Review: Hollywood Lost by Ace Collins

About the book:

Struggling to make ends meet during the Great Depression, Shelby Beckett flees the Oklahoma dust bowl to find work in the wardrobe department of Hollywood’s largest movie studio. Surrounded by glamour and wealth, Shelby is charmed by box office star Flynn Sparks as well as Flynn’s chief rival, fellow actor Dalton Andrews. As Shelby joins her suitors at opulent parties and intimate dinners, she rubs elbows with the likes of Clark Gable and Cary Grant and is drawn deeper into a lifestyle where her small town values are challenged or ignored.

Lurking in the shadows of this Gatsby-like lifestyle is an unseen evil force that strangles beautiful women. Suspecting a madman is connected to the studio production where Shelby works, homicide chief detective Bill Barrister believes the only way to uncover the identity of the ruthless killer is to offer Shelby as bait. 

Hollywood Lost is a romantic suspense novel where separating reality from fantasy is all but impossible; where love is rare, life is cheap, and values are lost in pursuit of fame and fortune.

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Review: Vines of Entanglement by Lisa Cox Carter

About the book:

A tangled web of lies characterizes the life Laura Mabry has built for herself and her son after the tragic death of her husband. But Laura’s carefully constructed world slides off its axis when she stumbles upon the body of a young college student on the recreational trails of Raleigh’s Greenway. What’s worse, Detective Jon Locklear is Laura’s worst nightmare...and her dream come true.

Jon has spent years trying to forget Laura. Past experience has taught him that he can’t trust her, but old habits—like old loves—die hard. When the killer turns his attention on Laura, Jon may be the only one who can save her.

Truth and murder lurk just around the corner for Laura. Can she find the courage to face her deepest fears and unravel the lies of her past before she and her son become the Greenway Killer’s next victims.

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Review: For Love Or Loyalty by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

For Love Or Loyalty by Jennifer Hudson Taylor
The MacGregor Legacy: Book One
Abingdon Press / 2013
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

Can Malcolm MacGregor exact his plan for revenge, even if he dooms an innocent woman in the process?

To atone for her father’s evil, Lauren Campbell agrees to help Malcolm MacGregor. By the time she realizes she’s the bargaining price to free Malcolm’s mother from indentured servitude, it’s too late.

Malcolm MacGregor only wants to free his family and exact revenge against Duncan Campbell. As the pride and joy of Duncan’s life, his daughter Lauren is the perfect answer, but during the voyage to America, her faith continues to witness to Malcolm. He becomes enraptured with her, and upon their arrival, discovers he’s sold her into a fate worse than death. Now Malcolm has the dilemma: free his family or rescue Lauren? Time is short and with little means, he needs a miracle.

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My rating:

My thoughts:

For Love Or Loyalty was a great book. While I liked the first half, it was the last half that I found very good and thrilling! I liked how the story wasn't predictable and I was really surprised by some of the things that happened in the book.

The writing style took a little bit for me to get used to, especially the Scottish language, but that made the story feel more real. I really liked the characters, but don't think I have one favorite.

Overall, I liked For Love Or Loyalty a lot and look forward to reading the next books in this series. If you enjoy historical romance I think you'll like this book and recommend it.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

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Review: When the Clouds Roll By by Myra Johnson

When the Clouds Roll By by Myra Johnson
Till We Meet Again series: Book One
Abingdon Press / 2013
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

Annemarie Kendall is overjoyed when the armistice is signed and the Great War comes to an end. Her fiancé, Lieutenant Gilbert Ballard, is coming home, and though he is wounded, she is excited to start their life together. But when he arrives, her dreams are dashed when she learns Gilbert is suffering from headaches, depression, and an addiction to pain killers. This is not the man she had planned to marry. After serving in the trenches, Army Chaplain Samuel Vickary is barely holding onto his faith. Putting up a brave front as he ministers to the injured soldiers at the hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas, he befriends Gilbert and eventually falls for Annemarie. While Annemarie tries to sort out her confused feelings about the two men in her life, she witnesses firsthand the bitterness and hurt they both hold within. Who will she choose? Will she have the courage to follow her heart and become the woman God intended her to be? As the world emerges from the shadow of war, Annemarie clings to her faith as she wonders if her future holds the hope, happiness, and love for which she so desperately longs.

My rating:

My thoughts:

When the Clouds Roll By was a really good read and I don't think I've ever read a book quite like it! One of the main aspects to this book was what soldiers go through post-war. I couldn't help but feel for both Samuel and Gilbert - though some of the latter's actions in this book frustrated me to no end!

The romance story was nice and towards the end very sweet. While I had my guess of who Annemarie would end up with (if anyone), I never knew for sure until the end. I really liked Annemarie's profession as a potter of beautiful creations - I thought it was neat. ;)

I wish we would have been told a little more about what's to happen in Mary's life, but I'm hoping the next book in this series, Whisper Goodbye, will be about her.

Overall, When the Clouds Roll By was a good read and, for the most part, I really enjoyed it! If you are a fan of historicals, I think you'll also like this book. I recommend it!

*I received this book free for review from Abingdon Press through its early reader program. I was not required to write a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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Review: The Soul of the Rose by Ruth Trippy

The Soul of the Rose by Ruth Trippy
Abingdon Press / 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1426767494
Find on: Amazon, Goodreads

About the book:

"And the soul of the rose went into my blood..."

This line from a Tennyson poem enchants young Celia Thatcher, who supposes every woman's heart hopes to be the rose that captivates a man.

Celia is searching for her own sense of hope after the tragic death of her closest friend. Moving in 1876 to work in a Massachusetts bookstore, to start life afresh, she soon catches the eye of not one, but two men: the elite but unkempt Edward Lyons and the charming law student Charles Harrod. One is hiding from his past and from God. The other promotes a religious belief Celia had never before considered. Both leave Celia wondering if either are right for her.

When one of her suitors is accused of  murder, Celia is challenged with a deeper choice: should she follow her heart or her faith?

My rating:

My thoughts:

The Soul of the Rose was a good read and different than I expected going in. I don't know if it was intentional or not, but parts of this book reminded me of Beauty and the Beast, which made my reading experience much more entertaining.

I really liked the main characters and the story. It was great how The Gospel and Apologetics were incorporated into the story - I liked that a lot!

The Soul of the Rose was kind of slower paced, but I found it interesting throughout and wasn't bored while reading it. The ending was a little abrupt and, even though things were resolved, I wish it wouldn't have ended the way it did (with a character asking someone a question - I now am wondering what the other person's response was!).

Still, I really enjoyed reading The Soul of the Rose and look forward to reading more of this author's novels. If you enjoy historical novels, you will probably also like this one.

*I received this book free for review from Abingdon Press through its early reader program. I was not required to write a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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