by admin | Jul 31, 2020 | Books, England, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Although I was a bit slow getting into this story, it developed into quite the interesting read. It is a tale of ambition to the exclusion of everything else – that is until circumstances intervened to reveal that there might just be more to life than ambition and monetary gain. The plot of Line by Line also contains jealousy, deception, revenge, unobtrusive faith, and of course romance.
Both Alice and Douglas are bright and ambitious characters who excel at their jobs and dream of independence and of proving themselves to their peers and families. I loved seeing all their plans becoming upended and how they both learned that some things are more important than their dreams for the future.
I enjoyed learning more about the history of telegraphy and its importance to business before telephones became common. It was fun to watch the relationship develop between Alice and Douglas. A touch of mystery kept things interesting and some bits of humor kept it entertaining. I particularly liked seeing a certain character get what he had coming. Line by Line is definitely a book readers will want to add to their list.
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:
Can her dreams of independence withstand a dash of love?
Since she was young, Alice McNeil has seen a career as a telegrapher as the best use for her keen and curious mind. Years later, she doesn’t regret her freedom in foregoing marriage, especially when she acquires a coveted position at an important trading firm. But when the company’s ambitious junior director returns to London, things begin to change in ways Alice could never have imagined.
For Douglas Shaw, years of hard work and ingenuity enabled him to escape a life of grinding poverty. He’s now determined to marry into high society–a step that will ensure he never returns to the conditions of his past.
He immediately earns Alice’s respect by judging her based on her skills and not her gender, and a fast camaraderie forms. However, when Alice accidentally angers a jealous coworker and his revenge threatens both their reputations, Alice and Douglas are forced to confront what is truly important in their lives. Will their growing bond give them the courage to see the future in a different light?
Read an excerpt HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Delamere’s (www.jenniferdelamere.com) debut Victorian romance, An Heiress at Heart, was a 2013 RITA Award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, A Lady Most Lovely, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned a BA in English from McGill University in Montreal, where she became fluent in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. She’s been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband.
by admin | Jul 26, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Just Read, Love Inspired, Romantic Suspense
MY REVIEW:
The opening scene of Rocky Mountain Revenge sets the tone for an action-packed, mysterious, suspense filled tale the kept me turning the pages and fully engrossed until the very end. If this debut novel is any indication of Rhonda Starnes’ talent as an author, I certainly look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
Grace Porter has returned to her home town to temporarily help her sister at the family veterinary clinic. It quickly becomes evident that someone would like to see both the sisters dead. Police chief Evan Bradford is the man Grace left behind but he is determined to protect Grace and to help her discover who is behind the attacks and the reasons why.
The plot is well developed with just the right blend of action, danger, humor, and romance to make a compelling story. I liked how an element of faith was woven into the narrative without being intrusive. Although I did have a suspect in mind before the end of the book, a red herring or two had me questioning my choice. Rocky Mountain Revenge is another great Love Inspired Suspense and lovers of that imprint should add this author to their must read list.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
To survive her deadly homecoming
she’ll need to trust a man from her past…
Temporarily home to help at her family’s vet clinic, Grace Porter has no intentions of staying—but someone’s determined she won’t live long enough to leave. With both Grace and her sister in the crosshairs, her ex-boyfriend, Police Chief Evan Bradshaw, must protect them. But can the single dad lawman uncover the truth about why a killer’s out for vengeance before time runs out?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rhonda Starnes is a middle school language arts teacher who has dreamed of being a published author since she was in seventh grade. She lives in North Alabama with her husband, who she lovingly refers to as Mountain Man. They enjoy traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Rhonda writes romantic suspense with rugged heroes and feisty heroines.
https://rhondastarnes.com
by admin | Jul 24, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Liz Johnson is an author with a gift for combining a really good romance with an equally intriguing mystery. I have enjoyed her Georgia Coast series set in the historic city of Savannah with each book focusing on a long lost legendary treasure. It has been such fun following the characters as they search for clues to discover the location of treasures most people believe to be tall tales.
A Dazzle of Diamonds was quite the satisfying story featuring lifelong friends Penelope and Tucker. The common best friends to more trope was such fun to watch play out between the characters even as they both had major problems to overcome. I loved how loyal Penelope and Tucker were to each other, attempting to help in any way possible, only wanting the best for the other.
A plot that includes a family scandal, a former fiance, an old diary, a mysterious treasure, and a quirky but delightful aunt, makes for some pretty good reading. I thoroughly enjoyed A Dazzle of Diamonds and encourage you to grab a copy of your own as soon as possible. I do not think you will be sorry.
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:
Penelope Hunter loves her job as the event manager at one of Savannah’s premier historic venues–until her ex-fiancé walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. Surely she cannot be expected to plan their wedding. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is threatening to take her big-ticket event elsewhere, especially if Penelope insists on being seen with her best friend, Tucker Westbrook.
Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his lifelong friendship with Penelope. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot–and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.
To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a lost Civil War treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job–and falling helplessly in love.
Read an excerpt HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Liz Johnson is the author of more than a dozen novels, including A Sparkle of Silver, A Glitter of Gold, 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. She works in marketing and makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona.
by admin | Jul 24, 2020 | Books, Speculative
MY REVIEW:
These Nameless Things is my first novel by Shawn Smucker. I was not sure what to expect when I opened its pages so I was not prepared for the mysterious journey the words of the author carried me. His prose is lush and descriptive with a brooding atmosphere. Most of the time I felt like I was wandering in the dark, not certain what was actually happening. For every question that was answered, I had several more for which I wanted answers.
This tale is about a small group of people who have escaped a tormented captivity from “the moutain”. Yet these same people have elected to live almost in sight of their former prison in a sort of limbo in which they are waiting. Dan, the main character, knows he is waiting for his brother who was left behind but is uncertain why the others have not headed east. As the story progresses, the reader does learn how the seemingly unrelated characters are actually connected.
I am still not sure what I really think about this book. It definitely asks questions that we need to ask ourselves. Ultimately it is an allegory that illustrates the choices we make and their consequences, heaven and hell, and ultimately a story about forgiveness, sacrifice, and hope.
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:
Once held captive and tortured on a mysterious mountain, Dan was lucky to have made it out alive. But freedom comes at a cost. Left with little memory of the horrific ordeal, Dan can recall one thing–his escape meant leaving his brother behind.
With each day that passes, Dan waits with the other survivors in hope of his brother’s escape. But just as long-forgotten memories start rising to the surface, the sudden appearance of a wounded woman throws everything into question. As Dan struggles to know who to trust, he is caught once again in a paralyzing moral dilemma:
How far will he go to save the people he loves?
Read an excerpt HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shawn Smucker is the award-winning author of Light from Distant Stars, the young adult novels The Day the Angels Fell and The Edge of Over There, and the memoir Once We Were Strangers. He lives with his wife and six children in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. You can find him online at www.shawnsmucker.com.
by admin | Jul 24, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Falling for the Innkeeper is a Love Inspired offering that seems perfect for a Hallmark Movie script. With its romantic Cape Cod setting and well defined characters, this book was a welcome break from the current newscasts and Facebook feed.
Jonathan Masters is a corporate lawyer whose sole ambition is to become a partner in his firm. Laura Lessoway is a single mother whose dream is to operate her late grandmother’s Sea Glass Inn but may have a few hurdles to overcome in order to do so. The inn becomes pivotal in the story as Jonathan arrives believing he must procure the property for a client or forever lose his chance as partner.
I enjoyed the conflict between Jonathan and Laura as they each fought for their own dream, especially since despite their different goals they were becoming increasingly drawn to each other. Laura’s young daughter added a special spark to the tale. I loved watching Jonathan gradually discover his true calling and the way he turned his life over to the leading of the Lord. Falling for the Innkeeper is a sweet romance that should delight all those who love a good, clean story.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Just Read Tours. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She’s the home he never expected to find.
A battle for a charming Cape Cod inn…
But what happens when romance checks in?
Single mom Laura Lessoway won’t accept her mother’s plan of selling her late grandmother’s inn without a fight. But when big-city attorney Jonathan Masters arrives to arrange an offer from his client, she’s drawn to him. And working together as he helps with repairs only brings them closer. With his career and her home on the line, can they ever find common ground?
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Meghann Whistler writes sweet Christian romance novels that won’t make your grandmother blush. A hopeless romantic who met her husband on a blind date, Meghann has a passion for writing inspirational stories that demonstrate the power of love and grace. Before settling down with her husband and raising three rambunctious boys, she earned an M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College. She loves to hear from her readers, who can reach her at www.meghannwhistler.com.
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