About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Monday, May 6, 2024

A Run at Love (Love in the Spotlight, #2) by Toni Shiloh

A Run at Love (Love in the Spotlight, #2)
ABOUT THE BOOK

As a Black woman in a field with little diversity, Piper McKinney is determined to make her mark on the horse racing world. Raised on a thoroughbred farm in Kentucky, Piper’s dream is for her horse to win the prestigious Kentucky Derby. With the help of her best friend and trainer Tucker Hale, she gains national attention but must grapple with the complications that arise when a journalist delves into her past as a transracial adoptee.

In an effort to win Piper’s heart, Tucker formulates a plan to train Piper’s horse to victory, hoping to prove himself to her, her parents, and his own self-doubts. Then a shocking scandal hits the media, implicating both Piper and her parents, and she and Tucker will have to survive the onslaught to find their way to the winner’s circle–and each other.

Award-winning author Toni Shiloh makes a run for the roses with this heartwarming novel that reminds us that sometimes the greatest victories are found within our own hearts.







MY THOUGHTS.....

Toni Shiloh tackles several weighty subjects in her newest book but it's never a downer! A Run at Love has two characters who are clearly meant to be together but they each believe that the other only thinks of them as a friend. I admit that I'm partial because my Daddy's nickname was Tuck, but Tucker Hale is one of Shiloh's best male characters yet! He's loyal, hard-working, and he never leaves God out of his decision-making. Tuck is devoted to Piper McKinney but he considers himself as being in a different social class. How could he expect her to consider him more than a friend? And then there's Piper. She was adopted by a wealthy white couple so she recognizes her advantages but she's now trying to break into the male-oriented racing world! She knows that Tuck is there to help her in business, but could he ever give his heart to a black woman?

I've only recently discovered her writing, but no one creates better contemporary fiction than Toni Shiloh! The setting is my home state of Kentucky and the plot centers around preparing horses for the most famous horse race in the world, the Kentucky Derby. There's excitement, drama, and references to unforeseen circumstances that have plagued recent Kentucky Derbies. There are also shout-outs to fashion, the famous Derby parties, the mint juleps, and the celebrities that flock to our state on the first Saturday in May. Add some swoon-worthy but sweet romance between "friends" and throw in a faith element that's inspiring but never preachy, and the result is a book that I couldn't put down. I loved this book so much and I can't wait to read the next story in her Love in the Spotlight series!!

I received a copy from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review, and I am voluntarily sharing my thoughts!

My rating: 5 of 5 stars 




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author. She writes to bring God glory and to learn more about His goodness. Her novels, Grace Restored, was a 2019 Holt Medallion finalist, Risking Love a 2020 Selah Award finalist, and The Truth About Fame a 2021 Holt Medallion finalist.

A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and of the Virginia Chapter, Toni seeks to encourage authors in the writing industry. She loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. You can learn more about her writing at http://tonishiloh.com.


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LOVE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
A Run at Love

Saturday, May 4, 2024

The Vanished (Secrets to Keep, 1) by Cara C. Putman

The Vanished (Secrets to Keep, 1)
ABOUT THE BOOK

Janae Simmons left the small town of Kedgewick, Virginia, ten years ago to pursue her legal career and never looked back--until a professional mistake leads her to her grandmother's historic carriage house and to the town where her past threatens to find her. The quiet streets echo with her grandfather's sterling reputation, one that conflicts with fresh questions that claw at Janae, launching her on a reluctant journey to unearth his secrets. When her new job at a local law firm doesn't live up to expectations, she wonders if coming home was the right decision.

Carter Montgomery starts his art preservation career with the only job he can get--director at the Elliott Museum of Art. At least Kedgewick is a nice enough town to provide him and his nephew with a safe place to grieve the loss of Carter's sister. But Carter's calm days disappear when an elderly woman claims two paintings in the museum's collection were stolen from her family during World War II. Carter enlists Janae's help to unravel the legal labyrinth of art ownership, and the peaceful facade of Kedgewick morphs into a hot bed of secrets.

When an attorney turns up dead and Janae uncovers another painting, what began as a simple legal issue spirals into a race against time. As the web of intrigue tightens, the duo must confront a looming question: What dark truths lie beneath the surface, waiting to be exposed?




MY THOUGHTS.....

No one writes better legal thrillers than Cara Putman! She's always able to weave her strong knowledge as a lawyer into a tale that keeps me turning the pages and this book is the latest proof! I was completely engrossed in the circumstances surrounding two paintings that may have been stolen during World War II and are now hanging in a small museum in Virginia. Were they once the property of a Jewish family who were forced to leave them behind when they fled Vienna in 1938? Do the family survivors have legal rights to these paintings?

Fans of mystery/suspense, this book's for you because the art mystery is just one of three in The Vanished! Janae Simmon's return to her hometown leads to a startling family secret and the death of Carter Montgomery's sister may not be as it seemed. I loved the work partnership between Janae and Carter, I admired that they both had strong moral convictions to guide them, and I was hoping that there might be a romance waiting to happen!

If you're looking for an intriguing suspense novel with a surprise ending and an enlightening look at the Lost Art of World War II, grab a copy of this book! I recommend it to all who enjoy romantic Christian suspense!

I received a copy of this book from the author and Kregel via NetGalley. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


The award-winning, best-selling author of more than 35 books, Cara Putman graduated college at 20 and completed her law degree at 27. FIRST for Women magazine called Shadowed by Grace “captivating” and a “novel with ‘the works.'” Cara is active at her church and a full-time Clinical Associate Professor on business and ethics to undergraduate and graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and was a second-generation homeschooling mom for twelve years. Putman obtained her Master’s in Business Administration from Krannert and her J.D. from George Mason University Antonin Scalia School of Law. She serves on the executive board of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization she has served in various roles since 2007. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana. 

You can connect with her online her  on her Website     



Secrets to Keep
The Vanished