Highway to Happy: A Soulful, Heart-Tugging Romance by Kelly Fletcher

 

Highway to Happy: A soulful, heart-tugging romance by Kelly Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes you just need to go on a road trip...I can totally relate!! Get away, clear your head, fall in love....oh wait, that wasn't supposed to happen!

Keri is from a small town in Georgia and her first impression of Adam is that he's homeless and sharing his last bite with this dog. This is a touching, heartwarming clean romance that will have you wanting to jump into the pages and be part of this story. There are tender, emotional moments followed by some very raw, truthful ones too.

This is a story that you won't want to put down until you've finished it!

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The Last Owners (Crocus Hill Inn Mysteries #1) by Jean Rezab

 

The Last Owners by Jean Rezab
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's a fixer upper house and Courtney and Alex are ready to tackle it. There's just a few issues, the main one being the last owners are missing, along with a sizeable amount of jewelry. The couple decides to help out the son of the previous owners who is now a police officer. At what expense will each of them go to solve this?

I love that this is a "clean" book to read first of all. There are some who may not appreciate the religious undertones in the book. It's hard to find great reads that are not full of unnecessary junk. The mystery and suspense of this is not the high excitement that I am used reading. It's a more calm, slow scenario. It's a very enjoyable read though with relatable characters. I am one who enjoys a resolve to an issue and that didn't come with this story. I do look forward to the next book in this series.

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Curve Balls and Commitments: Pickwick Pirate Queens Softball Romance Book 2 by Susan Boles

 

Curve Balls and Commitments: Pickwick Pirate Queens Softball Romance Book 2 by Susan Boles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's been Tasha's dream to open up a dance studio. Her eyes is on the prize and the paperwork is submitted only to find out that someone else beat her to the punch and got her perfect location. As she begins the search again, during softball season of all times, a new guy arrives in town named Derek. He's handsome and definitely not from Pickwick Bend. She's also run into Eli, a local EMT who grew up in Pickwick Bend, left, and is now back. Both men start to woo her and she's having to figure out who to spend her time with. Softball is also her passion and as the pitcher for the Pickwick Pirates, she's got to be on her game.

It comes down to choices and who do you trust for Tasha. Will the town she loves back her up when the going gets tough? Will the Pickwick Pirates win this years championship? Will Tasha be able to find the perfect space to open up her studio?

This was a great short read that took me just under two hours to read start to finish. I do feel like the last 3-4 chapters were a bit redundant and unnecessary. Otherwise, a nice clean romance novel with a hint of mystery.

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The Perfect Girl for Kai by Cori Cooper

 

The Perfect Girl for Kai by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's a bit refreshing to read a young adult story from a young man's perspective on dating. Kai's just weeks away from his junior prom and he doesn't have a date. Shelby is trying to help him, but then again, maybe she's not. She just had a recent breakup that seems to be affecting her judgment. Who is the perfect girl for Kai? He knows but isn't sure how to let her know!

This was a fun read that has humor that young adults will understand more than this adult did. There is quite a bit of slang that I was unfamiliar with (until I looked it up). The romance is very light and clean. Overall, a great read!

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The Negotiator (O'Malley #1) by Dee Henderson

 

The Negotiator by Dee Henderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is an enjoyable read about the O'Malley family, which is a conglomerate of different people from different backgrounds who are looking to belong after being abandoned by their family of origin. Kate O'Malley is a hostage negotiator who is trying to figure out who blew up an airplane just days after she receives black roses. Is she being targeted?
Enter Dave Richmond who is a specialist with the FBI assigned to the case. He meets Kate and starts to develop feelings for her. They are working together so a relationship isn't in their best interest but he just can't stay away when it's possible that she's being targeted.
I enjoyed listening to this book and I look forward to reading more in this series.

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A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper

 

A Tale of Two Crushes by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love stories by this author! They are clean, quirky, and full of fun! You don't have to be a young adult to appreciate the writing style and stories either! Holland just moved from Arizona to Colorado and the adjustment is a bit. The climate change alone would do me in but add in teenage angst, trying to fit in, and life in general. It's a familiar scene for anyone who's been a teenager before! I felt like I was there in the hallways with Holland and her friends, but I really never ever want to go back to high school!

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Unmasking a Cowgirl (Match Made in Montana Series) by Rachelle Paige Campbell

 

Unmasking A Cowgirl by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this series! It's a great clean romance with a bit of a slow burn. There's also the feature of enemies to friends to a relationship. I love getting to reconnect with characters from the previous books too! I don't want to give anything away so just trust me when I say you need to read this one!

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Catch a Cowboy (Match Made in Montana Series) by Rachelle Paige Campbell

 

Catch A Cowboy by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great read in this series! While this is the second book, it can be read as a standalone as it focuses on a different set of people. There are appearances from book 1 in the series though so you can continue to catch up on their lives too!

This is an age gap romance that is a very slow burn, yet tender. Stephanie has had a crush on Ted for a long time now. Ted's a little sweet on Stephanie but he's afraid that he'd be rejected because of the age difference.

This story reminded me a little bit of my own love story. My hubby and I have a significant age gap in years and we were both fearful of the other's feelings about that at first.

I look forward to more great stories by this author!

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More Than Meets the Eye (Patchwork Family #1) by Karen Witemeyer

 

More Than Meets the Eye by Karen Witemeyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is such a great book!! It starts out with gut wrenching information about Evangeline and her family. Then things seem to smooth out and be alright. Then more drama ensues with a very sweet ending. I was all over the place with my emotions in this book. There is prejudice, there is murder, there is gambling, there is redemption, there is romance, and so much more!

I'm looking forward to reading book 2.5 in this series as I read book 2 before reading this one. Thank you, Karen Witemeyer for writing such amazing books!

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Protective Custody by Lynette Eason

 

Protective Custody by Lynette Eason
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great suspenseful mystery with a small amount of romance scattered throughout.

Carly Masterson is a US Marshall who has been assigned a new duty station. She isn't thrilled when she sees that she is responsible for guarding Judge Nick Floyd. He let a murderer go who then in turn murdered Carly's partner. Can she keep her personal feelings for Nick out of this assignment?

I figured out pretty quick who the main person involved in all the activity was going to be. There were not so subtle clues throughout that led me to that conclusion. It didn't stop me from reading the book though, as I wanted to see how it all played out.

Overall, an enjoyable read!

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Murder She Meowed (Bookshop Kitties Mysteries, Book 2) by Ruth J. Hartman

 

Murder She Meowed by Ruth J. Hartman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a fun little read that starts off at a wedding with the attendants being cats. What a cute idea! Janie is horrified to see someone in the crowd at the wedding that she was hoping she'd never see again. Apparently a few others felt the same way! Soon we learn that the "mystery man" is found murdered on the floor of Janie's shop.

Not one to shy away from a good mystery, Christy and her cats Milton and Pearl report for duty. They know Janie is innocent as they were all together during the time of the incident. Micah also pitches in to help in between his shifts as an ER doc. Together, they will find a way to solve this mystery, but what other mysteries will pop up in the process?

These cats are SPOILT!!! They are the stars of this book series and have a big role to play. They are also the characters in Christy's book series that she writes and sells in her bookstore. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author. This was my first time reading her work!

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In Honor's Defense (Hanger's Horsemen #3) by Karen Witemeyer

 

In Honor's Defense by Karen Witemeyer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked up this book from my local library's online reading app. I absolutely love Karen Witemeyer books and knew this one would not disappoint! I have not read the previous books in this series but felt comfortable diving into this one. It can be read as a standalone but I have to know more about Hanger's Horsemen so you can bet I'll be going back and reading the other two, plus any to follow!

Damaris....I love her name! She's a rather unattractive woman in her mid twenties who is caring for her elderly Great Aunt when a letter comes informing her of her brother's demise. She also learns at that time that her nephew, Nathaniel, has been left in her care. Damaris packs up her life in St. Louis and moves to Texas to be with the teenage boy who's now lost both of his parents.

Luke Davenport was born a fighter and will probably fight until his last breath. He is a member of Hanger's Horsemen and has been hired by a Mr. Grimes to help investigate the case of his missing cattle.

Damaris and Luke meet under rather unfortunate circumstances (at least for Damaris!) but they form a bond that is unlike any that either of them have experienced before. There are perils, heartache, sub par food, fires, a teenage boy, books, and more that bring them together in some fairly unique circumstances. Their love for the Lord will see them through all of these circumstances though!

I loved this book and struggled to put it down. When I did have to put it down for a bit, I thought about what life might have been like in this fictional story. I love how Luke didn't focus on Damaris's physical appearance, but rather her heart. It's a very touching story that I found myself tearing up over at times. Other times I laughed, then I'd get mad. I hope there will be more stories in this series and I'm going back to catch up on the stories that I've missed! I'd love to see the wives get a series too!! (**HINT HINT**)

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Recipe For Revenge (An April May Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Hazel Smith

 

Recipe For Revenge: An Unputdownable Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery by Hazel Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.75 Stars

April has moved into her grandmother's late house after having it willed to her. She's more accustomed to life in Chicago but she's getting adjusted to Laurel Lake but only temporarily. Weird things start to happen around her and then there's the mysterious notes being left. Will April open a part of her past that she may not be ready to deal with?

This was a very enjoyable story. I loved Buddy/Ralph and his role in this story. There is one overarching theme in this book with several little offshoots which make the reader want to come back for more!

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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper

 

Sage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm a fan of Cori Cooper and I do believe this is my favorite read by her so far!

Pyper is a senior in high school. She's beautiful and all the boys clamor to be near her. She's taken, however, by Jason. When an opportunity comes up to present an idea to the student council that can save the senior class some money, Pyper jumps to share her wonderful idea to the bunch of jocks that servce on the council.

The jocks don't like her proposal. As a matter of fact, she's not even sure they heard her. No one voted in support of cancelling prom. Now, Pyper is trying to cover up for past mistakes and help others to not make the same mistakes she has.

Can she keep her personal feelings out of all of this though? Can she still manage to keep her friendships going through all of this?

I loved this book! It's nice to read a fun, clean romance novel that isn't overly sappy involving young adults. So refreshing! There are moments of humor but mostly, it's just a fun story to follow along!

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Revenge Never Rests (Tallie Brown Suspense Book 2) by Laurie Lewis

 

Revenge Never Rests by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tallie Brown has lived a life cloaked in lies. She just learned about those lies though and now there is more trouble. Tallie responds to an Amber Alert about a missing child and after securing the child, life gets pretty interesting. It's discovered that the Amber Alert was a set up and that there were Somalian operatives after Tallie for her connections to other people. Can she escape their clutches and save General Kaswell in the process?

This book grabbed me from the get-go and didn't want to let go! This story is full of adventure, love, redemption, and mystery. All great elements to put together this telling of Tallie's life. From the opening notes, the author mentions how she wrote this book during a time of turmoil in our country and those elements are scattered throughout. Such a beautiful book that can be read as a stand-alone, however it is the second book in a series. I will be going back to read the first book as I missed it! There are details that will likely be cleared up by reading the first book.

Please don't skip over the opportunity to read this great book!

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Musical Murder Mystery Boxed Set #1 Books 1-3 by K.L. Montgomery

 

Musical Murder Mystery Boxed Set #1 by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Family friendly and full of fun!! Ruby isn't the most outstanding actress and definitely not the star of the show but she sure loves a good mystery and this boxed set does not disappoint!

I am a musical lover and this series of books is such a happy and sometimes hysterical read! The Sound of Murder is a book based on the Sound of Music. Ruby gets to join a travelling troupe and her first real role is underway. What she didn't expect is that one of her cast mates would be murdered. All of a sudden, Ruby's focus is on solving the murder of her friend.

West Side Murder is based on the popular West Side Story. Instead of the Sharks and the Jets, we meet the Golfers and the Palmers. The focus of this story is on a murder that takes place in a local retirement community. While Ruby and her troupe are on tour, she finds herself in the middle of yet another mystery.

Little Shop of Murder is such a fun read!! I love all musicals but this one is a definite favorite and this story did not disappoint. Ruby and her troupe are performing "The Little Shop of Horrors" on stage when some things become more real than just acting out parts.

What I love about these books is the way that Ruby remembers details to solve her mysteries. She attributes them to musical numbers. I found myself singing along with her clues! This is a great cozy and clean set of books that will put you in a sing-songy mood for days!

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