Book Review - A Tender Hope by Amanda Cabot

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After Thea Michener's husband was murdered and her baby stillborn, Thea decided there was nothing left for her in Ladreville. She moves with her friend, Aimee to Cimarron Creek to take the open midwife position. Thea has no interest in remarrying and having more children after her husband and child passed. However, when she arrives in town a Texas Ranger is waiting for her on her doorstep.

On his way to town, Ranger Jackson Guthre finds an abandoned baby and takes the child with him to town.  Since he was investigating Thea, he decides this is the perfect opportunity to get to know her better. Jackson is convinced that her late husband was involved in the robbery that killed his brother. As Jackson befriends Thea, he realizes the situation is more complicated than he could imagine. He realizes he will need Thea's help if he wants to catch the criminals behind his brother's murder.

This was my first time reading anything by the author and I found the book to be an enjoyable read. I didn't read the other books in the series and I was still able to follow along with the story.  I enjoyed the mystery elements in the book as it added depth to the novel. I feel like a lot of romance novels just have a bit of back and forth with the main characters without any actual story or character development. The only thing I didn't like or found realistic is that right off the bat, Jackson knew that Thea was innocent. Part of me hoped that she was at least involved the robbery to add in some more drama. Overall, I enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading more by the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Beast Rider by Tony Johnston and Marí de Rhoads

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 Manuel is just twelve years old when he leaves his small town in Mexico. He travels across the US border, on a train to join his older brother in Los Angeles. Becoming a "beast rider" is dangerous but, Manuel faces other perils even if he manages to survive the jump on the train. 

The first time he is on the train, he is robbed then beaten and arrested by the Mexican police. Manuel doesn't allow his first defeat to deter him. He is attacked by an infamous Mexican gang and they leave him for dead. When he was about to lose hope, the villagers help restore his spirits and health. He leaves again for his journey and finally arrives in LA to be with his brother. He is excited that he is back but, then realizes he feels something is missing.

I thought the novel was an interesting read. However, I have conflicting feelings about this novel. While I thought it was brave that  Manuel risked everything to be with his brother. But, when he finally is reunited to his brother, he realizes that isn't what the heart wants. It's an interesting premise about what the heart and the mind wants. Although, I feel like Manuel risked and lost a lot before he learned what he really wants. I personally hoped Manuel would have found out what defined him before he lost his innocence.

 **Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Widows by Lynda La Plante

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 After receiving news that their husbands have perished in a fire, Dolly Rawlins, Linda Pirelli, and Shirley Miller must face life alone. The widows decided to work together and complete the heist that killed their husbands after Dolly discovers her husband's robbery plans. The widows train to pull off the perfect heist given this would be their first brush with breaking the law. During their preparation, they realize they need a fourth person to pull of their plan perfectly. They recruit a fourth person for their heist while trying to figure out who the fourth man  who abandoned their husbands. Who was the fourth man that left their husbands for death? Will the widows be able to pull off the heist?

The novel was a fun to read and interesting that the four lead criminals were all females. I like that each of the characters had a strong personality. And how they tried to overcome their husband's death while pulling a heist that none of them has experience with. I found the book to be a bit slow at times but I look forward to reading more books from the author.

**Disclosure - I received a free unedited copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion**

Book Review - The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson

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In the year of 1944, a young woman is clutching her young infant while weighing her impossible situation.  The father of Amelia's child was shot down in the South Pacific during the war. She loses hope as she lost her job and has no money. She decides to reach out to her infant's paternal grandparents as her beau always spoke highly of his childhood and upbringing.  Amelia and Jimmy take the train to meet Jimmy's grandparents and Amelia hopes they would take her and her son in. When she arrives an unfortunate accident causes her situation to become more dire, but when she finds out that his family is rich, would Amelia still be able to go through her plan?

This was the second novel I read by Melody Carlson. Both novels had central themes of Christmas and losing someone, but also redemption. The novella was a quick and lighthearted read with a "Christmas Miracle" sprinkled in.

**Disclosure - I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion**