IN SEARCH OF A PRINCE by Toni Shiloh, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

Toni Shiloh whisks the reader away to a tropical isle off the coast of western Africa in her fairy-tale-reminiscent adventure In Search of a Prince. Filled with plenty of interesting culture, colorful and engaging characters, and well-researched background, this story intrigued me from the first look at the gorgeous cover. Brielle Adebayo is a courageous, competent, and likeable heroine whose life is thrown into a tailspin when she discovers she’s the heir to a kingdom of an African island. In order to become queen when her ailing grandfather passes away, she must find a suitable prince to marry.

It’s apparent that Shiloh put a lot of thought into the culture, language, and people of her fictional country. I enjoyed the author’s note in the back of the book explaining how she came up with her story. I also enjoyed the spirituality and theme of trusting in God to guide your life. I’m excited to see what this talented author comes up with in the future.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.

SEE NICOLE'S REVIEW AND INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR TONI SHILOH!

SEE KIM'S REVIEW! 

BackCover Blurb:
It seems like a dream come true . . . until it forces her to question everything.

Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha's Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops a bombshell--Brielle is really a princess in the island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, the king, is failing.

Distraught by all the secrets her mother kept, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before her coronation, or the crown will pass to another. Brielle is uncertain if she even wants the throne, and with her world totally shaken, where will she find the courage to take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring?

 

Bethany House Publishers, February, 2022 

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

Buy IN SEARCH OF A PRINCE at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Baker Book House  

WHERE THE LAST ROSE BLOOMS by Ashley Clark, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

“It’s in the waters, in the wading, that healing comes.”

Filled with vivid descriptions and interesting historical tidbits, Ashley Clark’s third book in her Heirloom Secrets series is a fascinating look into 1860s Charleston, as well as modern-day New Orleans, as she ties up ends in her dual timeline series. The characters are colorful, relatable, and well-drawn. The Civil War era characters seem true to the time, and the contemporary characters were charming. I’m amazed at Clark’s ability in weaving together the different plot lines in a way that works to keep the reader engaged. I must admit that I sometimes have trouble keeping all the characters and plotlines in the right timeline when I read dual timeline books.

I enjoyed the imagery of the flowers in this story, the floriography, and the symbolism of the rose throughout the series. This is a beautiful tale of courage, healing, love, and reconciliation which is sure to touch the hearts of all romance lovers. I recommend this book to those who enjoy engaging split-time stories. Be prepared to want to book a trip to the southern states while you’re reading it!
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own. 4.5 stars

BackCover Blurb:
Alice runs a New Orleans flower shop alongside her aunt, but thoughts of her mother, who went missing during Hurricane Katrina, are never far from her mind. After getting off on the wrong foot with a handsome yet irritating man who comes to her shop, Alice soon realizes their worlds overlap--and the answers they both seek can be found in the same place.

In 1861 Charleston, Clara is known to be a rule follower--but the war has changed her. Unbeknownst to her father, who is heavily involved with the Confederacy, she is an abolitionist and is prepared to sacrifice everything for the cause. With assistance from a dashing Union spy, she attempts to help an enslaved woman reunite with her daughter. But things go very wrong when Clara agrees to aid the Northern cause by ferrying secret information about her father's associates.

Faced with the unknown, both women will have to dig deep to let their courage bloom.

Bethany House Publishing, February, 2022

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

Buy Where the Last Rose Blooms at Amazon, Christianbook.com, and Baker Book House

 

THE HEARTBREAKER I ADORE by Haley Zaragoza, Reviewed by Kim

The Heartbreaker I Adore by Haley Zaragoza is book 2 in the When in Waverly series, but it easily reads as a standalone. This story is sweet and full of romance and humor! It also contains some of my favorite tropes! It’s a combination of falling for my brother’s best friend/unrequited love/friends to more all rolled up into one cute story!

I love that the focus is primarily on the romance and humor and that there was no unneeded conflict to get in the way. I also liked how all of the characters, both main and secondary, felt relatable and real.

If you are looking for a quick read that is full of romance and humor and is completely clean, this may be the series for you.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own. This is a clean read. 

 

BackCover Blurb:
Sometimes love is waiting right in front of you.

Hannah Stuart has spent her life loving a man who barely knows she exists. Finally fed up with her situation, she decides it's time to start over somewhere new, but a catastrophe brings her plans to a screeching halt and forces her to endure encounter after encounter with her brother's best friend. AKA: the man of her dreams.

Seth Miller has known Hannah her entire life. She's like the adorable little sister he never had... until she isn't anymore. Seth tells himself (and her over-protective big brother) she's just a friend, but some feelings won't be ignored. Will Seth make Hannah's dreams come true, or is he too late?

February, 2022

Available in digital ebook and paperback. 

Buy THE HEARTBREAKER I ADORE at Amazon

EVER CONSTANT by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse, reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

 

What a great series this has been to see what life was like in Nome, Alaska in the early 1900s.

Whitney Powell has been a steadfast fixture in her family. But after losing her mother and then her grandfather, she is barely holding it together. She is also dealing with the appearance of the father she thought was dead and his other family! The authors give a realistic glimpse of the physical hardships of Nome in 1905 as well as the emotional upheaval that has come upon the Powell family. Whitney wants to appear strong but her resolve and even her faith is on shaky ground which results in bad decisions.

Dr. Peter Cameron is capable and compassionate but he, too, is mourning the loss of family members.Whitney and Peter grow closer as they try to cope with an epidemic in town as well as the outlying native villages. In addition, the family is being undermined by a sneaky villain.

The family supports each other and prays for each situation. “It is in times like these that I have to remind myself over and over that God is in control. He doesn’t need my help. But we need His.”

This is a story of suffering and hardships but also of redemption, forgiveness, and relying on God. Because God is the only one who is Ever Constant.

*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.* 5 stars and a strong faith thread 

BackCover Blurb:
She's always determined to be the stable, reliable one. But now her commitment may destroy her.

On the surface, Whitney Powell is happy working with her sled dogs and welcoming the new additions to her family through her sisters' marriages and an upcoming birth. But her life is full of complications, including an estranged father, that have her on the edge of losing control. Growing up, she was the strong sister, and she can't give that up now.

When villagers in outlying areas come down with a horrible sickness, Dr. Peter Cameron turns to Whitney and her dogs for help navigating the deep snow, and they become close while ministering to the sick together. Peter has long recognized her finer qualities but is troubled by the emotions and secrets she keeps buried within. He wants to help but wonders if she is more of a risk than his heart can take.

As sickness spreads throughout Nome and another man courts Whitney, she and Peter will discover that sometimes it is only in weakness that you can find strength.

Bethany House Publishing, January, 2022

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

Buy Ever Constant at Amazon, Christianbook .com, and Baker Book House