THE ITALIAN MUSICIAN'S SANCTUARY by Danielle Grandinetti, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise #ReleaseDay

 Romance, history and intrigue at Our House on Sycamore Street

This is part of a series of books about the Ferryman family by various authors but it is also part of the books written by Danielle Grandinetti that fits with her characters of Italian descent.  

Luke Ferryman has a quandry to solve. He is expected to take over the ferry business from his grandfather. But he is also slated to inherit the bakery from his grandmother. He is only one person and is torn between the two but favors baking over rowing. Another expectation is to marry sooner rather than later.
Another dilemma presents itself when Margherita is smuggled into England from Italy when her life is in jeopardy. This is the beginning of the Brown Shirt persecution of unfit people. One of the few things she is able to bring with her is her mandolin.

This well thought out story combines a spiritual struggle of obeying man or obeying God with the real danger looming before WWII. I was pleased by the unity and friendship of the Anglican minister from England and the Catholic priest from Italy. They both strove to do what Jesus would do. The author showed how family and community supported each other. The romance was sweet and the characters were guided by God. 

The writing was interesting, informative and well researched.
*I received a complimentary e book from the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*5 stars and a strong faith thread

BackCover Blurb:
Hunted by one man, can she open her heart to another?
If you love historical romance with intrigue, you’ll love The Italian Musician's Sanctuary.

Eden Cove, England, 1931—Margherita Vicienzo flees Italy pursued by her former fiancé, a member of Mussolini's Blackshirt. Smuggled illegally into England, Margherita is a foreigner at the mercy of strangers. Her limp from an improperly healed broken leg means she has nothing to offer the Ferryman family, who offer her sanctuary, and nothing to appease their son who resents her presence.

Luke Ferryman needs a wife. He wants to marry for love, but carries the weight of his family’s generations-old expectations on his shoulders. Though he inherited the role of both baker and ferryman, he knows he can’t fulfill both needs once his aging grandparents retire. A wife would help, but not an illegal one like the refugee his matchmaking grandmother is harboring.

As opposite as night and day, Luke and Margherita forge a tentative friendship that grows despite the constant threat of Margherita's discovery. But when strangers appear in the close-knit seaside town, threatening Luke's livelihood and Margherita’s safety, the choice between justice and mercy becomes harder. And sacrifice proves the only answer.

Our House on Sycamore Street
Our House on Sycamore Street is a new multi-author, multi-genre series set in quaint and quirky Eden Cove, an English seaside town with plenty of spirit. With stories of redemption and salvation behind every door, you’re sure to find a new tale of romance, intrigue, humor or heart. All you have to do is knock!

The Ferryman's Light by Anna Jensen
The Italian Musician's Sanctuary by Danielle Grandinetti
The Outsider's Welcome by Vida Li Sik
The Daughter's Truth by Claire Lagerwell
The Light Keeper's Wife by Jennifer Mistmorgan
The Key Collector's Promise by Donna Jo Stone
The Maestro's Missing Melody by Amy Walsh
The Niece's Aussie Patient by Meredith Resce
The Runaway's Redemption by Allyson Koekhoven
The Bookbinder's Daughter by Lynn Dean
The Widow's Request by Ashley Winter
The Lost Daughter’s Irishman by Carolyn Miller
The Mother's Song by Caroline Johnston
The Wedding Planner's Predicament by Dianne J. Wilson

Hearth Spot Press, August, 2024

Available in digital ebook at Amazon

DUPLICITY (Benson First Responders #8) by Lisa Phillips, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Nothing could distract him enough for him to lose focus on why he was here."

His family and co-workers thought he was miles away on vacation; instead Vanguard Private Security and Investigations tech wizard Simon Olson is flying solo to undo some damage he did years ago. Unwillingly, but still, the computer system he had developed under duress was still operating as a dark cover for some very bad people.

Inserting himself into East Benson High as a summer school math teacher, Simon is surreptitiously tracking a teen whose phone is connected to the criminal network. He expected the project to be dangerous, but School Resource Office Catalina Alvarez is a complete surprise. They had more in common that Simon could ever have imagined, and yet Catalina's faith remained intact. Would he ever be able to say the same?

"He'd been running for far too long. Running from God. Running from the truth of who he was."

Hang on for the ride! This story has more curves than a mountain road, but the destination feels an awful lot like hope!
* I purchased a copy and was under no obligation to provide a positive review

BackCover Blurb:
BIG CITY CRIME. SMALL TOWN HEROES.

A score to settle.
Vanguard technical specialist Simon Olson has spent years working to make up for the mistakes he made. With his twin about to marry the love of his life, Simon has one last job to do, and he’ll be able to let go enough to move on without the past hanging over his head. Too bad it means going to high school for the first time…as a teacher.

A battle for truth.
Officer Catalina Alvarez is the East Benson High school resource officer. Even with the legacy of police service in her blood, it still seems as if everyone expects her to prove herself. Cat has found her place walking the mean streets…uh, halls…of high school. Still, the death of her partner and conviction of the kid who confessed to shooting them both never quite fit. If she finds the real killer, she’ll finally be able to let the past rest in peace.

As Simon hunts for the server hosting the criminal technology he invented, his new boss at Vanguard discovers what he’s doing and gives him an ultimatum. Cat is called to the scene of a missing teen girl, one of several abducted recently, allowing Vanguard and the police to join forces to fight a new threat—putting Cat and Simon in the middle when it all breaks open.
Simon finally gets his shot at taking down the communication network. But will the price of victory be too high?

Each Benson First Responders story is a stand-alone Christian romantic suspense.

June, 2024 Available in digital ebook, paperback, and audiobook at Amazon

MEETING HER MATCH by Jen Turano, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"Consummate ladies did not find themselves fearing for their lives often, if ever, but that certainly seemed to be what she was facing now."

Miss Camilla Pierpont and Mr. Owen Chesterfield had gotten off on the wrong foot (understatement of all understatements) . . . it was all a big misunderstanding of course when Camilla thought her knight in shining armor was nothing but a highwayman in disguise . . . except he rather looked the part as well, swathed in ill-fitting clothes and sporting a mighty big stature. To her chagrin, Owen turned out to be an extremely wealthy business magnate from West Virginia who had a little matchmaking opportunity in mind. Not with her of course, (of course!??) but rather Owen had traveled to New York in order to request her services for his hooligan of a sister. (who wasn't nearly as much trouble as her reputation)

It worked out rather well, really. Camilla needed to disappear from danger (the real highwaymen) and no one would ever expect her to flee to West Virginia, to a place where pigs walked (walked?) through yards of its mansions and giant cats became best friends with dogs . . . closely tied to meddlesome "meemaws" (cackle, cackle) who tried to sneak apple pie recipes under pillows and in pockets. What Camilla never expected and could hardly believe herself was . . .

So fun to read!!! So, so fun. The story's West Virginia setting gave the author ample room to expand her characters to act and react out of character, while moving the story forward at a charming pace, allowing Camilla to wave her magic matchmaking wand, setting Owen up for the surprise of his life . . . . he had somehow (in spite of Camilla's aversion to marriage) managed to meet his match . . . if they could only test out that kiss!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Interviews and Reviews! The opinions stated above are entirely my own! 4.5 stars

SEE REVIEWS BY WINNIE AND PAULA

BackCover Blurb:
Miss Camilla Pierpont, a renowned matchmaker and influential member of the New York Four Hundred, has vowed never to marry after suffering a devastating heartbreak during her debut years ago. However, when she is nearly abducted along the Hudson River, she finds herself rescued by an annoyingly outspoken, albeit fascinating, gentleman who challenges her in a manner she wasn't expecting.

After learning that Camilla Pierpont has enjoyed success with taking wayward young ladies in hand, Mr. Owen Chesterfield travels to the Hudson River Valley determined to convince Camilla to sponsor his sister, who is in desperate need of social rehabilitation.

Knowing her life is in danger, Camilla agrees to Owen's proposition and travels with him to West Virginia, finding herself charmed by the less-than-formal attitude of his small hometown, as well as by Owen himself. But danger waits in the shadows, disrupting what she knows would be the most spectacular match she's ever made--her own.

Bethany House Publishing, July, 2024

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

Buy MEETING HER MATCH at Amazon, Christianbook .com, or Baker Book House 

THE WAY BACK (Lights of Acadia #1) by Heidi Chiavaroli, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"They are with me wherever I go, but I'm trying not to be defined by them. I hope that I am more than the story they tell. I pray I am more than my scars."

After the horrifying accidental death of her best friend, Laney Jacobs and her high school boyfriend parted ways, the suffocating guilt and grief resulting from an innocent dare-turned-tragedy severely impacted the trajectory of their lives.

Six years later, Laney has made great strides both mentally and emotionally, but her mother's recent tell-all memoir feels a lot like a back-stab, rehashing the entire incident in the public arena while also airing harmful family laundry. Deciding to travel to the east coast to meet a grandmother who has encouraged Laney from afar all of her life, Laney not only comes face to face with her own history, but that of the beautiful old lighthouse on her grandmother's property. Unbelievably, she also comes face to face with Jason Rutherford, her . . . "lobster"???? Quite possibly.

What seems at first like a sweet second chance love story ends up being so much more . . . the pathway towards forgiveness is one that we never have to walk alone.

"The waiting. The struggles. The hope. The growing. And God's answer - He's not finished yet. His good work is continuing. The story is just the beginning. The best is yet to come."
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. 3.5 stars

 SEE WINNIE'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Young love means everything . . . until it leaves you with nothing.

The summer before her senior year of high school, Laney Jacobs and her best friend jump from a six-story beachside cliff in an attempt to impress their boyfriends. Laney rose from the water. Her friend did not.

Six years later, when Laney’s troubled mother’s memoir hits the bestseller list airing the family’s destructive secrets, Laney is forced to relive the trauma, this time in the public eye. To escape the scrutiny, she seeks shelter at her estranged grandmother’s seaside inn. But she can’t reconcile the loving woman with the heartless parent in her mother’s book. As she looks for answers, the ex-boyfriend who’d witnessed her darkest days reappears, stirring up both pain and hope.

When her mother's vindictive fans threaten her grandmother's livelihood and the lighthouse Laney has come to love, she turns to the century-old words of a young lighthouse keeper to help her find the courage to move forward. But once truths from the past come to light and old love finds new beginnings, will Laney discover that forgiveness is the only way toward true healing? 

Hope Creek Publishing, June 2024

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

Buy THE WAY BACK at Amazon