Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn

 

What is your favorite dessert?  I love so many it’s hard to pick one.  One favorite is cherry pie.

Cousins Nora and Allie travel to Scotland to claim an inheritance for their Gran.  They meet interesting new people as they stay in a cottage in the town that their Gran grew up in.  This trip is also a time to explore Scotland in the fall and spend time together.  Besides being plagued by delays, Nora and Allie discover that their Gran had kept a secret from them.  What was the secret and why did she keep it from them?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This book really made me want to visit Scotland with the wonderful descriptions of the scenery, food and people.

·       This book is number three in the Suitcase Sister series, but I read it as a standalone novel, and it worked just fine.

·       I liked that the trip got the two both thinking about their lives and where God was leading them.

·       I loved that the inheritance was a library.  If only I could inherit a library!  Their mission was to retrieve their Gran’s diary from the library and then sell the contents of the library.

·       Scottish shortbread sounds delicious, and I would like to try some.  There is a great recipe in the back of this book that I need to try out!

·       This was a sweet romance, clean read, contemporary, and inspirational read.

·       Allie and Robin get annoyed with each other at times but work through it.  Allie owns a successful skincare company with her husband and feel like she really needs to get back and not spend time in Scotland with Robin.  This puts a strain on things at first.  There is more to this, and it slowly comes out in the story.

·       Recipes, discussion questions, and a look at the author’s next book conclude this story.

Overall, Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn is a delightful, cozy story set in Scotland with a hint of mystery and romance.  I enjoyed it this summer and the fall setting also makes it a perfect fall read!

Book Source:  Thank-you to @robingunn @revellfiction @greatreadsbookpromo for the review copy as part of the Great Reads Book Promo tour.

Things We Cannot Keep by Amanda Cox

 

Thank you to @amandacoxwrites, @revellfiction, and @greatreadsbookpromo for the gift copy of Things We Cannot Keep.

Do you have a special item from a friend or relative that helps you remember them?

Tess Holcomb has built a business with a partner, Amos, in Alabama to repair time pieces and other family treasures.  She has kept her past in her past and has moved on with her life. That is until Elliot Sullivan appears at her shop.  Is he looking for forgiveness after eighteen years or does he have an ulterior motive?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I was intrigued by Tess.  I wanted to know more about her past and why she wanted to start a new life.  I like how the story unfolded and gave me all the details.

·       Timeless Restoration was such a unique shop.  The stories of the items that were to be restored were so interesting in themselves.

·       I enjoyed the mysterious package and how they worked together to solve the mystery.

·       This novel had great characters, especially Tess, Elliot, and Amos.

·       I enjoyed the themes of forgiveness, redemption and choosing happiness.

·       I would categorize this book as second chance romance, contemporary romance, road trip, clean read, and inspirational.

·       I loved thinking about the history of the mysterious watch and all the lives it impacted. 

·       There is trauma in this novel from childhood abuse.

·       I think this would be a great book club pick as it would prompt a lot of discussion.

Overall, Things We Cannot Keep by Amanda Cox is a compelling, heartfelt story with great characters.

The Heiress and the Woodsman by Christine Hill Suntz

 

Title:  The Heiress and the Woodsman

Author:  Christine Hill Suntz

Narrated by:  Cassandra Campbell

Publisher: Tyndale Fiction

Length: Approximately 10 hours and 25 minutes

Source: Thank you to, @christinehillsuntz, @tyndalehouse, @crazy4fiction, and @greatreadsbookpromo for the gift copy of physical version of The Heiress and the Woodsman.  I purchased the audiobook copy from Audible.

What is the setting of your current read?

Charlotte Carruthers is trying to hold her family estate near Toronto together.  Her mother died years ago, and the family fortunes have foundered.  Her brother Simon left, and rumor has it that he has joined the rebels.  Reputation is everything to Charlotte’s ailing father, the famed hero Major Carruthers of the Battle of Waterloo.  Charlotte runs off into the wilderness to find her brother to bring him home to help restore the family’s fortunes and standing.  She hires guide, Joshua Robertson.  Joshua needs the money to buy out his brother’s indentured servant contract.  His farm in the bush is not producing enough to afford this extra expense.  Will Charlotte find her brother?  Will Joshua free his brother?  Will these two find a connection?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       I liked Joshua and Charlotte’s relationship through the story.  They slowly grew to know and understand each other.  They are both caring people that like to help others.

·       I enjoyed the novel The Lawyer and the Laundress last year and I liked that some of the characters from that novel made an appearance in this novel.

·       The setting is 1830s Canada near Toronto and the wilderness north. I was very interested in the Canadian history.

·       I would label this book as a historical romance, adventure, clean read, and inspirational.

·       I liked the look at community and how it is important.  I also enjoyed the look at what makes a family.

·       I loved the relationship between Charlotte and Scarlett the horse she raised.

·       This book had great characters.  I liked Fulton.  He works at Charlotte’s family estate and helps to care for her.

·       I listened to audiobook, and it was very engaging.

·       I do wish there was a map in the physical version. I would have liked to track their travels through the wilderness.  I know where Toronto is, but I wasn’t sure where the bush or wilderness discussed where at.

·       I liked the journey in this book and also enjoyed the aftermath.

Overall, The Heiress and the Woodsman by Christine Hill Suntz is an engaging historical romance adventure set in the wilderness of Canada in the 1830s.  I recommend it!

Twilight Tactics by Lynette Eason

 

Dawn or twilight?  Which do you prefer?  I am not a morning person and will always prefer twilight!

Thank you to @lynetteeason, @revellfiction, and @greatreadsbookpromo for the gift copy of Twilight Tactics.

FBI agents Sully Sulivan and Piper Whitaker are taking are care of and hiding 14-year-old witness Ollie Callahan.  Ollie witnessed a mob hit and is being hid until the trial.  As each of their locations has been compromised, Sully hopes that Broken Chain Ranch, which is the home of an old cousin and friend, will be a safe place.

Maya runs Broken Chain Ranch as a miliary vet retreat, a place where veterans can heal from PTSD and gain tools to deal with their lives.  Her friend and fellow vet, Elana, teaches wilderness skills at the ranch.  Elena bonds with Ollie but has secrets of her own. When the ranch comes under attack, is it Ollie or Elena the mysterious attackers are after?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was an action-packed book that you can’t put down!

·       This was a contemporary romance suspense novel.

·       It was a clean read and Christian.

·       Twilight Tactics was the first in the new series, Soldiers in Shadows.  I can’t wait for the next book.

·       I really liked the relationships between characters such as Sully and Ollie, Elena and Ollie, and Sully and Elena.

·       This book also investigated the dark world of prepper and cult lifestyles.  How can you get out of such a situation?

·       The overall theme of the book was that you can be broken, but you can take control of your life, heal, and have a fresh start.  I liked this theme.

·       Ollie is an orphan that has been shuffled through foster care and has experienced things that no teen should have experienced.  I really felt for her.

·       This book is set in the rural Tennessee mountains.

·       It was told through multiple point of views: Elena, Sully, and Ollie.

·       This story was fast paced and kept from on the edge of my seat from the first page through the end.

Overall, Twilight Tactics by Lynette Eason is an action packed contemporary romantic suspense novel with great characters that kept me on the edge of my seat.  It was a great start to a new series.

A Mismatch Made in London by Melanie Dickerson

 

What is the last book you read in a day?  I didn’t quite finish A Mismatch Made in London in one day while on vacation, but it was close!

Thank you to @melaniedickerson123, @bethanyhousefiction, and @greatreadsbookpromo for the gift copy of A Mismatch Made in London.

Amelia Moore has been invited by her aunt to the social season in London.  As the oldest of twelve, it would help her family if she made an advantageous marriage.  She immediately makes a new friend, Juliet, but Juliet’s older brother, Jeremy, questions her motives for the friendship.  He is the most eligible bachelor of the season.  Is Amelia befriending Juliet to get closer to Jeremy?  Amelia is offended and vows not to talk to him again.  Will Juliet and Amelia find their matches?  Will Jeremy and Amelia mend their differences?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was an enemies-to-lovers story.  It reminded me of Pride and Prejudice with an initial misunderstanding and dislike which eventually became friendship and love.  I enjoyed Jeremy and Amelia’s relationship. 

·       The novel had an interesting dual narrative structure.  Amelia narrated most of the book in first person and Jeremy narrated part of the book in 3^rd person.

·       I greatly enjoyed the friendship between Juliet and Amelia.  It felt like a real relationship.

·       This was a good story of forgiveness.

·       A subplot in the novel made me think about how easily it was to ruin a woman’s reputation and make it so she couldn’t marry, especially if a woman didn’t have male protection.

·       I just loved this story – it was a great escapism read.

·       I would classify this novel as slow burn, regency, historical romance/fiction, clean read, Christian, inspiration, and enemies to lovers.

·       I loved the snippet at the end of the book of “A Proposal Reconsidered” which looks like a great second chance romance and I can’t wait to read it!

Overall, A Mismatch Made in London by Melanie Dickerson is great escapism reading with a lovely Pride and Prejudice inspired regency romance story with great characters and world building.

A Chance for Kallie Mae by Ann H. Gabhart

If you can read books from only one genre for the rest of your life, what genre would it be?  That’s a hard one for me as I love so many different genres, but it would probably be historical fiction.

Kallie Me has grown up in the Appalachian Mountains dreaming of going to school to learn to read and of her love for Quinn Spencer.  After her mother dies, Kallie Mae must put away her dreams to raise her infant sister.  Her father won’t put aside his feud with the Spencers and Kallie Mae is no longer able to visit Quinn.  Now six years later, Kallie Mae runs into Quinn again and old feelings flare.  Will she be able to chase her dreams after all?

My thoughts on this novel:

• This is a Romeo & Juliet or forbidden romance story between Kallie Mae and Quinn.  I enjoyed this love story.  It was well developed, romantic, and sweet.  They were both hardworking, caring people who took care of their families.  They were perfect for one another.

• This was a lovely story and I enjoyed reading it back in May.

• This book could be classified as Southern fiction, historical romance, and family drama. It was also a clean read with Christian themes of forgiveness and reconciliation.

• It is set in Kentucky in 1911.

• I loved the complex characters that were well written and fleshed out.  I especially loved wise old Aunt Sudie and little sister Emmie.

• I was intrigued to learn about Cora Wilson Stewart, the founder of adult literacy in the United States.  This was new history to me.

• The story uses Appalachian dialogue.

Overall, A Chance for Kallie Mae by Ann H. Gabhart was an engaging historical romance with great characters and story. I enjoyed the new to me history on adult literacy education in the United States.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @annhgabhart @revellfiction @greatreadsbookpromo for a review copy of the novel as part of the Great Reads Promo Book Tour.

The Bachelor Spy by Pepper Basham

 

Who is your favorite spy in literature or film?  I really liked George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John Le Carre, and now I can add Stephen Blake as a new favorite spy from this novel

Stephen Blake is a spy for England and his work is incredibly important for the war effort (WWI). After surviving a devastating betrayal and the sinking of the Lusitania, he finds himself assigned to his cousin’s home that is being used as a convalescence hospital, Havensbroke Hall.  His mission is to try to find the German spy known as the Midnight Angel.  Will he succeed?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a delightful historical mystery and romance with espionage and spies set during WWI.

·       This is the fifth novel in the “A Freddie & Grace Mystery” series.  This is the first book I have read in the series.  It can be read as a standalone, but it would be great to read the series in order.  I was confused on Zahra and her background in the story. Is she adopted?  Is she Freddie’s biological child?  Something else? I need to read the rest of the series to figure it out. 

·       I read that this may be the last book in the series.  I definitely need to read the first four books!

·       I loved the banter and enemies to lovers romance between Stephen and Evie.

·       Grace is home alone at the estate trying to keep it and the convalesce hospital running while her husband, Freddie, is off fighting in WWI.  She begins to suspect that all is not what it seems and there is a spy or two in the midst.  How will she keep everyone safe and solve the mystery?

·       I loved that Freddie is in the royal engineers.  I enjoyed Freddie and Grace’s relationship and want to see the buildup in the previous books.

·       This was a fun story with even a treasure hunt involved.

·       I loved the characters, adventure, suspense, and humor in this novel.

·       It was also an inspirational, Christian, and clean read.

·       There were plenty of red herrings and the mystery kept me guessing.

·       I enjoyed the epilogue and conclusion of the story.

Overall, The Bachelor Spy by Pepper Basham was a delightful historical mystery and romance set during WWI with humor, suspense, spies, espionage, and great characters. 

Book Source:  Thank-you to @pepperbasham @barbourbooks @greatreadsbookpromo for a review copy of the novel as part of the Great Reads Promo Book Tour.

These Empty Places by Sarah Loudin Thomas

Title:  These Empty Places

Author:  Sarah Loudin Thomas

Narrated by:  Pilar Witherspoon

Publisher: Recorded Books

Length: Approximately 10 hours and 9 minutes

Source: Purchased from Audible.com and physical copy from @sarahloudinthomas @bethanyhousefiction @greatreadsbookpromo   Thank-you!

Do you have a favorite story that involves forgiveness?  The Hiding Place by Carrie Ten Boom is one of my favorites and this book, These Empty Places by Sarah Loudin Thomas was another great story of forgiveness.

These Empty Places by Sarah Loudin Thomas is a story of two women.  One woman, Claire Roth, is a widow in her 40s that has a second chance of love.  Will she take it?  The other woman is Lena Hawkins, a socialite who married a man of lower social standing.  When things do not go as planned in either of their lives, will these two woman be able to help one another?

My thoughts on this book:

·       I read and enjoyed this book in May and I’m finally getting my review posted.

·       This story was set in North Carolina in the 1930s.

·       I loved the imagery of the dam bursting at the start of the novel and a woman waiting for years with the belief that the lake she loves will be refilled.

·       There is a mystery in the story of Claire’s first true love who she didn’t marry, but who threw a box with an item in it that was important to starting their life together, in the lake.  Does this box still exist?  What is in it?

·       Claire hires Lena to be her assistant, but also to be a new librarian for the library she wants to build.

·       Claire’s daughter contracts polio and it is a good reminder of how terrifying it was before the polio vaccine. 

·       Lena’s husband Preston is a speculator which is how they lost their money.  When he starts to perhaps be involved in underground deals, what will Lena do?

·       The story really shines in the second half with a theme of forgiveness and of moving on in life from past hurts.

·       What is important in life?  Chasing treasure or appreciating what you have?

·       There is also a great theme of pursuing your own dreams.  What makes you happy and fulfilled versus what you are told should make you happy.

·       This book could be classified as a second chance romance, later in life romance, inspirational, dual POV, and friendship novel.

·       I loved how Claire helped so many people.

·       This was great on audiobook and kept me entertained.  I enjoyed narrator Pilar Witherspoon.

Overall, These Empty Places by Sarah Loudin Thomas was an inspirational book of forgiveness, love, friendship, and chasing your own dreams.  It was a lovely story.

Scent of Hope by Susan May Warren

 

Title:  Scent of Hope

Author:  Susan May Warren

Narrated by:  Brian Hutchison

Publisher: Recorded Books

Length: Approximately 9 hour and 57 minutes

Source: Audiobook Review copy from NetGalley and physical book review copy from @susanmaywarren @revellfiction @greatreadsbookpromo.  Thank-you!

What is the last book you read that was very entertaining?  Scent of Hope by Susan May Warren was a very entertaining story that made my yard work fly by this past weekend.

Harley Tatum is a private investigator in Alaska.  She lost her family when she was young and the one man she loved, Jericho, never returned home after enlisting in the military.  Jericho has finally returned home with his avalanche dog, Orlando, and they must work together to solve a mystery and rescue those they love.

My thoughts on this book:

·       This was great on audiobook.  Brian Hutchison was an intriguing narrator.

·       This story was action packed.

·       It is the second book in the Call of the Wild series.  I need to read the first book in the series.  This worked as a standalone.

·       This story was a second chance romance story, which is one of my favorite tropes.

·       I loved that Orlando was a Bernedoodle with a stressful back story of his own. 

·       Harley is a strong woman, but she only trusts herself and won’t ask for help.

·       Jericho likes to control every situation and can’t trust that Harley has her own skills.

·       This was a good Christian and inspirational novel. There were messages about loss, grief, forgiveness, and putting your trust in God.

·       There was great chemistry and depth of feeling between Harley and Jericho.

·       This was a clean read.

Scent of Hope by Susan May Warren was a great action packed second chance romance with mystery, suspense, dogs, and a great Alaskan setting.  I highly recommend if you are looking for an entertaining read.

The Manhattan Confessions by Jocelyn Green

 

What catches your eye on book covers?  I loved the blue dress of the character on the cover of The Manhattan Confessions by Jocelyn Green.  I thought it was very striking and eye catching.

Ivy Malone works for the New York historical society as a librarian.  Society matron, Adeline King, reveals her history to Ivy in order to preserve it.  When this explosive story gets published without Ivy’s approval, two men appear and say they have claims to Adeline and want to know her true identify.  Are these men telling the truth and how can Ivy keep Adeline safe?

Ivy is also having problems with her cousin Gina as she tried to immigrate from Italy.  She is detained at Ellis Island and Ivy employs the help of immigrant services to help get the paperwork issues solved.  As difficulties arise, who can she trust?

My thoughts on this project:

·       This story is set in the 1920’s in New York City.

·       I loved the deep look into immigration problems of the 1920s, many which still exist today.  People tried to keep the Italians out as they were the unwanted immigrants of the time. They take advantage of the immigrants to make money off them directly or by forcing them into prostitution.

·       There was a great overarching theme – do you believe that people can change to be better people?  Do you deserve forgiveness after a life of crime?

·       This is the last book in the “On Central Park” series but can be read as a standalone.  Each book is the story of a roommate.  Characters from the previous books appear.

·       I liked Gina’s story escaping from fascist Italy.

·       I really enjoyed the great multilayered characters in this story.

·       There was a great romance in the book between Ivy and Tom as well as mystery and suspense.

·       This was a clean read and inspirational.

·       It really showed the power of friendship and family.

·       This was one of my favorite reads in April.

·       There are great discussion questions at the end for book clubs.

·       There was also a great author’s note at the end on the real historical details and the sites one can visit in New York City that are in the book.

Overall, The Manhattan Confessions by Jocelyn Green was an inspiring historical fiction novel about second chances.  I enjoyed it and highly recommend it.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @author_jocelyn_green @bethanyhousefiction @greatreadsbookpromo for a review copy of the novel as part of the Great Reads Promo Book Tour.

Chase the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

If you could visit a national park this summer, which park would you chose?

Scout Johnson is a ranger at Acadia National Park.  She finds old papers behind a loose brick at a light house in the park.  The papers indicate that a previous lighthouse keeper purposely turned off his light to cause the sinking of a ship that was carrying gold.  The gold is now hidden around Acadia.  Will Scout and her friends be able to find it before the public finds out about the treasure?

My thoughts on this novel:

·       This was a fun light story with mystery and romance.  It was perfect reading during a stressful time!

·       This was a contemporary clean read. 

·       Chase the Light is the second book in the National Parks Summers series.  I have not read the first book and this book worked fine as a standalone novel.

·       I really liked the character Wabanaki (Naki) Dana.  He is a Native American from the Penobscot Tribe.  He has the knowledge to decipher most of the clues and Scout finds herself attracted to him. Naki gave the story more depth.

·       There is a love triangle of sorts as Chase Fletcher is also on the team.  He has been on dates with Scout previously and is trying to use the news of the treasure to save his family’s newspaper.

·       There are many other characters including Scout’s flamboyant southern mother, two teenagers that tend to mess things up, etc.  They were all very entertaining.

·       There are great plot twists in the story.

·       I already wanted to visit Acadia National Park in Maine, and this book makes me want to visit even more.  There are beautiful descriptions of the park in the novel.

·       There were light faith elements in the novel.  It was inspirational.

Overall, Chase the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a fun mystery, romance, contemporary adventure and a perfect summer read.

Book Source:  Thank-you to @suzannewoodsfisher @revellfiction @greatreadsbookpromo for a review copy of the novel as part of the Great Reads Promo Book Tour.