ON MAGNOLIA LANE By Denise Hunter

On Magnolia Lane is part of the Blue Ridge Romance series by Denise Hunter. They have all been captivating tales. This one is unique in that it pairs Daisy, the local florist, with Jack, the Pastor. I was concerned at first, how Ms Hunter would handle a romance with a Pastor; but she made Jack human and believable. Jack has secret feelings of love for Daisy but doesn't know how to tell her. He's afraid that the slight age difference plus his position as her spiritual adviser might turn her off.

Jack's friends decide to create him an online profile on a dating app they know Daisy is using; and against his better judgment, Jack finds himself conversing with Daisy through the app. At the same time, things escalate in real life between Daisy and Jack as they work together on a fund raiser and in dealing with complicated family secrets that threaten to destroy her life.

Daisy trusts Jack and everyone around her seems to be losing her trust but what will she do when she finds out that even Jack has failed her.

This is another 5 star romance. You find yourself loving the characters and the whole community that they are a part of. It's worth a spot on your keeper shelf. Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to read this novel through Netgalley.

HIDDEN PERIL By Irene Hannon

Irene Hannon is already on my list of favorite authors for romantic suspense. Hidden Peril is the second in the Code of Honor series. So far this is a keeper series.

Kristen Dane runs a small retail business which includes the importing of goods that support high risk charities abroad. She comes across her assistant murdered and the circumstances bring her in contact with Detective Luke Carter whom she briefly met at a friend's wedding.

Luke, finds himself reluctantly drawn to the classic beauty but he has sworn off relationships since losing his young wife tragically. However, over the course of the on going investigation, they get to know more about each other. Kristen has a poor connection with her parents that she regrets.

Things escalate when more murders are linked to Kristen's shop and terrorism ties are suspected. A very good read. Thanks to Revell Publishing for allowing me to read this novel through Netgalley.

THE CUMBERLAND BRIDE By Shannon McNear

Shannon McNear has painted a very interesting picture of the early founding of our country and the settlers traveling the wilderness to establish new homes. Her description of Katrina Gruener and her family and of their scout Thomas Bledsoe are very intriguing drawing you into the characters, their history, and budding relationships.

I really enjoyed this book the best of all in this series and they are all good. I recommend it 5 stars. Kate Gruener loves to journal which, turns out, was a task many early settlers like to do. Thankfully they did, so that we know more of what happened, why, and what they thought. But Kate's journaling habit causes problems for her family especially her Dad. She loves to hear others stories to the point that she is a distraction especially for their scout Thomas Bledsoe.

Thomas is a taciturn but very kind person; and, against his better judgment he finds himself looking out for Kate more and more and rescuing her from one predicament after another.

Thomas has and interesting relationship with the Indians and the reasons for that have roots in his past.

Many thanks to Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read this book from Netgalley.

THE RELUCTANT WARRIOR By Mary Connealy

Second in the High Sierra Sweethearts Series, The Reluctant Warrior, is a wonderful story of survival, forgiveness, and love. Cam Scott wakes up to smoke and finds him and his companions trapped in a snowbound cabin. He wakes them in time to rescue the two children and women in another cabin. They discover it was no accident. The same person who attacked the women and children on a Wagon Train has returned to finish the job.

Cam has returned after the war to reclaim his daughter and nephew but they want nothing to do with the loud stranger and prefer the comfort and love of Gwen Harkness who is like a mother to them.

Gwen and Cam dislike each other and barely tolerate each other but after Cam saves her from the burning cabin and then suffers being injured in a bear trap out on the trail they come to a sort of truce.

This is a series worth your reader shelf as most of Ms Connealy's stories are. I enjoyed following Cam and Gwen's story as they try to find their tormentor and as they begin to forge a life together. Five star read.Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read this novel off of Netgalley.

AT HOME IN WISHING BRIDGE By Ruth Logan Herne

Anything by Ruth Logan Herne is worth your time to read and a place on your favorites shelf. This book is the second in a series but could stand alone; however some of the same characters appear again and it helps to know their back story.

Thea Anastas is a nurse practioner who ended up in Wishing Bridge when she got an urgent call from a friend that she needed her help. Now we finds herself working for the only local Doctor who is filling the current medical practice temporarily until he can move on with his future plans.

Dr Ethan Brandenburg has custody of his deceased sister and her deceased husband's two children. He is having trouble dealing with their deaths as much as the children are. His youngest sister shows up to take advantage of his good graces but with no plans to get a job or further her education.

Thea has serious issues from her childhood that only her friends understand and that she is afraid to share with Ethan even more so as their relationship seems to be developing into more than a Doctor-nurse relationship.

When Ethan suffers a heart attack, things come to a climax. You will enjoy this read, getting to know the town, and the characters. I give it 5 stars. Thanks to Waterfall Press for allowing me to read this novel through Netgalley.

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER By Wanda Brunstetter

This is a lovely seasonal story to get you in the mood. If you like stories about the settlers who crossed our country in covered wagon, you will enjoy the exploits of this small group of people: a fiancee, his bride to be and her mother, a bother and sister, and a recently widowed father with his two small children. 

Most of the story is told through the diary of Cynthia Cooper who has promised herself to a man so that her mother and she will be taken care of once they reached California; but it soon becomes obvious that this is not a man she might want to spend the rest of her life with. On the trail, he seldom pitches in to help the other men with hunting food and hard labor. He complains a lot and has no patience for the children.

In the meantime, the other men are more her age, kind hearted and hard working men. Each has their own set of difficulties and concerns. 

A quick and enjoyable read. Thanks to Barbour Publishing for allowing to read this book through Netgalley.

THE BEST OF INTENTIONS By Susan Anne Mason

For those of you who like historical romances, I've found a new author whom I'm going to add to my favorites list. This book, the first in a series stole my heart. I loved, loved, loved it five stars.

Grace Abernathy leaves her home in England to travel to Canada in the New World to find her sister and her new born nephew. When she arrives, she finds her sister has passed away and her nephew is in the hands of in-laws that her sister's letters indicated were not the friendliest or kindest of people.

Grace sets out to find out how her nephew fares and ends up through a series of events becoming his nanny under an assumed last name. She quickly becomes friends with Virginia and Andrew Easton the siblings of her sister's deceased husband. Andrew is now her nephew's guardian.

Andrew and Grace are drawn to each other and she soon learns he is a good man and one she can trust to love and care for his nephew; but she doesn't know how to let him know who she really is and ,besides,  Andrew is courting another who doesn't care for the child.

There are so many delightful twists and turns in this story of tragedy, love, and forgiveness. Even though we have the "Best of Intentions" our words and actions can harm those we love and care about the most. 

It deserves a place on your keeper shelf. Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this novel through Netgalley.