Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts

3.16.2024

Between You and Us ~ Review

Between You and Us
By Kendra Broekhuis

What if you were given a choice between two divergent paths—paths that had already been chosen, paths that are vastly different yet have similarities, paths that diverged because of a single moment—a moment in which you either shared the truth or hid and buried it deep within yourself?

This is the choice before Leona—and what a choice it is: a cold husband and her very much alive daughter or a loving, caring husband with no daughter in her arms. Wealth or financial struggles? Is one path worth the other? Which life is better? How is she to choose? And more importantly, can she choose? If she chooses the life she knows, is there a way to return to it?

This story is presented in a back-and-forth between the present and the past. The past shows Leona's life in relation to her husband, David, from before they were married. The present starts with a trip across town in a taxi that Leona had to save for to share a pricey dinner, she had also saved for, to enjoy with her husband. This was the start of a new beginning, to try to step out of their shared grief. Well, it was a new beginning, just not one that anyone would have believed possible.

I think anyone who has lost a child would be torn by the choice Leona was facing. I have to be honest if given the choice of having a loved one back in your life but at the cost of something else dear, it could be tempting and yet not. I think it was interesting to see the whole relationship thing between Leona, her mother, her in-laws, and even her friend and sister.

This is a well-written read that has an emotional draw that will pull you deeper into the story as Leona tries to figure out everything. The characters are compelling and the contrast between the timelines is interesting. Well worth the time spent reading.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.



About the Book:
When a grieving woman unexpectedly steps into a different version of her life, she must choose between the husband she loves and the daughter she lost in this brave, gripping novel.

Three lives. 

Two outcomes. 

One impossible choice.

When Leona Warlon heads across the city to meet her husband, David, for a rare dinner out, she hopes they can share a moment of relief after their year of loss. But Leona quickly realizes this is no ordinary date night. She hasn’t just stepped into an upscale ristorante; she’s stepped into a different version of her life. One in which her marriage is no longer tender, in which her days are pressured by her powerful in-laws, and in which her precious baby girl lived.

Now Leona must weigh the bitter and sweet of both trajectories, facing an unimaginable choice: Stay in a world where tragedy hasn’t struck but where the meaningful life she built with David is gone? Or return to a reality that’s filled with struggle and sorrow but also deep and enduring love?

3.15.2024

Chapter 3 of Yours, Mine, and Hours is now available to read!

 

You may or may not be aware that I have been taking part in the Story of the Month club for the last two years. 

What's the Story of the Month?

Well, I'm glad you asked. It is a collaboration between several authors to provide new and exciting stories for you to enjoy for free. Last year (2023), four authors wrote three stories each, and each month, one of them was offered online for readers to enjoy at their leisure. 

This year, Michelle Francik and I decided to do something different. We are collaborating to write a story, a chapter per month, with each of us alternating chapters (and months). So far, we have been having a blast seeing just where the story is going next because until we get the next chapter from one another, we don't know either.

Chapter three of Yours, Mine, and Hours is now available for you to read at Chapter 3 - Phoebe

You missed the first two chapters? That's no problem; they are available to read at Story of the Month 2024. And the best part is the reading is still free!

3.14.2024

Tangled Up in Love ~ Review

Tangled Up in Love
A Trinity Lake Romance
By Carolyn Miller

Ellie Reilly has been living her dream, traveling Europe, enjoying the history, and meeting someone special. Returning to Trinity Lakes is just so ordinary. And what was her everyday life before Europe has changed, leaving her feeling unsettled and at loose ends. And then there is her best friend Jasper, something just feels off about him.

Jasper Cohen has been counting down the days until Ellie's return since the day she left. He's been hiding his feelings for her for years and when he sees after all those weeks away, lefts just things get just a tad awkward. Of course, Ellie has no idea why, just assumes it's because of his dad's health issues.

When Ellie gets an unexpected job offer - reopening the local museum - it seems like a dream come true, if not for her recent taste of Europe and travel. But this is an opportunity she can't pass up. With the encouragement of those who know her best she takes on the challenge and recruits Jasper to help her bring her vision back to life. And then she gets word that Sebastian is coming to see her.

Tangled Up in Love finds Ellie having to decide just what she wants out of life and just how important her faith and values are to her daily life. Will it take a crisis for Ellie to see what she truly wants out of life? Or will she be blinded by what she thinks she wants?

This is a contemporary romance that can be read as a standalone title. The Trinty Lakes series is written by several authors, each focusing on different people within the community. In this book the main focus is on Jasper, Ellie, and Ellie's family-especially big brothers Jackson and Mitch. Trinity Lakes seems like it would a lovely community, smaller but not tiny. A bedroom community, one could say, of Seattle or Walla-Walla. Tight with bonds that hold them together in a good way. I would highly recommend this title for fans of friends-to-something more.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:

One kiss didn't mean much.

One kiss could mean everything.

When Ellie Reilly returns from a dream overseas trip, a too-long hug from her best friend Jasper Cohen clues her in that his feelings might be more than what she suspected. He's unsure about pushing their friendship further, and doubly uncertain when her European friend, Sebastian, seeks her out in Trinity Lakes.


Uncertainty is something Ellie knows all too well. Since returning from her vacation, Ellie feels like she doesn't fit at her family's ranch or in small town life. When she is asked to take on responsibility for reopening Trinity Lakes' historical museum - a dream she's always wanted - she can't help but wonder if settling for life in the familiar is all that God has for her, or whether she dare trust Him for more? Can these two best friends push past mistakes and insecurities and find a future together?


Preorder at https://books2read.com/TangledUpInLove

3.12.2024

Trapped in Yosemite ~ Review

Trapped in Yosemite
By Dana Mentink

It seemed like a simple job, help someone identify what was ailing his trees, but it soon became obvious it was something more when someone started shooting. Suddenly Stella Rivers is running for her life and into the presence of the man who broke her heart 18-months ago.

Yosemite National Park is in the midst of a major earthquake when Von Sharpe notices a vehicle driving in an area where it shouldn't. What he never imagined was that someone was attempting to kill the driver. Nor did he suspect that the intended victim was his ex-fiancée, Stella. And when he learns the secret Stella has been keeping, let's just say what drove them apart is readdressed and provides some new food for thought for them both.

The earthquake was just the first and the damages have trapped Stella and Von at MDWG along with the rest of the camp's staff and five campers. With no power, aftershocks, mudslides, floods, and blocked roads things could be worse. And when the killer again takes aim at Stella, they realize just how trapped and isolated they are. And even more concerning, how does the killer always seem to know where Stella is! 

Trapped in Yosemite is a suspense-filled read that is driven by secrets. And secrets are a powerful motivator to protect what you hold close. Powerful enough to kill for. This is also a book of second chances. And there are dogs, I mean who doesn't love having dogs in their books and when the dogs are also heroes, what could be better?

With so much already thrown into the mix, I admit it the killer wasn't who I was expecting out of the list of potential suspects.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

When a massive earthquake levels the region, secrets and unknown dangers are exposed…

The ground in still-icy Yosemite National Park isn’t stable, and K-9 handler Von Sharpe fears the worst. But his worries are pushed aside when he sees an SUV viciously forced off the road…with his ex-fiancée at the wheel. It’s only when Stella Rivers steps out of the vehicle that the very ground under their feet cracks and breaks with the onslaught of a terrifying earthquake. 

When her meeting with a mysterious client is ambushed, Stella witnesses the man being gunned down by a sniper and becomes a target herself. With the threat of aftershocks triggering landslides and floods, the new mom has no choice but to run to save her baby girl—even if it means teaming up with the man who has no idea he fathered her child.

Trapped in a dangerously unstable wilderness with a killer closing in, Von and Stella are running out of time to get to safety. And every fissure reveals a new secret that will shake them to their foundation…

3.05.2024

Finding Jane Fairfax ~ Review

Cover art for Finding Jane Fairfax by Robbin J. Peterson shows woman standing on an overlooking cliff.
Finding Jane Fairfax
By Robbin J. Peterson

You know Jane Fairfax from Jane Austen's Emma. You know that Emma wasn't her biggest fan or even her bestie. But what was her story before she left the Campbells, before Miss Campbell became Mrs. Dixon. And how did she and Frank Churchill meet and form a secret attachment? Well, Finding Jane Fairfax will give a glimpse into the lives of two young people who were an important part of Highbury Society even when they didn't call it home.

This was an interesting read. Jane never felt she deserved the life she was living with the Campbells. The Campbells were a loving family who treated Jane as if she were part of their family. The problem was that Society didn't accept her or her situation. She knew that her only hope for the future lay in taking a position as a governess.

Frank felt unwanted and cast off by his father, as his Aunt and Uncle Churchill raised him. And by raising, he was under his aunt's disapproval almost constantly. His friends were too lowly; standing up for the defenseless was beneath him. In short, his aunt was raising him to be a kowtowed snob. And as for his future wife, his aunt would choose her and mold her into a replica of herself.  I didn't like Frank's Aunt Churchill in Emma but in Finding Jane Fairfax she is so much worse, making Lady Catherine de Bourgh seem positively docile. 

The characters were well-developed, as was the setting. I appreciated how aspects of Jane's letters to Highbury were worked into the story. Overall, this was a well-written and engaging book. And as anyone who is familiar with Emma knows how Frank and Jane's story ends, but this book ends before either of them returns to Highbury.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

 

Jane Fairfax knows she is truly fortunate. Most orphans face lives of hardship, whereas she was adopted by doting surrogate parents who elevated her place in Society and loved her as their own. Yet even they cannot shield her from the grim realities of life without a suitable marriage. In moments of despair, Jane comforts herself with a well-worn memory: that of a young man whose kind words when they were children once soothed her heartbreak. But now that boy has grown into a dashing gentleman―and their lives could not be more distant.

 

Frank Churchill is a prisoner of his station. His inheritance is held in the balance by his demanding aunt, and the weight of her expectations is suffocating him. But when a chance encounter brings the lovely Miss Fairfax back into his life, he discovers what it is to truly live. As the pair secretly become acquainted amid the confines of Society’s strict rules, their friendship blossoms into love. But in a world ruled by unyielding traditions, endeavoring to build a life together would mean inviting a scandal that would shake the very foundation of the ton.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Robbin J Peterson author headshot

Robbin J. Peterson is the author of Going Home, Conviction, and 13 Days of Girls Camp. She earned her degree in English literature from Utah State University and her associate of arts degree from Snow College. She has six kids, plays the viola, and works as an elementary school librarian.

 









3.04.2024

The Berlin Letters ~ Review

Cover art for The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay featuring a woman dressed in dark neutral colors who leaning against a yellow European automobile.
The Berlin Letters
By Katherine Reay

Luisa Voekler is good at what she does - breaking codes that have been encrypted. While the rest of the code breakers in her secret CIA division have moved on to the Cold War, her work is during WW2 and will stay there for the foreseeable future, if not longer. But when a colleague reaches out for help, Luisa notices something from her own past. Something that could change everything she thought she knew about herself.  Worse, she begins to question what she knew about the grandparents who raised her.   

This book is told in an alternating fashion from Luisa's viewpoint and that of her father, Haris Voekler, a man she has long believed dead. We are given a glimpse into the nightmare that divided friends, families, and neighbors overnight when the Eastern sector was cut off from the Western. Overnight, lives were destroyed while the rest of the world did nothing. A handful of people wasn't worth risking another war over.

The Berlin Letters offers an interesting look at a world that many, myself included, know little about. This is an interesting bit of history that is often overlooked or just given a brief mention.  Enter into a world of spies, codes, and a war fought not with weapons but with policy, propaganda, and words. This book spans nearly 30 years (1961 - 1989), is set in Berlin and Washington, D.C., and covers nearly as many emotions as years.   

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

                                                                                                                                                                       About the Book:


Bestselling author Katherine Reay returns with an unforgettable tale of the Cold War and a CIA code-breaker who risks everything to free her father from an East German prison.

From the time she was a young girl, Luisa Voekler has loved solving puzzles and cracking codes. Brilliant and logical, she’s expected to quickly climb the career ladder at the CIA. But while her coworkers have moved on to thrilling Cold War assignments—especially in the exhilarating era of the late 1980s—Luisa’s work remains stuck in the past, decoding messages from World War II.

Journalist Haris Voekler grew up a proud East Berliner. But as his eyes open to the realities of postwar East Germany, he realizes that the Soviet promises of a better future are not coming to fruition. After the Berlin Wall goes up, Haris finds himself separated from his young daughter and all alone after his wife dies. There’s only one way to reach his family—by sending coded letters to his father-in-law, who lives on the other side of the Iron Curtain.

When Luisa Voekler discovers a secret cache of letters written by the father she has long presumed dead, she learns the truth about her grandfather’s work, her father’s identity, and why she has never progressed in her career. With little more than a rudimentary plan and hope, she journeys to Berlin and risks everything to free her father and get him out of East Berlin alive.

As Luisa and Haris take turns telling their stories, events speed toward one of the twentieth century’s most dramatic moments—the fall of the Berlin Wall and that night’s promise of freedom, truth, and reconciliation for those who lived for twenty-eight years, behind the bleak shadow of the Iron Curtain’s most iconic symbol.

About the Author:
Reay Katherine headshot
Katherine Reay is a national bestselling and award-winning author who has enjoyed a lifelong affair with books. She publishes both fiction and nonfiction, holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and three children. 

You can meet her at katherinereay.com.

or on SOCIAL MEDIA 
X: @Katherine_Reay     Instagram: @katherinereay 

3.02.2024

The Fallen Woman's Daughter ~ Review

The Fallen Woman's Daughter
By Michelle Cox

This is a story of mistakes, secrets, regrets, and missed opportunities. This is a story of family, of mothers and daughters, of what binds us together and what tears us apart.

Told from the viewpoints of Gertie and her daughter Nora, we are given a unique look into one family's life. A life defined by a single decision and the decisions that followed after.

At seventeen years of age, Gertie Gufftason wanted to see more of the world, wanted more than what her small mining town could offer. She allows her head to be turned by a carnie who expertly manipulates her until she realizes far too late the mistake she has made. But Gertie is proud and refuses to leave the man she married or to seek help. 

When Lorenzo loses his life, Gertie has to support her young family, her two daughters Nora and Patsy. This struggle keeps her often away from home as she struggles to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. Once again Gertie is tricked by a man who isn't who he claimed to be and this time it costs her her daughters.

The Park Ridge School for Girls is awful in Nora's initial opinion, and poor Patsy can never do the right thing in the eyes of the woman "in charge" of their cabin. As the years go on, Nora determines to raise herself above the woman she believes her mother to be. Patsy never gives up hope of what the world can and should be. 

This is a story that has moments that will break your heart, especially when one thinks of what could have been. But as Nora once reflected if all this turmoil hadn't come into her (and their) lives what they eventually had would not have been. But the relationship Nora desired and longed for with her mother was lost in the disappointments. Until she discovers the truth behind her mother's past - the secret that helped set everything in motion.

Gertie's naivete at times just astounded me. But then I remind myself that her upbringing was so different from today's. The news was probably very limited in the town she grew up in - it was local doings or major world events, like unrest in Europe. But that assumes she listened to it on the radio or someone who read it in a newspaper shared it with her. This was a time when instant anything wasn't part of the day-to-day norm.

Now this book most definitely drifts into the adult category with some of the subject matter and some language. This isn't to say that it wasn't a good read or that you should avoid it, but rather, it is something to be aware of when picking this book up. Compared to some popular works, it is considered extremely tame.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:
When eight-year-old Nora arrives at the Park Ridge School for Girls in 1932, she is sure there’s been some mistake. She can’t imagine why she and her little sister, Patsy, were torn from their mother only to be subjected to the cruel whims of the house matron, Mrs. Morris. When their mother fails to rescue them week after week—and Mrs. Morris drops hints that their mother may be a “fallen woman”—Nora begins to doubt they will ever see her again. 

Nine years prior, at seventeen, Gertie Gufftason runs off with Lorenzo, the barker for the traveling carnival passing through her small coal-mining town in Southern Iowa. Thinking she is embarking on a fantastic adventure, Gertie is bitterly disappointed by the life that follows and is thrown into despair when the State removes their two daughters. Gertie eventually tracks down her girls at the Park Ridge, but, expecting a warm welcome, she is shocked by Nora’s cool reception. Nora reluctantly returns home with Gertie and Patsy, determined to live a more perfect life than her mother. 

It is only when she discovers a secret Gertie has kept hidden all these years that Nora begins to fully understand—and forgive—her mother’s tragic choices . . .

"A compelling, poignant story of mothers, sisters, and daughters"— Kate Quinn, New York Times best-selling author"An addictive read!"—Kirkus Reviews

2.28.2024

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure ~ Review

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure
by Angela Bell

Miss Clara Marie Stanton is determined to save her family from her villainous ex-fiancé, who is equally determined to see them ruined and thrown into an insane asylum. And Clara is sure that Arthur, her Grandfather Drosselmeyer's new apprentice, is a spy hired to help her family into ruin.

Her family sees things differently, and when her Grand decides to use his flying machine to visit Europe, Clara is left scrambling to follow the clues he's leaving for her. Can she save those she loves? Or will her attempts fall short, leaving her behind a cold hard wall of her own making?

This was a delightful read; it had little threads throughout that brought to mind The Nutcracker. And I loved the Steampunk feel that was a subtle underlying, yet important, pivotal driving force behind Clara's search. Clara's search takes her from Victorian London to various locations throughout Europe. Dreams, crushed hopes, broken hearts, and unexpected adventures. This is a story of family and love.                              

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Miss Clara Marie Stanton's family may be eccentric, but they certainly aren't insane.

London, England, 1860
When Clara's ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it's all she can do to protect them from his desperate schemes, society's prejudice, and a lifetime in an asylum. Then Clara's Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing.

Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond haunted by the war, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara's dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt across Europe. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer's trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself--at any cost.

"Utterly charming! What an original and adorable story. Angela Bell's debut is a book I can, without hesitation, highly recommend."--JEN TURANO, USA Today bestselling author

"Bell's voice will draw you immediately into her world, and her characters will hold you there. A must-read!"--ROSEANNA M. WHITE, Christy Award-winning author




The Irish Matchmaker ~ Review


The Irish Matchmaker
By Jennifer Deibel


Return to Ireland with the newest book from author Jennifer Deibel. Matchmaking is in Catriona Daly's blood. Her father Jimmy Daly is well-known for his skills as a matchmaker, and Catriona is proving to be equally skilled. And with the annual Matchmaking Festival mere days away, both Dalys are in high demand.

But Catriona longs for a life away from the sleepy village she calls home. And when Andrew Osborne, only son of Lord Osborne, is spotted visiting Catriona sees this as her opportunity to better her own life.

How, you might ask? By proving she has the grace, decorum, and skills to be the wife of a future lord. There's just one wee problem with this plan - her heart has other plans.

Donal Bunratty lost his wife six years ago and his nine year old daughter, Sara has requested a mother. Surprisingly he reluctantly agrees - and his matchmaker is none other Catriona.

As Donald and Catriona get to know one another, they are unexpectedly drawn to one another. But Donal knows there is no way Caty could fall in love with him, a simple farmer who is barely surviving from one week to the next.

This a book about discovering one's true self. How much is enough? Can love, true love, become a part of our daily lives? What a concept is true love, a love that is willing to give up what it desires for the sake of another.

The settings come alive and the various characters have depth that you will enjoy. I highly recommend this book to fans of Historical Romance Fiction. A perfect book club selection!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I share my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Making the perfect match is both art and science
~
But love doesn't always follow the rules.


As the daughter of a well-known matchmaker, Catríona Daly is no stranger to the business of love--and sees it as her ticket away from the sleepy village that only comes alive during the annual matchmaking festival. Enter Lord Osborne's son, Andrew, who has returned to the festival after being disappointed by a rival matchmaker's failed setup. Catríona seizes the opportunity to make a better match for the handsome man--and for herself!

Cattle farmer Donal Bunratty is in desperate need of a wife after loss left him to handle the farm and raise his daughter on his own. Shy and lacking the finer social graces, he agrees to attend the matchmaking festival to appease his daughter. But when he arrives, it's not any of the other merrymakers that catch his eye but rather his matchmaker--who clearly has eyes for someone else.

Catríona will have to put all her expertise to work to make a match that could change her life forever. Will her plan succeed? Or will love have its own way?

2.26.2024

One Wrong Move ~ Review

One Wrong Move, book number 1 of Dani Pettrey's Jeopardy Falls
One Wrong Move
Jeopardy Falls #1
By Dani Pettrey

When a series of art heists focus on galleries that Christian O'Brady installed the security systems for, he is pulled into a case that will bring his past front and center. His parents pulled Christian and his siblings into their crimes at a young age, and, unfortunately, Christian was good at it until he turned his skills to the benefit of others. But this rash of thefts has reopened the past, along with his guilt.

Called in when art theft has hit galleries that her company insures, Andi Forester is tasked with discovering who is involved. What she didn't expect was the man who destroyed her FBI career would be involved, indirectly, with the case. 

As Andi and Christian work to uncover all the layers of this deadly criminal spree, they find themselves the target of someone who wants to keep the truth hidden. But the cat-and-mouse game they find themselves in finds them being drawn into past sins and the cost could be their lives.

One Wrong Move is the series debut of Jeopardy Falls, which I have to admit keeps the tension and suspense ratcheted up throughout the book. And in addition to the art theft storyline there is an equally page-turning, attention-grabbing thread - Andi's past with the FBI and the debacle that ended her career as a forensic analyst has come into question. But who is telling the truth, Andi or the man her work put in jail? The answer just may get them killed!

This is a fast paced Contemporary Romantic Suspense set in New Mexico. If you love reading a book that will keep you up all night Dani Pettrey has done it. If you prefer to sleep at night - make this a weekend read instead with a good hour or two to relax before you want to put your head to your pillow. This story is complete with no danglers to keep you wondering, "But what about?" But even so I'm interested to see what happens next - I'm assuming it will have something to do with Christian's siblings - Riley or Deckard.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.



About the Book
Title: One Wrong Move
Series: Jeopardy Falls #1
Author: Dani Pettrey
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: February 2024
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Taunting riddles.
A deadly string of heists.
Two broken hearts trapped in a killer's game.

Christian O'Brady was pulled into a life of crime at a young age by his con artist parents. Now making amends for his corrupt past, he has become one of the country's foremost security experts. When a string of Southwestern art heists targets one of the galleries Christian secured, he is paired up with a gifted insurance investigator who has her own checkered past.

Andi Forester was a brilliant FBI forensic analyst until one of her colleagues destroyed her career, blaming her for mishandling evidence. She now puts those skills to work investigating insurance fraud, and this latest high-stakes case will test her gift to the limit. Drawn deep into a dangerous game with an opponent bent on revenge, Christian and Andi are in a race against the clock to catch him, but the perpetrator's game is far from finished, and one wrong move could be the death of them both.

Dani Pettrey captivates with . . .

"An intense blend of suspense, love, and faith."--Booklist

"Wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likeable characters."--Publishers Weekly


2.20.2024

Relying on the Enemy ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 
Relying on the Enemy by Danielle Grandinetti, 

Relying on the Enemy
Relying on the Enemy
Harbored in Crow's Nest #4
By Danielle Grandinetti

Marian Ward needs a job, but times are tough, and jobs are scarce. And a widow with two young children and an ill mother-in-law just isn't in a position to seek employment farther away when she can't afford to buy gas for an auto much less keep her home warm and food on the table.  But when she overheard a portion of a conversation, she finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time and now very much in danger.

Gilbert Cox has come to make amends for the sins of his father. And at the top of his list is the Ward family. But when he steps in to protect Marian, he finds himself in a bind. His employer demands he marry Marian - make an honest woman of her, or else lose his job on the spot and any future employment anywhere! Talk about a big mess. All of which could be blamed on his father's greed and cruelty. Well, things being what they were, Marian and Gilbert were all too quickly married and trying to piece all this sudden and unexpected change in situation into some semblance of order. 

But a marriage of convenience doesn't end the danger. Rather, it seems to intensify. How a small portion of an overheard conversation could cause so many problems is perplexing. But to keep his new family safe, Gil will have to figure it out. And Marian isn't about to hide away, not with danger threatening her daughters.

This was an excellent read set in 1931 Wisconsin. And it is well worth your time. I have to admit I love reading books that have a local flavor. This is a perfect blend of history, romance, and mystery.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.




About the Book

Title: Relying on the Enemy
Series: Harbored in Crow's Nest #4
Author:
Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher:
Hearth Spot Press
Release Date:
February 20, 2024
Genre:
Historical Romance, with suspense

She’s protecting her children. 
He’s redeeming his past.  
But there’s nothing convenient about saving their patchwork family.  

Wisconsin, 1931—All widowed mother Marian Ward wants is to provide for her girls. However, she faces the dead of winter with no income and dwindling resources. Then she overhears a nefarious conversation, putting her life and that of her children in immediate danger. 

Aiming to make amends to the Wards, Gilbert steps in when the threat to Marian escalates. It costs him dearly. Either lose his career or marry her, and be tied to his past until death do them part. 

He leaves the decision to Marian, who will do anything to protect her girls, even marry the son of the man who ruined her family. How will their fledgling trust prove strong enough to fulfill their vows as winter tightens its grip and desperation stalks at the door? 

Welcome to Crow’s Nest, 
where danger and romance meet at the water’s edge.

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

More Books in This Series

Confessions to a Stranger   

 


About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti

Danielle Grandinetti is an inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books, and the occasional nature walk. A 2023 Finalist in the FHLCW Reader’s Choice Award, she has also won the UNW Distinguished Faith in Writing Award and the CROW National Excellence in Story Telling Award. Originally from the Chicagoland area, she now lives along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin shoreline with her husband and their two young sons.

Connect with Danielle by visiting daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.


Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win signed paperback copies of 
Refuge for the Archaeologist and Relying on the Enemy
a Crow's Nest Canvas Tote 
and a Crow's Nest paperback notebook!

Relying on the Enemy JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below.
 The giveaway begins at midnight February 19, 2024,
 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 26, 2024. 
Winner 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!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Relying on the Enemy JustRead Blog + Review Tour

2.19.2024

Chasing the Horizon ~ Review

Chasing the Horizon
A Western Light #1
By Mary Connealy

Chasing the Horizon is the first book in Mary Connealy's new series A Western Light. Beth and Ginny are escaping. It's the only way to live their lives free. But to do so they need to leave behind their identities and leave no hints behind of where they are going. As women of wealth, they must become common. And take a wagon train West rather than the train. And knowing the man they're trying to escape from they'll need to avoid any and all towns, and people. Which is a little problematic because wagon trains mean people, but fewer people than trains.

This story is told mostly through Beth's perspective, but we get periodic glimpses of Thaddeus's efforts to find his wayward and rebellious wife and daughter. And the extremes he goes to are awful. He is a character that has no redeeming qualities. While Beth, on the other hand, finds someone who is the total opposite of her father in Jake Holt, the wagon-train scout. But can she trust him with the secret she is keeping? 

I haven't read all of Mary Connealy's books, but of the ones I have read, this is, in my opinion, the best. This is a historical fiction that uses, as its primary focus, the very obvious lack of rights that women had. This truth is driven home by Elizabeth Rutledge's act of helping her mother, Eugenia, escape from an asylum. An asylum her father, Thaddeus Rutledge, committed her to for having opposing viewpoints from him, and even more disturbing, she refused to turn over the money in her trust fund. I know it is shocking behavior and a clear sign that she is not to be trusted (cue eye roll). 

This is an excellent read and one not to be missed if you are into Historical Western Fiction. This book is one that you won't want to put down. You'll be rooting for Beth and Ginny to succeed in their escape attempt. And hoping that someone, somewhere will thwart Thaddeus.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

                                                        

QUICK FACTS
 Title: Chasing the Horizon
 Series: A Western Light (Book 1)
 Author: Mary Connealy
 Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Western & Frontier Romance
 Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 13, 2024)
 Length: (304) pages
 Format: Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook 
 ISBN: ‎ 978-0764242656
 Tour Dates: February 12 – 26, 2024

About the Book:
Her only chance at freedom waits across the horizon

Upon uncovering her tyrannical father's malevolent plot to commit her to an asylum, Beth Rutledge fabricates a plan of her own. She will rescue her mother, who had already been sent to the asylum, and escape together on a wagon train heading west. Posing as sisters, Beth and her mother travel with the pioneers in hopes of making it to Idaho before the others start asking too many questions.

Wagon-train scout Jake Holt senses that the mysterious women in his caravan are running from something. When rumors begin to spread of Pinkerton agents searching relentlessly for wanted criminals who match the description of those on his wagon train, including Beth, she begins to open up to him, and he learns something more sinister is at hand. Can they risk trusting each other with their lives--and their hearts--when danger threatens their every step?

PRAISE FOR CHASING THE HORIZON

 "Mary Connealy’s Inspirational Western Romances have long been on my radar to try, but the new Western Lights series opener, Chasing the Horizon, was my first opportunity. Imagine my chagrin when I started reading and didn’t want to stop. Oh yes, dear friends, I’d waited too long to discover a gem of a writer."—Sophia Rose, The Reading Frenzy

 5 STARS "What an incredible book! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire
time I read it.” — Camille Dayton, Fostering Literacy

 5 STARS “Loved this story! I was intrigued right from the beginning.”— Melissa Goss, Christian Books and Coffee

Purchase Links

About the Author:
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedies with cowboys. She is independently publishing a contemporary romantic suspense series called Garrison’s Law, book one is Loving the Texas Lawman. Her new historical series, High Sierra Sweethearts begins with The Accidental Guardian. She is also the author of these series: Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Wild at Heart, Cimarron Legacy, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages, and Sophie's Daughters, and has many other books.

She is a two-time Carol Award winner and has been a finalist for the Rita and Christy Awards. She’s a lifelong Nebraskan and lives with her very own romantic cowboy hero. She’s got four grown daughters and four spectacular grandchildren. 

Connect with her online at:




2.17.2024

While the City Sleeps ~ Review

While the City Sleeps
The Women of Midtown #1
By Elizabeth Camden

Katherine Schneider is a woman dentist working the late-night shift in New York City. When a patient begins rambling while under the effects of nitrous oxide, she thinks little of it. But when something the patient said is linked to the mafia, Katherine finds herself caught up in unexpected danger. 

Lieutenant Jonathan Birch is determined to keep the mafia where it belongs - out of his beat. For the last couple of years, he's escorted Katherine home when her shift ends and, on occasion, offering her baked goods that can't be found in any bakery. This friendship causes Katherine to seek him out when she fears her late-night patient may have been involved in something sinister.   

While the City Sleeps is the first book in the Women of Midtown series. This book is set during the Gilded Age, 1913 New York City. I like the idea behind the title of this book - While the City Sleeps describes the people who work during the night, the people who keep the city running through their work during the night. People that most aren't even aware exist. 

This book is a Historical Romance, but there is also a mystery that runs through it. There is more than one mystery. The one is the threat to the city. The other involves Lieutenant Birch; who is he?  Jonathan is very protective of his past, offering little when questioned. And yet, we get glimpses of his thoughts and concerns about his secrets and deception. 

This book is attention-grabbing with the way the story unfolds. The author makes it come alive with a seamless blend of setting, characters, and historical facts. I, for one, didn't know that the American Dental Association was well-established in 1913. I love it when I can learn facts like this while being entertained. And a mansard roof was mentioned, so guess who did a search for pictures to see examples?  But if all you want is an enjoyable read that includes historical fiction and a touch of romance, you will enjoy this new series debut.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

QUICK FACTS                                                                                                  

 Title: While the City Sleeps
 Series: The Women of Midtown (Book 1)
 Author: Elizabeth Camden
 Genre: Historical Mystery, Historical Romance, Gilded Age Fiction
 Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 13, 2024)
 Length: (352) pages
 Format: Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook 
 ISBN: ‎978-0764241710
 Tour Dates: February 12 – 26, 2024

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Amid the hushed city, two hearts must navigate danger and deception, bound by a love that outshines the stars.

Katherine Schneider's life as a dentist in 1913 New York is upended when a patient
reveals details of a deadly plot while under the influence of laughing gas. As she is
plunged into danger, she seeks help from the dashing Lieutenant Jonathan Birch, a
police officer she has long admired from afar.

Jonathan has harbored powerful feelings toward Katherine for years but never acted on
them, knowing his dark history is something she could never abide. Now, with her safety
on the line, he works alongside her through the nights as they unravel the criminal
conspiracy that threatens her . . . even as he keeps his deepest secrets hidden at all
costs.

Join award-winning author Elizabeth Camden for a sweeping and romantic adventure of
dangerous secrets and wounded hearts, fighting to overcome the darkness while the
rest of the city sleeps.


PRAISE FOR WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS

 "History, mystery, and romance set against the backdrop of New York City at night--a must-read!"— Gabrielle Meyer, bestselling author of When the Day Comes and In This Moment

 "Elizabeth Camden brings the bustling metropolis to living color like no one else... A novel that will keep readers up late into the night."— Jocelyn Green, Christy Award-winning author of The Metropolitan Affair

 “I loved the historical details that make the story feel authentic.”— Kim Prudhoe, All the Lovely Pages

PURCHASE LINKS: 


AUTHOR BIO

Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in Gilded Age America, featuring clever heroines and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Award, and she lives in Florida with her husband, who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.





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2.14.2024

Heart of a Royal ~ Review

Heart of a Royal
Daughters of Peverell #1
By Hannah Currie

Heart of a Royal is a lovely book and perfect for Valentine's. For more than 17 years, Mackenna (Kenna) Sparrow has lived the life of a princess. When Princess Alina's mother died shortly after her birth, Kenna was raised alongside her when her mother stepped in to help care for the motherless baby. But though she has lived the life of a royal, Kenna knows that it will all end when Alina marries.

But what Kenna never knew was just how much certain people resented her, though most adored her. And with her final days living as a royal coming to an end, she is torn by her feelings. Her friendships with Princess Alina and Prince Thoraben are seemingly at an end. The fact of which is more painful than she had expected. What does a nearly 18-year-old former princess's companion do for the rest of her life? With questions and no answers in sight, she needs to untangle what she does and doesn't know about those closest to her before she can move forward into her new life as a commoner.

This is the first book in the Daughters of Peverell series, and my goodness, it is filled with secrets and dangers. The land is under threat from rebels and has been to Kenna's knowledge all her life and even before. In fact, a former friend was even expelled from the kingdom because of her rebellious leanings and refusal to see the error of her beliefs! With danger so close, there are fears that Kenna could be a target because of her close association with the royals. 

But there is so much more to the story than what first appears, and it is interesting to see how everything unfolds. And believe me, there is a real doozie of a twist. There are actually a couple of twists that reveal some interesting facts about the various characters. It is also interesting how one decision can change the course of a life or even a kingdom. After reading this book, I really need to know what comes next. This book ends not on a cliffhanger, but it is obvious that there is so much more to the story. Overall this is a sweet read and one that explores family, responsibility, and truth. I feel that this is a clean read for teens looking for an alternative to the normal romance that is readily available today.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Brought to the palace as a newborn, the royal life bestowed upon Mackenna Sparrow was never meant to last forever.

With Princess Alina engaged to be married, Mackenna's presence as a companion is no longer required. And, like it or not, she must return to the birthright that should have been hers - that of a commoner. But not everyone at the palace wants her gone. 

When the truths she’s based her life on start crumbling as fast as her future, will she find the courage to trust both herself and the prince she’s fallen in love with?