Page Turners

June

Angel’s Embrace
By Charlotte Hubbard
Reviewed by Kris Anderson writing as Dee S. Knight

Angel’s Embrace is the third in the inspirational romance series, Angels of Mercy, by Charlotte Hubbard. The first book details Mercy Malloy’s story, the second, Christine Bristol’s.

Christine and her brother, Billy, moved with their mother to Abilene, Kansas after a gang killed their father and Billy’s twin, and they lost their farm. Their mother left them with Mercy, who raised the children like her own. Billy lived for the day he can return to Missouri and avenge the deaths of his brother and father. Angel’s Embrace tells how he learns his brother was not killed, and what he does with the information.

At the beginning, Emma Clark is buying material for her trousseau in 1876 Abilene. After grasshoppers destroyed her father’s crops and contributed to her mother’s death, Emma has designed a happier ending to the year. She’s maneuvered Billy Bristol into marrying her. Things are looking better for Emma, until she picks up a piece of mail addressed to Billy from Eve Massena.

Eve knew Billy’s family when they lived in Missouri. She insists she must talk with him. Eve’s language sounds familiar, and out of pique and fear, Emma tears up the letter and an enclosed painting. Thinking the matter over, Emma is shocked when Eve shows up during the wedding, collapses on the floor of the church and proceeds to have Billy’s niece.

Thanks to the unexpected “guests,” Billy escapes marriage to the controlling Emma. Eve stays with the Malloys, and—like Billy before her—learns the true meaning of love from Mercy and her patchwork family. Billy returns to Missouri where he meets his brother and uncovers a few surprises. Soon thereafter, he and Eve know what God intends for them, and they move forward with confidence and love.

Angel’s Embrace is a fine inspirational romance, like A Patchwork Family and Journey to Love. I’m looking forward to the fourth book in the series.

Cast a Pale Shadow
By Barbara Scott
Reviewed by Dawn Blankenship

Do you believe in dreams and wishes coming true? As a child Trissa Kirk did. She remembers wishing for chocolate covered syrup and dreamed of her daddy throwing her in the air only to catch her while she laughed. But her wishes failed to come true and her dreams have turned into nightmares.

One night her father’s close hugs become something more. Unable to get him to stop touching her Trissa is forced to hit him in the head drawing blood. When her mother blames her for what happened Trissa gives up all hope and rushes out of the house into the dark. Not knowing where to turn she ends up on the train tracks thinking she’s finally safe.

Nicholas Brewer, a photographer, moves from town to town and woman to woman.  A sensitive young man, who is drawn to women that seem down on their luck, he is prone to losing huge chunks of time.  He is so used to waking up and having it seem as if months had gone by that he doesn’t even freak out anymore. For him, it’s a normal part of life.

Nicholas has seen Trissa getting on the bus outside the photography studio where he works. He’s instantly drawn to her and feels the need to protect her. She seems so sweet and pretty and she reminds him of someone. One night he tries to track her down but is afraid he’ll never find her until he sees a young woman in the headlights of a speeding train.

Not knowing why she was on the tracks and afraid they will call the police Nicholas lies to the hospital telling them she’s his wife.  When Trissa regains consciousness she decides to go along with his story since she has no place else to go. Nicholas knows what it’s like to run and wants to protect Trissa from that loneliness. But can he protect Trissa from her father, the well-meaning doctor, and most importantly from Cole Baker?

Barb Scott’s psychological drama weaves a story that has you on the edge of your seat. Ms. Scott is a RWA Golden Heart winner for Tug of War and a WisRWA Reader’s Choice for Best Paranormal for Haunts of the Heart.

E-book available from http://www.triskelionpublishing.com/