The Heart Of The Mountains by Pepper Basham

 

"But prayin' is where we admit we ain't lords of our own lives, nor of any lives, to be true. And, as I study on it, God uses prayin' to change my heart into what He's wantin' it to be in sun or rain, 'cause I'm trustin' in His love and His plan." ~Mama McAdams

Pepper Basham returns us to the Blue Ridge mountains and the families we met in Laural's Dream. In The Heart Of The Mountains. I really enjoyed visiting with the McAdams family. Pepper has a way of bringing her characters to life, giving them challenges and joys that keep one reading well past their bedtime. I think Jeb and Cora are two of my favorite mountain characters followed closely by Jeb's mama Caroline McAdams.  So brew up a pitcher of sun tea and a stack of molasses cookies to enjoy while reading The Heart Of The Mountains.

I was given a copy of The Heart Of The Mountains by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Can their hearts overcome the darkness of the mountains?
 
To escape a forced marriage, Cora Taylor travels from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of her brother, who is working as a teacher in a mission school. She hopes to find a place where her nursing skills and independent ideas will be accepted and appreciated, but nothing prepares her for the wild mixture of isolation, community, brokenness, and hope within these mountains…or in the person of Jeb McAdams.
 
Returning from the devastation of World War 1 emotionally damaged, Jeb McAdams struggles against the rampant mountain alcoholism to soothe his nightmares. It’s easy to hide within the mountains, or it was, before Cora Taylor arrived. Now, she seems to show up at every turn, bringing her modern ideas, curiosity, and beautiful eyes with her.
 
Bound by their shared war history, the pair develop an unlikely friendship, which unexpectedly hints to something more. But when Cora’s desire to help the women of the mountains crosses an unspoken line, will Jeb be able to protect this feisty flatlander from the wrath of the mountain men or will he end up losing much more than his heart? 

About the author:

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with a southern Appalachian flair. Her books have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inpsys, and the ACFW Carol Awards, with The Thorn Healer, selected as a 2018 finalist in the RT awards. Both her contemporary and historical romance novels consistently receive high ratings from Romantic Times, with Just the Way You Are as a Top Pick. Most recently she’s introduced readers to Bath, UK through her novellas, Second Impressions and Jane by the Book, and taken readers into the exciting world of WW2 espionage in her novella, Façade. The second novel in The Pleasant Gap series, When You Look at Me, arrives in October and her contribution to Barbour’s wonderful My Heart Belongs series hits the shelves in January 2019 with My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge. Her books are seasoned with her Appalachian heritage and love for family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.

You can get to know Pepper on her website, www.pepperdbasham.com, on Facebook, Instagram, or over at her group blog, The Writer's Alley

Enriched (Knights Of The Brethren book 4) by Jody Hedlund

 

Enriched by Jody Hedlund is one of those books that I sat down with and read straight through. I love all things medieval then ad in the search for the Holy Grail,  that makes for a fabulous afternoon read.

Sir Torvald and Lady Karina are an unlikely pair marrying for convenience with no hope of love. So when Torvald is tasked by the King to find the Holy Grail he willingly parts from his bride. I loved the characters and the setting. This is book 4 of 6 and so far each story is better than the last. 

I would suggest you block off an afternoon and grab some treats to enjoy while you read this book.

I was given a copy of Enriched by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

During a time when legends were born . . .

ENRICHED

A wealthy noblewoman with a heart of gold, a wounded knight closed off to love, and the sacrifices for a chalice that can bring healing.

Lady Karina lives in a convent and expects to become a nun someday. When her wealthy father asks her to help his textile business become more successful by marrying one of the popular Knights of Brethren, Karina complies, ever the dutiful daughter.

During a royal quest to find the sacred chalice, Torvald is called home to save his family’s estate through an arranged marriage to a wealthy maiden. Although willing to do his duty, he’s vowed never to give his heart to anyone after watching his father suffer heartbreak over a woman.

As Torvald weds the kind and lovely Karina, he resists the pull of attraction to his bride. Even though Karina feels the sting of Torvald’s rejection, she chooses to love him unconditionally. As he resumes his search for the chalice and puts his life in jeopardy, Karina makes the ultimate sacrifice for him. Will he have the chance to love her in return before it’s too late?

The real story of the Holy Grail continues . . .

Knights of Brethren
Book 1: Enamored
Book 2: Entwined
Book 3: Ensnared
Book 4: Enriched
Book 5: Enflamed (coming soon)
Book 6: Entrusted (coming soon)

Other YA books by Jody Hedlund:

The Fairest Maidens
Book 1: Beholden
Book 2: Beguiled
Book 3: Besotted

The Lost Princesses
Prequel Novella: Always
Book 1: Evermore
Book 2: Foremost
Book 3: Hereafter

The Noble Knights
Prequel Novella: The Vow
Book 1: An Uncertain Choice
Book 2: A Daring Sacrifice
Book 3: For Love and Honor
Book 4: A Loyal Heart
Book 5: A Worthy Rebel

For a complete list of Jody's novels, visit her Amazon page or website - jodyhedlund.com

About the author:

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over forty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes clean, sweet romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com.

KNIGHTS OF BRETHREN SERIES:

Enamored

Entwined

Ensnared

Enriched (Coming July, 2022)

Enflamed (Coming August, 2022)

Entrusted (Coming September, 2022)

To Tame A Cowboy (Colorado Cowboys book #3) by Jody Hedlund

 

Jody Hedlund is one of the most prolific and diverse authors of Christian fiction. I love all of her books from historical fiction to the old west to medieval tales. To tame a Cowboy is her latest book in the Colorado Cowboy series which is projected to have five books total. I loved Savannah for her loving heart and also for her spunk in becoming a veterinarian in a man's world. Brody is a wonderful cowboy with a heart as big as the west. I loved how he overcomes his brokenness. I think this is my favorite cowboy book so far. I am definitely looking forward to Falling For The Cowgirl releasing on October 11th.

So grab a cup of joe and prepare for a great tale from the old west.

I was given a copy of To Tame A Cowboy by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

They share a passion to heal what is broken, but it's their own hearts that need to be made whole. 

Brody McQuaid is a broken man, and he knows it. While his body survived the war, his soul did not. Besides loving his little niece, his only sense of purpose comes from saving the wild horses that roam South Park. Ranchers in the area have taken to killing the horses, which are competing with their cattle to feed on the open grass.

Savannah Marshall is a veterinarian on her family's Colorado ranch. She longs to keep her father happy following the tragic death of her older brother, including marrying a man of his choosing. But days before her wedding, she gets cold feet and disappears to South Park. As she learns more about the destruction of the horses, she joins Brody in an attempt to save the wild creatures. But when Savannah's family and the resentments of the area cattlemen catch up with them both, Brody and Savannah will have to tame their fears if they've any hope to let love run free.

About the author:

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over forty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes clean, sweet romances with plenty of sizzle. Find out more at jodyhedlund.com.

KNIGHTS OF BRETHREN SERIES:

Enamored

Entwined

Ensnared

Enriched (Coming July, 2022)

Enflamed (Coming August, 2022)

Entrusted (Coming September, 2022)

FAIREST MAIDENS SERIES:

Beholden

Beguiled

Besotted

LOST PRINCESSES SERIES:

Always: Prequel Novella

Evermore

Foremost

Hereafter

NOBLE KNIGHTS SERIES:

The Vow: Prequel Novella

An Uncertain Choice

A Daring Sacrifice

For Love & Honor

A Loyal Heart

A Worthy Rebel

WATERS OF TIME SERIES:

Come Back to Me

Never Leave Me

Stay With Me (December, 2022)

COLORADO COWBOYS SERIES:

A Cowboy for Keeps

The Heart of a Cowboy

To Tame a Cowboy

Falling for the Cowgirl (Coming October, 2022)

The Last Chance Cowboy (Coming February, 2023)

BRIDE SHIP SERIES:

A Reluctant Bride

The Runaway Bride

A Bride of Convenience

Almost a Bride

ORPHAN TRAIN SERIES:

An Awakened Heart: A Novella

With You Always

Together Forever

Searching for You

BEACONS OF HOPE SERIES:

Out of the Storm: A Novella

Love Unexpected

Hearts Made Whole

Undaunted Hope

Forever Safe

Never Forget

HEARTS OF FAITH COLLECTION:

The Preacher’s Bride

The Doctor’s Lady

Rebellious Heart

MICHIGAN BRIDES COLLECTION:

Unending Devotion

A Noble Groom

Captured by Love

BIO FICTION:

Luther and Katharina

Newton & Polly

Sunburst (Sky King Ranch book #2) by Susan May Warren

 

Isn't this a gorgeous cover? 

Susan May Warren is well known for her family sagas. Sunburst continues her tradition of creating fabulous stories following the lives of family members. Each book usually focuses on one member of the family's story. Sunburst was a fantastic read covering Ranger Kingston's adventure as he rescues his brother, Colt. He finds more than expected in Nigeria. I loved the humor that comes out even in the most challenging situations. Noemi is a delightful surprise. I have fallen in love with the Kingston family and am anxiously awaiting book 3, Sundown which releases a lifetime from now...November 1, 2022.

So grab some ice tea and curl up in your favorite reading place for a fabulous adventure from Nigeria to Alaska!

I was given a copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

When former Navy SEAL and lifelong bachelor Ranger Kingston is called upon to take part in a rescue mission to save his brother Colt, who has been kidnapped by terrorists in Nigeria, he is shocked to find among the hostages a woman he knows and could never forget.

Noemi Sutton was attempting to return a young girl to her family in Boko Haram territory when she and the girl found themselves taken hostage, along with several others.

And while Ranger Kingston may be able to get the hostages away from their captors, he'll need Noemi's help if he ever hopes to get out of Nigeria alive.

Her solution? Pose as husband and wife. But when her uncle discovers the union, he insists on a traditional Nigerian wedding--binding Noemi to a man destined to break her heart. Worse, she's discovered the real reason she was kidnapped, and anyone around her is bound to be caught in the cross fire. Including her so-called new husband.

She'll need to figure out a way to leave the man she loves if she wants to save his life.

USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren throws you into the thick of the action in this high-stakes, globe-trotting romance.

About the author:

Growing up in Minneapolis and attending the U of MN, I learned to love city life, although I'm a woodsy girl at heart. Or maybe I'm an adventurer -- having lived and traveled all over the world, including Siberia Russia as a missionary for eight years. Probably that's why my characters can't sit still, and seem to get into one scrape after another -- they're too much like me! I love God, my family, my country, my church, and feel privileged every day to be able to write stories.

Here's my "Official" Bio.

With over 1 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA, and Carol award-winning author of over seventy-five novels with Revell, Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill, and Summerside Press. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, rom-com, and Christmas novellas.

With books translated into eight languages, many of her novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award.

Of her books, Publisher’s Weekly has written, “Warren lays bare her characters’ human frailties, including fear, grief, and resentment, as openly as she details their virtues of love, devotion, and resiliency. She has crafted an engaging tale of romance, rivalry, and the power of forgiveness.”

And Library Journal adds, “Warren's characters are well-developed and she knows how to create a first-rate contemporary romance…”

Susan is also a nationally acclaimed writing coach, teaching at conferences around the nation, and winner of the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year award. She loves to help people launch their writing careers and is the founder of Novel. Academy and www.LearnHowtoWriteaNovel.com, a writing website that helps authors get published and stay published. She’s also the author of the popular writing method, The Story Equation.