by admin | Dec 2, 2017 | Books, Christmas, Contemporary Fiction
MY REVIEW:
One thing I love about being a reviewer of Christian fiction is that I can count on getting to read several Christmas novels this time of year. These books are usually in several different styles or genres from historical to humorous to contemporary romance. “Christmas at Grey Sage” is one of the Christmas books I was blessed to read this year and it might just be the most memorable one.
When I first began to read “Christmas at Grey Sage”, I thought to myself “why did I agree to review this one? It looks like it’s going to be slow going!” Yes, I did have a bit of difficulty getting into the story at first but I kept reading and soon found myself totally engrossed in the happenings at Grey Sage and Santa Fe. It was obvious that God had drawn this unusual combination of people together for a purpose and even created an unprecedented snow storm to keep them together a little longer than originally planned. He had such marvelous plans for these broken humans who each had reason to wish to escape their usual Christmas routine. Some found emotional healing, others received a new outlook on life or a boost in their self-confidence, and at least two of them may have even found romance.
“Christmas at Grey Sage” is filled with so many quotable lines that I wish I had written them down as I read. I couldn’t help but create a meme with one of the quotations but it was actually difficult to choose which one to use. I have included it below.
I loved this book and am so thankful that I had the chance to read it. I hope others will grab a copy for themselves and enjoy it as much as I did.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Litfuse Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
This Christmas, there’s plenty of room at the inn.
Nestled in the snow-covered Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Santa Fe, the Grey Sage Inn looks like the perfect place for weary travelers to escape the craziness of the Christmas season. There’s plenty to see in historic Santa Fe during the day, and the inn’s owners, Maude and Silas Thornhill, are happy to spend their evenings hosting this year’s guests from across the country.
But an unusual snowstorm throws a wrench in the festive mood. The sprawling inn becomes close quarters as stranded guests discover this Christmas won’t be the relaxed vacation they expected. Tension and fear mount as the storm worsens, and Silas, a retired doctor, is called away in the middle of the night to care for a neighbor. The snow and stress unlocks tongues–and in the unexpected conversation that follows, secrets and pasts are revealed, and hearts are healed.
In the midst of snowdrifts and fireside conversations, of tales of days gone by, the warmth of Christmas brings a renewed hope as these trapped strangers become friends–proof again that the joy, hope, peace, and love of Christmas can be experienced no matter where you are.
Learn more and purchase a copy.
Photo by Jeremy Kovac on Unsplash
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Phyllis Clark Nichols believes everyone could use a little more hope and light. Her character-driven Southern fiction explores profound human questions from within the simple lives of small town communities you just know you’ve visited before. With a love for nature, art, faith and ordinary people, she tells redemptive tales of loss and recovery, estrangement and connection, longing and fulfillment, often through surprisingly serendipitous events. Phyllis grew up in the deep shade of magnolia trees in South Georgia. Now she lives in the Texas Hill Country with her portrait-artist husband, where red birds and axis deer are her ever-ravenous neighbors. She is an English major and classically-trained musician, seminary graduate, concert artist and co-founder of a national cable network for the health and disability-related programming. After retiring as a cable network executive, Phyllis began leading mission teams to orphanages in Guatemala and now serves on three non-profit boards where she works with others who are equally passionate about bringing hope and light to those who need it most.
Find out more about Phyllis at http://www.phyllisclarknichols.com.
by admin | Nov 29, 2017 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
MY REVIEW:
“Perennials” is a beautifully written novel set in Oxford, Mississippi. Cantrell’s writing is a lush as the gardens she describes and her characters are well-rounded and realistic. I found myself relating to Eva to the point that I wanted to jump in and defend her against her hateful sister.
I experienced many emotions as I read this often poignant novel. I found it difficult to understand why Eva’s sister had turned on her the way she did and how she could continue in her lies for so many years. It was gratifying to watch Eva make peace with the past and offer forgiveness to her sister. I also loved that Eva found a second chance at her lost love. What could be happier than that?
Julie Cantrell is a talented author who somehow plumbs the depths of the human experience and emotions. I would recommend “Perennials” to anyone who enjoys a deeper reading experience than the usual contemporary romance novel.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Amazon Vine. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Eva—known to all as Lovey—grew up safe and secure in Oxford, MS, surrounded by a rich literary history and her mother’s stunning flower gardens. But a shed fire, and the injuries that it caused, seemed to change everything . . . especially when her older sister, Bitsy, blamed Lovey for the irreparable damage.
Bitsy became the cheerleader. The homecoming queen. The perfect Southern belle who could do no wrong. All the while, Lovey served as the family scapegoat, always bearing the brunt when Bitsy threw blame her way.
At eighteen, suffocating in her sister’s shadow, Lovey turned down a marriage proposal and fled to Arizona—a place as far from Mississippi as she could find.
In time, she became a successful advertising executive and a weekend yoga instructor, carving a satisfying life for herself, free from Bitsy’s vicious lies. But now that she’s turning 45, Lovey is feeling more alone than ever and questioning the choices that have led her here.
When she gets a call from her father insisting that she come home three weeks early for her parents’ 50th anniversary, Lovey is at wits’ end. She’s about to close the biggest contract of her career, and there’s a lot on the line. But despite the risks, her father’s words, “Family First,” draw her right back to the red-dirt roads of Mississippi.
Lovey is welcomed home by a secret project—a memory garden her father has planned as an anniversary surprise for her mother. As she helps create this sacred space, Lovey begins to rediscover her roots, learning to live perennially in spite of life’s many trials and tragedies.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo Credit: Andrew McNeece
Julie Cantrell is an award-winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling novelist whose work focuses on relationships, resilience, and faith. As a writer, speaker, TEDx presenter, and teacher, she aims to build empathy and connection while inspiring others to live their best life.
Julie served as editor-in-chief of the Southern Literary Review and has received the Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Arts Fellowship as well as the Rivendell Writer’s Colony Mary Elizabeth Nelson Fellowship.
A certified speech-language pathologist (SLP), Julie is a literacy advocate who previously served on the board of her local literacy council. Dedicated to helping children overcome social, academic, and communication challenges, Julie has filled various gaps when called to serve her local public school system as an SLP, a reading interventionist, an ELL tutor, and a special education sub.
Julie also spent six years operating her family’s sustainable farm where she tended organic crops while caring for a wide variety of furry and feathered friends. She is a certified naturalist who enjoys exploring this beautiful world. Additionally, she has operated a freelance writing business for almost twenty years.
Today, Julie writes fulltime from her home in Oxford, Mississippi. Perennials is her fourth novel.
by admin | Nov 29, 2017 | Books, England, Jane Austen, Romance
MY REVIEW:
I found “The Austen Escape” to be just that – an entertaining escape. The story was both humorous and fiercely serious at the same time. Written from Mary’s point of view, it allows the reader to experience her emotions as she deals with the challenges in her life.
A strong woman who works in a high tech industry, Mary seems somewhat out of her element at the English manor house where she has reluctantly agreed to spend a two-week holiday with her best friend Isabel. Mary is definitely not the type of gal who enjoys dressing up in Victorian era costumes and pretending to be a character from one of Jane Austen’s novels. But she is in need of an escape and Isabel needs her – more than either of them could have imagined.
Best friend of not, Isabel has not been the best friend to Mary over the years, or so it seemed to Mary. Often self-centered, Isabel has hurt Mary frequently but Mary has remained loyal to a fault. Over the course of the story Mary has proven that loyalty over and over. I liked how Mary began to understand things about their past through a different perspective and the healing that took place as a result. There was also be a bit of romance in store for Mary.
I enjoyed “The Austen Escape” enough to want to go back and read this author’s previous novels. I can only hope I will find the time to do so.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Amazon Vine. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Falling into the past will change their futures forever.
Mary Davies finds safety in her ordered and productive life. Working as an engineer, she genuinely enjoys her job and her colleagues—particularly a certain adorable and intelligent consultant. But something is missing. When Mary’s estranged childhood friend, Isabel Dwyer offers her a two-week stay in a gorgeous manor house in England, she reluctantly agrees in hopes that the holiday will shake up her quiet life in just the right ways.
But Mary gets more than she bargained for when Isabel loses her memory and fully believes she lives in Jane Austen’s Bath. While Isabel rests and delights in the leisure of a Regency lady, attended by other costume-clad guests, Mary uncovers startling truths about their shared past, who Isabel was, who she seems to be, and the man who now stands between them.
Outings are undertaken, misunderstandings arise, and dancing ensues as this company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation, work out their lives and hearts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Katherine Reay has enjoyed a life-long affair with the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries — who provide constant inspiration both for writing and for life. Katherine’s first novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, was a 2014 Christy Award Finalist and winner of the 2014 INSPY Award for Best Debut as well as Carol Awards for both Best Debut and Best Contemporary. She is also the writer behind Lizzy & Jane and the The Bronte Plot – all contemporary stories with a bit of “classics” flair. Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University and is a wife, mother, runner, former marketer, avid chocolate consumer and, randomly, a tae kwon do black belt. After living all across the country and a few stops in Europe, Katherine and her family recently moved back to Chicago.
by admin | Nov 29, 2017 | Books, Contemporary Fiction, Legal, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Like many of Robert Whitlow’s books, it took a bit of persistence to get into it but it didn’t take very long before I was hooked. As always the writing was strong with well developed characters and a plot that reflects current events.
I will reiterate what other reviewers have stated. This is a book that everyone should read – those on both sides of the race issue. By the end, I wanted to stand up and clap. Whitlow clearly stated what our society needs to overcome our differences. If only our citizens could understand.
I particularly liked how several characters changed their entire outlook on the issues before the end of the book and reading about how they reached those conclusions. The theme of forgiveness was strongly woven throughout the story and is something we all need to learn to do.
“A Time to Stand” may be one of Whitlow’s strongest books yet. I know it had a powerful impact on me.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Amazon Vine. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In a small Georgia town where racial tensions run high and lives are at stake, can one lawyer stand up for justice against the tide of prejudice on every side?
Adisa Johnson, a young African-American attorney, is living her dream of practicing law with a prestigious firm in downtown Atlanta. Then a split-second mistake changes the course of her career. Left with no other options, Adisa returns to her hometown where a few days earlier a white police officer shot an unarmed black teen who is now lying comatose in the hospital. Adisa is itching to jump into the fight as a special prosecutor, but feels pulled to do what she considers unthinkable—defend the officer.
As the court case unfolds, everyone in the small community must confront their own prejudices. Caught in the middle, Adisa also tries to chart her way along a path complicated by her budding relationship with a charismatic young preacher who leads the local movement demanding the police officer answer for his crime.
This highly relevant and gripping novel challenges us to ask what it means to forgive while seeking justice and to pursue reconciliation while loving others as ourselves.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Robert Whitlow grew up in north Georgia. He graduated magna cum laude from Furman University with a BA in history in 1976 and received his JD with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1979. A practicing attorney, he is a partner in a Charlotte, NC law firm. He and his wife Kathy have four children and three grandchildren.
Robert began writing in 1996. His novels are set in the South and include both legal suspense and interesting characterization. It is his desire to write stories that reveal some of the ways God interacts with people in realistic scenerios.
