Take Ten: Books I would like to find under my Christmas Tree

Unfortunately, a lot of these books haven't been released yet, but I would take a note saying that they are coming when they do get released.;) As usual, if you are interested in learning more, click on the picture to go to Amazon. This post does contain affiliate links, so thank you for supporting my bookish habit.;)

1. A Sugar Creek Christmas

I say I want this one, but I'm funny about reading Christmas books once Christmas is passed. I don't want to linger, but move on to thoughts of the new year. Still, this one is by Jenny B. Jones, so I would make an exception.;)

2. Fire Storm

The first book was brilliant, so I can't wait for this one!

3. Never Let Go

This one just looks like one I would enjoy.

4. Hunted

Any thoughts on this one? I thought it looked like one I would enjoy, but I haven't heard much feedback on it.

5. Flight of the Raven

The first book left off with so many questions unanswered, so I can't wait to get a copy of this one!

6. Sweet on You

This series has been delightful, so I look forward to finally getting to Brit's story and seeing how her relationship with Zander turns out.;)

7. One Thing I Know

I love Kara's books, so I can't wait for this one!

8. The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare

I can say that this one is more for the kids, but I enjoy them too.;)

9. Good Days Start with Gratitude

I want to put things in perspective for 2019.

10. Romanov

I went through this phase when I was a young teen where I was fascinated with the Romanov's, so this book piques my interest.

What books are you hoping to find on Christmas morning?

Code of Valor

What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend's cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe--and catch those who would see her dead.

Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn't trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don't share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason sends readers on a race for the truth in this heart-stopping story of risk, regret, and redemption.

My thoughts: I love this series, which is a delightful mystery one that has to do with a large family involved in different aspects of law enforcement. So, I was incredibly thrilled to receive this copy from Revell!
This book is fast paced from the get go, a mysterious boat, a missing journalist, and some pretty villainous guys out to get Emily so they can find out what she knows. The characters are amazing, both of them had incredible depth. I found this book hard to put down, with it's many twists and turns! This is a book not to be missed.
This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.


This post contains affiliate links.

A Bound Heart

Though Magnus MacLeish and Lark MacDougall grew up on the same castle grounds, Magnus is now laird of the great house and the Isle of Kerrera. Lark is but the keeper of his bees and the woman he is hoping will provide a tincture that might help his ailing wife conceive and bear him an heir. But when his wife dies suddenly, Magnus and Lark find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of accusations, expelled from their beloved island, and sold as indentured servants across the Atlantic. Yet even when all hope seems dashed against the rocky coastline of the Virginia colony, it may be that in this New World the two of them could make a new beginning--together.

Laura Frantz's prose sparkles with authenticity and deep feeling as she digs into her own family history to share this breathless tale of love, exile, and courage in Colonial America.

My thoughts: I have enjoyed many of Laura Franz' other books, so I was excited to pick this one up, since it was partially set in Scotland. I thought that the story was excellent, and the history fascinating that she drew from. Two people from very different stations in life being indentured in the New World made for a unique story. I highly recommend picking up this fascinating book!
I received this book from Revell. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

This post contains affiliate links.

In the Shadow of Croft Tower

From debut author Abigail Wilson comes a mysterious Regency tale of secrets and spies, love and treachery.
Orphaned Sybil Delafield jumps at the opportunity for a position at the mysterious Croft Towers. She believes she was hired to act as companion to a dying woman, but a highway robbery and a hostile welcome from the Chalcroft family cause her to wonder if she was actually hired to help someone spy for France.
An unsolved murder adds intrigue to this already secretive family, and Sybil recognizes Mrs. Chalcroft’s handsome grandson as one of the infamous highwaymen who robbed her. Sybil must determine if this man’s charming smile and earnest eyes speak the truth or if he is simply using her like others in the house. Everyone seems to have something to hide, and Sybil must decide who to trust while also coming to terms with the truth about her own past.

My thoughts: Over all, I enjoyed this Regency style novel, since it was full of interesting characters, spies, murder, and mayhem. I liked that the romance had more to it than a lot of the stories in this genre. I would of liked a bit more surprises at the end, but still thought that the writing was superb. I look forward to reading more by Abigail in the future!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

Purchase a copy here:

This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author:
Abigail Wilson combines her passion for Regency England with intrigue and adventure to pen historical mysteries with a heart. A Registered Nurse, chai tea addict, and mother of two crazy kids, Abigail fills her spare time hiking the National Parks, attending her daughter’s gymnastic meets, and curling up with a great book. In 2017, Abigail won WisRWA’s Fab Five contest and ACFW’s First Impressions contest as well as placing as a finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a cum laude graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and currently lives in Dripping Springs, Texas, with her husband and children. Connect with Abigail at www.acwilsonbooks.com



Excerpt from the book:
1813
THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE

I often wonder what my life would have been like if I had never learned the truth. I wouldn’t have set off as I did for Croft Towers. I never would have met him.
It’s strange what I remember about the day I left London. The mail coach was late; the weather wretched. The clock had struck midnight long before two strangers and I ducked beneath the postmaster’s outstretched umbrella to board the Royal Mail and rumble across the North Downs.
That difficult journey east marked the beginning of an unseasonably cold autumn. Frigid rain pelted the coach windows. The undercarriage squealed beneath the seats as a metallic scent wound its way between the drafty boards. I gripped the windowsill, wondering if the coachman intended to hit every bump in the road.
“Far to go, miss?”
The woman’s voice startled me. Dressed head to toe in red
satin, she’d endured the last few darkened hours with a handful of smelling salts and a tongue hot for complaints, but she hadn’t spoken to me until now. Not until the first hint of rain-soaked daylight peeked over the horizon.
I lowered my gaze and fiddled with my bonnet ribbons. “Yes, ma’am . . . well, not too much farther, I hope.”
Taken from “In the Shadow of Croft Towers” by Abigail Wilson. Copyright © 2018 by Abigail Wilson. Used by permission of http://www.thomasnelson.com/.

For a complete list of the blog stops, go here.

Giveaway!
Enter here for a copy of the book!

Praying God's Will for Your Life

Now with bonus journaling space! A twenty-day prayerful walk to spiritual well-being from the author of the bestsellers The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Parent.
Praying God’s Will for Your Life is not a book about finding the right person to marry or deciding on a career. It is a book about a way of life and a heart attitude that are God’s will for everyone who knows Him. That way of life encompasses three important components:
An intimate relationship with God
A solid foundation in God’s truth
A commitment to obedience
As she has in previous bestselling books—The Power of a Praying Wife and The Power of a Praying Parent—Stormie invites you to discover the power of prayer, this time encouraging you to pray for yourself as you deepen your walk with God. Accept her challenge to pray for yourself in these areas every day for twenty days, and watch how God changes your life as you move into the center of His will. As you experience the power of God's will in your daily faith journey, take advantage of the bonus Prayer Journal, which offers Stormie's own words of encouragement and plenty of space for reflection and listing prayer requests and answered prayers.

My thoughts: This book is an excellent one to pick up and read through. I appreciated Stormie's thoughts and how encouraging this book is! This book helps bring life to the sometimes vague concept of praying for God's will in our lives. I thought that this was an excellent book and look forward to reading more of her other books!
I received this book from Booklook Bloggers. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

This post contains affiliate links.

2018 Readers Choice Awards!

I know you have read some great books this year! Here is your chance to vote for your FAVORITE Clean Wholesome Romance books that were published this year!
This is your chance to spread some love for the authors & books that deserve more praise and attention.

RULES
No anonymous votes. Sorry, but you have to vote with your name and email address.
One vote per person.
You must be subscribed to Clean Wholesome Romance’s Newsletter to cast your vote. This helps ensures that there is only one vote per person.
Voting runs from December 18, 2018 to January 2, 2019.
Books must have been published during the year 2018.
Authors CANNOT vote for a book they wrote or published.
Those related to an author CANNOT vote for a book written by a member of their immediate or extended family.
You can nominate the same book for more than one category (ex: Best Debut author, contemporary romance & Best Book Cover)
You can vote for up to THREE books in each category.
Please include the book title & author’s name in your nominations.
If you have any questions please ask.
Are you ready to vote? If so cast your votes on this website!

Mind Games Review and Giveaway!

FBI Behavioral Analyst Kaely Quinn’s methods may be highly unorthodox, but her talent is undeniable. She’s done her best to establish a new life for herself after being demoted and transferred to St. Louis when a reporter revealed she’s the daughter of an infamous serial killer. But when that same reporter claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely’s, it seems her old life has followed her.
When a body is found that fits the poem’s morbid predictions, Kaely and her new partner, Special Agent Noah Hunter, are forced to move past his skepticism of her approach and work together to unravel the deadly riddle.
With a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else, including Kaely, is killed.

My thoughts: This book is amazing! I have loved everything that I have read by Nancy, but I think that this one might be my most favorite book yet! Kaely is an interesting character with her gift of finding serial killers as a FBI profiler. She is a complex character, having been raise by a serial killer and seeking to atone for her father's sins. There are some incredible plot twists with this story, and I am eagerly awaiting the next story in the series.
I received this book through Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

Purchase a copy:

This post contains affiliate links.

About that Author:
Nancy Mehl (www.nancymehl.com) is the author of more than thirty books, including the Road to Kingdom, Finding Sanctuary, and Defenders of Justice series. She received the ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award in 2009. She has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW and RWA. She writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their Puggle, Watson. She is part of The Suspense Sisters: www.suspensesisters.blogspot.com, along with several other popular suspense authors. She is also very active on Facebook.

Guest Post from Nancy:
Writing Mind Games is a dream come true. I’ve been interested in FBI profiling for years. I’ve read about it, studied it, and watched every TV special I could find on the subject. So when the chance finally came to write the book I’ve always wanted to write, I jumped at it. Thankfully, through the help of another writer, I was hooked up with a retired FBI profiler. I was so excited. Until I found out I had almost everything wrong. Yes, I had some understanding about profiling, but I knew nothing about the FBI and how it works.
First of all, the FBI doesn’t call the men and women who profile criminals, profilers. They’re called Behavioral Analysts. The plot for Mind Games had my analyst running around the country solving crimes while she was stationed in St. Louis. Uh, no. Behavioral analysts do travel, but they all work out of Quantico in Virginia. So…I rewrote.
There were ways around my conundrum, but one solution led to more and more problems. We finally worked through them. Then I spent the next few months learning acronyms. CIRG, CJIS, NCAVC, HRT, UNSUB, CNU, THU, ViCap, CODIS, SWAT, ERTU, OPU, THRU, ERT… Well, the list goes on and on. The FBI is made up of many specialized units. And a plethora of acronyms, it seems.
I rewrote Mind Games three times before my source said we were good to go.
If you assume I’m out of the woods now, you’d be wrong. I haven’t had the nerve to open up the manuscript I sent her for book two in my Kaely Quinn Profiler series. I figured I had Fire Storm right but… Well, I can tell from her email comments I’ll be doing more rewriting. Sigh.
So is it worth it? A resounding yes! I love learning, and as long as my analyst friend hangs in with me (she has the patience of Job), I’ll keep at it.
I hope you enjoy Mind Games. It’s edgy but fun. Kaely Quinn is a quirky character. She was thrown out of Quantico because her version of profiling is… Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out!

Blog Stops
Go here for a complete list of blog stops!

Giveaway! Grand Prize: A copy of Mind Games and the three books in Nancy’s Defenders of Justice series, plus a $20 Starbucks gift card.

Two additional winners will receive a copy of Mind Games
Go here to enter!