Annabel Lee

Fourteen miles east of Peachtree, Alabama, a secret is hidden. That secret's name is Annabel Lee Truckson, and even she doesn't know why her mysterious uncle has stowed her deep underground in a military-style bunker. He's left her with a few German words, a barely-controlled guard dog, and a single command: "Don't open that door for anybody, you got it? Not even me."

Above ground, a former Army sniper called The Mute and an enigmatic "Dr. Smith" know about the girl. As the race begins to find her, the tension builds. Who wants to set her free? Why does the other want to keep her captive forever? Who will reach her first?

Private investigators Trudi Coffey and Samuel Hill need to piece together the clues and stay alive long enough to retrieve the girl--before it's too late.

My thoughts: I find it intriguing that the titles for the titles in this series are taken from things that Edgar Allan Poe wrote, while not being a mirror of those stories. This one was interesting. While I liked the suspense and a lot of the story, I wasn't a huge fan of the PI Coffey, and I'm not sure why. I am glad that I read to the end though, since it is an interesting mystery!
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Hairstyled

Spruce up any outfit with your best accessory—your hair!

You don’t need to be a professional to get show-stopping hair. Hairstyled presents 75 deceptively simple techniques for creating your favorite high-fashion hairstyles. Dress up your everyday look with a ballerina bun or accessorize with a scarf bow. Turn heads at special occasions with the woven crown braid or a regal bouffant.

Each style has how-to photographs that are easy to follow, and chapters dedicated to a variety of hair lengths and textures help you update your look whether you have a pixie cut or long, curly tresses. With product tips and countless ideas for accessorizing your ’do and inventive variations on classic styles, Hairstyled is your guide to getting gorgeous hair every day.

My thoughts: While I like the hair styles in this book, I do think that the pictures accompanying the hairstyles could done a better job of showing how the style looks from different angles. Especially how the style is suppose to look from the front, since I wanted the book to try some new hairdo's on myself and would of likes to see the front view of them, or at least the ideal for the front.;)
That said, I do like the hairstyles. The book has a wide variety for different hair types and for different occasions. I love the ideas on how to get a retro look! I also appreciate the tips on how to make hair look even fuller/thicker.
While this isn't my go to hairstyle book, like I was hoping it would be, it does have a lot of great ideas in it.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review.

The Reluctant Duchess

Lady Rowena Kinnaird may be the heiress to a Highland earldom, but she has never felt good enough—not for her father, not for the man she thought she’d marry, not for God. But after a shocking attack, she’s willing to be forever an outcast if it means escaping Loch Morar and the men who have jeopardized her life.

Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, has suddenly found himself in possession of a rare treasure his enemies are prepared to kill for. While Brice has never been one to shy away from manor-born ladies, the last thing he needs is the distraction of his neighbor, Lady Rowena, who finds herself in a desperate situation. But when the moody Earl of Lochabar tries to trap Brice into marrying Rowena, Brice finds he’s not as opposed to the idea as he expected to be.

Rowena wanted to escape the Highlands, but she’s reluctant to resort to marrying a notorious flirt just to gain his English home. And when she learns that Brice is mixed up in some kind of questionable business with a stolen treasure, she ’fears she’s about to end up directly in the path of everything she was trying to avoid.

My thoughts: This story is excellent! I wasn't so sure how I would like the direction it was heading in from the get go, but I love how the author wrote about beauty springing from tragedy and helping the reader to see some of the characters in a deeper way. I love the theme of religion and how folklore and curses fit in Christianity. Roseanna does a wonderful job of meshing Rowena's highland world to Brice's high society one. I appreciate the depth to this story and look forward to reading the next book in the series!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Back in the Saddle

It’s been a long time since Colt Stafford shrugged off his cowboy legacy for shiny Manhattan loafers and a promising career on Wall Street. But when stock market manipulations leave him financially strapped, the oldest son of legendary rancher Sam Stafford decides to return to the sprawling Double S ranch in Gray’s Glen, Washington. He’s broke, but not broken, and it’s time to check in with his ailing father, and get his legs back under him by climbing into the saddle again.

He doesn’t expect to come home to a stranger pointing a loaded gun at his chest— a tough yet beautiful woman that Sam hired as the house manager. Colt senses there’s more to Angelina Morales than meets the eye and he’s determined to find out what she’s hiding…and why.

Colt’s return brings new challenges. Younger brother Nick has been Sam’s right-hand man at the ranch for years and isn’t thrilled at having Colt insert himself into Double S affairs. And the ranch’s contentious relationship with the citizens of Gray’s Glen asks all the Stafford men to examine their hearts about what it truly means to be a neighbor. And as Wall Street recovers, will Colt succumb to the call of the financial district’s wealth and power—or finally the courage to stay in the saddle for good?

My thoughts: This is the first time I have read one of Ruth's books, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I fell in love with the characters and ranch! Her characters are well developed and I like that there is a lot going on with all of the characters, setting it up to be an interesting series. I enjoyed the peak at ranch life that this story provides. My favorite part about the book is the message behind the story, that it is never to late to make amends and live the life you should of been living all along.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Take five: books you should read by 30

Granted, there are a lot of books I could put on this list, but here are the first five that come to mind. What are some other titles that should be included?

1. To Kill a Mockingbird
Why? It's a powerful book about a horrible time in American history.

2. Mere Christianity

Why? Lewis does a fabulous job of breaking down everyday phrases and ideas in Christianity and explaining them.

3. The Chronicles of Narnia

Why? It's children's lit at its best.

4. Persuasion

Why? It's a beautiful story of second chances.

5. North and South

Why? Gaskell writes similar to Dickens, though I think her books are more to the point. This one does an excellent job of showing why unions were necessary, and is also a great love story of two people learning to see how to view things from another's point of view.

The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder

In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city's underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto's premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever--if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

My thoughts: I loved this refreshing historical mystery! It was so nice to pick up a book that wasn't totally predictable with the romance and mystery. The characters are fun and quirky, going against what is expected of them as young, unmarried women in the early 1900's by opening a detective agency instead of pursuing marriage alone. I would of liked a bit more explanation of the mystery at the end, but otherwise, enjoyed the story immensely! The historical aspect was quite interesting.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Busy, Busy

What a fun book to pull out for Spring! All the animals are busy and even Mommy is busy working in the garden. But, never to busy for some time with her little one. My daughter and I love the colorful illustrations and all the animals that this book goes through. It is such a fun book to pull out after the slowness of Winter has passed! The text is sweet and I love the adorable pictures. I like that the book has some different animals in it, like a mole and peacock.
I received this book from Worthy in exchange for my honest review.