Texas Kidnapping Target (Texas Justice Book 1) by Laura Scott

Book Details: 

Title: Texas Kidnapping Target 

Series: Texas Justice Book 1

Author: Laura Scott

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Release Date: December 24, 2024

Pages: 207  

Genre: Christian Suspense/Clean & Wholesome Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

A child in jeopardy.

A lawman on a mission.

When an intruder attempts to kidnap rancher Mari Lynch's four-year-old son, she fears it's connected to her ex-husband's criminal past. Texas Ranger Sam Hayward's arrival confirms her worst fears—her ex has escaped prison, making her a target. And when Sam finds a dead body on Mari’s ranch, he suspects the incidents are related. Now Mari must depend on Sam to protect her little boy and catch the culprit. Will they be able to uncover the truth and stay alive, or will they become victims of a deadly conspiracy?

My Thoughts: Great Suspense

This is a wonderful, suspense-filled story. It grabbed me from the start, kept me on my toes, and kept me guessing the entire time. Along with the suspense, there is a blend of romance. However, the suspense and intrigue are the stars of the story. I enjoyed following the changes in Mari and Sam's relationship as proximity and unexpected events kept bringing them closer together, and Theo added a sweet touch to their story. This great suspense story with just the right amount of romance blended in should not be missed.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

                                                   -------------------------------------------------

About the Author: Laura Scott

Laura Scott is honored to write for the Love Inspired Suspense line, where a reader can find a heartwarming journey of faith amid the thrilling danger. A registred nurse by day and an author by night, she has more ideas than time to write! She lives with her husband of thirty-five years in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Visit Laura at www.laurascottbooks.com.

 

The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits by Wanda E. Brunstetter & Martha Bolton

Book Details: 

Title: The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits 

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter & Martha Bolton

Publisher: Barbour

Pages: 319

Release Date: January 1, 2025 

Genre: Amish Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Why Are Baking Contestants Disappearing?
 
Mysteries have a way of following Fannie Miller, so when she makes it into the finals of the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest and contestants start disappearing, she calls on her old friend Foster Bates, a retired cop and part-time private investigator. Could it be that other finalists are somehow responsible for these disappearances, thinning out the competition? Like the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money, or the three Beiler sisters, always in a huddle whispering. One thing is for certain—Foster and Fannie will stay on the case until the end, and everyone involved will have learned something important about baking contests, solving mysteries, and life.

My Thoughts: A Fun Read

This is a fun and entertaining read with a mix of mystery and intrigue blended in. I loved the quirky characters, which included a naughty parrot, that added moments of laughter to the story. Although the different characters had their own stories and backgrounds blended in, it was easy to keep up with each one and follow the threads of their stories as they added to the main plot. Plenty of great nuggets of information and faith quotes were a nice touch in the story and had me pause to reflect more than once. The great characters, the mystery, and everything else made this a fun and entertaining read one that should not be missed. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

                                -------------------------------------------------

About the Authors: Wanda E. Brunstetter & Martha Bolton

Wanda E. Brunstetter 

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than 100 books translated in four languages. With over 12 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Martha Bolton

Martha Bolton is a prolific author of 89 books, an Emmy nominee, a Dove Award nominee, and a co-author of three NY Times bestselling books. She was nominated for a Writers' Guild Award for her work on the Emmy-winning Bob Hope—The First Ninety Years. She was Bob's first full-time female staff writer and wrote for his television specials and personal appearances.

So Into You by Kathleen Fuller

Book Details: 

Title: So Into You

Author: Kathleen Fuller

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Pages: 347

Release Date: December 3, 2024 

Genre: Clean & Wholesome Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Opposites attract when an introverted vlogger and a reformed party boy exchange lessons on art, confidence, and yacht rock.

Artist Britt Branch has a successful online channel where she teaches a variety of art lessons. Obsessed with the 1970s, she has a style all her own. But she also has a huge problem--severe social anxiety. She lives with her mom, and while she pays her own bills, she wonders if she'll ever have the courage to move out and move on. When her best friend announces she's getting married, Britt decides it's time to make a change.

Gorgeous Hunter Pickett has always skated by on his model looks, applying very little effort to anything except sports, and even that was iffy at times. The third son of extremely wealthy and successful parents, he dealt with being the black sheep of the family by drinking and using drugs. By his third year of sobriety, he's still dealing with aimlessness. Late one night he catches Britt's channel and ends up watching her videos. He's not interested in art . . . at first. And when he sends her an online message, he's surprised she responds. Before long they are chatting every day, and once they start meeting in person, a spark-filled friendship begins.

But both of them are keeping secrets. Big ones. When all truths are revealed in one pivotal moment, Britt and Hunter are at a crossroads. Will he fight for the happiness he's worked so hard to obtain? And will she continue to hide from life, or can she finally step out of her own shadow?

My Thoughts: Inspiring

Although the story's synopsis grabbed my attention, I truly did not know what to expect from it. But I can honestly say I was completely drawn in and blown away all in one shot.

I greatly enjoyed the development of Brittany and Hunter's relationship and eventual romance. I also enjoyed how the author beautifully combined Brittany's social struggles and Hunter's past issues into their relationship. All of what they were each "uncomfortably comfortable" with was so true to life and added so much depth to Brittany and Hunter's story. I also enjoyed the secondary characters' stories, which intertwined with the main characters without overshadowing them. 

This is an inspiring story of family, overcoming, self-reflection, secrets that come to light, trust, and romance. Yes, it touches on some deep issues that don't normally get talked about in many books, but they are handled beautifully and play an integral part in the story. And although I initially did not know what to expect, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it did not disappoint.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely voluntary and my own.

                                     -------------------------------------------------

About the Author: Kathleen Fuller

 With over two million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the USA TODAY bestselling author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, and the Amish Letters series as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. Visit her online at KathleenFuller.com; Instagram: @kf_booksandhooks; Facebook: @WriterKathleenFuller

 

A Stolen Kiss (The Heart of the Amish Book 7) by Mindy Steele

Book Details: 

Title:  A Stolen Kiss

Series: The Heart of the Amish Book 7

Author: Mindy Steele

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Pages: 287

Release Date: December 1, 2024 

Genre: Amish Romance

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book Description:

Who Kissed Who First?
 
Full of faith, hope, and romance, the series takes you into the Heart of Amish Country.
 
LeEtta Miller has never done anything spontaneous before, but when a girl is the last one at everything, sometimes she has to take the reins into her own hands. What harm could come from kissing a stranger she’ll never see again?

Benuel Ropp isn’t sure he can ever forgive his father for giving away his inheritance. Taking work far from home, Ben hopes to earn enough to build his future, but nowhere in his plans did he predict being kissed by a beautiful stranger - or having to marry her. To save both their reputations he has little choice but to accept the elder’s demands. Well...if LeEtta thought he’d flinch, letting her boldness ruin the future he had all mapped out, she was mistaken. He has a dream to work for, and if he has to make sacrifices to reach them, so will she.

Who kissed who first? He couldn’t even remember anymore.

My Thoughts: Fantastic, Must-Read

What do you do when you're an only child raised by a single father who has had to learn things as they crop up, and you dream of romance, but your friends constantly comment about you being the last one to be picked? Okay, so maybe kissing a complete stranger wasn't her brightest idea, but she sure didn't think it would lead to marriage. So, what now?

What do you do when your parents shut down your plans and dreams, and you have to start over, and you've lost trust in those you thought you could count on? And what do you do when a beautiful stranger kisses you out of the blue? Okay, so maybe letting himself be drawn to a beautiful stranger and being kissed by her wasn't his best idea, but he sure didn't think it would lead to marriage. So, what now?

I loved LeEtta and Benuel's story. Author Mindy Steele's take on the conventional marriage makes for a stellar story. The characters are wonderful, and the descriptive writing had me bringing up images in my mind, making me feel like I was right there with them, feeling all they were feeling and seeing everything play out. The vivid conversations had me smiling, laughing, cringing, letting out a frustrated sigh, and so much more. The secondary characters added so much to the story, as did the slight touch of intrigue. It all blended together beautifully, making it a fantastic, must-read story. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed and comments in this review are voluntary and completely my own.

                                                   -------------------------------------------------

About the Author: Mindy Steele

Raised in Kentucky timber country, Steele writes Amish Romance peppered with humor, using her rural surroundings as her muse. She is a best-selling author and the winner of the 2022 and 2024 FHLCW Reader's Choice award for sweet romance. Steele creates realistic characters for her readers and believes in engaging all the senses to make you laugh, cry, hold your breath, and root for the happy ever-after ending. Readers can find themselves, somewhere within her pages.

https://mindysteele.com/