Review: Until The Dawn, Mountain Hideaway, & With This Ring?

About the book:

A volunteer for the newly established Weather Bureau, Sophie van Riijn needs access to the highest spot in her village to report the most accurate readings. Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie knows no better option despite a lack of permission from the absent owners.

The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover a local woman has been trespassing on his land.

Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There’s a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark and the Vandermark family history are no longer content to stay in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail?

My review:

I loved this book. From the first words I was hooked. Who wouldn’t be when they read, “‘That’s where the body was found…'” While it is categorized as Historical Fiction on the back cover, it definitely has a strong romance thread and, even better, a slight hint of intrigue. I’ve read Toward the Sunrise, which gives a little pre-hint into this story, but didn’t realize that until about a third of the way through this novel. Obviously not reading it won’t hinder your enjoyment of Until the Dawn.

My rating:

5 roses out of 5


 

About the book:

NO SAFE HAVEN

After being caught collecting evidence on her ex-boyfriend’s criminal dealings, Tessa Jones has no choice but to go into hiding. She feels safe in her mountain refuge, right up until private investigator Trent McCabe comes knocking—and bullets start flying their way. Now for the second time, Tessa is on the run. And Trent’s mission has shifted from tracking down a missing person to keeping the brave beauty alive. Trent once lost a woman in his care, and he won’t make the same mistake again. But Tessa trusts no one—not even Trent. Out in the wilderness with danger closing in, Tessa must make a choice: rely on the handsome stranger…or take her chances with a killer.

My review:

Another excellent Christy Barritt novel. Intrigue, excitement, and romance from the very first words.  A definite must read.

My rating:

5 roses out of 5 (plus more if it would make sense)


 

About the book:

Four top historical romance novelists team up in this new collection to offer stories of love and romance with a twist of humor.

In Karen Witemeyer’s “The Husband Maneuver,” Marietta Hawkins decides to grab the reins when the ranch foreman she loves seems to be leaving forever.

Regina Jennings offers “Her Dearly Unintended,” where friends stranded by a rising river pretend to be newlyweds when a dangerous stranger arrives.

Mary Connealy’s “Runaway Bride” finds a Texas ranger getting more than he expected when he rescues a young woman fleeing a dangerous arranged marriage.

And Melissa Jagears’ “Engaging the Competition” finds a young woman forced to assist the man she’s often sparred with after an accident leaves him helpless.

Each tale is a fun blend of history and romance that will delight readers.

My review:

I loved all four of these novellas. The heroines and heroes get themselves into strange predicaments, which forces them to work together, ending with them falling in love (not a spoiler, since we expect this in romance).

The writing style of the four authors is compatible as they all used humorous incidents to their fullest potential to engage me, the reader. Each story took me (a fairly fast reader) about two hours, so, as with most novellas, it’s a nice break from life’s responsibilities.

My rating:

5 roses out of 5

Blessings,

signature

 

 

 

I received these books from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Share