Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason

What it’s about:
From the publisher:

“Brianna and Colleen O’Leary know their Irish immigrant father expects them to marry well. Recently he’s put even more pressure on them, insinuating that the very future of their Long Island horse farm, Irish Meadows, rests in their ability to land prosperous husbands. Both girls, however, have different visions for their futures.

Brianna, a quiet girl with a quick mind, dreams of attending college. Vivacious Colleen, meanwhile, is happy to marry–as long as her father’s choice meets her exacting standards of the ideal groom. When former stable hand Gilbert Whelan returns from business school and distant relative Rylan Montgomery visits Long Island during his seminary training, the two men quickly complicate everyone’s plans.

As the farm slips ever closer to ruin, James O’Leary grows more desperate. It will take every ounce of courage for both sisters to avoid being pawns in their father’s machinations and instead follow their hearts. And even if they do, will they inevitably find their dreams too distant to reach?”
My thoughts:

It’s always fun, and a little scary to try a new author. You never know what you might find. I found a gem! I found Irish Meadows to be compulsively readable. Every time I picked it up, I had a hard time setting it down. It was fast paced in my opinion, with something new happening all the time. I love that! It seems many historical novels being written today get bogged down and drag for most the story and end up with the last 40 pages being all the excitement and everything coming to a conclusion way too fast. Irish Meadows had constant new issues popping up where I never knew what was going to happen next or how each issue would be resolved and kept resolving in a much more realistic and natural way than waiting for the very end for each and every problem. I really like Susan Masons style and look forward to whatever she writes next!

I give Irish Meadows 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to historical lovers!

I relieved this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the author:

Susan Anne Mason’s debut historical novel, Irish Meadows, won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. A member of ACFW, as well, she lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two children. She can be found online at http://www.susanannemason.com.

Gone Without A Trace by Patricia Bradley

What it’s about:
From the publisher:

“It’s been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds’s cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts Livy concerning a missing senator’s daughter who was last seen in Logan Point, she notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. But with self-doubt plaguing her and an almost instant dislike of Jennings, Livy is finding this investigation an uphill battle. With her future in law enforcement on the line, can she find a way to work with a man who is her polar opposite?

Award-winning author Patricia Bradley keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they anticipate the outcome of the case–and the relationship between Livy and Alex–which is anything but certain.”

My thoughts:

I have enjoyed the first two books in this series and I think I enjoyed this one the most. It’s been a while since I read the other two, so it took a while at times for my memory to pick up what it needed to, to follow this series. I do think this is a series that is best to read them in order to follow the stories best. I think this book flowed better than the previous two for me. I felt more connected to the characters in Gone Without A Trace than the others. I wasn’t left on the edge of my seat like some mysteries. I think this is more of a gentle mystery. I was surprised with events throughout the book and things changed when I didn’t expect them to. I enjoyed Gone Without A Trace a lot and definitely plan on reading what Ms. Bradley comes out with in the future. Each books has flowed a bit better than each one in the past and I think her writing will continue to get better and better.

I give Gone Without A Trace 4.5 stars and recommend this suspense novel to those that like more gentle suspense.

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears

What it’s about:

From the publisher:
“Abandoned by his mail-order bride, Silas Jonesey has fought an uphill battle to recover from a pattern of poor choices. Now his prayers for reconciliation have finally come true and his estranged wife has contacted him with her whereabouts.

Kate Dawson was supposed to be a mail-order bride, but upon realizing she’d been deceived about her intended groom, she’s now settled into life as a schoolteacher. When the mother of a student passes away, Kate assumes she’ll take on care of nine-year-old Anthony–until two men suddenly show up in town, claiming to be the boy’s father.

Silas can see Anthony loves Kate, so he enlists her help in reaching out to the boy and attempting to prove his paternity to the court. When a common interest in Anthony leads to an interest in each other and Silas and Kate begin to think they can overcome their rocky start, neither is prepared for the secrets and past hurts that have yet to come to light. Can Silas, Kate, and Anthony’s wounded souls bind them together or will all that stands between them leave them lonely forever?”

My thoughts:

A Bride at last captured my attention at the very beginning and my heart soon after. I predicted with my last review of Melissa Jagears last book that I thought she would get better and better, and I am so glad I think she truly did! A Bride at Last is her best book yet and I can’t wait to see what else Melissa Jagears writes! I thought the cast of characters were mostly; endearing, flawed, and lovable. I loved going on their emotional journey through this book. As those of you who have read my other reviews know, one thing I absolutely love in a book is when I fall in love with the main character. A Bride for Keeps had me on page 70 when I fell in love with Silas! So, Melissa Jagears is now in the ranks with Dawn Crandall and Becky Wade, in my opinion. There were so many surprising events that kept me guessing what was coming next that I couldn’t wait to pick it up when I had to set it down. I was transported to the dusty streets and beautiful river, cold boardinghouse and everywhere else the book brought me. A Bride for Keeps made me laugh and cry, which means it made me feel and I love that!

I give A Bride at Last 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it to historical, prairie story lovers!

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.

About the author:
Melissa Jagears can be found at http://melissajagears.com to learn more about her.