by admin | Jun 19, 2019 | Books, England, Regency, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed all the previous novels I have read by this author so I was excited to have the opportunity to review The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep. The riveting conclusion to the author’s Bow Street Runners series, The Noble Guardian absolutely lived up to my expectations.
Heroine Abigail Gilbert has been sent across country with only her maid by her stepmother to marry the man who Abigail has met but once. The journey of several days is a rough one at best with the ever-present danger from highwaymen who prey upon travelers. When her carriage is attacked by those very outlaws, Abigail is rescued by horse patrol captain Samuel Thatcher who reluctantly agrees to escort her the remainder of her journey.
I had mixed feelings about Abigail’s eagerness to set off on her own to marry a virtual stranger. Her home life must have been miserable indeed or perhaps Abigail was such a naive romantic that she believed her soon-to-be husband must be in love with her. I was pleased to discover that Abigail actually had more of a backbone than it first appeared and her character grew on me as her story progressed. Samuel came across as a fairly rough and often grouchy fellow whose inner protector instinct and caring nature began to peek out more frequently as he spent time with Abigail.
Various trials and dangers plagued Thomas and Abigail during their travels and at times it seemed as though the journey was endless. There were some plot twists and surprises along the way that I somehow expected and was therefore not disappointed. A strong thread of faith was woven throughout the story which added to my enjoyment. I recommend The Noble Guardian to readers who might enjoy a Regency novel that is quite different from most books in that genre.
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 Noble Guardian
Author: Michelle Griep
Genre: Christian Historical
Release date: June, 2019 |
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A Cross-Country Trip through Regency England Brings Intrigue, Rogues, and High Adventure
The must-read conclusion to Michelle Griep’s Bow Street Runners Trilogy: Life couldn’t be better for Abigail Gilbert—but it’s been a long time in coming. Having lived with a family who hated her, it’s finally her time for love. Abby sets off on a journey across England to marry one of the most prestigious gentlemen in the land—until highwaymen upset her plans and threaten her life.
Horse patrol captain Samuel Thatcher arrives just in time to save Abby. But she’s simply another victim in a job he’s come to despise. Tired of the dark side of humanity, he intends to buy land and retire.
Abby pleads with him to escort her for the rest of her journey. He refuses—until she offers him something he desperately needs to achieve his goal. . .money. Delivering her safely will give him more than enough to buy property.
So begins an impossible trek for the cynical lawman and the proper lady. Each will be indelibly changed by the time they reach her betrothed, if they don’t kill one another first—or fall in love.
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 Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, 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. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
MORE FROM MICHELLE:
Highwaymen Aren’t All Glamorous
Highwaymen are often romanticized in historical romances, but the truth is these fella’s were generally not compassionate thieves at all. They were cutthroat robbers who sometimes killed. Here’s a brief history so that you’re in the know.
The term “highwayman” simply means a thief who steals—usually at gunpoint—from travelers on the road. Not all, but some of those attacks turned deadly, the robbers not wishing to leave anyone behind who could identify them. Others wore masks for the same purpose.
Long, deserted stretches of roads that were main thoroughfares were the particular favorite haunts of these men. Criminals would choose remote highways that supplied regular traffic going to and from major destinations, such as Hounslow Heath, about fifteen miles outside of London.
To combat these villains, in 1805 the Bow Street Horse Patrol was created. There were about sixty men hired to protect travelers on the principal roads within sixty miles of London. Most of the men had served previously in a cavalry regiment. Their most successful achievement was to rid Hounslow Heath of highwaymen.
And that’s where I got the idea for my hero, Samuel Thatcher, in The Noble Guardian. He’s a rough and tumble man who’s tired of life and the wickedness of man. Mostly he’s just biding his time until he retires—that is until he rescues Miss Abigail Gilbert from the clutches of one of the worst offenders of all…Shankhart Robbins.
Sound like an adventure? It is. Settle back with your own copy and see what it’s like to ride the rugged heath in a carriage, bounding along—until you hear the crack of a pistol.
Enjoy!
BLOG STOPS:
| Fiction Aficionado, June 8
The Power of Words, June 8
Ashley’s Bookshelf, June 8
Inspiration Clothesline, June 9
With a Joyful Noise, June 9
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 9
Back Porch Reads, June 10
Among the Reads, June 10
Captive Dreams Window, June 10
Genesis 5020, June 11
Inklings and notions, June 11
Blogging With Carol, June 11
The Christian Fiction Girl, June 12
As He Leads is Joy, June 12
Connie’s History Classroom, June 12
Carpe Diem, June 13
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, June 13
Abba’s prayer Warrior Princess, June 13
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 14
Wishful Endings, June 14
Stories By Gina, June 14
Through the Fire Blogs, June 15 |
Just the Write Escape, June 15
Blossoms and Blessings, June 15
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 16
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 16
Texas Book-aholic, June 16
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 17
For Him and My Family, June 17
Hallie Reads, June 17
Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 18
janicesbookreviews, June 18
Moments, June 18
Bigreadersite, June 19
Godly Book Reviews, June 19
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, June 19
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 20
Remembrancy, June 20
Daysong Reflections, June 20
A Reader’s Brain, June 20
All-of-a-kind Mom, June 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 21
Pause for Tales, June 21 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize that includes a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of The Noble Guardian!!
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/e31b/the-noble-guardian-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Jun 16, 2019 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I can always count on Denise Hunter to provide me with a great easy-to-read book that is not only entertaining but usually holds a few life lessons as well. Summer is all of that and more.
Grandma is missing and her neighbor calls all three of the Monroe sisters to her home in Sea Haven, North Carolina. The problem is that the two oldest sisters have not spoken to each other in years due to something that took place in their past and younger Maddie is not too sure she wants to be the mediator. Reeling from a major betrayal that cost her boyfriend and her job, Maddie doesn’t trust men and neighbor Connor falls into that category. Nevertheless, after learning where their grandmother is, the three sisters agree to stay until she decides to come home and help make much needed repairs on her home.
Summer by the Tides was a wonderful tale that delved deeply into what made each character tick behind the carefully controlled public faces. It was encouraging to observe how the sisters got to know each other again and slowly begin to let down their defenses and allow the others to see the pain behind their smiles. The relationship between Maddie and Connor was also fun to watch develop. Hunter skillfully blends just the right amount of faith, forgiveness, and reconciliation into the narrative to make Summer by the Tides the perfect beach read.
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: Summer by The Tides
Author: Denise Hunter
Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 21, 2019 |
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From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom (now a beloved Hallmark Original movie) comes a heartfelt story of family secrets, forgiveness, and unexpected romance.
Following a painful betrayal, Maddy Monroe’s love life is a wreck, and her restaurant career is in shambles. When her grandmother goes missing, she and her estranged sisters converge at the family beach house in Sea Haven, North Carolina. Being with uptight Nora and free-spirited Emma at the place where their family broke apart is a struggle, and undercurrents of jealousy and resentment threaten to pull the sisters under. In the midst of the storm, sparks begin to fly between Maddy and Gram’s maddening neighbor, Connor Murphy.
As the sisters pack up the family belongings, memories of idyllic, slow-paced summers are resurrected. But long-buried secrets also come to light as Maddy discovers that all was not as it appeared that last summer in Sea Haven—nor today in the seemingly perfect lives of her sisters.
As family tensions rise and Connor causes tumult in Maddy’s heart, the sisters must find a way to accept each other for the women they’ve become before the bitterness of the past destroys their hope for a future.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 25 books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader’s Choice Award, The Carol Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are rapidly approaching an empty nest. To learn more about Denise, visit her website DeniseHunterBooks.com; Facebook: AuthorDeniseHunter; Twitter: @DeniseAHunter; Instagram: deniseahunter.
READ AN EXCERPT FROM SUMMER BY THE TIDES:
MADDY MONROE WAS COWERING behind a ficus tree near the hostess station when her cell phone rang. Her hands shook as she silenced the phone before it drew the attention of the staff.
She jabbed the elevator button for the third time. “Come on, come on.” A star could be born in interstellar space, a polar valley carved by a glacier in the time it took the elevator to reach this floor. Stairs were not an option, as she was on the twentieth floor of the Waterford building and sporting heels.
She sniffled. Drat. She seemed to be crying. She swiped a hand under her eyes, heedless of her makeup.
She heard voices, Nick’s boisterous laugh. Maddy shrank deeper into the ficus and finally, finally, the elevator dinged its arrival.
“Maddy?” Noelle’s concerned voice tunneled down the hall. “Maddy, wait.”
“Oh, come on,” she muttered, tapping her fingers against her leg until the gold doors crept open. As soon as she could fit, she squeezed inside and punched the ground-floor button.
She didn’t draw a breath until the doors sealed and the elevator began to drop. She placed a palm over a heart that was threatening to beat its way out of her chest. Her white blouse clung to her back, and her skin prickled beneath her arms.
She closed her eyes, the scene that had just transpired playing out in fast-forward in her mind. And then, as if that montage weren’t painful enough, the image of Nick’s face appeared. The look on his face just before he’d kissed her good-bye last night.
Nick. She clamped her teeth together until her jaw ached.
There had been signs. Many of them, really, she was realizing now. They ranged from whisper-subtle to neon-sign obvious. But like so many other walking clichés before her, she was only seeing them in retrospect.
Maddy opened her eyes to the buttery sunlight streaming through her blinds. She scrambled for her iPhone to check the time. But as she did so, the events of yesterday washed over her like a tsunami. She didn’t have to get up at all, because she didn’t have a job anymore.
Her cell buzzed with an incoming call, and she squinted bleary-eyed at the unfamiliar number on the screen before declining it.
She drooped against her pillow, only now aware of how fat and swollen her eyes felt. Of the persistent achy lump pushing at the back of her throat. Her heartbeat made the bed quake. Her eyes burned with tears. Yesterday’s anger had faded, and something worse had filled its spot.
Yesterday she’d come home, changed into yoga pants, and worked in her little garden until she was too exhausted to do anything but flop on the sofa. She hadn’t fallen asleep until after three o’clock in the morning.
She didn’t want to talk to anyone, didn’t want to see anyone. She didn’t even want to be awake today. She pulled the covers over her head and prayed for oblivion.
Taken from “Summer by the Tides” by Denise Hunter. Copyright © 2019 by Denise Hunter. Used by permission of http://www.thomasnelson.com/.
BLOG STOPS:
| Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 4
The Power of Words, June 4
Back Porch Reads, June 4
The Morning Chapter, June 5
A Baker’s Perspective, June 5
Worthy2Read, June 5
Carla Loves To Read, June 6
Genesis 5020, June 6
Through the Fire Blogs, June 6
Among the Reads, June 7
Quiet Quilter, June 7
For Him and My Family, June 7
The Christian Fiction Girl, June 8
cultivating us, June 8
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 8
Girls Living For God’s Glory, June 9
Moments, June 9
Inklings and notions, June 9
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 10
Coast and anchor, June 10
amandainpa, June 10 |
Lighthouse Academy, June 11
EmpowerMoms, June 11
Pause for Tales, June 11
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 12
For The Love of Books, June 12
Just the Write Escape, June 12
All-of-a-kind Mom, June 13
Texas Book-aholic, June 13
Hallie Reads, June 13
2014 and Beyond, June 14
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 14
Simple Harvest Reads, June 14
Living Life Free In Christ, June 15
janicesbookreviews, June 15
Vicky Sluiter, June 15
Have A Wonderful Day, June 16
A Reader’s Brain, June 16
To Everything A Season, June 16
Lukewarm Tea, June 17
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 17
Daysong Reflections, June 17 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away a finished copy of Summer by the Tides!!
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/e541/summer-by-the-tides-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Jun 15, 2019 | Books, Historical, Humor, Romance, Western
MY REVIEW:
I am always ready to read any book by Karen Witemeyer because I find them to be the perfect blend of historical romance, humor, and faith, not necessarily in that order. After reading More Than Meets the Eye, it was a must to read Zach’s story to find out how his life turned out. More Than Words Can Say definitely lived up to its promise.
I can truthfully state that Zach certainly met his match in Abigail. She threw his carefully made plans out the door with her sensible proposal to save her bakery. His overactive sense of protection wouldn’t allow him to let her sacrifice herself to another man who might take advantage of the situation.
It was fun catching up with Zach and meeting Abigail for the first time. Friends and family from the previous novel made an appearance or two that added to my enjoyment. Zach and Abigail’s interactions had a bit more sizzle to them than usual yet the story pretty much remained squeaky clean. Hard feelings from a former friend and escalating threats against the bakery brought added drama and danger to the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed More Than Words Can Say and loved how both Zach and Abigail learned to place their trust in God. It was so encouraging to see how the community came together to help those in need and also the powerful effect the act of forgiveness can have on a person’s life.
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: More Than Words Can Say
Author: Karen Witemeyer
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: May 7, 2019 |
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After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free to live life on his own terms. No opportunities to disappoint those he cares about, just the quiet bachelor existence he’s always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away once again when the baker of his favorite breakfast treat is railroaded by the city council. As hard as he tries to avoid getting involved, he can’t turn a blind eye to her predicament . . . or her adorable dimples. Abigail Kemp needs a man’s name on her bakery’s deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution . . . if it involves a man she can control. Not the stoic lumberman who oozes confidence without saying a word whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can’t even control her pulse when she’s around him. Once vows are spoken, Abigail’s troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. As trust grows between Zach and Abby, she finds she wants more than his rescue. She wants his heart.
Click here to purchase your copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Winner of the HOLT Medallion and the Carol Award and a finalist for the RITA and Christy Award, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer writes historical romance to give the world more happily-ever-afters. Karen makes her home in Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.
MORE FROM KAREN:
Settings – Real or Imagined?
One of the key decisions an author has to make before she begins to write is selecting the setting for her story. And the first choice she faces is the question of whether to use a real or imagined location. Roughly half the stories I have written are set in fictional towns. The use of a fictional setting allows an author greater freedom to manipulate the environment of her characters to fit her plot. This provides a great deal of flexibility. However, there is something special about setting a story in a real place. First, readers who are familiar with that place never fail to get excited about seeing a town they recognize in print. Second, if an author can find historical photos and documents, she can add a wonderful layer of authenticity to her setting that might otherwise be missing. Third, an author may turn up fascinating tidbits when studying the history of her setting that find their way into the story and bring a flavor the author never could have supplied on her own. This was the case as I wrote More Than Words Can Say. All of the stories in my Patchwork Family series have been set in real places. Pecan Gap, Texas for More Than Meets the Eye, Honey Grove, Texas for More Than Words Can Say, and coming this fall we’ll travel to Gainesville, Texas for the concluding novella, More Than a Pretty Face. Researching each location brought its own unique discoveries, but I have to admit that researching the small town of Honey Grove brought this history-loving girl a special level of joy. For example, there is a legend about how the town got its name that I knew needed to be incorporated into my story. Legend has it that when Davy Crockett was on his way to join the fight at the Alamo, he stopped in a grove of trees and set up camp. There were so many bees in that in letters to family and friends, he called the place a “Honey Grove.” He carved his initials into one of the trees and intended to return and settle there after the war. Unfortunately, as we know, Crockett did not survive the Alamo and therefore did not return. One of his friends, Samuel A. Erwin, later found the grove and became the first settler in 1839. Many people recall seeing the initials carved into Crockett’s bee tree even into the early 1900s, which led me to believe that this legend was based in truth. It doesn’t play a pivotal role in my story, but if you watch for it, you’ll find it mentioned. Discovering the Honey Grove Preservation League’s website proved a tremendous boon. Their online historical resources are some of the best I have ever come across. Historical photos, newspaper articles, government records—it was like stepping through a time portal every time I visited. And I visited often. Thanks to the Preservation League, I was able to mention real people and places in my novel. Places like the Commercial Hotel, the home of James Gilmer that was built during my time period, Wilkins, Wood & Patteson Dry Goods, and Dora Galbraith Patteson’s millinery shop on the east side of the town square. While Zacharias Hamilton and Reuben Sinclair are completely fictitious characters, there really was a lumberyard located on the corner of Sixth Street and Rail Road. As fiction authors are wont to do, I did take a few liberties with Honey Grove’s history. To my knowledge, there was never any city ordinance banning women from owning businesses in town, which was a key plot point in More Than Words Can Say. In addition, Mayor Chester Longfellow was a complete invention of my imagination. The true mayor of Honey Grove during this time period was J.H. Smith, a man who served in that capacity from 1888-1897. He must have been a well-loved city official to hold office for nearly a decade. I paid brief homage to him by having him step back into office when my fictitious mayor resigned. I hope you enjoy stepping back in time with me into historic Honey Grove, Texas. Zach and Abigail might not have lived there in truth, but I like to believe their tale is a representation of the many amazing love stories have taken place in that sweet little town through the years.
BLOG STOPS:
| The Power of Words, June 15
She Lives to Read, June 15
Real World Bible Study, June 15
Carla Loves to Read, June 15
Baker kella, June 16
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, June 16
EmpowerMoms, June 16
Daysong Reflections, June 16
Through the Fire Blogs, June 17
Genesis 5020, June 17
Lighthouse Academy, June 17
Bigreadersite , June 17
Among the Reads, June 18
All-of-a-kind Mom, June 18
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, June 18
For The Love of Books, June 18
C Jane Read, June 19
Inspired By Fiction, June 19
Mary Hake, June 19
Hallie Reads, June 19
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, June 20
For Him and My Family, June 20
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 20
Living Life Free in Christ, June 20
Connect in Fiction, June 21
Jeanette’s Thoughts, June 21
Splashes of Joy, June 21
Pause for Tales, June 21
Stories By Gina , June 22 |
Worthy2Read, June 22
Blossoms and Blessings, June 22
Southern Gal Loves to Read, June 22
Christian Chick’s Thoughts, June 23
Connie’s History Classroom , June 23
Vicky Sluiter, June 23
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 23
Wishful Endings, June 24
Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, June 24
Simple Harvest Reads, June 24 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)
Texas Book-aholic, June 24
A Baker’s Perspective, June 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 25
amandainpa , June 25
janicesbookreviews, June 25
Britt Reads Fiction, June 26
Quiet Quilter, June 26
Older & Smarter?, June 26
A Reader’s Brain, June 26
LifeofLiterature, June 27
Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner , June 27
Christian Bookshelf Reviews, June 27
Inklings and notions, June 27
Emily Yager, June 28
Lukewarm Tea, June 28
By The Book, June 28
The Becca Files, June 28 |
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away a grand prize that includes More Than Words Can Say, More Than Meets the Eye, and a $20 Panera Bread 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/e4f4/more-than-words-can-say-celebration-tour-giveaway
by admin | Jun 15, 2019 | Books, Historical, National Parks, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I have enjoyed Karen Barnett’s Vintage National Parks series so much that I hate to see it end. I supposed it could continue for a few installments because there are more National Parks her readers might like to visit but most series have three books. Whatever the case, I have loved all of this author’s previous books so I am confident that her future books will also be to my liking.
Ever Faithful takes place in Yellowstone National Park and features Elsie Brookes, a ranger’s daughter and Nate Webber, a New York native who travels to Yellowstone as a member of the new Civilian Conservation Corps. Elsie loves the park but dreams of attending college and becoming a teacher. She sees Nate as an intelligent man with a bright future but he is hiding a big secret.
Vivid descriptions of the park’s scenery and structures sparked my imagination. It was fun reading about the history of the park and its early days, particularly the humorous names the park staff had for the different employees. Several unique supporting characters added depth and interest to the story. This historical romance was riddled with danger and suspense, especially in the form of more than one suspicious fire that kept me turning the pages quickly. A subtle message of faith was woven through the narrative and I found the ending to be most satisfying.
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:
Vibrant historic Yellowstone National Park comes to life in this romantic mystery about a man hiding the truth, braving the west to become something more–and the woman who must confront his deception.
A man who can’t read will never amount to anything–or so Nate Webber believes. But he takes a chance to help his family by signing up for the new Civilian Conservation Corps, skirting the truth about certain “requirements.” Nate exchanges the harsh Brooklyn streets for the wilds of Yellowstone National Park, curious if the Eden-like wonderland can transform him as well.
Elsie Brookes was proud to grow up as a ranger’s daughter, but she longs for a future of her own. After four years serving as a maid in the park’s hotels, she still hasn’t saved enough money for her college tuition. A second job, teaching a crowd of rowdy men in the CCC camp, might be the answer, but when Elsie discovers Nate’s secret, it puts his job as camp foreman in jeopardy. Tutoring leads to friendship and romance, until a string of suspicious fires casts a dark shadow over their relationship. Can they find answers before all of their dreams go up in smoke?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of The Golden Gate Chronicles (Out of the Ruins, Beyond the Ashes, and Through the Shadows) and Mistaken. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two kids, and three mischievous dachshunds. When she’s not writing, Karen enjoys photography, hiking, public speaking, decorating crazy birthday cakes, and dragging her family through dusty history museums. Oregon Christian Writers (OCW) honored her with the Writer of Promise Award in 2013 and a Cascade Award for her debut novel, Mistaken, in 2014. In 2016, she was named Writer of the Year by the prestigious Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Karen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW) and has been published in Guideposts and other national magazines.
Visit Karen’s website HERE.
by admin | Jun 14, 2019 | Books, Historical, Prohibition, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
Once again Melody Carlson has pulled me into one of her books and held me captive for a few hours that flew by much too quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed Harbor Secrets, a novel set on the Oregon coast during the turbulent era of Prohibition. I particularly enjoyed this story because my daughter now lives on the Oregon coast and it was fun to learn some of its history through the lives of the characters.
Anna McDowell is a strong, single mother who has been estranged from her father for many years. Returning home with her teen daughter after her father suffers a stroke, Anna takes over her father’s newspaper until he can recover. Most residents are not very happy with a woman in charge of the paper and it doesn’t take very long for Anna to realize that something fishy is going on in Sunset Cove. As she investigates, she also finds herself the center of attention of more than one eligible bachelor.
As the title indicates, this suspenseful tale is filled with secrets, some that directly affect Anna’s life. In the midst of all the action, danger, suspense, and romance is a strong story of forgiveness and reconciliation that led to a particularly satisfying ending.
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 Peaceful Coastal Town…Threatened by a Storm of Secrets
It’s 1916 when newspaper woman Anna McDowell learns her estranged father has suffered a stroke. Deciding it’s time to repair bridges, Anna packs up her precocious adolescent daughter and heads for her hometown in Sunset Cove, Oregon.
Although much has changed since the turn of the century, some things haven’t. Anna finds the staff of her father’s paper not exactly eager to welcome a woman into the editor-in-chief role, but her father insists he wants her at the helm. Anna is quickly pulled into the charming town and her new position…but just as quickly learns this seaside getaway harbors some dark and dangerous secrets.
With Oregon’s new statewide prohibition in effect, crime has crept along the seacoast and invaded even idyllic Sunset Cove. Anna only meant to get to know her father again over the summer, but instead she finds herself rooting out the biggest story the town has ever seen—and trying to keep her daughter safe from it all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melody Carlson has written more than 200 books (with sales around 6.5 million) for teens, women, and children. That’s a lot of books, but mostly she considers herself a “storyteller.” Her young adult novels (Diary of a Teenage Girl, True Colors etc.) appeal to teenage girls around the world. Her annual Christmas novellas become more popular each year. She’s won a number of awards (including RT’s Career Achievement Award, the Rita, and the Gold medallion) and some of her books have been optioned for film/TV. Carlson has two grown sons and makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and yellow Lab dog.
https://www.facebook.com/melodycarlsonauthor/
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