His Steadfast Love (Isle of Hope Book 3) by Julie Lessman

Book Description:

She’s bent on fun.
He’s bent on faith.
Till true love bridges the gap.

Cat O’Bryen is the prodigal daughter unhappy with God. First, the father with whom she reconciled dies of cancer and now her twin sister and best friend marries, leaving Cat at home with a newlywed mother, her new husband, and a little brother. But when Cat moves in with a roommate of questionable morals, her family is worried, certain she’s on a path that could damage her faith forever.

Reluctant to get involved with a woman like the one who destroyed his life, ex-Navy SEAL Pastor Chase Griffin steers clear of the attraction he feels for Cat O’Bryen. Until her family begs him to take her under his wing, hoping he can draw her back into the fold. But when the draw she has on him proves too strong to resist, he must rely on the strength of God to offer a friendship as steady and strong as the God whose love is wooing her home.

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Lessman does it again! She masterfully hooks readers in and keeps them engaged throughout the novel. I am not going to lie, I love her books, and as is quiet often the case, I cannot put them down. This was one of those occasions where I had to stay up late to finish this novel, the same day I started it! And it was so worth it! Lessman left me with a grin permanently on my face, and a day later it is still there! 

This novel is both sweet and at times steamy; filled with truth, faith, romance and grace. I had a smile upon my face almost the whole way through and caught myself chuckling out loud a few times too! Lessman amazes me at how well she can craft a novel; fitting all the pieces together so organically, where the faith lessons, the romance and the characters shine. So, all the while lessons on forgiveness, purity, faith, and mercy play out, I am still feeling the chemistry between the characters and it sizzles!

I love that she brings back into play the previous characters and their stories continue to unfold. That is another gift Lessman has, one of creating such strong characters and relationships that we dearly love, and continuing to build upon these relationships between families and friendships throughout the series. They are lively, engaging and make you wish you could often be right there with them! 

One lesson that shined forth in this story was that of battling our fears. Do we let our fears guide our decisions or do we follow God in faith? God did not give us a spirit of fear, He broke our chains and set us free! There are abundant blessings He has for us if we will step out in faith and embrace our freedom in Christ!

As an aside, I will mention that there are some steamy moments included in this novel between some of the married couples. Nothing explicit! Just a lot of sizzle, all the while remaining clean. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, and this last novel was the icing on the cake! Happy sighs!!! I am eager to see what Lessman has in store for us next! In the mean time, savor this one!

Destroy: (The Blades of Acktar 3.5) and Deliver (The Blades of Acktar Book 4) by Tricia Mingerink

Book Descriptions:
Destroy (Book3.5) -
Before the war, before the Blades, before the Leader…

There was a boy and a scullery maid and a secret shame.
One moonlit night of blood and knives destroyed their country and their lives forever.

The Leader failed to die, but will he also fail to lead?
Deliver (Book 4) -
Can something broken ever heal? 

Martyn is broken. After torturing his best friend, he doesn't belong anywhere in Acktar. No matter how far he runs, he can't lose his guilt. 

Leith is broken. While healing from the torture he received at Nalgar Castle, he struggles to find his new role. But can a Blade ever outrun his past? 

The country is broken. Bitterness divides town against town, neighbor against neighbor. What will it take to deliver Acktar from itself? 

They face their hardest battle yet. 
Peace.

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Destroy: A must read for fans of the series! I really enjoyed getting to see this story through Keevan's eyes. We are taken back to the fall of his father's kingdom and to just past where Book 3 ended. Another wonderful addition to the series. (4.5 Stars)

In Deliver, Mingerink definitely delivered a topnotch novel!  This one left me with a grin upon my face and a happy sigh in my heart! I loved that she added moments of humor and warmth, along with the camaraderie of our cast; as well as the romance, to round off the action, suspense and faith filled moments in the story. I have to say, I believe this one is my favorite of the series! Well done, and most definitely worth the read! (5 Stars)

Defy (The Blades of Acktar Book 3) by Tricia Mingerink

Book Description:

The war for Acktar has begun. 
With his betrayal revealed, former Blade Leith Torren flees into the Sheered Rock Hills, pursued by King Respen’s vengeful Blades. 
Left behind at Nalgar Castle, Renna Faythe tries to find her purpose, yet that purpose isn’t what she expected. 
Brandi Faythe has been torn from her sister, and that isn’t all right. If Leith can’t rescue Renna, Brandi will take matters into her own hands. 
War demands sacrifice. Courage falters. Who will find the strength to defy King Respen?
Acktar rests on one hope: 
The Leader is ready. 

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Brilliantly written & moving in so many ways; Mingerink once again captures her audience and catapults us into an adventure for our souls, as well as our hearts. And what a strong and amazing ending. The suspense, the torture our hero endures, and also the hope that shines through; keeps you on the edge of your seat. Thankfully, I was left with a smile upon my face and an eagerness to see what else lies ahead for this cast of characters.



***Note this novel does contain violence, (fighting and torture). If you are highly sensitive please be aware.

Deny (The Blades of Acktar Book 2) by Tricia Mingerink

Book Description:

All lies have consequences.

Promoted to the top rank among King Respen's assassins, First Blade Leith Torren hides his involvement with the Resistance. How many lies will it take to protect his secret?

Renna Faythe has done nothing but survive for the past four years, but now Leith's courage inspires her to try to be something more. If only she could figure out what that duty might be.

When the unthinkable happens, faith wavers. Friendships tear. What else will they be forced to deny?

But this time, Leith faces his greatest fear.

He can't save everyone.

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Leith and the rest of the Resistance face danger again and again. Leith is caught up in more lies as he continues to play his different roles; spying for the Resistance. This time around our hero and those he cares about will not only face danger, but also loss. For Renna, this is a trying and faith testing time.

At times, Renna frustrated me, but I felt that Mingerink made her struggles honest and real to the circumstances. Towards the end of Deny, things heat up and that is where our characters see what they are really made of. I am happy to say that those characters you are rooting for persevere. However, I will warn you Mingerink leaves us with a cliffhanger; thankfully Book 3 is already available to read!



*** Note- this novel does have more violence than the previous one.

Dare (The Blades of Acktar Book 1) by Tricia Mingerink

Book Description:

Courage could cost him everything. 

Third Blade Leith Torren never questions his orders or his loyalty to King Respen until an arrow wound and a prairie blizzard drive him to the doorstep of the girls whose family he once destroyed.

Their forbidden faith and ties to the Resistance could devastate their family a second time. 

Survival depends on obedience, but freedom beckons. How far does he dare go to resist the king and his Blades?

No matter what Leith chooses, one thing is certain.

Someone will die.

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From the very first page this story had me in its grip! Excellent storytelling, well written characters and faith building elements all combine to bring a story you will find hard to put down.

This story does not have magical qualities to it. Rather it seems to exist in a world much like our own; however, in a more historical setting. The references to God are just that, and the scripture quotes are taken from the Bible.

This is the first novel by Mingerink that I have read, but already, I can assure you it will not be the last! Looking forward to Book 2!

***For those who are Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this series is available to borrow.

A Matter of Trust (Montana Rescue Book #3) by Susan May Warren

Book Description:

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson has left the limelight behind after the death of one of his fans. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, he's remade his life as a ski patrol in Montana's rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team. But he can't seem to find his footing--or forget the woman he loved, who betrayed him. 

Senator and former attorney Ella Blair spends much of her time in the limelight as the second-youngest senator in the country. But she has a secret--one that cost Gage his career. More than anything, she wants to atone for her betrayal of him in the courtroom and find a way to help him put his career back on track. 

When Ella's brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park's most dangerous peaks, Gage and his team are called in for the rescue. But Gage isn't so sure he wants to help the woman who destroyed his life. More, when she insists on joining the search, he'll have to keep her safe while finding her reckless brother, a recipe for disaster when a snowstorm hits the mountain. 

But old sparks relight as they search for the missing snowboarder--and suddenly, they are faced with emotions neither can deny. But when Ella's secret is revealed, can they learn to trust each other--even when disaster happens again?

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Another thrilling adventure, sure to delight fans of Warren's Montana Rescue series! While this one did have some on the edge of your seat moments, it moved at a steadier pace for me. I enjoyed seeing more of Gage's character emerge; such a sweet soul! And I was charmed by the unfolding romance between him and Ella. Seeing them both work through their fears, doubts and coming to a place of trust; not just with each other but with God and His unfailing love for them was heartwarming.

Warren placed several nuggets within the story that kept the mystery, suspense and anticipation for the next novel building. Bringing in new characters, plot twists and several other potential couples still in need of their own happy ending; Warren leaves me in a state of extreme eagerness for what lies ahead!