THE RED CANARY by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

“The night was quiet, but he was about to knock on death’s door”

Ms. McDaniel continues her expert writing in a new tale about the 1920’s.

This time we meet spunky Vera Pembroke in a speakeasy run by her boyfriend, Carson Kelly. Sergeant Mick Dinelo has a hot tip to go to The Kelly Club. There he encounters Vera who has escaped a hard past. She is more than he bargained for when they are faced with fleeing a murderer.

There is lots of cute banter and jargon of the era for good measure. The feisty heroine and stoic hero make the sparks fly.

Both Mick and Vera are flawed and find strength and healing on their faith journey. “Didn’t she know to be flawed was to be beautiful...To be healed by His wounds was to be freed by His surrender, now that was a beauty no cosmetic could duplicate.”

If you are looking for a terrific story filled with fun and faith, come back to 1928 Pittsburgh and see what Mick and Vera get up to. You will be so glad you did.
*I received a complimentary ebook from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars strong faith thread.

 

BackCover Blurb:

Music sparks her world, but can love ignite her heart?

In 1928, soot from the local mills and music from speakeasies linger in the Pittsburgh air. When the manager of The Kelly Club is found dead, nightclub singer Vera Pembroke is thrust into peril. As the only witness to the crime, she’s sentenced to hide away in the Allegheny Forest with a stuffy police sergeant as her guardian.

Sergeant Mick Dinelo harbors a burning hatred for Pittsburgh’s underworld after the devastation it left on his life—and heart. He should be out exposing culpable gangsters rather than tending to the impetuous woman who defies his every effort to keep her safe.

Mick and Vera must set aside their differences to solve the murder that someone wants to keep buried beneath the soot of Steel City.

Smitten Historical Romance, November 2020

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ONLY YOU by Susan May Warren, Reviewed by Nicole Cook

"This is what heroism is...doing what is right despite the consequences. Choosing to love with all your heart, even if you get hurt."

Fans of Susan May Warren's Deep Haven and Christiansen series are in for a special treat with the return to Deep Haven in her latest novella, Only You. Susan May Warren is one of my all-time favorite authors, and her books are guaranteed to become favorites among readers. Longtime fans of hers will delight in the return of many beloved characters, while new readers will have the opportunity to fall in love with Deep Haven for the first time.

When first introduced to Seth Turnquist in the love triangle for Amelia Christiansen's heart back in the Christiansen series, surprisingly, I was not a fan of his. In fact, I was actually rooting for his romantic rival, Roark St. John, to win Amelia's heart. However, Seth turns out to be quite the hero in Only You and becomes every bit as fabulous as Susan May Warren's other leading men. Only You is the perfect prequel novella to launch the upcoming Deep Haven Collection series, as Seth finally gets his opportunity to find true love.

If you haven't read any books by Susan May Warren yet, this is the perfect opportunity. Only You, and all of Susan May Warren's books, are strongly recommended for readers of contemporary romance. Only You is currently available for free when you sign up on the Sunrise Publishing website: https://sunrisepublishing.com/free-prequel/.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was under no obligation to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine. Light faith thread.
 

BackCover Blurb:
He ran from his broken heart…

Seth Turnquist never thought his heart would mend after being shattered by his former love, Amelia Christiansen. But three years away from Deep Haven fighting fires as a smokejumper have burned her away, leaving fresh soil for a new love. Still, he’s ready to put Deep Haven in his rearview mirror for good, which means selling the custom log home he built for Amelia and walking away from the family business. But what he doesn’t realize is that the seeds for a second chance have already been planted…

She loved him from the sidelines…

Ree Zimmerman couldn’t let herself love Seth—not when he was her best friend’s boyfriend. And after Amelia broke his heart, there simply wasn’t anything left in him for Ree except friendship. But that never stopped Ree from dreaming of a happily ever after with the lumberjack from Deep Haven. When he returns home for his grandfather’s birthday, she’s not about to let him walk away, again…

Return to Deep Haven in this charming homecoming story about the second chances that await us when we let the past go.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA Today bestselling, RITA, Christy and Carol award winning novelist Susan May Warren is the author of over 80 novels with nearly 2 million books sold, most of them contemporary romance with a touch of suspense. One of her strongest selling series has been the Deep Haven series, a collection of books set in Northern Minnesota, off the shore of Lake Superior. Visit her at www.susanmaywarren.com.

AN ALASKAN FAMILY CHRISTMAS by Beth Carpenter, Reviewed by Kim

One of my favorite things about this series by Beth Carpenter is the setting. I haven’t read many books that are set in Alaska, but this series has really given me a sense for what it feels like to live there and how different it is. This particular story takes place around Christmastime. So, if you’re wanting to get in the mood for Christmas, this is the story for you! In fact, my favorite part of this story was their Christmas celebration. Tanner and his family own a cabin which is basically out in the middle of nowhere Alaska. This sets us up for the most perfect tree cutting media free holiday!

I liked both Tanner and Natalie and their relationship. Although I have to say that Tanner was my favorite character. He’s so nice you can’t help but immediately like him. Natalie took me a bit to warm up to, but that made sense because of the circumstances surrounding her and Tanner meeting. Speaking of those circumstances, I did think how they met and how the family took her in so easily was a bit unrealistic, but once I got past that, I enjoyed this story and Natalie and Tanner’s relationship.

If you’re in the mood for a heartwarming old fashioned Christmas, this just might be the story for you.
*This is a clean read. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. 

BackCover Blurb:
A little mix-up…

Could make her Christmas wonderful!

Natalie Weiss is mortified. After mistaking handsome Tanner Rockford for his cousin, she’s followed him to rural Alaska. Now she’s stranded—until Tanner invites her to spend Christmas with his family in their rustic, cozy cabin. But in this idyllic winter wonderland, Natalie discovers the family she’s never had…and the love she never knew she needed. But what happens when they all discover why she’s really there?

Harlequin Heartwarming, November 2020

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THE KISSING TREE COLLECTION Reviewed by Paula, Kim and Winnie

PAULA'S REVIEW:
The Kissing Tree Collection. Four novellas steeped in love and faith set in Oak Springs, Texas.
Broken Limbs-Mended Hearts by Regina Jennings.
1868
This was the cutest novella, showing self sacrifice and helping others out of a kind and godly heart. I loved the description of the old oak tree and the canopy that touched the ground and offered a cool, sheltered respite. Bella Eden, a schoolteacher who was afraid of tests and an old schoolmate, Adam Fisher, reunite when he comes to town with his new-fangled thrashing machine. A sheer delight.

Inn For A Surprise by Karen Witemeyer
1891
In her wonderfully witty way, Ms. Witemeyer has given us a heart tugging tale of romantic Phoebe Woodward who wants to open the Kissing Tree Inn and no-nonsense Barnabas Ackerly who has been tasked to help her by his boss who happens to be Phoebe’s father. He doesn’t know it yet but Barnabas has a romantic side hidden beneath his business acumen. I loved the cute names Barnabas called the Inn in the confines of his mind: “Inn of the Smooching Shrubbery, Inn of the Osculating Topiaries and Inn of Pecking Pulp Providers.” This was a clever, touching story.

From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes
1945
Amanda Dykes lovely poetic style tells a story of an airman home from the war to find the sister of a buddy he lost in France. Luke and Hannah have dreams for the future: “some dreams fade away when you grow up, an I s’pose that’s all well and good. We trade them for other dreams.”
The old oak tree plays a part in yet another romance. This one had a homey, nostalgic feel to it.

Heartwood by Nicole Deese
Contemporary
Hope from brokenness was the theme here.
Abby and Griffen find triumph and community after a tragedy. Ms. Deese paints a picture of restoration from shattered pieces.

This is one of the best novella collections I have read. The continuity of the old oak tree shines through the eras.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House on behalf of the authors. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.* I give this 5 Stars and a medium faith thread.

KIM'S REVIEW:
The Kissing Tree is a compilation of four novellas. Each story takes place during a different time period, but in the same small Texas town and features an old tree that has been dubbed The Kissing Tree.

The first story is by Regina Jennings and it explains how the kissing tree got its name. I liked both main characters and while I liked the story overall, not a lot happened, so it left me feeling like I wanted more.

Next we have Karen Witemeyer’s story. It was a cute story that featured a decorating contest between the hero and heroine. I liked this story and thought the contest was fun because he was so practical and she was a true romantic.

Next up is a story by Amanda Dykes. This story was very different than I expected. The heroine was such an interesting character! Enjoyable.

Last, but not least, we have Nicole Deese’s story. This is the only contemporary story and it’s a second chance romance which I love. This story dealt with grief and this quote really resonated with me, “That was the strange thing about grief: Sometimes you wanted to wrap yourself in it like a thick winter quilt, and other times you wanted to throw the blanket to the ground and pretend you wouldn’t be cold without it.” I liked both characters and how they dealt with their grief.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith element was light.

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
The Kissing Tree by Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese

Four of my favorite authors band together to tell the story of The Kissing Tree, a giant oak tree in Oak Springs, Texas through several generations of time. Each novella is set in a different time period, but they are tied together through common elements. It was interesting to see the various takes on the theme and how the authors wound their tales around the history of The Kissing Tree. 

Each of these talented authors brought a special element to the collection to make this a delightful book. The characters were realistic and endearing, and I enjoyed meeting them and hearing their stories. Although they were novellas and by nature quite short, each tale felt complete in itself and when combined with the others made reading this book a treat.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House and NetGalley. All opinions are my own. 

 

BackCover Blurb:

Bestselling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors' unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.  

In Regina Jennings' Broken Limbs, Mended Fences, a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman.

In Karen Witemeyer's Inn for a Surprise, two opinionated collaborators with conflicting visions must turn a doomed business venture into a successful romantic retreat.

From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.

Heartwood by Nicole Deese is a modern-day romance about the groundskeeper of a historic inn who's reunited with someone from her past while she fights to save a town landmark.

 

Bethany House Publishing, October 2020

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