by admin | May 18, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Geneology, Historical
MY REVIEW:
I don’t believe I have previously read any books by Olivia Newport but The Inn at Hidden Run seemed intriguing so I decided to give it a try. I am glad that I did! I found it to be an interesting read, especially the historical details about the Yellow Fever epidemic in Memphis, Tennessee, the city near where I’ve lived my entire life.
Jillian’s occupation as a genealogist was quite fascinating. I enjoyed reading about her methods and the reasons clients needed her services. She was quite a specialized detective! Although her intentions were probably good ones, I did think that Jillian may have been just a little bit pushy in how she went about convincing Meri to let her discover her family history.
I did like reading the historical sections most but loved seeing how everything all tied together at the end. I will be looking forward to the next book in Newport’s Tree of Life series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Present to Past on Family Trees Meri flunks out of medical school—and runs from her parents. Genealogist Jillian Parisi-Duffy’s digging traces the family long tradition of doctors to an ancestor saved during a yellow fever outbreak in Memphis in 1878. As Meri’s family closes in, Jillian gets the final puzzle pieces in place just in time for them all to learn the truth. The Inn at Hidden Run is the first book in the Tree of Life series. Readers will come back to backdrop of a lovely mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that inspire them to connect with their own family histories and unique faith journeys.
Click here to purchase your copy!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Olivia Newport’s novels twist through time to find where faith and passions meet. Her husband and twentysomething children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books. She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where daylilies grow as tall as she is.
MORE FROM OLIVIA:
Of Family Lines and Family Lore
I suppose it all started in a cemetery.
Once, while a group of relatives were visiting a cemetery, one of my cousins and I wandered off and looked at all sorts of graves, speculating about the names we read and the lives they represented. We were duly scolded both for separating from our families, which caused some consternation, and for being disrespectful—though I think the second accusation was a false one!
Just because we were young children didn’t mean we were disrespecting the dead. Quite the opposite. We were respecting lives long forgotten with our curiosity about who they were and what legacies they left.
These days a lot of people are interested in genealogy. Entire TV series spin around the theme, and DNA kits show up in Christmas stockings. Lost branches of family trees find the main trunk—sometimes with big surprises.
My new Tree of Life series is set in the backdrop of a lovely Colorado mountain town I hope you’ll want to visit often, where a father-daughter genealogy team link present to past on family trees and characters learn about who they are, where they come from, and their unique faith journeys as they discover their own Tree of Life.
It all starts with The Inn at Hidden Run. When Meri arrives in Canyon Mines because she wants to run away from her family, true answers come from understanding the past that generations have forgotten—the accounts from another time and place no longer handed down but that still form the backbone of the family’s story.
What’s the backbone of your family’s history? How is it shaping your own future?
BLOG STOPS:
| Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 18
The Avid Reader, May 18
The Power of Words, May 18
Daysong Reflections, May 19
Texas Book-aholic, May 19
Through the Fire Blogs, May 20
Lighthouse Academy, May 20
A Baker’s Perspective, May 21
To Everything A Season, May 21
Reflections From My Bookshelves, May 22
Pause for Tales, May 22
Hallie Reads, May 22
Bigreadersite, May 23
By The Book, May 23
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 23
All-of-a-kind Mom, May 24 |
Connect in Fiction, May 24
Maureen’s Musings, May 25
Seasons of Opportunities, May 25
Inklings and notions, May 25
Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 26
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 26
Godly Book Reviews, May 27
janicesbookreviews, May 27
Retrospective Spines, May 28
Mary Hake, May 28
Quiet Quilter, May 29
A Reader’s Brain, May 29
Remembrancy, May 30
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 30
Just the Write Escape, May 31
Moments, May 31 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Olivia is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of The Inn at Hidden Run!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/e1c1/the-inn-at-hidden-run-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | May 18, 2019 | Books, Historical, Romance, Shakers
MY REVIEW:
It has been awhile since I read one of Ann Gabhart’s books about the Shakers. I always enjoyed learning about their history and customs in her earlier books. I liked the way she always managed to point out the errors of their religious practices through the story and the experiences of her characters. Once again I thoroughly enjoyed her latest offering.
The Refuge features Darcie Goodwin who feels trapped at Harmony Hill when her husband dies in an accident. She and two other “sisters” share their hopes for being able to live in the outside world again in the future but make the best of things and work hard at the tasks they are given. Two new babies threaten to upset the peaceful life of the community but may actually soften the hearts of more than one leader. The story of Flynn Keller, his young daughter, and his father-in-law is also told as the book progresses and it is interesting to watch as both worlds intersect.
The Refuge has a little of everything I love in a book – plenty of interaction between characters that is both positive and negative, a bit of drama and mystery, a strong emphasis on faith, and of course a bit of romance. I loved seeing their world through the eyes of Gabhart’s characters and found myself hoping for happy endings for all of them. I can truthfully say that I was quite pleased with how everything ended.
Ann H. Gabhart is a very skilled author who brings her characters to life amid vivid settings that spark my imagination. I also must mention the gorgeous cover. Revell’s artists outdid themselves on it. Readers who love historical fiction should pick up a copy, especially if they have not read a book by this author.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Can the power of love and the bond of family triumph in a community that cannot accept either?
With the threat of a cholera epidemic at their heels, Darcie and Walter Goodwin join the Shakers, whose villages seem immune to the disease. It’s meant to be temporary, but when Walter is killed in a riverboat accident, destitute Darcie has little choice but to stay with the Shakers. To complicate matters, she is expecting a baby conceived before she and her husband came to the Shaker village. Marital relationships are considered sinful in this celibate community, putting Darcie in a unique–and lonely–position. Can the arrival of widower Flynn Keller and his headstrong daughter offer Darcie the hope of happiness?
Read an excerpt here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several Shaker novels–The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, The Innocent, and The Gifted–as well as other historical novels, including Angel Sister, These Healing Hills, and River to Redemption. She and her husband live on a farm a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky. Ann enjoys discovering the everyday wonders of nature while hiking in her farm’s fields and woods with her grandchildren and her dog, Frankie. Learn more at www.annhgabhart.com.
by admin | Apr 16, 2019 | Books, England, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
The Governess of Penwythe Hall is Sarah E. Ladd’s most recent offering for fans of her Regency era novels. Its steady pace with touches of danger and suspense as well as the expected romance offered a pleasant reading experience for me during yet another round of seasonal allergies.
As always, Ladd’s settings are exquisitely vivid and her characters well-rounded and mostly likeable. I enjoyed her portrayal of Delia and the children under her supervision. I also liked Jac and appreciated his change of attitude as he grew to love his brother’s children who suddenly became his responsibility. Family secrets and other surprises kept things interesting with a few plot twists along the way.
A lovely story about overcoming and standing firm in the face of tragedy, The Governess of Penwythe Hall kept me happily reading until its end. I look forward to the upcoming books in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
| Book: The Governess of Penwythe Hall
Author: Sarah Ladd
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: April 16, 2019 |
 |
In the first of a new series from beloved Regency romance author, Sarah Ladd, Delia, a governess to five recently orphaned children, would risk anything to protect them . . . even her heart.
Cornwall was in her blood, and Delia feared she’d never escape its hold.
Cornwall, England, 1811
Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she tries desperately to forget.
Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief of this brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.
Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.
Click here to purchase your copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The Heiress of Winterwood. She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky golden retriever. Visit her online at SarahLadd.com; Facebook: SarahLaddAuthor; Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor.
MORE ABOUT THE GOVERNESS OF PENWYTHE HALL:
5 things to know about Cornwall, England:
- Throughout its early history, Cornwall’s inhabitants called the country Kernow.
- Early inhabitants largely spoke their own language known as “Cornish,” which became nearly extinct in the 1800s
- The country has a long and rugged coastline and there were frequent shipwrecks.
- Fishing was a major industry, with herring, mackerel, and sardines being common catches.
- In 1870, novelist and poet Thomas Hardy called Cornwall “the region of dream and mystery.”
Imagine yourself in The Governess of Penwythe Hall with these pictures of 19th Century life in Cornwall
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2016/may/19/everyday-life-in-cornwall-captured-in-the-19th-century-in-pictures
Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/cornish_nation_01.shtml
https://www.maritimeheritage.org/ports/Cornwall.html
http://www.cornwallgoodseafoodguide.org.uk/cornish-fishing/history-of-the-cornish-fishing-industry.php
BLOG STOPS:
| Back Porch Reads, April 11
LifeofLiterature, April 11
Moments, April 11
Genesis 5020, April 11
Maureen’s Musings, April 12
The Power of Words, April 12
Mary Hake, April 12
To Everything A Season, April 12
KarenSueHadley, April 13
EmpowerMoms, April 13
For the Love of Literature, April 13
Inklings and notions, April 13
The Avid Reader, April 14
Blogging With Carol, April 14
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 14
Rachel’s Back Talk, April 15
Wishful Endings, April 15
Simple Harvest Reads, April 15 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Kat’s Corner Books, April 16
All-of-a-kind Mom, April 16
Daysong Reflections, April 16
The Becca Files, April 16
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 17
Blossoms and Blessings, April 17 |
Remembrancy, April 17
Worthy2Read, April 18
By The Book, April 18
Texas Book-aholic, April 18
Just the Write Escape, April 19
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, April 19
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 19
Babbling Becky’s Book Impressions, April 20
Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 20
For HIm and My Family, April 20
Locks, Hooks and Books, April 21
Inspiration Clothesline, April 21
Pause for Tales, April 21
Through the Fire Blogs, April 22
Bigreadersite, April 22
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 22
Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, April 22
Inspired by fiction, April 23
A Reader’s Brain, April 23
Hallie Reads, April 23
Henry Happens, April 24
Connect in Fiction, April 24
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, April 24
janicesbookreviews, April 24 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away a grand prize of a finished paperback copy of The Governess of Penwythe Hall!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/de80/the-governess-of-penwythe-hall-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Apr 13, 2019 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I did not pay enough attention when accepting this book for review to notice that it is book six of a series. Sometimes that means that I will be hopelessly lost without a clue throughout the entire book. I can thankfully say that was not the case with This Daring Journey by Misty M. Beller. It easily stood on its own merits and was a complete story by itself. I was mostly through the book before I encountered more than a mention of other characters who I assume were featured in previous novels. I was impressed enough by some of Samuel’s family and friends that I hope to have the chance to read the previous novels of this series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel featuring half-Indian Moriah Clark who had no choice but to trust Samuel, a white man, to help her get back to her family following the death of her husband. A grueling story of survival, their journey consisted of one mishap after another that forced the pair to trust one another in order to stay alive as well as keep Moriah’s infant daughter safe. I loved the characters and how their relationship slowly but naturally developed, their strength of purpose, and Samuel’s strong integrity and protective nature.
This Daring Journey was a wonderful book and I will most certainly be looking for more books by this talented author.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
|
Book: This Daring Journey
Author: Misty M. Beller
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: March 26, 2019
|
 |
As a half-Indian raised among her Peigan tribe, Moriah Clark knows better than to trust white people. The tragedy that resulted in her birth is proof enough. But when her trusted grandfather marries her to a white man, she has no choice to but to obey and hope this new life isn’t her downfall. Her white husband turns out to be a decent sort, but his unexpected death left her to birth a newborn baby among hostile mountain men. She wants nothing more than to retreat to the safe haven of her tribal upbringing. When a mysterious frontiersman arrives on her doorstep seeking her deceased husband, his offer to escort her and the babe to her people seems like the opportunity she’s been praying to find. But can she trust him?
Samuel Grant has been sent to retrieve Henry Clark for his sister’s wedding, but the sight that greets him at the little cabin in the woods is not what he expected. Not only has the man died, but Henry’s wife is fighting off an aggressive gang of men at gunpoint—while trying to conceal a newborn. He can’t leave the pair unattended, so helping her travel into the mountain country to reach her family seems like the only option. If he can win her trust, that is.
Such a grueling journey with a three-week-old baby will be risky, but the challenges that arise test them far more than either expected. When a devastating surprise increases the danger ten-fold, Moriah focuses all her efforts on keeping her newborn daughter alive. Maybe that’s why she doesn’t realize how much of her heart belongs to the mountain man—until it’s too late.
Click here to purchase your copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Misty M. Beller writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
MORE FROM MISTY:
How did I get started writing?
I’ve always loved to read, but several years ago I was putting together my bucket list, and realized that I really did want to write a novel. So, “Write a novel that’s published” made it near the top!
I decided, it’s now or never, and made the commitment to do it. So, I had a general idea that I wanted it to be a Christian historical western romance. But where to start? I finally decided I needed to find a good book to help me plan. I stumbled upon (a.k.a. God led me to) the best possible book to help me get started with a great plan: Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. For all you writers out there, I can’t recommend it highly enough!
From there, I’ve soaked in every bit of writing instruction I can from some amazing groups and individuals. And I’ve spent countless hours sitting with my laptop pouring out words onto the screen. Writing is in my blood. It’s my passion. A true gift from my Heavenly Father, and I pray daily that he uses the words for His purpose.
| Among the Reads, April 4
Simple Harvest Reads, April 4 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
The Power of Words, April 5
Jeanette’s Thoughts, April 5
Ashley’s Bookshelf, April 5
Real World Bible Study, April 6
Pause for Tales, April 6
Christian Author, J.E. Grace, April 7
Splashes of Joy, April 7
Blossoms and Blessings, April 8
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 8
Mary Hake, April 8
Godly Book Reviews, April 9
Connie’s History Classroom , April 9
Where Crisis & Christ Collide, April 10
Carla Loves To Read, April 10
A Reader’s Brain, April 10
Library Lady’s Kit Lit, April 11 |
Wishful Endings, April 11
janicesbookreviews, April 11
Through the Fire Blogs, April 12
Vicky Sluiter, April 12
The Becca Files, April 12
Carpe Diem, April 13
For Him and My Family, April 13
Bigreadersite, April 14
Daysong Reflections, April 14
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 14
Connect in Fiction, April 15
Texas Book-aholic, April 15
Stephanie’s Life of Determination, April 15
Inspired by fiction, April 16
For the Love of Books, April 16
Inspiration Clothesline, April 16
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, April 17
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 17
Inklings and notions, April 17 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/de81/this-daring-journey-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Apr 7, 2019 | Books, Historical, Romance, World War 1
MY REVIEW:
There is no lack of Christian historical fiction featuring World War 1 but very few authors seem to have written stories about the First World War. Kate Breslin is one of those authors and she offers some wonderfully researched tales that are quite informative as well as suspenseful and romantic. I thoroughly enjoyed Far Side of the Sea which gave me more insight into behind-the-scenes of the war, especially the use of carrier pigeons and spies.
I particularly liked the two main characters Colin and Johanna who despite their instinctive distrust of each other grew to depend on each other as well. Their search for Johanna’s sister Jewel led them on a dangerous chase across Europe that could easily end in disaster at any moment. Ample plot twists and surprises had me holding my breath at pivotal points. I also appreciated the author’s emphasis on faith that helped see them through their dangerous venture.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required.All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In 1918 England, Lieutenant Colin Mabry spends his days decoding messages for MI8 after suffering injuries at the front. When he receives an urgent summons by carrier pigeon from Jewel Reyer–a woman who saved his life and whom he believed to be dead–he can only hope he’ll regain the courage he lost on the front lines as he’s driven back into war-torn France.
But Jewel isn’t the one waiting for him in Paris. Instead, it is a stranger who claims to be her half sister, Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence. She found Jewel’s diary and believes her sister is alive and in the custody of a German agent. With spies everywhere, Colin is at first skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust grows.
That trust is quickly put to the test, however, when their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot and their search for answers quickly turns into a battle for their lives.
Read an excerpt HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: ©Samantha Panzera Photography
A Florida girl who migrated to the Pacific Northwest, Kate Breslin was a bookseller for many years. She is a Carol Award winner and a RITA and Christy Award finalist and lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington. Find her online at www.katebreslin.com.
by admin | Apr 7, 2019 | Books, Canada, Historical
MY REVIEW:
Between Two Shores is a beautifully written book that has obviously been very well researched. The story details life in Montreal during the mid-1700s especially the war between the British and French and the manipulation of the native tribes to help their sides. Catherine Duval feels caught in the middle. Daughter of a French father and Mohawk mother and in love with a British man her loyalty is pulled in every direction.
The author vividly describes the hardships of the times including starving armies who force civilians to harvest food to feed them at great cost to their own families. The narrative describes a harrowing adventure that has very little to recommend it other than the fierce loyalty between Catherine and her sister and brother. I hated the way Catherine was deceived and used by people she should have been able to trust. This is definitely not a feel-good story with a sweet romance but is what seems to be a true representation of the horror of life during that time. Unexpected twists and turns pop up around every corner which helps keep the story interesting.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Bethany House. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She Has Always Moved Between Worlds,
But Now She Must Choose a Side
The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval would rather remain neutral in a world tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the Seven Years’ War against her wishes when her British ex-fiancé, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel claims he has information that could help end the war, and he asks Catherine to help him escape.
Peace appeals to Catherine, even if helping the man who broke her heart does not. But New France is starving, and she and her loved ones may not survive another winter of conflict-induced famine. When the dangers of war arrive on her doorstep, Catherine and Samuel flee by river toward the epicenter of the battle between England and France. She and Samuel may impact history, but she fears the ultimate cost will be higher than she can bear.
Read an excerpt here.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: © Double-Wide Design
Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King, Wedded to War, and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a BA in English, concentration in writing. Jocelyn lives with her husband, Rob, and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.
Other Books by Jocelyn Green:
