SOME BRIGHT SOMEDAY by Melissa Tagg, Reviewed by Nicole Cook #ReleaseDay

His life in Maple Valley gave him a sense of peace. But Bridgewell gave him purpose – and probably the closest thing he’d ever get to redemption.”

Get ready for a heartwarming return to the small town of Maple Valley, Iowa. Some Bright Someday, the second installment in Melissa Tagg’s Maple Valley series, is a beautiful tale of redemption, forgiveness, and discovering true love. Favorite characters from the town are sure to delight readers with their cameo appearances throughout the novel.

Kit Danby Walker’s brother Lucas, who readers first met in Melissa Tagg’s Walker Family series, finally gets his own story, and it was definitely a story worth waiting for. Years after receiving a dishonorable discharge from the military, Lucas is still searching for redemption for his past mistakes while his friend Jenessa is struggling with feelings of restlessness and hurt from her past. The developing relationship between Lucas and Jenessa was my favorite part of the book to read. I can’t wait for the next book in the Maple Valley series!

Some Bright Someday is recommended for fans of contemporary romance.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine. Inkwell Faith Content rating – 2 (light faith content)

ABOUT THE BOOK:
He’s torn between love and honor...

Lucas Danby has always regretted the decisions that caused his dishonorable discharge from the military—and he’s never stopped trying to redeem his honor. He's spent the past decade taking on dangerous short-term missions as an elite private soldier—the only part of his life that's ever gone right. But the high-risk work never cures his shame. Now he’s stuck stateside, mentoring a new recruit. Worse, he's sick of lying to the people he cares about most—including the woman he’s secretly loved for years.

She can’t escape her house of memories...

Jenessa Belville should be happy. She's the hometown girl everyone loves, after all. But she’s also the last Belville left—and if she had her way, she'd leave the name and all its painful memories behind. Which is exactly what she hopes to do once she sells Belville Park, the massive estate she inherited from her parents. First, though, she needs to restore the property’s once-glorious gardens. But on the same day she puts up the “For Sale” sign, she discovers three children hiding in the caretaker's cottage, thrusting her into the unexpected role of temporary guardian.

Fighting for their future means healing from the past...

Struggling to mentor a young man with scars nearly as piercing as his own, Lucas offers to help Jenessa restore the Belville grounds. Though drawn together by a trio of kids who tug on their hearts and the sparks they can’t deny, past secrets and current sorrows threaten to pull them apart. Only the brightest love and hardest sacrifice can turn the house Jenessa never wanted into the home she and Lucas have always longed for.

Available in digital ebook and paperback at Amazon 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melissa Tagg is the award-winning author of fifteen books including the Walker Family series, the Maple Valley series and the Enchanted Christmas Collection. She’s also a former reporter, current nonprofit marketing strategist, and total Iowa girl.

Her 2019 release, Now and Then and Always, a 2020 Christy Award and HOLT Medallion finalist, kicks off a new series set in her beloved-by-readers fictional town of Maple Valley. The second book in the series, Some Bright Someday, releases in late 2020. Past honors include the ACFW Carol Award, RT Book Reviews TOP PICK, and an appearance on Publishers Weekly’s Spring Top Ten List.

Melissa has taught at multiple national writing conferences, as well as workshops and women’s retreats. When she’s not writing, she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever (not that she’s biased), bookworming, watching old movies, and spoiling her nieces and nephews. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

We'd also like to congratulate Melissa on her recent win at the 2020 Christy Awards!

THE LOVE NOTE by Joanna Davidson Politano, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise and Winnie Thomas

PAULA'S REVIEW:
This truly exceptional book will stay with you long after you turn the last page. This is more than a love story, it is a story to feed your soul.

*To fall in love with God is the greatest romance,
to seek him is the greatest adventure,
to find him is the greatest human achievement
Saint Augustine of Hippo *

The words in this book leap out of the pages and into your heart.

*Matched souls always find their way back to one another, for they seek refuge in the same place.*

*People marry based on the scientific assumption that two halves make a whole, but that is false. Only God makes something whole.

A scientist’s observation on love *

Willa is a single-minded young lady in 1865 England. She is trying to break the barriers that prevent women from becoming doctors. After finding an old love letter hidden in her writing desk, she ventures to Crestwicke where it came from, to nurse Mrs. Gresham. In her quest for the author of the letter, it is misplaced. The letter has an effect on those who find it. Willa uncovers mysteries and stories of love lost and found. Will it play a part in her own love story?

The characters are unique and grow on you as each person’s story unfolds.

The author writes with superb artistry. This story will warm your heart and give you hope.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
I give this book beyond 5 stars and a solid strong faith thread.

WINNIE'S REVIEW:
Beautifully and thoughtfully written, The Love Note is full of the things I’ve come to love about Joanna Davidson Politano’s books—colorful, brilliantly drawn characters, richly painted settings, and carefully developed layers. Her stories are always fascinating, but I can count on finding submerged meanings and messages that go beyond the surface story.

Set in England in 1859, this book captured my interest from the first page and kept me eagerly reading and guessing to the end. It was an emotionally charged journey with many twists and turns. The author did a masterful job of revealing snippets of the plot at a time while keeping the reader in doubt as to the final outcome of the story.

Willa Duvall is a spunky, ambitious heroine who sets about to find the writer and intended recipient of an old love letter she found. This sets into motion some unintended consequences.

“I had a healthy obsession with love stories, after all—as long as they were not mine.”

Gabe Gresham is a quiet, unassuming hero who loves working with horses, and I was immediately drawn to him.

“Yes, the man needed a wife—he was the sort of blessing who should not be wasted on a life of seclusion.

I enjoyed the epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter. They gave a little hint of what was to come and a bit of wisdom to ponder.

“I cannot decide if marriage would be a waste of the only life I have . . . or if avoiding it would be.” –A scientist’s observations on love

“Love may come unexpectedly by getting to know someone different, or getting to know them differently.” --A scientist’s observations on love

I recommend this story to those who enjoy historical fiction that stays with you long after you finish the book. It’s another exquisite offering from one of my must-read authors.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author and Revell. All opinions are my own. *A light underlying faith thread.

 

BackCover Blurb:
Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words. 

Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.

 

Revell Publishing, October, 2020

Available in digital ebook, paperback, and hardcover:

Buy The Love Note at Amazon

Buy The Love Note at Christianbook.com

 

NOTHING SHORT OF WONDROUS by Regina Scott, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

This book was almost as good as a real visit to Yellowstone. It was a virtual visit with vibrant descriptions and a great story of adventure in 1886. Ms. Scott wows us with the scenery and tells a wondrous tale of widowed hotel owner, Kate Tremaine and Lieutenant Will Prescott who is there to protect the park. Both are grieving and wary of new attachments. But there is much to do to patrol the area and keep up the hotel for visitors. Kate and Will strike a bargain: Kate will be guide and Will will help with repairs.

 

As the story unfolds, we see the vast beauty and unique landscape of the area. The characters are real and the dangers are ominous. The hero and heroine re-discover their faith and work together to guard the park from poachers. Ms. Scott writes in an easy style that showcases the grandeur of one of our nation’s treasures. And she writes romance that talks of honesty, forgiveness and repentance. 

I enjoyed the first two books and am looking forward to reading the third in this series: American Wonders Collection.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Reads Blogger Program. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*I give this 5 stars. A solid faith thread. 

BackCover Blurb:
It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.

Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. As they work together to protect the park and stand firm through injustice and tragedy, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control.

Revell Publishing, October 2020

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:

Buy Nothing Short of Wondrous at Amazon

Buy Nothing Short of Wondrous at Christianbook.com

 

 

COVERT AMISH CHRISTMAS by Mary Alford, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

This was an intense read! Almost non-stop action and high octane threats has left both Victoria and Aaron vulnerable at every turn. I had no idea how they would outrun the dangers they faced or how they would hide from the crooked agents who killed her partner a year ago. How were they found everywhere they went? I had my suspicions, but I was left guessing until the end. 

 

Forgiveness of ourselves plays a central role in this book. Both Aaron and Victoria must deal with their feelings of guilt for past mistakes they think caused the deaths of those they loved. I like how Aaron clings to his faith and how he helps remind Victoria of God's working in her life. God brings about healing from brokenness and I love how Mary Alford portrays this in her characters. The spiritual truths sprinkled throughout were refreshing, my favorite part of Love Inspired books!

This is the kind of suspense I really enjoy, it kept me on my toes until the end when I could finally breathe again. Whew, what a ride!
*This book was provided courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews. A favorable review was not required, all opinions are my own. *

 

BackCover Blurb:
Fleeing to Amish country might be the only way to survive Christmas…

Hiding in Amish country, former CIA agent Victoria Kauffman’s determined to find evidence to catch the corrupt agents who killed her partner. But when her Christmas refuge is discovered, the sole person she can trust is Amish widower Aaron Shetler. With ruthless—and dangerously powerful—enemies after them, Victoria must use all her training to make sure they live through the holidays.

 

Love Inspired November 2020

Available in digital ebook and paperback:

Buy Covert Amish Christmas at Amazon

Buy Covert Amish Christmas at Christianbook.com