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Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama

The Shenanigans of a Bookish Mama journeying through Motherhood, Homeschooling and lots of Books!

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The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse ~ Book Review

June 25, 2025

 



About the Book


Book:
The Light on Horn Island
Author: Valerie Fraser Luesse
Genre: Christian Contemporary
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: April 29, 2025

When Edie Gardner's life in New York comes crumbling down, her grandmother Adele "Punk" Cheramie urges her to return to Bayou du Chêne, a tiny hamlet in coastal Mississippi where Edie spent many happy summers growing up. Punk and her three closest friends introduce Edie to the Trove, a fascinating gallery and antique shop that seems to have appeared out of nowhere.

The Trove's proprietor, Jason Toussaint, has a gift for reading his customers' needs. He gives Edie a Victorian parlor game called Confessions, which asks players a series of ever-more-personal questions. It seems like harmless fun at first. But the game has a way of uncovering secrets--including a heartbreaking disappearance that has haunted one of the players for decades.

Banding together, these women are determined to mend each other's hurts, encourage each other's dreams, and find the answers that will bring healing.




My Thoughts 


I absolutely love the way this author writes her stories. She truly captures the essence of the setting and makes you feel like you are there. If you love that Southern charm look no further because this book is it. I wanted to be in the kitchen table with Punk, Edie and the Ten Spots enjoying some shrimp and grits while feeling the cool breeze and heat from a Mississippi summer. 

Oh these characters captivated me and had me giggling and crying all at the same time. The friendships between these older ladies was so deep, they were like sisters. They had been through everything together and their bond with each other was one you want to strive for. I love that this story truly touches on every character and they each go through their own separate journeys throughout the story. However, the journey that Edie and Charlotte was beautiful. Despite it being full of grief it was good to see them work through it and rely not only on the Ten Spots but also God. 

Another thing that the author did a great job in was the faith thread. I do believe that angels walk amongst us and God sends people to guide us at times and Jason in this story was just the person. That part of the storyline truly touches you and makes you think of how God is always with you. 

I can't forget to mention the love story. Although that is not the focus of the story it was there and it was ever so sweet. 

This book had everything needed to make it an amazing read and I definitely recommend you grab it!

I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.





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.
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Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher ~ Book Review

June 13, 2025




About the Book 


Book:
Capture the Moment
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: National Parks Summers, Book 1
Publisher: Bethany House Publishing
Release Date: May 6, 2025

Kate Cunningham is facing the opportunity of a lifetime. As a zoo photographer, she's spent years photographing animals in carefully controlled environments, but now National Geographic has dangled an irresistible prize: If Kate can snag a unique photo of a legendary bear in Grand Teton National Park, they just might publish it. It's the kind of challenge Kate has been waiting for, and she's eager to prove herself in the wild. 

With more enthusiasm than experience, Kate soon realizes that capturing an image of this bear isn't as simple as she hoped. Fortunately, she crosses paths with Grant Cooper, a seasonal park ranger who knows the terrain--and the bears--better than anyone. His tracking skills could be exactly what Kate needs to succeed, and it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes. But they're not the only ones with an interest in the park's most famous bear. And his motives are far from innocent.

A clean, kisses-only contemporary romance and summer read by Suzanne Woods Fisher for wildlife, travel, and photography enthusiasts set in Grand Teton National Park.



My Thoughts 


Being that I absolutely love photography and it is one of my hobbies this cover immediately captured me and so did the storyline! Suzanne Woods Fisher took me on a ride to the Grand Teton National park and I absolutely enjoyed the wonderful setting and feeling like I had traveled there. 

The characters were so well done and they all had a journey to go through. Kate is a zoo photographer wanting to do more with her photography so she is set on getting one of her photos into National Geographic. Gosh your heart goes out to her as she has to learn the ropes of nature photography and contend with the people that have been doing it for years. You can't help to utter "Bless her heart" as you are reading about her. I immediately loved Ranger Coop he definitely had some heart healing to do and what better way than to deal with an almost delinquent teen Frankie and of course having close contact with Kate herself. There were some sweet moments between them. Tim Rivers and his gran-daughter Maisie are also essential characters in the story that we cannot forget and you will enjoy reading about. Oh and the villain was done to perfection!! 

Overall this story has a bit of everything. There is definitely mystery, suspense and romance. I am excited to see where the series takes us and can't wait to explore another national park! 

I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.




About the Author


Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling, award winning author of fiction and non-fiction books about the Old Order Amish for Revell Books, host of the radio-show-turned-blog Amish Wisdom, a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazine.


Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, who was raised Plain. A theme in her books (her life!) is that you don’t have to “go Amish” to incorporate the principles of simple living.

Suzanne lives in California with her family and raises puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To her way of thinking, you just can't life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
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A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby ~ Book Spotlight

June 9, 2025




Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Slight Change of Plans by Denise M. Colby, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!


About the Book


A Slight Change of Plans

Title: A Slight Change of Plans
Series: Best-Laid Plans #2
Author:
Denise M. Colby
Publisher:
Scrivenings Press
Release Date:
May 27, 2025
Genre:
Christian Historical Romance


She believes she doesn’t matter. 


Jenny Millard’s hopes for security and stability as a schoolmarm out west are dashed when her schoolhouse closes, and no positions are available nearby. With only enough money for a one-way train fare, Jenny heads to her friend’s home uncertain of her next step.  


His scars have made him an unlovable outcast. 


Newcomer Ren Lyman prefers to keep to himself, hiding in the back of the blacksmith shop to avoid the stares at the scars left by a childhood accident. When he comes across a lost stranger, he’s surprised when she doesn’t recoil at his appearance, and even more so at his eagerness to assist her. 


As Jenny settles into the welcoming, but small, town of Washton, she can’t help but come across Ren, especially since his daily constitutional takes him along the same path. It doesn’t take long for them to form a connection that breaks down the walls erected by years of hurt. But when strange occurrences unsettle the townspeople, it seems their chance at happiness might be at risk.  


Will Jenny and Ren discover that they’re enough—for God, and each other?  


PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Scrivenings Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub


More in This Series





Excerpt


    Jenny couldn’t stand there all day, so she picked up her luggage and gingerly stepped forward. Across the street, a gentleman exited the church doors slowly, placing something in his front shirt pocket.

    Her toe caught on something, and with her hands full, down she went. “Ow.”

    A few moments later she heard strong, solid footsteps approach. A gust of warmth engulfed her. “Are you hurt, miss?”

    Jenny’s gaze landed on soot-covered pants, then traveled farther up into the profile of a giant man with dark hair and eyes full of concern. He was the gentleman she saw exit the church doors. And he held her gently. She swallowed, not out of uneasiness, but because of the sensations she had never experienced before.

    He leaned forward till his gaze met hers. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

    Her breath caught. Then she blinked and glanced down at his arms where they held her. Gentle and so full of care—for her. They were so inviting.




About the Author


Denise M. Colby

Passionate about all types of stories—whether they are from songs, theatre, movies, or novels—Denise M. Colby loves history and constantly finds herself contemplating how it was to live in the 1800s.

An avid journal writer, Denise usually can be found with a pen and notepad whenever she’s reading God’s word. Each year, Denise chooses a word to focus on. She shares her learnings about that word throughout the year on the two blogs she writes for. 

A wife for thirty years and mother to three boys and a daughter-in-love, Denise loves to read, watch movies with her family, sing 80s and musical songs, dance, and spend date nights with her husband. 

Writing Historical Christian Romance novels combines her love of learning about history and reading. Visit Denise’s website to sign up for her newsletter or connect with her on her social media.




Tour Giveaway


(1) winner will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card, fun swag (Bert the rooster keychain, stickers, bookmark), and a signed copy of book 1, When Plans Go Awry (now an ACFW Carol Award finalist)!

(1) winner will receive a Bert the Rooster pack including a Rooster Squishmellow, keychain, and stickers!

(1) winner will receive a bundle of book-related swag!


Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight June 9, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on June 16, 2025. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.


Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.


Enter Giveaway



Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!


A Slight Change of Plans JustRead Blog TourJustRead Publicity Tours

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The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese ~ Book Review

June 2, 2025



About the Book 


Book: The Voice We Find
Author: Nicole Deese
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Fog Harbor, Book 3
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: April 15, 2025


Sophie Wilder returns home to California with nothing more than a failed Broadway career and a geriatric cat. Stuck working at the family winery with her egotistical brother and desperate for a way to revive her acting dreams, she takes a side gig as an audiobook narrator with Fog Harbor Books. But getting mixed up in the life of her reluctant sound engineer was never a part of her plans.

August Tate is still reeling from taking guardianship of his teen sister. Determined to find a solution to her degenerative hearing loss and to prevent his private recording studio from going under, he agrees to produce audiobooks part-time. When Sophie breathes new life into his creativity and forms an unexpected bond with his sister, rooted in their common faith, he must confront the reasons he turned away from his own.



My Thoughts 


Oh wow! This book was sensational! There was so much to love about this story.  I absolutely loved how Nicole Deese takes you on a journey with the the characters in her books and this story was no different. She truly writes with so much depth. This was a beautiful story full of family, faith, love and redemption. The characters were perfectly imperfect. Full of brokenness and we truly can relate to them. 

I was drawn into Sophie's story and felt for her and the way she grew up. Her family is definitely not the warm and fuzzy kind and her brother is something else. Read the story and you will see what I am talking about.  I really enjoyed August and his sister Gabby. Their story was unique and I really enjoyed their sibling dynamic. The way that this author brought the deaf community into the storyline was done beautifully and I really liked how it was a huge part of the story. I think this is the first story that I have encountered this. 

The faith in this book was continual and perfection. It is definitely the one thing that tied the entire storyline together and I was all for it. The redemption arc was was done so well. Get the tissues handy because if you are like me you will tear up more than once.

Overall, I absolutely loved this story and although part of a series, it reads a stand alone. 

I received a copy of this book for review. All views expressed are my own.



About the Author


Nicole Deese is a Christy and Carol Award-winning, bestselling author of hope-filled, humorous, and heartfelt contemporary romance novels. When she's not sorting out character arcs and story plots of her own, she can usually be found listening to an audiobook and multitasking at least four different chores at once. She’s a hoarder of sparkling water, a lover of long walks and even longer talks with friends, and a seeker of fun and adventure at all times.
She lives in small-town, Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two freakishly tall teenage sons, and one princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.

To learn more, visit www.nicoledeese.com
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The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse ~ Book Review
  About the Book Book: The Light on Horn Island Author: Valerie Fraser Luesse Genre: Christian Contemporary Publisher: Revell Release Date: ...

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