Archive | Book Reviews RSS feed for this section

Book Review: The Bookshop of 99 Doors

22 Jun

If you like some added creepy with your suspense, then The Bookshop 0f 99 Doors by Jaime Jo Wright can be your next thrilling read. Ghosts/spirits and undiscovered doors to the other side provide the backdrop to this faith-filled novel that will keep you guessing. Read on for more info.

The manor’s rumored one-hundredth door may conceal secrets hidden as deep as the estate’s bookshelves extend high . . . but the haunted past has a way of ensnaring curious souls. 

In 1888, Minnie Tipton finds herself beset by the dark superstitions that envelop the Pennsylvania mansion her father bought. Convinced the vengeful spirit of a Civil War captain haunts the house and worried by her father’s rapidly worsening illness, Minnie delves into the home’s fraught past in an effort to bring him peace. Yet the lingering impact of the war and the gruesome tale of murder she uncovers only foster more fear and threaten to unravel Minnie’s own sanity.

In the present day, Triss Bellamy eagerly steps into the role of bookshop manager in the mansion-turned-museum boasting ninety-nine doors. But Triss’s dream job turns into a nightmare when havoc breaks loose with the arrival of her brother’s team of self-proclaimed paranormal investigators. Their determination to find a rumored one-hundredth door–a dangerous portal to the madness long said to plague the mansion–results in calamity, leaving Triss no choice but to hunt down the truth or watch her brother slip forever beyond her reach.

An atmospheric dual-time Gothic suspense masterfully penned by acclaimed author Jaime Jo Wright with themes of a Civil War-era ghost, a possible hidden door, and unexplained mysteries at a historic mansion’s bookshop with a troubled past.

Jaime Jo Wright, multi award-winning author–including the Christy and Daphne du Maurier awards–is a coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire. She has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin’s rural woodlands. Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales, a baffling change from that of Austenites, with a strong preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe. Two mischievous urchins adorn their family, who keep their mother on her toes – providing an exhilarating amount chaos.

Visit her at: http://www.jaimewrightbooks.com and listen to her podcast MadLit Musings on your favorite podcast player or at http://www.madlitmusings.com.

My Impressions:

I love a spooky story, and Jaime Jo Wright always delivers. In my opinion, The Bookshop of 99 Doors goes above and beyond to deliver riveting stories (there are two timelines) with broken main characters who are desperate to understand their worlds. And of course, it contains the promise or threat of worlds unseen, depending on your perspective. I found this book to be excellent for many reasons. The history of the notorious Ambrose Fields house is well-developed. Grisly crimes, ghosts, and rumors of the Underground Railroad are all part of its intrigue. The characters, main and secondary, are complex. And you never really know just what is going on with them. The creep-factor is off the charts, but in true Wright fashion, the spookiness is more Scooby-Do than Stephen King. I like that there is always a reasonable explantation in spite of being convinced that there really are ghosts afoot. I read a couple of reviews that stated that God is not a part of this book. I found that to be far from the case. The two main female characters, Triss and Minnie, are seekers. They are stumbling around, but are determined to find truth. No, there is not a salvation scene, but I felt sure that with the Spirit’s (capital S 😉 ) wooing, their desire to know God would win out in the end. Because of the heads-up from the reviews I spent a lot of time looking for God in this book. And I found Him. And because this is fiction, I can write my own happily-forever-after for all of those seeking.

I read this book for book club this month and anticipate a great discussion. It is a great choice for a buddy read. I highly recommend it!

Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased the ebook from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: , ,

Book Review: Mists Over The Channel Islands

15 Jun

Sarah Sundin is one of my book club’s favorite authors. We were not disappointed with her latest WWII-era novel, Mists over The Channel Islands. If you are a fan of Sundin or like well-researched historical novels, you need to check this one out!

Behind enemy lines, adversary and ally become impossible to distinguish. 

The German invasion of the British Channel Islands shatters Dr. Ivy Picot’s peaceful world, forcing her to shoulder the weight of her father’s medical practice and hold together a family unraveling under the strain of war. As conditions worsen in Jersey with the arrival of thousands of forced laborers, Ivy’s quiet allegiance to the Allies compels her to risk everything by providing medical aid to escaped workers–even as danger closes in.

Dutch engineer and resistance member Gerrit van der Zee volunteers to build fortifications for the Germans so he can secretly send maps and diagrams to the Allies. On his arrival in the Channel Islands, he crosses paths with Ivy, who shows him contempt for the uniform he wears. As tensions mount and their missions grow increasingly dangerous, Ivy and Gerrit must confront the cost of courage, the meaning of sacrifice, and whether love can survive in the shadow of war. Will their covert efforts turn the tide–or will they pay the ultimate price for defiance?

Renowned WWII fiction author Sarah Sundin crafts a compelling historical romance featuring enemies-to-lovers, wartime resistance, and medical intrigue–a tale of loyalty, resilience, and courage when love and duty collide.

Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the drama and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling and Christy Award-winning author of Mists over the Channel Islands (February 2026), Midnight on the Scottish Shore (2025), Embers in the London Sky (2024), The Sound of Light (2023), Until Leaves Fall in Paris (2022), When Twilight Breaks (2021), and several World War II series.

Sarah’s novels have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Booklist. Until Leaves Fall in Paris received the 2022 Christy Award, The Sky Above Us won the 2020 Carol Award, The Sound of Light was a finalist for both the Christy Award and the Carol Award, and When Twilight Breaks and The Land Beneath Us were finalists for the Christy Award.

A mother of three, Sundin lives in Southern California and enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers’ groups. Sarah serves as co-director of the West Coast Christian Writers Conference.

My Impressions:

Mists over The Channel Islands is another great WWII-era novel from Sarah Sundin. Sundin is a favorite of my book club, and this one did not disappoint us. There is so much to love about this book. First off, the setting. We knew little about the Channel Islands in general, specifically Jersey, but really didn’t know anything about the strategic position it holds in the English Channel and its role during WWII. It seemed inconceivable that this tiny island so close to England had been occupied by the Germans. The people had strong ties to Britain and many evacuated before the coming of the Germans. The experiences of those who remained are faithfully recreated in this novel. While there was no large resistance movement on the Channel Islands, the people chose small acts of defiance that yielded big results in the lives of its citizens, as well as those imprisoned by the Germans. Sundin’s characters, both main and secondary, are well-developed, and as a reader I soon became invested in their struggles. Individual heroism is juxtaposed against characters who collaborated with their occupiers. The book really portrays a balanced view of the island during that time. As always, Sundin presents thought-provoking themes and a strong faith thread that keeps the reader thinking, feeling, and turning the pages.

I highly recommend Mists over The Channel Islands for those who love novels set during WWII, for those who want a unique historical setting, and for those who love a good story told well. It achieved a unanimous thumbs-up from my book club!

Highly Recommended.

Great for Book Clubs.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: , ,

Mini-Book Review — The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes

11 Jun

I am a big fan of Chanel Cleeton. I love learning about the Cuban-American experience, as well as the history of Cuba itself. My book club chose The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes for this month’s discussion. It follows 3 women separated by time, place, and experiences, but bound by the power of story. On the surface it is about a specific book written by a young Cuban woman in the early 1900s that has been lost to time. But it is so much more than a treasure hunt for a valuable item. The story itself, hence the title, is what gives the lost book its importance. I loved all the women portrayed: Eva, a teacher in the 1900s, Pilar, a librarian in the 1960s of revolutionary Cuba, and present-day seeker of lost items, Margo. But Pilar really stole my heart. It is her determination to do even the smallest thing to thwart the totalitarianism of the Castro regime that made a big impression. She risked everything for what some would consider a trivial cause. If you love books, you will love this novel! It has romance, adventure, mystery, suspense, heartbreak, and redemption — a 5-star in my book!

(Please note this is a general market novel, but generally a clean read.)

Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I purchased the ebook from Amazon. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

A mysterious book with a legacy spanning from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day unites three women—and their secrets—in this unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton.

London, 2024: American expat Margo Reynolds is renowned for her talent at sourcing rare antiques for her clients, but she’s never had a request quite like this one. She’s been hired to find a mysterious book published over a century ago. With a single copy left in existence, it has a storied past shrouded in secrecy—and her client isn’t the only person determined to procure it at any cost.

Havana, 1966: Librarian Pilar Castillo has devoted her life to books, and in the chaotic days following her husband’s unjust imprisonment by Fidel Castro, reading is her only source of solace. So when a neighbor fleeing Cuba asks her to return a valuable book to its rightful owner, Pilar will risk everything to protect the literary work entrusted to her care. It’s a dangerous mission that reveals to her the power of one book to change a life.

Boston, 1900: For Cuban school teacher and aspiring author Eva Fuentes, traveling from Havana to Harvard to study for the summer is the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s a whirlwind adventure that leaves her little time to write, but a moonlit encounter with an enigmatic stranger changes everything. The story that pours out of her is one of forbidden love, secrets, and lies… and though Eva cannot yet see it, the book will be a danger and salvation for the lives it touches.

Chanel Cleeton is the Cuban American New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many novels, including Reese’s Book Club pick Next Year in Havana. Originally from Florida, Chanel studied in London where she earned degrees in international relations and global politics. In law school, Chanel discovered her passion writing novels and embarked on a new adventure following her lifelong love of books.

Tags: , , , ,

Book Review: Della’s Song

19 May

Are you looking for a sweet romance to kick off your summer reading? Then Della’s Song by Donna Jo Stone is a perfect choice. This fairytale-inspired story set in the 1930s is full of nostalgia and spiritual truths. Check it out below.

A tragic loss, a silenced song, and a scattered family … one North Louisiana tea room offers an unlikely reunion.

In the wake of a devastating train accident, Della Swan’s world is shattered. Her father and brother are forever changed, and the Swan Family Gospel Singers have no choice but to depend on the charity of formidable Aunt Leticia, proprietor of the Hotel Fairwood.

Of Della’s six brothers, only two remain with her at the hotel: Quiet Max, the youngest, and Frank, the pianist who lost his arm—and his heart for music. The rest are sent away to school or work. Aunt Leticia believes the children must learn to make their way in the world, effectively banishing them.

During Father’s recovery, the repercussions of his head injury make one thing clear. Life as the Swans knew it, traveling the south and sharing music, may never return. Yet Della clings to the belief that God isn’t finished with her family or their calling and sets a plan in motion to bring them together again.

When she develops an unexpected bond with Clayton Miller, the hotel’s reserved, long-time employee, his steady presence reminds her there is often more to people—and situations—than meets the eye.

The Swan Family Gospel Singers are separated by tragedy, Della’s brothers scattered to the wind. With needle and thread, faith, and a song, she finds a way to stitch them together again.

A touch of fairy tale, a spoonful of history, and a teacup of hope.

Della’s Song is a stand-alone novel in the Apron Strings Tea Tales multi-author series, and a 1930s historical with romance retelling of “The Six Swans.”

Donna Jo Stone is an award-winning author of historical, contemporary, and young adult fiction. 

Life is messy and beautiful. In everyone’s story, there is truth and hope. Donna Jo’s novels are about common struggles and finding the faith to carry on through those battles.

When she’s not writing, she loves to read and talk about books, poke around in old bookshops and museums, and spend time with her family.

My Impressions:

I love a fairytale retelling! Della’s Song by Donna Jo Stone is inspired by The Seven Swans. With creative nods to the original story, Della is determined to reunite her family after tragedy has turned it upside down. Della is the lone sister in a large group of brothers. They were known as the Swan Family Gospel Singers before her father and older brother’s accident left her father with neurological difficulties and her piano-playing brother with only one arm. Della’s mission is to get the family back on the stage. She sees it as her one and only calling. I liked how her preconceived notions and tunnel vision are challenged. In a Google search of the original story, themes such as love, sacrifice, and perseverance are listed, and that’s what you get in Stone’s novel. The setting is charming, the characters are real and relatable, and the romance is sweet! Della’s dreams morph into a reality that is much more than she expected. It’s a quick read perfect for a lazy weekend sipping lemonade or sweet tea out on the porch! Be sure to grab a tea cake too. 😉

Recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults.

(Thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: ,

Book Review: Secrets Chase Her

11 May

Wow! I thought the first book in Rachel Dylan‘s Deadly Justice series was full of twists, but book two, Secrets Chase Her surpassed it for did-not-see-that-coming moments! If you like fast-paced suspense, this is the book (and series) for you.

A brutal murder. A deadly secret. A lawyer who won’t back down.

When high-powered attorney Quinn Kelly finds her protégé brutally murdered, she’s plunged into a nightmare—one that points directly to a ruthless serial killer. FBI Agent Samira Haddad takes over the case, but her complicated past with Quinn threatens to cloud the investigation.

Blackmailed by a powerful tech mogul who holds incriminating evidence against her, Quinn is forced to take on his defense to keep him silent. But she refuses to sit on the sidelines while Samira hunts the killer who took her friend’s life. Quinn’s search for answers uncovers a chilling truth: someone close to her is in the crosshairs—and she may be the reason why.

The killer is watching and lying in wait. With trust in short supply, both women must decide how far they’re willing to go for justice—and survival.

Rachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for almost two decades, including as a litigator at one of the nation’s top law firms. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and three furkids — one loveable Labrador and two senior cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers.

My Impressions:

(Note: there are a few spoilers ahead for those who did not read the book that precedes Secrets Chase Her. Stop here and go read it first.)

I liked Rachel Dylan’s suspense novel Death Follows Her, the first book in the Deadly Justice series. I REALLY liked book 2, Secrets Chase Her. The two main characters — FBI agent Samira and attorney Quinn — have a very unique relationship. After Samira spends most of book 1 trying to find evidence that Quinn is a serial killer, the two women develop a unique friendship. Of sorts. If it sounds complicated, it is. These characters are complex and well-developed. Samira has been ordered to let go of investigating Quinn, but when Quinn’s associate is brutally murdered, Samira is in on that case as well. There is a stalker, an arrogant, maybe homicidal IT executive, and assorted FBI agents that impact the storyline. There are also so many I-did-not-see-that-coming moments that it was hard to catch my breath! This is suspense at its best. Plus, there’s a cliffhanger at the end. I cannot wait until book 3, Truth Betrays Her, comes out in April of 2027.

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Book Review — Miss Beth Bettencourt

4 May

I have long been a fan of Eva Marie Everson. Her novels include women’s fiction and romance, both contemporary and historical. I think her strength as an author is writing authentic female characters her readers can easily identify with — those facing real life struggles. Her latest book is Miss Beth Bettencourt. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Find out all about it and my thoughts below.

Will an unlikely romance tear down Beth’s walls of indifference?

It’s 1962 in Bynum, Georgia, and Beth Bettencourt’s world is turned upside down when she wakes to a man snoring in the guest bedroom.

She’s home alone; her parents are traveling abroad, grieving her twin sister’s unexpected death. Instead of accompanying them, Beth stayed in Bynum to tend to her kindergarten and closely guard her own heart.

A beautiful and beloved member of the community, Beth is an unusual specimen for her time as she nears thirty and remains unmarried. She holds deep-seated unforgiveness toward her twin, Elise, who ran off with Beth’s beau. To make matters worse, Elise took their grandmother’s ring, which had been promised to Beth.

But now a stranger enters her home and her world. David Patrick Martin seems ready to break down her walls of indifference and find the core of Miss Beth Bettencourt. But can he be trusted with Beth’s past, her present, and more importantly, her future?

Eva Marie Everson is an ECPA bestselling and multiple award-winning author and speaker, including an ECPA Gold Medallion. She is a Christy finalist, and a Silver Medallion winner. She has won a Carol, several Maggie and Golden Scroll awards, and an Inspirational Retailers Choice Award. Born and reared in Georgia, Eva Marie and her husband make their home in Central Florida where they are owned by one very spoiled cat and two hearts full of grandchildren.

My Impressions:

Everyone knows everyone in the small town of Bynum, Georgia. And they certainly know your business, all in the matter of a few hours! Beth Bettencourt knows this full well as she seeks to live a quiet, purposeful life in the face of past heartache. Little does she know that on one fateful night (in a life derailed by another fateful night), just how much her world will change. Miss Beth Bettencourt by Eva Marie Everson is a quiet novel set in an ordinary Southern town in 1962. It seems not a lot happens there, yet below the calm surface lie regrets and grief. Beth has a lot of those until Marty enters to break down the walls she has built around her heart. Marty, a newly discharged soldier, makes a mistake when he sleepily stumbles into Beth’s home, but it is soon apparent that God has His hands all over the breaking and entering. The book is told through the first person perspectives of Beth, Marty, and Molly, the Bettencourt’s longtime housekeeper, giving the narrative a completeness. Beth and Marty discover forgiveness, redemption, and a chance at a future neither expected. I loved how trust and respect slowly develops between the two. This is just such a sweet story! There’s a bit of a mystery, and of course no fictional (or real-life) relationship exists without a few obstacles. But by the end of the book the two have grown in profound ways. I also loved secondary character, Molly, as she guided Beth with her wisdom and wit. Molly cooks throughout the book, and I was delighted to find her recipes shared at the conclusion. Yum! Can’t wait to try those and make a return to Bynum.

If you like well-developed characters facing real-life challenges wrapped up in a charming setting, then Miss Beth Bettencourt is a book for you!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to the author for an ARC of the novel. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tags: , ,

Mini-Book Review — A Weekend on Allyson Island

27 Apr

My book club is reading A Weekend on Allyson Island by Susannah B. Lewis this month. I’m usually a good judge of how my group will respond to a book, but I am not sure what they will think of this one. It’s women’s fiction featuring a lot of different types of women, but all struggling with identity issues, as well as compulsive and addictive behaviors. This is Christian fiction, so you know you will get a Christ-centered worldview, which means no judgment, but plenty of grace and mercy. Judgment, guilt, and shame are reserved for what the characters feel about themselves and the others in the group that gathers to celebrate the 50th birthday of their mutual friend/employer. I liked that the characters confront the elephants in the room, as they seek to support each other. The novel ends with an epilogue a year in the future, which gave a very satisfying recap of the growth that they achieve. I did think that the author spent more time telling than showing. That took me out of the story a bit, as I felt it was more commentary than narrative. But overall, I did like the book. As I said, I don’t know if the members of my book club are going to like it, but I am pretty sure that the topics explored will create a good discussion. And that is what we are always looking for.

Recommended.

Audience: adult women.

(I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

They’ve come for a birthday celebration . . . but they’ll leave celebrating themselves.

Moira Allyson is going all out for her 50th birthday. The planning part is easy–in her big, beautiful mansion set on Savannah’s waterfront, perfect parties practically plan themselves. She’ll serve the region’s finest cuisine, offer delicious drinks, book the best entertainment, and set up luxurious spa treatments for a small group of the most important women in her life–from childhood best friends to the woman who cleans her house.

She may be focused on her friends, but Moira’s focus has a purpose–distracting herself from the lonely reality of her life as a widow and empty nester. Her twentysomething sons don’t really come back to visit anymore, and her husband, the love of her life, is gone forever. Moira may appear to have it all on the outside, but there’s way too much room in her home . . . and way too many memories. She’s spared no expense for this weekend, and everything’s perfect–until it’s not.

Each woman who arrives at the party comes with her own birthday well wishes–and her own secret sorrow, which she’s determined not to unwrap. But weekends spent with friends have a way of bringing things that have been kept hidden to the surface. Late into the evening, when the stars come out and everyone gets comfortable, one friend opens her heart . . . and then others join in. Allyson Island is like summer camp for 50-year-olds–and, just like at summer camp, it’s a place where friendships are strengthened, deep emotions are shared, and hope and healing happen.

Susannah B. Lewis is an author, humorist, and podcaster. She has written nine books, includingCan’t Make This Stuff Up and How May I Offend You Today, both USA Today Bestsellers published by Thomas Nelson. Her work has been featured on Erma Bombeck’s Humor Writers, TODAY, and US Weekly, and her articles have appeared in Parents Magazine, Reader’s Digest, and more. She is the winner of the Southern Writers’ Magazine Short Story Contest and a recipient of the BlogHer Voices of the Year Award. Susannah also hosts the Moral of the Story Podcast, produced by AccessMore.

She lives on 90 beautiful acres in Tennessee with her husband, their three children, and a “whole bunch” of dogs and cats.

Tags: ,

Mini-Book Review — Trail of Danger

23 Apr

If you are looking for a quick weekend read full of adventure, suspense, and romance, then consider Trail of Danger by Hope Welborn. Set in the north Georgia mountains along the Appalachian Trail, the two main characters — Huck, a hydrologist with the Army and Jenna, a national parks ranger — fight the elements as they elude very dangerous bad guys! The two were childhood best friends until they weren’t. Past baggage, guilt, and fear of rejection keep the two fighting attraction, but this a romantic suspense novel, so an HEA is in their future. I really liked the two characters and was rooting for them all the way. Their struggles and faith journeys were real and relatable. The north Georgia setting was special to me — most of the action takes place relatively close to my cottage in the woods. But if you are unfamiliar with the area, the author’s descriptions will have you vicariously viewing stunning waterfalls, or tripping over roots and enduring torrential rain 😉 . Actual or armchair hikers are going to love this book! The bad guys are very, very bad and not who you might think they are. Dumping toxic chemicals into pristine waterways is so not cool! The mystery is twisting, but the two characters, are tenacious at discovering just who and what is going on.

I read Trail of Danger on a visit to my cottage in the woods of north Georgia, and felt like I was along for the ride. You will too!

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I borrowed the ebook from Kindle Unlimited. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

A mysterious toxin leads to a deadly pursuit along the Appalachian Trail

Scott “Huck” Huxton, Jr. has returned to his hometown, a place full of painful reminders of his troubled childhood. An urgent plea from his sister spurs him to find the cause of the puzzling illness plaguing her and her infant son. Utilizing his skills from the Army’s Environmental Command, Huck discovers toxic waste in the Chattahoochee River.

Forest Ranger Jenna Davenport thought she would never see Huck again, after her mistake destroyed his family. But when he asks for help, she can’t turn him down. This could be the second chance she’s hoped for, as long as he doesn’t discover the terrible secret she has carried for over a decade.

Targeted by the criminals behind the contamination, they escape along the Appalachian Trail. But danger follows them, leading them on a perilous journey through the national forest. As Huck and Jenna fight for survival, they must also face their past and the secret that could destroy their future.

Hope Welborn writes spine-tingling suspense, sprinkled with romance, and saturated with faith. Her manuscripts have won the ACFW Genesis Contest and the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Foundations Awards in romantic suspense.

As a #writerwithadayjob, she spends her lunch hours creating small town characters who face big suspense with faith in a big God. By day, she masquerades as a digital content marketing technology specialist, and by night, she stays up too late putting words on the page.

Hope also serves as editor and web manager for Spark Flash Fiction and is a member of the Suspense Squad.

Tags: ,

Mini-Book Review — Harbor Pointe

16 Apr

I love my yearly visits to Hope Harbor, Oregon, the fictional town created by Irene Hannon where hope is always delivered! Harbor Pointe, book 12!! in the series features reconciliation stories, along with a second chance at love. I absolutely love that Hannon includes a story arc with married couples in each book in the series. The main plot thread usually involves two singles who search for their HEA, but secondary plots often include husbands and wives who need to reconnect and/or restore their relationships. The threads intertwine and make for a believable community of real and relatable characters. In Harbor Pointe, world-reknowned ballet dancer, Devyn comes home to the small town to help her estranged sister following an accident. She meets Aaron Steele and his family as she becomes involved in a community project. Sparks immediately fly. The romance is sweet and while there are obstacles, there are no scenes of overheard and misunderstood words or actions. You know, like seeing their love interest hug someone else. I liked that a lot! Other plot lines of estranged siblings, parent and child, and husband and wife were woven naturally into the narrative making this book very, very satisfying. You’ll always run into familiar friends in Hope Harbor — including Charlie, the taco making philosopher and sage, and the amusing seagull pair, all part of what makes the town and the book series special. If you are new to the series, please begin with book 1. You will not be disappointed.

Recommended

Audience: Adults

(I received this book compliments of NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

When life throws you off pointe, love helps you find your balance. 

As a principal dancer with a prestigious New York ballet company, Devyn Lee is far from her hometown of Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast. But when a family emergency compels her to return, her visit turns into an extended stay after complications arise. 

Widowed mill worker Aaron Steele pays no attention to the buzz in Hope Harbor about the famous dancer in town. Until his grieving nine-year-old daughter takes a fancy to Devyn after she agrees to help with a fundraising show for a local charity in which the young girl is performing. As the show–and Devyn–begin to lift his daughter’s spirits, his own life is brightened by the beautiful ballerina as she slowly but surely captures his heart. 

But what are the odds that such an accomplished, polished woman from the city could ever fall for a small-town lumberman with two left feet? 

Come home to Hope Harbor–where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than 70 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In addition to her many other honors, she is a three-time winner of the prestigious RITA Award from Romance Writers of America. She is also a member of RWA’s elite Hall of Fame and has received a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews for her entire body of work. Millions of her books have been sold worldwide, and her novels have been translated into multiple languages.

Tags: ,

Mini-Book Review — The Girl Upstairs

6 Apr

I love a twisty thriller, especially if it has an unreliable narrator! That kind of story keeps me on my toes. I found that and more in The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch. This book set in a picturesque secret-filled Maine coastal town was full of unexpected revelations, aha moments, and seriously creepy subject matter. (Content warnings: pregnancy loss and child abuse.) Gwen is the perfect character for the first person narration — fiercely devoted to finding justice, but broken in so many ways — she tells a compelling story as she seeks a new life with her doctor husband. Unfortunately, the house they move to will not let them achieve the peace they so dearly need. I could not put this haunted house novel down! While this story is told through a Christian worldview, the references are subtle. I especially liked the juxtaposition of crows and black-capped chickadees — you’ll know it when you see it. 😉 This book is for those who don’t mind a bit (or a lot) of creep-factor, like surprises around every corner, and love a very satisfying ending. I think this book is a good choice for a book club. Lots of things to discuss — Can justice be achieved in a broken world? Does growth come from pain? Can past trauma be redeemed?

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

She bought this house to save her marriage. Unearthing its secrets might just claim her life.

Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.

Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.

As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…

Jessica R. Patch is a New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than thirty novels. Known for her pulse-pounding plots, emotionally charged characters, and signature twists, Jessica’s stories explore themes of justice, resilience, and the unshakable power of hope.

Whether weaving inspirational stories of danger edged with romance or crafting chilling thrillers that probe the shadows of the human heart, Jessica delivers fiction that thrills while shining light in the darkest places.

She makes her home in Northwest Mississippi, where she enjoys life with her family, a good cup of tea, and dreaming up her next edge-of-your-seat story usually over tacos and queso.

Tags: , ,

← Older Entries