Dangerous Obsession

In her latest installment in her Security Specialists series Jessica Patch tells us Wilder Flynn's story. To me he is by far the most intriguing member of the group because he keeps his emotions close to his vest. I can never quite figure out what he's thinking because just when I think I have it figured out he throws me a curve ball!


Wilder Flynn is a man of deep emotions but he won't let it show. He's a shameless flirt but it's a coping mechanism to keep women at arms length. It's not that he doesn't want to love and be loved, but he feels like he's let the women close to him down time and time again. He longs to have a family but the ghosts of the past come back to haunt him at the worst times. He tells himself he's content to run Crisis Covenant Management, CCM, and protect his team, but every now and then a particular Cajun woman calls all that in to question.

Cosette LaCroix is a behavior analysis specialist for CCM and she is very good at her job, if she does say so her self. She is an expert at reading body language and can tell when people are being deceitful a mile away. Of course that hasn't always been the case, she's made some serious mistakes in the past but it's best to leave the past in the past. Besides working for CCM Cosette has a share in a therapy practice with another doctor. She loves her patients and believes in the work she is doing. When a threat from her past makes itself known, Cosette fears she will lose all that she holds dear, including her life.

This is the greatest book ever!! Okay, I know I say that about a lot of books I read, but I swear it's true! There could not be two people who are more right for each other than Wilder and Cosette. Both have strong personalities and are fiercely protective of those they love. They are also stubborn and pigheaded! They refuse to see what's right in front of their faces even though those around them keep pointing it out. Cosette desperately wants to find out what Wilder is hiding because she wants to help him heal. Wilder wants to know what Cosette's secrets are because he can tell she's hiding somehing and she is scared.

Dangerous Obsession is the perfect blend of drama, intrigue and suspense. Oh, did I mention it has a surprising twist! It truly is one of the best books I have read in a long time and I know you will love it as much as I do.

*I was provided a free copy of this book and was under no obligation to post a favorable review. All opinions expressed above are my own.

You can grab a copy here: Dangerous Obsession

Buried Secrets

Buried Secrets is Barbara Cameron's second book her her Harvest of Hope Series. Although it is the second book you can start the series here and not be lost.

Rose has suffered much loss in her short life. She lost both of her parents and most recently her husband Sam. Thankfully she has her son Daniel to keep her from falling too deep in despair. Along with Daniel there is her twin sister Lillian. Rose and her sister have always been close, so when Sam passed away Lillian persuaded Rose to sell their farm in Ohio and move back to Paradise and take over the family farm. Such change in such a short amount of time, Rose hopes she's doing the right thing.

Luke Miller left Ohio and came to Paradise to help his cousin Abraham and his family after a buggy accident. It was supposed to be a temporary move but Luke fell in love with Paradise and the people of the community and decide to make his home there. With no luck finding a farm of his own in the Amish community he jumps at the chance to help Lillian's sister Rose on her farm. He had secretly hoped to buy the farm but he figures he can make enough money helping Rose to save up and buy a farm of his own if one ever becomes available. Luke is a hard worker and an honest man and will do his best to help Rose bring the family farm back to prosperity.

This is such a sweet and heartwarming story. I love how Luke is determined to make Rose's farm a success so much so that he refuses to take a wage until the harvest comes in. I liked Luke from the start and it's hard not to. He wears his heart on his sleeve and he loves Daniel. He goes out of his way to spend time with him and never tires of his questions. Luke is an all around good guy and I can see why Lillian chose him to help her sister on the farm.

I felt so bad for Rose. She lost her husband whom she loved dearly, and she moves home to the family farm and faces the monumental task of making it prosper again. She didn't love Ohio and it didn't feel like home once Sam passed but she's taking on a huge burden. I can understand why she is leery of others and afraid to get to close to people, she just can't stand another heartbreak. Daniel is the light of her life and I believe he gives her the strength to keep moving on. He's such a fun and energetic kid he reminds me of my boys, always full of energy and into something!

The title kept me guessing for the  longest time. I kept reading trying to find out what the buried secret was! I figured it would be something dark and menacing, maybe threatening Rose and or Daniel. I won't spoil it for you but I think you will be as surprised as I was!

I truly enjoyed Buried Secrets and I think you will too! Grab a copy and be sure to come back here and let me know what you think.

* I was provided a free copy from Gilead Publishing. I was under no obligation to post a favorable review. All opinions expressed above are my own.

You can grab a copy here: Buried Secrets

Together Forever

About the Book

Title: Together Forever, Orphan Train Book 2

Author: Jody Hedlund

Genre: Inspirational historical romance

Release Date: May, 2018

Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a job as a placing agent with the Children’s Aid Society in 1858 New York. She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she’ll be able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train so they can finally be reunited.

Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children, firm but tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, though, seems to linger a grief that won’t go away–and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden.

As the two team up, placing orphans in the small railroad towns of Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.

My Thoughts: I have to admit, I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. I have read several of Ms. Hedlund's books and I've enjoyed everyone but this one is special.  I love how she broached the sensitive subject of orphans and how they fared in the times. I loved how in the book Marianne couldn't help but love the children, when others would usually turn their noses up in disgust. Despite her best efforts she couldn't remain detached. It made her job harder but her love for the children is what made her so good at her job. 

Despite the heavy subject this book has humor. It seems to be Andrew Brady's job to help Marianne lighten up and not take anything too seriously. I love how he too bonded with the kids. He was kind of like a big brother figure for them I think. He was also the only one to reach out and try to help the older rougher orphans. You have to admire him for that, he knew it would be hard to find the older ones home, especially those who were more rough around the edges, but he couldn't help but take a chance on them. 

I truly enjoyed this book and I believe you will too. If you do read Together Forever, don't forget to come back here and let me know what you think. 

*I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including Love Unexpected, Captured by Love, Unending Devotion, The Preacher’s Bride, and A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in social work. She lives in Michigan with her husband and five children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog at www.jodyhedlund.com.

Guest Post from Jody Hedlund

30,000 Abandoned Children

By Jody Hedlund

Imagine a city where 30,000 abandoned and homeless children live on the streets.

Sounds like something from a futuristic dystopian novel, doesn’t it? Or something that might happen after a war or apocalypse or major disaster, right?

This exact thing actually happened in the 1850’s. And the city was New York City.

It’s hard to believe, but an estimated 30,000 homeless children roamed the dirty city streets and alleys of New York City.

30,000. Children. Let that sink in for a minute. That’s the size of a town.

Historians look back on that time and try to make sense what led to such horrific conditions for children. Of course, the influx of immigrants was at an all time high. Jobs and housing were scarce. Diseases were rampant. Hunger and poverty became a norm. (Orphan Train Depot)

As more and more people became aware of the enormous problem within the crowded slums, courageous heroes rose up and attempted to do their part to make a difference.

While we may not always agree with the methods that were used to save the thousands of homeless children, we can admire the men and women who could no longer sit idly by.

The Children’s Aid Society was started by Charles Loring Brace as one such attempt to help the hordes of homeless children. His “Emigration Plan” is better known today by the term “Orphan Trains.”

My latest series tackles various elements of the orphan train movement. Together Forever, releasing in May, highlights the placing agents, those devoted people who rode the trains with the orphans. The agents spent weeks and months on the road caring for the children, all the while trying to place them in loving homes.

(If you’d like to try out the series, start with my FREE novella, An Awakened Heart.)

Like the brave men and women who came before us, may we always strive to do our part to make a difference!

Blog Stops

By The Book, May 22

Pink Granny’s Journey, May 22

Blogging With Carol, May 22

ansel book blog, May 22

Reflections From My Bookshelves, May 23

Moments Dipped in Ink, May 23

Genesis 5020, May 23

Blossoms and Blessings, May 23

Reading Is My SuperPower, May 24

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, May 24

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, May 24

Christian Bookaholic, May 24

Just the Write Escape, May 25

Among the Reads, May 25

The Power of Words, May 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 25

Radiant Light, May 26

The Christian Fiction Girl, May 26

The Avid Reader, May 26

Janices book reviews, May 26

Daysong Reflections, May 27

Mary Hake, May 27

Carpe Diem, May 27

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 27

Kathleen Denly, May 28

History, Mystery & Faith, May 28

A Baker’s Perspective, May 28

Simple Harvest Reads, May 28 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Faithfully Bookish, May 29

God’s Little Bookworm, May 29

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, May 29

Cover to Cover and Everything in Between, May 30

Neverending Stories, May 30

Maureen’s Musing, May 30

Bigreadersite, May 30

Inklings and notions, May 31

To Everything A Season, May 31

Two Points of Interest, May 31

Christian Author, J.E.Grace, May 31

Have A Wonderful Day, June 1

Lighthouse Academy, June 1

Godly Book Reviews, June 1

Red Headed Book Lady, June 2

For the Love of Books, June 2

Vicky Sluiter, June 2

proud to be an autism mom, June 3

Bibliophile Reviews, June 3

Texas Book-aholic, June 3

Connie’s History Classroom, June 4

Pause for Tales, June 4

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, June 4

Reader’s cozy corner, June 4

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Jody is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/cee5/together-forever-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Heart Between Us

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up The Heart Between Us. I like general fiction, even general romantic fiction but sometimes it can be too over the top. It seems like the girl always finds herself in impossible situations and a guy just happens to come along who has all the answers. He says the right things and fits her mental list of what she's looking for in a man and they fall madly in love. If you're like me and you're tired of the same old same old then you're in luck! The Heart Between Us is fresh, original, and a story you're sure to love!

Megan Jacobs got a second chance at life. Born with a failing heart Megan spent most of her childhood and teen years in and out of hospitals, it's there she meets and befriends Caleb. Like Megan, Caleb was born with a failing heart and they quickly become the best of friends, spending countless hours watching the travel channel planning their future. Megan would write the stories and Caleb would photograph their adventures throughout the world. It was a great plan born of boredom and suffering, but when the unexpected happens and Caleb and Megan both receive heart transplants their dreams can become a reality.

Unfortunately, Megan gets cold feet and pushes aside the one person who believed she could do anything. She won't do anything to risk her new heart. She neurotically checks her heart rate and pulse and meticulously watches what she eats. She's been given a new lease on life and she refuses to do anything to put that in jeopardy.

After a chance meeting with Caleb, years after their falling out, Megan decides she needs to meet the family of the girl who gave her her new heart. Little did Megan know, this was the first step that would start the greatest adventure of her life!

I was pleasantly surprised with The Heart Between Us. It wasn't over dramatic but it did have points of conflict. Real conflict, like friends fighting, mom's being over protective, and a twin sister who was like a stranger. It was also beautifully written, Lindsay Harrel has a way of writing a story that wraps its way inside of you. You forget that you don't really know Caleb and Megan and you find yourself rooting for your friend to find her wings and fly.

There is romance but it's chaste. Hand-holding and kisses only. It truly is a beautiful story that I think everyone will love. Join Megan on the adventure of a life time and find out if the heart makes the  person or if the person makes the heart.

You can grab a copy here:The Heart Between Us
*I was provided a free copy of this book and was under no obligation to post a review. All opinions expressed above are my own.