Review of The Girl in the Red Coat by Kate Hamer

The Girl in the Red Coat by Kate Hamer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story of a mother and daughter's journey through an unexpected separation that shows how strong the human spirit is when faced with tragedy. Beth and her 7 year old special daughter Carmel are at a storybook fair when Carmel disappears and is taken by a man who tells her he's her grandfather. The places and people they meet takes advantage of Carmel's special abilities. This is one book that will pull at any parents' heart strings. It's a parent's worst nightmare to lose a child and find out they've been kidnapped. Throughout the book the reader is given an inside look at how Beth deals with her missing girl and you see her struggle to understand how to go on living.
Carmel's journey takes her to the states with gramps, his girlfriend and her 2 girls. As a fanatical religious man the reader has difficulty discerning whether gramps ever cared for Carmel or if he's just using her for her healing abilities to make money. I notice with Carmel the author focuses more on Carmel's new found relationships.
The Girl in the Red Coat is an emotionally charged well written story that had me in tears to 0)lthe very last page. I was left questioning who were the bad guys. Obviously gramps comes to mind as the bad guy for kidnapping Carmel but yet I think he felt he was truly saving her from parents he thought didn't care enough for her. He never molested or abused her as I was expecting. Instead in a way he really was like a grandfather to her.
I give The Girl in the Red Coat a 5 out of 5 stars because I was glued to its pages in hopes the mother and daughter would somehow be reunited. An emotional thriller makes a parent like me aware of how true this story could be for someone in the crazy world we live in.
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway.



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Flirtation Walk by Siri Mitchell

Flirtation Walk by Siri Mitchell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Lucinda and Seth's story takes place around the mid 1800s in a town near the military academy West Point. The characters in the book really grabbed my attention. Lucinda, raised by a con artist who also happens to be her father, used her as part of his swindling jobs. She doesn't know what normal life in a small town is like until she learns of his death and returns to her mother's estranged family. Her naive personality about people and the world is complex and forgiving given her past. I felt Lucinda is the strongest character in the novel and I caught myself cheering her on when she began to trust others and changed her views.
Seth is also an interesting character however I wanted to meet his sister and see her and Seth reunite after everything they've been through. I'm guessing/hoping that's going to be in a later book of her own. Seth shows how much he's willing to give up for his loved ones yet his idea of getting there is a bit irresponsible.
The ending was as I hoped it would be. I enjoyed the way Lucinda stood her ground and stuck up for herself especially to her father. However I wish Seth and Lucinda could finally have the kiss they missed when walking down flirtation walk the first time. I'm a sucker for first kisses lol! Anyways, I'm going to give Flirtation Walk a 3 out of 5 stars because I really wanted to see more chemistry between Seth and Lucinda however I loved Lucinda and enjoyed seeing her change into the person her mother would be proud of.
I received this ARC from Baker Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

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Review: The Wayward One by Danelle Harmon

The Wayward One by Danelle Harmon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ruaidri, an Irish seaman betrayed by England and Nerissa, an English Duke's little sister born into privilege are thrown together on an adventurous ride through the seas in the latest romance novel by Danelle Harmon. Nerissa is broken hearted after the man she loves doesn't marry her because her overprotective brother Lucien keeps him from her. She notices Ruaidri at her brother Andrew's party displaying his new invention, a powerful explosive. In an unexpected chain of events Nerissa wakes up on a ship with the attractive and enterprising Ruaidri.

Despite their initial dislike of each other I really liked the development of their relationship and I couldn't help but notice how perfect they really are for each other. He is proud but caring and she is stubborn and independent. I also felt really proud of Nerissa for standing up to her brother Lucien although his intentions were honorable he needed to let her find her own happiness. The meeting that Ruaidri had with her brother is one of my favorite parts of the novel because you see how much love Ruaidri truly has for Nerissa to go to the lengths he does to bring her brother and her back together.

I stayed up last night till 2:30 am because I just couldn't put it down and had to find out how it all ended! I am giving The Wayward One a solid 5 out of 5 stars. I have to admit I have a crush on Ruaidri now!

I received this book as an eARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.


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Review: The Quality of Silence by Rosamund Lupton

The Quality of Silence by Rosamund Lupton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Quality of Silence is a thrill ride that transports the reader to northern Alaska in winter time. I've never been to Alaska but after reading this story I feel like I've been there through the worst of winter storms there! The thrills and suspense keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end. 

A mother and her deaf daughter are determined to find her dad believed to be dead in the Alaskan wilderness. Along the way, mother and daughter form a stronger bond than ever and the mother discovers the truth that keeps her family together.  Together they take charge against the elements and certain danger for love.  

I'm rating The Quality of Silence 5 out of 5 stars.   The writing is superb as I felt like I was right there in the truck with them through their harrowing and at times nail biting trip.  The development of the characters especially the mother makes me feel like her at times when I interrupt my daughter.  The ending is exactly what I was hoping for. 


I received this book as an ARC from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. 



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Review: The Study of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries

The Study of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Study of Seduction is a regency romance novel written by one of my favorite romance authors, Sabrina Jeffries. Her characters are always true to life and the chemistry between the main characters is always spot on. The story is based on Clarissa and her friend turned suitor Edwin who helps her discourage a creepy Frenchman set on marrying her. The tragedy Clarissa endured in her past haunts her every day and prevents her from getting close to any man. Edwin is just the man to mend her broken heart and make her feel all that life has to offer. To protect her from the unwanted advances of a French diplomat, her cousin ensures her safety under the guise of a faux engagement with her brother's friend Edwin.

I enjoyed this novel mostly for Clarissa's interaction with Edwin however the plot line was a little lackluster for me. That is why I have to give this story a 3 out of 5 star rating. The Study of Seduction had all the elements of a good romance and I honestly fell in love with Edwin's blunt and protective nature. However I felt that after they married I started to lose interest in their romance but I'm still happy I finished the book because I wanted to see why the French diplomat was so intent on pursuing Clarissa.

I received this book as an eARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.


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Review: To Lure a Proper Lady by Ashlyn Macnamara

To Lure a Proper Lady by Ashlyn Macnamara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To Lure a Proper Lady is a fun regency novel about a duke's daughter, Elizabeth who hires a bow street runner to find out if someone might be causing her father's sickness. The bow street runner or as he is commonly known as Dysart has a keen ability to sound and dress like one from high society and as a commoner which comes in handy with his profession. A proud and thorough investigator, Dysart can't help but be slightly distracted by the proper Elizabeth. By inviting Dysart to her house party she causes a stir among the guests, especially when someone from Dysart's past shows up. While hosting her party Lizzie can't help but start to fall in love with the mysterious Dysart.

I'm giving this story a 5 out of 5 stars as I was not able to put it down! I love the mix of mystery with a lot of romance. I like a man with a bit of wit and street smarts and that's just what you'll find in Dysart while Elizabeth is the responsible sister who knows how to run her father's estate. It's almost like an opposites attraction with those two. If you love regency romances as much as I do I would highly recommend reading this novel by Ashlyn Macnamara. I can't wait to read the romances of her 2 other sisters, Pippa and Caro!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.


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Review: Kissed by a Cowboy by Debra Clopton

Kissed by a Cowboy by Debra Clopton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kissed by a Cowboy is a western romance in the Four of Hearts Ranch Romance series. The story is about Cassidy, a young woman who has given up on love after leaving her two-timing no-good husband. She decides to find her own happiness in a house out in the country her beloved aunt Roxie left to her. Determined to transform the house into a bed and breakfast and start a fruit farm, Cassidy has no plans to ever fall in love again. That's when Jarrod, her childhood friend and next door neighbor comes over to help her settle in to the country life. Once when they were younger, Jarrod ran away after sharing a heartfelt kiss with Cassidy. He wishes to fix that mistake when she comes back into his life. Jarrod shares with her his own problems of running a ranch and his troubled family past that nearly cost him to lose everything his grandfather had built. Jarrod wants to re-ignite the attraction that he and Cassidy once shared a long time ago before she married. Is Cassidy willing to open her injured heart to trusting again and will Jarrod finally have the courage to do the right thing the second time around?

I really liked this story because it is about reunited love between a cowboy and a reformed city girl. Jarrod and Cassidy are a match made in heaven as they are both very stubborn and determined to follow their dreams. I thought it was so funny how their friends and family could see the attraction between Jarrod and Cassidy long before they did! I also enjoyed the adventure they went on to find the cattle rustlers who keep taking Jarrod's cattle. I'm rating this book 5 out of 5 stars because it made me laugh at times and I enjoyed sharing in their discovery of love. This story is part of a series in which he is the last brother to fall in love. I'd really like to read his brother's stories from the series.
I was given this book by HarperCollins Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

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