by admin | Sep 30, 2020 | Books, Historical Mystery/Suspense, Mystery, Split Time
MY REVIEW:
I had been looking forward to reading The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus with increasing anticipation as I saw more and more publicity and reviews of the book prior to publication. Was it everything I expected and did it live up to the hype? Perhaps not but I did thoroughly enjoy the story and was definitely not disappointed by it.
Jaime Jo Wright has a marvelous way with words as evidenced by the opening page of the novel. It immediately sets the tone for the entire story. I tend to love the Gothic type atmosphere of her novels. This split time tale alternates between 1928 and present time and features the historic mystery of a serial murderer known as the Watchman. Readers are allowed to experience with Pippa as the tale plays out in real time and nearly a century later as Chandler’s life is affected by it.
I loved this mysterious tale with its meandering trails that do not always lead where expected. In fact, more than one mystery is woven into a tangled thread that often makes it a bit difficult to discern exactly what is what. But that is part of what makes the story such fun to read. Just a touch of romance for both Pippa and Chandler adds another layer to the story but not enough to interfere with the main plot.
If I seem a bit vague about The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus it is because it is so difficult to avoid spoilers. If you are a lover of Gothic or split time mysteries, this book should probably be added too your To Be Read stack but be sure to place it at the very top.
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:
Welcome to Bonaventure Circus,
where misfits go to hide.
In 1928, the Bonaventure Circus has become a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby and is no longer content to leave the reason for that rejection unquestioned. When she receives mysterious messages from someone called the “Watchman,” she is determined to find him and the connection to her birth. As Pippa’s search leads her to a man seeking justice for his murdered sister and evidence that a serial killer has been haunting the circus train, she must decide if uncovering her roots is worth putting herself directly in the path of the killer.
Decades later, an old circus train depot’s future hangs in the balance–it will either be torn down or preserved for historical importance, and its fate rests on Realtor Chandler Faulk’s shoulders. As she dives deep into the depot’s history, she’s also balancing a newly diagnosed disease and the pressures of single motherhood. When she discovers clues to unsolved murders of the past, Chandler is pulled into a story far darker and more haunting than even an abandoned train depot could portend.
Read an excerpt HERE.
Purchase a copy HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jaime Jo Wright (www.jaimewrightbooks.com) is the author of five novels, including Christy Award winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She’s also the Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of two novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her cat named Foo; her husband, Cap’n Hook; and their littles, Peter Pan and CoCo. To learn more, visit www.jaimewrightbooks.com.
by admin | Sep 29, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Mystery, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Heart Restoration was one of those books I didn’t want to put down once I began reading it. As a fan of Fixer Upper type TV programming, I loved this story about a young woman in charge of renovating an historic old home after her brother broke his leg.
Unlike a usual renovation, Lisa and Nick, the homeowner, were challenged with secret tunnels, a dead body or two, an old family mystery, and a bit of danger and plenty of suspense.
The well developed plot moved along at a brisk pace with enough action, dialogue, and a developing romance to hold my interest. I loved how skillfully a message of faith was woven naturally into the story as well as the way Nick and Lisa found peace and healing for the grief and loss in their lives.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Just Read Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
For interior designer Lisa Reno things go from bad to worse when her contractor-brother falls off a ladder and breaks his leg. Now she has to deal with the past coming back to haunt her, an old house with a corpse in the creepy cellar, and her best friend trying her best to fix her up with any man that moves.
Nick Woodward is willing to do his old college roommate a favor – especially since it involves renovating his own inheritance. The last thing he wants is to get involved with anyone. When he lost his wife and unborn child so suddenly, he had made the decision to keep God and everyone else at arm’s length.
So far, so good.
Ah, the difference a trip to a dingy basement makes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Regina Merrick is a church musician, wife, mother, former librarian, and grateful follower of Jesus Christ. Having lived most of her life in Western Kentucky, she dreams of the sound of crashing waves and sandy beaches. Married to her husband of 30-plus years, she is the mother of two grown daughters, and the keeper of a 100-year-old house where she lives in the small town of Marion, Kentucky.
by admin | Sep 29, 2020 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for His Love Revealed by Cynthia Herron, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
MY REVIEW:
Overall His Love Revealed had a strong plot with relatable characters. Featuring Ida Mae and Chuck who have been close friends since childhood, their happy-ever-after has not turned out exactly the way Ida Mae had hoped. Family history and its painful memories has made Chuck reluctant to marry, afraid he might follow in his father’s footsteps. Ida Mae carries a huge secret that she believes deserves the punishment of living alone the rest of her life.
Ruby, Missouri is one of those towns the reader may well wish truly existed. The Come and Get It Diner alone was enough for me with its mouth watering food and friendly ambience. There are enough food descriptions in this book to make one hungry the entire time she is reading it.
While both characters struggle with their past, it was heart warming to witness the Holy Spirit at work in their lives and the healing that took place. A bit less introspection and more interaction between characters would have been more to my personal preference but its strong message of forgiveness, including forgiving oneself, this book should be well loved by many.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Just Read Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Title: His Love Revealed
Series: Welcome to Ruby #2
Author: Cynthia Herron
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink
Release Date: October 1, 2020
Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance
Will revelations of the past hijack their future?
Since childhood, Ida Mae Hoscutt, the beloved proprietress of the Come and Get It Diner, has loved Charles “Chuck” Farrow from afar. Now on the eve of her thirty-ninth birthday with no marriage proposal in sight, Ida Mae mourns past mistakes and contemplates a makeover. When a radio commercial wrenches Ida Mae’s heart, will a sudden turn of events sabotage her chance for happiness or will a long-held secret be the answer to love ever-after?
As Ida Mae’s right-hand man at the Come and Get It, Chuck yearns to shift gears and start over. He’s ready to shelve bachelorhood and blunders in favor of possibilities and new beginnings. When he prepares to move forward, two things challenge his objective. One is the father who walked away and never looked back. The other? A decades-old question that only Ida Mae can answer.
And Ida Mae isn’t talking.
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cynthia Herron writes Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction from the beautiful Ozark Mountains. A hopeless romantic at heart, she enjoys penning stories about ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Her Hope Discovered, her début novel and the first in a three-book series, released December 2018 with Mountain Brook Ink.
“Cindy” has a degree in psychology and a background in social work. She is a member of ACFW, ACFW MozArks, and RWA.
She is a 2020 Selah Award (Double) Finalist, a 2017 ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2016 ACFW Genesis (Double) Finalist, and a 2015 ACFW First Impressions Winner. Her work is represented by Sarah Freese at WordServe Literary.
Besides writing, Cindy enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has a fondness for gingerbread men, miniature teapots, and all things apple. She also adores a great cup of coffee and she never met a sticky note she didn’t like.
CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight September 29, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on October 6, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
by admin | Sep 28, 2020 | Books, Chick Lit, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Molly grabbed my attention in the very first chapter when she lost her job because she was too honest. How can a person be too honest? Isn’t that supposed to be a trait we all strive toward? As I walked beside her through the pages of this totally fun and fantastic tale it quickly became evident that Molly’s problem was not exactly honesty but the wisdom in knowing how much to say and when to say it.
Honestly though, I thoroughly enjoyed all of Molly’s exploits as she went from a job as a preschool teacher to one as a nanny to one child of a widower who was also working through his hospital residency. Molly and Ben’s story was sweet, funny, and romantic. It was delightful witnessing the growth of their relationship with all its ups and downs. Both characters were easy to love, especially Molly with her tender heart and Ben as a father determined to take care of his little girl no matter what it took.
Molly was a welcome ray of sunshine during this season of uncertainty in our world. I hope others will find it as much of an escape as I did.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Just Read Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I absolutely refuse to tell a lie no matter the consequences. So don’t ask me a direct question unless you’re prepared for a direct answer—that’s something my SoCal sewing girlfriends have learned the hard way.But who would have thought my honesty policy would get me fired from my job at the preschool? Or that a desperate—and not to mention devastatingly handsome—single father of one of my (now-former) students would hire me that same day as a nanny for his daughter?I’m an education professional. How hard can taking care of a four-year-old and her over-stressed, over-worked father be?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Carol award finalist and Selah award winner, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain’s wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.
by admin | Sep 25, 2020 | Books, Dystopian
MY REVIEW:
An intense beginning greeted me when I opened the cover of Nine by Rachelle Dekker and the action and danger persisted almost constantly until the very end. Evil forces behind a clandestine government project would stop at nothing to protect their secrets and that included killing everyone who posed a threat to them. Little did Zoe realize exactly what she was getting herself into when she decided to help Lucy, a young, seemingly innocent girl who had very little recall of her past.
Once again Rachelle Dekker has proven that she inherited her storyteller genes from her now famous dad. Nine is a tale that holds the reader captive and often wondering exactly which characters are to be trusted. A few surprises along the way prove that nothing is always as it seems.
It has been awhile since I read The Girl Behind the Red Rope and it took me awhile to grasp the connection between it and Nine. One thing I took away from this story is that no matter your past and who you think you are because of it, ultimately it is your choice to be who you want to be.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Some secrets can’t stay hidden Zoe Johnson has spent most of her life living in the shadows, never drawing attention to herself, never investing in people or places. But when a wide-eyed, bedraggled teenager with no memory walks into the diner where Zoe works, everything changes. Against her better judgment, Zoe, who has been trying to outrun her own painful memories of the past, finds herself attempting to help a girl who doesn’t seem to have any past at all. With little warning, they must follow the only sure thing they know: a woman hundreds of miles away, will either save them . . . or be the last person to see them alive.
Read an excerpt HERE.
Purchase a copy HERE.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachelle Dekker is the Christy Award-winning author of The Choosing, The Calling, and The Returning in the Seer series. The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker and coauthor with him of The Girl behind the Red Rope, Rachelle was inspired early on to discover truth through the avenue of storytelling. She writes full-time from her home in Nashville, where she lives with her husband, Daniel, and their son, Jack. Connect with Rachelle at www.rachelledekker.com.
