Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

2.16.2025

Legacy of Roses ~ Review

Legacy of Roses: A Beauty and the Beast Tale
Kingdoms of Legacy #1
Melanie Cellier

Rosalie is trapped, she will be forced to live the life of a fairy tale. The land is enchanted and she fits the mold as the third daughter of a merchant. It's not her fault that her youngest sibling was, in fact, triplet brothers. It may be her fault that her family lost everything. But she refuses to be trapped into living out the rest of the story. Of course, that was before Dimitri moved into neighboring castle.

Dimitri has no idea of the trouble he's walked into by returning to his family's abandoned home. He knows nothing about the kingdom of Glandore or the Legacies. All he knows is that his nearest neighbor seems determined to see him gone as soon as possible. But when changes start occurring around the castle grounds, he just might have to start believing in them. But will he truly turn into a beast? 

This is the first book in the Kingdoms of Legacy series which offers a new twist on the fairy tales one has grown up with. What if fairy tales repeated themselves on new generations? The basic story played out but with unexpected differences that could change something important making the expected conclusion uncertain. This was a fun read that is appropriate for tweens and older readers who love fairy tales.

I borrowed a copy of this book through Kindle Unlimited.

About the Book:

A returned royal with no interest in becoming an enchanted prince.
A merchant’s daughter who knows better than to pick roses.
A Legacy determined to force them into a story neither wants.

Rosalie’s family has already lost everything, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect them from further harm. Even if that means stopping ignorant newcomers from picking enchanted roses.

Dimitri knows little about his new kingdom, and he can’t help being captivated by the fiery girl who holds the answers. But Rosalie seems horrified by both his presence and his handsome face, and it turns out she has good reason. In the kingdom of Glandore, it’s a dangerous thing to be a young man of royal blood living alone in a castle. Almost as dangerous as being the youngest daughter of a merchant.

Enter a world where tales of the past shape the enchanted landscape—where glass can bend like a slipper and picking a rose courts danger. A world where the inhabitants must overcome the fabled Legacies as they find romance, adventure, and friendship.

2.03.2025

The Mouse and the Fairy ~ Review

The Mouse and the Fairy
The Intertwined Tales
By H. Eleanor Long

Hailey's been cursed, and the only way to break her curse is through true love. Well, Hailey's pretty sure true love isn't going to find her as she is a widow and she has been turned into a mouse. The mouse part is a bit problematic when you know you need to break a curse by finding true love. But other than knowing she'll spend the rest of her life as a mouse life is pretty good. She has a dear friend, Egbert, who is cursed to be a mole and a young woman, Thumbelina, whom she views with motherly affection. And then there is the cat, who is also cursed and he wants to eat her. So maybe everything isn't great, but she's resigned to her fate.

But when a fairy prince decides that Thumbelina will be his sweetheart, her life takes another unexpected turn. She needs to help Thumbelina meet all the challenges that will prove her a sweetheart worthy of a fairy prince. Neil doesn't have any expectations of marrying Thumbelina but she is a very pretty and sweet young woman. He also enjoys the time spent with Hailey, and when a substitute sweetheart needs to step in Hailey is a lovely substitute. 

This is a lovely retelling of Thumbelina and The Forest Bride. The weaving together of these two fairy tales is seamless resulting in a unique retelling that entertains and holds the readers attention throughout. I would recommend this book to readers 12 and older without hestitation, as this is a clean read.

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.


Retelling Thumbelina and The Forest Bride


About the Book:

A fairy prince. A mousy widow. A contest of crowns—or hearts?

Hailey’s life has been anything but smooth. From the death of her husband to being cursed into a mouse, nothing has gone right. Her only solace is the kindness of her dear mole friend, Egbert, and the companionship of a sweet girl named Thumbelina. But just as Thumbelina and Egbert get closer, a handsome stranger crashes into their burrow…

Neil has never had any hope of inheriting the throne as the second of three princes. But when his father declares an unexpected contest for the throne, Neil must find a sweetheart right away. When he awakens after crashing in the snow to find a beautiful maiden caring for him, he considers Thumbelina a gift from above. But if fate brought him to Thumbelina, why does his heart beat for her mouse friend?

Retelling Thumbelina and The Forest Bride

The Intertwined Tales is a multi-author series of clean fairytale retellings. Each novella entwines a famous fairytale with a lesser-known story to create one happily ever after. These standalone stories can be enjoyed in any order.


1.22.2025

Pearl and the Baker ~ Review

FRont cover of Pearl and the Baker: a regency retelling by Sienna Peake with olive green background black cutout of woman, tree, house. Text is white
Pearl and the Baker
Once in a Wood #1
By Sienna Peake
 
What's a young woman to do when she overhears her step-mother plotting against her and her young brother? Why run away into the woods, of course. Pearl Hartley refuses to allow her young brother to be sent away to the worst boarding school in the land. And she refuses to be sent into service to support her step-mother's excessive lifestyle. With her father slipping deeper into his detached existence, Pearl has no choice but to leave. Henry's life depends on it.
 
But slipping away in the night does not solve all their problems. Pearl needs to seek work and shelter so that she can keep Henry and herself safely hidden away from her step-mother. An unfortunate mishap finds Pearl and Henry seeking shelter with Rowan Barrington and his aunt. Pearl being Pearl refuses to accept their aid without working in someway to not be an unexpected burden. Can this hidden cottage in the woods provide the safety Pearl and Henry seek, at least until they can again set out on their own?  

Pearl and the Baker is a sweet retelling of Hansel and Gretel that most definitely has a Regency feel to it. This story would be appropriate for readers 12 and up in my opinion. This is a clean read that has all the main elements of the classic fairy tale while presenting them in a unique and original way.

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:
A girl. A baker. A cottage in the woods.
Pearl Hartley is determined to protect her brother from being sent away, even if that means fleeing into the forest by night.

Rowan Barrington wants nothing more than to work peacefully as a baker deep in the woods, forgetting his painful past.

When an accident leads Pearl to Rowan's doorstep, will they discover they no longer have to struggle alone?

Pearl and the Baker is a sweet, clean Regency romance inspired by the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. It is the first book in the Regency fairy tale retellings series Once in a Wood.


Once in a Wood series--Where fairy tale forests meet Regency romance

Pearl and the Baker - inspired by Hansel & Gretel

Rosalyn and the Wolf - inspired by Little Red Riding Hood

Guinevere and the Three Brothers - inspired by Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Hannah and the Nightingale - inspired by The Nightingale
 
Pearl and the Baker Available Now with tropes

 
 

1.21.2025

Ace, Marvel, Spy ~ Review

Ace, Marvel, Spy
By Jenni L. Walsh

Alice Marble is not a name one hears in everyday conversation, yet she lived an extraordinary life of determination in the face of daunting challenges. Ace, Marvel, Spy shares a window into her life.

Alice's tennis career was all self-taught and brute strength until, at seventeen years of age, a professional tennis coach offered to take her on. Tennis is now expected to be Alice's whole life. Her coach, known as Teach, wants Alice to live, breathe, eat, and dream tennis all day. Alice's career had ups and downs, many which were the result of health related issues. When tragedy struck, Alice's life reached a new low, but this tragedy led to her working with Army Intelligence.  

This is book sounded intriguing and I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't connect with it. There were moments when I could empathize with Alice, but then something would take place and I just couldn't. 

I was under the mistaken impression that this book was published by Thomas Nelson , because of an email I received from Harper Collins Christian. I later found out it was from Harper Muse. I was less than thrilled with certain aspects (relations outside of marriage and astrology) I just did not like. 
This book alternates between past events in Alice's life mainly focusing on the 1930s and 1940s so the story is presented in a nonlinear.

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:
Trailblazer, superstar, activist, and spy: 
Alice Marble is a true American icon.

Alice strives to have it all.


At seventeen, Alice Marble has no formal tennis skills and no coach. What she does have is an ability to hit the ball as hard as she can and a strong desire to prove herself. With steadfast determination and one sacrifice after another, Alice plays her heart out on the courts of the rich and famous, at national tournaments, and—the greatest of them all—at Wimbledon, rising to be one of the top-ranked players in the world.


But then her world falls apart.


With the outbreak of war with Germany, Alice’s tennis career and life come to a screeching halt, and for the first time, she is forced to confront who she is without tennis. As she seeks to understand her new place in the world and how she can aid in the war efforts, a telegram arrives with devastating news from overseas. Heartbroken and lost, she feels like she can only watch as the war wreaks havoc in every area of her life.


Until an unexpected invitation arrives.


Alice is given the chance to fight back when the US Army sends her a request: Under the guise of playing in tennis exhibition games in Switzerland, she would be a spy for them. Alice aches for nothing more than to avenge what the war has taken from her and to prove herself against this new opponent. But what awaits her might be her greatest challenge yet.

From her start as a promising athlete with worn-out shoes to her status as a glamorous international star, Alice Marble’s determination to control her own life and destiny fuels a story of achievement, discipline, loss, and love.

1.20.2025

The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds ~ Review

The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds
By Jennifer Moorman

Josephine Reynold's is lost. Her whole being was wrapped up in her late husband, and now she is floundering. Her withdrawal from the world outside her home has caused her sister Katherine to speak up. 

This intervention results in Josephine selling the home that Nate designed to his tastes. In a lucky happenstance, her great-grandmother's house comes on the market. But when Josephine starts restoring the house's outer appearance, including the front door, strange things begin happening. Cue the creepy music!

Josephine can now enter 1927 with its Jazz music, speakeasies, prohibition, and unique clothing! She is so out of her element, but she needs to spend some time-period cramming when she discovers she has wished herself out of existence piece by piece. Yikes!

But how do you undo a wish you made at a low point? Josephine needs to save her great-grandmother's life and restore her family's history before it is erased forever.

This is an interesting premise, the ability to erase one's entire existence through a wish made in grief and despair. When I was presented with an opportunity to read this book, I thought it was published by Thomas Nelson (Harper Collins Christian). No, rather, it was published by Harper Muse, totally my mistake as it was noted in a smaller font. So, there are a few elements that I was surprised to discover within the pages. Nothing graphic, but it does depict the era in its glitzed-up party atmosphere - smoking and drinking and hints at relations outside of marriage. 

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:
Can one thoughtless wish erase a life?

Widowed at thirty-five, Josephine Reynolds wishes she could disappear, but her concerned sister convinces her to buy their ancestral home, a Craftsman bungalow in disrepair and foreclosure. It's a welcome distraction, and Josephine can't believe her luck when she finds the home's original door in a salvage yard.

When she installs the door and steps through it, Josephine is transported into 1927, where she meets her great-grandmother Alma, a vivacious and daring woman running an illegal speakeasy in the bungalow's basement. Immersed in the vibrant Jazz Age, Josephine forms a profound bond with Alma, only to discover upon her return to the present that history has been altered. Alma's life was tragically cut short in a speakeasy raid just a week after their fateful meeting.
Josephine has a chilling revelation--her own existence is unraveling/vanishing--and she must race against time to rewrite history. Josephine is desperate to not only save Alma but save her own future in a time-bending journey where past and present intertwine in a desperate battle for survival.

Infused with Jennifer Moorman's signature blend of magical detail and heartfelt storytelling, The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds is a tale of resilience in the face of loss and a testament to the timeless bond of family.

1.07.2025

A Noble Protector ~ Review

A Noble Protector
Cornerstone #8
By Madisyn Carlin

Varrick Landreth, along with his brothers and sister, has been betrayed. He is dying and left to do so in utter agony. When his sister seeks out an outcast young woman for aid, Varrick is anything but pleased. He is the family's protector and he doesn't know this stranger who could endanger Elissy. 

But this stranger in the Dead Woods has sought this refuge after being betrayed and left for dead. Gwen Yesen fears what offering her aid will mean if she is seen. Those who sought her death will never be satisfied until she meets the fate of her parents. But Gwen is the only one who can help Varrick and his brothers find the cure they seek. 

A Noble Protector is a non-magical retelling of the Wild Swans. I loved how various elements of the original fairytale were reworked to remain in the story but in an entirely plausible real-world way. The betrayal that both Varrick and Gwen faced is seen after the fact, but the repercussions are far-reaching and guide the actions of both throughout this original retelling.

I highly recommend this book for tweens and up. It is well-written and offers a wide range of feelings—despair, fear, hope, determination, love, and so much more. This book does have moments of violence but nothing graphic, just enough to set the mood for the utter hopelessness of their situation, before hope is offered. There is a definite faith element running throughout that gives hope during the darkest moments and which is appreciated.

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:
She’s an outcast. He’s a dying prince. Together, they may be the kingdom’s last hope.
Outcast princess Gwyn Yesen has resigned to live in anonymity for the rest of her life. When her only friend, the princess of the land unintentionally granting Gwyn safety, needs help, Gwyn knows she must assist—even if it risks revealing who and what she really is.
What would you do to save your family? That's the question dying prince Varrick Landreth find himself answering. Willing to do anything to save his brothers and sister, he finds himself joining forces with a suspicious woman keeping too many secrets.
As death nears and time runs out, Gwyn and Varrick must work together to save the royal family before usurpers and schemers enact their final, deadliest plan. But secrets have a way of being revealed at the worst time, and soon Varrick finds himself not only fighting for his family and kingdom, but being forced to choose Gwyn’s fate.

A Noble Protector is a New Adult Christian fantasy Wild Swans retelling and is Book #8 in Cornerstone Series. 
Each book can be read as a standalone.

12.17.2024

Rules of a Ruse ~ Review

Rules of a Ruse
Regency Christmas Brides
By Laura Beers

Great aunt Edith has decided it is time for her nephew Alden Dandridge to marry. And she dangles the proverbial carrot before him, a chance to own property. There is just a small problem, well, maybe two or four. He needs to marry for love, the horse farm is in Scotland, he needs to find a wife among the ladies living in the area of the farm, and he has to do all of this before Twelfth Night. 

Easy right? Not so much. Miss Elinor Sidney not only lives on this Scottish horse farm, she also manages it. If Alden fails to do his aunt's bidding she will inherit the farm that she loves. And when Alden asks for Elinor's help in finding a lady willing to be wed soon, she's more than willing to help him to not succeed.

But when hearts are on the line and Christmas is the season a chance at true love seems possible. But when a danger from Elinor's past makes an unexpected appearance, everything is upended. 

This is part of the Regency Christmas Brides series, which can be read as a standalone title. Love is has eluded several of her young family members and Edith is determined to help them all find true love before Christmas. What better way to accomplish such a goal than to offer them a heart's desire if they can find love? I love the idea that this older lady was concerned about her family not finding what she had-love. 

This book had moments of humor as Alden and Elinor both try to win the horse farm Overall this was a fun and sweet clean holiday read. 

I read this book via Kindle Unlimited.

About the Book:
Marriage was supposed to be the solution, 
but falling in love wasn’t part of the plan.

Mr. Alden Dandridge has received astonishing news: he is set to inherit a thriving horse farm in a quaint Scottish village. However, there's a formidable catch- he must be married by Twelfth Night. Undeterred, Alden journeys to Scotland, convinced that a marriage of convenience will solve all his problems.

Miss Elinor Sidney has been successfully running the horse farm for the past two years, and she has no intention of relinquishing it to Mr. Dandridge. Adding to the stakes, she learns that if Alden fails to secure a bride by Twelfth Night, the horse farm will legally belong to her. When Alden enlists her help in finding a suitable bride, Elinor agrees, though she has no true intention of aiding him.

As Alden spends more time with Elinor, he comes to realize that she is the perfect solution to his predicament. He just needs to persuade her to marry him. Yet, Elinor yearns for a marriage built on love, not convenience. When someone from Elinor's past reemerges, threatening her peace, Alden knows he must risk everything- including his heart- to protect her.


Love unfolds in unexpected ways in this light-hearted, clean, and wholesome holiday romance. 
Enjoy it as a stand-alone story or as the second book in the Regency Christmas Brides series.

Other books in the Regency Christmas Brides series:

A Seasonal Pursuit by Rebecca Connelly

Rules of a Ruse by Laura Beers

Yuletide Bride by Kasey Stockton

Married by Twelfth Night by Anneka Walker

12.05.2024

An Unexpected Journey ~ Review

An Unexpected Journey JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 
An Unexpected Journey by Ann Elizabeth Fryer, 

An Unexpected Journey
  An Unexpected Journey
  A Regency Hobbit Retelling
  By Ann Elizabeth Fryer

 The premise behind this story is intriguing The Hobbit combined with the Regency period. It is just that, sort of. It is indeed set in the Regency period of England and there are elements of The Hobbit but it is done in such a way that unless one was well acquainted with The Hobbit you could miss it.

  The need of a "thief" brings the Canfield family to the Grandview Estate, an estate slowly crumbling to disrepair. But also the home of Lady Laura Tamlow. Through a series of unfulfilled expectations Laura is unaware of the vital role she is expected to play in an attempt to retrieve the long stolen wealth of the Canfield and Tamlow families. Wealth lost due to scandalous events that began with Laura's grandfather's duplicitous actions more than 40 years ago. Thus the beginning of An Unexpected Journey. A journey filled with danger, intrigue, long-held secrets, and unexpected attraction. 

Sometimes God leads us to a place and changes 
our plans to enact His own plans.

I think the above quote from the book excellently describes and shares the heart of this story. The faith of the various characters is what keeps them continuing on in their journey, even in the face of doubts and unanticipated changes to the plan. But is it enough to see them through the danger and separations awaiting them? Can they stay the course? And what will the cost be to them if the succeed? If they fail debtor's prison, the workhouse, or a sentence to Australia is the best they can expect. A most unexpected reading experience is before you should you agree to go on it, but beware of the dragon, Lord Herrington who won't easily give up what and who he now claims as his!

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. 

This book was read through Kindle Unlimited.


About the Book

Title: An Unexpected Journey: A Regency Hobbit Retelling
Author:
Ann Elizabeth Fryer
Publisher:
Independently Published
Release Date:
November 28, 2024
Genre:
Regency Romance/Hobbit Retelling

A heritage neither of them desires, a wrong to right. A chance to end a family curse... 

When strangers tumble through the doors of once resplendent Grandview Estate, Lady Laura Tamlow is pulled into a rather unexpected journey, away from the village she's never left along with a gentleman unlike any she's ever known. 

Jonathan Canfield is out of options. And he'd do anything to restore his family fortunes in order to keep them from poverty, including roping Lady Tamlow into playing the part of thief. They must reclaim both his and her family jewels that were stolen the night of the fated Grand Masquerade of 1770, where both the Canfields and the Tamlows fell far from society's good graces. If only his thief weren't so lovely, he'd be able to focus on the mission without distraction. 

But there's a bigger problem at hand. The jewels reside at Lombard Park under the eye of Lord Herrington, a greedy dragon of a man who knows he's about to die. Yet he has bigger claims than they ever imagined and attempts to steal something far more valuable than family jewels. With deception afoot, will Jonathan ever see Lady Tamlow again? 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub  

**The author is offering free swag to the first 20 people who purchase a paperback/hardcover book. Proof of purchase required.**


About the Author

Ann Elizabeth Fryer
 Ann Elizabeth Fryer loves nothing more than using story and romance to relay   the depths and graciousness of a Father who holds us securely in the palms of   His hands. Daydreaming her surroundings from a young age, she's lived in   historic homes most of her life and regularly participates in backyard   archaeology. When she's not writing historical projects, her contemporary novels   show a flavor of her forever-passion for all things old. Ann, her husband, and   three children make their home in small-town Illinois where they can hear church
 bells keep time and tradition.

 Connect with Ann by visiting annfryerwrites.com to follow her on social media   or subscribe to email newsletter updates.



Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a hardcover copy of An Unexpected Journey, a tote bag, swag, and a $10 Amazon gift card!

(1) additional winner will receive an ebook copy of An Unexpected Journey!

An Unexpected Journey JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

The full tour schedule is linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight December 2, 2024, and will last through 11:59 PM EST on December 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 prize. No shipping restrictions. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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

JustRead Publicity Tours

11.28.2024

Write Fearless. Edit Smart. Get Published. ~ Review


Write Fearless. 
     Edit Smart. 
         Get Published. 
            A Master Class for Fiction Writers 
By Lisa Mangum

This is the book you'll want on your desk as a go to if you have questions about some of the basics of writing. I enjoyed getting some background on the author's past and qualifications on this topic. 

No one writer has the same weaknesses or strengths and this one addresses so many situations that we face. I loved how there are examples showing not just telling me the rules of puncuation. As everyone knows commas can be especially pesky depending on how they are used. Though this for fiction writers I don't think it needs be limited, but would be a handy guide to anyone who writes in any manner.

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:
Wherever you are in your author’s journey, this book is like teaming up with a personal writing coach who has more than a quarter of a century of editorial and publishing advice.

Thousands of writers—from first-time authors to #1 New York Times best-selling authors—have learned from Lisa Mangum’s masterful literary advice and inspiration. Now she’s collected the best of her writing and editing tips in this helpful book that covers the entire writing and querying process, from nurturing a story idea all the way to submitting a polished manuscript.

In the first half of the book, Lisa guides readers through the various steps of the writing process, including starting the story in the right place, developing characters with high-stake goals, mapping character relationships for increased conflict, and introducing tension and plot twists. She also shares tips and tricks for nailing a satisfying ending as well as helping authors discover their own unique voice that can help them break through writer’s block.

With her decades of experience, Lisa then takes writers on a behind-the-scenes tour of the many levels of editing, including a handy flowchart that unravels the mystery of where the commas go in a sentence.

Finally, she helps writers prepare to “get published” by deconstructing what makes a query letter catch an editor’s eye and how to answer the all-important question: “What’s your book about?”

Packed with Lisa’s own personal stories of encouragement and inspiration, Write Fearless. Edit Smart. Get Published. is a literary adventure that’s as fun as it is informative.

11.27.2024

The Art of Us ~ Review

The Art of Us 
By Julie Wright

This book is timely as more people find themselves homeless. It is told from the perspective of a high school student who has lost her mom and been abandoned by her father. 

Ireland Raine seems to have it all. At least, she's doing a really good job of hiding just how bad her life has become. She sleeps in a sleeping bag by night in a freezing, out-of-the-way public bathroom (little more than an outhouse). Her clothes, well washing is not possible. And food? She gets a meal at school. She just needs to hold on for a little longer to avoid foster care. When she turns 18, everything will be different; she won't have to hide anymore. She can get a job, get into college, and live the rest of her life.

That is until everything falls in on her. But before it does, she makes friends with her crush, Kal Ellis. Things seem great until the truth of her situation becomes known. But should some secrets be kept secret? Or is it better to reveal the truth, though it is initially hurtful? This choice is more fully fleshed out and has a more significant impact on readers. What is the correct answer? What would you choose?

This sensitively written book allows tweens and teens to glimpse the harsh realities of life for those without a home. I appreciate its educational qualities. I feel this is a book that schools and public libraries should have on their shelves. 

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.

*Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection*

About the Book:
Falling in love is complicated when you’re both keeping secrets.

On the surface, everything seems perfect for high school senior Ireland Raine. She’s intelligent and artistically talented, and her natural beauty and quiet charm are enviable. However, Ireland harbors a secret she’ll guard at any cost—she’s homeless.

When her crush, Kal Ellis, invites her on a date, she seizes the opportunity. Ireland has never had a boyfriend before, and Kal is not just a guitarist for the local band, he’s also an artist. Their connection is instantaneous, and he suggests they collaborate on the school mural. Working and laughing alongside Kal, Ireland can momentarily forget her problems.

However, when someone exposes her secret, Ireland ends up in a foster home alongside her most despised adversary, Mara Washington. To make matters worse, Ireland discovers it was Kal who revealed her secret.

Furious, Ireland must decide if she has the strength to forgive the boy who stole her heart or if she is better off alone.

11.22.2024

The Princess and the Shoemaker ~ Available Now

11.21.2024

Investigation of a Journalist ~ Review

Investigations of a Journalist JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Investigation of a Journalist 
by Danielle Grandinetti, 

Investigation of a Journalist

Investigation of a Journalist
Harbored in Crow's Nest #6
By Danielle Grandinetti

This is the sixth book in the Harbored In Crow's Nest series, set in 1931 Wisconsin. I love the historical aspect of this series and the suspense thread running throughout it. This time, we finally get Buck Wilson's story.  

Buck Wilson has been an intriguing person to get to know. In Crow's Nest, he is a bit of an enigma, hated or disliked by most. Yet he has moments where he comes across as a caring, good person. But his associations paint him in a different light. But the time has come for Buck to reveal the truth; to do so, he must reach out to the one person he never wanted to bring into this life.

Caroline Wagoneer last saw Buck over two years ago. He left one month before they were to be married, so when he shows up asking for her help, she is faced with a choice. Does she help him stop a dangerous foe? Or does she turn her back on his plea? But his plea touches her heart. 

I enjoyed this book and feel this series is best read in order. Although this book can be read as a standalone title, you would be missing background information from the previous books. I love that Buck gets a second chance at the life he has had to leave behind. But a chance isn't a promise of tomorrow, and the people Buck is trying to stop won't go down quietly. 

I really enjoy this kind of book and am willing to forego sleep for it. If you enjoy historical fiction, I highly recommend it. Danielle Grandinetti has a way of making history come alive with her gift of wordsmithing, and she is on my must-read list of authors.

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: Investigation of a Journalist
Series: Harbored in Crow's Nest #6
Author: Danielle Grandinetti
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press
Release Date: November 19, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Romance/Suspense

A second chance to set the record straight, and rekindle a lost love. 

Wisconsin, 1931—Buck Wilson refuses to accept failure as his reward for all he has sacrificed, but he’s kept secrets for too long to be believed. With his freedom on the line, there’s only one person he trusts to mine for the true story: the woman he left one month before their wedding. 

All investigative journalist Caroline Wagoneer wants is to shine a light on the truth wherever darkness threatens to obscure it. Which is the only reason she agrees to help her ex-fiance when he begs for her to go undercover in Crow’s Nest. What she discovers paints Buck in a whole new light. 

With lies and rumor hemming them in, Buck and Caroline realize their love may be doomed on the altar of altruism. 

Unless love can truly conquer all. 

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

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy Directly From the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

Also Available

Confessions to a Stranger

Relying on the Enemy


About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti

Danielle Grandinetti is an award-winning inspirational romance author fueled by tea and books. As a FHLCW Reader’s Choice and Selah Award Finalist, she mixes romance, suspense, and history to bring her stories to life. 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 at daniellegrandinetti.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.


Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will each win a paperback copy of Confessions to a Stranger, a Crow's Nest tote bag, and a Crow's Nest Journal!

Investigations of a Journalist JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

The full tour schedule is linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight on November 19, 2024, and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 26, 2024. The winner 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 only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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11.16.2024

The Noble Princess ~ Review

A Noble Princess
Cornerstone Series
By Saraina Whitney

Princess Aurelia of Galandra is soon to be the future queen of Nordenberg. But how can she leave her ailing mother and journey to a strange land and marry a prince she does not love? The answer is simple duty. Aurelia knows her duty and will fulfill it even if it tears her heart in two.

Wilder Beckington is the man tasked with seeing the princess safely to Nordenberg. But he Jas also been ordered to keep from a secret, a secret that could destroy everything if it comes out. But Becks is also Aurelia's friend and keeping the truth from her just feels wrong, but he knows his duty.

A Noble Princess was an enjoyable read. Duty is an interesting concept and one that is explored throughout this book. Duty versus wants, hopes, or needs. Who decides which is greater? One's self-worth is also explored, as both Aurelia and Becks struggle to see the!selves in the light others see them in. Becks sees the boy he used to be and Aurelia contrasts her skills against those of her mother. Both find themselves lacking even as they push on for the sake of duty and honor, no matter the cost. I feel that this book is appropriate for tweens and up.

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:

What happens when duty and love tear you in opposite directions?

Wilder “Becks” Beckington knows his duty as a royal bodyguard. Protect, no matter the cost. But when the elderly queen summons him while on her sickbed, she gives him an impossible command he somehow must fulfill. Escort the princess to marry her betrothed, all the while keeping a life-changing secret from her, one that could prove deadly in the wrong hands. He would rather die than lie to the woman who’s become his unlikely friend, but with her entire future at stake, he swears to secrecy.

Princess Aurelia of Galandra knows her duty as the daughter of the queen. Obey, no matter the cost. But with her mother’s health on the brink, she’s also reeling from the discovery of a terrible secret, one that shakes the very foundations of her reality. While anxieties about her future marriage plague her and nightmares about her past leave her sleepless, she undertakes the journey to the Kingdom of Nordenberg, as her friendship with her bodyguard, Becks, becomes more tentative and fragile by the day.

While Aurelia struggles to make sense of who she is and Becks battles to push down the rogue feelings he has for her, danger and unforeseen obstacles haunt their every step. The truth must stay safely hidden, or disaster will strike. Can Wilder Becks fulfill his mission, or will his heart and dark past overcome him, to the detriment of the princess?

A Noble Princess is a NA Christian fantasy Goose Girl retelling for readers 
who love hidden identity, forbidden love, and happily-ever-afters.

11.14.2024

The Paris Portrait ~ Review

The Paris Portrait JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Paris Portrait by Heidi Eljarbo, 

The Paris Portrait
The Paris Portrait
A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #3
By Heidi Eljarbo

Fabiola Bennett and her good friends Pippa and Cary travel by car to her brother's home just outside Paris. There Fabiola's brother, Eivind shows her an old cookbook he recently bought at an auction. Fabiola, being who she is, is intrigued and stays up late into the night studying the book and makes a discovery. The cookbook is much more than a cookbook and it is a clue to a potential find of historical significance if it can be proven.

The Paris Portrait is a split-time story told in from two different perspectives. Fabiola's portion of the story is set in 1973. Ã‰lisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun's portion is set in 1789 and in the midst of the beginnings of the French Revolution.

Élisabeth is a court portraitist and as such she has become close to France's queen, Marie Antoinette. We are taken into the luxurious and extravagant life of the Versailles court. A court unconnected to the poor people who are growing frustrated with the excesses that are in stark contrast to their daily struggles. Ã‰lisabeth's talent finds her caught in the middle. She can see the truth of life outside of court and must walk a careful line in-between if she hopes to survive what she sees coming. Her life and that of her daughter depend on it.

This is the third book the Fabiola Bennett Mystery series, a book which can be read and enjoyed without first reading the previous books. I love how both portions are historical and that the "current day" mystery is played out in the distant past. I also love seeing the "mystery" being solved by Fabiola and her friends without the use of the technology we are so used to today - no cellphones, no computers, no GPS. No this is a day of maps, travel for research, and footwork. This is an excellent read and highly recommended as an escape from the familiar.

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: The Paris Portrait
Series:
A Fabiola Bennett Mystery #3
Author:
Heidi Eljarbo
Publisher:
Independently published
Release Date:
November 12, 2024
Genre: Historical Mystery, Dual Timeline, Fiction

Fabiola stumbles upon a clue that indicates a royal portrait went missing almost two hundred years ago. Is this true, or is there substance to the rumor?  

Paris, France, 1973. 
After an enjoyable but dusty road trip, Fabiola and her friends, Pippa and Cary, arrive in a small village on the outskirts of Paris to spend a few days with Fabiola’s brother Eivind and his family. 

On their first evening there, Eivind shows Fabiola an ancient recipe book he bought at an auction. The book is filled with old writing, and he asks Fabiola to decipher the pages. After the others have gone to bed, she spends hours reading and is gripped by the last pages that have nothing to do with recipes for baked goods and stews. Certain the author was a famous portrait artist at the time of the French Revolution, Fabiola and her friends set out on a treacherous investigation, dodging murderers and thieves to learn the truth.  

Versailles, France, 1789.
Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun— portraitist and close friend of the extravagant queen of France, Marie Antoinette—has already painted thirty portraits of the queen. Her contemporaries compare her to the old Dutch masters, calling her one of the greatest portrait painters of her time. 

But outside on the streets, Paris is becoming more perilous with every day that passes. Madame Le Brun would be a fool to think the rumors of a revolution will pass, and aristocratic life will continue as before. 

Amid the turmoil, she paints one final portrait of Marie Antoinette, knowing well her association with the queen could cause her to be arrested or executed. As chaos and riots in Paris turn to violence, Madame Le Brun flees with her young daughter, hoping her royal friend and the portrait will be safe.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More Books in This Series

  Trouble in Assissi


Heidi Eljarbo

About the Author

Heidi Eljarbo grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. 

Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter. 

 Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

Connect with Heidi by visiting heidieljarbo.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon giftcard + a paperback of one Fabiola Bennett Mystery of your choice!

The Paris Portrait JustRead Tours blog tour giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight November 12, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on November 19, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. No shipping restrictions. 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!

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