Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Top Ten Winter Book Covers


Here are my top ten winter book covers. Surprisingly this was really difficult. There aren't many books that have snowy winter covers that aren't Christmas books.

21539476

 Thin Ice (Men of Valor, #2)



 11283547

 29001827

 43838309 

 954711

 22504482

 18126904

 6668467 

 
13153963

Saturday, January 18, 2020

The Way of The Brave: Five Stars!



 46161122






About the Book
 
 Former pararescue jumper Orion Starr is haunted by the memory of a rescue gone wrong. He may be living alone in Alaska now, but the pain of his failure--and his injuries--has followed him there from Afghanistan. He has no desire to join Hamilton Jones's elite rescue team, but he also can't shirk his duty when the call comes in to rescue three lost climbers on Denali.

Former CIA profiler and psychiatrist Jenny Calhoun's yearly extreme challenge with her best friends is her only escape from the guilt that has sunk its claws into her. As a consultant during a top-secret mission to root out the Taliban, she green-lighted an operation that ended in ambush and lives lost. When her cathartic climb on Denali turns deadly, she'll be forced to trust her life and the lives of her friends to the most dangerous of heroes--the man she nearly killed.

Her skills and his experience are exactly what's needed to prevent another tragedy--but in order to truly set Orion free from his painful past, Jenny will have to reveal hers. They'll have to put their wounds behind them to survive, but at what cost?

Leap into action with this high-octane, breakneck new series from bestselling author Susan May Warren. (Goodreads)




My Thoughts

Wow what an adventure! I am so excited for this new series and this first book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved all of the characters and I am eager to read the next story. This book is non-stop action from the battle field to the mountainside of Denali. I don’t know anything about climbing and I am amazed that people attempt to climb these mountains! I was able to visit Denali a few years ago, from a distance of course, and I didn’t realize climbing to the top was a possibility. I loved the suspense of everyone trying to survive and how detailed Susan is with her writing the experience. Orion I think might end up being my favorite male character I have read in a long time. The romance and secondary story lines were well written. This book also makes me have even more appreciation for our military and those that defend our country. The mental and emotional toll that it takes on these people is something often ignored or glossed over. This story was a good reminder for me to be so thankful for these individuals.
 
I highly recommend this book! It will keep you up late and holding your breath for what will happen next.  
 
Five stars! 

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Collateral Damage Review


 46125030


 About the Book

Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.

Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can't take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he's not sure he can handle sharing his deepest fears with such a beautiful woman.

When it becomes clear that Brooke was the real target of the attack--and that her secrets go even deeper than his own--Asher vows to protect her no matter what.

Bestselling author Lynette Eason is back with a new series that spans the globe and will have your heart working overtime. (Goodreads)



My Thoughts

This book started out with a bang and kept me up late flipping the pages to find out what happened next. I really liked this book and I am excited about the next one! Typically military type books aren't my go to but every once in a while an author pulls me into this setting. I loved the characters, they were well written and I hope we get to read more of them. I like how the book kept you guessing without being over the top and unrealistic. I appreciated how PTSD is explained a bit and even the little things that are brought up that I wouldn't have thought to be a trigger. This is labeled as romantic suspense and while there is a tad of romance it doesn't take over the story. There are too many other things going on for much romance to happen-which I appreciate. This is such a great story and if you enjoy suspense I recommended it!


Five Stars.

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."














Monday, January 13, 2020

Do You Like To Travel?

 
One of the many things I have been thinking about is where in the world to travel this year. We both really enjoy it and we save up each year so that we can take a trip.  Some years it depends on life circumstances of course but this year I think we will try to do a longer trip and then visit some areas near us throughout the year.
I have put together a list of places within reasonable driving distance that we might try to see in 2020. I also love recommendations of fun places to go so add your input! 

·         Royal Gorge in Colorado-I would like to ride the train!

·         Chile & Frijoles Festival Pueblo, Colorado-I have always wanted to go and I think it might work out this year.
·         Georgetown, Colorado– This is such a cute little town bursting with fun shops, food, and history. The drive over Guanella Pass is also well worth the journey.
·         Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park in Kansas-This is a new state park and while you might think Kansas isn’t exciting, think again! There are some treasures hidden in the prairie.
·         Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark in Kansas-I bet you have seen pictures from here but didn’t realize it was located in Kansas.
·         Pioneer Village in Minden, Nebraska-This place covers 20 acres! That is a lot of history and artifacts. We love history and have always wanted to visit but have yet to make it there. This could be the year.
·         Leadville, Colorado-The Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad train ride! We have been meaning to go here for a couple of years but it has yet to happen. I have family who has been on the train and they really enjoyed it. 
·         La Veta Pass area in Colorado-This I am sure won’t happen this year but GUYS this area is so unexpectedly pretty, especially in autumn. There was a fire that took out a lot of the forest but we visited after and it is still a beautiful area. Also, the northern New Mexico/southern Colorado border has some beautiful mountain areas that are well worth checking out.
 ·         The North Pole near Cascade, Colorado-I love this place so much. My husband thinks I am crazy but if you are in the area this is a fun place to spend a day. I personally don’t think you need to have kids to visit but I am sure if you do they will love it!

Some of things aren't going to happen for us this year but I thought I would share places that have been on my mind.

Are you going anywhere this year? Are you doing a “staycation”?
 

Sunday, January 12, 2020

An Uncommon Woman Review


 46125021


About the Book

Unflinching and plainspoken, Tessa Swan is not your typical 18th-century woman. Born and bred on the western Virginia frontier along with her five brothers, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Quiet and courageous, Clay Tygart is not your typical 18th-century man. Raised by Lenape Indians, he returns a hero from the French and Indian War to the fort that bears his name, bringing with him Tessa's long-lost friend, Keturah, a redeemed Indian captive like himself.

Determined to avoid any romantic entanglements as fort commander, Clay remains aloof whenever he encounters the lovely Tessa. But when she is taken captive by the tribe Clay left, his hand--and heart--are forced, leading to one very private and one very public reckoning.

Intense, evocative, and laced with intricate historical details that bring the past to life, An Uncommon Woman will transport you to the picturesque and dangerous western Virginia mountains of 1770. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

I get plain giddy when I have a new Laura Frantz book in my hands. Her books are some of my all time favorites and I know whatever she writes will be amazing. This story I enjoyed, though I had to mull it over for a few days before writing my review. While this story seemed to move a bit slower, I enjoyed the characters and setting immensely. I loved Clay's character and I wish we could have gotten more of a back story because a book just about his past would be great. The history starts on page one and that is why I love Laura's books so much. She makes history come alive and takes you on an adventure that keeps you turning the pages. 
I highly recommend anything she has written!

Five Stars. 

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."











Thursday, January 9, 2020

December Memories and Hope For The New Year





I have about a half hour drive home from work each day. During this time my mind seems to be in overdrive and I do a lot of thinking. I realized yesterday how fast the last few months seem to have gone. December was a full month but it was a good one. We had work Christmas parties and family celebrations. We enjoyed our Christmas lights and wish we would have gone out and explored more of the decorated houses in the area. Work was very busy for both of us and to be honest the stress of it might have taken a smidge of the joy out of our holiday season. We loved giving gifts and we received some special ones as well. Every year I feel like I need to make a list of things I want to remember to do the following year. This year I didn’t do all the things I had planned. It was still an enjoyable and peaceful time. 




I ended the decade with a list of goals and excitement for a fresh start. The new year is always something I get excited about and with it being a new decade makes it all the better. I love lists and goals. I highly recommend making a reading goal of some kind! While I don’t typically think too much of what life will be like in the next ten years, I like to reflect on the past a little. I like to see how we have grown and changed as individuals. I also enjoy looking back and seeing how God has worked in our lives in the good and bad times. When you consider the moments that could have only been a God thing it makes you remember WHO is really in control. Did we ever think we would be where we are in life today? Absolutely not! But here we are and who knows what God has planned next.
So here is hoping that your new year is full of big and little adventures and memories in abundance.