Desert Moon

Desert Moon which was originally named Almost Arizona is a story that is intriguing, full of adventure, mystery, and it keeps you guessing.

Julia has been away from hometown for two years, she returns because her mother passed away. The action begins before she before she even enters town. When they finally arrive, her former fiance, deputy sheriff Adam Scott is there to take charge of the situation.

Julia and Adam lock horns immediately! Adam is determined he has his culprit and focuses only on that person. But as the story and plot thickens and the puzzle pieces fall together he realizes he was in the wrong. Instead of locking horns, Julia and Adam start realizing their feelings from the past are still there but have matured. A romance blossoms between them.

Adam eventually discovers the truth of who did the robbery and it isn't who he expected. The truth really creates a stir within him.

This story is a powerful one, full of misconceptions, mistaken identities, finding oneself in Christ, and forgiveness.

The Bonus Story from Honor Bond by Colleen L. Reece
This story is about Honor Brooks. Honor is a nanny to an adorable six-year-old girl. She lost her only sibling in France on the day of Armistice. She is grief-stricken over his loss. Due to her employer wife's health it is decided that they visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona. While there Honor is literally swept off her feet by Phillip Travis, a fellow she met in San Francisco two years before. A swift courtship and engagement ensue, then Phillip leaves for his ranch - Honor will follow later.

Honor comes to the ranch and things happen! One things leads to another.... This is where the story really gets good! I am not saying one word about this. You have to read the book!

Disclaimer Statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

I am a big fan of Susan Page Davis! I have enjoyed every book that I could find written by her.  Some of my favorites include her Ladies Shooting Club and Prairie Dreams trilogies.  Desert Moon did not disappoint!  I loved the story about Julia Newman, her brother Oliver and their friend Adam Scott.  Julia and Adam haven't seen each other for two years since the day Julia left shortly after Adam proposed.  She could not marry a lawman, and Adam couldn't deny God's calling on his life.  On Julia's return trip home she encounters some trouble that soon involves her brother.  Julia, Oliver and Adam must work together to help clear Oliver's name.  In the meantime, Julia and Adam rekindle their friendship. This story was a great story of love, adventure and finding one's way back home.  I really enjoyed this story!

This book also includes a bonus story Honor Bound by Colleen L. Reece.  This was the first book I've read by this author, and I plan to read more!  Her way of writing made me want to keep reading.  I could barely keep my eyes open as I stayed up late trying to finish this story to see what would happen next.  This is the story of Honor Brooks who is all alone in the world after her brother dies in the great war and her grandmother passes away.  She has found the perfect job nannying for the Stone family.  She quickly falls in love with their daughter Heather.  While working for the Stones, Honor takes a trip to the Grand Canyon.  While there she continues to run from the teachings of her grandmother, but as her grandmother once told her: God will keep chasing you.  Honor makes a series of choices that lead her into a marriage she never planned on.  This story is an inspirational tale of how our wrong choices cause our problems and not God.  Honor learns that she must rely on God, but she hopes happiness is not too late for her. This story has twists and turns that I didn't see coming.  I really enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait to read more by this author.

I was sucked into the story from the first page and not a lot of authors can do that.  The reader will be happy with the characters and the setting.  The author did a wonderful job and will be looking for more books.

This was a sweet romance with a little danger and mystery thrown in.  I loved it.  It starts out fast with a stage coach robbery and then accusations of the crime are made and with seemingly good evidence. 

Julia, in an attempt to protect her brother from a lynch mob finds herself at odds with her former beau who is also the town's sheriff.

I really think you will enjoy this book, which also has a bonus story at the end called Honor Bound.

I am finding that I am really enjoying the western historical genre and hope to read many more by this author.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley for my honest review which I have given.

Desert Moon
Susan Page Davis
Bonus Story of Honor Bond by Colleen L. Reece

This delightful historical fiction book includes two stories for reader’s enjoyment. The first story is Desert Moon, which is about a Julia Newman, a young lady who returns to Arizona after her mother’s death to find her beloved brother accused of robbing a stagecoach by the very man she has always loved, Deputy Adam Scott. The second story is Honor Bound. This story is about a naïve young lady named Honor who travels to the Grand Canyon with the family she works with as a nanny and falls in love with Philip, who is not all that he seems. 
Both stories are very well written and include some nuggets of historical fact that enhance the tales and engage the reader. In Desert Moon, Julia is returning home on the stage coach after she hears about her mother’s passing. She had left to go to school and become a teacher because she couldn’t bear to be in the same town as the Deputy when she was in love with him, but couldn’t marry him. When the very stage coach that she is riding in is robbed, she is enraged that Deputy Adam Scott would accuse her brother of the deed. As she struggles to convince Adam of the truth and find her brother, who has gone missing, she realizes that her feelings for Adam have not decreased over time at all. Will she clear her brother’s name? Will they discover who robbed the stage coach? Will she find love at last? All of this and more are answered in this engaging story. 
In Honor Bound, Honor is happy to travel to the Grand Canyon with her employers. They treat her fairly and allow her time to explore when she is not working. She meets Philip, a man she had known many years before and they fall in love. However, Philip is from a different world than the one Honor grew up in. While she works hard and has to strive to support herself, he comes from a wealthy family and is rather spoiled. Honor convinces herself that they can make things work though. She agrees to meet with him at his home. When she arrives there, he says that he can’t remember anything about her or their time together. As they get to know each other again, she finds him different in his own home. When he asks her to marry him in a hurry, she is unsure why but completely willing. During this entire period, Honor is struggling with her inner conscious about what is right and wrong and whether or not she should follow the teachings of her youth or go her own way. The story is a very sweet tale of a young girl who discovers not only love, but faith to sustain her through life. 
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction. Both stories are interesting, fun, and enjoyable. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

This is my type of book.  I loved the time era and the characters! I loved the authors writing style.  Once I started this book I didn't want to put it down.  I enjoyed this book with a cold glass of sweet tea and I was set for a long afternoon.

Desert Moon by Susan Page Davis is a wonderful historical fiction. The story takes place in Arizona. There is a sweet romance throughout the story with a little bit of danger and mystery added. The story begins fast with a stage coach robbery and then blames of the crime are made and with evidence.

The main character, Julia Newman, is a young lady that makes the difficult decisions. Julia receives double bad news in a short amount of time. First she learns of her mother's death, then she learns that her brother is accused of robbing a stagecoach and the person who informed her is the man that Julie has always love, Deputy Adam Scott. 

Julie left home to go to school to become a teacher because she could not stand to be near the man she loved, Deputy Adam Scott.  On her way home, Julie learns that the stagecoach she is riding in has been robbed. Deputy accused Julie's brother of the crime, which frustrates her. Julie tries to convince Deputy Adam Scott of her brother's innocence but then finds out that her brother has gone mission.  During this exchange, Julie discovers that her feelings for Deputy Adam Scott has not gone away as she hoped would happen when she went away to school. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.