THE ELUSIVE TRUTH OF LILY TEMPLE by Joanna Politano, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

 

(Detective and Actress. 

Whimsical Edwardian English Historical Romance)

“Life itself is the most wonderful fairytale.” Hans Christian Anderson
 

Charming tale about Lily Temple, fairy like but human, whose identity changes as often as the roles she plays in silent films. Her past is shadowed in mystery and is connected to a blue sapphire gem that its owner wants found and returned. She tells her story as a parallel to my favorite Dickens: A Tale Of Two Cities. And her story is so like ours and the search for the Creator and Master Gardener, God. Profoundly stirring and full of allegory- the story of ultimate life changing truth. “There is a great deal of truth in fiction and more than anything, who the rescuer of our souls was.” “ God has placed eternity in the hearts of mam.”

Mysterious and intriguing with an admirable hero in Peter Driscoll as well as notable supporting characters. It was remarkable to find the setting and legend of St. Anne’s Well Gardens and some of the characters were real.
Exquisitely told story of love, loss, redemption and setting things right. This is easily beyond 5 stars for me.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from Revell on behalf of the author and via NetGalley. I was not required. 5 stars and a strong faith thread 

 

BackCover Blurb:
Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past.

Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.

Award-winning author Joanna Davidson Politano whisks you away to Edwardian England in 1903 for a whimsical and layered tale that treads the crooked line between real and make-believe.

Revell Publishing, April, 2024

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

Buy THE ELUSIVE TRUTH OF LILY TEMPLE at  Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

 

NIGHT FALLS ON PREDICAMENT AVENUE by Jaime Jo Wright, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

(A Dual-Time Murder Mystery and Suspense Fiction Book with Clean Romance)

*Death had been a guest here at Predicament Avenue for decades, and it was clear that Death was not ready to check out just yet.*

Mystery in a small town with only two murders in its long history. And they both have connections to the same house, an old dilapidated manor house brought back as a Bed and Breakfast, shrouded in spooky tales. Norah Richman has grown up in the house but has no love for it since her sister was murdered and the killer never found. A famous podcaster, Sebastian Blaine,comes to research the first murder and Norah agrees to help him just to put an end to all the speculation, for the body of Isabelle Addington was never discovered. 

The author captures the atmosphere of the 1910 setting and poses believable explanations for the lack of information on the first murder and its victim. Likewise, she slips into the present with unexpected events that satisfy our quest for resolution. Throughout the book, we see how fear affects different people. But as Polly speaks about her faith in her Creator, she will not let fear win. “Fear steals our joy and is the agony of those with no hope. It will not define us. Fear is the enemy we will defeat.”
Another winner from the Queen of Creepy.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House through Interviews and Reviews and through NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.* 5 stars and an underlying faith thread

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 

 

THE SONGBIRD OF HOPE HILL by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

A heartwarming story of 1895 Texas. Birdie has been let down and led into sin by someone she thought she could trust. But when Preacher Isaiah Overly comes to the brothel and offers a way out, she and Olga return with him to Hope Hill, a refuge for girls to start a new life.
 

This story shows the selflessness of Isaiah, his wife and his son Ephriam. They teach the girls necessary skills, music lessons and clearly present the Gospel.

I appreciate the strong faith message. The themes of redemption, forgiveness, reconciliation and the way God always draws us to become His children are prevalent. A very enjoyable read.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook- Multnomah via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.* 4 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Driven by survival to a life at a house of ill repute, Birdie Clarkson now longs only for escape. So when Reverend Isaiah Overly and his son, Ephraim, appear and offer a better life, she jumps at the chance. Ignoring the furious raging of the madam, Birdie climbs into the back of the preacher’s wagon.

The men take her to Hope Hill, the haven the reverend and his wife, Ophelia, founded so women like Birdie can be taught skills to help them rise above their pasts. Soon a resistant Birdie finds herself singing in the choir Ephraim leads at revival meetings, even though she’s certain she’s the last person who should be representing God.

Reverend Overly teaches that no one is irredeemable, but even as Ephraim is falling in love with her, Birdie remains convinced that she’s past saving. After all she’s been through, can she ever believe that God’s redemption wipes every soul clean? And can Ephraim convince her that God loves her more than she can grasp—and that he does, too? 

Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing, April 2024

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

Buy THE SONGBIRD OF HOPE HILL at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

JUST FOR THE SUMMER By Melody Carlson, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

(A Fun Swapped Roles Contemporary Clean Romance Novel)

"If you lived in a different place and had a different job, couldn't you have a different life?" (from the back cover)

That is exactly the question Melody Carlson explores in her latest novel. I've often daydreamed of how my life would be different if I would have made different choices or possibly switched lives with someone else. How would it turn out for me, good or bad?

Ginny Masters and Jacqueline Potter get just that opportunity to switch jobs and experience things they would never have been able to do if they didn't sign up on the job swap website. They find out exactly how their lives change and whether what they wanted was really what they needed. 

Initially this was a great quick read that drew me in and had me rooting for the characters. Everything went seemingly well at the beginning and then life happened for these two, where the rubber meets the road if you will. It just went downhill from there. I've read many novels by Carlson and was happily looking forward to this one. Unfortunately it fell flat for so many reasons. I did not care for the amount of casual drinking mentioned, the harsh treatment, selfish nature and lies Jacqueline told to advance herself, and the total lack of a spiritual faith thread. For a Christian publisher and author I was surprised in how little time God occupied the pages. Sure, I love being entertained by a good story and great characters but I really love a strong faith thread... and much more than prayers for things to work out for selfish reasons.

This just didn't work for me. The ending was rushed, unrealistic and really didn't feel complete to me. Which is sad really because the story had so much potential to show character growth and have a much more natural faith thread. Unfortunately, I would not personally recommend this book to Christian fiction readers for reasons already stated.
*I received a complimentary copy from Revell and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *

BackCover Blurb:
Ginny Masters manages a popular boutique hotel in Seattle and manages it with aplomb. But the daily challenges and irritations of a fast-paced job and a demanding boss are starting to get to her. Jacqueline Potter manages her grandfather's fishing lodge in Idaho because it was the only job she could find after graduating with her hospitality degree. She's grateful for the work but longs for a more sophisticated and cosmopolitan life she's just not going to find in this backwoods town.

The solution to both their problems seems obvious. Just for the summer, they'll swap jobs and lifestyles. But they never anticipated swapping love interests . . .

In this fabulous new twist on an age-old fable, award-winning and bestselling author Melody Carlson introduces you to two career-focused women who are about to discover that there's more to finding happiness than just switching up the scenery. 

Revell Publishing, March, 2024

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

Buy JUST FOR THE SUMMER at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House