THE ALIAS by MANDI TUCKER SLACK

About the book:
After a long and difficult divorce, Jacey thinks the worst is over. Little does she know she'll soon be forced to go undercover to protect her family, and in the process, she'll risk losing her identity, her future, and her heart. With a lightning pace, a good dose of humor, and a plot that's full of suspense, this thrilling novel is an edge-of-your-seat read.
I loved The Alias by Mandi Tucker Slack. It was full of suspense, danger, drama, humor and even a little romance. The plot is very fast moving and easy to follow.  Once I sat down to read it I didn't want to have to put it down, I wanted to see what happened next.
The subject of domestic violence and the mob were handled well.
The setting in Rural Utah was perfect, and Melissa's Aunt and Uncle welcomed Jacey and Blaze with open arms, never suspecting they weren't really family. Jacey felt guilty lying and forcing her son to lie to her "family", and planned to leave. She learned the meaning of family and forgiveness when her "Aunt & Uncle" come to her rescue after her ex husband gets too close.
I would recommend this to everyone.
The Alias by Mandi Tucker Slack is available from www.deseretbook.com and www.amazon.com in paperback and Kindle format.
To learn more about Mandi Tucker Slack CLICK HERE

SECRETS AFTER DARK BY MARIE HIGGINS

About the Book:

Will Hannah be Thornton Manor's latest victim?                              Residing at Thornton Manor under the premise of courting Jonathan Thornton, Hannah Forester intends to find out who murdered her father - and why. After all, Jonathan's brother Morgan was the last person to visit Peter Forester before his demise. But upon her arrival at Thoronton Manor, Hannah is informed that Morgan perished the previous year in a house fire. She soon learns the manor is full of secrets: a ghost haunting the East Wing, a white wolf that roams the grounds by night, and the story of a curse-protected treasure on the neighboring island. Most disturbingly, Hannah discovers that numerous young women have visited the manor only to vanish without a trace.

When a hooded, deep-voiced man visits Hannah's bedroom late at night, warning her to leave the manor for her own safety, she realizes he must be Morgan Thornton. But why does he hide in the East Wing, and why does his family insist he is but a ghost? As Hannah falls in love with the handsome older brother, she must continue to court Jonathan in order to remain at the estate. Can she convince Morgan where her true loyalties lie? And will she uncover the Thorntons' secrets quickly enough to solve her father's murder before she loses her own life?
I loved Secrets After Dark by Marie Higgins. It is a romantic mystery full of intrigue and with a paranormal twist, set in Victorian England.
Thornton Manor is reputed to be haunted, but Hannah is determined to stay there and pretend to court the youngest Thornton brother a simple minded boy named Jonathan, while trying to solve the mystery of her father's death.
Normally I shy away from books that have stuff like shape shifting and witches, but Marie Higgins was able to weave the mystery and romance so successfully that it was nearly impossible to put the book down and the paranormal components were a great addition to the story. The witch and the wolf made it more exciting. There were a lot of twists and turns especially at the end, that kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had it figured out, the story took a new direction.
I would recommend this to anyone, especially if they like mystery and romance.
Secrets After Dark by Marie Higgins is available at www.deseretbook.com, www.amazon.com in paper and on Kindle and as always you can check with your local library for inter library loan.
To learn more about Marie Higgins and her books  CLICK HERE.

I recieved a review copy of Secrets After Dark by Marie Higgins from the publisher, but that didn't effect my opinion in any way.

SHOPPING WITH GRANDMA and MY GRANDMA IS A MERMAID by Thomas Lee

This morning at Jordyn's baptism I discovered a wonderful children's author Thomas Lee. His books are delightful. They have big colorful pictures, large easy to read print and the stories are fun.

Thomas Lee is a wonderful story teller.

Shopping With Grandma:

Papa and the boys accompany Grandma on a shopping spree. Grandma promises it will only take a minute. But just how long is a minute? And can Papa keep the boys occupied without getting into trouble?

I read Shopping With Grandma by Thomas Lee this morning while we were waiting for Jordyn to change after being baptized. I found myself totally engrossed in the boy's adventure with their Papa while Grandma was shopping. Papa made shopping totally fun for the boys, with Grandma scolding him after every adventure.

My Grandma Is A Mermaid

by Thomas Lee

Boys, did you know your grandma is a mermaid?

Papa!

I'll prove it to you.

Has your grandpa ever told you a fish story so incredible that you cannot believe it? What if he told you that your grandma was the fish? Find out more in My Grandma is a Mermaid.

After reading Shopping With Grandma this morning, I borrowed My Grandma is a Mermaid from my brother. It is another delightful story with Papa trying to convince his grandsons that Grandma is a mermaid.
Thomas Lee's books have an appeal to a large age range. My 10 year old nephew enjoyed Shopping With Grandma as much as my 8 year old niece did.
I would recommend this for any school aged child, but I think adults will like them too.
You can find Thomas Lee's books as well as more information on the author and his future books on His website.

A WALK IN HEAVEN by MARIE HIGGINS

About the book:

All he wanted was to trust again.
Joshua Grayson is not happy about his new sister-in-law’s visit and he uses the term ‘sister-in-law’ loosely as Careen Kennedy Grayson was a complete stranger. Joshua’s brother, Matthew, left the family ranch in the dead of night to run away and wed a woman he’d never met. The fact Matthew was killed moments after walking out of the church with his new bride merely adds insult to injury. Joshua struggles with resentment and trying not to blame Careen for his brother’s death. But it is difficult not to harbor ill feelings when he knows she’s keeping secrets. Despite his suspicions, Joshua slowly grows attracted to Careen and even starts to like her. Unfortunately, Joshua knows all too well the folly of loving a woman he cannot trust.
Careen Kennedy Grayson was married and widowed within minutes of the other. When her obsessive cousin, Luther, arrives minutes after Matthew’s death, she knows deep down he’s the one who killed Matthew. Luther is arrested and held for trial while Careen takes her husband’s body back to his family. Soon after arriving at the loving Grayson ranch, Careen learns of her mother-in-law’s heart condition. Unwilling to cause undue stress, Careen decides to wait until after Luther’s trial to speak the full truth of their son’s death. Soon Careen grows embedded in family and ranch life, getting closer to the Grayson’s with each passing day. She finds herself unnaturally drawn to Joshua and she knows their budding attraction will only complicate matters… Especially when the family discovers her cousin did indeed kill Matthew.

A Walk In Heaven by Marie Higgins is a romantic cowboy story.
It is the story of 2 people who have been emotionally beaten up.
Joshua, who has been scarred by his late wife's choices, and Careen, scarred by life in general, by the death of her husband minutes after their marriage, and the knowledge that her cousin is responsible. It is a story of learning to trust and forgive.
Careen makes plans to take her husband's body home to be buried and to become a part of their family. Throughout the book there is an undercurrent of romance despite Joshua's anger and mistrust and Careen's insecurity about how the family will react when they find out about her cousin's involvement.
There is a lot of mystery in A Walk In Heaven, like how traps keep getting set on the ranch, who is cutting the fences and why there is very little food and firewood at the cabin in the mountains.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes clean romance.
A Walk in Heaven by Marie Higgins is available on Kindle and Nook.

I recieved a copy of this book from the author, but that didn't influence my opinion or review

CHRISTMAS JARS REUNION by JASON WRIGHT

About the book:

The New York Times bestseller Christmas Jars has sold nearly 500,000 copies. Thousands of people across the country have emailed the author at ChristmasJars.com about how the Christmas Jars tradition has touched their lives— either by receiving a jar or by giving one.
Hope Jensen’s story continues in Christmas Jars Reunion. It’s been two years since Hope was reunited with her biological mother on Christmas Eve at Chuck’s Chicken ’n’ Biscuits. Hope has never felt more complete. She’s writing full-time for a family magazine and, with the help of her mother, Marianne, leading the Christmas Jars Ministry out of Chuck’s quirky restaurant. To top it off, she’s dating a marketing executive in a comfortable long-distance relationship. Her life is right where she wants it to be — a state of organized chaos — as another Christmas rolls around.
Then her world changes forever over Thanksgiving weekend.
The Maxwells hire a nephew to take over the family furniture restoration business. Someone that Hope can’t stop thinking about. Then an out-of-town stranger shows up at the diner asking to help in the ministry — a stranger whose motives are yet unclear.
Before the sun sets on Christmas Day, two men will try to change Hope’s life forever. In the process, Hope will be reminded of the immense power of a single jar, and the healing that sometimes comes only with forgiveness.
I originally read the book Christmas Jars a few years ago with a book club. That year I tried to do a Christmas Jar of my own. I ended up using the money for school supplies for a child in need and never made it to Christmas.
Christmas Jars Reunion is a continuation of the original story.  It starts out at the funeral of Chuck, owner of Chuck's Chicken and Biscuits. Chuck's is the headquarters of The Christmas Jars Mission. Hope, who was found abandoned as an infant at Chuck's wants to collect and distribute 1000 jars by Christmas Eve.
Christmas Jars Reunion is an inspirational story. There is some suspense, wondering if the mysterious stranger is a good guy or a con artist, will Hope fall for the Maxwell's nephew, will they meet the goal of 1000 jars?
A few places in this story brought tears, and there were parts that brought smiles. It also gave me a desire to fill a Christmas Jar for next Christmas.
I would recommend this book to anyone. You can find it at www.deseretbook.com and www.amazon.com.  It is available in hard covered, paper back and Kindle.
To learn more about Jason Wright CLICK HERE.

REARVIEW MIRROR BY STEPHANIE BLACK

from the back of the book:

Fiona Claridge, a smart and stylish New England college professor, strives to pull herself together after a car crash kills her roommate, Mia Hardy. Yet Fiona’s guilt and grief come flooding back after opening a gift-wrapped box left outside her office that contains car keys and a malicious note.
Shaken, Fiona travels to her hometown to attend a funeral but is followed by vivid nightmares as well as her unknown enemy, who leaves another sinister gift on her doorstep. She assumes the stalker is Kimberly Bailey, a disgruntled former student, and enlists the help of fellow professor James Hampton. But when Fiona encounters an old flame at the funeral, it’s clear her student isn’t the only one with an eye for revenge. Soon, through the maneuverings of her unknown enemy, Fiona faces criminal charges as well as continuing threats. As past and present become horribly entangled, Fiona unravels the truth about a determined killer — and finds herself on the wrong end of a knife.
Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black's new thriller and it's her best book yet. It is full of suspense, emotion and numerous twists and turns in the plot. I read it while I was working, which was my mistake, because I didn't want to put it down and answer the phone.
I had the mystery of who the stalker was solved at least a half dozen times and I was surprised at who it really was.
I would recommend Rearview Mirror to anyone who likes a good mystery/suspense, or who just needs to get their heart started.
You can find Rearview Mirror by Stephanie Black at www.deseretbook.com, www.seagullbook.com, www.amazon.com in both paperback and Kindle. As always you can check inter library.CLICK HERE to visit Stephanie Black's website.

This book was provided by the author, but that didn't influence my opinion in any way.

HANG 'EM HIGH by TRISTI PINKSTON

FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK:                                                      When Ida Mae Babbitt receives an invitation to visit her son Keith's dude ranch in Montana, she's excited to mend their broken relationship, but not so excited about spending time with cows. Arlette and Tansy go along with her, ready to take a vacation that does not involve dead bodies or mysteries of any sort - one must have a break from time to time. But it seems a no-good scoundrel has moseyed into Dodge City and is bent on causing all sorts of trouble for the ranch. Unable to keep her curiosity in check - especially when it seems her own son is the most likely culprit - Ida Mae decides to investigate. Can she lasso the varmint and get him to the sheriff in time? 

Hang 'Em High by Tristi Pinkston is is the third book in the Secret Sister's Mysteries, and possibly the best one yet.

The Secret Sisters mysteries are light and humorous. I laughed all the way through the book.

In Hang 'Em High Ida Mae, Tansy and Arlette go to a dude ranch in Montana, during the winter, to visit Ida Mae's son.

Ida Mae is looking forward to a nice quiet visit with her son, whom she hasn't seen in many years. But as always where ever Ida Mae and the girls go a mystery follows. The imagery  in this book still has me giggling when I think about it.

I recommend this book for anyone, especially if you like mystery and like to laugh.

You can find Hang 'em High by Tristi Pinkston at www.amazon.com and www.deseretbook.com. You can also check with your local library for inter library loan.

To learn more about Tristi Pinkston

CLICK HERE,