Songs in the Storm ~ Review

Songs in the Storm

Wind River Chronicles #2

by Kathy Geary Anderson

Songs in Storm is the sequel/companion book to The Trouble with Jenny but it follows the couple who accompanied Jenny on her trip to Wyoming. Rob and Maddie Skivington have had their lives upended when Rob's cough turns out to be something more - tuberculosis. Often a death sentence - Rob has been given hope that if he leaves the life he has known behind and head to the open clean air of Wyoming he could recover and live a long fairly healthy life.

But leaving their friends, family, and their life behind isn't any easy choice especially for Maddie. But with Rob's life as the cost of staying they have no choice.

The life they embark on isn't easy but it is one that they have chosen.

Songs in the Storm is a good addition to the Wind River Chronicles and it can easily be read as a stand-alone title as it runs somewhat parallel to The Trouble with Jenny chronologically speaking. The troubles and obstacles that Rob and Maddie face will either strengthen or divide them. And Maddie isn't about to let anything divide them not if she has a say in the matter.

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.

Series: Wind River Chronicles #2 Publisher: Purple Autumn Press Release Date: October 19, 2021 Genre: Christian Historical Fiction The blood on the handkerchief changed everything. The year 1900 promises to be a good one for Rob and Maddie Skivington. Recently married, they look forward to building a home near family and friends in the busy industrial city of Newark where Rob owns a fledgling jewelry business. Then, an irritating cough that has plagued Rob for months turns out to be something far more insidious:  tuberculosis. When Rob’s doctor suggests a change in environment and climate, they sell their business and head to Wyoming in a desperate quest for health. They soon find themselves pitted not only against the harsh environment and natural predators but also against a group of ranchers who seem determined to send them back to Newark.        But sometimes the strongest storms of all are those that rage within. When despair and loneliness and tragedy strike, the couple must turn to God to help them weather those onslaughts or risk being torn apart.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N 

A Saint A Day ~ Review

A Saint A Day:

365 True Stories of Faith and Heroism

By Meredith Hinds

Illustrated by Isabel Munoz

A Saint A Day is a year-long devotional that each day presents a different recognized Saint. From the introduction, we learn that the Saints have been vetted by the Catholic Church and have either achieved sainthood or are on their way to becoming a named Saint. Now I will admit, not having been raised within the Catholic Church to having only a passing familiarity with a few of these individuals. 

January 1st opens the book with Mary, the mother of Jesus and references Luke 1:38 where Mary declares her willingness to be used by God. The devotional text puts the Scripture reference in the context of just what God was asking of her - to carry His Son as her own. May 30th references Joan of Arc and the courage it took for her to listen and follow God's calling. June 4th shares Julia Greeley's serving heart and care of the poor. There is a wide range of people throughout history from the early days of the church through the 20th century who are presented.

This book though geared for children 8-12 could be used by older readers easily. Would be a good gift for special occasions.

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:

Teach your child to walk in faith, act justly, and lead with kindness and humility with this 365-day devotional for kids. A Saint a Day includes fascinating historical stories as it introduces young readers to over 300 saints who did extraordinary things for God.
Mother Teresa left her family at age 18 to become a missionary. St. Patrick helped spread Christianity to Ireland. St. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin--and also had a pet lion!
Written for ages 8 to 12, A Saint a Day inspires young readers with remarkable stories of people who made extraordinary choices to love and serve God. Featuring popular saints such as Teresa of Avila, Francis of Assisi, Juan Diego, and Thomas Aquinas, each of the 365 devotions includes:

• A Scripture verse and prayer

• A short summary or an inspiring story of a saint

• A notable fact

• Artwork with a fresh, kid-friendly design

 
This daily devotional for kids is:

• An ideal gift for First Communion, Confirmation, or Advent

• A unique book for strengthening a child's faith

• A great way to share Catholic Church history with kids

 
A Saint a Day will help your child realize the long history of people of faith. As you journey through this yearlong devotional, your children will grow in their understanding of Church history and better understand how they can love and serve God.
Meredith Hinds is a freelance writer and editor who develops books for all audiences and ages, particularly in the Christian market. She’s worked with bestselling authors Philip Yancey and Mark Batterson, and she’s served as a collaborator, abridger, consultant, and teammate for many others. She’s always up for a good story. She lives in Colorado with her husband and three young children.
Isabel Muñoz studied fine arts at the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. To paint for a living was her dream, and now she’s proud to be the illustrator of several children’s books. She works from a tiny and colorful studio in the north of Spain. You can follow her work at isabelmg.com.

Author Bio

Reviews:

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Enamored ~ Review

Enamored

Knights of Brethren #1

By Jody Hedlund

She's never wanted to rule but she is her uncle's chosen heir and she has choice before her. She must choose who will rule at her side. Elinor hoped for a love match but the noblemen gathered for the weeklong courtship have not touched her heart. With only a week to decide she is feeling the pressure to make a decision that will benefit the kingdom if she doesn't find the man whose heart calls to hers.

Maxim never wanted to leave Elinor behind but as a child he was given little choice - their friendship was a threat to what can be. After years away Maxim has been summoned home by the father who never approved of him. And now Maxim is slowly being trapped by Rasmus's machinations. With a mind adept at solving the most complex problems Maxim only hopes that he can find a way out of the problem he now finds himself in. 

Can he save the kingdom and people who mean the most to him? Or will he become but the latest pawn in this battle of minds?

Enamored is the first book in the Knights of the Brethren series and it will quite literally leave you wanting the next book now. This is an all too delightful book filled with intrigue, danger, daring and romance. Pick it up and you too will be enamored from the beginning. Jody Hedlund's YA books are the perfect weekend or nighttime get-away and a must 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:

During a time when legends were born . . .

ENAMORED

A princess in need of a husband, a young Sage who cannot have her, and a web of deceit that threatens their love

Having been raised by her childless aunt and uncle, the king and queen, Princess Elinor finds herself the only heir to the throne of Norvegia. As she comes of age, she must choose a husband to rule beside her, but she struggles to make her selection from among a dozen noblemen during a weeklong courtship.

With aspirations to become the wisest man in the land, Maxim is summoned home by his father Rasmus, a Royal Sage. Reunited with Elinor, once his closest friend, Maxim is quickly enamored with her even though he can never be considered a prospect for her husband.

Elinor’s feelings for Maxim are rekindled too . . . until she learns he has been unwillingly drawn into Rasmus’s scheme to take control of the throne. With the kingdom under attack both from within and without, can Elinor and Maxim overcome the deceit spinning around them? Or will it destroy their love once and for all?

The real story of Excalibur.

The Inn on Hanging Hill ~ Review

The Inn on Hanging Hill

The Beach House Mystery series #2

by Christy Barritt

Lindsey Waters is returning home - it's the one place in the world she never wanted to revisit. But life has taken the choice out of her hands. She needs to get the inn somewhat reasonable repair so that she can sell it. The trauma of a lost childhood incident has made an impression on her and someone seems determined to revisit the terror and fear upon her. Her only hope to stay ahead of the person terrorizing her is Ben Harris, the person who was there all those years ago. But could the secrets he seems to be hiding bring the danger closer?

But from the opening, we are left with questions and little clues as to where the answers could be found. I loved the suspicions the author wove throughout the present-day portion of the story. I love when there are unexpected plot twists that seemingly set a story on a different path.

This is the second book in The Beach House Mystery series of which I have only enjoyed this book. The story was easy to follow without the previous book having been read. I could totally see this book being made into a Hallmark Mystery movie. It has this same feel but is a clean read so no graphic descriptive surprises.

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.

Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Series: The Beach House Mystery series #2 Publisher: River Heights Release Date: October 5, 2021 Genre: Romantic Suspense (clean) Lindsey Waters never wanted to return to the seaside inn where she grew up. Too many traumatic memories surrounded the place. But with her career on the fritz, she has no choice but to return to her childhood home. Her plan: renovate the inn, sell it, and start fresh somewhere else. Her strategy goes awry when mysterious incidents begin happening at the inn—dangerous incidents. Someone wants to scare her away. But why? When she reconnects with childhood friend Benjamin Harris, Lindsey is reminded that not all her memories here were bad. But something is different about him, something she can’t quite put her finger on. She’s certain he’s harboring secrets. Can she really trust the man he has become? With her past closing in, she’s tempted to run. Otherwise, the inn might be her final resting place.

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque ~ Review

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque

By Todd M. Johnson

Having read the author's previous works which were not historical fiction I was interested to see how he did in this new genre. The story overall was attention-grabbing - a ship arriving at the Port of London late at night and immediately seized for acting as pirates against a French ship. The Captain declares that he was working under a Letter of Marque provided by the Crown. Hanging or deportation to a prison colony is all that Captain Harold Tuttle can look forward to in his future and his cousin and uncle could lose everything to the debt the money they invested in the venture.

With little hope of fighting the Crown and winning, Lady Madeleine Jameson seeks to secure the skills of William Snopes a barrister whom she feels is her best chance of securing her cousin's freedom and the cargo held within the holds of her seized ship.

Since he turned his back on the home of his childhood and his father's misdeeds William Snoopes has done nothing to gain the favor of London's upper-class into ranks he was born. He never fought on their behalf once he became a barrister on his own. That is until Lady Jameson managed to appeal to his sense of justice.

Now I am in no way a historical expert so as to the historical soundness of the book I can make no statement one way or the other. But I will say I found the book to be an engaging and enjoyable experience. Political intrigue, subterfuge, mystery, murder, piracy, and a coverup and little time to prepare for their day in court. I for one would love to read another book starring Barrister William Snopes.

I enjoyed this book with both a paperback and the audible version. The narration by Samuel Roukin was excellent and highly recommended. Perfect for your commute or as a companion to your daily chores. The audio pacing didn't drag and the various major characters were presented so that they were identifiable. 

I received a complimentary copy of the paperback book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion  ~ All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

As a barrister in 1818 London, William Snopes has witnessed firsthand the danger of only the wealthy having their voices heard, and he's a strong advocate who defends the poorer classes against the powerful. That changes the day a struggling heiress, Lady Madeleine Jameson, arrives at his door.

In a last-ditch effort to save her faltering estate, Lady Jameson invested in a merchant brig, the Padget. The ship was granted a rare privilege by the king's regent: a Letter of Marque authorizing the captain to seize the cargo of French traders operating illegally in the Indian Sea. Yet when the Padget returns to London, her crew is met by soldiers ready to take possession of their goods and arrest the captain for piracy. And the Letter--the sole proof his actions were legal--has mysteriously vanished.

Moved by the lady's distress, intrigued by the Letter, and goaded by an opposing solicitor, Snopes takes the case. But as he delves deeper into the mystery, he learns that the forces arrayed against Lady Jameson, and now himself, are even more perilous than he'd imagined.

Something New ~ Review

Something New

Cornwall Brides #2

By Rebecca Connolly

Something New is the second book Cornwall Brides series and this time we follow a new couple whose marriage is a business arrangement in which our lovely bride - Miss Adelaide Dyer is less than thrilled with the arrangement her father has undertaken on her behalf. Lord Harrison Basset lives in Cornwall of all places - some out of the way hidden place of no importance. Worse she wanted a match with affection at least a possibility - with Lord Basset she never laid eyes on him until after the contract was signed.

With such a beginning one can hardly expect much in the way of a happy marriage. But one could be surprised.

This is at times a humorous read while at others it is tragic. It was interesting getting to know both Adelaide and Harrison and the community around them as they navigate this new chapter in their lives. Can love grow from disdain and resignation? Or will the looks good on paper match be that only on paper? Overall a delightful read that can be read as a standalone IF you have not yet book one - Something Old (but it is one you'll want to read later if not before).

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectation other than that I provide my honest opinion - All thoughts expressed are my own. 

About the Book:

Harrison, Lord Basset, wants a simple, polite marriage of convenience. Nothing emotional or dramatic, nothing that will give him any cause for concern or strife. Arranging a match with the beautiful Miss Adelaide Dyer fits his needs perfectly, and all seems rather straightforward. Until he meets her.

Adelaide has no say in this marriage her father agreed to, but that does not mean she must submit quietly. Lord Basset might be strikingly handsome, but if he thinks to have a calm, biddable wife, he is mistaken. And as for living an uncomplicated married life in the wiles of Cornwall... Well, she would see about that.

When fire and ice come together, til death do they part, will either of them succumb to their growing attraction? Or will their mutual stubbornness keep the tension at bay?

Right Here Waiting ~ Review with Giveaway

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for 

Right Here Waiting by Michelle Sass Aleckson 

presented by Susan May Warren, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Right Here Waiting
Deep Haven Collection #6
By Michelle Sass Aleckson 

Presented by Susan May Warren

Nick Dahlquist is determined to prove to Deep Haven and the Dahlquist family that he isn't the failure who almost burned down the family restaurant all those years ago. So maybe he didn't inherit the family cooking gene but he is going to succeed as a dog musher, he just needs to get out from under his ever growing mound of debt and fast.

Jae Lynn Washington is Deep Haven's newest CRT team member and she's looking for a place to call home. She's followed Nick online for awhile and even struck up an online friendship with him. But their first face-to-face doesn't go how she could have imagined. Nope it was bad. 

With such a stellar first meeting it could only get better, right? 

As Jae and Nick get to know one another they'll have deal with their pasts if they have any hopes for a future. And suddenly the future doesn't look quite so bleak. But learning to trust someone with your innermost thoughts as and feelings feels exposing.

Right Here Waiting is the sixth book in the Deep Haven Collection. It like the previous books in the series can be read as a standalone title. Overall this is good read. Jae and Nick both have major trust issues going on and asking for help is not something either wants to do. Can they overcome what stands between them or will they spend life filled with regrets? This is one book you don't want to miss!

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: Right Here Waiting
Series: Deep Haven Collection #6
Author: Michelle Sass Aleckson presented by Susan May Warren
Publier: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: November 9, 2021
Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

She doesn’t belong in his world—but she’s determined to try.

Sled dog musher and outdoor adventurer Nick Dahlquist doesn’t mean to be a loner—he just feels at home in the woods, with his dogs, and online in his vlogging world, where he’s amassed nearly a million viewers. But he’s just a simple guy, with simple goals—care for his dogs, teach people how to survive the cold, and run the Iditarod. Unfortunately, life turns cold when his lead dog is injured, and he’s low on funds. Good thing he has LadyJHawk to chat with. She’s become an online friend he can turn to, and he’s starting to need her more than he’d like to admit. But the last thing he wants is for some random woman to show up on his doorstep… 

Chopper pilot and Texas gal Jae Lynn Washington has been following Nick’s DogQuest videos and Get Lost in the Woods vlogs since she inherited her deceased boyfriend’s military working dog. Three years later, his online friendship has made her wonder if he could be more than a friend. What if she moved to Deep Haven? Would that be considered stalking, even if she got a bonafide job on the Crisis Response Team? 

When Jae shows up in Deep Haven—and on Nick’s doorstep—he’s not at all the man she met online. And when Nick is tapped to train the team, he’s pretty sure petite, summer-loving Jae won’t last a moment in the brutal cold—a fear he pours out to LadyJHawk. As their training takes a personal turn, their chilly start begins to thaw. But what will happen if he discovers that Jae and LadyJHawk are one and the same? 

When a blizzard strikes, and the CRT is called out into the storm, more than just their relationship is at risk… 

Cozy up to this delightful twist on You’ve Got Mail set in the snowy escape of Deep Haven. 

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | BookBub

ALSO AVAILABLE

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of 80 books. With more than 1.5 million books in print, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

After growing upon both the east and west coasts, Michelle Sass Aleckson now lives the country life in central Minnesota with her own hero and their four kids. She loves rocking out to 80’s music on a Saturday night, playing Balderdash with the fam, and getting lost in good stories. Especially stories that shine grace. And if you’re wondering, yes, Sass is her maiden name. Visit her at www.michellealeckson.com.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 

Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills. 

CONNECT WITH SUNRISE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | admin@sunrisepublishing.com

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a $15 Amazon gift card + 3 Right Here Waiting ebooks (one ebook for the winner and two to give to friends)!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 9, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 16, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

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

 

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