Born of Gilded Mountains

About the Book

 When newcomer Mercy Windsor arrives in Mercy Peak in 1948 after a scandal shatters her gilded world as Hollywood's beloved leading lady, she is determined to forge a new life in obscurity in this time-forgotten Colorado haven. She purchases Wildwood--an abandoned estate with a haunting history--and begins to restore it to its former glory.

But as she does, her every move tugs at the threads of that mountain's lore, unearthing what became of her long-lost pen pal, Rusty Bright, and the whereabouts of the infamous Galloping Goose Engine No. 8, which vanished years ago, along with the mailbag it carried, whose contents could change the course of countless lives. Not to mention another fabled treasure that--if found--could right so many wrongs.

Among the towering mountains that stand as silent witnesses, the ghosts of the past entangle with the courage of the present to find a place where healing, friendship, and hope can abide amid a world forever changed. (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

This author has such a way with words and creating a world where there is beauty and grand imagination. The cover of this book is also stunning and captures the setting beautifully. I will be honest in saying this story moved incredibly slow for me and I struggled at times to be fully engaged in what was happening. But I love the friendship that is written on the pages and it truly is what makes this book worth reading. Both Mercy and Rusty are very unique characters that are not at all what you might expect. There is also a mystery that flows through the chapters and takes the reader on a bit of a treasure hunt. This is not my favorite book by this author but it is still a worthwhile read. Be prepared for a much slower read but with a beautiful setting and characters that just might surprise you. 

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."

All the Lost Places Review

  

 

  

About the Book

When a baby is discovered floating in a basket along the canals of 1807 Venice, a guild of artisans takes him in and raises him as a son, skilled in each of their trades. Although the boy, Sebastian Trovato, has wrestled with questions of his origins, it isn't until a woman washes ashore his lagoon island that answers begin to emerge. In hunting down his story, Sebastian must make choices that could alter not just his own future, but that of the beloved floating city.

Decades later, Daniel Goodman is given a fresh start in life as the century turns. Hoping to redeem a past laden in regrets, he is sent on an assignment from California to Venice to procure and translate a rare book. There, he discovers a mystery wrapped in the pages of that filigree-covered volume. With the help of Vittoria, a bookshop keeper, Daniel finds himself in a web of shadows, secrets, and discoveries carefully kept within the stones and canals of the ancient city . . . and the mystery of the man whose story the book does not finish: Sebastian Trovato (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

 There is not a book that Amanda has written that is not a complete delight to read. I set aside specific time to read this one because I knew once I started I wouldn't be able to stop. This book is wonderful. I had no idea what to expect and this story is so unique you just have to read it to understand how impactful and heart wrenching it is. The characters are so well written. The dual time line is marvelous and all of the story lines interwoven on the pages are just terrific. There is an ongoing mystery that threads throughout the book. There is romance though it is not overdone and it really came down to the heart of the characters and their growth that made this book so special. Amanda's writing shines light on the brokenness of people and how there is still so much hope to continue on. I loved this book and I hope you do too! I highly recommend! 

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."

Yours is the Night Review

 

 

 

 

 About the Book

Private Matthew Petticrew arrives in France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces, an arrival which a war-weary France desperately hopes will help to end the turmoil. Having faced unthinkable things on the front, he is captivated by the sound of a lullaby, sung by a voice so pure he knows he must have imagined it. But rumors sweep through the trenches like wildfire, dubbing the voice "The Angel of Argonne," a mysterious presence who leaves behind wreaths on unmarked graves and footprints in the war-pocked soil.

Raised wild in the depths of the Forest of Argonne, France, Mireilles finds her world rocked when war comes crashing into the idyllic home she has always known, taking much from her. When Matthew discovers Mireilles, three things are clear: She is alone in the world, she cannot stay, and he and his two unlikely companions might be the only ones who can get her to safety. (Goodreads)

 

 

 My Thoughts

Amanda is such a talented author that I knew this book would be fantastic. I really had no idea what to expect with the story line and I was a little surprised on where she took the characters. I loved this book but it is heart wrenching the entire way through. I loved the added details of letting the light shine in the darkness and really it made this book so much more than a typical war story. This book takes you right into the trenches of WWI and then on a journey you aren’t really expecting with some added twists that aren’t revealed until later. The romance is sweet and a wonderful friendship more than anything. The history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was very interesting having visited at Arlington. I also think stories such as this are a good reminder of what people have survived as I truly can’t imagine. It is so important to read about the past and I appreciate authors who can take us places we wouldn’t think about otherwise. I simply couldn’t put this book down and it is one of the best of the year. 

Five stars!

  "Thanks to Bethany House for providing me with a free copy. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

 

Set The Stars Alight

About the Book

Lucy Clairmont's family treasured the magic of the past, and her childhood fascination with stories of the high seas led her to become a marine archaeologist. But when tragedy strikes, it's Dashel, an American forensic astronomer, and his knowledge of the stars that may help her unearth the truth behind the puzzle she's discovered in her family home.

Two hundred years earlier, the seeds of love are sown between a boy and a girl who spend their days playing in a secret sea cave, while the privileged young son of the estate looks on, wishing to join. As the children grow and war leads to unthinkable heartbreak, a story of love, betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption unfolds, held secret by the passage of time.

As Lucy and Dash journey to a mysterious old estate on the East Sussex coast, their search leads them to a community of souls and a long-hidden tale that may hold the answers--and the healing--they so desperately seek. (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

I really don't think I have adequate words to describe how much I loved this book. I have been following Amanda for years. I was so thrilled when Bethany House offered her a contract! Needless to say I am always excited to read her books but this one took me by surprise. Her writing is just superb and unique in a way where I feel like each page holds some type of magic. This story is dual time line which is my favorite. It was very well done and how she tied the stories together was wonderful. I LOVED all of the characters and I felt like I got to know them all really well by the end. Also, Dash might be one of my all time favorite hero names. While I loved the stories I also loved how she wrote about God being the pursuer of our hearts! 

"God is the pursuer of your heart, Lucy," Dad had said. "He is coming, and coming , and coming after you. In every sunset, in every snatch of birdsong. In everything that stirs deep into you and makes you hungry for bigger things, eternal things. That is Him, pursing you with tenderest grace. In the places so hard they wring your soul. In the places so beautiful they steal your breath. He is there, filling your soul, giving you breath." (page 324 Set The Stars Alight)

This book also couldn't have come out at a better time. It is consistently talking about being a light in the darkness and we have to hold fast to the Light in this world.

This is one of my all time favorite novels.You should find a copy and read it ASAP if you haven't done so. It will take you on a wonderful adventure.

FIVE STARS. 

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

Whose Waves These Are~A New Treasure

 

 About the Book

In the wake of WWII, a grieving fisherman submits a poem to a local newspaper asking readers to send rocks in honor of loved ones to create something life-giving but the building halts when tragedy strikes. Decades later, Annie returns to the coastal Maine town where stone ruins spark her curiosity and her search for answers faces a battle against time. (Goodreads)

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My Thoughts

This story is such a delight! I have been following Amanda for a few years now, so when I heard about her debut novel coming out I was excited! I knew this story would be good but truly it is a treasure. I loved the dual timeline, I thought it was well written and both stories engaging. There are so many layers with each character and also the themes in the book. The setting is perfect and it made me want to visit Maine. There is an underlying mystery that I thought was well written and it really tied everything together. The romance was perfect and sweet all while being realistic. Yes, this book was sweet but it also held depth that I wasn't expecting. If you are needing a fresh read that will carry you away to Maine this is the book for you!

Highly recommend. 

Five Stars.

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