Pumpkin War ~ Review

Pumpkin War: 

The True Story of Cinderella

Ever After Maneuver #1

By Kendra E. Ardnek 

Elindala's task is simple, make the prince of Charmonce fall in love with her and steal his kingdom. Except it doesn't quite go according to plan. Prince Christof isn't falling at her feet. Yes, he did propose, and he did marry her. But he's determined for them to have a proper marriage but not until she comes to realize that she can trust him with her secrets. But how can she tell him the truth when doing so will betray her country. Worse, if she doesn't complete her task, her mother will consider her a disappointment, and she will end up in the tower with the other imprisoned princesses. If only King Hurbert hadn't married her mother and taken over their kingdom, she wouldn't be in this mess.

What's a princess in disguise to do? Ella needs to figure this out and soon.

Christof knows that Ella is the woman he is to marry. Not that her glamour has enchanted him; rather, it was a gift given to him by his grandmother that showed him where to set his heart. But when it becomes obvious that Ella is hiding something he needs to wonder just what role she is to play in his kingdom. Could his grandmother have been wrong? Could another fae have been working in opposition to his grandmother's gift? These are questions Christof must think on and hopefully get to the truth of his new wife.

Pumpkin War is an interesting twist on Cinderella, especially the stepmother—evil stepsister dynamic. This book is separate from but connected to the author's previous book, To Destroy an Illusion: A Glass Mountain Retelling.  So if you've read it you'll get a fun surprise in this book. If you haven't read it, there will be no issues with reading and enjoying this book, which is the first in the Ever After Maneuver series. 

Experience the story of Cinderella as you've never experienced it before! 

About the Book:

All's fair till it isn't a game...

Go to a ball, meet the prince, fall in love.
It's all simple process, though Elindala knows better than to fall in love with the prince. She wears a glamour that molds her into his perfect woman, and as soon as she has his heart, she will play the part of a faithful wife until she has torn down the defenses and has laid bare his kingdom for her family's attack. She just has to keep up the walls around her heart that have kept her safe her whole life.

Christof knows that all isn't right with his new bride. Ella's story has a few too many holes, and she's keeping a few too many secrets. However, she is the woman he's chosen, and he's determined to win her heart the way that she has stolen his. His parents worry, but he's sure that a little patience and care is all it'll take. After all, she's clearly not had much of that from her stepfamily.

War threatens, and secrets abound. Whose heart is forfeit, and whose kingdom will remain standing at the end of the Pumpkin War?

The Ever After Maneuver is a series of loosely connected swoony sweet retellings set in a shared world, with overarching themes of love, treachery, and political intrigue. There will be story arcs spanning multiple books, but unless specified otherwise, they can be read in any order.

Every Bird That Falls ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Every Bird That Falls by Sara Davison, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Every Bird That Falls
Two Sparrows for a Penny #3
By Sara Davison

Eight years ago, Jae-won Lin and her foster sisters were torn apart when they were targeted by traffickers. Jae managed to escape, but the question was, where was she all those years? And why didn't she reach out for help? These are the questions that Tag Monroe wants answers to as soon as he finds her.

The night Tag broke up with her was the worst of her life, but when her foster sisters decided to make sure they weren't separated, she experienced a new worst in her life. Traffickers found them and grabbed her sisters. Jae managed to get away, and her life as she knew it was set on an altogether different path. 

When Jae finally discovers the truth, her life is in danger. But lies have a way of isolating you, and until Jae can break free of them, she will be divided from those whom she loves best. 

This is the third and final book in the Two Sparrows for a Penny series, but it can also be read as a standalone title. It is a contemporary book about human trafficking and grooming. It is well-written and has two threads coming together to give a complete picture. Tag's portion is told in the present day, while Jae's unfolds slowly, giving us glimpses of what she went through over the years. This would make an excellent book club selection as the various aspects of the book would definitely lend itself to much discussion.

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: Every Bird That Falls
Series: Two Sparrows for a Penny #3
Author: Sara Davison
Publisher: Independently published through The Mosaic Collection
Release Date: April 3, 2024
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Lies have kept them apart for eight years.  
Now the truth could destroy them completely. 

Bomb squad leader Tag Monroe’s world is shattered when his sister and her foster sister are abducted by a human trafficker. Eight years later, the two of them have been miraculously freed. As thrilled as he is to be reunited with his sister, Tag has lingering questions. 

How did Jae-won Lin, the third foster sister, elude capture that night? Why didn’t she call the police or Tag to let them know what happened? And where has she been for the last eight years? He loved Jae once, but he can’t let her back into his life until he has more information. 

Unfortunately, time is running out. Someone powerful is coming after Jae, bent on revenge. If Tag can’t get to her before her mysterious pursuer, Jae could take the answers to all Tag’s questions to her grave. 

Along with any hope the two of them might have to find their way to each other again.  

The explosive Christian romantic suspense series Two Sparrows for a Penny by multi-award-winning author Sara Davison continues with this on-the-edge suspense love story that might finally answer the question: Where was Jae?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More Books In This Series

 

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About the Author:

Sara Davison

has a passion for writing stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats—and maybe swooning a little. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Cascade, Word, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.

Connect with Sara by visiting saradavison.org to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

   

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card 

plus a paperback copy of Every Bird That Falls!

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on April 2, 2024,

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 9, 2024. 

Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US/CAN only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

These Tangled Threads ~ Review

These Tangled Threads

By Sarah Loudin Thomas

This is a historical fiction that takes place over approximately 8 years (December 1915 to April 1924). Set in Asheville, North Carolina, the story centers around the Biltmore Industries and the weaving community it supports. But like everything, financial concerns are always lurking on the fringes. And it is in this environment that Lorna Blankenship finds herself. And a decision she made years ago has been a shadow ever since over her life and her relationships with others.

When Lorna is specifically asked to create a special design for Cornelia Vanderbilt's upcoming wedding that decision has come back to haunt her. Lorna needs to find inspiration but instead comes across a beautiful woven cloth. A cloth that could be what could save Biltmore Industries. Lorna needs to find the weaver now. But to do that she'll need to ask for help from the friend she rejected years before.

This story is told in a back and forth between the years from the viewpoints of the three main characters, Lorna, Arthur Wescott, and Gentry Cutshall. Each has a secret, a shame that they don't want to share. And each story comes together in a unique and satisfying way. I loved the historical aspect of this story. I was unfamiliar with Biltmore Industries and its history. And weaving, I enjoyed learning a bit about its design and processes. Perfect for anyone who loves American Pre-Depression Historical Fiction and second chances.

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

 

Seven years ago, a hidden betrayal scattered three young friends living in the shadow of Biltmore Estate. Now, when Biltmore Industries master weaver Lorna Blankenship is commissioned to create an original design for Cornelia Vanderbilt's 1924 wedding, she panics knowing she doesn't have the creativity needed. But there's an elusive artisan in the Blue Ridge Mountains who could save her--if only she can find her.

To track the mysterious weaver down, Lorna sees no other way but to seek out the relationships she abandoned in shame. As she pulls at each tangled thread from her old life, Lorna is forced to confront the wounds and regrets of long ago. She'll have to risk the job that shapes her identity as well as the hope of friendship--and love--restored.

In this seamlessly woven historical tale, award-winning Appalachian author Sarah Loudin Thomas delivers a poignant novel of friendship, artistry, restoration, and second chances.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Sarah Loudin Thomas (sarahloudinthomas.com) is the author of numerous acclaimed novels, including The Finder of Forgotten Things, The Right Kind of Fool, winner of the 2021 Selah Book of the Year, and Miracle in a Dry Season, winner of the 2015 INSPY Award. 

She worked in public relations for Biltmore Estate for six years and is now the director of Jan Karon's Mitford Museum. A native of West Virginia, she and her husband now live in western North Carolina. 

A Noble Scheme ~ Review

A Noble Scheme

The Imposters #2

By Roseanna M. White

It's been a nearly a year since Graham Wharton broke her heart, and Gemma Parks will never forgive him. His arrogance cost her dearly and she avoids him whenever and however possible. Which isn't the easiest thing to do as they are two members of the Imposters. 

But a case involving a missing boy and a cold-hearted uncle bring them together at the worst possible time. And as they are working the case undercover Gemma can't exactly snub Graham as she'd normally do, as she has been doing for the last year.

Graham's life was shattered Gemma walked away leaving him grieving and isolated. And combined with her unforgiveness he has given up on God. Because God could have prevented everything. And when a father comes to the Imposters seeking assistance in saving his son from kidnappers, Graham can't say no, even if the father can't pay for their services. 

Can two angry hurting people find a way back to the friendship and love they once had? Or will they allow the anger and grief to destroy and consume everything they once had? And when the case they are working on takes another turn the stakes and cost become even deadlier. To solve this case they will need to understand the people involved and the motivations. Because it is obvious that those with wealth and power have no qualms about threatening a young boy's life to gain what they want. And no one and nothing will stop them. But they haven't taken on the Imposters before.

But the more Gemma, Graham, and the rest of the Imposters discover the more questions they are left with. What is the motivation behind the kidnapping? And can they find Sidney before time runs out and something worse happens?

I have to say I was shocked at just what was the wedge between Gemma and Graham. I know that there were hints of trouble between them in the first book A Beautiful Deception but I hadn't expected this. And to say more would be to reveal way too much. I now feel the need to reread the first book to see if I blinked and missed a vital clue that would have prepared me for the incident that changed everything for them.

This book delves into broken hearts and the powerful influence grief can play in and on a person's life. How we deal with grief is indeed unique to an individual. Everyone deals with it differently as we see played out in this excellent addition to The Imposters series. There was a particular line that stood out to me as I read this book, "Faithless is faithless," and when it was used, it was interesting as it pertained to two different instances and was true to both. 

Though this is the second book in the series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone title. There are references to incidents in the previous book, but nothing that would detract from the enjoyment of this book. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of well-written, fully-developed characters, second chances, and historical fiction.        

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:

 

In the opulent and perilous world of high society's most elite—and most dangerous—families, two investigators must set aside their broken hearts to uncover the truth.

Gemma Parks is known to the London elite as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talents to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the firm's members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren't for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart.

Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his heart in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma to not only restore the missing boy, but to also win back the only woman he's ever loved. As they trace the clues laid out before them, Graham and Gemma must devise a noble scheme to save the boy's life and heal their hearts.

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Roseanna M. White (roseannamwhite.com) is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books. . .to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. 

Pride and Preston Lin ~ Review

Pride and Preston Lin

By Christina Dudley

Lissie (Elizabeth) is the middle Cheng sister who were taken in by her aunt and uncle when their parents died. When Lissie is overworked one night at the family restaurant she makes what could have been a fatal mistake - she serves a customer with allergies a dish that contains shellfish. Not good and then Preston Lin starts throwing his "privileged" opinion about the situation around. He might be good looking but his wealthy family and self-righteous personality make him an instant cringe for Lissie. Especially after the shellfish incident. It's not like she meant to make such a huge mistake.

Pride and Preston Lin is a modern take on Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice with a twist. Preston is a star student at Stanford, and stellar when it comes to swimming. Everything Lissie isn't. And he has his very own fan club in Hazel Bing, the young woman Lissie had the unfortunate incident with. And her brother Charles has a thing for Lissie's sister Jenny, which means more chance encounters with Preston, ugh!

It is really interesting seeing how the author changes up Jane Austen's classic and makes it hers. This is definitely a modern twist, but it all plays out in such an original way that someone with only a passing familiarity with Pride and Prejudice might not recognize it. It is fun seeing the similarities and just how different they come across in a different time period, setting, and culture. Highly recommend to anyone who reads any and all Jane Austen iterations. 

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

 

In this modern-day retelling of Pride and Prejudice, the quick-witted and contrarian Lissie Cheng must navigate societal pressures and her growing attraction to the rich and enigmatic Preston Lin.

 

Lissie is the middle of three sisters, orphaned and taken in by their aunt and uncle. Both she and her older sister, Jenny, work in the family restaurant while pursuing their education and career dreams. When Lissie accidentally serves a dish containing shellfish paste to an allergic customer, she runs afoul of the wealthy Lin family. Their golden boy, Preston, star swimmer and Stanford Ph.D. student, is as handsome as he is self-righteous. Lissie hates him and everything he stands for, but circumstances keep bringing them together. Can she overcome her pride and her initial misgivings about Preston Lin and his condescending mother? Will love prevail, and will these enemies turn into lovers?

 

Pride and Preston Lin by popular Regency romance writer Christina Hwang Dudley is a hilarious and earnest contemporary riff on Jane Austen’s classic work. And readers will undoubtedly root for Lissie Cheng, a sassy new Elizabeth Bennet for our times, to find lasting love and happiness.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Christina Dudley's books have been called "enchanting," "sparkling" and "swoon-worthy" by reviewers like Austenprose and Austenesque Reviews. She's authored two award-winning Regency series: The Hapgoods of Bramleigh and The Ellsworth Assortment, as well as PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN, a contemporary riff on Austen's classic which was chosen as a February 2024 Editor's Pick by Kirkus Reviews Magazine and received starred reviews from both them and Booklist. She and her family live in Bellevue, Washington.

 

ADVANCE PRAISE

 

"In a world with so many Pride & Prejudice adaptations, a new one has to be truly special to stand out, and this one is. Dudley’s contemporary debut is faithful to its source material but finds clever ways to make it work in a modern setting, while also adding an authentic Chinese American perspective on the beloved story. A warm, sweet story with all the witticisms Austen fans savor."— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

 

"Like Crazy (not) Rich Asians meets Jane Austen, Pride and Preston Lin is a delightful retelling of a beloved classic that had me smiling from page one."— Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Hundred Loves of Juliet

 

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?

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!

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

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…

Finding Jane Fairfax ~ Review

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 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.

 

The Berlin Letters ~ Review

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:

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 

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

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?