PAULA'S FAVORITE READS of 2024

 

(She narrowed her top ten list down to .... twenty two! )

HISTORICAL or DUAL TIME LINE -  Alphabetical by Author

Top 12

Pepper Basham:              Hope Like Wildflowers

Amanda Cox:                   Between the Sound and Sea

Amanda Dykes:               Born of Gilded Mountains

Gabrielle Meyer:              Across the Ages

Shannon McNear:           Virginia

Candice Sue Patterson:  When the Waters Came

Joanna Politano:             The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple

Roseanna White:            A Noble Scheme

Naomi Stephens:            The Burning of Rosemont Abbey

Sarah Sundin:                 Embers in the London Sky

Delores Topliff:                Wilderness Wife

Jaime Jo Wright:             Night Falls on Predicament Avenue

CONTEMPORARY -  Alphabetical by Author 

Top 10

Pepper Basham:                  Loyally Luke

Elizabeth Camden:              Summerlin Groves

Angela Carlisle:                   Secondary Target

Nicole Deese:                      The Roads We Follow

Elizabeth Goddard:              Hidden in the Night

T. I. Lowe:                            Lowcountry Lost

Connie Mann:                      The Crown Conspiracy

Holly Varni:                          The Blooming of Delphinium

Kimberley Woodhouse:       8 Down

Kimberley Woodhouse:       70 North

 

A partial list of covers:

 

Inkwell Inspirations has shared reviews on all of these books!

WALKING ON HIDDEN WINGS by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

 

A Novel of the Roaring Twenties

"Love gives, not takes. It never forces another person to sacrifice but sacrifices itself for the other person."

Geneva Ashcroft had experienced very little true love in her life as the daughter of a New York elite, even her practically arranged marriage to a prominent newspaper titan was a calculated effort by her father to control publicity surrounding his upcoming senate campaign. Imagine her surprise when she actually liked Warren Hayes in all the little ways that had the potential to make her upcoming nuptials at least tolerable, hence making her grief nearly unbearable when Warren perished in a private plane crash just months after their wedding. The only thing Geneva has left are cryptic notes from her husband's private investigator, prompting Geneva to "take to the skies" as Stella Starling, the wing-walking barnstormer, following a path from small town to small town, never imagining what she would discover . . . or what it would mean.

An extraordinary story because? . . . all the necessary components . . . fascinating historical backdrop, flawless word flow, magnetic romanticism, a menagerie of secondary characters whose underlying motives were hidden in plain sight, cleverly constructed formatting . . . in fact, it was the brilliant use of "now and then" merging seamlessly into "now" that tipped the scales in the direction of a five star read . . . an outstanding book deserving of abundant attention.
*I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 4.5 stars

SEE REVIEWS BY KIM and PAULA, and WINNIE

Back Cover Blurb:
Geneva Ashcroft Hayes's marriage to a newspaper mogul might have been arranged, but the New York socialite is devastated when her husband's plane crashes a few short months after their nuptials. When the authorities suspect murder, Geneva sets out on a wild mission to find his killer--and to prove it wasn't her!

When mysterious notes surface pointing to Geneva's guilt in his death, they only strengthen her resolve. She has little to go on except for a detective friend's cryptic list of locations connected to her dead spouse. When the friend also disappears, she trades her sparkling gowns for coveralls and pilot goggles.

Armed with a new name and career as a wingwalker and barnstormer, she travels from town to town in hopes of unearthing clues and locating her missing friend. But Geneva discovers that her past may not belong to her . . . what she once believed as truth may be nothing more than lies and deception.

Kregel Publications, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy WALKING ON HIDDEN WINGS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

NIGHT FALLS ON PREDICAMENT AVENUE by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"It was terrible, truly, that moment when you stared at a behemoth in the dark and knew you'd beheld a monster."

What in the world had possessed Effie James to go along with her sister's nonsense? . . . kissing the iron door knocker's lion head at 322 Predicament Avenue in the middle of the night, traipsing through the small cemetery bordering the back yard, imagining all sorts of things about the old, abandoned property . . . and then that life altering, blood-curdling scream!

Having inherited the Predicament Avenue property (turned-bed-and-breakfast) brought no peace to Norah Richman's anxiety-riddled soul. The old house had been part of her sister's dream for the future, not hers . . . Naomi, just the thought of her; a bright personality whose unsolved murder had turned as cold as the bodies buried in the secluded graveyard barely visible out the back window. . . much like Isabella Anderson's death over a century prior. The two could not be connected could they? It was impossible . . .wasn't it? Crime podcaster and house guest Sebastian Blaine isn't so sure.

Death, and all that surrounds it, is a delicate subject to explore. Even more challenging is the quest to bring hope when it seems that all is lost, life when it seems that all is dead, but this author accomplishes the seemingly unimaginable. Richly populated with her signature twists and turn-arounds, roundabouts and dead-ends, her characters emerge fully and completely whole . . . a testament to immeasurable grace. "Grace is costly. But it is ours. And in receiving it, we find our weakness infused with His strength. His hope. His future. Live it."

Quite a fascinating story!
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.
4.5 stars

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

 

BackCover Blurb:
As the walls of the house at Predicament Avenue reveal their hidden truths, two women--generations apart--discover that fear and foreboding are no respecters of time.

In 1910, Effie James is committed to doing anything to save her younger sister, who witnessed a shocking murder, leaving her mute and in danger of the killer's retribution. Effie must prove what her sister saw, but when a British gentleman arrives, he disrupts Effie's quest with his attempts to locate his wife, Isabelle Addington, who was last seen at the supposed crime scene in the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue. Just as Effie discovers what she seeks, she finds that the blood staining the walls will forever link her to a scandal she couldn't imagine, and to a woman whose secrets promise to curse any who would expose them.

A century later, Norah Richman grapples with social anxiety and grief as she runs her late great-aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue. But Norah has little affection for the house and is committed only to carrying out her murdered sister's dreams until crime historian and podcaster Sebastian Blaine arrives to investigate the ghostly legacy of the house's claim to fame--the murder of Isabelle Addington. When a guest is found dead, the incident is linked to Isabelle's murder, and Norah and Sebastian must work together to uncover the century-old curse that has wrapped 322 Predicament Avenue in its clutches and threatens far more than death.

Bethany House Publishing, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy NIGHT FALLS ON PREDICAMENT AVENUE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

 

 

THESE TANGLED THREADS (A Novel of Biltmore) by Sarah Loudin Thomas, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"He marveled, uncertain how the tangled threads of their lives had come together to create this gorgeous pattern."

Tangled threads. Master weaver Lorna Blankenship was tearing her hair out over untangling the tangles that her young weaver constantly manufactured, if in fact she was actually doing what she was supposed to be doing, which was consistently rare. Gentry had plenty of energy, it was simply unharnessed, unpredictable and undeniably going in wrong directions. Ironically, the fourteen year old ended up possessing something that took Lorna by complete surprise . . . Gentry had extraordinary patterns stashed away in her room, the kind that would produce exquisite fabrics for Biltmore Industries  . . . and the little scamp claimed they were her mother's? It becomes a moot point who had ownership of what, when Gentry disappears, leaving Lorna with a guilt-ridden hole in the pit of her stomach.

Years later, Lorna accepts a commission for a one-of-a-kind design for Cornelia Vanderbilt's upcoming nuptials, and uncharacteristically begins to panic when inspiration eludes her. She turns to friend Arthur Westcott, (with whom her relationship has taken many confusing twists and turns) to help her search for an artisan weaver whose talent she happened upon in a local market. The ensuing journey takes the two on a crisscrossing of mountain towns and trails, spending the kind of time together that could weave the complicated experiences of their past and present into a fabric strong enough to ensure their future.

Told with the beautiful Biltmore Estate and Village as a backdrop, concurrently using a three tiered set of character voices, the author succeeds in bringing the illustrious history of the area into the spotlight while celebrating the talented artisans whose stories should be impossible to separate from the success of their benefactors.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Interviews and Reviews. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 3.5 stars

 

 SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

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

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

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

Bethany House Publishing, April 2, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook

Buy THESE TANGLED THREADS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

THE BRITISH BOOKSELLERS by Kristy Cambron, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

With strong characters and an arresting plot, this was a memorable WWII story set in Coventry, England, when the unthinkable happened to devastate this quiet village.
 

Told in split time between WWI and 1940, the story revolves around the lives of Charlotte Terrington Holt and Amos Darby and their roles in the class system of days gone by. The author takes us back to a time when the whole country banded together to support the war effort by conservation, rationing, uprooting their lives and putting aside long held dreams for a united cause. “Childhood dreams had no place in the real world...”
 

The author delves into the background connections of Charlotte and Amos to give us the differences between classes and how that perspective changed during wartime. And as times change new romance takes wings. “To love meant to accept all the grit and grief alongside the beauty. To endure the harshness of life not with despair, but hope.”
 

Blackouts, sirens, Land Girls, loneliness, hidden secrets, surprising connections, second chances, a common goal. All these things and more come together in one emotional tale.

An exceptional story that gives yet another slant on what people went through during WWII on the home front.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book through NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a subtle faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
Inspired by real accounts of the Forgotten Blitz bombings, The British Booksellers highlights the courage of those whose lives were forever changed by war—and the stories that bind us in the fight for what matters most.

A tenant farmer’s son had no business daring to dream of a future with an earl’s daughter, but that couldn’t keep Amos Darby from his secret friendship with Charlotte Terrington…until the reality of the Great War sobered youthful dreams. Now decades later, he bears the brutal scars of battles fought in the trenches and their futures that were stolen away. His return home doesn’t come with tender reunions, but with the hollow fulfillment of opening a bookshop on his own and retreating as a recluse within its walls.

When the future Earl of Harcourt chose Charlotte to be his wife, she knew she was destined for a loveless match. Though her heart had chosen another long ago, she pledges her future even as her husband goes to war. Twenty-five years later, Charlotte remains a war widow who divides her days between her late husband’s declining estate and operating a quaint Coventry bookshop—Eden Books, lovingly named after her grown daughter. And Amos is nothing more than the rival bookseller across the lane.

As war with Hitler looms, Eden is determined to preserve her father’s legacy. So when an American solicitor arrives threatening a lawsuit that could destroy everything they’ve worked so hard to preserve, mother and daughter prepare to fight back. But with devastation wrought by the Luftwaffe’s local blitz terrorizing the skies, battling bookshops—and lost loves, Amos and Charlotte—must put aside their differences and fight together to help Coventry survive.

From deep in the trenches of the Great War to the storied English countryside and the devastating Coventry Blitz of World War II, The British Booksellers explores the unbreakable bonds that unite us through love, loss, and the enduring solace that can be found between the pages of a book.

-Split timeline: WWI and WWII
-Stand-alone novel
-Book length: 118,000 words
-Includes discussion questions for book clubs 

Thomas Nelson Publishing, April, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy THE BRITISH BOOKSELLERS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

A LADY'S GUIDE TO MARVELS AND MISADVENTURES by Angela Bell, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #NewRelease

(A Whimsical Victorian Historical Romance from a Debut Author)

A little Victorian Steampunk, a little Jules Verne, a little Nutcracker makes this a fabulous book that blends quirky characters, acerbic wit, an interesting premise and Godly wisdom. 

Clara feels responsible to look after her family. She has a hard time seeing that God is in control, not her. Her grandfather Drosselmeyer, is a clockmaker and inventor of marvelous contraptions. Theodore Kingsley, who has a hidden past, is taken on as an apprentice. He is mistrusted by Clara but they, along with her Mum, set out on a scavenger hunt to track down Grand and his flying owl, while fleeing a dastardly villain.
The descriptions of the places they visit make me feel like I was there. And throughout the journey Clara thaws toward Theodore. 

Mum was a favorite character. She advocated for animals and their welfare and wore a live ermine named Fred as a stole.
The clues for the scavenger hunt were so well done and were connected to an intricate pocket watch. The message clues from Grand to Clara were full of godly wisdom and helped Clara to see that she didn’t have to live up to her nickname of Little Atlas with the weight of the world on her shoulders.
An exceptional and cleverly executed debut from an outstanding author. *A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a strong faith thread 

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

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

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

Bethany House Publishing, February, 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy A LADY'S GUIDE TO MARVELS AND MISADVENTURES at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

THE RHYTHM OF FRACTURED GRACE by Amanda Wen, Reviewed by Winnie and Paula #ReleaseDay

WINNIE'S REVIEW:

“Forgiveness is an act of grace and a gift from God . . .”

The Rhythm of Fractured Grace by talented author Amanda Wen is the third book in her Sedgwick County Chronicles series. It is a poignant and heart-tugging story of forgiveness, healing, and God’s grace. The author handles the rather difficult subject matter with sensitivity and care. Filled with fractured characters in both timelines—current day Wichita and 1870s Kansas—this tale grabbed my attention from the first and wouldn’t let go until the end. Siobhan Walsh, a violin repairer, and Matt Buchanan, newly hired as a worship pastor were both engaging and interesting. As Siobhan works to repair Matt’s antique violin, their lives intersect in ways they’d never imagine.

“Maybe God hadn’t moved. Maybe Siobhan had.”

The author tied the two timelines together seamlessly with the back story of how the violin came to be in Matt’s possession.

The beautiful cover and perfect title combined to entice me to read this story, and I’m so glad I did. I know I’m in for a moving and inspirational tale when I read one of Amanda Wen’s books. I recommend this book to those who enjoy deeply moving and beautifully written dual timeline stories

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Kregel Publications through JustRead Tours. All opinions are my own.

PAULA'S REVIEW

*Soli Deo Gloria-To God be the glory.*
I am very fond of dual time stories and this one was great. I was more interested in the historical time period which was about Deborah, her family, Levi and his daughter, Nora. Fascinating was the fact that the 1876 part was based on the real ancestors of the author. I loved the relationship between Deborah and Levi which at the outset was a marriage of convenience. Levi was a caring and considerate man who let Deborah grow into grace. 
 

Both timelines dealt with harsh realities, the need to rely on God and learn to forgive the seemingly unforgivable. *Forgiveness is an act of grace and a gift from God.*
 

I loved the way that a violin tied the two time periods together. 
In the present day, Siobhan was a prodigal daughter. I really felt for her as she questioned God when she had sinned, fell away and was making her way back to trusting Him. And I liked the way Matt wanted to be instrumental in her seeing God’s goodness again. 
 

This book pointed out the dangers that can lurk in any church when those in authority misuse the trust of vulnerable people. The author called attention to a hard truth that there are wolves masquerading as sheep even in churches. Every one of us are not above sinning. We all need Christ. *It’s about Jesus-Nothing more-nothing less.* 
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*4 stars and a strong faith thread

 

BackCover Blurb:
Is Siobhan too far gone to respond to the song of a God who's calling her back to him?
 

When a new customer brings a badly damaged violin into Siobhan Walsh's shop, it is exactly the sort of challenge she craves. The man who brought it in is not. He's too close to the painful past that left her heart and her faith in shambles.
 

Matt Buchanan has had a rough start as the new worship pastor. A car accident on his way into town left him with a nearly totaled truck, and an heirloom violin in pieces. When he takes it to a repair shop, he's fascinated with the restoration process--and with the edgy, closed-off woman doing the work.
As their friendship deepens and turns into more, they both discover secrets that force them to face past wounds. And the history of the violin reveals more about their current problems than they could have ever expected.
 

On the nineteenth-century frontier, a gruesome tomahawk attack wiped out most of Deborah Caldwell's family. Her greatest solace after the tragedy is the music from her father's prized violin. Given her horrendous scars, she'd resigned herself to a spinster's life. But Levi Martinson's gentle love starts to chip away at her hardened heart, until devastating details about the attack are revealed, putting their love--and Deborah's shaky faith--to the ultimate test.
 

Full of forgiveness and the message that no one is too damaged for God's healing touch, the final book in the split-time Sedgwick County Chronicles will thrill fans of Rachel Hauck, Lisa Wingate, and Kristy Cambron.

Kregel Publications, February 2024

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and library binding

Buy THE RHYTHM OF FRACTURED GRACE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

THE PARIS HOUSEKEEPER by Renee Ryan, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Vivian, an American living at the Ritz hotel in Paris and chambermaids French Camille and Jewish Rachel are caught up in the occupation during WWII. 

Ms. Ryan has used her research of real events to highlight yet another story of perseverance, daring and resilience under oppression from the Germans. She has brought to life characters who risked much to save Jews from unjust persecution and shown the exceptional fortitude it took to fraternize with the enemy for the sake of helping Jewish people escape to safety.

 

I could feel the tension as Rachel and her family waited to be targeted for deportation. And I was on pins and needles when Camille and Vivian went to live in the prominent officer’s house.
I recommend this book for fans of WWII and the brave action of ordinary people during daunting circumstances.
 

*I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* 4 stars and a slight faith thread 

 

BackCover Blurb:
From the author of The Secret Society of Salzburg comes a powerful and moving story of bravery and resilience in World War II Paris and one woman who must face impossible choices to survive…

Paris, 1940

German tanks rumble through the streets of Paris, forcing frightened citizens to flee. But not everyone has the luxury to leave. Camille Lacroix, a chambermaid at the world-famous Hôtel Ritz, must stay to support her family back home in Brittany. Desperate to earn money, Camille also acts as a lady’s maid for longtime guest Vivian Miller, a glamorous American widow—and a Nazi sympathizer.

Despite her distrust of the woman, Camille turns to Vivian when her friend and fellow hotel maid Rachel Berman needs help getting out of Paris. It’s then that Camille discovers that Vivian is not what she seems… The American has been using her wealth and connections to secretly obtain travel papers for Jewish refugees.

While they're hiding Rachel in an underground bunker under a Nazi’s nose, a daring escape plan is hatched. But as the net grows tighter, and the Germans more ruthless, Camille’s courage will be tested to the extreme… 

Love Inspired Trade, December, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy THE PARIS HOUSEKEEPER at Amazon, Christianbook .com.

THE WARSAW SISTERS By Amanda Barratt, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"The desire to be master over other men brings out a cruelty that knows no measure . . . Perhaps one justifies oneself with the belief that one's cause is right, one's aim is for the good. But there are some acts which are justified by no cause, despite what any man may tell himself. It is out of such things that wars are born . . . "

Rare stories transcend their words; this is such a story. By effectively laying down a gauntlet at the feet of her readers, the author breathes life into the lives of those who have gone before us, putting flesh and bones on the ordinary, men and women who became extraordinary in spite of all odds, or perhaps because of all odds, daring to fight back in the name of liberty and justice for all. Would we have been as brave?

War relentlessly divides and destroys, even those closest in heart. Can two sisters find their way back to each other? Everything about them has changed, except . . . a "changeless. Indelible. Unbreakable . . . bond."

"The mark of His presence is not in the absence of pain . . . We must believe in something greater than life or how would we find more than despair in its living? Or in its ending. . . So faith is all that is left to us, then." 

*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

 

See Reviews by WINNIE AND PAULA

 

BackCover Blurb:
On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart--and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.

Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties. 

Revell Publishing, November, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and hardcover at Amazon, Christianbook. com, or Baker Book House

 

THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS by Cindy Sproles, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

 

Steeped in the culture of the Appalachian Mountains in the early 1900s, this story is a gem. It centers around Minerva Jenkins, who made a promise to her husband on his deathbed. A promise she keeps for almost 40 years until Del, a reporter, comes asking questions.

The vivid descriptions put you squarely in the story: “I saw the sunset. Streaks of orange and red. Fury yellows. The clouds blended in as though an angel dipped his fingers in them and gingerly stirred, making whips of purple and deep alabaster.”

Minerva, at 94, is lonely, set in her ways and feisty as all get out. Her mountain sayings were a hoot. I could not help but admire her and her story of a lifetime of wondering if she was good enough. She questions her promise and how long she must keep it, because, after all, her word is valuable.

Del brings questions and dredges up old hurts. But Del also brings with him a caring spirit. “Blood does not make a relationship. Kindness, caring, love make a family. You don’t have to be blood to be a perfect fit.”

Do not miss this immersive tale of Minerva, who lived on Godly principles, with humor and sacrifice and still had much to learn even in her advanced years.

*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews and Library Thing. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5++ stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
When Minerva Jane Jenkins was just 14 years old, she married a man who moved her to the mountains. He carried with him a small box, which he told her was filled with gold. And when he died 50 years later, he made her promise to keep his secret. She is to tell no one about the box or the treasure it contains.

Now 94, Minerva is nearing the end of what has sometimes been a lonely life. But she's kept that secret. Even so, rumors of hidden gold have a way of spreading, and Minerva is visited by a reporter, Del Rankin, who wants to know more of her story. His friend who joins him only wants to find the location of the gold. Neither of them knows quite who they're up against when it comes to the old woman on the mountain.

As an unlikely friendship develops, Minerva is tempted to reveal her secret to Del. After all, how long is one bound by a promise? But the truth of what's really buried in the box may be hidden even from her. 

Revell Publishing, June 27,2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

MAN OF SHADOW AND MIST by Michelle Griep, Reviewed by Trixi and Rebecca

REBECCA'S REVIEW:
"She watched his tall form until shadows and mist swallowed him whole, leaving her entirely unsettled."

Rescued from a dreadful tumble off her bicycle by a tall, dark enigmatic stranger trumped the fear brought about by the blinding fog that had precipitated the mishap. "Pardon me, but clearly the shock of the fall has bewitched you," . . . said the voice from within. Rosa Edwards didn't know what to make of such unexpected kindness from such a figure, but what she did know was that she best be getting home with her stack of books, and a memory; perhaps even a bit of mystery. Little did she know; she had just met Sir James Morgan.

Returning to England, to Morgrave Manor, to his bed-ridden mother, was the last thing that James desired to do. Nevertheless, Lady Dorina was dying, and James felt duty-bound to try and save her; reading every book, researching every medical journal, talking to every doctor, mixing every concoction . . . to no avail. After all, he suffered from the same malady, a rare skin disease that had morphed into madness for his mother. The last thing he needed in his life was a librarian on two wheels, no matter how stubborn the lovely Rose Edwards turned out to be.

Unfortunately, not everyone in Whitby was as understanding of what they didn't understand as Rosa. It soon became apparent that nefarious intentions sought to breach their unlikely acquaintance while spreading vicious rumors surrounding James' return. Rosa couldn't understand their cruelty, and pleaded with the Lord above to intervene on his behalf, but was gently reminded that, "It is a mystery why some live life seemingly untouched by troubles while others can barely lift their head beneath the weight o' their sorrows. Not everything can be explained . . . else we would be like God . . . ".

Ultimately, it was going to be the "good-bye Rosa" that would break her heart in two. Surely God still worked miracles?!

This author has a marvelous ability to capture the attention of her readers, making them feel as if they have tip-toed into the story alongside her characters, feeling every angst, celebrating every triumph . . . and the result? A wonderful book!

*I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

TRIXI'S REVIEW:
The world seems full of good men—even if there are monsters in it ~quote from Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”

I devoured Michelle’s book “Lost in Darkness” and knew I had to get my hands on this one! I’ve read many, if not most, of her books and this was a very different feel from her usual writing. Rest assured, that is said in a very complimentary way! Atmospheric in its depth, a bit shivery at times and definitely immerses the reader as manifested in the late nights I stayed up to read “just one more chapter”. You cannot go wrong with anything this author writes!

Is James Morgan indeed a vampire or is the town just bent on believing in superstition? And what of Rosa Edwards, can she prove there is no such thing before the town goes mad trying to rid itself of such evil? All these questions (and more) are masterfully answered as the reader delves into this satisfying Gothic tale. The nod to Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula” with quotes before each chapter was clever in its design. Michelle’s ability to weave historical facts with fiction is beyond brilliant and it shows in this story as well as in “Lost in Darkness”. I loved every minute of it!

* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. *

BackCover Blurb:

England, 1890

Vampires are alive and well in North Yorkshire, leastwise in the minds of the uneducated. Librarian Rosa Edwards intends to drive a stake through the heart of such superstitions. But gossip flies when the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his shadowy manor. The townsfolk say he is cursed.

James hates everything about England. The weather. The rumours. The scorn. Yet he must stay. His mother is dying of a disease for which he’s desperately trying to find a cure—an illness that will eventually take his own life.

When Rosa sets out to prove the dark gossip about James is wrong, she discovers more questions than answers. How can she accept what she can’t explain—especially the strong allure of the enigmatic man? James must battle a town steeped in fear as well as the unsettling attraction he feels for the no-nonsense librarian.

Can love prevail in a town filled with fear and doubt? 

Barbour Fiction, June 1, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook:

Buy MAN OF SHADOW AND MIST at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

THE HEART'S CHOICE by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse, Reviewed by Paula #ReleaseDay

From the stunning cover to the final pages, I thoroughly loved this novel. This writing team is one of the best for Historical Christian Fiction. The research was the backbone of this story and depicts the beginning of a new Carnegie Library in Kalispell, Montana in 1904 and fictional Rebecca Whitman who becomes the first female court reporter in the state.

The authors have spun a terrific tale of mystery, romance, faith and courtroom drama that I will not soon forget. I loved the touch of humor with the small white dog and the fleshed out characters. I am grateful for the clear gospel message this story contains.

The heroine was on a search for the truth in the Bible and realized that a relationship with God, through Christ, can be personal. Other themes included reconciliation, being too busy to focus on family and relationships and not being afraid to accept help from those older and wiser, great lessons to learn from this entertaining read.

Put this one on your To Be Read pile.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the authors. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a strong faith thread.

BackCover Blurb:
They must uncover the truth before it's buried forever.

After witnessing a wrongful conviction as a young girl, Rebecca Whitman--the first female court reporter in Montana--is now determined to defend the innocent. During a murder trial, something doesn't sit well with her about the case, but no one except the handsome new Carnegie librarian will listen to her.

Librarian Mark Andrews's father sent him to college hoping he would take over the business side of the family ranch, but Mark would rather wrangle books than cows. When a patron seeks help with research in hopes of proving a man's innocence, Mark is immediately drawn to her and her cause.

In a race against time, will Rebecca and Mark find the evidence they need--and open their hearts to love--before it's too late?

Bethany House Publishers, May 16, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy THE HEART'S CHOICE at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

 

THE ESCAPE GAME by Liz Tolsma, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

HEROINES OF WWll Series

Fascinating story using actual accounts of POW camps and home front situations during WWII. Ms. Turk uses historical facts to personalize the realities of life during the war.

Beryl, a secretary at a Game factory in Leeds, England, is also an Air Raid Warden. The author puts us right there during bombings and the aftermath. The story goes between Beryl, her mother and friends at home to a POW camp where her pilot brother James and his friend Kenneth end up. It was very informative about the way prisoners tried to escape and reminded me of watching Stalag 17 and The Great Escape. There are surprises in store for the characters and danger is never far away.

I especially liked the kitten Spitfire and the elderly lady that Beryl and her mother take in after her house is demolished.

Always a treat is the Author Notes and explanations of historical facts and research. 

*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and an underlying faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
A Board Game Holds Keys to Prisoners’ Escape

Full of intrigue, adventure, and romance, this series celebrates the unsung heroes—the heroines of WWII.

After the Nazis started the bombing blitz of England, Beryl Clarke puts her college on hold to return to Leeds, care for her mother, and work as a secretary at the Waddington game company. While she endures the war at home, her brother James fights the enemy in the air. When he is shot down, injured, and captured, James reunites with a former college friend American POW Kenneth Bordelon, and they plan to escape the Nazi prison camp. Beryl knows there is a board game with escape plans being delivered to POWs by the Red Cross. But how can she let them know about the game's secret without revealing the information to the enemy?

Barbour Fiction, March, 2023

Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:

Buy THE ESCAPE GAME at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House

 

 

YESTERDAY'S TIDES by Roseanna M. White, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

" . . . Evie Farrow wasn't an average innkeeper, clearly . . . what in the world was a North Carolina innkeeper doing with encoded telegrams?" But, let's back up to the beginning, shall we?

After hearing yet another distant rumble off the coast of her beloved Ocracoke Island, islander Evie Farrow knew in her heart what had happened . . . German U-boats . . . already dreading what it meant for the island's beautiful shore line. Casualties. Rarely survivors, only casualties . . . thus explaining Evie's startle when she happens upon a man who appears very much alive, although badly burned and injured, wearing civilian clothing; what secrets has this Englishman, who spouts barely coherent gibberish, carried to her island.

Years earlier, on the cusp of a different war, another Englishman arrived on the island, not as a survivor but as a summer guest at the lovely Ocracoke Inn. Remington Culbreth. Louisa Adair knew how foolish it was to form attachments to their patrons, however there was something curious about Rem that made foolishness seem practically normal; she couldn't help herself, she fell head over heels for her gallant, persistent admirer. Was it meant to be, had it ever been meant to be? Seemingly insurmountable odds were about to come between them.

What an extraordinary weaving process went into this story, its legacy carved upon the sands of time when past and present frolicked freely before transforming into something far more beautiful than its beginning. Women who loved fiercely, prayers that were as real as the jewelry they inspired, men who never gave up, and ancestry that colored the world with an entirely new shade of beauty. If there was any weakness at all, it would be that each story line was so richly written that one might wish that an entire book had been dedicated to each.

"They would survive the devastation of this war . . . They would all go on. All rebuild. All would find new life . . . that might cover those scars, but which couldn't obliterate them completely. . . They become part of the earth. Part of the people. Part of the story . . . The yesterday whose tides would carve tomorrow."
*I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 4.5 stars

 

SEE REVIEWS BY WINNIE and PAULA

BackCover Blurb:

In two world wars, intelligence and counterintelligence, prejudice, and self-sacrifice collide across two generations

In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same--until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie's inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling's injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the SS officer he's tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.

Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, never expecting to fall in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper's daughter. But when war breaks out in Europe, their relationship is put in jeopardy and may not survive what lies ahead for them.

As the ripples from the Great War rock Evie and Sterling's lives in World War II, it seems yesterday's tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

Bethany House Publishing, January, 2023

Available in digital ebook, hardcover, and audiobook:

Buy YESTERDAY'S TIDES at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House