the mysteries left us disappointed. In short, the end feel flat for us. We kept waiting for the, “oh no!” moment that never came. 

That being said, we are eager for the next book in this series and being able to revisit some characters we have grown to love. We still need to hear Noah, Emmy and Logan’s stories and we genuinely look forward to those! ! 


Note:  We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

Heart of a Hero (By: Susan May Warren)

Heart of a Hero
Series: Global Heart and Rescue (Book 2)
By: Susan May Warren

Story Line: 4 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 4 Stars
Love Story: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Heart of a Hero picks up right where book one leaves us. Back from a frightening trip to Denali, Aria and Jake are now back in Minnesota. Determined to get on with life, they both know they should put all that happened in Alaska behind them, but how can they when so much of their hearts were shared with the other? 

Aria jumps back into her job a little too quickly and her colleagues can see that. To offer help, she is sent to Key West to attend a medical conference and Simultaneously get some much needed rest. Little does she know a storm is headed her way - or rather, two storms: both a hurricane and again, Jake Silver! After seeing Aria briefly at a Fourth of July picnic, Jake knows he is a goner. He fell hard for Aria in Alaska and nothing has changed now that they are home. After seeing the news of a hurricane heading directly for the Keys, Jake's instincts to act first and explain later kick in to high gear. Will Aria be happy to see him or will she push him away? 

This story is full of intense adventure, emotion, great chemistry, and faith. Aria and Jake both have trauma in their past and have areas they need to grow in as they learn to trust in God's plans, not their own. We love these characters and were eager to jump into Aria and Jake's story. Thank you Susan for delivering another gripping story that kept us up too late at night! 


Note:  We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

Stay with Me (By: Becky Wade)

Stay with Me
By: Becky Wade

Story Line: 5 Stars
Depth: 5 Stars
Faith: 5 Stars
Love Story: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars

It is always such a joy to bring you yet another new book to add to our Golden List! The first novel in Becky Wade's newest Misty River series is a true winner through and through, and knocked it out of the park in every category. 

Genevieve Woodward, by all appearances, has it all together. As one of the "Miracle Five" who survived a devastating earthquake in her teen years, and now, at thirty years old, a best-selling Bible study author, teacher and speaker, life is pretty good. From the outside she appears to be perfect. But she is hiding a devastating secret: her addiction to opioid painkillers. On top of this, she has begun receiving threatening notes hinting to secrets in her family's background. 

One morning she wakes up in a strange cottage with the owner staring down at her, with no memory of how she got there or where she is. When she realizes she needs to get clean, the man who found her - Sam Turner - agrees to rent this cottage to her, knowing she will need much support and help in the coming days. As Gen works to break her dependence on prescription drugs, she also sets about researching and uncovering any scandals in her family's history with Sam and her sister Natasha. 

The storyline, weaving together mystery, the very real struggle of addiction recovery and a some little memories from the earthquake she was rescued from, blend flawlessly together so the reader is kept on their toes. But the faith and love story are what really shine in this novel!!! God reveals himself to characters in faithful ways and shows us the reality of His unconditional love and grace. The love story between Sam and Gen zings with electricity but is also intensely real as they learn how to navigate addiction recovery, trust, and risking safety for love. 

Be sure to pick this novel up as soon as you can, and stay up a few late nights reading! Note: 



We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

Carolina Breeze (By: Denise Hunter)

Carolina Breeze
By: Denise Hunter

Story Line: 5 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 4 Stars
Love Story: 5 Stars
Overall: 4.5 Stars

Picture a quaint, cozy inn on a small lake in Bluebell, North Carolina and all the delight that image conjures up. From page one of Denise Hunter's newest book, Carolina Breeze, the reader steps into this serene setting and easily gets swept away into the beauty of this story! 

Book two in the Bluebell Inn series focuses on big brother Levi's story. As he and his two sisters, Molly and Grace, continue running the inn inherited from their parents, Levi finally gets a chance at love he didn't ask for and never saw coming. Steeped in responsibility, he acts as a lone ranger, taking care of everyone and everything - but not telling his sisters just how much financial trouble the inn is really facing. Not until Levi is willing to let go of controlling it all can he truly relax into God's best for his life. 

Meanwhile, Mia Emerson, a rising Hollywood movie icon, comes to visit Bluebell after being dumped by her fiancee and facing scandal that could ruin her reputation and career. From the moment she and Levi meet, their connection is real and genuine. Levi promises to keep her location a secret and together, they slowly open up hearts and vulnerabilities to each other, while searching the inn for a lost piece of treasure. 

Denise Hunter has delivered a solid, incredible read - even better than the first book in the series! The love story is touching and exciting, the story pace kept our lights on a little too late most nights, and the faith and depth gave us something to really sink our teeth into. Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

Runaway Bride (By: Jody Hedlund)

Runaway Bride
By: Jody Hedlund

Story Line: 4 Stars
Depth: 4 Stars
Faith: 4 Stars
Love Story: 5 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

We were highly anticipating this second book in the Bride Ships series and Jody Hedlund did not disappoint! 

Arabella Lawrence comes from a wealthy family, but must flee her home after facing some painful circumstances - most easily done by joining other women on a bride ship bound for a far away land. Once they reach British Columbia she is terrified to be on her own, but even more afraid of being sought by the wrong suitor. Two men, who could not be more different from each other, quickly notice her and try their best to win her favor - and this new competition to win her hand will only complicate matters. 

Peter Kelly, the local baker, has worked hard to overcome his past mistakes. He longs to make his father proud, and one day he would love to settle down with a family of his own. The moment he meets Arabella he longs to win her heart. But Peter questions if he is enough, especially since she is used to wealth and comfort, and Navy Lieutenant Richard Drummond has also set his sights upon her. 

Arabella befriends a young Indian girl who has been left behind to fend for herself since her village was burned down after a smallpox outbreak. Due to many differing opinions on how the Indians should be dealt with, secrecy and caution are imperative. Can Arabella break free from the expectations society has placed on her? Can she trust God to care for and lead her to make the best decisions for her present and future? Jody weaves this story together beautifully. We highly recommend it and again anticipate the next book in the series!

Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

The Fifth Avenue Story Society (By: Rachel Hauck)

The Fifth Avenue Story Society
By: Rachel Hauck

Story Line: 5 Stars
Depth: 5 Stars
Faith: 5 Stars
Love Story: 4 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars

One of our favorites authors, Rachel Hauck, has delivered a home run in her newest book! Not only does the charming cover make you want to get cozy with this read right away, but the very first page draws in its readers from the first line.  
Five seemingly random people in New York City - Jett, Lexa, Chuck, Coral and Ed - are sent mysterious invitations to join the Fifth Avenue Story Society at a little known, out of the way library. Each of them are skeptical, but due to their own personal reasons decide to join: Jett, a professor who may have stumbled on evidence that his literary idol was a fraud; Lexa, an overworked executive assistant who is continually overlooked; Chuck, an Uber driver, desperate to see his kids again; Coral, president of a cosmetics company who recently left her famous groom at the altar; and Ed, a widower trying to write the story of his loving marriage. 

Each person shows up to the society meeting with broken hearts, broken lives and a desperate need for peace. Each continually comes back to the weekly society meeting for reasons even they cannot understand; except that an invisible force continues to draw them into relationship, community and healing with one another. Who sent these invitations, and why? What is the higher power at work here, and how will each character find answers to their questions and desires? 

Reminiscent of movies that follow multiple, seemingly disconnected storylines which all eventually come together, Rachel absolutely blew us away with her expert weaving of these storylines! The entire book was easy to get swept away in and the pace at which she revealed stories kept us eager for more. There were even a couple of twists at the end we did not see coming that helped us finish this ride with a bang! 

The characters in this book were just the right mixture of real, flawed and lovable. Their realistic traits kept us as readers believing we could also be sitting in that library; really flawed, yet worthy of friendship and love, and most importantly, never too far gone for God's gentle grace. His loving kindness pursues all of us, often in quiet ways, meeting us exactly where we are, and inspiring others to see what it's all about. We recommend this book to anyone looking for an enticing read and maybe some inspiration and heart to go with it!.

Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.  

The Way of the Brave (By: Susan May Warren)

The Way of the Brave (Global Search and Rescue Book #1)
By:Susan May Warren

Story Line: 5 Stars
Depth: 5 Stars
Faith: 5 Stars
Love Story: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars

Can you keep a secret? We confess Susan May Warren is one of our favorite authors; in fact, we refer to her as the master! We highly anticipate each new release of her books and are rarely disappointed. She captures our attention from the first page, her stories sweep us away, and her writing is flawless. Susan's newest book, The Way of the Brave, was no exception. We thoroughly enjoyed it and eagerly anticipate book 2 already! 

Orion Starr, former pararescue jumper is living - or should we say hiding? - in Alaska after a rescue gone terribly wrong in Afghanistan. As he lives with the pain of the past he can't help but wonder what went wrong, and why it ended with not only losing friends but also a woman he was falling hard for. Will he ever get answers? 

When a former Navy Seal, Hamilton Jones, asks Orion to join his elite global rescue team, Orion claims his rescue days are over. But when a group of mountain climbers - including the girl from his past - becomes stranded on Denali, Orion can't help himself. 

Former CIA profiler and psychiatrist Jenny Calhoun lives each day trying to push the past away, and can't seem to escape the guilt of what went wrong in Afghanistan. As she decides to climb Denali with two friends on their annual adventure together, little does she know her past is about to catch up with her. 

Susan does a phenomenal job capturing our hearts with these new characters. The amount of depth and "realness" she adds to her stories always leave us impressed. Get ready for a fast paced, adventure filled, redemptive story on the highest mountain in America. Why not 5 stars? Susan adds in a lot of climbing lingo, leaving us a bit lost at times - but still an excellent story and a joy getting to know the people filling the pages.

Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review.