Category:

Reading Challenge: 12 Books Recommended by 12 Readers - October

10/30/2022

October

It may be extremely late but it's time to reveal my tenth book for this reading challenge.*
It was recommended to me by Rebecca.
I am still looking for recommendations so comment below!

*Book was read in the month of October.

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E-Book Review - Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman

10/14/2022

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Genre:
Romantic Suspense

Honor Bound
Love And Honor book 1
by Hallee Bridgeman

-From Goodreads-

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 fiance, 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 tries to hold on to her anger--but an unwanted 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 they just might overcome their differences and be able to make a life together.

ISBN-13: 9780800740207

She's a pacifist...he's a warrior...

This Book received a 4 Bark rating.

Hallee Bridgeman

Author Website

I love a good adventure story in an exotic setting – and for a girl who has never stepped foot out of the continental US Africa is about as exotic as you can get. The dirtier and more dangerous the trek through the jungle the more I like it! Toss in some skilled Special Forces guys and you've got me hooked! Honor Bound ticked all of those categories – and a few more – so I pretty much didn't put it down after first picking it up.

It's been quite awhile since I last read anything by Hallee Bridgeman, I think it was the first half of her Jewel series, but I thought that her new Love And Honor series looked like a great way to dive back in. I was not mistaken...

From the jungles of Africa to Washington DC to the Creation Museum in Kentucky, Honor Bound was an exciting read from start to finish. It was a fascinating mix of gritty suspense for much of it then an almost sweet romance in the last bit. That almost stark contrast highlighted and enhanced both elements as Hallee Bridgeman skillfully brought out the best in them. The insight into the lives of military families was also particularly interesting and thoughtfully presented.

I'm going to be 100% honest, this book was one of those ultra rare occasions where I dislike the heroine quite strongly. Her attitudes rubbed me the wrong way at nearly every turn. The hero, however, was the epitome of that word and I liked him from the start. He's a man of faith called to be a man of action.

This first Love And Honor book was quite the story. I enjoyed reading it and I am planning on checking out the next book in the series for sure. I wouldn't be surprised if I don't stop with just the next one...

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman a 4 Bark rating.

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2016 Favorites (E-Books & Audiobooks)

1/7/2017

3 Comments

Favorite E-Books & Audiobooks From 2016

Here is a list of Tell Tale Book Reviews' favorite
e-books and audiobooks read/listened and reviewed in 2016.
You can find all of those reviewed and many more by visiting our Book Review List page

2016 Reviews

Fiction

Charity's
Cross

Flower
Swallow

On The Wings
Of A Whisper

Pointe
And Shoot

Policed

Protective
Duty

The Ruby
Locket

The End Of
All Things

Valor's
Vigil

Widow

Audiobooks

The
Gifting

The Tethered
World

The
Unrelenting Tide

Non-Fiction

Giant
Killers

Social Media
Strategies

The Roots Of
Irish Wisdom

We are excited to start reading and reviewing in the
new year and hope you will be joining us for...

3 Comments

E-Book Review - Valor's Vigil by Hallee Bridgeman

7/8/2016

1 Comment

Genre:
Historical/WWII

Valor's Vigil
Virtues And Valor part 8
by Hallee Bridgeman

-From Amazon-

LEOPOLD SCHAFER, the only child of Major Charlene Radden and former spy, Karl Schäfer has trained his enter life for this moment in time. An American spy undercover in a Nazi uniform operating under the codename VALOR, he receives a promotion to Oberleutnant and a new duty assignment in charge of the prisoners in Occupied France's Valeurville prison.
In the wake of Marie Perrin, codename Temperance's arrest, Leo must handle the situation with the utmost caution. On one hand, every instinct in his heroic mind screams to protect the beautiful wireless operator from the hands of the Nazis. On the other, he cannot risk compromising his cover.
It takes quick thinking and not a small amount of prayer to shield her from the harsh interrogation tactics of the Schutzstaffel trained interrogator. While he personally sees to her health and safety, he realizes that more than his cover is at risk as his feelings for the beautiful spy grow. As her situation grows more grave, he must focus on the bigger picture and the whole mission and make the hardest decision of his life. Can he protect her without blowing his own cover, or will he place his own life in danger to keep her safe?

ASIN: B015D4N6EO

The story comes full circle...

This Book received a 4 Bark rating.

Hallee Bridgeman

Author Website

A great conclusion to an intriguing serial. Finally, readers learn more about the mysterious and elusive Valor. It was so interesting to see the Virtues's adventures through Valor's eyes. And one of my favorite things is that not everyone, and everything, are as they seem. A quick and easy read, Valor's Vigil is a great conclusion to, and truly completes, the edge-of-your-seat Virtues And Valor historical serial from Hallee Bridgeman. If you enjoy WWII fiction this exciting serial is a must read!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Valor's Vigil by Hallee Bridgeman a 4 Bark rating.

1 Comment

2015 Favorites (E-Books)

1/3/2016

3 Comments

Favorite E-Books From 2015

Here is a list of Tell Tale Book Reviews' favorite e-books read or reviewed* in 2015.
They are in not listed in any particular order.
You can find all of those reviewed and many more by visiting our Book Review List page,

Here

The Reckoning*

Paralyzed*

Isle Of Hope*

Texas K-9 Unit Series books 1-3*

Exiles*

Virtues And Valor 7 part serial story*

Love's A Stage*

Queen*

Torn Asunder*

Home Before Dark*

Darkness Reigns*

Wings Of Refuge series

Double Edge

Saltwater Taffie

A Matchmaker In Middlebury

We are excited to start reading and reviewing in the
new year and hope you will be joining us for...

3 Comments

Goodreads 2015 Reading Challenge

7/24/2015

1 Comment

2015 Reading Challenge

Jasmine has completed her goal of reading 75 books in 2015!

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75 of 75 (100%)

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So, I completed my Goodreads 2015 Reading Challenge today. I am so proud of myself! I had hoped to finish in June but July 23rd is nothing to sneeze at when you consider that I set my goal at 75 books, 1 to 2 per week seemed manageable, and then proceeded to fill up nearly every day this summer with other things.

I am by no means done with reading for this year, couldn't stop even if I wanted to, which I don't, and I may even up my goal eventually, but for now I am basking in my accomplishment. A job well enjoyed and well done.

2015 Stats

Goal: 75 books.

Started: January 1st
Completed: July 23rd

Number of Books Ahead of Schedule: 34

Total Pages Read: 21,736

First Book Completed (starting the challenge):
Random Acts Of Murder by Christy Barritt

Midway Book In The Challenge:
Flight Of Faith by Hallee Bridgeman

Final Book Completed (finishing the challenge):
Broom And Gloom by Christy Barritt

Longest Book (most pages):
Tiffany Girl by Deeanne Gist

Oldest Book:
Fallen From Babel by T.L. (Tracy) Higley
(September 30th, 2005)

Newest Book:
The Pilgrim by Davis Bunn
(July 16th, 2015)

1 Comment

Book Review(s) - Virtues And Valor Series by Hallee Bridgeman

4/17/2015

0 Comments

Genre:
Historical/WWII

Virtues And Valor series
Serialized story in 7 novellas
by Hallee Bridgeman

-From Amazon-

Seven valorous women — different nationalities, ethnicities, and social backgrounds — come together as a team called the Virtues.

In 1941 Great Britain a special war department assembles an experimental and exclusively female cohort of combat operatives. Four willing spies, a wireless radio operator, an ingenious code breaker, and a fearless pilot are each hand-picked, recruited, and trained to initiate a daring mission in Occupied France. As plans are laid to engineer the largest prison break of Allied POWs in history, the Nazis capture the Virtues' radio operator. It will take the cohesive teamwork of the rest of the women to save her life before Berlin breaks her and brings the force of the Third Reich to bear.

Some find love, some find vengeance, and some discover the kind of strength that lives in the human heart when all they can do is rely on each other and their shared belief. Courage, faith, and valor intersect but, in the end, one pays the ultimate price.

Introducing the Virtues and Valor series by Hallee Bridgeman. Seven serialized novellas, each inspired by real people and actual events, reveal the incredible story of amazing heroines facing the ultimate test of bravery.

Temperance's Trial
An exciting beginning to this WWII serial story from Hallee Bridgeman. This story introduces the 7 “Virtues” and follows Marie “Temperance” to France and her work sending/receiving vital coded messages. Excitement and adventure are in store for readers in Temperance's Trial. The story is a quick, easy read and the cliffhanger at the end leave you anxiously opening the next chapter.

The E-Books received a 4 Bark rating.

Hallee Bridgeman

Author's Website

Homeland's Hope
The adventure continues with singer Virginia Benoit, “Hope” in Homeland's Hope. When she sees a friend imprisoned she must rise above her fear to aid in the plans for a rescue attempt. I liked how this second chapter went back covered some of the same events but this time from Hope's perspective. Hallee Bridgeman has great job weaving the individual stories into one.

Charity's Code
Part 3, Charity's Code, features Dorothy, “Charity”, a very intelligent wife and mother of 3. She is the only 'Virtue' that stays on the Home Front, sending and receiving vital messages. She has her own special courage staying at home and facing the painful destruction everything she knows during the Blitz. I loved Hallee Bridgeman's Inspired By Real Events section with lots of fascinating WWII photos in it.

A Parcel For Prudence
Just when you think the cliffhangers can't get any more surprising here comes A Parcel For Prudence. Muriel, “Prudence”, is the courier in the Virtues and has the most dangerous job of all. Her faith is what gets her through even in the face of Nazi soldiers and she bravely gathers information when she can. Hallee Bridgeman knows how to hook her readers and keep them turning the pages!

Grace's Ground War
Grace's Ground War ramps up the excitement and danger! Some questions are answered and guesses confirmed. I think that Ruth, “Grace”, is so far the most interesting of Hallee Bridgeman's Virtues. Her Jewish heritage keeps her strong and her faith in the Messiah has gotten her through some of the darkest of times. As with the other stories I really enjoyed the Bible verses that open each book.

Mission Of Mercy
In Mission Of Mercy Betty, “Mercy”, is a skilled doctor who's life is tragically changed by a Nazi bomb. Her code name totally fits her cover as a nurse and she is indispensable to the resistance and the Virtues. With only 1 book left I am on the edge of my seat about what may happen next. The summary of each virtue that Hallee Bridgeman added at the beginning of each story is such a neat idea.

Flight Of Faith
Flight Of Faith is the riveting conclusion to the story of the 7 “Virtues.” Raised as a tomboy Helen, “Faith”, is the pilot of the group. Will her flying skills save her friends? And will she find love in an unexpected place? Hallee Bridgeman's serialized story is sure to thrill readers of WWII fiction. In the back of each story is a glossary of foreign words used and I found it to be very useful in reading.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives the Virtues And Valor series (7 e-books) by Hallee Bridgeman a 4 Bark rating.

File Size: 879 KB
Print Length: 105 pages
Publisher: Olivia Kimbrell Press (September 15, 2014)
ASIN: B00MW2U9SW

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Print Length: 160 pages
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ASIN: B00NKDQJSQ

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Print Length: 96 pages
Publisher: Olivia Kimbrell Press (November 17, 2014)
ASIN: B00O2721VS

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Print Length: 96 pages
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ASIN: B00O5A1IBG

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File Size: 682 KB
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(January 19, 2015)
ASIN: B00OPC5CWU

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(February 17, 2015)
ASIN: B00PWSD0GQ

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File Size: 1086 KB
Publisher: Olivia Kimbrell Press
(March 17, 2015)
ASIN: B00RPZP922

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Free Friday - Temperance's Trial by Hallee Bridgeman

2/27/2015

0 Comments

Temperance's Trial
Virtues And Valor book 1
by Hallee Bridgeman

The Third Reich Seeks to Extract the Information She Alone Knows

MARIE GILBERT and her elder brother flee from Vichy France after the Gestapo arrest her father for suspicion of aiding Jewish children to escape the oncoming fascist front. Once in London, Marie is recruited into an experimental all female cohort dubbed the Virtues, a collection of seven extraordinary women with highly specialized skills.

Known only by her code name, TEMPERANCE, she is trained to operate a wireless radio and returns to her beloved France. With a new identity, Marie clandestinely communicates vital intelligence directly back to Headquarters but unwillingly attracts the attention and apparent adoration of a handsome but ruthless Nazi officer, Oberleutnant LEOPOLD SCHÄFER.

As the H-hour to execute their daring mission draws ever closer, Marie plays a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with the unrelenting and merciless young Lieutenant Schäfer and the Nazi soldiers under his command.

TEMPERANCE'S TRIAL is part one of seven serialized novellas entitled the Virtues and Valor series.

Seven valorous women — different nationalities, ethnicities, and social backgrounds — come together as a team called the Virtues.

In 1941 Great Britain a special war department assembles an experimental and exclusively female cohort of combat operatives. Four willing spies, a wireless radio operator, an ingenious code breaker, and a fearless pilot are each hand-picked, recruited, and trained to initiate a daring mission in Occupied France. As plans are laid to engineer the largest prison break of Allied POWs in history, the Nazis capture the Virtues' radio operator. It will take the cohesive teamwork of the rest of the women to save her life before Berlin breaks her and brings the force of the Third Reich to bear.

Some find love, some find vengeance, and some discover the kind of strength that lives in the human heart when all they can do is rely on each other and their shared belief. Courage, faith, and valor intersect but, in the end, one pays the ultimate price.

Introducing the Virtues and Valor series by Hallee Bridgeman. Seven serialized novellas, each inspired by real people and actual events, reveal the incredible story of amazing heroines facing the ultimate test of bravery.

ALWAYS check the price before clicking
to make sure it is still Free ($0.00)

File Size: 480 KB
Print Length: 105 pages
Publisher: Olivia Kimbrell Press (September 15, 2014)
ASIN: B00MW2U9SW

Hallee Bridgeman

Hallee's Website

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2014 Favorites (E-book)

1/3/2015

0 Comments

Favorite E-books From 2014

Here is a list of Tell Tale Book Reviews' favorite E-books read and reviewed in 2014.
They are in not listed in any particular order.
You can find all of these reviews and many more by visiting our Book Review List page,
HERE

A Question Of Destiny

The Movement Of Kings

Tears Of The Sea

First Kisses

Dawnlight

Agent With A History

Awakening

Gatehaven

The following e-books were read and enjoyed in 2014.
Look for reviews coming soon.

A Carol For Kent

Love Amid The Ashes

We are excited to start reading and reviewing in the
new year and hope you will be joining us for...

2015 image from freedigitalphotos.net

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Book Review An Aria For Nick by Hallee Bridgeman (E-book)

3/18/2014

0 Comments

Genre:
Romantic Suspense

An Aria For Nick
Song Of Suspense book 2
by Hallee Bridgeman

-From Amazon.com-

The Only Man who can Save her Life
Has been Dead for a Decade...

Raised in a loving home, Aria Suarez dreamed of becoming a professional pianist happily married to her high school crush. After the only boy who ever caught her eye dies a hero's death and her wrist is shattered along with her future plans, she turns her brilliant musical mind to nuclear engineering and solving mysteries of science.

Abandoned to an abusive father at five, Nick Williams grew up dreaming of escape; of enlisting in the Army and leaving his wretched life behind; of proving himself worthy of the girl he loves. But the crucible of combat offers only the escape of death.

A decade later, Aria uncovers a nuclear plot that threatens the heart of our very nation. Sinister forces surround and threaten her when, out of nowhere, the man who reportedly died so many years before returns as if from the grave — intent on protecting her.

Has God finally joined them together?
Or is Aria doomed to mourn Nick twice?

Once again Hallee Bridgeman has penned an amazing Suspense story that will pull the reader in from page one to the end. I absolutely loved this story! I started reading An Aria For Nick and only put it down when life rudely intruded, and even then I found myself thinking about the story and wondering what would happen next.

The story is fascinating, fast paced, and has many unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think you might have it all figured out...you don't.
Interspersed with the action are touches of humor that liven up the storyline. Some of Hallee's phrasing is hilarious! I found myself laughing outright in several places.
That is one of the main things that I have enjoyed in this series, the perfect balance of humor and romance that offsets the action and suspense.

.
.
.

This Book earned a 5 Bark rating.

.
.
.

Hallee Bridgeman

Visit Hallee's Website
HERE

Themes of forgiveness, caring for and protecting those we love, sacrifice, and patriotism are prominent in An Aria For Nick. I really like how Hallee Bridgeman has woven threads of faith into the story that are both strong and yet subtle at the same time. In some ways the story is a little edgy but only the right ways and places.

The only thing I had a little trouble with was the use of quite a few acronyms but that was taken care of with a list of them including explanations at the back of the book.

If you have read any of Hallee's previous stories you know what a treat is waiting for you in An Aria For Nick. If you haven't read any than I suggest doing so ASAP, they are that good! Don't miss any of the books in the Song Of Suspense series!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives An Aria For Nick by Hallee Bridgeman a 5 Bark rating.

File Size: 1601 KB
Print Length: 322 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1939603110
Publisher: Olivia Kimbrell Press; 1 edition (October 26, 2013)
ASIN: B00GENBK7O

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Book Review - A Melody For James by Hallee Bridgeman

12/22/2013

1 Comment

Genre:
Romantic Suspense

A Melody For James
Song Of Suspense book 1
by Hallee Bridgeman

-From the back cover-

Solitary strangers meet during a stormy stopover. Hours later, their hearts hum a harmonious duet.

Endless cheers and throngs of adoring fans across the world mean little to Melody Mason, the hottest female voice in all of country music, without the handsome stranger who rescued her years before.

Widower James Montgomery has never forgotten the singing heiress. He prays God will bring her back into his life.

Incredible events finally reunite them once more. Together at last, they realize the bond between them has risen to a crescendo, melodiously marrying them like sustained symphonic chords. They know God paired them for a purpose.

But sinister forces threaten to destroy their rediscovered happiness. The couple must work in close concert, placing all their faith in God as they solve the deadly mystery that binds their lives inexplicably together.

Fire, loss, and bloodshed cannot shake their faith in God to see them through as they face a percussive climax that leaves hearts and lives forever changed.

I had heard of Hallee Bridgeman's books but hadn't read any of them, so when I got the chance to read and review A Melody For James, a suspense book, I jumped at it. Suspense/Mystery is one of my absolute favorite genres and I do have, well, standards I suppose. A Melody For James met those standards and exceeded them! I never quite know what to expect when I read a new-to-me author, usually I enjoy the book, and this time was no exception.

.
.
.

This Book earned a 4.5 Bark rating.

.
.
.

Hallee Bridgeman

Visit Hallee's Website
HERE

The characters, good ones that is, are likable and believable. This isn't just an average who-done-it with shallow characters and non-stop action. The hero and heroine especially are very well developed, their thoughts and emotions are detailed. In many ways A Melody For James is also a study in character and how circumstances and faith shape it.
James doesn't have much place for faith in his highly intelligent and scientific world – until his wife dies – until he meets and then loses Melody.
Melody had a rough childhood with a demanding mother, she then lost both parents tragically, in spite of it she holds to her faith – until Richard betrays and nearly kills her – until stardom gets in the way.
Both characters learn and grow. They struggle through love, loss, fear, and finding their way back to God.

One of the things I really liked about this book was the struggle for forgiveness. James and Melody both have a difficult time forgiving the people that did this. So often in Christian Fiction forgiveness is stressed but then is tied up in a neat package at the end of the story; not so in A Melody For James, forgiveness is a journey. One of my favorite lines explains this quite nicely, “Melody was not that strong, though she wanted to be. She would have to find a way to ask God to forgive her for all of her hateful thoughts about him. She would have to pray for the strength it would take to forgive him. It would take reading her Bible, praying, and asking James to help her.”

This was a great suspense story that will keep the reader saying “just one more chapter” until the book is done. There are a few twists thrown into the plot and just when you think the story is over, it isn't. I have to admit that I did partially figure some of them out before they happened but I think that comes from reading way too many Agatha Christie stories and always trying to pick out the guilty party or parties.

I would definitely recommend A Melody For James to suspense lovers. This may have been the first book I have read by Hallee Bridgeman but it most definitely will not be the last. I am hooked on this series for sure!

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives A Melody For James by Hallee Bridgeman a 4.5 Bark rating.

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Paperback: 322 pages
Publisher: Olivia Kimbrell Press (May 11, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1939603080
ISBN-13: 978-1939603081

1 Comment

Reading Challenge: 12 Books Recommended by 12 Readers - October

October

E-Book Review - Honor Bound by Hallee Bridgeman

Honor Bound
Love And Honor book 1
by Hallee Bridgeman

2016 Favorites (E-Books & Audiobooks)

Favorite E-Books & Audiobooks From 2016

Fiction

Audiobooks

Non-Fiction

E-Book Review - Valor's Vigil by Hallee Bridgeman

Valor's Vigil
Virtues And Valor part 8
by Hallee Bridgeman

2015 Favorites (E-Books)

Favorite E-Books From 2015

Goodreads 2015 Reading Challenge

2015 Reading Challenge

2015 Stats

Book Review(s) - Virtues And Valor Series by Hallee Bridgeman

Virtues And Valor series
Serialized story in 7 novellas
by Hallee Bridgeman

Free Friday - Temperance's Trial by Hallee Bridgeman

Temperance's Trial
Virtues And Valor book 1
by Hallee Bridgeman

2014 Favorites (E-book)

Favorite E-books From 2014

Book Review An Aria For Nick by Hallee Bridgeman (E-book)

An Aria For Nick
Song Of Suspense book 2
by Hallee Bridgeman

Book Review - A Melody For James by Hallee Bridgeman

A Melody For James
Song Of Suspense book 1
by Hallee Bridgeman

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​​October

Honor BoundLove And Honor book 1by Hallee Bridgeman

Favorite E-Books & Audiobooks From 2016

Fiction

Audiobooks

Non-Fiction

Valor's VigilVirtues And Valor part 8by Hallee Bridgeman

Favorite E-Books From 2015

2015 Stats

Virtues And Valor series Serialized story in 7 novellas by Hallee Bridgeman

Temperance's Trial Virtues And Valor book 1 by Hallee Bridgeman

Favorite E-books From 2014

An Aria For Nick Song Of Suspense book 2 by Hallee Bridgeman

A Melody For James Song Of Suspense book 1 by Hallee Bridgeman

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Archives

Categories

October

Honor Bound
Love And Honor book 1
by Hallee Bridgeman

Valor's Vigil
Virtues And Valor part 8
by Hallee Bridgeman

Virtues And Valor series
Serialized story in 7 novellas
by Hallee Bridgeman

Temperance's Trial
Virtues And Valor book 1
by Hallee Bridgeman

An Aria For Nick
Song Of Suspense book 2
by Hallee Bridgeman

A Melody For James
Song Of Suspense book 1
by Hallee Bridgeman