Ice Falls: a romantic suspense in an Alaskan small town

Ice Falls is the first book in the Firelight Ridge series by Jennifer Bernard. Molly Evans credits her three best friends for their support as she grew from a misfit to a successful attorney. When one of them suddenly goes missing, Molly makes it her mission to find her friend, Lila. She tracks Lila to Firelight Ridge, a small town in Alaska, and she immediately stands out in a town who stays out of each other’s business. It doesn’t take long before she finds herself in the middle of a local mystery and a reclusive group and must deal with a surly but very attractive pilot. Sam Coburn is the ultimate lone wolf; keeping to himself. When Molly steps onto his plane, he is intrigued by the feisty and fierce woman. Little does he know that she will provide a way to access the wilderness family he had tried and failed. A whirlwind of events will change their lives forever. 

I have read Jennifer Bernard’s books before and loved them. When I found Ice Falls, I was looking forward to this romance suspense. I liked that Molly was willing to jump on a plane to find her friend. Even though Lila was always a bit flighty, Molly felt enough intuition to think something was off and find her and make sure she is okay. Her first interaction with Sam was funny with great banter. From there, the story seemed to be all over the place introducing Lila’s new life in town, the mysterious family who Sam is trying to get information about and the mystery that is supposed to tie it all together. The pace was slow and lost my attention. Overall, I was bored and really didn’t care for the characters or the mystery. I am not sure if I will continue this series; however, if if you enjoy romantic suspense, you may enjoy Ice Falls. 

Ice Falls is available in paperback and eBook

Metal Slinger: a romantasy with action, magic and adventure

Metal Slinger is the first book in the Fire and Metal series by Rachel Schneider. With no memory of her origins, Brynn grew up among the Alaha. Even though she’s not one of them, she has been training to be a guard. The chance to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta is one every young guard looks forward to; however, Brynn does not count on breaking a century long peace treaty. One encounter with an enemy soldier threatens everything including what Brynn believes about herself and the people she thought she knew. Her loyalty to the Alaha is tested when the enemy soldier reveals her true identity and his mission to return her to her true home. Now she is in a fight for her life as she learns a whole new world of magic and fate with questions of loyalty, love and betrayal. 

With the second book in this series releasing in June this year, I was given the chance to read Metal Slinger. I usually do not reach for a romantasy book; however, I do enjoy a good fantasy book and a good romance book, so I decided to give this romantasy book a chance. The beginning of this story was a bit slow as the author built the world around these characters. However, when Brynn leaves the Alaha people and enters a world she knows nothing about, the story picks up speed. As the story went along and I thought I knew where the story was going to go, the last quarter left my jaw on the floor. It does end with a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see how this story continues in book 2. If you enjoy romantasy books, I recommend Metal Slinger. 

Metal Slinger is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Wordsmith: can love be stronger than familial duty?

The Wordsmith is the seventh book in the Emerson Pass Historical series by Tess Thompson. Adelaide “Addie” Barnes didn’t want to fall in love with him. He was too old, too English and too much her sister’s best friend. At least that’s what she tells herself as James West arrives in Emerson Pass to spend the summer with the Barnes family. What was worse, James is set to marry another woman at the end of the summer. Addie had grown into a beautiful and ambitious young woman who dreamed of becoming a published author. James must marry the daughter of one of the richest men to save his family from ruin and his own career. Duty pulls him in one direction; but his heart started to pull him in another. He has fallen in love with Addie and yet he knew he could not have her. Would he be able to walk away from the only woman he loves? And would Addie let him? 

The Wordsmith picks up four years after the end of The Musician. Addie is now a young woman with a heart filled with unrequited love. James was hoping the summer with the Barnes family would be his last great time before he married. Of course, summer is a time of change, of hope and courage. Addie and James’ romance was sweet. I felt for Addie as she was willing and ready to let James walk away because she thought it was what he wanted. I enjoyed watching James come to the realization that he loves Addie and yet doesn’t feel worthy of her. There were twists and turns with a few tears and gasps and a happy resolution that brought a smile to my face. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and it breaks my heart a bit that there is only one book left. If you enjoy clean, sweet historical fiction, you will enjoy the Emerson Pass Historical series. I highly recommend The Wordsmith. 

The Wordsmith is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Color of Hope: the twists and turns of life and second chances for love and happiness

The Color of Hope is the third book in The Color of Heaven by Julianne Maclean. Diana Moore’s life has been near perfect. As the daughter of a wealthy senator, she lived a glamorous life as a lawyer with her handsome live-in boyfriend. But soon her life would be turned upside down as she learns that there is a woman working nearby who looked exactly like her. Compelled to find out who this woman was and how she could look like her. Nadia Carmichael’s life was not so charmed as she has had to struggle all her life. As Diana and Nadia merge their lives, their path would be marred with secrets and betrayals. When Diana meets Dr Jacob Peterson, a brilliant cardiac surgeon, who helps Diana see the resilience of the human spirit and a new sense of hope. Can there be a second chance for love and happiness? 

The Color of Heaven is a series of standalone stories each with life altering events and second chances. The Color of Hope is a fast paced, drama filled story of one woman who learns there is more to life and love than what she thought. Nadia knew only disappointment and pain. When the two meet, they couldn’t be more different than night and day. The drama ensued as their lives intertwined and hearts were broken. Drama that could be seen coming a mile anyway and yet, like life, red flags are ignored. However, I liked that Diana still had a heart for Nadia and would support her in her time of need. I particularly liked Jacob who was the strength and support that Diana was looking for and needed at the right time in her life. Overall, I enjoyed this story with its ups and downs. I recommend The Color of Heaven. 

The Color of Hope is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Sonora: the girl who dove with horses and her inspirational story

Sonora by Jenni L Walsh is based on the inspirational true story of Sonora Webster Carver, the girl who dove with horses which became the Disney’s film Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken (1991). It is 1923 and a want ad looking for a girl to dive with horses. Once 19 year old Sonora sees a girl dive with the horse, she is hooked. She wants to be that girl. With plenty of spirit and a bit of wanderlust, she trains with determination. Little does she know that the American carnival world is filled with danger, excitement and cutthroat competition. However, her natural talent and fierce dedication brings the crowds in droves as well as individuals who want nothing more but to see the show shut down for good. When a tragic accident changes her life, she finds herself in limbo. Her desire to dive again soon becomes a fire she cannot deny. Can she find the courage to make that 50 foot climb and dive again? 

I love the movie Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken and when I heard that there was a book based on her life, I jumped at the chance to read it. From the very first page, Sonora’s courage, attitude and dedication is apparent and she will let no one tell her she can’t do anything especially when she sets her mind to it. Sonora is a wild ride into the heyday of the American carnival shows and a found family who bind together through thick and thin. Even though I know Sonora eventually becomes blind, the author’s descriptions of the accident and the aftermath were heartbreaking. There are moments of great banter, especially between Sonora and Doc Carver and Sonora and Al, Doc’s son and Sonora’s eventual husband. The romance between Sonora and Al was very sweet too. Half way through this book, I bought Sonora’s biography to read later and I want to watch Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken again. I highly, highly recommend Sonora! 

Sonora is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Nothing But Trouble: an ex-quarterback, his assistant and a love neither of them saw coming

Nothing But Trouble is the first book in the Credence, Colorado series by Amy Andrews. For the past five years, Cecilia “CC” Morgan’s life has revolved around the personal assistant to Wade “The Catapult” Carter, a former NFL quarterback. She has decided she has had enough and prepares to quit, but then his father’s health fails and she finds herself in his hometown. CC will stay, for now, but seeing Wade outside the bright lights of Denver has her thinking things she has no business thinking. CC’s plan to quit throws Wade for a loop as he cannot imagine his life with his “left tackle,” his Girl Friday. Now they are under the same roof in his hometown, bantering like an old married couple, Wade starts to see CC as just more than his assistant. Will Wade open his eyes and his heart to the woman he cannot live without? 

Nothing But Trouble is a sweet romance with a bit of spice as well as great banter, sigh worthy moments and humor. I loved CC and Wade from the moment they appeared on the page and their attraction together is apparent to everyone but them. To see them slowly come to that realization were great moments, especially Wade’s. The moment it hit him brought a smile to  my face and I enjoyed his grand gestures. Yes, multiple. He fumbled a few times. Their supporting characters were awesome too. The small town characters were alive and well in Credence. The family banter, the friendly insults and touching moments helped boost their story. I loved this story and I was sad to see it end; however, I look forward to the rest of this series. If you love a sweet spicy romance with great moments, I highly recommend Nothing But Trouble. 

Nothing But Trouble is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Something Like Hate: an enemies to lovers football romance

Something Like Hate is the first book in the Chicago Grizzlies series by Piper Rayne. Miles Cavanaugh is the best safety in the league and when he was traded to the Chicago Grizzlies, Bryce Burns was ecstatic. She couldn’t be happier. They have had a love-hate relationship since college. Finally, she has breathing room. That is until she lands her dream job with a national sport magazine in Chicago. The city is big enough for both of them…right? The best laid plans soon go awry when she temporarily takes over reporting on the Chicago Grizzlies which means traveling with the team, interviewing the players and all with an all-access pass. Miles and Bryce decide to play nice for the sake of both of their jobs. However, they soon realize that the attraction between them is stronger than their mutual hate. 

The Chicago Grizzlies series is a spin off of the Kingsmen Football Stars series and picks up after that series ends. Something Like Hate is a spicy enemies to lovers romance. Bryce is a nonsense reporter so calls it how she sees it, regardless of the players’ ego. Miles takes criticism very seriously and he is still steaming from an article Bryce wrote in college. However, he feels drawn to her as she builds a fire under his feet to be better, to do better. As they spend time together, they both realize there is more to the other than meets the eye. Miles isn’t your typical football player and Bryce is fighting past hurts. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this series and I look forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy enemies to lovers, football romance, I highly recommend Something Like Hate. 

Something Like Hate is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook