Tag: Romance

An Unexpected Grace

by

Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

MY REVIEW

I will start by saying this is the third book in a series. I have not read the first two, but this book stood perfectly well on its own. After reading this one, I just might have to get my hands on the other two!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I finished it in two days. I really enjoyed the main characters and their growth throughout the book. The faith theme was so good in this book and so intrinsic to the story told. The characters are well done, and I as a reader really felt that I knew them once the story had been told.

A beautiful story of love and grace with wonderful humor and a mystery throughout. It was beautifully written and an incredibly touching story. I love children in stories as well so that was such an added sweetness to the novel.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A Lesson in Propriety

By

Jen Turano

MY REVIEW

What an incredible fun romp! Ok, I’ll first admit that we have goats so I loved the scenes in which they star in the book! They are just fun. This story was fun!

The characters are terrific and so well written. It’s a terrific story with a wonderful faith theme, fascinating and intriguing setting, and lots of fantastic characters. It’s got a bit of a twisty turny mystery too! I always enjoy the laugh-out-loud books of Jen Turano! No one writes quite like her!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Storm Warning

By

Elizabeth Goddard

MY REVIEW

This is a fast paced, faith-filled suspense. I really enjoyed all the twists and turns in this book. The suspense kept me turning the pages. I read this book in one day. That wouldn’t be as big of a deal except that I have been ill and in a reading funk of late. The fact that this book kept me entertained while coughing and hacking..and well, feeling terrible is pretty impressive.

Both main characters bring out a good faith theme. I know it can’t be easy to get that in such a fast paced read. I’m always thrilled to find a fast paced suspense writer that can put a good faith theme in the story. It was very well done.

I don’t read these books for the romance which may put me in the minority, but I don’t mind admitting it. It just seems the romance is always far too quick and just as fast paced as the suspense. It is a hit, but the characters do realize that they haven’t known each other very long, and that is figured into their relationship. I very much liked that.

If you like edge-of-your-seat suspense than this author is a definite read. I really enjoyed the story!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

When Stars Light the Sky

By

Elizabeth Camden

MY REVIEW

This book is fantastic in its history! It’s what I loved so much about it. This had some unknown history of which I had never learned, and it was quite fascinating. It isn’t possible to learn all of history in school. I learned so much behind-the-scenes things that were learned by the author through research. ( I highly recommend reading her notes at the end of this book.)

The main characters have a fascinating story themselves. They each have their own interesting backstory, and within their story in this book they create wonderful banter that I thoroughly enjoyed. The author does a fantastic job in drawing in the reader to keep the pages turning as characters try to keep the US out of World War I.

This book was my first of the year to finish, and I was enthralled. My one wish was for a stronger faith theme in this book. To get the history contained in its pages though it was difficult. This book was well worth the read for the intriguing history alone. There are not many books set in WWI, and I have never read a book set within Berlin at this time. I definitely recommend this read.

I received this book from the publisher. All my opinions are my own.

An Honorable Deception

By Roseanna White

MY REVIEW

Wow…just WOW! I have been giving this a few days thought. I’m not quite sure how to write a review for this one. It’s all about what I liked right? Everything ( well, to be honest, I’m not an huge fan of love triangles. However, I knew how this one was going so that didn’t really bother me.) No spoilers? That’s SO hard for this one.

The characters give you so many feels in this read. Yes, we finally get Yates story, which is so very good. Of course, the readers get a terrific suspense story as well. The main characters join up with some special characters to flush out the criminals in this one. The book covers a tough subject, but the author brings a book that does it so well. The book also has joy, such fun, and one of the best faith themes I’ve ever read woven incredibly well into the foundation of the story and throughout each page. Each book in this three book series has just gotten better.

This is an incredibly well-written and well done novel covering prostitution and other crimes that really resonate ,sadly, very much in today’s world. The book is peppered with humor and faith that keeps it upbeat, intriguing, and enjoyable despite the difficult topic.

With fascinating characters, intrigue and suspense, hope and faith written as front and center this is a must read novel for Christian historical fiction readers everywhere. You don’t want to miss this one.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Of Gold and Shadows

By Michelle Griep

MY REVIEW

This is a fabulous mystery suspense read! I always enjoy books by this author. This one did not disappoint. The character development is wonderful with both main characters growing throughout the story. Ami is a fascinating character who is definitely courageous and so passionate about Egyptian artifacts. Edmund is an introvert really, who has a wonderful heart.

The novel caught me from the beginning. The mystery and intrigue is incredibly well written, and it kept me turning the pages well into the night. There are several things going on throughout the book and a twist or two at the end. One came as quite a surprise to this reader.

I really enjoyed the faith theme in this story. It is very well woven throughout the story…and winding up with “Serving God is the legacy…” was a wonderful faith approach to this story.

This book has wonderful mystery, thrilling suspense, and incredibly well done characters. No historical fiction fan will want to miss this story.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor

By Roseanna M. White

MY REVIEW

Beautifully written novella that I thoroughly enjoyed! I do not enjoy short stories very often, but this one was charming and delightful.

I really enjoyed the wonderful characters and the cast that made up the community. The story really brings Christmas alive with all the scenes, smell of baked goods, tastes of sweet treats, and the sweet gift of family.

The children and their play was such a whimsical part of the novel and beautifully done. If you want to be blessed with a Christmas story that will bring out the magic and beauty of Christmas, this will do it.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Meeting Her Match

By Jen Turano

MY REVIEW

One of this author’s best yet! This book was so much fun and full of laughter. A pig is back!! Matilda was the first…Esmeralda is just as fun. The characters are fantastic. The dialogue is what really makes the book what it is and moves it along at a great pace for the reader. It’s brilliantly funny and full of very clever chatter and amusing circumstances!

I tend to think this may be this author’s best book yet, but I have enjoyed every one of her novels. If you need a book to take you away to a place where zany things happen, witty and funny dialogue rule the day, and where a story envelops you with humor-go grab this book ( or any of her books, really). I thoroughly enjoyed this read!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Irish Matchmaker

by Jennifer Deibel

MY REVIEW

This is a sweet story. This story was far more character driven for me. I love kids in books so I enjoyed Sara. It was a sweet romance read that was predictable but enjoyable gettIng to the end. The main characters were well done, but Sara and her dad were definitely my favorite of them all.

The setting was interesting. I find it fascinating that they use to have a matchmaking festival where so many met their mate. The historical notes at the end of the book were interesting as well.

I also enjoyed the faith theme of this book, and the focus on trying to learn to rely on God for provision was tremendously well done. That isn’t always easy, and it was a well placed message in the story. It was intricate to the storyline, and the Bible verses and how Sara presented them to her Dad was adorable. Oh to have the faith of a child!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Seamstress of Acadie

by Laura Frantz

MY REVIEW

A beautifully written novel that tells the heartbreaking story of the Acadians. In the many, many books I have read, only one other series that I can remember talks of their sad story. It is a very sad historical event; but the storyline, though sad, remains hopeful.

A beautiful love story that is done slowly and incredibly well, a fascinating time in history, a novel written with such impressive beautiful prose, and a unique setting all combine for a wonderful book to enjoy and savor.

Psalm 23 is brilliantly woven into the story finishing the novel off with a lovely and fitting faith theme. This is a must read for historical fiction fans, and a novel that I will not soon forget.
I received this book from the author. A review was not required.