I don't read a ton of short stories or novellas but there have been a few that I have really enjoyed. These are the top ten that I gathered for Top Ten Tuesday! I am not sure why most are set in winter/Christmas time but these stories are some of my all time favorites!
As a biochemist in
early 1900s New York, Doctor Rosalind Werner has dedicated her life to
the crusade against water-borne diseases. She is at the forefront of a
groundbreaking technology that will change the way water is delivered to
every household in the city--but only if she can get people to believe
in her work.
Newly appointed Commissioner of Water for New York
Nickolas Drake is highly skeptical of Rosalind and her team's
techniques. When a brewing court case throws him into direct
confrontation with her, he is surprised by his reaction to the lovely
scientist.
While Rosalind and Nick wage a private war against
their own attraction, they stand firmly on opposite sides of a battle
that will impact far more than just their own lives. As the controversy
grows more public and inflammatory and Rosalind becomes the target of an
unknown enemy, these two rivals will face higher stakes than they ever
could have known. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
I really enjoy Camden's books so I have been eager to get my hands on this new story! I really enjoy how her books get creative in their settings and careers of main characters. This series really dives into out of the box careers and I LOVE it! There is a lot of science/chemistry in this book (my least favorite subject) and yet I thought Camden did a splendid job in explaining things. I loved the setting, I loved the history and I liked how she tied this book to the first one. The two main characters are difficult for me to love. I like them but the romance side I didn't like. While I don't think this is Camden's best book, I still couldn't put it down and I am excited to read the next one!
Four stars.
"I received this book from Bethany House for free. All opinions are my own."
Do you long for your
children to grow close with God? Join the adorable animal families as
they learn to pray about every moment of the day—the fun times, the hard
parts, and everything in between.
Whether the animals ask God for help finding a toy or thank Him for the day’s adventures, God Bless Our Bedtime Prayers will create a special, quiet bedtime routine of prayer and will instill God’s Word in your children’s hearts. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
I LOVE that this book is a board book! It is the perfect size and quality to hold up to little hands. The illustrations are fun with all of the different animals and each couple of pages has a verse. I think it would be helpful for children to memorize verses too as they are short and sweet. But I do think it might be good to actually look the verses up in the Bible too for slightly older kids. In any case if you like board books this one is a keeper!
"Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for offering me a free copy of the book. All opinions are my own."
Reluctant debutante
Keziah Montgomery lives beneath the weighty expectations of her staunch
Confederate family, forced to keep her epilepsy secret for fear of a
scandal. As the tensions of the Civil War arrive on their doorstep in
Savannah, Keziah sees little cause for balls and courting. Despite her
discomfort, she cannot imagine an escape from her familial
confines―until her old schoolmate Micah shows her a life-changing truth
that sets her feet on a new path . . . as a conductor in the Underground
Railroad.
Dr. Micah Greyson never hesitates to answer the call
of duty, no matter how dangerous, until the enchanting Keziah walks back
into his life and turns his well-ordered plans upside down. Torn
between the life he has always known in Savannah and the fight for
abolition, Micah struggles to discern God’s plan amid such turbulent
times.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were well developed and the overall story line was pretty well done. I would say a lot of this book was a tad predictable but that isn't necessarily bad. People who really love Civil War fiction and history would enjoy this story as it takes you into the Underground Railroad from a different perspective. My husband has been a Civil War reenactor so you could say that Civil War history is pretty common and read about in our house! There were times in the story that I thought the history side and details about the Underground Railroad could have been more developed. But all that to say it was a decent read and I look forward to reading what Johnson writes next!
Thanks to Tyndale for offering me a free copy. All opinions are my own.
After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of Nineteenth-Century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.
But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.
As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?
A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.
JOANNE BISCHOF is an ACFW Carol Award and ECPA Christy Award-winning author. She writes deeply layered fiction that tugs at the heartstrings. She was honored to receive the San Diego Christian Writers Guild Novel of the Year Award in 2014 and in 2015 was named Author of the Year by the Mount Hermon conference. Joanne’s 2016 novel, The Lady and the Lionheart, received an extraordinary 5 Star TOP PICK! from RT Book Reviews, among other critical acclaim. She lives in the mountains of Southern California with her three children. Visit her online at JoanneBischof.com, Facebook: Author, JoanneBischof, Instagram: @JoanneBischof.
Grand prize of a country crate, a jar of apple butter, a bag of gummy berries, journal, bath salts, honey spoons, copper earrings, and a blackbird sign!!
I really never know what to expect when I pick up a Joanne Bischof novel. Every story she has written has been splendid and yet unexpected. This book takes you into the life of a deaf man who struggles with an addiction and a young woman who is unsure of her future and healing from the past. This is unlike any other book Bischof has written but it is SO good. This is not an easy story to read, the book goes places many authors don't (all clean but wow difficult to read!). I loved the perspective of Thor's life and I loved seeing Aven's grace throughout the story line. The romance is perfect, not rushed, not unbelievable, and incredibly sweet.
When talking about Thor and his addiction to hard cider this conversation stood out to me near the start of the book: "And Thor..." Slowly, Cora shook her head. "He walkin' the same rutted path. He know what the Good Book says 'cause he reads it. He know he ain't supposed to put his trust in anything but the good Lord."............
"But a man gotta want it. Ain't nobody able to want it for him." (Sons of Blackbird Mountain)
When I read Bischof's novels I savor every second because of words like these. She gets right at the heart of issues and the heart of people and that is what makes her characters some of the best.
If you haven't read a book by Joanne, please do that soon. She is one of the most talented authors I have ever read.
Five stars.
"I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I
received from the publisher. All opinions are my own."
USA Today bestselling
author Colleen Coble delivers her signature blend of romance and
suspense when Ellie Blackmore sets out to find the truth about what
happened to her sister.
Ellie Blackmore is making a name
for herself as a young house flipper. But when her sister disappears,
she can’t focus on anything but finding out what really happened. Blood
on the floor might indicate that MacKenzie was killed and her body was
removed.
Ellie is at odds with Grayson Bradshaw, the handsome
Coast Guard intelligence officer who thinks MacKenzie faked her own
death and is off enjoying her ill-gotten gains: billions of dollars in
cocaine.
They both want the truth, but truth—and family—is often more complex than it may first appear. (Goodreads)
My Thoughts
The story continues as we go back to this beautiful setting! I highly recommend reading the first book in this series, while not necessary, I think it would really help as there is a lot of back story. I really enjoyed Ellie's house renovation perspective in this story and once you open the book you will see what I mean! I liked how we learned more about the past characters and I think Coble did a wonderful job threading a mystery into the mix. At times this story moved a tad slow for me, it didn't seem to have as much suspense as some of her books. While I still enjoyed this book, it wasn't my favorite of hers and I give it four stars.
"Thanks to BookLook for offering me a free copy. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
It is hard to believe it is that time of year already- the 4th of July! Here are some titles that seem to have red white and blue covers/themes to go along with Top Ten Tuesday!
Title: The Love Letter Author: Rachel Hauck Release Date: June 12, 2018 Genre: Contemporary Tour Dates: June 21 – July 4 From the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress comes a story of long-lost love and its redemption in future generations.
Romance has never been actress Chloe Daschle’s forte—in life or on
screen. But everyone knows who to call for a convincing death scene . . .
and it might be killing her career.
When Chloe is given a peek at the script for an epic love story, she
decides to take her destiny into her own hands and request an audition
for the lead female role, Esther Kingsley. The compelling tale, inspired
by family lore and a one-page letter from the colonial ancestor of
scriptwriter Jesse Gates, just might break her out of this
career-crippling rut. Jesse would rather write about romance than live
through it after his past relationship ended in disaster. But once
on-set together, the chemistry between Jesse and his leading lady is
hard to deny.
Centuries earlier, in the heart of the Revolutionary War, Hamilton
Lightfoot and Esther Longfellow wrote their saga off the silver screen.
Esther’s Loyalist father opposes any relationship with Hamilton, but
Esther must face her beloved father’s disapproval and the dangers of war
in order to convince Hamilton of their future together. Hamilton has
loved Esther for years, and on the eve of battle pens the love letter
she’s always wanted—something straight from the heart.
Set in stunning upcountry South Carolina, The Love Letter is
a beautifully-crafted story of the courage it takes to face down fear
and chase after love, even in the darkest of times. And just maybe, all
these generations later, love can come home in a way not even Hollywood
could imagine.
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
Her book The Wedding Dress was named Inspirational Novel of the Year
by Romantic Times. She is a double RITA finalist, a Christy and Carol
Award Winner.
Rachel sits on the Executive Board for American Christian Fiction Writers, and is the comical sidekick to Susan May Warren at the amazing My Book Therapy. She is a worship leader and speaker.
A graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism,
Rachel is a devoted Ohio State football fan. She lives in sunny central
Florida with her husband and ornery cat.
Guest Post from Rachel Hauck
I’m
always looking for story ideas. My husband does a standard disclaimer
when I start drilling into a conversation with questions like: “Really? So why did you do that?” “Have you sought help?” “Was it love at first sight?” Hubster says, “Warning, anything you say can end up in a book.”
Of course, stories abound! Interesting people abound!
Then
again, sometimes ideas just hit out of the blue. A few years ago I had
the idea of a young, contemporary couple meeting by “accident” only to
learn that their great grandparents were in love but time, life, family,
war, or society made their love impossible.
I suppose there are a hundred ways to tell such a story but when it came time to write The Love Letter, I was slightly infatuated with the Poldark series on PBS.
Set in 18th century Cornwall, the story and the characters were so dynamic I had to write my own version of Poldark.
But
could I write a split time with a 240 year difference? I mean, they
didn’t have electricity or phones in 1780! They didn’t even have a
postal system. Letters were carried by traveling friends or family.
What possible conflicts could my historical characters face? What event could be so dark and tragic to keep them apart?
The Revolutionary War created a perfect backdrop for my young lovers.
I set the story in upcountry South Carolina not realizing the battle I chose for the back drop, the Battle of Cowpens, was the inspiration for the movie The Patriot. (A fav movie of mine!)
For the contemporary story, I started with shoes. I mean, doesn’t every thing start with shoes?
“Nice outfit but what shoes are you wearing?”
“You’re going on a date? You need new shoes.”
What we “walk in” can either empower or defeat us. There’s a spiritual metaphor I’ll mediate on for awhile.
However
the shoe angle didn’t quite work so the contemporary story ended up in
Hollywood with an actor/screenwriter and an actress.
Both worlds—1780 upcountry South Carolina and contemporary Hollywood—were a bit out of my southern bailiwick.
I did a lot of research on the war and the colonial south. Where I couldn’t find details, I filled in with my imagination.
As
for Hollywood, I talked with a screenwriter friend, read books, watched
interviews, and then, you know, made the rest up. Don’t you know I
eventually ended up on a movie set—Once Upon A Prince—four days after I
finished reading the galley proofs for The Love Letter!
One
of the hardest parts of the story was the actual love letter. What did
it say? Who wrote it and why? Was there more than one? No, only one. But
why only one? I must have written and rewritten the letter five different ways to Sunday before I settled on the magical one.
During the course of the book, I realized I’d never written a love letter. Have you?
I’ve
written sentiments to my husband on an anniversary or birthday card. I
speak my love and affection out loud all the time. But a bonafide love
letter?
A
love letter is it’s own art form. They range from sickly sweet with a
lot of “darlings” and “sweethearts” to Shakespearean sonnets.
There’s
a vulnerability that comes with writing a love letter. Putting one’s
heart on the page creates a new level of commitment with your affections. Will the reader receive your words? Will the reader respond in kind? It’s
fascinating to consider the purpose of a love letter. Have we lost
something intrinsic to the human heart with our instant texting and
email society.
Can you imagine Romeo texting to Juliet in 2018? Saw you at your window. You looked hot. Doesn’t quite have the same ring as: “But soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Juliet is the sun.” Scripture is a continuous love letter. “For God so loved the world—” Whether you write love letters or poems, or quick texts, or put XO’s on cards to loved ones, write a love letter this month. Write one to yourself, to Jesus, a spouse, child, parent, friend, foe— See how it will bless your heart! Off to write my love letter…
I have been anxious to read this book since I first heard about it. I loved Rachel's book the Writing Desk and was thinking this book would have a similar feel. The cover for this book is perfect and draws me in immediately as well. While this book kept me engaged until the end I was a bit disappointed. I love the whole story idea with the letter and the history. I knew the ending long before the ending, I am unsure if it was meant to be a surprise or not. I guess the biggest issue I had was the dialogue between the many characters. I cringed more than once at how cheesy and silly the certain exchange was. I also was irritated with the modern day love story, it just didn't seem to click. I love the dual time line, historical being my favorite but both great ideas. All that being said, a tad past the middle of the book are the redeeming qualities that made this book good for me. The characters really grow and the overall meaning behind the book takes shape and I thought Rachel Hauck did a nice job with that. So while this is not my favorite book it was still a fun adventure.
Three stars.
"I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I
received from the publisher. All opinions are my own."
When I first read the topic of this weeks Top Ten Tuesday I thought that I usually finished series that I start. Well, I discovered I was wrong! So here are series that I really need to finish!
The Letting Go Series by Nicole Deese. I read book one and loved it so I need to finish the series.
This series by Julie Lessman started out great!
I have heard wonderful things about this series so I NEED to finish it!
The Cassie Coburn Mysteries seems like fun after reading book one.
Cousins of the Dove Series I started in the middle and need to back track.
Men of Valor Series I need to read them all because I like Liz Johnson!
The Miss Marple Series has been delightful and I am eager to finish them all.
The Walker Family Series I really need to finish because I love following Melissa on social media. She usually says something that makes my day.
The Seer books I simply need to finish.
Banister Falls books by Kathryn Springer I am excited to read book two!
This is ONE giveaway so ONE person will win all of the books listed. USA
only please. Once the winner has been notified they will have 24 hours
to respond before I will have to choose someone else.
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