The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall ~ Review

The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall

By Rebecca Anderson

Hyacinth Bell has come to Ashthorne Hall to care for the estate's orchids. But soon she is caught up in the mystery surrounding the estate - rumors of hauntings are soon not just rumors. But more is going on at Ashthorne than is readily apparent. 

When Hyacinth meets Lucas Harding, the manor’s caretaker, she feels a connection with him. But she can tell that he is hiding something. Something that may be vital to understanding what is going on at Ashthorne. 

And unless Hyacinth can discover the truth, those who call the estate home and even her beloved orchids will be in danger. Because someone haunts the halls and she very much fears that it isn't a ghost that threatens them all.

There is definitely a Gothic thread running throughout and it adds a deliciously tantalizing undercurrent throughout. There is a serious side to this book, one that delves into the plight of the worker and how those in power and authority misuse them. This is a powerful yet entertaining story, which I highly recommend.

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 ghostly estate. 

A handsome caretaker hiding a secret. 

And the intrepid Hyacinth Bell who is set on solving the mystery of both.

1887, the Cornwall coast

For years, rumors have flown through the village of Suttonsbury about Ashthorne Hall—that its occupants hoard pirate treasure, that a ghost walks its halls—but botanist Hyacinth Bell only cares about the estate’s extensive, one-of-a-kind orchid collection. As an independent woman, she is eager to focus on her career, even if it means waiting to pursue a romantic relationship. After all, love—like an orchid—must be nurtured and tended before it can bloom.

What she doesn’t expect is to be swept away by Lucas Harding, the manor’s caretaker, upon their first meeting. He is handsome and charming, and the connection between the two is nearly instantaneous. Hyacinth is certain this autumn will be the season that everything good in her life takes root.

But then strange things start happening in the seemingly empty halls of the estate: unexplainable noises, items appearing then disappearing from her room, threatening messages, and glimpses of a woman in white who vanishes into the dark. Lucas dismisses Hyacinth’s worries, insisting that there is no ghost at Ashthorne Hall, but she suspects he is withholding information and decides to investigate the mystery herself.

Armed with little more than her instincts and her courage, Hyacinth must venture deep into the shadows of Ashthorne Hall to uncover the truth Lucas is keeping secret before she herself falls victim to the dangers hidden in the estate.

Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales ~ Review

Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales

By Wendy S. Swore

With a title like this one imagines a fantasy story with maybe some laughs. But this book is more an idea of fantasy instead. There is a serious aspect to it that is actually the main story.  Liam and Alaina are really good friends, but when Liam starts having sleeping spells and seeing things that aren't there Alaina is the only friend who believes him. 

She knows what it's like to have strange symptoms and feel like your body is just weird. Alaina has type 1 diabetes and has been living with it for several years. And she has a theory about how to help Liam.

Alaina believes the two of them have upset the fairies, accidentally. But she believes they have to try breaking Liam's curse before it is too late. And they'll use her research and knowledge of fairies and fairy tales to do this.

Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales is a contemporary set chapter book that uses Magical Realism perfectly as Lian and Alaina work together to try to understand and figure out what is wrong with him. Because something must be wrong even if the doctors say he is fine.

This book is perfect in explaining the troubling aspects of having an unknown and chronic condition. We are introduced to the struggle to explain what is difficult to explain and even harder the cruel comments and accusations of lying. How do you convince others that something is wrong when the experts say you're fine? And how long do you keep going on before you give up?

I think this is a book that all middle-grade readers should read. It is an eye-opening read about diabetes, narcolepsy, and cataplexy. I know the words sound scary and the reality of living with these conditions daily is just as scary. I think this book excellently presented this allowing the reader to experience the unknown - the feelings, the pain, and even fear. 

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 two friends solve the mystery of Liam's "curse" by using their knowledge of fairy tales?

Something is wrong with Liam. He collapses during soccer practice, he can’t stay awake in class, and he’s starting to see a ghostly white fox that disappears into smoke. His parents and teachers accuse him of being lazy and staying up too late, but he knows it’s something worse.

No one believes him except for Alaina, a friend and self-proclaimed expert in fantasy and fairy tales. She’s seen this sort of thing before and believes Liam has been cursed with a powerful sleeping spell. Her journal is full of possible ways to break a curse. Liam is skeptical, but with his normal life slipping further away, he agrees to try her potential cures.  

As they search for answers in stories, Alaina shares that she also is dealing with something no one else can see: type 1 diabetes. It rears its head like an invisible dragon, and she carries her medical equipment as a knight’s lance and dragon-scale shield to battle it. 

As Liam’s mystery illness worsens, he will need Alaina’s friendship—and perhaps a bit of fairy magic—to find a way to understand the truth of what is happening and regain the pieces of himself that are lost.

Eat Dessert First ~ Review

Elise's Home Kitchen: Eat Dessert First

By Elise Thomas

With a title of Eat Dessert First, one tends to think this is a cookbook devoted to sweet treats. But with more than 150 recipes less than half are desserts. As someone who is partial to desserts I was more than happy to give this cookbook by Elise Thomas a try, or as Yoda says do or do not, there is no try. Yes, you could get this book just to look at all the lovely pictures, but you won't get as much enjoyment out of it if all you do is look.

There is a delightful assortment of recipes. I have not attempted them all yet. As a Vegetarian I was more than pleased at how easy it would be to switch out vegetarian substitutes for some of the ingredients. Anyone who doesn't have dietary restrictions will love working their way through this cookbook. And there are a lot of pictures which I feel are necessary to have a really good cookbook. I love pictures so that I have a idea of what I'm attempting to create. 

I highly recommend this book if you want something new to serve. Add a new twist to an old favorite and prepare to enjoy the taste and the compliments. But a word of warning this book will make you hungry! Don't open on an empty stomach!

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:

The founder of a successful chain of bakeries shares more 

than 150 no-fuss recipes for delicious go-to family dinners and desserts.

In 2020, when the world was hit with a pandemic, Elise Thomas used her own small kitchen oven to begin baking her signature gourmet cookies. Selling them first out of her garage, her business quickly skyrocketed into a successful chain of bakeries--Cookie Co.--and earned her the nickname "the cookie lady."

Now, in her debut cookbook, Elise shares not only the delectable baked goods she is famous for but also the fast, easy, and delicious meals that have become staples for her own busy family. Recipes are broken into sections based on cravings: Burgers, Sandwiches and Tacos, Pasta, Soups, Salads, Side Dishes, Appetizers and Dips, Breads, Cookies, Cakes and Pies, Desserts and Treats, Breakfast and Brunch.

Whether you're looking for savory dinners like Bacon-wrapped Guacamole Chicken or Beef and Biscuit Pot Pie, or something sweeter like French Toast Rollups or Oreo-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies, Elise's recipes are both simple and flavorful and focus on ingredients most people already have in their pantry. Alongside full-color original photography of each dish are the culinary tips and tricks Elise has learned over the years, a suggested pantry list, and notes about which dishes her kids love most, which can help take the guesswork out of what's for dinner or dessert.

Hidden Yellow Star ~ Review

Hidden Yellow Star

By Rebecca Connolly

What would you do if those around you were facing persecution merely because of their heritage? This is the question that Andrée Geulen faced when the students in her classroom of Jewish heritage were forced to wear a yellow star - a yellow Star of David marking them as lesser beings in the eyes of Nazis. 

When her Jewish heritage causes her to lose her job, Ida Sterno joins the Committee for the Defense of Jews in Belgium. This resistance movement is helping to hide Jewish children from the very people who seek to destroy them. This connection and concern brings Ida and Andrée together in their fight. 

The very nature of their efforts if discovered is sure to be a death sentence, even if it is while in a camp. And asking people, children to deny who they are was a danger that threatened all involved. And the threat of betrayal was all too real.

This is a story of bravery and risk. A story of love and sacrifice. A story of standing up for what is right. This story will touch your heart as mothers give up their children, in hopes of a life away from the very real danger they daily faced. The efforts of those who do all that they can out of love. Hidden Yellow Stars will move you. 

The characters heartbreak, their despair, their feelings of injustice, their righteous anger, and their fear resonated with me as I worked my way through the book. The historical aspects come alive. One phrase really struck me: He who saves one life saves all of humanity. These people saved many lives, knowing what they risked doing so. One has to wonder what one would do in a similar situation. I highly recommend this book for anyone who reads WW2 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:

Based on the true story of two World War II heroines who risked everything

to save Jewish children from the Gestapo by hiding them throughout Belgium.

Belgium, 1942

Young schoolteacher Andrée Geulen secretly defies the Nazis in Belgium, who are forcing Jews to wear a yellow Star of David. Andrée is not Jewish, but she feels a maternal connection to her students, who are living in constant fear, and decides to take action. No child should have to suffer under such persecution. But what can one woman do against an entire army?

Ida Sterno is a Jewish woman who works with the Committee for the Defense of Jews in Belgium, a clandestine resistance group tasked with hiding children from the Gestapo. She wants to recruit Andrée because her Aryan appearance can provide crucial security measures for their efforts. Andrée agrees to join and begins work immediately by adopting a code name: Claude Fournier.

Together, Andrée and Ida, and their undercover operatives, work around the clock to move Jewish children from their families and smuggle them to safety through the secret channels established by the resistance. As each child is hidden, Andrée commits to memory their true name and history. Someday, she vows, she will help reunite as many of these families as she can.

But with the Gestapo closing in and the traitorous Fat Jacques who has turned from ally to enemy and is threatening to identify and expose any Jew he meets, Andrée and Ida must work even harder against increasingly impossible odds to save as many children as possible and keep them safely hidden—even if it might cost them their own lives.

About the Author:

Rebecca Connolly is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She's always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place. She received a master's degree from West Virginia University.

While doing research for this book, she discovered information about her own family history, including the fates of several unknown family members who perished in the concentration camps of World War II.

The Dread Penny Society ~ Review

The Dread Penny Society

The Complete Penny Dreadful Collection

By Sarah M. Eden

The completed works of the Dread Penny Society has been released. Who or what is the Dread Penny Society, you say? Only a group of the Victorian-Era's greatest writers of Penny Dreadfuls, who also battle the villainy of London when not writing, of course.

This delightful collection pulls the various installments from the Dread Penny series into one edition so that the stories are presented in a continual thread. I loved reading them as they were randomly presented in the novels by Sarah M. Eden. But this is so nice to read them each from start to finish in a single sitting. 

I have to admit, before this series, I had never heard of Penny Dreadfuls other than a passing comment in a book. It is fascinating to compare the author's original tales to some I was able to locate online. No doubt about it, these stories would indeed been popular, highly anticipated serials. And if you like tales that give you chills while walking just this side of the unknown but don't stray into the gruesome, you'll want to check this book out. But you may be looking for something else to read into the wee hours of the night, if ye be planning on sleeping, that is. This is a page-turner, for sure and for certain.

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

About the Book:

This beautiful, cloth-covered hardcover collector’s anthology compiles all the penny dreadful short stories from Sarah M. Eden’s five-book Victorian romance series. Included in this edition are three new, never-before-released stories.

Each short story is written in the style of the Victorian fiction that became so popular during that time period. From ghost stories to adventures to mysteries, Sarah weaves these gothic tales among her romantic storylines, making it the perfect way to celebrate the Dread Penny Society series (The Lady and the Highwayman, The Gentleman and the Thief, The Merchant and the Rogue, The Bachelor and the Bride, and The Queen and the Knave).

The Queen and the Knave ~ Review

The Queen and the Knave

The Dread Penny Society #5

By Sarah Eden

The truth about the Dread Master has finally been revealed, at least to the reader. And danger has just upped its hand as the truth of who has been behind all the dastardly doings of London has been discovered. But who is the Tempest? Going by various names and having even gained the sympathy and trust of the Dread Penny Society, the Tempest has situated herself in a unique position to take down her most feared rivals. 

Móirín Donnelly has little choice but to step into the fray caused by the chaos Tempest has created. She isn't about to lose her closest friends or her family to this danger that has come looking for them. And to do this, she'll have to reach out to Detective Fitzgerald (Fitz) Parkington for help. And Móirín never seeks the help of anyone, especially not a member of the police force, but desperate times and all that nonsense must be dealt with and sooner than later.

But when the secrets Móirín has been holding close come out, will those who've known her accept the truth of who she really is?

I have to admit I'm really sad that this delightful series is coming to a close. I absolutely love these books. And in my opinion, you have to read the books as a series and in order. Each book builds on the one before it. And each is needed to fully understand what comes next. I love how the story moves forward with installments of Penny Dreadfuls staggered throughout. And in this offering, we are yet again presented with a tale of danger and intrigue from Mr. King, but also a new Dreadful author, Chauncey Finnegan. And, btw, LOVE the newest story from Mr. King, which just so happens to share a title with this book. These are fun and engaging stories that take the reader a step back in time, and I highly recommend them - these are clean reads with light touches of romance and intrigue sprinkled throughout, making them the perfect escape.

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.

If you like audiobooks, I highly recommend this option for these books. The story plays well, and the narration by Justine Eyre brings this story to life. I found this to be the perfect commute companion. So, no matter how you enjoy your books, any option works with this book!

About the Book:

Romance and mystery come full circle in the fifth and final book of Sarah M. Eden’s best-selling Victorian Proper Romance series.

London, 1866

Móirín Donnelly has spent the last five years working in the shadows for the Dread Penny Society, but spending so much of her life in secret is taking a toll on her soul—and her heart.

When members of the Dread Penny Society begin disappearing, Móirín turns to Detective Constable Fitzgerald Parkington for help. The two have developed a friendly rapport, and Móirín feels like she can trust him, though perhaps not with all of her secrets.

Fitzgerald Parkington has a sixth sense when it comes to hunting down criminals, which is why he’s recently been transferred to the Detective Department at Scotland Yard. But when red tape keeps him from tracking down the criminal mastermind known as “The Tempest,” he must rely on the one woman who has unexpectedly captured his heart—the bold and fiery Irish lass, Móirín Donnelly.

As the Tempest’s deadly reach threatens to overwhelm all of London, Móirín and Fitz are caught in an elaborate game of cat and mouse that leads down back alleys, through dark London buildings, and right to the gates of Kensington Palace. Móirín has one chance to save Fitz and the Dread Penny Society from the Tempest, and she might have to sacrifice her one chance at love to do so.

The Art of Love and Lies ~ Review

The Art of Love and Lies

A Proper Romance

By Rebecca Anderson 

Rosanna Hawkins and her sisters have been afforded a most unusual upbringing - their parents have allowed them to pursue their passions. Rosanna's has made her a most accomplished artist, though not under her own name. Rather she recreates the masterpieces so those in England can enjoy "parlor versions" in their own homes. At least that's what her employer has told her.

With the art exhibition being held in Manchester, Rosanna has daily access to some of the world's greatest pieces— including Michaelangelo’s The Manchester Madonna. And she also enjoys a harmless bit of flirting with Inspector Martin Harrison, who is head of the exhibition's security. 

When it becomes clear that someone is switching Rosanna's "parlor versions" for the real pieces she finds herself at the top of the suspect list. Now the true dangers of allowing young ladies to be independent have come to light. Her all too trusting nature have made her easy prey as she wasn't under her parents' watchful eye. But Rosanna isn't about to allow herself to be a victim and is more than willing to help Martin capture the true criminal and restore the priceless treasures to their rightful owners. But can he ever trust her, much less love her?

This was a delightful read and one in which the author thoroughly engaged my attention. The characters had depth and the settings were described so that I felt I was moving amongst it and the fellow exhibit visitors. I would love to revisit these characters in a future book. If love sweet romance, a touch of intrigue, and fun banter look no further for your next read - you've found it in The Art of Love and Lies.

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 free-spirited artist teams up with a no-nonsense detective to capture a thief 

who has stolen a priceless Michaelangelo painting.

Manchester, England, 1857

Rosanna Hawkins is one of Manchester’s finest artists, even though no one knows her name. She reproduces “parlor versions” of classic masterpieces with near-perfect precision, which her employer then sells to the emerging upper-middle class families.

When the largest art exhibition ever to be held in England opens in Manchester, Rosanna is excited to visit. She meets the handsome Inspector Martin Harrison, who is head of security, and is immediately intrigued by his charm, confidence, and portrait-worthy good looks. The two spend many a flirtatious afternoon exploring the exhibition hall, discussing art, and sharing their secret hopes. Rosanna dreams of painting something original and meaningful, and Martin hopes to one day shed the shadow of his father’s notorious past.

But when they discover the theft of some of the paintings—and all the evidence points to Rosanna—she must convince Inspector Harrison she is innocent and proposes a plan to capture the real art thief.

It is a daring race to catch the criminal before he disappears with the most priceless piece in the collection—Michaelangelo’s The Manchester Madonna. If Rosanna and Inspector Harrison fail, not only will the painting be lost forever but so will their chance to paint their own happily ever after.

Along a Breton Shore ~ Review

Along a Breton Shore
By Arlem Hawks

Armelle Bernard decides she has had enough and will harass the priest who turned in her father for sheltering a family of refugees fleeing the revolutionaries. The punishment for his act of mercy was death. Ignoring the warnings of those closest to her, Armelle puts her life in danger with her act of defiance. In a moment, she's faced with the same punishment as her father.

Maxence Étienne wants to be the best soldier for the République that he can. Believing that bringing liberty to France by throwing off the rule of the monarchy is what is needed, he left everything behind. What Maxence didn't expect was being ordered to execute a young woman for harassing the local priest. Faced with a moral decision, Maxence does what he feels is right and is charged with being a traitor.

To survive, Armelle and Maxence must flee the République army. But any who aid them are endangering themselves.  Armelle's assertive, mischievous, and positive nature is opposite to Maxence's solemn, quiet, and rather grumpy one. Could two such different personalities support one another long enough to get to safety?

Set in the midst of the French Revolution, Along a Breton Shore brings the uncertainty and fear to life for the reader to experience. Everything of the past was being thrown out in favor of the new. Reminders of the way things were before are outlawed, even the months of the calendar have been renamed. Liberty comes with a steep price, and those who have opposing views or even questions take their lives and that of their family into danger. 

I have read books about the French Revolution before, and I will admit I've often gotten bogged down in the battles and violence. This book didn't do that to me. I found this book to be engaging and entertaining while providing adequate information about the political landscape to set the stage but not take over it. I was drawn to both Armelle and Maxence, who seem so opposite to one another and yet, in some ways, not so much. One can't help but read this book from cover to cover, not wanting to put it down. I feel this is one of the best books I've read in which this time and place are a major force in the story, almost another character with its influence on the lives of those there. I would highly recommend this book by Arlem Hawks.

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.

I was appreciative of the character list at the beginning of the book, along with a definition/glossary of pronunciations and common French terms. 

Synopsis:

A soldier and a young woman, on opposite sides of the revolution, must run for their lives across a war-torn France in this gripping novel of friendship, love, and survival.

France, 1794

Maxence Étienne, a soldier for the République, believes fiercely in the revolution that is bringing liberty to France. But even though the monarchy has fallen and Maxence is part of a great cause, he is still searching for a place to belong.

Armelle Bernard is a young woman from Breton whose father was sentenced to death for hiding counterrevolutionaries. She decides to confront the priest who betrayed her father, and as the conflict escalates, she herself is ordered to be executed—an order to be carried out by Maxence.

Maxence has seen his share of violence and bloodshed, but he also carries a tragic secret and can’t bring himself to carry out his assignment. In allowing Armelle to escape, he is forced to combat a fellow soldier, who dies in the struggle.

Though Armelle and Maxence are strangers and on opposite sides of the revolution, they find themselves united as fugitives of the new republic. Now they must find a way to trust each other as they search for a path to peace, and to freedom.

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781639931071
Retail Price: $26.99
Page Count: 368

About the Author:

ARLEM HAWKS began making up stories before she could write. Living all over the western United States and traveling around the world gave her a love of cultures and people and the stories they have to tell. She has a bachelor’s degree in communications, with an emphasis in print journalism, and he lives in Utah with her husband and four children.

Other Books by Arlem Hawks:

Georgana’s Secret
Beyond the Lavender Fields

Beauty Reborn ~ Review

Beauty Reborn

By Elizabeth Lowham

Beauty's name draws attention to her outer appearance, ignoring her thoughts, her words. Until Stephan, her name was merely a word, something those around her used to discount her thoughts and words. And catching Stephan's attention at first was an honor until he wouldn't stop trying to claim her for himself.

When her family lost everything, Beauty welcomed it, hoping it would steal her beauty. And when her father stole a rose, she took the opportunity to pay the cost of his theft. For a beast such as he described would surely end her life, ending her pain, her anger, her shame.

Beauty Reborn is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that offers a twist to the typical retellings. Beast is cursed, and to break the curse, he must get a young woman to agree to marry him. But marriage isn't something Beauty wants; she just wants to pay her father's debt. Her reasons aren't noble but selfish; she knows this but needs to hide away from the outside world. And the isolation of an unknown lost castle with only Beast as a companion seemed perfect. But then she got to know him. A beast he might be in appearance but not in his heart.

Beauty's story is slowly told throughout the book in short snippets within other scenes. It's as if certain actions bring forth memories she's tried to bury. 

Beast's story is more interesting and original. How he came to be cursed, living in an enchanted castle, and isolated, hidden away from everything. There is a moment when Beauty suggests the two should exchange names, which isn't too far-fetched when one gets glimpses at their hearts. I find the interactions of Beauty with her family to be rather telling. I can't say that I'd have wanted to be friends with any of the sisters. I have to be honest Beauty's brother, Rob, is who I am most sympathetic with, and I hope he gets his heart's desire.

This is a book that, depending on the individual, will either be loved or treated with indifference. Beauty's memories of Stephan sometimes jump out without warning that a break is coming. But I think this is what the author was going for, as Beauty is haunted by what happened and what she perceives as her role in what unfolded. Overall, I feel this was a good read, especially when one considers the subject matter. That being said, I would recommend this to older teens and adults.

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:

Fantasy and reality collide in this retelling of “Beauty and the Beast” about a young woman’s heroic quest to save herself.

Beauty’s life is the stuff of fairy tales. The youngest in her family, Beauty isn’t trying to catch Stephan’s eye. He is the lord baron’s heir, well above her family’s modest station, but when he kisses her hand at a party, Beauty is swept away by his charm, his wit, and his passionate declarations of love.

Hearts can be untamable creatures, especially when touched by the fires of first love, and Beauty doesn’t see the truth of Stephan’s intentions until it is too late. Until he stops asking for Beauty’s love—and simply takes it from her one night despite her refusal.

Beauty locks away the secret of what happened to her, and when her father emerges from the enchanted forest with a stolen rose in his hand and the tale of a vicious beast on his breath, Beauty seizes the chance to run as far from Stephan as possible.

She has some experience with beasts, after all. Certainly, the one in the forest couldn’t be any worse than the one she’s already encountered.

Breaking the Beast’s curse might be the key to discovering her own path to healing—and finding the courage to allow herself to feel reborn.

What Dreams May Come ~ Review

 What Dreams May Come

 By Dana LeCheminant

Lucy Hayes has been persuaded to leave her place of employment in secret in an attempt to evade the unwanted attentions of a man she does not wish to marry. But a storm soon finds her agreeing to a most unusual plan-she pretends to be married to an utter stranger. Great idea until the stranger offering her protection falls ill, and his family is informed of her status. 

To protect herself, Lucy is reluctantly drawn further into the lie that she has a connection to William Calloway. As his betrothed, she is offered a place within the family. And as much as she hates lying about who she is, Lucy relishes the feeling of family, safety, and love they freely offer her. How can she even begin to explain the truth of her situation without William's aid?  

And then there is Simon, William's older brother, whom Lucy connects with. As she gets to know Simon more, Lucy discovers a hurting soul, a soul that she alone seems to understand. But the lies she has told stand between them. 

What Dreams May Come is a lovely read from the talented mind of Dana LeCheminant. A woman with no connections in need of refuge hides behind a lie. A lie she never wanted, but it is all that stands between her and an unwanted marriage (or worse). But the very lie meant to protect her could be the very thing that will destroy her future. I must admit this would be a most trying situation to find oneself in. I can't honestly say what I would have done in a similar situation. 

I really loved these characters - Lucy, who was trying to protect herself the only way she knew how. Simon, who was losing himself to the legacy he was trying to preserve. These are characters I would love to revisit in additional books. I have become invested in their lives and want to know what happens next, and would love the chance to get to know the supporting characters better. This lovely Regency read will delight readers of Historical Romance who want 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.            

About the Book:

In a bid to escape the incessant attentions of a man she does not love, governess Lucy Hayes embarks on a journey to begin a new post. But when she’s stranded in a storm, her plans go shockingly awry. Desperate times call for desperate measures: against her better judgment, she agrees to a foolhardy scheme presented by a handsome stranger, known to her as only William. But when her mysterious benefactor falls ill, she finds herself unwittingly drawn into his family home in a case of mistaken identity: they believe she is William’s betrothed. Though she realizes she should admit the truth, the family’s warmth and welcome make it all too easy to play along, just for a while. Until she meets Baron Lord Simon Calloway, William’s older brother.

Simon is suspicious of his lovely future sister-in-law, a woman who seems completely unsuited to his self-important brother. As they wait for William to awake, Simon and Lucy are drawn ever closer together. But danger draws closer too, in the form of her unwanted suitor. Lucy knows that when Simon discovers the truth, he will despise her. Now she must find a way to keep herself safe . . . and avoid falling hopelessly in love with a man she can never have.

Under the Cover of Mercy ~ Review

Under the Cover of Mercy

By Rebecca Connolly

Under the Cover of Mercy is one of those hidden gems. It is a book that, while interesting to look at, is so much more than its cover appears. Much like its main character Edith Cavell, there is a depth that is the heart of the story. Or, as Edith's second-in-command observes, Edith's Christianity defined her every action. It wasn't a trait of her character but the center of her existence.

Edith Cavell wasn't about to let anyone dictate who she could treat. Nor was she going to be a guard over those the Germans have deemed to be "enemies" to prevent their escape. As a nurse and as the Head Nurse of the Berkendael Medical Institute, she had a duty not only to the wounded but to her own conscience. How could she heal these men only to subject them to further abuses at the hand of the Germans who had taken control of her beloved Brussels? 

With her faith and convictions to guide her, Edith put her life on the line to help those who were injured recover and escape the Germans who would have been captured or succumbed to their injuries. This action placed both her and her hospital in danger, but she couldn't say no when God lay a mission both her very path.

This book is based on the true-life story of Edith Cavell, who dedicated her life to the cause that she felt God had called her to. One has to wonder, after reading Under the Cover of Mercy, just how strong one's own convictions would be in the face of such opposition and risk. Could I do as Edith knowing what discovery would cost if I failed?

This is an excellent book and one I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone who is looking for historical or biographical fiction. The setting of war-torn Brussels would appeal to those who want to learn more about WWI. And anyone who likes to learn about little-known and unsung heroes will appreciate this new offering from Rebecca Connolly.

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 nurse on a mission of mercy and rebellion turn the tide of WWI?

November 1914

The Great War has come to Brussels, and Edith Cavell, Head Nurse at Berkendael Medical Institute, faces an impossible situation. She has sworn an oath to help any who are wounded, under whatever flag they are found. But Governor von Lüttwitz, the ranking German officer, has ordered her and her nurses to also stand guard over the wounded Allied prisoners of war and prevent them from escaping.

Edith feels that God called her to be a healer, not a jailer. How can she heal these broken boys, only to see them returned to the hands of their oppressors to be beaten again?

So when members of the Belgian resistance, desperate for help, bring two wounded British soldiers to her hospital in secret, she decides she will heal the soldiers, and then help smuggle them out of the hospital to freedom.

With her loyal friend and fellow nurse, Lizzie, by her side, Edith establishes her hospital as a safe house for the resistance, laboring tirelessly to save as many soldiers as she can. Working under the watchful eyes of the German army, Edith faces challenging odds as she fights to bring hope to her small corner of a war-torn world.

Based on a true story, Under the Cover of Mercy is the remarkable account of one woman who defied an entire nation in order to heal those who needed her help the most.

About the Author:

REBECCA CONNOLLY is the author of more than two dozen novels. She calls herself a Midwest girl, having lived in Ohio and Indiana. She’s always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out.

Bookfairs were her carnival, and libraries are her happy place. She received a master’s degree from West Virginia University.

Learn more about Rebecca and her books at rebeccaconnolly.com

Other Books by Rebecca Connolly:

A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice

Advance Praise:

“Remarkable tale based on the real-life of Edith Cavell, head nurse at Berkendael Medical Institute in Brussels in 1914. The war is raging, and British Edith, along with her nurses, tend to patients on both sides of the divide, even the German ones. The one thing she won't do, though, is detain soldiers for the Germans. She is strict in her decision that she and her nurses will care for patients but will not work as prison guards. Members of the Belgian Resistance come to Edith to ask her aid in hiding beaten-down soldiers until they can be treated and then helped to escape. Edith feels compelled to help these men. Soon [the Germans] arrest her, put her on trial, and order the death penalty. Edith draws on her faith and belief in God as her fate is drawn out. Christian and historical fiction readers alike will devour this fast-paced novel of faith and bravery.”

—Booklist

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Rise Today ~ Review

Rise Today: Trusting God and His Promise

By Jason F. Wright

This book offers hope. The first page opens with three words, words of promise. What are those words, you ask? 

HE.

IS. 

RISEN.

Words that you can take inspiration from, Words that will inspire you to rise above the problems and doubts of today.

This small book looks like a perfect gift, but it is more as it offers the reader encouragement in the face of day-to-day struggles we all face. But we can overcome the mindset that we have allowed to control and dictate our daily path. According to the author, we have a choice to allow Christ more fully into our life or not. If we decide to align our lives with the risen Lord, we need to pray, read God's Word (the Bible), listen to sacred music, worship with others, and serve others.

This book is short, sweet, and to the point. The illustrations are mainly soft, soothing colors that complement the thoughts being portrayed. In my opinion, this book is appropriate for all ages because everyone needs encouragement at some point in life.

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:

Almost everyone gets the doldrums at some level, whether from heartache, despair, or simply feeling that life isn’t what they had planned. Author Jason F. Wright invites readers to rise above life’s challenges with a message of hope, offering specific counsel and advice he’s learned through personally striving to live a Christ-centered life and through worshipping with many different congregations across the United States.

About the Author:

Jason F. Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of eighteen books. He lives with his wife, Kodi, and their children in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Other Books by Jason F. Wright:

The James Miracle                             Christmas Jars
Christmas Jars Reunion                     Christmas Jars Journey
Penny’s Christmas Jar Miracle          Recovering Charles
The Cross Gardener                           The Seventeen-Second Miracle
The 13th Day of Christmas                The Wednesday Letters
The Wedding Letters                           Picturing Christmas
The Christmas Jukebox                      Even the Dog Knows
Until You Find Strength

Available at these retailers (and more!)

     

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown: Adapted for Young Readers ~ Review

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown

Adapted for Young Readers

By Heather B. Moore

 and Allison Hong Merrill

This is a story of survival and even triumph. Tai Choi was supposed to live a life of privilege, but instead, she was treated little better than an unwanted piece of livestock to be bartered off to the highest bidder when no longer needed. For all intents, she was a slave in a land that had abolished slavery. But for Tai Choi, and hundreds if not thousands, slavery was very much alive in America. 

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown is written for young readers, so more graphic content is removed but eluded to. This is based on true-life events and is handled sensitively in an age-appropriate manner. Yet the underlying feeling is left intact - helplessness and being at the mercy of those who care little for you beyond the work required. 

Tai Choi was sold by her father for gambling debts and forced to assume a new identity - Tien Fu Wu, and, worse, warned away from the very people who sought to help her. When she escaped this life she had to learn to trust those who had aided her. With time, she and Dolly Cameron would forge a friendship and take on the work together of helping to rescue others caught in the life that had stolen so much from Tien Fu Wu. It wasn't an easy life, but it was a worthy one born from experience and caring, and on the friendship forged between two very different women.

This is a look at American history that is little known to most. A dirty little secret that has been swept away like a pile of dust hidden beneath a rug. The author expertly crafted this story for children to experience this travesty while only alluding to the darker parts. Historical fact-based fiction isn't always pretty, but this is a story of triumph and overcoming evil. I would recommend this for those looking for a historical fiction title for a book report. This is a title for middle-grade readers 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:

Based on the true story of two friends who unite to help rescue immigrant 

women and girls in San Francisco’s Chinatown in the late 1890s.

When Tai Choi leaves her home in the Zhejiang province of China, she believes it’s to visit her grandmother. But despite her mother’s opposition, her father has sold her to pay his gambling debts. Alone and afraid, Tai Choi is put on a ship headed for “Gold Mountain” (San Francisco). When she arrives, she’s forced to go by the name on her forged papers: Tien Fu Wu.

Her new life as a servant is hard. She is told to stay hidden, stay silent, and perform an endless list of chores, or she will be punished or sold again. If she is to survive, Tien Fu must persevere, and learn who to trust. Her life changes when she’s rescued by the women at the Occidental Mission Home for Girls.

When Dolly Cameron arrives in San Francisco to teach sewing at the mission home, she meets Tien Fu, who is willful, defiant, and unwilling to trust anyone. Dolly quickly learns that all the girls at the home were freed from servitude and maltreatment, and enthusiastically accepts a role in rescuing more.

Despite challenges, Dolly and Tien Fu forge a powerful friendship as they mentor and help those in the mission home and work to win the freedom of enslaved immigrant women and girls.

Just Gus ~ Review

Just Gus

By McCall Hoyle

Gus is a working dog tasked with guarding sheep and chickens. And Gus is good at what he does, keeping the wild prey away. Until Gus comes up against a dangerous foe who injures him badly. Gus needs to rest someplace while he heals. But for a working dog, Gus is driven to do his job, so he needs to be away from his sheep and his need to guard. 

Gus's connection with Diego proves to be a blessing. Diego struggles with worry and fear, but his connection with Gus helps him cope. But can a dog use to open outdoor spaces be content living in a house in a neighborhood?

Just Gus is an excellent book for middle-grade readers. The book is presented through Gus's point of view. We experience Gus's fear and frustration as he faces the unknown when his very identity is challenged.  What determines a person's (or dog's) worth? And how do we handle our fears and worries when they overwhelm us? 

This is a story with heart and is perfect for any young reader who loves animals, especially dogs. I love how it shows Gus's transition from a guardian of livestock to an emotional support dog. I also liked how Diego changes when he has Gus at his side. I have no qualms about recommending this book to middle-grade readers. This book both informs and entertains while exploring this timely topic.

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 boy and his dog learn that they are better together.

Gus is a livestock guardian dog with one job—protecting his farm from coyotes and foxes. He likes keeping the sheep, the chickens, and his humans safe, and he’s very good at it.

One day, Diego and his dad come to visit the farm, and Gus immediately connects to the small boy. They both like to sit still and enjoy the quiet, and Gus can tell that Diego likes being around a gentle giant of a dog, that it helps relieve the boy’s constant worry.

When Gus detects the scent of a bear in the woods, he rushes to protect his flock, injuring his leg in a fight with the dangerous beast. Wounded, Gus needs to rest and heal away from his sheep, so he doesn’t risk reinjuring his leg. Diego suggests Gus come home with them to the North Carolina coast.

Suddenly, Gus is thrust into a new world of saltwater and sand and neighbors who don’t appreciate the presence of a large guard dog, like the neighbor who reminds Gus of his first owner—the junkyard man with the heavy boots.

Gus realizes Diego might need a friend as much as his sheep need a protector, but if he can’t learn to control his instincts, like barking and patrolling the neighborhood, Gus might lose his chance to stay in his new home. If he can’t protect the farm or his boy, Gus worries he might never find his place in the world.

Just Gus is a tender story of belonging and of two friends who learn they are better together than they were alone.