Tag Archives: Irene Hannon

Top 10 Tuesday — Summer Vibes

6 Jun

Happy Tuesday! This week bloggers are sharing book covers with summer vibes. My list comes from books that just say summer to me — beaches, water views, porch swings.

What says summer to you?

For more summer cover love, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Covers with Summer Vibes

Bookshop by The Sea by Denise Hunter

Falling for Grace by Janet W. Ferguson

Haven Point by Virginia Hume

The Key to Everything by Valerie Fraser Luesse

The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton

A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter

A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble

The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton

Windswept Way by Irene Hannon

Top 10 Tuesday — Book Turn-Ons

30 May

Happy Tuesday! This week’s TTT topic is Book Turn-Offs. I really hate to hate on books and by extension the authors. So I did a little research into what other readers find to be turn-offs and twisted it up. I’ve listed books that did each category really well.

For more about book turn-offs/ons, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Book Turn-Ons

Some people don’t like “bad” covers. Indigo Isle by T. I. Lowe has a fantastic cover!

Some people don’t like multiple points of view. I do. Especially in dual timeline novels. The Vanishing At Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright is spot on with its POVS.

Some people believe a male author can’t write a strong female character. Tom Threadgill did it twice with his Amara Alvarez series. Collision of Lies is book 1.

Some people don’t like horror. I get that, but Billy Coffey writes stories that sneak up on you. It’s horror without the gore. But there sure are spine tingles. The Devil Walks in Mattingly is excellent.

Main characters that are too perfect turn people off. I guess that would be true of me too, but sometimes an author explores a “perfect” character to show that no one lives a life of perfection. Struggles are real and universal. Becky Wade‘s Stay With Me is a good example.

Some people don’t like long book series. I sure am glad Irene Hannon doesn’t feel that way. I love my return visits to Hope Harbor, Oregon. The latest book, #9!, Windswept Way is a favorite.

Some people don’t like cliff-hangers. One of the biggest I have come across is Life Support by Robert Whitlow. Some of the members of my book club were a little miffed when we read it. But we clamored for the rest of the story in Life Everlasting. Both books are available, so make sure you buy both. 😉

First Line Friday — Windswept Way

14 Apr

Happy Friday! Today I am sharing a book that I just loved! (Review HERE.) Windswept Way by Irene Hannon is the 9th book in the Hope Harbor series! They are all so good, but this one is my favorite. If you haven’t read the books in this series, then you are in for a big treat!

Here’s the first line:

Maybe buying a haunted house wasn’t her best idea.

Buying a haunted house was never in Ashley Scott’s plans, but when an intriguing opportunity drops into her lap after a major setback, she finds herself trekking cross-country to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast to launch a new life.

Wounded warrior Jonathan Gray isn’t sure what to make of the attractive woman on his reclusive older neighbor’s isolated property, but her presence is none of his business–until she enlists his help with an ambitious project. When Jonathan finds his interest in the new arrival becoming more personal than professional, however, his defenses go up. There’s no room in his life–or his heart–for romance.

Yet, as these three hurting people join forces to restore life, laughter, and love to a historic estate that has known too much sadness, they may also find healing, hope, and happiness for themselves.

Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites you back to Hope Harbor, where hearts heal and love blooms.

Irene Hannon is the best-selling author of more than 35 novels. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine and the Daphne du Maurier Award for mystery/suspense. Irene and her husband make their home in Missouri, USA. Irene invites you to visit her at her website,http://www.irenehannon.com.

Book Review: Windswept Way

13 Apr

I loved my return visit to Hope Harbor, Oregon in the newest book in the series, Windswept Way. I don’t know how Irene Hannon does it, but each book in the series just gets better and better. You will fall in love with these characters as they navigate a way back from isolation. Recommended.

Buying a haunted house was never in Ashley Scott’s plans, but when an intriguing opportunity drops into her lap after a major setback, she finds herself trekking cross-country to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast to launch a new life.

Wounded warrior Jonathan Gray isn’t sure what to make of the attractive woman on his reclusive older neighbor’s isolated property, but her presence is none of his business–until she enlists his help with an ambitious project. When Jonathan finds his interest in the new arrival becoming more personal than professional, however, his defenses go up. There’s no room in his life–or his heart–for romance.

Yet, as these three hurting people join forces to restore life, laughter, and love to a historic estate that has known too much sadness, they may also find healing, hope, and happiness for themselves.

Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites you back to Hope Harbor, where hearts heal and love blooms.

Irene Hannon is the best-selling author of more than 35 novels. Her books have been honored with the coveted RITA Award from Romance Writers of America, the HOLT Medallion, the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times BOOKreviews magazine and the Daphne du Maurier Award for mystery/suspense. Irene and her husband make their home in Missouri, USA. Irene invites you to visit her at her website, http://www.irenehannon.com.

My Impressions:

Traveling to Hope Harbor is always a treat! The latest installment in the contemporary romance series, Windswept Way, is another outstanding book by Irene Hannon. The setting of the novel is again the Oregon coast with its lovely views of sea stacks, circling seagulls, and the welcoming town. Windswept Way introduces two residents and a newcomer to the reader. Octogenarian Rose has had a lot of knocks in her life. Her family home is more than retreat, it is a safe haven from prying eyes and media attention. Jon has been wounded physically, but also emotionally, as he battled back from sever injuries suffered as a soldier. He too hides from the world. Both are vulnerable in similar ways. Enter Ashley, a vivacious and optimistic woman who befriends both. Her empathy and caring spirit are hard to resist. She’s been wounded in a lesser way than Rose and Jon, but she seeks to understand and help their healing. As always, Hannon inserts favorite characters into the narrative — they add a great deal of color to the book, but also wise words. While there is romance in the air, it develops slowly and naturally. This is a stranger to friend to more story that builds throughout the book. While most readers will not have undergone the physical and emotional trauma that the main characters experienced, they will find connections to the themes of betrayal and resulting vulnerability. All the characters are Christians, with some firm in their faith, while others feel God is a long way off. I liked the how the community of believers supports each other.

Windswept Way is the ninth book in the series! I think it is the best so far. It can easily be read as a standalone, but I recommend starting from the beginning. Nine wonderful novels to read — how great is that?!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Top 10 Tuesday — Birds!

11 Apr

Happy Tuesday! As I was researching this week’s TTT topic — animals in a title or on a cover — I was surprised to find so many books with a bird in the title. So I decided to go with it! Seven of the books even have a bird image on the covers! There are lots of different genres represented in my list, so you’re sure to find a book to love.

For more TTT fun, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books With A Bird In The Title

Belinda Blake And The Birds of A Feather by Heather Day Gilbert

Many Sparrows by Lori Benton

Murder at The Flamingo by Rachel McMillan

The Nature of Small Birds by Susie Finkbeiner

Pelican Point by Irene Hannon

A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg

Sandpiper Cove by Irene Hannon

The Secret to Hummingbird Cake by Celeste Fletcher McHale

Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof

Wings Like A Dove by Camille Eide

Top 10 Tuesday — Most Recent Additions To The NetGalley Shelf

27 Dec

Despite my TTT post last week listing all of the books I would love to have Santa pre-order, I have yet to receive them. My immediate family hasn’t had Christmas together yet, but I don’t anticipate any book gifts in my future. Most of them think I have enough books already. 😉 But I have been diligently adding to my NetGalley shelf and those are the books I am spotlighting today. I have quite the range of great books. Hope you find one to love!

For more book shelf additions, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Ten Most Recent Additions to My NetGalley Shelf

Body of Evidence by Irene Hannon

Broker of Lies by Steven James

The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham

Daughter of Eden by Jill Eileen Smith

The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green

A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter

The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy

What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson

The Year of Jubilee by Cindy Morgan

Top 10 Tuesday — Dear Santa, Load Me Up With Pre-Orders

20 Dec

This week bloggers are talking about the books on their Christmas Wishlists. This year I would love for Santa to load me up with pre-orders. Sort of like a fruit of the month club, but way better! A brand new book arriving in my mailbox or on my Kindle over the next few months would warm my bookish heart! My list includes my favorite authors across genres. I hope there’s one you’d like to include in your letter to Santa.

For more bloggers’ Christmas hopes and dream, visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top 10 Pre-Orders I Would Love From Santa

The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner

Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley

He Should Have Told The Bees by Amanda Cox

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer

The Lies We Believe by Lisa Harris

Under Fire by Lynn H. Blackburn

The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright

The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy

Windswept Way by Irene Hannon

The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese

Top 10 Tuesday — Thankful Freebie

22 Nov

Happy Thanksgiving week! That is how I am framing it, because my family began the festivities last Saturday with an extended family lunch. This week I will have all my kiddos and their families (including my beautiful one and only grandchild) at our home in the beautiful north Georgia mountains. We certainly do have a lot to be thankful for. In the past I have posted about books featuring families, books that helped make me the reader I am today, and all kinds of bookish goodies I am thankful for. Today’s TTT features one book from each month so far this year that I am thankful I had the opportunity to read. Spanning a variety of genres, the books featured well-developed characters, just the right setting for my mood 😉 , action, and well-told, engaging stories. I hope you find a book to love!

For more thankful bloggers, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Books I Am Thankful For

January — A Light on The Hill by Connilyn Cossette

I used this novel as a part of my Faith And Fiction Bible study of sanctuary cities. What a wonderful resource to draw from.

February — Bride of A Distant Isle by Sandra Byrd

An “oldie” but a goodie, I loved going back to Victorian England in this novel.

March — In Search of A Prince by Toni Shiloh

Toni’s unique setting and fairytale nod to Princess Diaries was a delight.

April — All That It Takes by Nicole Deese

Women’s fiction/romance that touched my heart.

May — The Librarian of Saint-Malo by Mario Escobar

English translation of Escobar’s moving novel set in WWII-era France.

June — Fatal Code by Natalie Walters

An unputdownable romantic suspense is just what I needed to kickstart my summer reading.

July — Sea Glass Cottage by Irene Hannon

What is a summer without a visit to Hope Harbor?!

August — Bookshop by The Sea by Denise Hunter

Another winner of a summer read. A small beach town and a bookshop, what’s not to love?

September — Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy

An exotic location, an independent and exasperating heroine, timely message.

October — The Lady’s Mine by Francine Rivers

A feel good read that sparked a lot of great conversation with my book club.

November — Where The Blue Sky Begins by Katie Powner

The best book I have read all year!

Top 10 Tuesday — Series Finished And Unfinished

8 Nov

Happy Tuesday! This week’s TTT topic is book series we need to finish. Unfortunately, I have more than a few and have featured this topic on more than one occasion. So, I decided along with the remaining books in series that deserve to be read, I would feature a couple of series that I completed recently. Not sure which is better — to have the satisfaction of finally reading that last book or to have one more to look forward to. 😉 As an aside, don’t you love how the book covers within each series coordinate?

For more from other bloggers, please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Series Finished And Unfinished

Recently Finished

A Murder in The Mountains by Heather Day Gilbert

I finished False Pretense on the last day of my UK vacation in September. It was a fun book to take along on the planes, trains and automobiles in England and Scotland.

Natchez Park Rangers by Patricia Bradley.

Deception was the last book in this series, and it provided a lot of twists and turns. It definitely was a good finish to an excellent series.

Unfinished

Triple Threat by Irene Hannon

I have the last book of this series, Body of Evidence, yet to read. Hannon is one of my favorites, and I hope to get to it in the next few weeks.

The Snap Agency by Natalie Walters

I am actually up to date with this series — Blind Trust is set to release in April of 2023. I feel good about myself with this one. LOL!

Extreme Measures by Lynette Eason

I am only one book down in this series, since Critical Threat won’t release until January 2023. I better get a move on! Crossfire is in my Audible queue.

Missing in Alaska by Elizabeth Goddard

With this series I am in really good stead because book one doesn’t release until February 2023. So I haven’t finished yet, because it hasn’t started! 🙂 Seriously, I never want to miss a book by Elizabeth Goddard!

Top 10 Tuesday — Lies, Deceit, and Deception, Oh My!

18 Oct

Happy Tuesday! Today’s TTT topic is Favorite Words. Don’t panic when you read my list. I really am not a liar. 😉 But my favorite line from the movie Elf is you sit on a throne of lies. LOL. Lies, deceit, and deception are the perfect words for October reading, don’t you think? There is something about cooler weather, longer days, and changing leaves that screams read a suspense novel!

For more bloggers’ favorites, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Titles Featuring Lies, Deceit, and Deception

Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill

Labyrinth of Lies by Irene Hannon

Legacy of Lies by Christy Barritt

Living Lies by Natalie Walters

State of Lies by Siri Mitchell

Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters

Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill

Dark Deception by Nancy Mehl

Deception by Patricia Bradley

A Lady’s Guide to Death And Deception by Katherine Cowley