Monday, January 11, 2021
Susan's Review of - - As if You Were Mine by Cindy Kirk (Seriously Sweet St Louis #2)
He'll do whatever necessary to keep her safe...
Christian music star Sara Michaels has a stalker. And a secret. When her management team hires Crow Tucci to be her bodyguard, Sara knows the bad guy isn’t the only one who has to watch out. Rugged brutes aren’t usually the type of men she goes for, but Crow hits all her buttons. He’s tall, dark and utterly delectable.
He carries with him an air of danger, as disturbing as it is exciting. He’s with her 24/7, following her everywhere—including to church, a place he never thought he’d go again. As the two fight their growing feelings for each other, the stalker closes in.
Crow has vowed to do whatever necessary to keep her safe, but he doesn’t know her secret. Without that information, neither of them may be safe.
Crow Tucci was not the bodyguard Christian singer Sara Michaels envisioned. His long hair, snake tattoo, t-shirt and jeans screamed biker, not bodyguard. Cindy Kirk’s compelling characters, their chemistry and the sense of intrigue drew me into this fast paced, edgy novel.
Salvadore “Crow” Tucci is on a 6 month leave from the St. Louis police department. He needs time to recharge, connect with his family and take a break from his undercover persona. He’s been hired to protect Sara because she’s received threatening notes and to uncover the sender’s identity.
Sara Michaels is not the squeaky clean Christian singer that she appears to be. She was placed in foster care as a teenager, joined the church choir and is now a promising Christian performer. Sara is a strong character. Her determination for a better life plays an important part of the storyline. I liked that Sara made mistakes and misjudged Crow. It made her relatable. Sara saw Crow for who he was on the outside—the biker boy look and attitude—but as she got to know him she realized that she made a mistake.
Forgiveness, trust and secrets are woven into the storyline in As if You were Mine. Crow locates Sara’s mother, Ilene. The conversation between Crow and Ilene was emotional, heartbreaking and honest. Crow understands why Sara was placed in foster care and most importantly, the role Gary Burke played in that decision. Crow realizes two things after this conversation- Ilene’s guilt and grief concerning her daughter and that Sara is hiding something—something big.
As If You Were Mine has all the feels—captivating characters, sweet romance and an edgy storyline filled with intrigue! Am looking forward to Surrender You Heart, the next book in the series.
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Boone by Emily March-The McBrides of Texas 3
With his smooth talk, rugged good looks, and deep pockets, native Texan Boone McBride appears to be a man who has it all. Few people know about the heartbreak behind his decision to leave home, family, and career for the isolation of a small town in the Colorado Rockies. Luckily, time and life in Eternity Springs has worked its healing magic upon his wounded soul, so when he meets obviously troubled Hannah Dupree, Boone sees a chance to pay his good fortune forward. The last thing he anticipates is tumbling into love.
Tragedy has taken everything Hannah loves, and her will to keep going is failing. So when Boone strides into her life determined to save her, it’s easier to go along with him than to resist. Soon she is drawn into the fabric of life in Eternity Springs, and as her spirit begins to heal, her strength returns, and she’s able to go toe-to-toe with this hardheaded, big-hearted Texan. But just when love blooms and happiness is within their grasp, shadows from the past threaten. Hannah and Boone must stand strong and united in order to defeat old ghosts—if they are to create a brand-new life together
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Emily March’s Boone is a powerful story which will tug at your heartstrings. Boone is a novel of second chances, forgiveness, romance and most of all hope.
Boone McBride is a larger- than- life character; think sweet -talking, charming southern lawyer. He’s got a huge heart and he will drop everything to help someone. Boone adores his family, values his friends and desperately wants earn his Angel’s Rest pendant. Celeste Blessing awards the pendant to those in the Eternity Springs community who have “accepted loves healing grace.”
I adored that Boone felt he was ready to be someone’s light and recognized that Hannah Dupree needed him. He saw grief and despair in her eyes and identified with her sense of loss. The author crafts a wonderful story for this couple—it’s deeply emotional and heartbreaking at times—the messages of light and hope are woven throughout the storyline. Hannah’s journey towards healing unfolds with each chapter as she and Boone build on their friendship. Hannah doesn’t always know what to make of Boone’s ideas and plans. Boone’s bigger than life personality translates into a lot of unexpected situations which add lots of fun and humor to the storyline.
Emily March is best known for creating memorable characters and rich dialogue. Loved the honest, emotional; and loving conversations between the couple. Enjoyed the scenes when sweet talking Boone convinced Hannah to go fishing, attend his cousins wedding and to stay at his guesthouse---he really was taking the “be the light” to heart. Loved that the author used colors to illustrate Hannah’s journey from loss to love. There’s lots of old fashioned romance in Boone as well. Loved Boone’s Operation Light Saber campaign to win Hannah’s heart. I enjoyed Boone’s resolve to fight for his soul mate and loved the heart to heart talks with his cousins Jackson and Tucker.
I highly recommend this well-paced and engaging novel!
Emily March scored a hat trick with Boone—it’s a poignant, emotional and oh so romantic story—just perfect for this couple!
Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Amazon Book purchased
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
A Baxter Family Christmas by Karen Kingsbury - Audio Version
A Baxter Family Christmas
by Karen Kingsbury
Audio Version
★★★★★I happened across this audio book while scrolling
through my library selections. Such a pretty cover.
And I love family stories. So it was an easy choice.
I had seen the authors name before, but I had
never read anything from Karen Kingsbury.
A Baxter Family Christmas. Turns out it is part of a
long running series. I will be looking for the earlier
stories! This one is the last in the Baxter Family series.
The Baxters are a large family. A family like most,
making mistakes and learning hard lessons.
They are supportive of each other. While this
Christmas season is an especially hard one, they come
around and make peace for everyone.
It is a lovely story. Full of love and forgiveness.
The narration is calm and well done. Befitting the
characters and situations.
I hope you and your family are enjoying the holiday
season. And that you are having time to read
or listen to plenty of stories.
Review by Lisa Hutson








