Binding Spell (Tales of the Latter Kingdoms #3) by Christine Pope

4 STARS

Binding Spell is book 3 in the series but the first one I have read. As far as I can tell it stands alone. It is fantasy, romance story. I like the characters, especially Lark. The suspense of the series is good.

Lark has traveled far with her brother so he can accept his legacy. Her Aunt's other guess was going to be a Princess but she could not show up. So Lark was given her rooms. In the middle of the night she was kidnapped. She figured out that it was a mistake. She tried to use sleep spells to make everyone fall a sleep but she got caught by Kadar

Kadar is the ruler of North Eredor. He wants more for his country. That was why he risked kidnapping a wife. He decided to go ahead and marry Lark. Her family had some power and money anyway. He married her the day after she arrived in his home. He promised her he would give her time before they would share a bed. They would keep that a secret. Kadar after Lark's second attempted to escape had lots of guards surround her she could not get away.

Lark hid her powers. People with magic are not wanted anymore. Lark does have just a little bit of talent or so she thinks. She can tell when people do magic around her. She feels great power is at hand in the castle. She wants to find out who has such power. It is more power than her father has.

The story is well told and kept my interest in the story. Wanting to see what would happen next? Why is someone doing powerful magic in the castle. Does Kadar know?
What is Kadar's plans now?

I would enjoy reading more of tales of the Latter Kingdoms in the future. I was given this ebook and asked to give honest review of it by Librarything.
Published March 27th 2013 by Dark Valentine Press 320 pages ISBN:9780988334823

Description below taken off of goodreads.

A case of mistaken identity takes Lark Sedassa from her family's estate and into the power of Kadar Arkalis, the ruler of North Eredor, who thinks he's captured a much greater prize. Although he soon realizes his error, he makes Lark his bride anyway, still hoping to capitalize on her family's connections. Escape is nearly impossible, and before long Lark is not sure whether she even wants to leave. As she struggles with her growing feelings for her captor, she must find the strength within herself to draw on powers she doesn't even realize she possesses. Without those powers, she cannot hope to face the evil rising within the kingdom...or save the man she now calls husband. (Book 3 of the Tales of the Latter Kingdoms)

Fugitive by Shirlee McCoy

4 STARS

I like reading Shirlee McCoy's books. This one did not disappoint at all. Fugitive has heroes, action, drama, suspense and humor. It is also a clean read.

Laney is up at her late husband's cabin in the middle of 150 acres getting ready to sell it. During a snow storm a knock on the door is a man in orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. Before she has reason to panic she recognizes Logan.

Laney' childhood was rotten. On the outside it looked like perfect family. She was abused. Her parents also took in lots of foster kids and abused them too most ran away. Logan was one but he stayed to help Laney survive. Logan got Laney out into somewhere safe. Then he reported the abuse and they found the body of one of the foster kids that had died and then buried. Logan caught her father sent to prison for life.

Laney had not seen Logan for years but she trusted him. Laney decided to help him to escape so he could find the proof to prove his innocents. Before they got far someone burned her cabin down. After they got down the mountain Logan left Laney so he would not get her involved anymore.

Logan was a deputy sheriff before he was framed of selling drugs that had gone missing. On his way to prison they were run off the road. One cop was dead another was wounded and shots were fired at Logan.

Logan ends up having some help to prove he is innocent. Some from a surprising source.

I hated to put the book down to answer the phone calls. I like that they turned to the Lord for prayer to help and not blame for trials.

I look forward to reading more from Shirlee in the future.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review when done by Netgalley.
05/07/2013 PUB Harlequin Imprint Harlequin Love Inspired 224 pages ISBN: 9780373445370

Description below taken off of Goodreads

"HELP ME." When she opens her door to a wounded, handcuffed stranger, Laney Jefferson is terrified...until she recognizes her unexpected visitor. Thirteen years ago, Logan Randal was there for her when she desperately needed a friend. Now the wrongfully convicted lawman needs the widow's help. On the run from the law and guided only by Laney's unswerving faith in Logan's innocence, their mutual attraction begins to break down the barriers around Laney's heart. But the real culprit is much closer than they imagine...a cunning enemy determined to keep the past-and the truth-buried forever.

Hill Country Cattleman by Laurie Kingery

4 STARS
Simpson Creek, Texas—July 7, 1868 is the setting. Brides of Simpson creek book 6. This is the only of the series I have read and would love to go back and read them. I look forward to reading more from Laurie in the future.

Hill Country Cattleman is a cute old fashion western romance. It has a innocent Violet being escorted by her older brother to Texas where a different brother and his wife live.

Violet loves a older man Gerald the Earl of Lullington and was going to elope with him when her brother Edward, Viscount Greyshaw stopped her. Gerald was wanting to marry for her dowry. Violet does not believe her fiancé will forget her. She plans to use this time to write a western romance, till she is allowed to return back home to England.

When Edward and Violet finally get to Simpson Creek they found themselves stuck their and was not sure how to get them and all their trunks to the ranch. Violet sees a cowboy about to enter a store and asked him for help getting to the ranch.

Raleigh was going into a store to buy a new shirt than planned to get a bath and haircut when Violet stopped him. Raleigh had just gone on a trail ride and her brother was their too. He worked on the ranch next door to Nicholas's ranch. He would be glad to escort them and make arrangements so they can load all the luggage.

Edward and Violet went into the restaurant and was having a meal. The waitress Ella overheard them talking and thought she was a snob.
She was also jealous and over the next few days she tried to stir others to ignore Violet.

Raleigh was attracted to the beautiful Violet and he realized that one of his own two horses would be perfect for her to ride while she was visiting.

Violet thought Raleigh would make a good hero in her book and wanted to spend time asking him questions to help her. Violet told Raleigh that she was in love with a man back home in England.

Raleigh only owned two horses. He was forman but lived in the bunkhouse. He had just turned to God after he was saved with a miracle on the trail drive. He dreamed someday to have his own ranch.

Of course this is still wild country so you have a another rancher that wants to marry Violet one way or another. He wants her social connections and her money. Some drama, action, horse racing. It is a fun uplifting book.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it when I was through by Netgalley.
05/07/2013 PUB Harlequin Imprint Harlequin Love Inspired Historical 288 pages ISBN-10: 0373829655



Description below taken off of Netgalley.

A Match Made In Texas
To escape a scandal in England, Violet Brookfield is sent to her brother's ranch in Texas. Soon she discovers that the vibrant new world and rugged trail boss Raleigh Masterson are perfect material for the Western she's writing. And when her time is up, she'll return to the nobleman she left behind.

Violet is the most elegant female ever to set foot in Simpson Creek, and Raleigh is sure she'll never stay. He has no business falling for the beautiful aristocrat. But soon Violet makes a place for herself in the Hill Country-and in his heart. Now if only he can convince her that she belongs there forever....

The Wyoming Cowboy by Rebecca Winters

4 STARS

The Wyoming Cowboy was enchanting. The kids were so loveable. It was also a clean read.
Three soldiers who were in the Pulmonary Unit of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland got together and made a plan to help other families whose fathers never cane home.
They would start a dude ranch on Carson's ranch and invite one family at a time, pay all expenses and give the family good memories.

They felt a little guilty that they survived and can't serve out their time anymore.(The idea of them feeling guilty about not dying makes me feel so bad. They are heroes that are making a difference. Thank you whoever you are and wherever you serve!)

They decide to start small with one family at a time. Carson served in the same unit as Tracy Baretta husband. Tracy and her six year old son Johnny are the first family to come.
Carson met them at airport personally and gave Johnny a picture of his dad and unit for Johnny to have. Johnny had become quiet and sad after his dad died. Carson then took him to buy hat and cowboy boots like his.
Carson and his friends were not just inviting families but were trying to give them personal attention and good memories.

I really like the characters in this book. Johnny is so cute and got excited about the horses and other things he saw on the ranch. It was making a difference in his life.
Tracy was having a hard time being attracted to Carson and afraid when they left her son will be hurt again. Plus she was not looking for anyone after her husband died last year.

Carson and his two friends have bad cough that is improving since they got home but still had problems breathing. Could not be around smoke or fires without making it worse. Seeing how they still suffer made me realize that their are a lot of soldiers that have come home with this condition and others. I bet those living in my state during winter are suffering bad from the pollution and gunk.

I really want to come back and read the next two books in the series. At least I hope Carson's other partners will have a story too.

I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review by Netgalley.
Publisher: Harlequin American Romance (May 1, 2013) 224 pages
ASIN: B00B0A70Z2

Book Description below taken off of Amazon.com

Publication Date: May 1, 2013
A Cowboy Who Cares
Former marine Carson Lundgren's Wyoming ranch is a place where families of fallen war heroes can find joy and healing. The wounded vet is eager to give back, while rebuilding his own life. The last thing he expected is to fall for his first guest and her young son.

Widow Tracy Baretta and six-year-old Johnny have been struggling since losing their husband and father. When they meet Carson, his strength, patience and generosity-along with how great he looks on a horse-leads little Johnny to call him "king of the cowboys." They've fallen in love with the place...and maybe with the man himself.

But is Tracy just looking for a surrogate father? Or could this incredible cowboy really be the one who'll make her and her son believe in love again?

Heard it Through the Grapevine by Lizbeth Lipperman

5 STARS

Heard it Through the Grapevine (A Dead Sister Talking Mystery) is a cozy mystery. Their is some love scenes and sex talk with different characters in the story. One character is even a porn star.

I enjoyed reading Heard it Through the Grapevine. Elaina comes home for her sister's funeral. Never mind that they have a feud and have not spoken for years.
Lainey has not been home for years. She sees her other sisters and talks with them. Did not even tell her boss/boyfriend that she even had another sister named Tessa.

When Lainey sees her sister in the casket she screams because her sister is also standing by the casket. No one else can see or hear her. Her three other sisters thinks she broken down because she and her sister never made their fight over.

It takes a lot of talking with Tessa's ghost giving a lot of private information that the sisters kept secret from each other. Then started to believe Lainey was really seeing Tessa. Tessa asks them to solve her murder. She has no idea who would kill her.
She leaves most of belongings to her daughter and Lainey. Tessa owned a half of a winery.

Tessa slept with lots of guys. She had two ex-husbands. One little girl that lived with her father Colt the Sheriff of Vineyard, Texas.
Lainey had loved Colt since she was 15 years old and Tessa marrying him was what their feud about. Colt only thought of her as Tessa's little sister.

While Lainey and her sisters try and find out who had motives people keep ending up dead or threatened.
Colt keeps warning them off the investigation but Lainey does not listen to him. Lainey ends up staying on his ranch in the guest house after the hotel turns out dangerous.

They have to get around the knowledge that Tessa tells them about her last day and information they should not have.

Tessa is a wise cracking ghost and makes Lainey laugh at the wrong times. Their is a lot about Tessa's character that I don't like. But their are a lot of different characters who have reasons to kill her.
I would read another book from Lizbeth in the future. I can see some more books in Dead sister talking.
I was given this ebook and asked to give honest review of it when done by Netgalley.
05/08/2013 PUB Midnight Ink Books 336 pages ISBN-10: 0738736023

Description below taken off of Goodreads.

debut mystery chock-full of big Texas attitude

Savannah television personality Elaina Garcia has the opportunity of a lifetime as a news anchor in Florida, but her plans are disrupted when she learns about the death of her estranged sister, Tessa, who ran a Texas winery with her ex-husband.

Back in her hometown of Vineyard, Texas, Lainey comes face to face with her dead sister. The problem is that Tessa is not in the coffin. Dealing with the wisecracking ghost of her sibling, Lainey and her three surviving sisters set out to fulfill Tessa's wish from beyond the grave--to find out who killed her.

But hidden among the vines of the dead sister's multi-million dollar wine-making business lurks a killer who will stop at nothing to get what he wants

The Pieces of Summer (Discovery #4) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

5 STARS

Wow this ends with the best cliffhanger of all 4 parts of the series. Still keeps you wanting more.
If I was not so tired I would stay up to read part 5. Still love the story, the characters and I want to know how it all ends now. At least the way I am reading the books I don't have to wait a month to find out what happens next. I also don't have to worry about my faulty memories.

Still the story follows what happens to a couple Meredith and Luke who in part 1 were married only 14 months. Luke went out of town on a bus to visit his Uncle and learn his trade. The bus got in a accident and all abroad died.

Meredith has been going to childbirth classes with her sister Laurie and is preparing for the baby.
Laurie has been hiding a secret from everyone and secrets come out.
Jonah is coming to help her more and her mother-in-law warn him away. Jonah has trouble that keeps him away.
Eddie is awake and starting to heal but still can not remember his name or how he got hurt. His nurse wants to bring him into their grandparents to get back on his feet.

The story is one I don't want to put down. But it would be expensive to have to buy all six parts of the series. I am lucky that I have been given the ebooks and asked in return to give honest review of them by Netgalley.

I will definitely be reading more books by Wanda E. Brunstetter in the future.
Published May 1st 2013 by Barbour Books 128pages ISBN:1620291452

Description below taken off of Goodreads.

Book 4 of an exclusive 6-consecutive-month release Amish serial novel. In The Pieces of Summer, part four of New York Times Bestselling author, Wanda E. Brunsetter’s The Discovery--A Lancaster County Saga, it’s only been a few months since Meredith Stoltzfus lost her husband, Luke, and deep down, she feels uncomfortable when Jonah Miller comes by often, so willing to help her with things around the house. Meanwhile, as a young, nameless man heals and regains strength in his body, his mind grasps at every image that flits across his memory, desperately trying to recall his former life.

The Hope of Spring (Discovery #3) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

4 STARS

The Hope of Spring continues to keep your attention. This is the third part of six part story. It is a Amish story that follows Meredith and her Luke. It clean story. It still leaves you wanting more.

Eddie is still in a coma not responding to anything. His nurse really worries over him and prays for him. They don't have any idea who he is. They think he is homeless.

Meredith is back to her own home, but no one wants her to stay home by herself so her sister staying with her. When Laurie works a older widow comes to stay with her. Meredith almost lost her baby and has to take it easier.

Now I will read the next part of the story.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
Published April 1st 2013 by Barbour Books 128 pages ISBN: 1620291444

Description below taken off of Goodreads.

Book 3 of an exclusive 6-consecutive-month release Amish serial novel. In The Hope of Spring, part three of New York Times Bestselling author, Wanda E. Brunsetter’s The Discovery--A Lancaster County Saga, Meredith Stoltzfus is trying to piece her life back together, while in a hospital miles away, a young man is fighting for his life and remains in a coma. . . . Weeks away from the baby being born, Meredith has never been so scared. She aches for Luke and knows her baby will need his father. She’s nearly out of money; can she somehow manage to provide for herself and her baby—alone?