Dare To Trust is a Keeper on my Kindle
592710
J. L. Bowens young adult, fantasy novel Dare To Trust kept me turning the pages to the end, and I wanted more.

In the contemporary Denver, Colorado area, thirteen-year-old Armand Costa lives with his aunt and uncle and their two adolescent boys.  Armand doesnt understand why he is often severely beaten by his aunt and uncle and why he always heals in three days.  And things only get worse when he turns fourteen  and sprouts wings.

When faced with what and who he really is, Armand has several heart wrenching decisions to make.  Who should he believe?  What kind of individual will he become?  Will he accept his destiny?

Throughout the book Bowen is spot on with the emotions, anxieties, fears, and behaviors of teenagers, and the adults are just as authentic.  The characters are so real, I wanted to meet them in person.  Well, not every one of them.

Fortunately, this is the first book in Bowens Dark Choices Series, and Im looking forward to reading them all.
99503
I really liked the suspense and romance and the drama. I couldn't put the kindle down. I Really didn't suspect Jeremey,that was a surprise. A very very good book.  SANDRA KAlmerton
1126630
This book is full of adventure, traitors, smugglers and romance. But who can one trust? This newest book in the Ashford Chronicles takes place immediately after the War of 1812 has ended.
Chloe is a spunky heroine, but in her mission to amend past wrongs, will she lose all? Chloe's adventure to clear Ross's name is filled with danger, hardship and betrayal. Despite the hardships she faces and the uncertainty of whom she can trust, Chloe's heart remains steadfast. She is willing to sacrifice her future for those she loves.

It took me a little while to be pulled into the story, but once I sorted out a few details I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I am sure that some of my confusion is due to the fact that I have not read the first book in the series. I plan on reading it soon.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
641446
All Tyed Up by Julia Harlow is a story about survival, trust and love. Isabel Beachwood is a woman who barely got away from her miserable childhood with just emotional scars. She survives the negative emotional abuse at the hands of her step father and step sisters. However her survival doesnt leave any room for love from anyone else. Tyberius Griffin, or Ty, is the CEO of the corporation taking over Isabels company, the company that isn't keeping Isabel. He has always had his parents love and money but knew something was missing from his life. The two meet when Isabel sells her Carmel by the Sea table after losing her job.
Isabel is too stressed out about losing her job, selling her stuff and moving in with her stepsister, Ellen, that she barely has time to notice Ty. Her mistrust of other people, especially men, prevents her from seeing what is right in front of her. Isabel tries to be strong, even when she misinterprets a situation with Ty and another woman.
Then, from somewhere deep inside her, the steel backbone and heart of a lioness shed inherited from a long line of Beachwood women grabbed hold of her.
Ty doesnt give up so easily and tries to prove he is worthy and that even Isabel is worthy of love.
This is the first book by Julia Harlow that I have read and I am so glad I did. 4 big stars for this story. I am looking forward to reading more from Harlow and especially about Victoria and Richard and the evil step sister turned best friend Ellen.
3317269
I enjoyed this book very much. Looking forward to reading the whole Dare River series. This is a new author to add to my list
4521404
About a year ago I stuck my toe in the ebook waters and installed Kindle for PC on my computer and began reading samples of books. I wasn't sure if the Kindle was for me, and I wasn't at all sure about ebooks. Then I came across this one, West of Sheridan. I read the sample and then deleted it as I thought it wasn't kosher to keep someone's work without paying for it and I wasn't sure I wanted to pay to read books on my computer as it was giving me headaches. But I didn't forget the storyline. Foolishly, I didn't write down the title and I had no idea how many books were being published every day. It's taken me this long to run across the book again, and now I have an actual Kindle, and bought the book on the spot.

Having just finished reading the book I can give a hearty recommendation to anyone looking for a good read. A very good read. It has suspense, surprisingly good suspense. I was almost white-knuckled clutching the Kindle at the denouement! It has romance. It has adventure. It has horses! It is a story about people's reaction to the ultimate disaster. For anyone who has ever wondered how they would react to TEOTWAWKI, here's a preview.

As for myself, I'm hoping to take a little vacation to Sheridan and see if there are any empty houses...
1148915
Lily has come back to Pecan Valley to get some questions about her parents' deaths answered. Her father was accused of setting the fire that killed them because he was depressed over losing his job. She and her sisters were then separated and adopted by families in different states. The three of them have agreed that that doesn't sound like their father at all and Lily is determined to get to the truth.

When she gets to town one of the first people she meets is Griff, owner of the local ice cream parlor. Griff has the reputation of being something of a bad boy, never committing and being rather lazy. She understands what they see, but she sees something else when she looks at him. She sees a man playing a part while he cares intensely about the things that matter to him. He looks like he's lazing about his ice cream parlor, dabbling in experimenting with flavors, but she sees the way he's given the kids in town a safe place to hang out. She's especially impressed with the interest he has taken in some of the kids who are victims of abuse.

Griff sees a pretty young woman who is looking for answers to the mystery of her parents' death. He's drawn to her like he's never been drawn to anyone else. Since she's arrived in town there have been several fires set and the people in town are looking at her like she's the one doing it. He knows she isn't, after all, she's been with him during much of her time there. But he's afraid that she could be in danger from whoever is responsible. I loved seeing the way he was determined to take care of her, even though she kept trying to resist. He was surprised by how well she seemed to understand him, which made him a little bit nervous, too. The more time they spent together, the more he could see having her with him all the time. It was sweet to see how he cared for her each time she had to deal with another fire being set. I loved seeing him realize the depth of his feelings when he nearly lost her. The epilogue was funny and sweet as he dealt with her sisters.

The suspense was really well done. It was obvious that someone was feeling really nervous about Lily and the questions she was asking. I loved seeing each step of her journey and how the information kept building. Each fire that was set had a link to the questions she had, and each one made the townspeople suspicious of her. The fires also seemed to be escalating, which made Griff even more worried that something bad would happen to her. As more information came to light I began to have a suspicion of who the firebug was, but the reasoning still eluded me. When the final confrontation came I really wondered how it was going to be resolved. I thought it was well done and the after effects were pretty realistic.

The only problem I had was that nothing was really said about Griff's background. It's obvious that he has money but I finished the book with no idea where it had come from. I would have liked to learn more about what made him who he was.
4746278
I enjoyed this book on my Kindle.  The characters and plot were compelling and I have already moved on to book #2
4034957
I bought the hard cover awhile ago and have added this wonderful story to my Kindle library.  Cavernous is Book No. 1 in a three-book series, so there's more to come in this story about a teenager, Callie Noland, struggling to live her faith in a fictionalized world that pits the true United States and Christianity against an alliance built by a false prophet who may (or may not) be her biological father.

Callie is a terrific heroine. Shes bright, witty and completely human in her doubts and worries. I especially enjoyed the realistic portrayal of her relationship with Ethan. Theres just enough personal history to put real obstacles in the way of their romance, yet their friendship is strong and promises to grow over the next two books.

The plot is powerful and relevant. No spoilers, but Callies challenges are ones we each face every day in a smaller way, whether were adolescents or adults. Do we stand up for our beliefs, or do we compromise, either to protect others or to protect ourselves? I cant wait to see how this plays out over the rest of the story.

I also enjoyed the setting. The story is set in the West Virginia / Kentucky / Virginia / Tennessee area. The geography is both beautiful and treacherous. Its also remote, which adds to the tension as Callie and company navigate their way to safety.

I loved this story, and I hope others readers to do, especially those who are in the YA range and struggling to live their faith the way Callie does.

Heres to a strong Christian role model . . . We need more of them both in fiction and real life.
2428425
I had a very hard time putting the kindle down while reading this book. All of the characters come to life and I felt as if I knew them personally once finished. The action and suspense keep you turning the pages quickly. Robert Bailey knows how to write about the south and his humor shines through in the various exchanges between the key players. I'm glad I had the chance to read this fine story and I recommend it to anyone looking for a thriller that requires the heels to think their way through the turmoil to win in the end. Very good read.
4603889
Every now and then you run across a book that you can't put down and for me,&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Price-of-Trust/dp/1617521094/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Price of Trust</a>&nbsp;was that book.  Amanda Stephan has written a gripping story of a young woman's quest for freedom from an abusive relationship and her search for the security and passion of true love.  From the first page to the last the reader is drawn into the story by action, intrigue, romance, suspense, and a well-developed cast of characters whose own stories add depth to the storyline.  The Price of Trust is a book you will want to read and share with your monthly book club!
684964
Once again author Susan Stoker has presented her readers with a strong, brave, but vulnerable heroine in Shelter for Elizabeth. We first met Beth(Elizabeth) in Susan's SEAL of Protection series fourth book, Protecting Summer. Susan has mentioned that it was her readers who asked for Beth's story as she was only a side character in Protecting Summer. Kudos to those readers for suggesting Beth had a story to tell. Due to events in Protecting Summer Beth has moved to Texas and is dealing with agoraphobia which essentially is a fear of being in open or public places. Through a therapy group Beth has become friends with Penelope who was kidnapped by ISIS while serving overseas and also has need of therapy. A mistake trying to fry chicken in her apartment, a grease fire and enter Cade, the knight in shining armor firefighter who falls for Beth. I leave it to you to read their story and find out how Susan once again brings two special people their "Happily Ever After" while keeping us guessing as events unfold. I love reading about a strong heroine and Susan never disappoints. I highly recommend this book.
2102527
Catherine Anderson won me over instantly as I became totally involved in this intriguing story and it became a book I didn't want to put down until I finished.  Love, trust, and faith along with second chances and creating a life to help all in need is the scenario of this story and you will laugh and cry while you become immerse in the characters lives.  I highly recommend this to all to read. This is going to be a series so keep an eye out for the next one also, its sure to be a winner too.
610361
I don't often finish reading my various Kindle books, but the combination of intrigue, unknown alliances and true motivations, and romance in this book kept me reading more night after night.  And I plan to read the next book right away, even though the cast of characters sounds a bit different -- always a ringing endorsement for any book and author!
71767
I love Susan May Warren's books and I especially love her books set in the small Minnesota town of Deep Haven. I wish it were a real town and I could go visit. She's set 6 books there already, I believe. They are all stand alone books but this time: she's written Take a Chance On Me, the first in a 6 book series about the Christiansen family.

I was fortunate enough to be on the launch team for this book and I am so glad to be given this book early. What a joy to hold another of Susan's books in my hands again! I only wish the other 5 could be here in the same year.

Ivy Madison, former foster child and now a county prosecutor, moves to Deep Haven to have a place to belong. She attends a bachelor auction as a fundraiser and bids on a bachelor, Darek Christiansen. Ivy wrote a plea agreement getting on community service for the man who everyone assumed killed Darek's late wife. She finds out but not before her heart is engaged with Darek's. How can she tell him? She wants so desperately to belong and have a feeling of permanence somewhere. She knows she will be left alone again the moment she tells Darek.

Jenson Atwood didn't see Felicity Christiansen running that night when his car struck and killed her. Now that he's gotten community service and no jail time, he's worked hard to finish his service. But the town seems to be against him. He feels like everyone is watching him, waiting for him to mess up again. He and Darek were once best friends and now Darek can barely stand the sight of Jenson.

Both these men haven't allowed God the chance to show them the grace He freely offers. Both seem bound in the snares of unforgiveness and bitterness. They can't see that those around them care what happens to them.

There are several stories in this novel, all heartrending and painful at times. It's a revelation to me of how God waits for us, hoping that we will allow Him to have His way in our lives. How often do we, as believers, try to plod through life on our own, bearing burdens that God never wanted us to carry? We could so easily let Him walk alongside us and help us with our load, but we have too much pride to admit that we need help.

This book also shows us that even though we go our own way and allow heartbreaking events to make us bitter, God can still use those very events to bring about His peace and mercy and grace in our lives.

I laughed, cried, (bawled, actually) and felt joyous reading this book. It left me wondering how I could stand to read the remaining 5 if this one moved me so deeply. This is a book you will remember long after you close the cover. It is one which will always have pride of place on my book shelves.

I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the Christiansen family series.

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4872224
What a stay-up-all-night-to-read mystery! I'm so glad I nominated this book in the Kindle Scout program. It's not hard to understand why the heroine fell for such a charmer, even if he was a stranger. I was panting to meet him too! At first, that is. I won't leave a spoiler but trust me, if you like romance, suspense and art, you'll want to read this book.
6759
Dare to Hold is Book 6 in the Dare to Love Series by Carly Phillips.  In this story we deal with the attraction and chemistry between Scott Dare, a Miami policeman and Meg Thompson, a kindergarten teacher.  Meg is pregnant by her ex-boyfriend, the ex who caused her to be hospitalized in the previous book, Dare to Touch.  It is while she is hospitalized that she meets Scott.  Although Scott has been burned by his ex-wife, there is something about Meg that draws him to her.  Meg is trying to turn over a new leaf to become more independent and not rely on men or get involved with another.

Megs girlfriends think that she should have one last fling before giving it all up for the baby.  When Scott hears that, he is determined to be the one she has the fling with. The chemistry and attraction between Scott and Meg drives this relationship and their dependency on one another. Scott wants to protect Meg from her ex however; this conflicts with her desire to be independent, not to rely on anyone for herself and her baby.

I enjoyed this story between Scott and Meg.  It has the feel of the previous Dare to Love books, but it is a standalone story. I loved the way Ms. Phillips showed the growth of the relationship between these two characters as well as how they learn to trust each other and themselves.  I highly recommend this book to all readers and I cannot wait for the next story in this series.