jbarrett5 book reviews, etc

Gone to Texas A Desperate Journey by Debra Parmley
This book starts out in Kansas in 1867 where Sally is just returning home with her daughter after helping a neighbor to find her husband Luke gone and their son Matthew.
She secures passage with Moss as they travel to locate Luke.
Robert is also looking for Luke..and their paths do cross.
She is able to bring food to an injured Indian and she finds the necklace he thanked her with. So touching! Love the bond!
Love the action, western locations, mystery, adventure, Indians, clues and calmness to deal with it all, colorful characters along the way.
Book ends with acknowledgements, about the author and her other works.
I received a gifted copy and am providing a review.

Married for the Warrior's Revenge by Lisa Torquay
This story starts out in Spain 1147. Dedication and a foreord from the author and maps of the location setting.
It follows Fatimah as she's out with her horse til she gets captured.
She's very smart in her moves. Rodringo is the one who caught her. Their families are enemies and he just wants what is rightfully his to be returned to him.
He takes her back to his castle and its very different than her own. She has free rein but only on the grounds. She is able to help the cooks with spices and herbs as they had no clue they could be used in cooking while they work through negotiations.
From then I love how the others really enjoy their food. Fascinating to find out where she stores the highly wanted herbs. It's a perfect location, just not normal.
Love hearing how the Romans traditions and customs also come into play in this book. The things the Spaniards and Moors had learned from them make sense.
Love action, adventure, outside areas, training, dancing, pools, food, fashion and how they really life.
Love learning that he has to sacrifice a lot to wed her and how they work among the peasants in the fields during harvest.
He also learns of a mole that is trading secrets and has to banish them.
Skirmishes help them keep on their toes as he's been training the farmers to help if ever needed.
Love how this story plays out, didn't see it happening as it did.
Steamy hot adult situations and love her she learned it all. I love reading.
Excerpt from the next book in the series is included. About the author and how to connect with her on social media. Her other works are listed at the end. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

The Day He Drove By by Elana Johnson
Gretchen was raised on the lavender farm, we've visited them when in Seattle area.
Stories follows her and her spouse, Aaron who passed away.
Story is about Drew who not only works on the family lavender farm but has training in emergency services and was a fire fighter at one time.
He had stopped on his way in to work and found Gretchen and her 10 year old at the side of the road. She's a florist and caters to events locally.
She raised Dixie herself. Drew was the one who had delivered the girl...
They have other times their paths cross and they start dating due to her medical problem and her staying at his parents house to recuperate.
Love hearing about the quilt his mom had made and colors used.
Love the experimentation with ice cream flavors and that Drew will put his creation into the annual contest...
Love how she explains the cross pollination breeding of a new flower, new colors and why.
Secrets and misunderstandings and they break up, wonder if they will ever mend fences...
Really like this series, hope I can get to the rest of them.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

The Day He Asked Again by Elana Johnson
Love this book because it is about a career I know nothing of.
Brooklynn works as a dog groomer, sometimes from the back of her SUV.
Dave is a captain on a Coast Guard ship that patrols the Port Angeles area in WA.
Can't wait to get back to that area and check this location out further, nature preserve and CG station if it's open to visitors.
They grew up living close by to one another but never dated. She's had a crush on him the whole time. She married a man but he died in a water accident.
That keeps her away from having anything to do with anybody that works on the water or anywhere near it. She is getting counseling and has made good progress.
They do start dating and really get along good as they learn more details about one another.
Disasters happen and he has to go out during the bad storm to help others. She wants no part of that or him now....
You wonder if they will ever get back together with one another.
Loved this book for new words, locations, careers and the story lines.
Can't wait to read more form this author as she writes from an area we travel to yearly.
Love that this book is about an older crowd, as I am.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

The Perfectly simple complicated life of maggie halloran
This story starts out with Maggie and she's retired, finally from her real estate job.
Her daughter Alice lives in the city of London and works there.
Her mother has just announced she's remarrying, she's in her 80's and helps to organize things.
When they return from the honeymoon things are not as they appear to be...
Daughter announces she's leaving London, having a baby and moving in with her mother.
Things just go from bad to worse to castrohphe level. All the furnitue they want Maggie to keep for them in her house. It's perfect size for just Maggie and she ends up giving up her own bedroom for the expectant mother and child to be.
Dog is another story, as she finds herself cuddling the dog but then there are times he's misbehaved and daughter has to tend to him.
She has a boyfriend that comes to visit and he's out of sorts with all that is gong on. The ex husband shows up to reassociate himself to his daughter.
Maggie has just had it but that's not all that happens, she just wants to do her sudoku puzzles and do things she wants to do.
She has a male friend who helped fix the house up for her and he stays in contact.
I thought USA people had drama but this beats it all. It's comical at times and serious at other times.
Have not gone through what she has had to endure and can't imagine I will, don't even want to LOL
There are ex spouses and new boyfriends also, what a mix.
Love the English landscape and communities that are discussed and getting familiar with the slang. I used to hate English books but Tule authors have made me want to read about them again.
Never imagined things would turn out as they did, WOW
Like learning about infliencers and the blog and how it all works.
Love how there were many generations in this story, you get to see all their particular problems.
Listing of other works by the author are listed at the end.
About the author is included. Next book in the series is mentioned and acknowledgments.
Received this review copy from the author and htis is my honest opinion.

Bound by Belief By Raphael Aron
Was interested in reading this because we had a sister in law that was taken into a cult.
This book follows the trail of those who've been taken and the services the team takes to get them back to safety. This book concentrated on many different groups of people and those they help to get out.
Time is of the essence in most cases. Love how they investigate and come to conclusions that will aid the victim.
In most cases they have been brainwashed. Sad to learn of the fate of some

This book has so many unique ideas and tactics depending on the circumstances.
The author is very knowledgeable in this field and I feel they are very passionate.
Love how the team works together as the makeup of the team is ever changing depending on what services need to be performed.
So VERY realistic. Fascinating read and not too difficult or gory.
Received this review copy from the author/publisher via Readers' Favorites and this is my honest opinion.

Life is a Cabernet: A Wine Country Novella (Heartwarming Family Sagas - Stand-Alone Fiction) by Jan Moran
This story starts with Julianna and she's organized the gala from the list of local owners of wineries. She has hopes to not only get more work for herself as advertising is her career, but to also get donations for a children's hospital effort.
Story also follow Henri and he owns a vineyard but is very recluse, stays out of the limelight.
She knew that he had lost his wife and she had lost her spouse to be also just days before he returned from the war.
She gets along jsut fine with Henri and his children but knows nothing about him as a man. He's misunderstood and she runs back to the hotel for the night . Next day she finds out a lot more about him from the local prist and she needs to hear things from him.
What I love about this book is the knowledge of vineyards and wines they produce and the important aspects of smell, taste, swirl, legs, etc. Also like how she handles his fears, nighttime terrors and how she can help him.
Love dancing, food, sights, down time and future as she now understands about his marriage and the girls....
Super descriptive words and love Irish Fisherman Sweater, I make them and know how startling one looks wearing them. Patterns speak about who they really are.
Can't wait to read more from this author. Book has acknowledgments and authors other works. beach series sounds SO fun.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

The Barlows (The Seaside Saga Book 17) by Joanne DeMaio
Starts out and Jason and Maris are back together, just dropping her car off for service.
As they go through a rural dark street she sees the first deer and avoids it, but doesn't see the next one...
Jason was following right behind her.
Things I love about this book are emotions, just when things are going great, then they aren't...
Love learning about how to avoid yellow jackets while picnicking outside, so cool!, all references to the water.
Love catching up with the WHOLE crew from wherever they are located and how things are advancing for them all. Love renovation, seen from others eyes it just sparkles, more escerpts from the journal.
Love how the crew takes care of one another especially during hard times. It's a gimmie, they are just there...
Can't wait to read more from Joanne, so very descriptive details.

Take Only My Love by Jo Anne Barnes
This story starts out with Nicole and she's just broken into Mr. Quinn's lodge in the wildness.
She's there for a family friend and hopes to get a look at a map that shows geological information....
Story also follows Justin and he lives and works in the woods. The couple next door are like his family, they tend to one another.
Love the nature scenes, wildnessness, fun you can have in them, geology aspects of this story and how it all plays a part.
Few characters but very well described scenes, yes I even look them up, love learning new words. Romance and adult situation are an added plus to this story.
These stories from Jo Anne just make me forget what I should be doing, chores, preparing meals, etc just for a few hours. Have enjoyed the reads, all of them and can't wait to read more.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Irish Knit Murder by Peggy Ehrhart
This book title fascinated me as I am a knitter and love the complicated designs.
They work at local once a week paper, as reporters and covering the St. Patrick’s meal at senior center along with entertainment. After the performance the star leave the stage and she is found alter....
Betina and Pamela and her spouse Wilfred, he's the cook enjoy a meal home cooked.
Love food in the book and will attempt to do my cabbage the same way this week.
Dessert sounds like the perfect meal ending, similar to one my mom would make in glass bowl with layers showing through.
Betina shares pictures with them, love the texture and color of the missing sweater.
The women discussed the details they recall and pieced things together.... Flowers with deepest sympathy has them stumped...
Pamela lives alone with her cats and her daughter is at college. Spouse passed 15 years and she's just now dating.
Love how she relaxes by knitting and thinking of the details of the death...
Just when you think they solved the murder another occurs...
Lots of very detailed descriptions. Not only is a pattern included by also a coffee trifle.
Like this series and hope to read more now that I've discovered this author.
Authors links are included at the end.
I received this review book from Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies and this is my honest opinion.
#IrishKnitMurder #NetGalley

Sidestepping the Truth: A Romance Story That's Complicated by Jo Anne Barnes
This story starts out with Paige and she's taken a job at a ranch. They are able to keep handicapped children there for a few weeks, allow them to help with the horses and so much more. She is on a mission...
Story also follows Chad who owns the ranch and has just started the new endeavor with the handicapped children. He was raised in an orphanage and wants to help handicapped children have a better life.
There is so much more about the children that I really admire.
She's keeping a secret and she knows she has to tell him all about it, he suspects something...
Love the loving care the adults give the children. Love learning of just even the small things that matter. Also love fond memories of learning folk dancing with Girl Scouts.
Descriptive words the author uses are not just he has big muscles, she describes them so you know exactly what they look like , feel like and can do, with just one word.
Never saw ending and SO unpredictable. Finances are dire and they are planning to move and sell everything.....
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Conveniently Married by Jo Anne Barnes
This story starts out with Caroline and her best friend who's helping her with a problem she has.
Her uncle's estate had stipulations that she has to honor to get the inheritance. She must marry.
Janet will introduce her to a friend to get the ball rolling. Caroline is a retailer worker in the bridal department and also looking at law school. She has some rules she wants in place also.
Story also follows Joe who did not renew his apartment so he hopes Caroline will be someone he can live with while he is able to do his job for just a few months.
He is a painter. They agree to give it a try. Like learning how he does his trade, fascinating!
Really love the details and time they do spend with one another, especially when Joe helps her with law exams to get into school.
She is so determined to make a go of it and knows the inheritance, whatever it will be will help her further her college degree.
Love how they help take care of the elderly gentleman next door when they are needed.
Twists and turns and the firm has sent the lawyer to their house to go over the details of the estate.
Like funny moments when things just don't go right, for either of them. They get over the obstacles and seem to be a great pair, til they are having problems....
Adult situations and a really good read.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Julia by Ashley Merrick
This story starts in 1898 and Julia works as a bookkeeper for a local company til her boss notifies her he sold the business as his health is not too well and the new owners can not use her services.
She has enough money to hold her over at the boarding house that she went to after she aged out of the orphanage 6 years prior. She plans to head to Montana where she will aid her friend Emma in a birth and tend to the other child in the family.
Emma' brother in law is keen on meeting her as she talked about her to Liam often.
They get along well and just the concept of having a family is overwhelming to her.
Twists and turns and things are dire as Liam is taken ill, too ill to work and she paid attention to how he did his job, so she takes over.
Problem is there are threats that she knows nothing of and other helpers discuss some matters with her.
His mother sheds light on the matter. Love hearing how this book takes place in western wilderness state and how Julia has other plans for her future friends still back in Boston...
Such a fun read and informative. Love learning about the candy at Christmas and even looked it up online.
Received this review copy via Hannah Bryon from the authors collaboration with others in free monthly reads and this is my honest opinion.

Winds of Fate A Pygmalion Romance by Jo Anne Barnes
This story starts out with Danielle and she's about ready to move onto a new venture.
She's been with the horse ranch for quite some time, she arrived after her spouse had passed away.
She's real good at her job but wants other things in life. Her boss, who she felt at one time were very close have drawn apart.
He's always flying around and he brings his new girlfriend. They agree that he needs to set her up with his friends, to achieve her goals in life.
Like the turns and twists this book takes as she always remembers the gypsy and her future telling....
Amazing she finds what she needs and love hearing the talk of how to tend to horses, Love the travel and adventure also.
Can't wait to read more from this author, very descriptive, new subjects and relaxing.
Received this review copy from the author via Readers' Favorite and this is my honest opinion.

The Between State by Joseph A. White Jr.
This story starts out with Jeff and he has become interested in dreaming as he finds unexplainable things happening to him when he is asleep.
Love hearing of his journey to discover the dream world and how he collects information about it.
Story also follows others that are involved with his dreams and how they play a part in what happens in the future. He’s from 2017 and he goes back to 2015.
WOW love this read, eye opening to say the least, adventurous, travel, interesting, explanations of dreams and so much more.
Book ends with excerpt from another in the series and I can't wait to read that one.
Received this review copy from AIA Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

To Claim His Highland Bride by Gerri Russell
This story starts out with Rowena and she wants to wed Marcus but he's a rival clan but her brothers’ like him and they see how they treat her.
He's heading off in the only thing he owns, his ship to gain some wealth and plans to head back to take her as his own.
Problems arise on the high seas and he loses a lot of men but has the treasure. His cousin has kidnapped Rowen when he returns and he is able to get her back. Rowena is part fairy and gets help from seals and other mystical things.
The cousin then kidnaps his parents and Marcus sees to that solution also.
The couple get married and she has ulterior motives-she wants an adventure then she can get an annulment and live peacefully at the family castle til her dying days.
He takes her up on the adventure as he sails the next day with her and his crew to find more treasure. He needs to repay others families for their losses before he can even think about his life.
Love the action, adventure, romance and the high seas and living on a ship and in the castle.
Rivalry continues on the voyage and love hearing of the upcoming treasure and where it's to be located.
About the author and her other works are summarized at the end along with historical events.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.