Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Love Unseen Review

 


 

 About the Book

Hannah Hadley is a permanent fixture in London Society and well on her way to becoming a spinster. Despite her beauty and kind disposition, Hannah has accepted the harsh reality of her situation: she will never marry. Continually affected by an illness from her youth, Hannah acknowledges her chances of entertaining potential suitors, at least respectable ones, is slim.

To members of the ton, Jonathan Carter is undeniably unsuitable. Though he is in possession of a massive fortune and is handsome as well, there remains an insurmountable black mark against him: his is new money. Even so, he’s caught off guard when his enchanting neighbor, Miss Hadley, flatly rejects his offer to dance. Despite their rocky introduction, however, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. But when circumstances force Hannah from her home, the couple’s warm association comes to an abrupt end. Now, Jonathan must find a way to rescue the woman he just might love or risk losing her forever. (Goodreads)

 

Releases July 5th!

PRE-ORDER HERE


 My Thoughts

Oh this story took me on quite the adventure! There are many things that make it unique and it has several characters that I won't soon forget. I love Hannah's personality. I love her perspective on life and I just wanted to reach into the book and give her a hug. Her family is atrocious and I was really frustrated with them so many times. They were so awful it was almost distracting from the rest of the story line.  It certainly is not a relaxing read because there are so many emotions that take over while reading. Jonathan Carter I also got frustrated with a few times. I think the fact that he isn't perfect made him a more realistic character. There are some really fun scenes and the romance is just sweet and simple. I thought it was well written and I applaud the author at writing from such a different perspective. I wish there were a few things fleshed out a bit more and perhaps less of the crazy family but I still really enjoyed this story. I recommend and I will be looking for more books by this author.

Four Stars.

"I received this book from NetGalley for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Along A Breton Shore Review

  


 

 About the Book

A soldier and a young woman, on opposite sides of the revolution, must run for their lives across a war-torn France in this gripping novel of friendship, love, and survival.

France, 1794

Maxence Étienne, a soldier for the République, believes fiercely in the revolution that is bringing liberty to France. But even though the monarchy has fallen and Maxence is part of a great cause, he is still searching for a place to belong.

Armelle Bernard is a young woman from Breton whose father was sentenced to death for hiding counterrevolutionaries. She decides to confront the priest who betrayed her father, and as the conflict escalates, she herself is ordered to be executed—an order to be carried out by Maxence.

Maxence has seen his share of violence and bloodshed, but he also carries a tragic secret and can’t bring himself to carry out his assignment. In allowing Armelle to escape, he is forced to combat a fellow soldier, who dies in the struggle.

Though Armelle and Maxence are strangers and on opposite sides of the revolution, they find themselves united as fugitives of the new republic. Now they must find a way to trust each other as they search for a path to peace, and to freedom. (Goodreads)


Releases June 6th! Pre-Order HERE!


My Thoughts

 

 Oh my goodness I loved this book. I was very thankful I had read Beyond the Lavender Fields prior to this one as there is a lot of back story and characters that tie together. While this can be read as a stand alone, I really do recommend reading the other book first. I went into this story not a big fan of the main character and I couldn't fathom a way that the author was going to redeem him in my mind. The thing about Arlem Hawk's writing is that she gives the reader the history, the setting, the common people at the time, and then lets the reader discover good things from both sides. She has written from both perspectives of the French Revolution and it is completely fascinating to me. I know very little of this time in history so that has been fun to learn. There is also a list of French Terms at the start of the book and I referred to it A LOT.  All that to say, I ended up loving the main character and enjoying the journey that Maxence and Armelle embark. There is a love story and I thought it was well written. There is also a gut punch of grief and emotion that hits in the latter half of the book that I couldn't believe the author wrote in. She did it in such a realistic way, I really appreciated it because it spoke to the reality of the times. You will have to read the book to understand.

I loved this book and I can't wait for her next book! 

Five Stars! 

 

"I received this book from Shadow Mountain Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review." 

 

 

 

 

 




Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Rocky Mountain Rendezvous with Celebrate Lit Tours





About the Book

Book: Rocky Mountain Rendezvous

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 6, 2023

 

In 1837, Juniper Collins and her sisters are shocked by their father’s final request in his will for a special set of beads to be returned to a Piegan Blackfoot woman he credits with saving his life during his travels west. Together, the sisters set out for the trapper rendezvous to find the woman, but their mission turns more daunting when they come upon the mass of men and lodges spread out in the Green River Valley.

Riley Turner came west to find peace and quiet and live off the land, but when four unprotected women arrive at the rendezvous, he feels compelled to help them and is more fascinated by Juniper than any other woman he’s known.

As their search brings only empty leads and dead ends, the sisters must decide whether to return east or stay in the mountains to continue looking–and that’s if the mystery woman is even still alive. Is the risk to honor their father’s last request worth the danger they find at every turn?

Discover the majesty–and treachery–of the Rocky Mountains in this unique combination of exhilarating adventure, inspiring faith, and sweet romance from USA Today bestselling author Misty M. Beller.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

 

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

 

More from Misty

What IS a trapper rendezvous?

Rocky Mountain Rendezvous is the story of four sisters who head west to accomplish their father’s deathbed request—return a special set of beads to a Blackfoot woman who saved his life during his travels west two decades earlier. The sisters head west with the supply wagons bound for the 1837 trapper rendezvous to find the native woman. But the sight that greeted them in the Green River Valley (in modern-day Wyoming) was nothing like they expected!

Men EVERYWHERE!

Supply wagons would come from the east every summer, and mountain men and natives would come from all throughout the Rockies to trade furs for the supplies they’d need in the coming year. This was usually the only opportunity for trading each year, so EVERYONE came and the camp stretched for miles. This was a great time for friends to catch up, and the festivities always included a great deal of drinking and horse racing. The rendezvous was a sight to behold!

 

In Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, Riley Turner is one of the trappers at the meet-up, and he realizes immediately what kind of danger the ladies are in from unscrupulous men in the crowd. He helps them with their search, and they find so much more than they expected along the way!

Each book in this series will take place during a different year, featuring a different rendezvous. Definitely fodder for fun stories. I pray you love this first book as the Collins sisters embark on the search of a lifetime.

 

Blessings!

Misty

Blog Stops

A Baker’s Perspective, May 3

Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 3

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 4

Texas Book-aholic, May 5

By the Book, May 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 6

Connie’s History Classroom, May 7

The Book Club Network, May 7

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 8 (Author Interview)

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 8

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10

Karen Baney Reviews, May 10

Daysong Reflections, May 11

Books You Can Feel Good About, May 11

Betti Mace, May 12

For the Love of Literature, May 12

Blossoms and Blessings, May 13

Life, Love, Writing, May 13

Tell Tale Book Reviews , May 14

Mary Hake, May 14

For Him and My Family, May 15

Holly’s Book Corner, May 15

Pause for Tales, May 16

To Everything There Is A Season , May 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

 

GIVEAWAY!

 

My Thoughts

 I just love anything that has to do with rendezvous. I think they are fascinating and that is main reason I decided to read this book. Also, I grew up in the Rocky Mountains so I do enjoy stories with that setting. I loved the sisters idea and their interactions, and it is obvious how this series will probably continue now after reading the first book. I really liked the setting of this novel and there is a bit of a mystery that makes this book a slight page turner. I had a hard time with the two main characters and I struggled to really love them. There were a few parts that were a bit slow and so because of that I had a hard time being fully invested in the plot. I did appreciate the slight cliff hanger at the end and I am sure many others will completely love this story. 


Three and a half stars. 


"I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, May 14, 2023

In the Shadow of the River Review

 


 

About the Book

In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci's actor grandfather tends to her mother and Jacci gets a first taste of the life she will come to lead.

Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci's mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life--and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past--is always there, lurking in the back of her mind.

When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it's clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows, and the answers she craves will not come easily. Gabe only hopes they come in time for him and Jacci to have a future together. (Goodreads)

 

 BUY HERE

 

 My Thoughts

I just adore the cover of this book! It is stunning! I haven't read a book by Ann H. Gabhart for awhile and with the premise of this story I HAD to read it. I really enjoyed this one! The characters are wonderful and the setting is so interesting and refreshing. I loved the mystery the grows through the entire book. I wasn't shocked by the ending but it still made for a good page turner. I honestly wanted so much more. I wanted more on the steamboat and more of Gabe and his interactions with Jacci. I think the author could have added more chapters and I would have been happy with that. Some of the things I thought were tied up a little too quickly. The "romance" was pretty rushed and sudden. I wanted to get to know these characters even better because I enjoyed them so much. All that to say that I really had a good time reading this story and if you are wanting something with a fun setting you might like this book!

Four Stars. 

"I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday, May 13, 2023

The Swindler's Daughter Review

 


 

 About the Book

 A surprise inheritance. A cache of family secrets. A choice that will change her life forever.

Lillian Doyle has lived her entire high-society life with her widowed mother, believing her father died long ago. But when news arrives that her estranged father only recently passed away--in jail--Lillian is startled to find that the man has left a business and all of his possessions to her, making her a rather unusual heiress.

When she goes to take possession of her father's house in a backwoods Georgia town, the dilapidated structure is already occupied by another woman who claims it was promised to her son, Jonah. In her attempts to untangle the mess, Lillian will discover not only a family she never knew she had but a family business that is more than meets the eye--and has put a target on her back.

To discover the truth and take hold of the independence she's always dreamed of, she'll have to make friends with adversaries and strangers--especially Jonah, the dusty and unrefined cowboy who has secret aspirations of his own. (Goodreads)

 

BUY HERE


My Thoughts

I really wanted to love this book. I love the idea of it and the overall plot I found interesting. I just struggled to get into the story. There are some very unique ideas in this book that I haven't really read much on which is great. I like the mystery that flows throughout the entire story and I do enjoy Jonah's character. The setting is fun and I did get a little frustrated with a couple of the characters but the ending wrapped everything up nicely. I think the main thing is I just couldn't click with the characters. A lot of people have really enjoyed this story, it just wasn't my favorite. I know many others will love it!


Three Stars. 

" I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."






Wednesday, May 10, 2023

The Long March Home-A Story I Won't Soon Forget

 


 

 About the Book

 Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.

Life in the Philippines seems like paradise--until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as Japanese warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific Theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history.

What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.

Inspired by true stories, The Long March Home is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope. (Goodreads)

 

BUY HERE

 

My Thoughts

 

Wow! This book is not what I was expecting! I really didn't have any knowledge on the Pacific Theater, the Philippines or the Bataan Death March prior to reading it. This book is written in such a way that I could not put it down. It takes you right into the middle of what happened in the Philippines during WWII. It is gut wrenching to read what happened to these people and to think about how they survived or how they died and the people they left behind. While reading I was thinking about how these things would have an impact the men who survived and how could they possibly go back to live a "normal" life?! It truly is astonishing. One of the other unique and also excellent plot points in this book is the dual timeline. The reader gets to go back and read how Jimmy grew up and how the group of friends was created. The entire book takes you back and forth from the front lines and POW camp to flashbacks of a much simpler and happier time prior to the war. This was a great idea because this story doesn't shy away from the gruesome atrocities that these men experienced. This is a heavy read with a lot of description on what actually happens. I found it really interesting how the sickness and overcrowding and bad food and limited resources really changed the picture in my mind. Of course I knew there was sickness and people died, but after reading this story with its many details, I have a much different perspective on that now. 

This is a heart wrenching story that I won't soon forget. I applaud the authors and I am thankful for people who shed a light on lesser known history. 

Five Stars. 


" I received this book from Revell for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."





Tuesday, May 9, 2023

In This Moment Review-A Must Read!

 

 

 

About the Book

 Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until, that is, she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever.

In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of an influential senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a Navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she's asked to join a hospital ship being sent to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon, yet unable to use her modern skills in her other paths.

While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era. The mysterious British gentleman. The prickly, demanding doctor. The charming young congressman. She's drawn to each man in different ways, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer.

With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose? (Goodreads)


BUY HERE!



To celebrate the release of In This Moment, the author is giving away a prize package from the Pearl Harbor Memorial! To enter, follow To Everything There Is A Season Blog and sign up at the link below. 


Giveaway!!!





My Thoughts

Oh my goodness this book! I knew this story would be amazing but I just had no idea what Gabrielle Meyer had come up with! I loved everything about this story. I loved the three timelines, they were all written so well it was easy to go back and forth. I loved characters from each timeline and the intense patience it took to wait until the very end to find out what Maggie decides. The history is completely fascinating and I learned so much even though it was all about well known historical events. The author has such a way of making history come alive. The very best part of this story is how encouraged Maggie is by knowing that God truly is in control. Her anxiety and desire to make big decisions and the frustration with her different lives hit so very close to home. The ending chapters completely blew me away and right when I thought it couldn't get any better---it did. There is hope in the waiting and the pain. Praise the Lord! 

You don't have to read the first book in the series to enjoy this one, but as always I do recommend that you read both! Book three can't come soon enough! 

Five Stars! 


"I received this book from Bethany House Publishers for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."