Shadowed

***1/2

PG

Easily Recommend

I enjoyed this murder mystery from Stephanie Black...haven't been disappointed in her yet.

Clean and intriguing.  I was able to peg the murderer about half way through but she did have me second guessing my choice a bit until the last few chapters.

I could easily recommend this to any clean murder mystery lovers out there!

A Gilded Lady

***1/2

PG

{UM} {L}

Easily Recommend

I love Elizabeth Camden's writing but sometimes recently her books have contained unsavory elements.  This one, I am pleased to say was quite clean.  There were just a couple of {Uncomfortable Moments} and one instance of God's name being taken in vain {Language}.

I was fascinated by the look into the White House and the events surrounding Pres. McKinley's assassination.  That is one of the reasons I enjoy her books...they always include interesting historical events.

I will happily recommend this second installment in the Hope and Glory series by Elizabeth Camden!

Entangled

***1/2

PG

{SM}

Could Recommend

This is a compilation of 4 suspense novellas.

Overall, I think I am happy that I read it but I did definitely have feelings about each of them so I will break it down:

Traci Hunter Abramson's was fine...it didn't really grab me but it was fine.  I felt like there was probably too much time spent on the chase scene for my taste but, whatever.

Clair Poulson's was intense and sad...this is where the {Subject Matter} rating came in.  It was kind of violently gruesome and it also dealt with child trafficking.  It was hard to read about but realize it needs to be out in the open so I'm okay with it...I just maybe wouldn't want too young of children reading it.

Gregg Luke's was not what I was expecting in a suspense compilation.  To me, it was more just a sad story.  It really was sad...made me cry :(

Stephanie Black's was right up my alley!  She's the only author in this compilation that I've read before and I have always enjoyed her writing.  Her short story didn't disappoint.  Just enough suspense and intrigue without the blood and gore.

Altogether, I think I could recommend this compilation based on the lack of objectionable elements but I would not recommend it if you don't like sadness :)

The Breath of Dawn

***

PGish

{UM} {L?} {SM}

Probably Not Recommend

I remember the only other Kristen Heitzmann I've read to have been quite clean so I was excited to give another one a try.  I was a bit disappointed with this one though.  It was intriguing but I felt like there were too many things that bothered me...{Uncomfortable Moments}, some questionable {Language} and 2 or 3 times marital intimacy was discussed {Subject Matter}.  I admit, I have read another book since reading this one and I'm hoping I remembered all the things I didn't appreciate...anyway,

I would have a hard time recommending this one and am hesitant to try another one of hers now.

Rakes and Roses

***

PG

{UM} {TMP} {BSt}

Not Easily Recommendable

I have thus far really enjoyed the Mayfield series but I was somewhat disappointed in this third installment...mostly with there being {Too Much Passion}.  Her descriptions got just a little much and at one point it is implied that things would have gotten out of hand had one of them not stopped the kiss.

There were also a few {Uncomfortable Moments} and the main man IS a rake so he has a {Back Story}.  That is not described in too much detail, and I wouldn't have really even mentioned it except that it does play into the story a bit.

I wish that I could recommend this book more easily but I do have some hesitations.

My Brother's Bride

***

PG

{UM} {BSt} {TMP}

Could Maybe Recommend

A sweet story but there were some things with which I was uncomfortable...

There was a {Back Story} that involved a rape...(no details), some generally {Uncomfortable Moments} and the descriptions of kissing scenes were too much for me {Too Much Passion}.  With all things considered I would hesitate to recommend this book without an explanation of all of the above.

Storing Up Trouble

****

G

Easily Recommend

Another delightful story from Jen Turano!

I've never had any issues with offensive things in her books but at the same time there is not a whole lot of depth either...characters often seem unreal in their thought processes sometimes.  I can only conclude that with the amount of times that seems to happen that the author intends for her characters to be unrealistic.  They are always a fun read though and are sure to make you smile.

As always with her books, I can easily recommend this lighthearted novel.

Lakeshire Park

***1/2

PG

bordering on {TMP}

Recommendable

This book came highly recommended and I fear I had built it up too high in my mind.

I enjoyed it but it wasn't like I was crazy about it like I expected to be.

Maybe I was just in a strange mood when I read it...I don't know.

It was a cute book though and I don't have any problem recommending it other than just a bit {Too Much Passion} for my taste.  Sweet love story and fun characters!  I will look forward to reading more from Megan Walker.