About the Book
Author: Carrie Turansky
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Release Date: September 26, 2023
Publisher: Bethany House
In 2012, art historian Gwen Monroe travels to England's Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she becomes acquainted with David Bradley--the owner's handsome grandson--who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd's staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she uncovers a connection to the father she never knew.
In 1912, after her father's death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte's grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.
In 1912, after her father's death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte's grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.
My Thoughts
I just love dual timeline storylines and this one was so good! Sometimes you fall in love with one time period over the other but I loved both of these timelines equally. The characters in both timelines were greatly written. They were all full of depth and emotions.
Immediately we meet Gwen who is in the present, 2012. She lost her mother while in university and never knew who her father was. She works for her grandfather and we see her being sent to the Lake District, Longdale Manor to be exact, to help evaluate some antique pieces for auction. You can tell that not only does she feel lonely but she feels like she is not worthy of much. While there she meets the owner Lilly Benderley and her grandson David. While showing her the estate Lilly shows Gwen the journal of Charlotte.
In 1912 we meet Charlotte whose evangelistic father passes away and she finds out that he wasn't who he claimed to be. Heartbroken she decides to keep this information from her mother to keep her from further pain. The family has to move to the Lake District due to lack of funds and stay with a family that will help them through their grief.
I'm not going to reveal much of the story because you really need to read it but I will say this. I loved the theme of forgiveness and the focus of leaning on God. This story definitely leaves you in pure contentment.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and was captivated by the scenery. You will absolutely love the story and completely get lost in it.
I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
About the Book
Author: Amanda Cox
Genre: Christian Fiction Contemporary
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: August 29, 2023
Beekeeper Beckett Walsh is living her dream, working alongside her father in their apiary, until his untimely death sends her world into a tailspin. She suddenly finds she must deal with a new part owner of the family business--one who is looking to sell the property. Beck cannot fathom why her father would put her into the position to lose everything they built together.
When Callie Peterson is named in the trust of a man she's never heard of, she's not sure what to do. Her fledgling business has just taken wing and her mother has reentered her life asking for help getting into rehab for her lifelong substance abuse issues, making Callie's financial situation rather . . . precarious. She's sure she has no right to someone else's farm, but the money from the sale could solve her problems and give her the stability she's always craved.
As these two women navigate their present conundrum, they will discover a complex and entangled past full of secrets--and the potential for a brighter future for both of them.
When Callie Peterson is named in the trust of a man she's never heard of, she's not sure what to do. Her fledgling business has just taken wing and her mother has reentered her life asking for help getting into rehab for her lifelong substance abuse issues, making Callie's financial situation rather . . . precarious. She's sure she has no right to someone else's farm, but the money from the sale could solve her problems and give her the stability she's always craved.
As these two women navigate their present conundrum, they will discover a complex and entangled past full of secrets--and the potential for a brighter future for both of them.
My Thoughts
If you have never read an Amanda Cox book then you are truly missing out. The way she writes is so compelling and full of depth. I would not consider her stories light reads but man, they take you in this journey that truly tugs at your heart.
In this book we meet many characters but at the forefront is Beekeeper Beckett Walsh and Callie Peterson. Two very different women with very similar backgrounds unbeknownst to them. Immediately you meet Beckett. She breathes and lives the farm life especially the bees. Immediately you can tell that she suffers from extreme anxiety. She doesn't leave the farm at all and chooses to live in the bubble that her father has created for her all these years.
Callie on the other hand has different struggles of her own. She didn't have the best life and has moved multiple times. She struggles with belonging and trust in the relationships around her. Circumstances bring these two characters together and they journey and learn from each other how to trust and be courageous enough to face their circumstances. I won't divulge much because then I would be giving the story away, so you really need to read the book.
However, let's talk about the side characters. I absolutely loved Luke. He was Callie's friend. He's one of those friends that you need in your life. You can tell that he likes Callie but he was not pursuing her that way. He was just there for her and encouraging her every step of the way. Beckett had people around her too but I absolutely loved spunky Fern. She was definitely needed in the story as she provided those moments of laughter when things got too heavy.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It is definitely full of emotions and will tug at your heart. There is a light thread of faith that flowed seamlessly throughout the story. There are hints of romance but this book is truly not about that at all. If you are looking for a new contemporary fiction story I suggest you grab this one... actually grab all of her other books as well! You will love them!
I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
Amanda Cox is the author of The Edge of Belonging and The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery, both of which were the Christy Award Book of the Year in 2021 and 2022, respectively. She holds a bachelor's degree in Bible and theology and a master's degree in professional counseling, but her first love is communicating through story. Her studies and her interactions with hurting families over a decade have allowed her to create multidimensional characters that connect emotionally with readers. She lives in the foothills of Tennesee with her husband and their three children.
About the Book
Author: Valerie Fraser Luesse
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: August 15, 2023
Two Sisters. One Single Event. A Family Changed Forever.
At the turn of the twentieth century, sisters Emmy and Callie Bullock are living a privileged life as the only daughters of a wealthy Alabama cotton farmer when their well-ordered household gets turned upside down by the arrival of Lily McGee. Arrestingly beautiful, Lily quickly--and innocently--draws the wrong kind of attention. Meanwhile, Callie meets a man who offers her the freedom to abandon social constraints and discover her truest self.
After Lily has a baby, Callie witnesses something she was never meant to see--or did she? Her memory is a haze, just an image in her mind of Emmy standing on a darkened riverbank and cradling Lily's missing baby girl. Only when the sisters are separated does the truth slowly come to light through their letters--including a revelation that will shape the rest of Callie's life.
Bestselling author Valerie Fraser Luesse weaves a complex and suspenseful tale dripping with intrigue, romance, and Southern charm.
At the turn of the twentieth century, sisters Emmy and Callie Bullock are living a privileged life as the only daughters of a wealthy Alabama cotton farmer when their well-ordered household gets turned upside down by the arrival of Lily McGee. Arrestingly beautiful, Lily quickly--and innocently--draws the wrong kind of attention. Meanwhile, Callie meets a man who offers her the freedom to abandon social constraints and discover her truest self.
After Lily has a baby, Callie witnesses something she was never meant to see--or did she? Her memory is a haze, just an image in her mind of Emmy standing on a darkened riverbank and cradling Lily's missing baby girl. Only when the sisters are separated does the truth slowly come to light through their letters--including a revelation that will shape the rest of Callie's life.
Bestselling author Valerie Fraser Luesse weaves a complex and suspenseful tale dripping with intrigue, romance, and Southern charm.
My Thoughts
This is my second book by Valerie and I must say that I really enjoy her writing. She brings not only the characters to life but the setting as well. She truly transported me to 1911 Alabama and made me a part of this wonderful cast of characters. This wasn't your typical story it was haunting, beautiful and full of emotions. Immediately we meet Callie and Emmy who are extremely close sisters. They are like night and day but in the best possible way. They definitely compliment each other. Their family is very close knit and I absolutely loved that despite the color of their skin they would do anything for the other family in the story. Race to them had nothing to do with it. They not only helped each other but relied on each other as well.
I'm not going to reveal too much of the story, I think the book blurb gives you enough intrigue to whet your appetite for the book, but I will say that this story is heart tugging filled with grief, heartbreak and love that will keep you turning the pages but along with that came hope, faith and healing.
There are some things that may not sit well with some readers. There is a character that has visions and can sense things. I honestly did not see this as a negative. I know God puts people in our path that he reveals things to but I also understand that is not everyones belief so just so you have a heads up. Also the title may seem as we may be reading an epistolary type of book, at least that is what I thought it would be like before I received the book but the "letters" don't come into play until closer to the end of the book. I can see now how they would relate to the title and how meaningful they were to the characters.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and I can't wait to read more from this author.
I received a copy of this book for review. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
Valerie Fraser Luesse is an award-winning magazine writer best known for her feature stories and essays in Southern Living, where she is currently a senior travel editor. Her work has been anthologized in the audio collection Southern Voices and in A Glimpse of Heaven, an essay collection featuring works by C. S. Lewis, Randy Alcorn, John Wesley, and others. As a freelance writer and editor, she was the lead writer for Southern Living 50 Years: A Celebration of People, Places, and Culture. Specializing in stories about unique pockets of Southern culture, Luesse has published major pieces on the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi Delta, Louisiana's Acadian Prairie, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Her editorial section on Hurricane Katrina recovery in Mississippi and Louisiana won the 2009 Writer of the Year award from the Southeast Tourism Society. Luesse earned her bachelor's degree in English at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, and her master's degree in English at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She grew up in Harpersville, Alabama, a rural community in Shelby County, and now lives in Birmingham.
About the Book
Author: Liz Johnson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Prince Edward Island Shores, Book 3
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: August 8, 2023
"After a devastating hurricane on Prince Edward Island, Kelsey Ahern sets out to save her beloved community theater-and her job. As she draws her friend, Levi Ross, into her plans for a benefit show, she discovers there's more to him than she expected, and that God's plans for their future are so much more important than the struggles of their pasts"-
My Thoughts
Any book that is set in Prince Edward Island is a book for me. One of the places I have been to that I absolutely fell in love with.
This is the final book in the Prince Edward Island Shores series and while I have read the first one I haven't read the second one and I did not have any trouble following this one. You do see the other characters from previous books in the story but they aren't the main characters so you will be okay if you pick this one up without reading them in order. This book is all about the last brother Levi and Kelsey.
Levi is a huge introvert who shut down at age 15 due to something dealing with his dad, you will have to find out what caused this while you read it. He is a giver and has a huge heart. He has been in love with Kelsey for a long time so when she needs help due to a hurricane damaging the local theatre Levi is there to pick up the pieces and helps her come up with a plan to restore everything making a huge impact on the whole town.
Overall I enjoyed the story but I felt like it dragged in places. I completely understand the introvert aspect of it because I could relate but it was just a bit much for me during the story. Sometimes it felt like Kelsey was doing all the talking because Levi was too nervous to speak. There was a very light faith thread happening through the story.
If you enjoy contemporary romance then you will enjoy this series and book. A perfect end of summer read!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
Now a resident of Phoenix, she enjoys theater, live music, and doting on her nieces and nephews. She writes stories filled with heart, humor, and happily ever afters.
𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨 … 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧! 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦, 𝐁𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.
⠀
𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐡𝐲𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐰𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞!
This was such a good story! Written in lyrical rhyme this made the perfect read aloud for my younger ones. They really enjoyed meeting Bryson and watching him be brave and and overcoming his fears. My middle schooler enjoyed the illustrations with are gorgeous!!
This would be perfect for pre-schooler and early elementary. The theme of this picture book are the character traits of bravery, courage, perseverance and trust. This would make a great addition to your home library and would also make a great gift!
𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐣𝐨𝐲, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐝, 𝐬𝐚𝐝, 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐣𝐢𝐬, 𝐚 𝟏𝟎𝟎-𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥, 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐧𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲’𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.
We all know kids especially on those tween years have big emotions and most of the times they have a hard time managing and coping with them. This devotional book focuses on just that.
This book is geared to ages 8-12.
I really liked that it included stories of real life struggles that are relatable to kids.
It provides journaling opportunities for those kiddos that like to write things down. Includes prayers for each day and provides life changing mental health strategies combined with biblical principles.
This would definitely make a great gift for a young person in your life!
About the Book
Author: Kristie Self
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Ladies of Roderick, Book 4
Publisher: Independent
Release Date: August 28, 2023
She promised to help him catch a thief.
He promised to help her track down a killer.
Falling in love wasn’t part of the bargain.
Lady Fanny Morgan has spent much of her life as a member of the highest social circles, a position she relished until the sudden death of her husband. Convinced that foul play was involved, she is desperate to uncover the truth and discover the identity of his murderer.
Detective Julian Gray is one of the hardest working members of the Metropolitan Police Force. He has developed a reputation for unrelenting determination when it comes to solving cases; however, that tenacity has been put to the test by his latest case, a series of mysterious thefts targeting the highest members of society.
When Fanny offers an unexpected assist in preventing the next robbery, Julian hits upon a foolproof method to solve the case. Fanny will use her connections in society to uncover clues that will hopefully lead to the mastermind behind the thefts. In exchange for her assistance, Julian will reopen the investigation into her husband’s death.
It’s an excellent plan, one that is mutually beneficial to both parties—however, neither of them anticipates the complications that arise when their unexpected attraction turns into something deeper. As the danger increases, so, too, does the risk to their hearts. Will they be able to solve the mysteries that surround them before it’s too late, or will their romance be cut short before it even begins?
The fourth book in The Ladies of Roderick Glen series gives us another glimpse into the lives of the villagers as they reconcile faith with love, heartache, and the search for true happiness.
He promised to help her track down a killer.
Falling in love wasn’t part of the bargain.
Lady Fanny Morgan has spent much of her life as a member of the highest social circles, a position she relished until the sudden death of her husband. Convinced that foul play was involved, she is desperate to uncover the truth and discover the identity of his murderer.
Detective Julian Gray is one of the hardest working members of the Metropolitan Police Force. He has developed a reputation for unrelenting determination when it comes to solving cases; however, that tenacity has been put to the test by his latest case, a series of mysterious thefts targeting the highest members of society.
When Fanny offers an unexpected assist in preventing the next robbery, Julian hits upon a foolproof method to solve the case. Fanny will use her connections in society to uncover clues that will hopefully lead to the mastermind behind the thefts. In exchange for her assistance, Julian will reopen the investigation into her husband’s death.
It’s an excellent plan, one that is mutually beneficial to both parties—however, neither of them anticipates the complications that arise when their unexpected attraction turns into something deeper. As the danger increases, so, too, does the risk to their hearts. Will they be able to solve the mysteries that surround them before it’s too late, or will their romance be cut short before it even begins?
The fourth book in The Ladies of Roderick Glen series gives us another glimpse into the lives of the villagers as they reconcile faith with love, heartache, and the search for true happiness.
My Thoughts
What a pleasure to be back in Roderick Glen once again! I love this town and the people in it. As always Kristie transported me to 1800's England and I absolutely enjoyed every moment of it! This book was a little different from the previous others. This one had a good bit of mystery, murder and intrigue I quite enjoyed it.
Although this story is all about Fanny there are multiple stories going on at the same time which makes this story that much more intriguing and keeps it moving along. Definitely keeps you turning the pages as you want to find everything about these characters. Since this story is mainly about Fanny let's discuss her a bit. I was glad to finally get some resolution to her storyline. The past few books in the series we see her as this headstrong woman who finally finds who she truly is in the eyes of God but circumstances ensue where she is now back on her own along with two young daughters. We find her trying to find out who her husband killer is and in doing so meets handsome Julian. Their romance is a slow moving one but he is absolutely perfect for her and I am glad that she gets her happy ending. However, the way the crime resolves definitely was not expected at least not by me! It was definitely a twist of events and very well done.
The other storylines that consumed me and I need more of are Cece's and of course Lady Victoria. I need to know if Cece will become a doctor and who will she end up with? And Lady Victoria and Barney... will they ever become an item? So many questions still left unanswered. Good thing this is not the end!
I really enjoyed this story. It was a clean romance and keeps you engaged. I wish the faith thread had a little bit more meat in it like her previous books but I think there was enough to make a mark on the storyline. If you plan on reading this book I strongly suggest you start with the first book. It will give you the start of meeting these wonderful characters as you do see them throughout out the books and not just in passing but as part of the storyline.
I received a copy of this book for review. I was not asked to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
Kristie Self has always had a love for books and has been writing since she was a child. She combines her love of history and romance to write faith-filled love stories with memorable characters and intriguing plots. A banker by day, she spends most of her nights and weekends focused on writing. She enjoys traveling, watching movies, and curling up with a good book. An avid lover of music, she plays several instruments and also teaches piano. She is a graduate of Howard Payne University and lives in Lott, Texas, with her cat, Arlo.
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