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We're pleased to welcome Renee Ryan, author of The Widows of Champagne , a story of "danger, secrets, and love" set against the backdrop of WWII. The Widows of Champagne For readers of Lilac Girls and The Lost Girls of Paris comes a captivating novel of resilience, as three generations of women battle to save their family’s vineyard during WWII. Champagne, 1939 Gabrielle Leblanc Dupree is taking her family’s future into her hands. While she should be preparing for a lavish party to celebrate two centuries of champagne making, she secretly hides Chateau Fouché-Leblanc’s most precious vintages behind a fake wall in the cellar in preparation for the looming war. But when she joins the resistance, the coveted champagne isn’t the most dangerous secret her cellar must conceal… A former Parisian socialite, Gabrielle’s mother, Hélène, lost her husband to another war. Now her home has been requisitioned by the Germans, who pillage vineyards to satisfy the Third Reich’s thirst for the finest champagne. There’s even more at stake than Hélène dares admit. She has kept her heritage a secret…and no one is safe in Nazi-occupied France. Josephine, the family matriarch, watches as her beloved vineyard faces its most difficult harvest yet. As her daughter-in-law and granddaughters contend with the enemies and unexpected allies in their midst, Josephine’s deep faith leads to her own path of resistance. Across years and continents, the Leblanc women will draw on their courage and wits, determined against all odds to preserve their lives, their freedom and their legacy… Available in paperback at Walmart, or online from your favorite audio or e-book retailer! AMAZON | LOVE INSPIRED Enjoy an excerpt from . . . The Widows of Champagne Beneath the creaking bones of the ancient château, clocks chimed from room to room, speaking to one another in a secret language all their own. Gabrielle LeBlanc-Dupree moved quickly through the darkened corridors, counting off each peal as she went. Twelve in total. Not enough time. It had to be enough. Evil lurked on the horizon, prowling like a hungry lion. Tonight, Gabrielle would prepare for the unthinkable. That she had to act alone only heightened her sense of urgency. And pushed her feet faster. Faster. Wrapped inside the thick folds of her cloak, she exited the house as soundless as a wraith. She’d taken this path hundreds of times, thousands, down the twenty-one stone steps, through the vineyard, past the champagne house, and into the miles of limestone caves cut beneath the chalky earth. The frigid wind blew over her face, carrying the scent of rain and decay, a stark reminder that the Lord had taken His hand off her family long ago. History haunted the LeBlanc vineyard like an uninvited ghost at a christening. We are people marked by war, her grandmother said. The soil is drenched in blood and death. More was coming. Gabrielle kept moving, never faltering, never stopping to wail against the unfairness of two enemies bearing down on her. The rain let loose, waging its relentless war on the vines her family had tended for two hundred years. The weather was proving a more immediate threat than the evil lurking on the other side of the Maginot Line. One bad harvest would not ruin them. The other enemy very well could. Hitler and his ravenous henchmen showed no mercy. They conquered. They invaded. And then, they looted. If France fell into Nazi hands, they would not get the best of the LeBlanc treasures. Not if Gabrielle succeeded tonight. All but running now, she unlocked the heavy door and plunged into the wine cellar cut into the stone beneath the vineyard. She hurried past the racks of upturned bottles maturing under the 24-volt lights. This young wine, not yet champagne, was her family’s legacy. Their future. The bottles at the back of the cellar represented their past. Gabrielle had personally selected the most valuable blends from the last two decades. She’d also chosen from the previous century. Most notably the single-vintage 1867, and the infamous 1811, rumored to be of remarkable quality because a comet had crossed over Champagne that year. Finally, and not without much internal debate, she’d added five hundred bottles of the celebrated 1928. When she’d first come up with her plan, she’d considered confiding in her grandmother and perhaps, in that moment, she would have, if the rain hadn’t started up again and pulled her attention to the vines. Now, she was glad for the interruption. What her grandmother didn’t know, she couldn’t worry over. Gabrielle alone would carry this secret, this burden. End of Excerpt Excerpt © Renee Ryan. Shared with permission. The Author Renee Ryan grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned how to surf and skateboard very poorly. As a teenager, she gave up on both pursuits and began entertaining herself during countless hours of “laying-out” by reading all the classics. After graduating college, with a degree in Economics and Religion, she explored various career opportunities at a Florida theme park and a modeling agency. She moved on to teach high school Economics, American Government and Latin while coaching award-winning cheerleading teams. For further information about Renee, check out www.ReneeRyan.com . Genre: Historical Fiction/WWII Type: Novel Publisher: Love Inspired Trade Publication Date: July 27, 2021 Content Rating: PG View our rating system Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

A Reader's Opinion Lovers of western romance will love Kat’s Law . If you're looking for a fast read and clean romance with an independent and very determined heroine, then Kat's Law will be perfect for you! It's a real page turner. This story is mainly about Dr. Kat Meriwether, a young doctor who goes back to her hometown in Idaho Territory, 1888. Her new life will be filled with danger, intrigue, and a dash of romance. Kat's Law story tells the journey of a strong-minded, smart, and very determined young woman. As a female doctor, she has to prove her new skills to the residents of Snowberry— especially to the men. But, with the help of her entourage, she will find respect and friendship. Kat is glad to be back with her father, Nathaniel, but is disappointed about the violence that is occurring in her town, and is quite determined to do something about it. Meanwhile, a newcomer, ex-Texas Ranger Jonathan Winthrop, enters her life. He would gladly help, but he is a broken man and still haunted by a nightmare, so he doesn't feel ready to help the residents. Since Kat and Jonathan are both out for justice, together they will embark on a mission to re-establish peace and harmony in Snowberry. Will he be able to protect Kat and Nathaniel when they are threatened by danger? Will their new friendship bloom and create a beautiful chemistry between the two that will unite them forever? I recommend Kat's Law , especially if you love western romance! A real page turner! I loved Kat for her independence and determination! Kat's Law The Sawtooth Range series, Book 1 Two Irresistible Callings and One Undeniable Destiny Kat’s never backed down from a fight, not from schoolyard bullies nor medical school classmates biased against her gender. So, when the local lawman fails to protect her hometown from escalating violence, she’ll need to take up her Browning rifle to meet the threat alone unless the ex-Texas ranger can shake off his haunted past and stand with her. DREAMS OF AN EDUCATED WOMAN Kat Meriwether left her hometown of Snowberry in Idaho Territory as a tomboy with a saucy reputation as a fighter of bullies, but she returns as an educated woman polished by four years in Boston. Throughout those years she's kept her mind focused on her studies, avoiding romantic entanglements that might hinder her from achieving her goals. NIGHTMARES OF AN EX-TEXAS RANGER Jonathan Winthrop is a haunted man, running from his personal demons. Idaho Territory offers him a chance to start over, but lawless men are transforming the once peaceful town, and innocents will die without a defender. Together, they will find not only their unmistakable callings, but an undeniable love. If you like western historical fiction led by strong women and the men attracted to them, then ride out with KAT’S LAW. BOOK INFO Genre: Historical Western Romance Release: June 21, 2016 Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher Reviewed by: Nicole Laverdure Content Rating: 1 Heart—Aww! This is a clean read appropriate for all audiences. May have sweet, clean kisses. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . This book was reviewed on the original Books & Benches site in 2016, and has been reposted on the new blog for indexing purposes, and to give new life to an older book. Star ratings are removed from reposted reviews.

A Reader's Opinion Another delightful book from Carla Kelly! I must say that after three books in a row, all I want to do is read more of this author's Regency Romances. The book is well-written, the characters are wonderful, the setting just right, and there's enough folly throughout to make the story seem real. Ellen has gumption. Certainly she's surrounded by inept family members, but she's not blind to their faults and somehow loves them anyway. She's also determined to fulfill her own dreams, even if it means going against the odds and bucking societal norms. Her time in the ladies "academy" is humorous at times, sweet at others. Her brother Gordon, oh what to say about him . . . you really must read it to understand that there are moments when Ellen should be applauded for her patience. Of course, she has her own motives—remember her dream? James Gatewood is an odd sort of fellow, but I couldn't help but adore him. Perhaps it was his matter-of-fact ways, or the slow understanding the reader gains about his love for Ellen. It's not a bolt of lightning (one of the things I enjoy about this author's Regencies), and we don't have any graphic scenes to help the reader along (trust me, you won't miss them). He's persistent, intelligent, kind, and incredibly generous. As in true romance fashion he is handsome, but in a careless and charming way. The last chapters of the book may seem odd to some readers, but considering the oddities of the characters, it shouldn't come as a surprise. Kelly stays true to her characters and I believe that's one of the things that makes her Regencies such great reads. Do you enjoy Shakespeare? They do! Carla Kelly did everything right in this book and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great read. Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career Beautiful and brilliant Miss Ellen Grimsley considers it a scandal that she—a female—cannot attend Oxford while her dunderhead brother can. That's why she dons his robes to do his work for him. But when a handsome lord learns Ellen's secret, he decides to teach her a lesson of his own. This delightful period romance will earn high marks from readers everywhere! BOOK INFO Genre: Historical Regency Romance Release: November 11, 2013 Publisher: Sweetwater Books (Cedar Fort) Format Read: Paperback Source: Reader's personal library Reviewed by: MK Content Rating: 1 Heart—Aww! This is a clean read appropriate for all audiences. May have sweet, clean kisses. Suitable for all audiences. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . This book was reviewed on the original Books & Benches site, and has been reposted on the new blog for indexing purposes, and to give new life to an older book. Star ratings are removed from reposted reviews.

A Reader's Opinion Cat lovers are sure to enjoy this suspenseful read! Ruth J. Hartman's second Kitty Beret Cafe novel, Felines and Fatalities , is suspenseful and fun from beginning to end. This book came along at a time when I wanted a light and entertaining read. The Kitty Beret Cafe series is a must if you want to relax, be kept in suspense, and laugh out loud. If you haven't read the first story, Hairballs and Homicide , then I suggest that you read it, too, but both books can be read as a standalone. You'll feel great after reading this delightful book. Ellie Warren, the owner of the Kitty Beret Café opened her business to rescue unwanted cats, which she likes to dress up and show to her customers in the hope they will be adopted. One morning, a strange woman with her cat, Dempsey, enters her shop to offer her a proposition that she won't be able to refuse. However, what started out as a fun adventure turns out to be an investigation when someone is murdered. With the help of her friend Simon Dare, a detective, Ellie and Simon embark on an adventure filled with funny situations and many twists and turns. Will she and Simon find out who is the murderer? Find out in Felines and Fatalities . Felines and Fatalities When Ellie Warren, owner of the Kitty Beret Café, gets a request to host a cat show, she’s reluctant. That is, until she discovers it’s for rescued cats only. What starts out as a fun adventure turns south when one of the judges is murdered. Can Ellie, with the help of Detective Dare, and her clever cat Templeton, run the show, crown a Best in Rescue Winner of the competition, while at the same time find the killer? BOOK INFO Genre: Cozy Mystery Release: March 18, 2021 Series: Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery, Book 2 Format Read: E-Book Source: Reader's personal library Reviewed by: Nicole Laverdure Content Rating: No Sex; No Violence; 1 Heart—Aww! We love those sweet, clean kisses. This is a clean read appropriate for all audiences. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

A Reader's Opinion Another great novel by Jo-Ann Carson! I love Jo-Ann Carson's heroine Maggy Malone, in the Vancouver Blues Suspense series! Her combination of smarts, feistiness, stubbornness, and courage make her a terrific character. Black Cat Blues sequel Ain't Misbehavin' is fantastic! Maggy, a blues singer at the Black Cat Blues Bar, witnesses the murder of a politician, which will take her on an emotional and suspenseful ride. We met the two men she loves dearly in the first story, Logan and Hunter, though she loves them for different reasons. Her relationship with Logan is complicated, while with Hunter it's a touch-and-go attachment. Even now, her heart is still torn between the two men, especially when one of them, with his virile chemistry, becomes a devil in disguise. Which one will she choose? A dilemma indeed! Maggy needs protection after tragedy strikes, but will her friends be able to protect her? Maggy is stubborn and will do what she wants. Will she realize she can't do it alone before it's too late? Meanwhile, a murderer is still on the prowl and looking for his next victim. Will he target Maggy? You won't be disappointed if you follow her wild adventures! Jo-Ann Carson has become my favorite writer of mystery-suspense novels. Her stories are thrilling, fast-paced, and romantic while also including humorous and sad moments. She nicely intertwined her main characters, Maggy, Logan, Hunter, into a tale of captivating suspense. Beware, you won't be able to put it down! Ain't Misbehavin' A naked alderman, a haunted trattoria and a love that can not be denied. When the manager of the Black Cat Blues Bar, singer Maggy Malone, witnesses a murder in her favorite trattoria, her life is upended. Known as the Naked Alderman, the victim is a controversial politician who wants Vancouver to be known as the greenest city in the world. He’s also the lover of Maggy’s best friend. Despite his noble ideals, his head ends up in the pasta. The last thing Maggy wants to do is chase another murderer. She’s worked hard to keep the Black Cat afloat and sort out her life, which is complicated by two, hot men, and acts of sabotage at her dock community on Granville Island. But when the body count rises, Maggy decides to catch the killer. BOOK INFO Genre: Romantic Suspense Release: April 18, 2016 Series: Vancouver Blues Series, Book 2 Format Read: E-Book Source: Reader's personal library Reviewed by: Nicole Laverdure Content Rating: 2 Hearts—Our hearts are aflutter. This author knows how to turn up the heat with some passionate kisses. Nothing graphic here! NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

A Reader's Opinion Book one of Diana Cosby's Forbidden series is wonderfully written and a must read. Sir Stephan MacQuistan is a knight of the secret Order Knights of the Templar, trusted by his master Jacques de Molay with the Templars fortune, he flees France and the greedy king for Scotland and the help of Robert the Bruce king of Scotland. Stephan is a man of great honour and courage, but is haunted from a nightmarish past. Lady Katherine Calbraaith, a young woman with a secret that if revealed will be her destruction. She's a young woman of great courage and strength. When the English take over Avalon Castle, Katherine is forced to watch while they murder her parents. With the threat of marriage to the vile English lord, Katherine escapes and seeks help from Robert the Bruce. Katherine and Stephan are thrown together in a marriage by the Bruce and each have their own reasons for accepting. The attraction to each other is strong but their marriage is consumed by secrets and deceit. Can they overcome the obstacles in the way and have a future at love and happiness? Follow Katherine and Stephane as they navigate through treachary, betrayal and deceit, and an uncertain future. Forbidden Legacy The Forbidden Series, Book 1 A betrothal neither wants . . . a passion neither can resist. When the English murder Lady Katherine Calbraith’s family, she refuses their demands to wed an English noble to retain her home. Avalon Castle is her birthright, one she’s determined to keep. After Katherine’s daring escape, she’s stunned when Scotland’s king agrees to allow her to return to Avalon, but under the protection of Sir Stephan MacQuistan . . . as the knight’s wife. To reclaim her heritage, Katherine agrees. She accepts her married fate, certain that regardless of the caliber of the man, Stephan may earn her trust, but he’ll never win her love. One of the Knights Templar, Stephan desires no bride, only vengeance for a family lost and a legacy stolen. A profound twist of fate tears apart the Brotherhood he loves, but offers him an opportunity to reclaim his legacy—Avalon Castle. Except to procure his childhood home along with a place to store Templar treasures, he must wed the unsuspecting daughter of the man who killed his family. To settle old scores, Stephan agrees, aware Katherine is merely a means to an end. The passion that arises between them is as dangerous as it is unexpected. When mortal enemies find themselves locked in love’s embrace, Stephan and Katherine must reconsider their mission and everything they once thought to be true . . . Book Info Genre: Historical Highland Romance Release: August 16, 2016 Publisher: Lyrical Press Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher Reviewed by: Maria Rose Dariotis Content Rating: 3 Hearts—Chemistry is a little sweet and little spicy. A touch of detail, but the stuff that makes us blush is behind closed doors. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . This book was reviewed on the original Books & Benches site in 2016, and has been reposted on the new blog for indexing purposes, and to give new life to an older book. Star ratings are removed from reposted reviews.

Mike Martin returns with Safe Harbour , the tenth installment in his Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set against the backdrop of Newfoundland. Time to unravel the mystery! Safe Harbour Welcome back to Sgt. Windflower Mysteries, where there’s always something good cooking and another seat at the table. Sgt. Windflower is on a special assignment in St. John’s and adjusting to life in the big city. He is navigating traffic, a difficult boss at work and what seems like an epidemic of missing girls. He becomes more interested when he discovers that one of the girls is from Grand Bank. Then a girl approaches his RCMP van one night and he is pulled into the underlife of the capital city. Safe Harbour is a twirling, swirling mystery in the foggy streets of one of the oldest cities in North America. There are outlaw biker gangs and overwhelmed local police officers, who need the sharp eye and keen mind of Sgt. Windflower to help them cut through the haze and find the answers to the riddle of the missing teenagers hiding in plain sight of the authorities. A story of a man and his family growing up together with plenty of good food, old and new friends. Share the joy and heartbreak of living so close to the Atlantic Ocean. AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | BOOKSHOP "This is one finely written mystery, complete with all the aspects of mature writing that allow the description to be ‘a cozy mystery’. It has it all. Highly Recommended." — Amazon review Q&A with Author Mike Martin Does writing energize or exhaust you? Writing energizes me. I love to write. I feel the most human, the most alive when I write. I believe that when we can express our creativity we are at our absolute best. Tell us about your newest release! Safe Harbour is the latest book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. It is a light mystery which means no gore or smut or bad language. It deals with hard subjects but with a lighter touch. And there’s food!! Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? I write the story as it comes to me. The only reader considerations are to make sure it is consistent with previous books and stays within the light mystery range. Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly? No. I think the writing would come across as superficial and maybe even unreal. Writing is a creative act and it comes from deep inside and is completely connected to our emotions and maybe even our spirituality. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? The big difference was that now I knew how long a book of my type should normally be. It’s not a hard and fast rule, but there are some limits when it comes to publishing. Otherwise I hope that my writing has remained true to my core beliefs. Without that I am nothing. "You’re invited right into the heart of the Sgt. Windflower, into his home and his family routines, getting a sense of what he really is. The mystery part is good and will keep you turning pages up until the end." — Amazon review Enjoy an Excerpt from Safe Harbour Windflower looked across the lake. Well, he would have if he could have seen anything through the thick blanket of fog that had been sitting on Quidi Vidi Lake for the past seven days. One whole week, he thought. Every day since they had arrived in the port city of St. John’s, it had been the same. Windflower knew the lake was out there because he remembered running around it as his daily exercise when he was temporarily stationed here a few years back. Sheila Hillier, his wife, knew the lake was out there as well. She’d spent a couple of months doing rehab at the nearby Miller Centre when she was recovering from a serious car accident. If there wasn’t any fog, she could look out her window in May and see the rowers getting their practice in as part of their training for the Royal St. John’s Regatta, an annual event that took place down there in August. But it was a long way from spring as Windflower gazed out his window at the typical scenery for a January morning. He was the first one up, except for Lady, his collie, and Molly, the cat who never seemed to sleep anyway. She would close her eyes sometimes, but Windflower had never come into a room with her in it when she wasn’t awake and watching him. Windflower liked this time of day when his two children got up. They were Amelia Louise, his soon-to-be two-year-old daughter, and his almost-daughter, Stella, who he and Sheila were fostering. He liked this house on Forest Road, too. It wasn’t similar to his and Sheila’s in Grand Bank on the southeast coast of Newfoundland, but for a rental it suited them perfectly. It had four bedrooms, two and a half baths and a large backyard for the kids to play in and, if the weather held, for Windflower to barbeque. But the likelihood of the weather staying just simply foggy and damp was not good. There was snow in the forecast and more snow coming after that. Windflower had been in snowstorms in St. John’s before. It was hard to miss one if you travelled here regularly in the fall, winter or spring. And they didn’t come with a few flakes or a few inches of accumulation. No, snowstorms here often meant feet of snow, sometimes in the double digits, and he had come out some mornings to look for his car, only to find it buried under a virtual mountain of snow. The worst storms came in double or even triple waves. That’s when a storm system would blow through and dump one load of snow and then drift out to the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately for the good people of St. John’s, it would blow back in and repeat the damage—sometimes more than once. Windflower grabbed his anorak and hat and took Lady out to the backyard. He also brought his smudging kit. Inside were small packets of his four sacred medicines: cedar, sage, sweetgrass and tobacco. There was also an abalone shell, a small box of wooden matches and an eagle feather fan that had been gifted to him by his grandfather many years ago. End of Excerpt Excerpt © Mike Martin. Shared with permission. The Author Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand. He is the author of the award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 10 books in this light mystery series with the publication of Safe Harbour . A Tangled Web was shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, and Darkest Before the Dawn won the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award. Mike has also published Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries, a Sgt. Windflower Book of Christmas past and present. Mike is Past Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers and a member of the Newfoundland Writing Guild and Ottawa Independent Writers. Website | Facebook | Twitter Genre: Cozy Mystery Release: June 1, 2021 Pages: 264pp Publisher: Ottawa Press and Publishing Type: Novel Content Rating: PG (from author: " My book is definitely on the sweet side. A light mystery with lots of family, fun, and food.") View our rating system Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

Congratulations to Kate Robbins, author of The Serpent , winner of the July 2021 Readers' Choice Cover Contest! Thank you to all those who voted and supported the wonderful authors and their books! Cover designed by Wicked Smart Designs . Want to keep helping authors? Share this post and their books with your friends! A little book love goes a long way. Vote in the new cover contest > BOOK INFO Title: The Serpent Author: Kate Robbins Series: Spirits of the Norse, Book 1 Genre: Viking / Scottish Historical Romance Release: September 15, 2021

Voting is open for the August 2021 book cover contest. View the finalists, support these terrific authors, and c ast your vote on the cover contest page.

A Reader's Opinion A witty and rousing western romance from a talented writer. When it comes to enjoying a story, I look primarily at the story itself and the characters. In the case of This Gun for Hire , both were a hit. I spent a couple of lazy weekend mornings in bed just to finish, and it was well worth my time. Goodman has a talent for perfectly balance romance with adventure, wit with seriousness, wickedness with tenderness, and independence with partnership, and she does so in a way that keeps the reader guessing and wanting more. I love Quill McKenna as the hero. He is just the right amount of tough and tender. Calico Nash makes for an interesting heroine, and her chemistry with Quill is spot on. I enjoyed the conversations with between the primary and secondary characters; plenty of humor and sarcasm. You do have to pay attention or you might miss who is saying what, but the witty dialogue is perfect. If you're in the mood for a rollicking good time, then pick up a Jo Goodman western romance novel. Be warned, the book is super steamy. This Gun for Hire McKenna Novels, Book 1 Jo Goodman, a premier writer of western romance and the author of In Want of a Wife , is back with a sensational new novel for fans of Linda Lael Miller and Joan Johnston. He’s got a job to do… Former army cavalryman Quill McKenna takes pride in protecting the most powerful man in Stonechurch, Colorado: Mr. Ramsey Stonechurch himself. But the mine owner has enemies, and after several threats on his life, mines, and family, Quill decides to hire someone to help guard the boss’s daughter. Only problem is the uncontrollable attraction he feels toward the fiery-haired woman who takes the job. …but she’s a piece of work. Calico Nash has more knowledge of scouting and shooting than cross-stitching, but she agrees to pose as Ann’s private tutor while protecting her. But between her growing attraction to Quill and the escalating threats against the Stonechurches, Calico will soon have a choice to make—hang on to her hard-won independence or put her faith in Quill to create the kind of happy ending she never imagined… Book Info Genre: Historical Western Romance Release: April 7, 2015 Publisher: Berkley Format Read: Paperback Source: Reader's personal library Reviewed by: MK Content Rating: 5 Hearts—Pull out your fans and grab a glass of ice-cold water because this book is steaming hot! One or more graphic sex scenes. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . This book was reviewed on the original Books & Benches site, and has been reposted on the new blog for indexing purposes, and to give new life to an older book. Star ratings are removed from reposted reviews.

A Reader's Opinion Delicious and delightful, A Reckless Match is a historical romance worthy of the name. Ruthless rivals indeed! The Davies and Montgomerys have existed side-by-side, feuding, pranking, and cavorting for far too long, but if Gryff and Madeline have anything to say about it, the feud is about to get more interesting. I found everything about this book delightful, as it took me back to many of my favorite classic historical romances. It normally takes me a bit of time to get through a digital book (paperback love here), but I could not stop swiping the pages. It’s a toss-up at times who I liked better, but Gryff ended up at the top because, darn it, he’s irresistibly charming (the shawl scene is most excellent). His banter with Madeline is so much fun because they each give as good as they get. Of course, we know they are going to have a happy ending, but the tension and chemistry leading up to that ending are perfectly paced. The author dangles just enough here and there to keep the reader wanting more. In terms of sexual content, the passion feels natural, rather than added by rote, which is refreshing. I appreciate the author’s balance between giving the reader enough to want to pull out the fans without overdoing it. There's plenty going on in the story to keep the reader engaged on every level. It has been too long since I’ve come across an author who delivers a classic-style romance like this (right up there with my favorite Malory novels by Johanna Lindsey), and I am thrilled to have this introduction to Bateman’s writing. I will be reading every book in this series because I absolutely must know what is going to happen with the Davies and Montgomerys next! A Reckless Match is a fun and scintillating ride that is sure to delight fans of historical romance. I dare you not to fall in love. A Reckless Match Ruthless Rivals, Book 1 Meet the Davies and Montgomery families - two households locked in an ancient feud, destined to be on opposing sides forever. Until now... CAN LIFELONG HATE Madeline Montgomery grew up despising––and secretly loving––the roguish Gryffud “Gryff” Davies. Their families have been bitter rivals for hundreds of years, but even if her feelings once crossed the line between love and hate, she’s certain Gryff never felt the same. Now, she’s too busy saving her family from ruin to think about Gryff and the other “devilish” Davies siblings. Since he’s off being scandalous in London, it’s not like she’ll ever see him again... TURN TO TRUE LOVE As the new Earl of Powys, Gryff Davies planned on spending his post-war life enjoying the pleasures of London. But when an illegal duel forces him to retreat to his family’s Welsh castle, he realizes the only exciting thing in the dull countryside will be seeing the fiery Maddie Montgomery. Thoughts of his nemesis sustained Gryff throughout the war; but the girl he loved to tease has grown into a gorgeous, headstrong woman – who loathes him just as much as she ever did. Will secret tunnels, dangerous smugglers, and meddling from their feuding families be enough to make Maddie and Gryff realize that their animosity is really attraction...and maybe even love? A Reckless Match is the first in a new regency romance series by Kate Bateman about two feuding families, and reunited childhood enemies whose hatred turns to love. BOOK INFO Genre: Historical Regency Romance Release: Sept 28, 2021 Pages: 336pp Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the publisher via NetGalley Reviewed by: MK Content Rating: 5 Hearts - Pull out your fans and grab a glass of ice-cold water because this book is steaming hot! One or more graphic sex scenes. (Reviewer's Note: There is only one graphic scene, but there is more than one passionate embrace. Falls somewhere between 4 and 5 Hearts). View rating system NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

A Reader's Opinion A stunning and compelling story of survival, devastation, love, and hope, Colors of Truth beautifully intertwines history with fiction in a book not to be missed. Civil War-era books are some of my favorite, and this beautiful and heartwarming story that is almost difficult to describe. There is a lot happening, and I liked the incorporation of Irish immigrants, their fates and hardships, and how they overcame the conflicts thrust at them. The storytelling is wonderful and there is a lot of interesting historical detail about the time period and events. Alexander does not shy away from truth, and shows us how important it is to remember history. She's truth to history and true to her convictions. The author makes you feel like you are there and going through everything with the characters. It shows how deplorable people can be, and how kind and generous others are. Colors of Truth is a well-written book that can't be summed up in a few sentences; there is a lot going on, and one cannot fully appreciate it until one immerses themselves into the author's words. The Carnton series is worth the read and highly recommended. Colors of Truth A Carnton Novel Twice delayed by Tamera's former publisher, and finally cancelled when Tamera refused to rewrite real history, Colors of Truth is a powerful novel you won't want to miss! In a town battered and bruised by war, one woman embarks upon an impossible search—and one man must face the past in the very place that almost destroyed him. Tennessee, 1866. According to the last letter Irish immigrant Catriona O'Toole received from her twin brother, Ryan, he was being dispatched to Franklin, Tennessee, where—as a conscripted Confederate soldier—he likely endured the bloody Battle of Franklin that claimed the lives of thousands. Catriona leaves behind the lush green of their Irish homeland in search of him, with nothing to her name except the sum of cash Ryan sent to their family. Now the sole provider for her seven-year-old spitfire sister, Nora, Catriona hopes to reunite the siblings—the only surviving members of their devastated family. Wade Cunningham is a former Federal soldier who now works for the newly formed United States Secret Service and is trying to uncover counterfeiting rings in the postwar South. In order to infiltrate their sophisticated enterprise, he must pose as a former Confederate in Franklin—a town where counterfeit greenbacks run rampant. When Wade meets Catriona, he is immediately intrigued by her and the little redheaded scamp in her care—but what he doesn't anticipate is that the cash in Catriona's possession is some of the most convincing counterfeit money he's ever seen. Soon the object of Wade's affection is also the suspect in a major crime—one he's expected to prosecute. With rich historical detail and multifaceted prose, USA TODAY bestselling author Tamera Alexander tells a riveting tale of truth, betrayal, and unlikely romance that unveils the many shades of God's perfect redemption. BOOK INFO Genre: Historical Christian Fiction Release: Sept 20, 2020 Pages: 522pp Publisher: Fountain Creek Press Format Read: Paperback Source: Reader's personal library Reviewed by: Kathy Content Rating:* N/A - No Sex; No Violence Reviewer's content note: This is a wholesome book in terms of romance. When you read a book filled with history, there are going to be events that make the heart pound, but there's nothing graphic. Some may consider events violent and others may not. Suitable for all adult readers. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .