The Doctor’s Mission

Debbie Kaufman

http://www.debbiekaufman.com/  

Harlequin LoveInspired Historical

ISBN-10: 0373828942

ISBN-13: 978-0373828944

A woman doctor! Missionary William Mayweather can’t hide his disappointment. The Nynabo mission in Liberia, Africa, desperately needs help, but he’s vowed not to put another female in jeopardy. Too bad flame-haired Dr. Mary O’Hara refuses to turn back—and he cannot allow her to go into the jungle alone.

Medicine or marriage? For Mary, the choice was clear. Far away from the patriarchal medical community, she resolves to be of real service. She’ll willingly go head-to-head with the handsome, opinionated missionary, even in the face of deadly danger. Yet the greatest tests lie in trusting God’s plan—for the mission, and her future happiness in this untamed, beautiful land…

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I’m going to give a disclaimer right up front – I’m bias where this book is concern. That being said I wouldn’t lie or even write a review just because I know the author. Now you have my proviso I’ll give you my thoughts on The Doctor’s Mission. As a Loveinspired, The Doctor’s Mission more than hits the mark. It is a sweet romance that still has titillating tension. The characters are well-developed and likeable, and the reader roots for the characters to get together. As a historical, the research shines and is woven into the story so that the reader is drawn in, instead of being hit over the head by the information. Its most striking element is that it is some of the finest writing I’ve read. It is spot on for the time period. If you like tender romances with a spiritual element I would highly recommend this book. If you just want to read a well-written book this is the one.

The Tycoon’s Christmas Proposal

By Jackie Braun

http://jackiebraun.com/

Harlequin Romance

ISBN-13:978-0-373-17551-2

Hired: one Christmas angel!

With the dreaded holidays nearing, the last thing widowed businessman Dawson Burke needed was a personal shopper who wanted to get personal. What part of “I want to be left alone” didn’t Eve Hawley understand? She just seemed intent on getting him into the Christmas spirit…

Eve could see Dawson had stopped wishing on the future, and he didn’t know how lucky he was to be surrounded by loving family. But once she’d helped him find the joy he’d been missing, Eve couldn’t help wishing Dawson would give her the best Christmas present of all—by proposing to her.

Dawson is a poor tortured soul and Eve is the upbeat woman with her own problems that pulls him back into living again. I liked Dawson, Eve and Dawson’s family. Just a good down home book. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.  Keeper.

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The books we review on this site, unless otherwise noted, are our own personal copies. The Petit Fours and Hot Tamales blog members do not accept payment in exchange for a review or mention.

The Sinner

by Tess Garritsen 

http://www.tessgerritsen.com/books/rizzoli-isles-series/ 

Publisher:  Ballentine Books

ISBN:  978-0-345-45892-6

Genre: Romantic Thriller

Back Jacket:

Not even the icy temperatures of a New England winter can match the bone-chilling scene of carnage at the chapel of Our Lady of Divine Light.  Within the convent lie the two nuns—one dead, one critically injured—victims of an unspeakably savage attacker.  The crime appears to be without motive, but medical examiner Maura Isles’ autopsy of the dead woman yields a shocking surprise…Together, Isles and homicide detective Jane Rizzoli uncover an ancient horror.  As long-buried secrets come to light, Isles finds herself caught up in an investigation that strikes too close to home—and toward a dawning revelation about the killer’s identity too shattering to consider.

Garritsen keeps the action fast-paced and riveting.  Her wonderful writer’s voice puts the reader in the middle of the action.  This book was a suspenseful thriller that you will find hard to put down.

Spirited Away

by Cindy Miles

http://www.cindy-miles.com/

Publisher:  Signet Eclipse, Penguin Group, May 2007

ISBN:  978-0-451-22145-2

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Buy It Here

When Tristan de Barre and his men were murdered in 1292, their souls were cursed to roam Dreadmoor Castle for all eternity.  Tristan’s phantom heart is pounding again for the first time in more than seven hundred years because of the beautiful scientist who’s digging up his castle’s bailey.  Can he make her notice him or will she see straight through him? Read the rest of this entry »

NEVER CRY WEREWOLF

Author Heather Davis
http://www.heatherdavisbooks.com

Harper Teen

ISBN 978-0-06-134925-6

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

From the back cover:

Moonlight can totally change your life.  And it all starts so simply. You. Him. The moon.  You’re toast.

Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had “borrowed” that Porsche?).  But her step-mother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior.  Suddenly Shelby’s summer plans are on the shelf, and she’s being packed off to brat camp.  It’s good-by, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.  Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges, III.  But soon she realizes there’s more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby’s help guarding it.  Shelby knows that she really shouldn’t be getting tangled up with another bad boy…but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good looking one?  One thing’s for sure, that pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.

My take:

Never Cry Werewolf is the first book in the Never Cry Werewolf series by Heather Davis, a sweet young adult paranormal that delivers on realistic teen issues without being high on the teen angst meter.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which was a quick read at 216 pages.  The twist at the end was unexpected and a strong reason to download book two, a novella called Sometimes by Moonlight.  If you enjoy young adult fiction or have a teen in your life who loves to read, I recommend Never Cry Werewolf as a good addition to any reading shelf.

Fast Five

Starring:

Vin Diesel

Paul Walker

Jordana Brewster

The “Rock”

Rated PG-13

Action/Adventure/Drama/Suspense/Thriller‎

Since Brian and Mia Toretto broke Dom out of custody, they’ve blown across many borders to elude authorities. Now backed into a corner in Rio de Janeiro, they must pull one last job in order to gain their freedom. They know their only shot of getting out for good means confronting the more »corrupt businessman who wants them dead. But he’s not the only one on their tail. When hard-nosed federal agent Luke Hobbs is assigned to track down Dom and Brian, he and his strike team launch an all-out assault. But, Hobbs learns he can’t separate the good guys from the bad. Now, he must rely on his instincts to corner his prey — before someone else runs them down first.

Okay, I’m going to step out and say it: I’m a Vin Diesel fan. Plus, what’s not to like about Paul Walker and his big blue eyes? This is the fifth movie of the “Fast and Furious” series and I’ve seen them all. Yes, all. So you can guess that I might have liked this one also. I did, I thought it was one of the best of the group. If you enjoy good looking guys, fast cars, on the edge of your seat storylines  this movie is for you. I will be watching it over and over. It gets an A+ from me.

Follow an Angel

By Marilyn Baron

http://www.twbpress.com/followanangel.html

Publisher: TWB Press (July 15, 2011)

Marilyn Baron has done it again with her latest supernatural romance, Follow An Angel. With its sympathetic characters, mesmerizing plot, and highly satisfying ending, this book is a real page-turner.

Thirty years old, always-a-bridesmaid-never-a-bride Eden Eastman is resigned to being single. Jaded from years of online dating and on the heels of being stood up by one man too many, she considers checking herself into Belleview or jumping off a bridge. But since she’s actually neither crazy nor suicidal, she decides instead to flee New York City and retreat to her parents’ beachfront property in an attempt to heal her broken heart.

All bets are off when hunky, winged Gabriel appears hovering over the balcony of the fifth floor condo, explaining that he is a celestial being on a mission. Like Clarence from It’s A Wonderful Life, Gabe is an angel in training; unlike Clarence, he is no old fogey – after all, he has a Facebook page! And using his social media savvy, he devises a plan to help Eden meet her soul mate, but they have just until sunset to carry it out.

At first, Eden is completely consumed by the quest for true love, but as she develops genuine affection for Gabe, she begins to care even more about helping him succeed in his mission. Do they make their deadline? Does Eden meet the man of her dreams? You’ll have to read the book to find out. But I will tell you that the beautiful twist at the end will bring joy to your heart and a tear to your eye.

As a single woman often disillusioned with the dating scene myself, I could relate to Eden on so many levels. Ms. Baron’s portrayal of her heroine’s thoughts, feelings and actions was spot-on. Five stars! Highly recommended!