One Night to Remember by Erica Ridley

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About the book:

Notorious whip Giles Langford is surprised to learn his blacksmith is a girl, shocked to realize she’s the out-of-his-league sister of a duke, and horrified to discover he’s fallen in love with the impossible-to-tame woman anyway. With no money and no title, Giles has nothing to offer but his heart…

Felicity Sutton knows poverty firsthand, and she’s never going back. She might miss the smithy, but not the relentless desperation of no home and an empty belly. Of course she’ll accept the stability of a wealthy ton suitor. As for the penniless daredevil she loves, well… At least they’ll have one night to remember.

Publication Date: June 11, 2019

Publisher: WebMotion

Genre: Regency Romance

Series: Wicked Dukes Club #5

*Steamy Read*

My thoughts: A perfect mix of seriousness and fun made this book a quick read. The hero and heroine are both characters that I enjoyed reading about and I loved the idea of a titled person, in this case, a woman, marrying a commoner. I’m not sure that I’ve ever read a story with this scenario before and I found it deliciously refreshing.

The author’s writing, as always, is superb and she has a way of drawing readers into the story and making them feel part of the action. And there’s plenty of action in this book! I love the descriptions that make it so easy to picture what is happening in the story.

This book is the 5th in the series but can be read as a standalone. It is a must-read for fans of the genre and a great way introduction to the author’s writing. A book that simply can’t be missed. Happy reading!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and wasn’t required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

About the author: Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels.

In the new 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!

Her two most popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.

When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

Hold on Tight by Shelley Shepard Gray

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About the book: Jackson Koch had already lost his wife to cancer when the town’s coal mines shut down and his job was gone too. So, with a three-year-old daughter to care for and a broken heart to mend, he moved across the country to find a new life in Bridgeport, Ohio. Now he tends bar by night and tries to navigate life as a single dad by day. Luckily, his neighbor is happy to babysit while he works late nights. She’s great with little Kate, beautiful, kind … and lately he’s found himself smiling whenever he thinks about her.

Dani Brown also knows what it’s like to lose a spouse and raise a child on her own. Cleaning houses during the day, and taking online classes at night, she dreams of running her own preschool someday. And, since her fourteen-year-old son Jeremy’s baseball team requires a lot of money, she’s thrilled to earn some extra cash by watching her handsome neighbor’s adorable little girl. But even with two jobs, she’s having trouble making ends meet.

When Jackson sees Dani running herself ragged for her son’s baseball ambitions he decides it’s time to get the Bridgeport Social Club involved. Together they cook up a plan. They will run a charity poker tournament to support Jeremy’s dream and help out a hardworking single mom. But will Dani be able to accept help from the handsome neighbor she’s starting to feel more-than-friendly feelings for? And how far is she ready to let those feelings go?

Get ready to fall in love with Shelley Shepard Gray’s Bridgeport Social Club again, where a poker night is so much more than a game of cards and an extraordinary community of ordinary men and women come together to offer love, light, and hope to everyone they encounter.

Publication Date: June 11, 2019

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Series: Bridgeport Social Club

My thoughts: As a fan of Shelley Shepard Gray’s books let me start with a bit of a disclaimer. If you are expecting this book to be a squeaky clean read like her Amish books are, it’s not. There’s a teensy bit of language and this book has some heat in the romance department. If you don’t like those elements then take a pass on this book. However, if you don’t mind some language and heat then be sure to pick up a copy of this book because it’s a really great read.

Let’s talk about the characters in this book. They are very realistic and down to earth. I like that in a story. When the characters are easy to relate to it makes the book more entertaining. Dani and Jackson are both realistic characters and ones that readers can empathize with and wish the best for. Add in characters from the previous books in the series and some new ones to this story and it was like hanging out with friends. It was so easy to forget these were fictional characters.

As with all of her books, SSG has a writing style that captivates readers from beginning to end. This book was effortless to read and had me wanting to pack my bags and visit Bridgeport. Which may be a problem because it’s a fictional place so unless she writes more books set there it looks like I won’t be going for any visits. (Please write more books that are set there!) I love the little poker tidbits at the beginning of each chapter. I think they added to the charm of the story and just gave the book a little more charm.

If you like contemporary fiction then you must add this book to your tbr list. It is part of a series but I think stands well on its own so it isn’t necessary to read the other books before this one. I’ve read them though and highly recommend them as well. This book is a great weekend read or vacation read. Just be sure to clear a bit of time because once you start this book it will be difficult to put down! Happy reading!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

About the author: Shelley Shepard Gray has published over seventy novels. She currently writes Amish romances for Harper Collins, Kensington, and Simon & Schuster and contemporary women’s fiction for Blackstone Publishing.

Her novels have been Holt Medallion winners and Inspirational Readers Choice and Carol finalists. Shelley’s novels have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.

Her novels have been highlighted in the Philadelphia Enquirer, Washington Post, Time Magazine, and USA Today. She has also been interviewed on NPR as well as numerous regional radio stations.
Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s degree in English literature and elementary education and later obtained her master’s degree in educational administration. She currently lives in Colorado Springs and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two young adults, and always has a dachshund by her side. She is an active member of her church, on Facebook and on Twitter.

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A Place At Our Table by Amy Clipston

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About the book:

 Kayla Dienner has suffered her fair share of heartache, which is why she vows to protect her heart at all costs . . . until she meets Jamie Riehl.

Along with his volunteer work at the local fire department, running his Amish farm keeps Jamie Riehl busy. He barely has time to eat at the family table, never mind find someone to date. But when he meets Kayla Dienner, he is smitten.

Kayla tries hard to deny her attraction to Jamie. After all, she’s spent the last year discouraging her younger brother, Nathan, from becoming a firefighter. The death of their older brother in a fire a year ago is fresh in her mind—she can’t bear the idea of putting her heart on the line every time the sirens blare.

Then tragedy strikes, and Jamie wants to extinguish any flame between him and Kayla. Can Kayla set aside her own fears to save the love she was determined to deny?

The first book in the Amish Homestead series, A Place at Our Table invites us to a quiet community in Lancaster County where love burns brightly no matter the cost.

Publication Date: November 14, 2017

Publisher:  Zondervan

Genre: Amish Fiction

Series: An Amish Homestead #1

My review:  

There are some authors that you just know you are going to enjoy their books. For me, Amy Clipston tops the list. I’m always excited to read her latest story and be introduced to characters who I will soon think of as friends. This book was everything I expected.

Even though there is a heart-stopping moment at the beginning of the story, I thought the book had a bit of a slow start. Perhaps I was just too anxious to find out what was going to happen next because I kept thinking “c’mon, let’s go”. Soon enough though the story takes off and I was reading and turning pages as fast as I could. After those initial moments I thought the book had a great pace and the storytelling, as always, is excellent.

I liked both of the main characters in this book. Kayla may come across a bit on the tough side but she’s really just shielding her heart from more pain. She has recently suffered heartache in two different forms and James, a.k.a. Jamie, represents both forms of heartache to Kayla. I can understand that while she found him attractive she wanted to protect her heart. To me it only seemed the natural thing to do even though at times it may have made her seem a bit harsh or selfish. Jamie is driven by his work and at times he lets it get in the way of living. He has his reasons for being the way he is and I was just as able to understand where he was coming from as I was Kayla. Once again Amy Clipston has created characters who are completely realistic and authentic. Not only will Kayla and Jamie find a spot in your heart but so will the other characters in the book.

As always after reading an Amy Clipston book I am left wanting more. I want more Kayla and James and I want more of the rest of these characters and their lives. I love that Amy can write a story that leaves you satisfied yet wanting more, more, more. This book is a wonderful start to what can only be an awesome series. This book is definitely recommended for fans of a good read.

I received a free copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

About the author:  

Amy Clipston has been writing for as long as she can remember. Her fiction writing “career” began in elementary school when she and a close friend wrote and shared silly stories. She has a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and is a member of the Authors Guild, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She is the author of the bestselling Kauffman Amish Bakery series and Hearts of the Lancaster Grand Hotel series with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Amy works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC, and lives in North Carolina with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats.

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Throwback Thursdays

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Hello fellow readers!!! I think sometimes as bloggers we focus a lot on the newest releases and the books with all the buzz around them. That’s why for the months of June, July, and August I’ll be featuring older titles I’ve reviewed on a special Throwback Thursday post. Each month will have a different theme and I’m starting out with June being a booklover/blogger salute to one of my favorite authors, Amy Clipston.

July’s theme is Christmas in July with, you guessed it, some of my favorite Christmas books! If the July temps are hot outside then count on these books to cool you down and perhaps get you into an early round of Christmas spirit.

August is dedicated to those dog days of summer and each throwback Thursday will have a story featuring….yep….a dog!!! There’s a mix of fun romance and suspense in these books with a Biblical fiction book thrown in the mix. As you’ll read in my review this isn’t a book I would have picked for myself but was glad I was able to read it. Got your interest yet? I hope so!

Have a fun and safe summer and let me know what you think about my throwback Thursday reviews. I can’t wait to hear from you!!!

The Pink Bonnet: True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime by Liz Tolsma

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About the book:

A Desperate Mother Searches for Her Child
Step into True Colors — a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

Widowed in Memphis during 1932, Cecile Dowd is struggling to provide for her three-year-old daughter. Unwittingly trusting a neighbor puts little Millie Mae into the clutches of Georgia Tann, corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director suspected of the disappearance of hundreds of children. With the help of a sympathetic lawyer, the search for Millie uncovers a deep level of corruption that threatens their very lives.

Publication Date: June 1, 2019

Publisher: Barbour Books

Genre: Historical fiction, American Crime

Series: True Colors: Historical Stories of American Crime #2

My thoughts:

Before I began this novel I had never heard of Georgia Tann or the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. I quickly learned though that this was not a nice woman and the things that she and her cohorts did were absolutely appalling. This story is one I won’t soon forget.

This story takes place during the early 1930s when times were hard due to the recent depression. Although the story centers on the real-life Tann and there is mention of two other real-life people, the rest of the characters are fictional. Yet they are so well-written and developed that it is easy to believe they were real and the entire story laid out in the pages of this book was real. The author does a fantastic job of capturing the personalities of the characters and making them totally believable. It was easy to visualize Tann as a monster with her orthopedic shoes and odd odor. It was equally as easy to imagine the fear the children faced as they were torn from their homes and placed with strangers, some nice and some not nice.

It was hard for me to believe that this was a debut novel. The author’s writing style is wonderful and she has a way of telling a story that kept my interest. I do admit I had to set the book down from time to time because this isn’t a light read. Sometimes the subject matter got to be just a bit much. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a book where I’ve despised so many of the characters.

If you like true crime stories I believe you will enjoy this book. Although it falls in the genre of Christian fiction there isn’t too much of a religious tone to the story. It’s just a really well-written fictional story set around real events and people.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

About the author:

Liz Tolsma has lived in Wisconsin most of her life, and she now resides next to a farm field with her husband, their son, and their two daughters. All of their children have been adopted internationally and one has special needs. Her novella, Under His Wings, appeared in the New York Times bestselling collection, A Log Cabin Christmas. Her debut novel, Snow on the Tulips, released in August of 2013. Daisies Are Forever released in May 2014. When not busy putting words to paper, she enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping with her family.

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More Than Words Can Say by Karen Witemeyer

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About the book:

After being railroaded by the city council, Abby needs a mans name on her bakery’s deed, and a man she can control, not the stoic lumberman Zacharias who always seems to exude silent confidence. She cant even control her pulse when shes around him. But as trust grows between them, she finds she wants more than his rescue. She wants his heart.

Publication Date: June 4, 2019

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Genre: Historical fiction, Romance

Series: Patchwork Family #2

My thoughts:

Delightful, witty, charming, these are just a few words that come to mind while reading this book. This book was so fun to read and made me feel good while reading it. Karen Witemeyer has penned a marriage of convenience story that will have you swooning from beginning to end.

Right off the bat, I liked Abigail. She’s strong-willed and independent. She doesn’t need a man but yet she does. All due to an old law that a woman can’t own her own business. Enter the perfect man for her: Zach Hamilton. Now, Zach is a bit rough around the edges but he’s just the type of guy that Abigail needs. He’s strong-willed, independent, and will look out for those he needs to. This is proven time and again throughout the story and made me like the character more and more. I loved the chemistry between Abby and Zach and I was thrilled that there was a bit more in the spark department between these two than what one normally finds in a Christian fiction novel. Personally, I don’t think the story would have been as entertaining if the attraction between these two characters was written in a more tame manner.

As always the author swept me away to another place and time and made me feel as if I were there right along with Abby as she tried to save the bakery her father left her. I love the descriptions that she writes that can make me feel part of the story and I love the word choices she uses. Adding to the story is the wit and charm she gives to the characters. I would love to believe (so I will) that this is part of the author’s personality that we readers are getting a glimpse of and I absolutely adore it!

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good, fun romance story. There is plenty to laugh and smile about while reading this book. This book is definitely going on the keeper shelf and being filed under books with my favorite characters. I dare you not to fall in love with Abby and Zach! Happy reading!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

About the author:

After growing up in California, Karen moved to Texas to attend Abilene Christian University where she earned bachelor and master’s degrees in Psychology. It was also there that she met and married her own Texas hero. He roped her in good, for she has lived in Texas ever since. In fact, she fell so in love with this rugged land of sweeping sunsets and enduring pioneer spirit, that she incorporates it into the pages of her novels, setting her stories in the small towns of a state that burgeoned into greatness in the mid- to late1800s.

A life-long bookworm, Karen is living her dream by writing novels. Her books have consistently hit bestseller lists and have garnered awards such as the ACFW Carol Award, the Holt Medallion, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. In addition, she is a multiple RITA and National Reader’s Choice finalist. Karen is also a sought-after speaker for national writing conferences and regional workshops.

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Freddie Mercury: A Kind of Magic by Mark Blake

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About the book: Freddie Mercury was rock’s most dazzling showman, a legendary entertainer who in 1991, at the age of just forty-five, became the first major music star to die of AIDS. Mercury’s soaring four-octave voice was a defining element in Queen’s unique sound, crucial to the success of the band’s fifteen studio albums, from Queen (1973) to Made in Heaven (1995). He was also a supremely talented songwriter and musician who wrote many of the band’s greatest hits, including ‘Killer Queen’, ‘We Are the Champions’ and their biggest triumph, the epic anthem ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. As a solo artist he released two acclaimed albums: Mr. Bad Guy in 1985 and the operatic ‘Barcelona’ with Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé in 1988.

Mercury’s extraordinary charisma was perhaps best seen in his imperious live performances, in which he’d hold vast stadium crowds to rapturous attention. His outrageous theatrics, physicality and over-the-top costumes led one commentator to describe him as ‘a performer out to tease, shock, and ultimately charm his audience with various extravagant versions of himself’. He pushed the limits of camp in everything he did. His extreme behaviour, in a society in which being gay was only starting to be accepted, just added to Freddie Mercury’s allure.

With expert understanding, Mark Blake traces Mercury’s life from his childhood in Zanzibar and India to his untimely death, and charts his astonishing achievements including in Queen’s world-conquering performance at Live Aid in 1985.

In the year that marks what would have been his seventieth birthday, Freddie Mercury: A Life celebrates a remarkable life, lived to the fullest. Featuring revealing interviews with fellow musicians, producers and collaborators, and a detailed discography and timeline, this is a memorable tribute to a unique recording artist and an irreplaceable performer who rocked the world.

Publication Date: September 12, 2016

Publisher: Omnibus Press

Genre: Biography

My thoughts:

“The other members of Queen wrote songs – often great songs – but it was Freddie who sold them.”

Like him, love him, or hate him, you have to admit Freddie Mercury had a vision and talent. In this book from Mark Blake readers learn about Freddie Mercury, the performer and the man. Readers get to know Mercury through the author’s research and the men who knew him best, Brian May and Roger Taylor. Though it would have been great to have heard from John Deacon it is understandable while reading the book that this just isn’t to be. These guys weren’t just band mates but friends and family. There’s a loyalty between them that is rarely found and should be treasured.

If you are a fan of Queen or Mercury then this book is a must-read. It’s entertaining and written in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are experiencing life right along with Mercury and the rest of the band.

Danger on the Ranch by Dana Mentink

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About the book: After putting his serial killer brother in prison, former US marshal Mitch Whitehorse chooses a solitary country life—until his brother escapes. Now Mitch’s former sister-in-law, Jane Reyes, needs protection…for herself and the toddler she’s kept a secret. Mitch still isn’t sure of Jane’s innocence in his brother’s crimes, but to keep his nephew out of a killer’s grasp, trusting her is his only option.

Publication Date: June 1, 2019

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Genre: Suspense, Mystery

Series: Roughwater Ranch Cowboys #1

My thoughts: Two things I have learned from reading Dana Mentink’s books are: 1) don’t start them close to bedtime as bedtime will be delayed by hours (not minutes) and 2) this sweet author can write some really sinister stories and characters. That being said I have to say I absolutely loved this book. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down.

This was a fast-paced story with twists and turns in every chapter. I loved the fact that I was unable to guess what was going to happen next. This book kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

I’m not sure how this author who is so sweet and funny on her social media creates such cringe-worthy, creepy characters but I am so glad she does. I believe Wade Whitehorse may be her most cringe-worthy character to date. This character had me wanting to get up and close the curtains while reading the book. My favorite character was Ben. He brought some light moments to what was a very suspenseful story.

If you like suspense then this is a must-read book for you. It’s a quick read and is an ideal way to spend an afternoon or evening. Get caught up in the lives of the people of Roughwater Ranch. You’ll be glad you did!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

About the author: Dana Mentink enjoys writing in many different capacities. She currently writes for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House Publishers.


Dana is the recipient of a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, two ACFW Carol Awards as well as a Holt Medallion.

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The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

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About the book: Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together.

Publication Date: June 4, 2019

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Genre: Historical Fiction, WWI

My thoughts: I absolutely loved the Shadows Over England series by Roseanna M. White and was so happy to see that one of the secondary characters from that series was going to be in the first book of a new series. I’ve been (im)patiently waiting to get my hands on The Number of Love and I was not disappointed. This book was full of twists and turns with a bit of romance to make it a read I won’t soon forget.

Margot De Wilde intrigued me. I think she was well ahead of her time as not only a brilliant woman but as a codebreaker. I found it absolutely fascinating to read about her part in helping the Allied forces during WWI. I even found her to be a bit like Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory in the way that she used facts instead of emotions to get through life. Drake Elton was the perfect counterpart for Margot as he softened her up a bit and made her not only see things differently but made her feel things. This couple is high on the list of all time favorites. They were a perfect combination and so fun to read about. I also enjoyed Dot and Red and would love to read more about them in future books.

One thing I’ve always loved about this author’s work is her ability to make me forget I’m reading a work of fiction. It is so easy to become totally immersed in her stories and the lives of the characters that she creates. Many times while reading her work I have to put the book away and think about what I’ve read and make sure I absorb the story before moving on.

This book is a great start to what I’m sure will be a fabulous series. I can’t wait to read the next installment. If you are a historical fiction/romance fan or a fan of WWI novels be sure to pick up a copy of this book. It’s a must-read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

About the author: Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. She and her family make their home in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia.

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The Journey Begins

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Hi!  Thank you for joining me here at The Barefoot Bookworm.  I’m Kristi and I’m a voracious reader.  I take a book everywhere with me.  I don’t feel like a day is complete without having taken a bit of time out to read.  I love all sorts of genres and will be reviewing a little bit of everything here on my blog.  Some reads will be very clean and some might be not-so-clean but don’t worry, I’ll make sure to let you know when there’s a review of a not-so-clean book.

Once again, thanks for stopping by and please… kick your shoes off and read awhile!!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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