Title: In Good Company
Author: Jen Turano
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 347
ISBN: 978-0-7642-1276-5
Publication Date: July 7th, 2015

Synopsis:

After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well-received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.

Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he's desperate for competent childcare.

At wit's end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance--with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children's parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?

Review:
Jen Turano has the best ability to weave humor into her stories. And I have to say, In Good Company is her best book yet! She is able to bring in to her story adventure, humor, mystery, and some of the best characters that you can relate to and want to hang out with.

Millie was just phenomenal. She has to work to support herself and she tries her hardest at her jobs, it's just they don't always work out. She also strives to learn. I loved that about her. She is constantly reading! She may not know how to properly say the word, from only reading it, but she yearns to learn and know. I loved that! People like her are the best in my opinion. Millie was a fantastic character to follow and when she was with Everett it made it all the more fun!

It was a delight to dive back into this world with these characters. After A Fashion got the ball rolling and I can't wait to see what happens in Playing the Part, book 3 of the Class of Their Own series.

Too Read!
5 out of 5

About the Author:
Jen Turano, author of seven books, is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in clothing and textiles. She is a member of ACFW and lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.

Thank you to the author, I received a copy of this book for free as a gift. I was not required to write a review.

Waiting On:
Title: Cold Shot
Author: Dani Pettrey
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication Date: February 2nd, 2016

Synopsis:
From GoodReads

In college, Griffin McCray and his four best friends had their lives planned out. Griffin and Luke Gallagher would join the Baltimore PD. Declan Gray would head to the FBI and Parker Mitchell would go on to graduate school as a crime scene analyst. But then Luke vanished before graduation and their world--and friendships--crumbled.

Now Griffin is a park ranger at Gettysburg, having left life as a SWAT-team sniper when a case went bad. The job is mostly quiet--until the day he captures two relic hunters uncovering skeletal remains near Little Round Top. Griffin just wants the case to go away, but charming forensic anthropologist Finley Scott determines that the body is modern--a young social justice lawyer missing since spring--and all evidence points to the work of an expert sniper. When FBI agent Declan Gray takes over the case, past and present collide. Griffin soon realizes he'll need to confront some of the darkest days of his life if he--and those he cares about--are going to escape a downward spiral of murder that crosses continents.

Why I'm Waiting:
Dani Pettrey has become one of my favorite authors. She is able to mix in suspense, comedy, romance, and adventure effortlessly. I can't wait to see what new adventures she has planned with this book!

What are you waiting on this week?

Title: Luther and Katharina
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publisher: Water Brooke Press
Pages: 400
ISBN: 978-1-60142-762-5
Publication Date: October 6th, 2015

Synopsis:

She was a nun of noble birth. He, a heretic, a reformer…an outlaw of the Holy Roman Empire.

In the 16th century, nun Katharina von Bora’s fate fell no further than the Abbey. Until she read the writings of Martin Luther.

His sweeping Catholic church reformation—condemning a cloistered life and promoting the goodness of marriage—awakened her desire for everything she’d been forbidden. Including Martin Luther himself.

Despite the fact that the attraction and tension between them is undeniable, Luther holds fast to his convictions and remains isolated, refusing to risk anyone’s life but his own. And Katharina longs for love, but is strong-willed. She clings proudly to her class distinction, pining for nobility over the heart of a reformer. They couldn’t be more different.

But as the world comes tumbling down around them, and with Luther’s threatened life a constant strain, these unlikely allies forge an unexpected bond of understanding, support and love.

Together, they will alter the religious landscape forever.

Review:
I have loved Jody Hedlund's novels since the first time I opened it up. She has the best ability at weaving a fantastic romance with historical fiction. She brings historical figures to life in a realistic way. She allows you to feel what they feel and draws you in. And before you know the story has ended.

I remember  reading and studying about Luther and Katharina back in high school and their story always intrigued me. When, I heard that Jody Hedlund was going to write a story on them, I was beyond thrilled. And safe to say, her story went well beyond my hopes!

The story focuses on Luther and Katharina. It starts when Katharina has plotted and is ready to escape the convent with several of the women. Luther is in the midst of his ministry and pushing for reformation. Their lives haven't intersected yet, but it is on a crash course for it.

Katharina is a fantastic character. With what all she did in real life, she had to have been a strong and determined woman. Jody Hedlund was able to capture that I believe and made her understandable with a great strength to her.

Luther did so much for the church. He had such a passion for the Lord and making sure that people had the opportunity to learn the truth. He was a very strong character and reading about what he was able to do, the personalities of him and Katharina paired up really were the perfect pair.

This was story that captured me up and I devoured it in a short time. I was sad to see it end. I can't wait see what is next up for Jody.

Too Read!
5 out of 5
About the Author:
Jody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling author of inspirational historical romances including books for adults and youth. She currently makes her home in central Michigan with her husband and their five busy children.

As a busy mama-writer, she has the wonderful privilege of teaching her crew of 5 children at home. In between grading math papers and giving spelling tests, she occasionally does a load of laundry and washes dishes. When she's not busy being a mama, you can find her in front of her laptop working on another of her page-turning stories.

She loves reading almost as much as she loves writing, especially when it also involves chocolate and coffee.


Thank you to Blogging for Books, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Valley of Decision
Author: Lynne Gentry
Publisher: Howard Books
Pages: 400
ISBN: 978-1-4767-4641-8
Publication Date: September 22nd, 2015

Synopsis:

Every choice has a consequence in the explosive conclusion to the Carthage Chronicles as Lisbeth returns to third-century Carthage for a thrilling final adventure.

Thirteen years ago, Lisbeth made an impossible decision—leave third-century Carthage and her husband Cyprian behind for good. She knew it was to protect her daughter Maggie, so Lisbeth gathered the strength to move on with her life.

All these years, Lisbeth has thrown herself into her work and raising her headstrong daughter, all to live up to the promise she made to Cyprian. But Maggie is sick of being protected. In an act of teenage rebellion Maggie decides to do what her mother can’t—secretly returning to the third century on a quest to bring her father back, leaving Lisbeth no choice but to follow.

With Maggie’s surprise arrival in Carthage, chaos ensues. She finds her grandmother on trial for murder and attempts to save her, but instead the diversion sparks a riot that nearly destroys the plagued city. Only one thing will appease the wrath of the new proconsul of Carthage: the death of the instigator.

Will Lisbeth arrive in time to save her daughter from the clutches of Rome? How can God possibly redeem such a slew of unwise decisions and deep regrets? Filled with heart-wrenching twists and riveting action, Valley of Decision brings the romantic adventure epic, The Carthage Chronicles, to an electrifying conclusion.

Review:
I've been with the Carthage Chronicles since it first came out. It has been one of the best series I have read so far. Book one started off with a bang and book two kept going with fantastic twists and turns. The story never stopped. I was anticipating book three like no tomorrow. The wait was worth it! Book three closed out the series beautifully.

Book three picked up the story where it left off. It kept you up to date and made sure you didn't miss anything. And there was so much action and suspense, it was a hard book to put down. And I loved the transitions of characters. Up until now, we've followed Lisabeth Hastings on her journey in time travel. Now, we get to follow her daughter, Maggie as she is the one to make the decision.

Maggie was an interesting character. The last we heard from her, she was a little girl, now is an adult and ready to travel and see the world, just not the way her mother envisioned it. And with that we are brought back Carthage. There is so much upheaval in the time. The story goes a mile a minute, but doesn't leave you behind.

Lynne Gentry did a wonderful job mixing the historical with the fiction. She could have taken the story anywhere, but I'm glad how she tied it all together and made it work. It is a story that made me hold my breath in anticipation.

Too Read!
5 out of 5

About the Author:
Lynne Gentry has written for numerous publications. She is a professional acting coach, theater director, and playwright. Lynne is an inspirational speaker and dramatic performer who loves spending time with her family and medical therapy dog








Thank you to Litfuse and Howard Books, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.