Between the Sound and Sea Review

About the Book

Every family has its secrets. Josephina Harris wouldn't mind if her family still had a few of their own after a lawsuit tarnishes their name. When an opportunity opens to become a temporary keeper of a decommissioned lighthouse on a North Carolina island, she jumps at the chance to escape her small town to oversee its restoration.

As the work begins, "Joey" discovers strange notes tucked deep in the crevices of the old stone walls--pages torn from a lighthouse keeper's log signed by someone named Mae who recounts harrowing rescues at sea. Fascinated by a woman lighthouse keeper, Joey digs into the past only to discover there's never been a record of a lighthouse keeper by that name.

When things start to go amiss on the island, locals are convinced that it is the ghost of the lighthouse keeper and his daughter who were lost at sea during World War II. As Joey sifts through decades of rumors and legends and puts together the pieces of the past, what emerges is a love story--one that's not over yet.

Multiple Christy Award winner Amanda Cox is your guide upon the raging seas of young love, heartbreaking loss, and learning to risk it all for a chance at happiness in this timeless novel. (Goodreads)

 

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My Thoughts

This is a great read! The setting takes you right to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and on a journey you really don't expect. The characters in this book are wonderful and Wally, who is the older gentleman in this book, is one of my favorites! There are some flashbacks to a previous time period but not enough to make it a dual time novel. Finn is also a great character because he reminded me a bit of myself and wanting to control everything. There is a lot of growth that happens throughout the pages and that makes this book special in a typical Amanda Cox way. Her writing is unique and fresh and gives a new perspective. I loved the lighthouse and I think they are so neat. There is a little bit of WWII history added in the mix and also a smidgen of romance but in a quite soft way that ties threads together. 

This is an enjoyable read that takes you somewhere special for just a little while. 

 

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."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Road Before Us Review

About the Book

 How far would you go to fix the mistakes you've made and regain the trust you lost? For Jade Jessup, the answer is 2,448 miles. Once one of Chicago's significant financial advisors, Jade lost her credibility when her fiancé (and coworker) stole millions of dollars from their clients in a Ponzi scheme. Now she's agreed to help one of them--an aging 1960s Hollywood starlet named Berenice "Benny" Alderidge--seek financial restoration.

Jade sets off along Route 66 with Benny and her handsome adult foster son, Bridger, who is filming a documentary retracing the 1956 trip that started the love story between Benny and her recently deceased husband, Paul. Listening to Benny recount her story draws Jade into memories of her own darker association with Route 66, when she was kidnapped as a child by a man the media labeled a monster--but she remembers only as daddy.

Together, all three of these pilgrims will learn about family, forgiveness, and what it means to live free of the past. But not before Jade faces a second staggering betrayal that changes everything. (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

I really enjoy this author's writing so I was excited to read this story. This is the perfect summertime read! I am ready for a road trip and itching to travel after finishing the last page. The characters are well developed and truly delightful. Jade, Benny, and Bridger are a very colorful cast and each very different from the other. There is a lot of growth especially by Jade and so many heartfelt chapters. Bridger keeps things lively and his story is special in itself. The journey is an absolute joy and you really get the feel of not only Route 66 in present day but also flashbacks to the past when Benny was young and traveled it for the first time. There is some romance but it isn't the main point of the story and I thought it was written in a way that didn't overshadow the other parts of the book. 

If you are wanting to go on a virtual road trip this is the book for you! It is full of heart and fun and holds some great life lessons especially on forgiveness. 

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."

Highcliffe House Review

 

 

 

 

About the Book

 

Love ignites when two rivals vie to secure a possible fortune at the seaside town of Brighton.

Brighton, England, 1813

When a romantic entanglement leaves her humiliated and reeling, Anna Lane wants nothing more than for her father to whisk her away from the gossip of the ton. Unfortunately, he has obligations elsewhere, leaving her stuck in London.

Graham Everett’s financial security depends on an investment with Mr. Lane, his long-time friend and business partner. He’ll do just about anything to secure it for his family, even if it means fighting spoiled, embittered Anna for her father’s attention.

Luckily, Mr. Lane concocts a plan that will give everyone what they wat, with one stipulation: Anna must accompany Graham to Brighton in her father’s stead and make a decision to invest—or not—based on a thorough report.

But it will take more than a day at the beach for these two headstrong hearts to admit that they’ve been wrong about each other. If they are willing to invest a little time working out their differences, they might have a chance at real love. (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

I have loved this author's other novels so I was so excited to dive into this new story. There are a lot of things about this book that I really enjoyed. It is very much a enemies to more plot line and romance trope. The enemies part was the real deal in this one, the two main people really treat each other terribly for the majority of the book. I love Graham's character because it has layers and he is just a good hero. I struggled with Anna the entire book. I never really came around to liking her character and that made this a four star read for me. Her personality pretty much grated on my nerves the entire time and while things do get a little better in the second half of the book I still just couldn't click with her character. Because of that it made the romance side of things a bit stale. I did enjoy the setting and there is a good bit of humor that was fun. This is an enjoyable read it just isn't my favorite by this author. I think many will enjoy it though! 

Four Stars. 

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

 

The Lady Glass Review

 

 

About the Book

 Nothing shapes glass like fire.

Theresia Dvorak has nothing left of her parents—nothing save her dowry, a priceless crystal vase stolen and sold by her own stepmother. Theresia will do anything to secure what is rightfully hers—even assume a false identity and steal her future back. When she gains entrance to a house party and has a memorable run-in with the handsome naval captain Rolland Reese, her mission is compromised. She swore never to trust an Englishman again, but when he makes a daring proposal she cannot refuse, she must work side by side with him if either of them is to achieve their aim.

Rolland is stunned when his homecoming from the war takes a decidedly deadly turn. The quickest solution is to throw a house party and invite all the suspects. With the stakes incredibly high, Rolland must root out the killer before they turn their sights to the next potential victim: his own father. The mysterious Theresia is undoubtedly the most suspicious of his guests, but against all odds, he finds himself risking everything to protect her. As Rolland unravels a tangle of clues, he faces the greatest threats of all: a heart of fire and a future as fragile as glass. (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

I have enjoyed the other fairy tale re-imaginings by this author so I was pretty excited to find out she wrote this new book! The first few chapters are really fun and I love how the two main characters meet and interact. It is fun (granted a little over the top) but a great way to start this novel. By the middle of the book I was just really puzzled on Theresia's "why" and her motivation to obtain an object that is the central plot point of this book. It seemed a bit strange and while I admire her stubborn side I really struggled being fully captivated and caught up in the story. There is a mysterious side to things and that helps moves things along but for me this was a little bit of a slower read. There is some humor and I think the author wrote those scenes perfectly. The romance is sweet and a slower build up to the ending which I did actually appreciate. Overall this is a decent read it just isn't my favorite by this author. 

Three stars. 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Ocean of Courage and Fear Review

 

  

About the Book

 

 

Based on survivor accounts, this gripping novel opens days after the attack on Pearl Harbor and details three years of sea battles that spanned between Hawaii and the shores of Okinawa with the crew of one of the most decorated ships of the Pacific War.

Onboard the heavy cruiser USS Salt Lake City, Lieutenant Commander Justin Collier is out to sea when Japan attacks the United States. Upon his return to Honolulu, the gravity of the war begins to change him, as does every subsequent mission, including a rare beach landing with an Army infantry division. He fears his wounds of war, both physical and mental, will be incurable.

Meanwhile, on the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, volunteer nurse Heidi Collier feels overwhelmed by the number of casualties. She watched the bombing as she huddled with her two children in front of their home, hoping that her husband aboard the USS Salt Lake City was safe.

Lieutenant Riley Bracken feels the sudden g-force of his catapult-launched observation floatplane with each harrowing mission. Alerting the USS Salt Lake City of enemy ships gives him purpose, which is why no one can know about his recent bouts of vertigo. He can’t risk losing what he loves most.

Fifteen-year-old Al Jowdy lied about his age in order to join the Navy. Whatever he believed Navy life would be was shot out of the water—twice—when his ships were torpedoed. Now aboard the Salt Lake City, he hopes his luck hasn’t run out.

An Ocean of Courage and Fear reveals the harrowing, true, never-before-told events that surrounded the crew of the USS Salt Lake City as they endured all the major action in the Pacific War. (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

 

This book gives an excellent account of the history of the USS Salt Lake City. There is a bit of back and forth throughout the book jumping from one perspective to another. I did like that each chapter or section lists the location and/or time so that the reader can better follow where the author is taking the story. I felt like this book read a lot like a young adult novel. It seemed to be simplified writing and also a lot more of a telling then really getting to know the main characters. I found the history to be very interesting and I like how the ending tied everything together. There are some excellent chapter notes in the back of the book that you have to read. Those that love history I think will really enjoy this book. If you are interested in the USS Salt Lake City specifically you need to pick up this book!

Four Stars. 

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