by admin | Oct 23, 2018 | Books, Gilded Age, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I frequently find that novellas may feel just a bit rushed with critical details missing in order for the author to complete her story in the limited amount of space. I never felt that way while reading Enchanting Nicholette, in fact when I reached the end it was with the same satisfaction as when reading a full-length novel. What a treat to discover what happened to Nicholette after losing her husband on their wedding day!
As always, I found the author’s plot to be well developed with vivid descriptions and wonderful characters. I could almost imagine myself there among them as they walked through the park or spent time at a dinner party. A perfect balance of witty dialogue, romantic interludes, and a touch of mystery, Enchanting Nicholette ended much too quickly and left me wanting more (I never want books by this author to end!). I eagerly anticipate what Dawn Crandall will offer her readers next.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In this captivating novella by Dawn Crandall, Nicholette Everstone is already a widow at the age of twenty-two: her husband was murdered on their wedding day. She has just returned to Boston after two years of mourning in Europe. Although her husband was loving, the marriage was an arranged one, and Nicholette would like to wed again–this time for love…and to someone safe.
As she acclimates to life in Back Bay again, Nicholette meets someone she can’t help but fall for. But when she learns of the danger and sacrifices Cal Hawthorne takes on for the safety of others, will her heart be strong enough to keep her fears of “what if” at bay?
Read the first chapter here.
Read the “Almost Kiss” excerpt here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dawn Crandall
Dawn Crandall’s debut Gilded Age Victorian romance, “The Hesitant Heiress,” was a 2015 ACFW Carol award finalist in the debut category and received the 2015 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, the 2015 Write Touch Reader’s Choice Award and the 2015 Romancing the Novel Reader’s Choice Award. Her follow-up novel, “The Bound Heart,” received the 2016 Laurel Award from Clash of the Titles. Dawn earned a BA in Christian Education from Taylor University. She’s been balancing books and babies lately as her two sons were both born as the four books of her Everstone Chronicles series were being released from Whitaker House from 2014 to 2016. Dawn lives with her husband and two young sons on a hobby farm in her hometown in northeast Indiana.
by admin | Oct 15, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Spiritural Warfare, Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Surrounded by Darkness is the riveting conclusion to Rachel Dylan’s Windy Ridge series. The author gives her readers an intimate view of the behind the scenes spiritual battle of which most believers are unaware.
The town of Windy Ridge is the center of an epic battle against the evil forces that desire to take over the entire town. Olivia Murray and Grant Baxter are two of the Christians aware of the potential consequences and bear the brunt of the enemy’s attack along with the pastor of their church. It could be a fight to the very end and at times it is uncertain who the winners will be.
Not since I read This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti many years ago have I encountered another author who manages to convey the existence of spiritual warfare in a way that most readers can understand through the pages of an enjoyable novel. I hope others will read this series and learn from it. The war is real!
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
We wrestle not against flesh and blood . . .
When attorney Olivia Murray opens a legal clinic for victims of domestic violence in Windy Ridge, she knows she will face legal and spiritual opposition. The New Age presence has grown stronger as alliances form between groups hoping to spread their destructive way of life and gain a stronghold in the community. While the forces of evil target Olivia’s new clinic and her relationships, she refuses to let them stop her quest for justice.
Grant Baxter is facing legal woes of his own when a former client sues him for malpractice. His faith is shaken as he faces down the possibility that his legal career is over. While Grant struggles to save his once thriving law practice, he wonders if he truly deserves to be Olivia’s partner outside of the courtroom.With evil coming at them from all angles, Olivia and Grant’s relationship is put to the test. The two of them must come together and fight for the hearts and minds of those in Windy Ridge. Will their faith be strong enough–in God and each other–to prevail in the battle that threatens to bring darkness to the entire town?
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel Dylan writes legal thrillers and legal romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade including being a litigator at one of the nation’s top law firms. She enjoys weaving together legal and suspenseful stories. Rachel writes the Atlanta Justice Series which features strong, female attorneys in Atlanta. Deadly Proof, the first book in the Atlanta Justice series, is a CBA bestseller, an FHL Reader’s Choice Award winner, a Daphne du Maurier Finalist, and a Holt Medallion Finalist. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids–two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. You can find Rachel at www.racheldylan.com.
by admin | Oct 15, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Liz Johnson has another winner with A Sparkle of Silver, the first book in her new Georgia Coast Romance series. With its dual timeline, family secrets, a search for hidden treasure, a fantastic setting, and of course romance, this novel had me quickly turning the pages until I reached the end. It was quite easy to care about the well-developed characters, especially the special relationship between Millie and her grandmother Joy. Millie’s response to her grandmother’s dementia and her determination to take care of her was touching.
I particularly enjoyed reading about life at the chateau during its prime through the journals written by Millie’s great-grandmother Ruth. It offered a look at a slice of times gone by that few experience these days. Ample plot twists held my attention throughout and I was pleased by the way the story ended. An emphasis on the importance of family and trusting the Lord was evident.
A Sparkle of Silver is truly a treasure in my opinion and I hope other readers will love it also.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the author and Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Uncovering the past can lead to an unexpected future . . .
Millie Sullivan plays a 1920s-era guest during tours of a palatial estate on the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia, where her great-grandmother was a real guest ninety years ago. When Millie learns of a lost diary that may contain the location of a hidden treasure on the estate and reveal the identity of her great-grandfather, she sets out to find the truth of her heritage–and the fortune she desperately needs. But it won’t be easy.
When security guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate’s private library, he threatens to have her fired. Still, her story seems too ludicrous to be fiction, and her offer to split the treasure is too tempting to pass up.
Get ready for a romantic escapade through dark halls and dusty corners that will have you holding your breath and sighing with delight.
Read an excerpt here.
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Liz Johnson is the author of more than a dozen novels, including A Sparkle of Silver, The Red Door Inn, Where Two Hearts Meet, and On Love’s Gentle Shore, as well as a New York Times bestselling novella and a handful of short stories. A marketing manager for a Christian film company, she makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona.
by admin | Oct 14, 2018 | Books, Christmas, Dickens, England, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
A Tale of Two Hearts is the second book in Michelle Griep’s delightful Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series. Set in Dickens era England the story features Mina Scott who secretly admires William Barlow. When he asks her to pose as his bride for just one evening to help him gain a desperately needed inheritance, Mina jumps at the chance only to find herself caught in a rapidly growing trap of lies and deceit. This story is a fine example of the often quoted “O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!” by Walter Scott. One lie led to another one as Mina and William’s good intentions seemed to offer them excuses to continue the charade.
The plot was creative and expertly crafted with wonderful characters, some of whom were extremely easy to dislike. A strong theme of grace, mercy, and redemption was skillfully woven throughout the tale and I loved how the author wrapped it all up at the end.
A Tale of Two Hearts is a perfect Christmas story, especially for lovers of Dickens and historical fiction. Both this book and the previous one 12 Days at Bleakley Manor would make excellent gifts for readers in your circle of family and friends.
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 Title: A Tale of Two Hearts
Author: Michelle Griep
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: September 1, 2018 |
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Innkeeper’s daughter Mina Scott will do anything to escape the drudgery of her life. She saves every penny to attend a finishing school, dreaming of the day she’ll become a real lady—and catch the eye of William Barlow, a frequent guest at the inn.
William is a gentleman’s son, a charming rogue but penniless. However, his bachelor uncle will soon name an heir—either him or his puritanical cousin. In an effort to secure the inheritance, William gives his uncle the impression he’s married, which works until he’s invited to bring his wife for a visit.
William asks Mina to be his pretend bride, only until his uncle names an heir on Christmas Day. Mina is flattered and frustrated by the offer, for she wants a true relationship with William. Yet, she agrees. . .then wishes she hadn’t as she comes to love the old man. And when the truth is finally discovered, more than just money is lost.
Can two hearts survive such a deception?
Click here to purchase your copy!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the author of historical romances: The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan.
GUEST POST FROM MICHELLE:
Victorian Christmas Foods
So, it’s September, and you know what that means? It’s back to school. Pumpkin spiced everything is just around the corner. And it’s nearly time for cardigans and colored leaves. But besides all these autumn staples, it’s also time to start thinking about Christmas, because it will be here before you know it. How about this year you plan ahead to serve some traditional Victorian food?
In my newest release, A Tale of Two Hearts, the heroine’s father is known for his annual oyster stew that he serves on Christmas Eve. Here’s a bit of the background on that tasty soup.
Victorian Oyster Stew
Oysters have been savored in Britain since the days of the Romans. By Victorian times, industrialization cheapened oysters to the point of them becoming a staple of the poor man’s diet and were a frequent fare served in public houses. This, however, depleted their abundance, and by the mid 1800’s, the natural oyster beds became exhausted, making it harder to find good oysters. While other foods were served as well on Christmas Eve, oyster stew was as common as goose or turkey.
Another Victorian favorite that goes great on a crisp evening is good ol’ hot chocolate, though in Dickens’ England, it would’ve been called something else.
Drinking Chocolate
What we now call cocoa or hot chocolate was called drinking chocolate in the mid 1800s. This beverage was a favorite among Victorian ladies. You can find recipes for it even from the Regency era (early 1800s) and here is one for you to make at home.
And last, but not least, who hasn’t heard of Christmas pudding? To our American ears, that sounds like a tasty dish that you’d eat with a spoon and slap a little whipped cream on top. Actually, it’s more like a fruit cake.
Christmas Pudding
Christmas pudding is quite a production, one that begins well before Christmas Day. In fact, it begins on Stir-Up Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent (which is five weeks before Christmas). This is why when Mina, the heroine in A Tale of Two Hearts, returns home from dinner at Uncle Barlow’s, and though it’s not yet Christmas, she sees the pudding moulds on the kitchen table.
If these tastes and the accompanying smells still aren’t quite enough to get you in the Christmas spirit, then snatch yourself up a copy of the second book in the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series. A Tale of Two Hearts is sure to get you in the mood.
BLOG STOPS:
| Kat’s Corner Books, October 2 |
Simple Harvest Reads, October 9 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng) |
| Creating Romance, October 2 |
Mary Hake, October 9 |
| Just the Write Escape, October 2 |
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, October 9 |
| The Avid Reader, October 2 |
Carpe Diem, October 9 |
| Genesis 5020, October 3 |
Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, October 10 |
| The Power of Words, October 3 |
Britt Reads Fiction, October 10 |
| Just Commonly, October 3 |
Luv’N Lambert Life, October 10 |
| Baker Kella, October 3 |
A Baker’s Perspective, October 10 |
| Among the Reads, October 4 |
By The Book, October 11 |
| Fiction Aficionado, October 4 |
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 11 |
| Godly Book Reviews, October 4 |
Book by Book, October 11 |
| Inklings and Notions , October 4 |
Bigreadersite, October 11 |
| Captive Dreams Window, October 5 |
More Of Him, October 12 |
| Christian Author, J.E. Grace, October 5 |
Pause for Tales, October 12 |
| Proud to Be an Autism Mom, October 5 |
With a Joyful Noise, October 12 |
| Multifarious, October 6 |
Have A Wonderful Day , October 12 |
| Reading Is My SuperPower, October 6 |
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 13 |
| The Christian Fiction Girl, October 6 |
Bibliophile Reviews, October 13 |
| Texas Book-aholic, October 6 |
Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 13 |
| Remembrancy, October 7 |
Vicky Sluiter, October 14 |
| Splashes of Joy , October 7 |
Daysong Reflections , October 14 |
| Blossoms and Blessings, October 7 |
To Everything A Season, October 14 |
| Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 7 |
Henry Happens, October 15 |
| Back Porch Reads, October 8 |
All-of-a-kind Mom, October 15 |
| A Reader’s Brain, October 8 |
Reader’s Cozy Corner, October 15 |
| Christian Chick’s Thoughts, October 8 |
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, October 15 |
| Janice’s Book Reviews, October 8 |
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GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize of a $25 Barnes & Noble 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/d4ef/a-tale-of-two-hearts-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Oct 10, 2018 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Mystery
MY REVIEW:
Angela Ruth Strong adds an element of fun and humor to her latest cozy mystery. When two young women who want to buy the same antique shop for very different purposes find themselves suspects in the murder of the shop owner, they decide to team up to find the actual murderer. What ensues is a laugh-out-loud tale of blunders, delightful dialogue, and a host of unlikely suspects. As the unlikely pair of detectives work together, they might just have more in common than they thought – if they can stay alive long enough to find out.
I very much enjoyed this amusing novel that kept me entertained from beginning to end. Not only was it humorous but the mystery was well plotted and had me stumped for quite awhile. The story couldn’t have ended more perfectly as far as I am concerned. I look forward to the next book in this series!
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by the author. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Solving a murder mystery is harder when you don’t trust your partner…or their taste in beverages. Sassy city girl Tandy Brandt moves to the small town of Grace Springs to start a coffee shop, never imagining she’ll be competing with local beauty queen Marissa Alexander and her dream of running a tea house. Unfortunately, the current store owner dies before selling the location to either of them, and they both become murder suspects. The unlikely pair team up in an attempt to discover the real killer, though with the secrets in Tandy’s past and Marissa’s infamous clumsiness, they could be their own worst enemies. Despite their differences, they follow clues to question a sweet, apple pie baking antique store owner, a GQ Santa in the retirement center, and a hipster millionaire with no social skills. Will they be able to figure out whodunit and prove their innocence before one of them goes to jail…or worse?
Purchase a copy here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Angela Ruth Strong writes light-hearted and life-changing love stories. The “light-hearted” part comes from her ability to get into interesting situations–such as a hamster ball race or riding on the shoulders of a unicyclist. The “life-changing” part comes from the power of God’s love and the beauty of her very own romance. The “story” part comes from her passion for books that she got from her writer mama. And there’s nothing else she’d rather do than share these stories with you. Find out more (than you ever wanted to know) at www.angelaruthstrong.com.
by admin | Oct 10, 2018 | Books, Cover Reveal, England, Historical, Romance, Romantic Suspense
Most readers of Roseanna White’s novels, especially her most recent Shadows over England series, will most likely be eagerly awaiting the publication of the next series which will include familiar characters and perhaps a chance to catch up with others from the previous series. To add to our anticipation and impatience, the gorgeous cover to The Number of Love is revealed today.
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.
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Voila!!
Pre-Order from Amazon
(other retailers not yet available)
View The Number of Love Pinterest Board
Add to your list on Goodreads
ABOUT ROSEANNA:
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. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
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