My Thoughts On Wyoming Wild

 

About the Book

 

Hearts collide when a sheriff’s daughter asks a hardened US Marshal to join her fight for justice and rid a small town of her corrupt father.

Wyoming Territory, 1876

US Marshal John “Hawk” Hawking is one of the most respected lawmen in the West, so when a telegram arrives from the small town of Sand Creek warning him of a death threat against him, he immediately begins an investigation.

Posing as a farmer, Hawk heads to Sand Creek, a town ruled by a violent and corrupt sheriff. Only one person is trying to stop him—Liesl, the sheriff’s own daughter. When she meets the self-assured and attractive new farmer, John, she hopes he might help her in the fight for justice.

John is completely unfazed by Sheriff Hodges’s attempts at intimidation, and Liesl is quickly swept up by Hawk’s courage and integrity. Just as quickly, Hawk finds himself falling for Liesl’s strength and bravery, as well as her grace and beauty.

When Liesl discovers John’s true identity, she feels betrayed. Despite her lingering distrust of him, Liesl agrees to work with him to enact a dangerous plan that will put the criminals away forever. Liesl must put her life, and her heart, in the hands of his lawman if she has any hope of saving her family and her town. (Goodreads)

 Releases March 7th!

PRE-ORDER HERE!!! 

 

 My Thoughts

 I am a big Sarah M. Eden fan. She writes some of the most beautiful stories and I just love her never ending knowledge with the research she does for her books. 

This is a follow up story that ties in with The Sheriffs of Savage Wells and Healing Hearts. It is set in Wyoming and takes on a wild west adventure. I love the setting and my favorite character still remains to be Paisley who plays a big role in this novel. You do not have to read the previous books to enjoy this story but it does add a lot if you do!

I enjoyed this book, as it was a fun change of pace from Sarah's typical novels. It is not my favorite book of hers as I had a hard time connecting with the two main characters at times. But I still really enjoyed the unraveling mystery and the rough western small town setting. I felt like I was a part of an old John Wayne film. 

Four stars. 

Great for Sarah M. Eden fans AND those who love historical westerns!

"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."

The Confession The Musical-Trailer

 

 

 

THE CONFESSION MUSICAL was adapted for the stage by Emmy-Nominated screenwriter Martha Bolton. The musical follows the story of Katie Lapp, a young Amish girl who discovers that her parents have been keeping a deep secret...that she is adopted. Katie decides to find her birth mother, defying the rules of her Amish village and risking a shunning. Meanwhile, Laura Mayfield, her wealthy birth mother who is battling an illness that might take her life, began searching for her long-lost daughter. Secretly plotting against Laura is her gold-digging husband Dylan (John Schneider). Dylan knows that if Katie is found, he will no longer inherit Laura’s fortune. With the help and prayers of her Christian housekeeper (Chonda Pierce), Laura hopes to foil Dylan’s plan and be reunited with her daughter.

 

**This is based on a great book I read years ago! I'm excited to see this story portrayed as a musical. Granted, seeing it live on stage would be the very best- at least we get the next best thing watching it on a screen!

#TheConfessionMIN

Beauty Reborn YA Review-Releases May 9th!

 

 

 About the Book

 Fantasy and reality collide in this retelling of Beauty and the Beast about a young woman’s heroic quest to save herself.

Yes, I went to the woods to save my father. But I also went hoping I would be eaten by the Beast. Because I didn’t think anything else could save me.

Beauty’s life is the stuff of fairy tales. The youngest in her family, Beauty isn’t trying to catch Stephan’s eye. He is the lord baron’s heir, well above her family’s modest station, but when he kisses her hand at a party, Beauty is swept away by his charm, his wit, and his passionate declarations of love.

Hearts can be untamable creatures, especially when touched by the fires of first love, and Beauty doesn’t see the truth of Stephan’s intentions until it is too late. Until he stops asking for Beauty’s love—and simply takes it from her one night despite her refusal.

Beauty locks away the secret of what happened to her, and when her father emerges from the enchanted forest with a stolen rose in his hand and the tale of a vicious beast on his breath, Beauty seizes the chance to run as far from Stephan as possible.

She has some experience with beasts, after all. Certainly the one in the forest couldn’t be any worse than the one she’s already encountered.

Breaking the Beast’s curse might be the key to discovering her own path to healing—and finding the courage to allow herself to feel reborn. (Goodreads)

 

RELEASES MAY 9, 2023!

PRE-ORDER HERE

My Thoughts

 

 I love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling as it is my all time favorite fairy tale. I knew ahead of time that this author would probably tie in something to do with sexual abuse in the story line and I am grateful that I knew that before reading. If I hadn't known, I could see it coming as more of a shock. I think it is pretty evident how much we dislike the bad guy in this long time tale and Lowham writes in the difficulty and pain of healing from sexual abuse in a way that makes this story far more meaningful. It is handled well for a young adult story and I thought it added a different layer to why our Beauty is at the castle and stays. So the entire first part of this book I really enjoyed. I loved the magic and the castle and Beauty of course. I did love how the ending was drastically changed from my expectations. So while the ending went quickly I did like the unfolding of the plot at the end. But I really wanted more from these characters and more details of happenings at the castle. I wanted to get to know the Beast better and while I very much appreciate the epilogue I still wanted more from this book. It is a great story that held my attention and had some wonderful additions to the central story line we all love. It is worth reading and I am eager to read more by this author! 

Three and a half 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."

Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2023

 Today's Top Ten Tuesday is all about books to come! I am excited about these stories that release the first part of this new year. 

The Rose and the Thistle Review

 

 About the Book

 In 1715, Lady Blythe Hedley's father is declared an enemy of the British crown because of his Jacobite sympathies, forcing her to flee her home in northern England. Secreted to the tower of Wedderburn Castle in Scotland, Lady Blythe awaits who will ultimately be crowned king. But in a house with seven sons and numerous servants, her presence soon becomes known.

No sooner has Everard Hume lost his father, Lord Wedderburn, than Lady Hedley arrives with the clothes on her back and her mistress in tow. He has his own problems--a volatile brother with dangerous political leanings, an estate to manage, and a very young brother in need of comfort and direction in the wake of losing his father. It would be best for everyone if he could send this misfit heiress on her way as soon as possible.

Drawn into a whirlwind of intrigue, shifting alliances, and ambitions, Lady Blythe must be careful whom she trusts. Her fortune, her future, and her very life are at stake. Those who appear to be adversaries may turn out to be allies--and those who pretend friendship may be enemies. (Goodreads)

 

 BUY HERE

 Learn more about Laura Frantz

My Thoughts

Oh my goodness how I love Laura's books! I was so excited to read this story since I knew that it was mixed with some of Frantz' personal family history. I read this book slowly taking each chapter in with pure joy. You can't rush a Laura Frantz book as it has so many details that you won't want to miss. The faith message is well written and I appreciate how Frantz handles real life issues and shows how merciful of a Savior we have. I adore the characters of Everard and Blythe and Everard's brothers are even a delight. The history is fascinating, the setting breathtaking, and the romance sweet. This is historical fiction at its finest. I am ready to pack my bags and visit Scotland! 

I highly recommend any book by Laura Frantz but this one is superb! 

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."

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Books of 2022

Top Ten Tuesday

 Oh my goodness but 2022 just flew by in a rush. It was a fantastic reading year and there were so many wonderful books is difficult to narrow it down to ten! I have come up with ten that I really loved and they are in no particular order. I typically choose books that have stuck with me well past reading the last page.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Recent Additions to My Book Collection

 Here we are with another Top Ten Tuesday! It has been a while since I have participated and I have missed reading other blogs and learning about new books. So today I have a list of ten recent books that I have received. As all bookish people understand I feel like I could never have too many books. So I buy used books, I get some as gifts, I buy new ones, and I get many for free which is a blessing. 

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown Review

 

 

About the Book

Based on the true story of two friends who unite to help rescue immigrant women in the most dangerous corners of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the late 1890s.

When Tai Choi leaves her home in the Zhejiang province of China, she believes she’ll be visiting her grandmother. But in truth, despite her mother’s opposition, her father has sold her to pay his gambling debts. Alone and afraid, Tai Choi is put on a ship headed for San Francisco, known among the Chinese as Gold Mountain. When she arrives, she is forced to go by the new name listed on her paper documents: Tien Fu Wu.

Her new life as a servant at a gambling den is hard. She is told to stay hidden, to stay silent, and to perform an endless list of chores, or else she will be punished. Tien Fu thinks her life couldn’t get any worse, until she is sold again to an abusive shopkeeper and tasked to care for a young boy. If she is to survive, Tien Fu must persevere, and learn who to trust.

When Dolly Cameron arrives in San Francisco to teach sewing at a mission home for orphaned Asian girls, she meets Tien Fu, who is willful, defiant, and unwilling to trust anyone. Dolly quickly learns that all the girls at the home were freed from lives of servitude and maltreatment. Dolly immediately joins the group of women dedicated to saving more of these “paper daughters” because some in authority have turned a blind eye to the situation.

Despite many challenges, Dolly and Tien Fu forge a powerful friendship as they mentor and help those in the mission home and work to win the freedom of thousands of immigrant women and girls. (Goodreads)

 RELEASES APRIL 11, 2023!!!

PRE-ORDER HERE!

 

My Thoughts

This is a story that has stuck with me since reading the last page. This book is fantastic and so incredibly interesting as it shines a bright light on part of history I knew nothing about! I have not read the original as this one was adapted for young readers. This is a GREAT book. I was sucked into the story from the start and all of the characters and the great risk that these women took to save others simply blows me away. I can understand why this story had to be rewritten for a younger audience as there are some pretty terrible things that happen to the young women in this story. But it was written in a way that got the point across without being graphic. I thought the writing was great and the flow of the story and historical time line excellent. I loved this book and I think everyone should read about the history of the Occidental Mission Home/Donaldina Cameron House. It is inspiring! 

Five 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."

In Love's Time Review

 

 

 About the Book

In the summer of 1918, Captain Marcus Weatherford arrives in Russia on a secret mission, with a beautiful ballerina posing as his fiancée. Marcus searches for the Romanov Tsarina and her son--who both allegedly survived the murdering Bolsheviks--and the information behind an allied plot to assassinate Lenin. But Marcus's sense of duty battles his desire to return home to Clare--his actual love.

Hospital orderly Clare Danner still suffers from Marcus's betrayal and now fears losing her daughter to the heartless family who took Daisy away from Clare once before, but only Marcus can provide the critical proof needed to save her daughter.

Faced with danger and unexpected circumstances, can Clare trust Marcus, or will he shatter her world yet again? 

 

 BUY HERE

 

My Thoughts

 I have really enjoyed all of Kate Breslin’s novels. I wasn’t entirely certain what to expect with this story and I was surprised at the many twists and turns that it took. I love that it wasn’t entirely predictable and the added mystery of the big picture story was so well done. The ending was a combination of suspense and anxiety for me because I wanted to know what would happen. I felt for Clare throughout the story and I really loved her character. I did enjoy this book even though I spent a lot of the story feeling anxious. There is a sweet love story but it isn’t your typical romance. Breslin writes such great stories full of heart and history. I recommend any of her books!

Four 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)

BUY HERE

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."

Engaging Deception Book Review

 

 About the Book

Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it's only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny--not knowing that she'll be working for her idol, Joplin's leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott.

Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny--she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What's worse, Maxfield's current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder's work.

As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive's involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future? (Goodreads)

 

BUY HERE

 My Thoughts

What a fun book! This series does not have to be read in order and this book could be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed this book because Olive's personality just made me smile. Maxfield finally won me over even though he made some choices earlier in the book I didn't love. I love the architectural tidbits and rivalry on building and design. I think what I loved the most was reading the history side of things by the author. As with all of Jennings novels there are some hilarious scenes that made me giggle. There is also more depth in this book that I appreciated and really showed character growth at the end. This is a lighthearted and fun read that you will enjoy!

Four 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."