My September 2022 Reads and October 2022 TBR

My September 2022 Reads: 

1. The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I liked this book even more this time around. Read my original review.


2. Mothering by the Book  by Jennifer Pepito - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Prayer Without Pretending by Angela Ashwin - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Absolutely amazing book on prayer.


4. The Hidden Prince by Tessa Afshar - ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ - Review available closer to release date.


5. Defending Honor by Lynette Eason and Kelly Underwood - ⭐⭐⭐½ - Read my review.


6. Falling for the Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review..


7. Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

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Expected October 2022 Reads:

1. The Brilliance of Stars by J'nell Ciesielski.


2. Life After by Katie Ganshert - My book club's October selection. 


3. Giving Your Words by Sally and Clay Clarkson - Sally is one of my favorite authors on parenting/homeschooling!


4. Embracing Advent by Jen Ludwig.


5. Suncoast Empire: Bertha Honore Palmer, Her Family, and the Rise of Sarasota by Frank A. Cassell - This has been on my TBR for several months and I'm not sure if I'll get to read it this month, but I'm keeping it on the list anyway.


6.  The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano.

What will you read this month?

Book Review: Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman

About the Book: 

You can't override the heart.

It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. But all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a local warlord's mortally wounded son.

As part of the Army Special Forces A-Team on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia's life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia doesn't want to like anything about Rick and his team--but an unexpected attraction is taking hold.

With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to draw upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive . . . because he's beginning to think that, despite their differences, they just may be able to make a life together.

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My Thoughts:

Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman started as a romantic suspense before transitioning to more of a women’s fiction novel with a slow-burn romance. The action and danger at the beginning of the story caught my attention and had me turning pages. However, after a certain event, the suspense died out and the story felt slow, a stark contrast to the strong, intense start. I also had trouble connecting to Cynthia as some of her actions and responses seemed to not make sense considering the rest of her character. I appreciated Cynthia’s character development as she searched for God’s will and learned to accept Rick for who he was.

While I wouldn’t reread Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman, I would consider subsequent books in her Love & Honor series. Three stars.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.