Curse of the Specter Queen by Jenny Elder Moke review

Title:  Curse of the Specter Queen

Author:  Jenny Elder
Moke

Ch: 40 plus epilogue

Pg:  340

Series: Samantha Knox book 1

Genre:  YA Historical Fiction

Rating: 4.5 stars

Publisher: Disney- Hyperion

 

I enjoyed the Curse of the Specter Queen it gave me Indiana Jones and The Mummy Vibes with a strong and determined heroine. I loved Sam. A bookworm who may finally get her own chance to have an adventure. She reminded me of a younger Evie from The Mummy.

I loved Jenny’s first book Which was a Robin Hood retelling so I knew that I would love this one as well. She writes strong heroines that are true to the time period that their story takes place in. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

 

When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin review

Title:  When Tides Turn

Author:  Sarah Sundin

Ch: 48 

Pg:  391

Series: Waves of Freedom

 Genre:  Christian historical fiction Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Revell

 

When Tides Turn is the third book in the Waves of Freedom series by Sarah Sundin. The Avery sibling that this book focuses on is Lt. Dan Avery. And Tess Beaumont. When I meet Tess in the first book I wasn’t fond of her nor was I fond of in book two. And even with this book it took me a while to warm up to her. Dan was easier to like but it was still a journey.

While not my favorite of the series I still enjoyed the mystery and story as well as the conclusion to this family story.

Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin review

Title:  Anchor in the Storm

Author:  Sarah Sundin

Ch: 48

Pg:  396

Series: Waves of Freedom

Genre:  Christian Historical Fiction, Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Revell

 

Anchor in the Storm is the second book in the Waves of Freedom series by Sarah Sundin and I have to say I enjoyed spunky girl pharmacist Lillian Avery. I think she’s my favorite heroine in this series. Though it took me a bit to warm up to Archer Vandenberg as I was on the fence about him as a secondary character in the previous book. Through I wanted Lillians book since she was mentioned in the first book in the series.

And just like with the first book in the series I loved the mystery aspect of the story just as much as the romance. Lillian and Arch’s journey and growth was my favorite part of the story. They might have been from different worlds at the beginning but by the end I couldn’t imagine them with any else. Arch thought he lost everything he wanted but he ended up gaining so much more. And Lillian discovered who she had been all along. But most importantly they both learn who their Anchor is the Storm really is.

 

The Moonshine Shack Murder by Diane Kelly review

Title:  The Moonshine Shack Murder

Author:  Diane Kelly

Ch: 26 

Pg:  304

Series: Southern Homebrew Mystery book 1

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4.5 stars

Publisher: Berkeley

 

I enjoyed this moonshine cozy mystery but then there’s been nothing that Diane Kelly has written that I haven’t like. I loved that Hattie is a woman kicking butt in a man’s field. Carrying on the family tradition of making moonshine.

Also love how it’s got a bit of Romeo and Juliet feel because Marlon is following in his family’s law enforcement history.

Smoky the cat was adorable and I loved the Chattanooga setting I don’t think I’ve ever read a book let alone a cozy mystery set there. Now my favorite character was indeed Hattie’s grandpa he reminded me so much of my own papaw right down to the moonshine and whittling and I mess him so much.

Hattie was a strong and determined woman and even though she only got involved in the mystery to clear her name not a trope I truly like normally it worked with this one. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.

 

 

 

The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams Review

 Title:  The Off Limits Rule

Author:  Sarah Adams

Ch: 32 plus epilogue

Series: It Happened in Nashville

Genre:  Contemporary Rom Com

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Indie

 

I enjoyed the audio version of this Rom Com.  Especially  since there were two narrators one for Lucy and one for Cooper. I loved their banter back and forth. Though I do have to say that Levi is indeed my favorite.  he's such and adorable kid.  I am looking forward to listening to the next one  Lucy's brother Drew and Lucy's best friend Jessie.  I do recommend  listening or reading these  in order. even though they are stand alone. 

Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe reivew

 Title:  Under the Magnolias

Author:  T.I. Lowe

Ch: 16 Plus epilogue

Pg:  363

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Tyndall

 

I'm not going to lie Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe was a hard read not because of the writing but simply because it dealt with a tough subject. That the author handled with grace. 

 

Though I also lost my mom at a younger age suddenly I couldn't imagine it happening at 13 and having six younger siblings to care for as well as a father. At twenty something and having a nineteenth year sister when it happened but unlike Austin I only had to deal with a dad who zoned out for a only a few months so I don't know if I would have been able to hang on as long as Austin did. 

 

I get that Austin's family didn't want people to know but I still can't believe that the only person who noticed was another teenager. But Austin's childhood and teenage years made her who she was. 

 

I do recommend that you read this book but have tissues handy. 

Pelican Point by Irene Hannon review

Title:  Pelican Point

Author:  Irene Hannon

Ch: 25 Plus epilogue

Series: Hope Harbor book 4

Genre:  Christian Contemporary romance

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: revell

 

Pelican Point is the fourth book in the Hope Harbor series by Irene Hannon. And with each book in the series I grew to love the small coastal Oregon town even more. Ben Garrison has inherited a lighthouse he doesn't want and can't afford. While Marci Weber is determined to save it. So of course these two are going to butt heads.   And the secondary couple Rachel and Greg also kept me turning pages.  

 

Both the heroes in this book are military veterans  though Ben chose to leave the military Greg's injury makes the choice for him.   I loved reading and seeing how both couples grew and changed through the course of the novel.   

 

Lighthouses through history have served as guiding light for ships. Historical lighthouses required a keeper in order to keep the light burning especially during dark and stormy nights.  Now electric lights and computers keep the lights going. But it hasn't stopped the lighthouse from becoming a symbol of light pun intended. 

In A Far-Off Land by Stephanie Landsem review

 Title:  In a Far-off Land

 Author:  Stephanie Landsem

Pg:  384

Genre:  Christian Historical

Rating: 3 stars

Publisher: Tyndale

 

In A Far Off Land by Stephanie Landsem is a book that’s slightly out of my comfort zone but I did enjoy it. This one was edger that other Christian fiction that I’ve read but it was worth the read. I enjoyed the prodigal son retelling in 1930s Hollywood which was a setting that worked for the type of retelling.

The author stayed true to history and it’s easy to see that she did her research in order to do justice to hard topics. Even now no one wants to admit it but during the depression Americans weren’t fond of immigrants taken what few jobs and the author handled that event in the novel truthfully. As well as the police corruption in the L.A. police department in the 1930s which is indeed based in historical fact. That the author handled tactfully.

This book is worth the read but it’s a hard read.

Cover Reveal To Treasure an Heiress by Roseanna M White

 

Title: To Treasure an Heiress Author: Roseanna M. White Series: The Secrets of the Isles Book 2 Release Date: January 2022 Preorder a SIGNED copy: https://bit.ly/2TjhJbB Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AhtEXT Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2SFJzye   Author Info: https://www.roseannamwhite.com/about-roseanna/media-kit   1906 Beth Tremayne has always been drawn to adventure. During her childhood, she fed that desire by exploring every inch of the Isles of Scilly. As an adolescent, she dreamed of love in London’s ballrooms. Now, stumbling across an old map on her family’s property, she’s found more adventure than she ever dreamed in the hunt for pirate treasure. Unfortunately, Beth can’t escape the attentions of her family’s guest, Lord Sheridan.   Sheridan has spent years pursuing whatever archaeological interest caught his imagination. And when he discovers that Beth’s search connects with one of his favorite pirates of history, he can’t help getting involved. Plus, he finds her irresistible, even though she insists he stole a prized possession of hers.   As they work together following different clues and drawing closer to danger, they start to piece together a story of tragic love and piratical adventure. But the true surprise is the treasure they discover in one another.

Bridge of Gold by Kimberley Woodhouse

 Title:  Bridge of Gold

Author:  Kimberley Woodhouse

Ch: 23 

Pg:  256

Series: Doors to the Past

Genre:  Christian Contemporary Romance, Christian historical romance dual time

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Barbour

 

I'm loving the Doors to the Past series. What's not to love about a series that combines my favorite genre historical and historical romance with contemporary  a genre that I am growing to love with a bit of mystery.  And Bridge of Gold by Kimberley Woodhouse is no different.  This one focuses on the Golden Gate bridge in 1930s when they were building the bridge and the present day with repair work and under water archaeology.  In the 1930s we have Luke who's working on building the bridge and Margo his fiancée  when Luke discovers gold and a mystery.  In the present we have Steven Michaels who  is works in bridge repair, an Kayla Richardson an underwater archaeologist who gets called in when Steven finds a sunken ship. Kayla in turn finds a skeleton which leads both Kayla and Steven to want to solve the mystery. 

 

I love history I always have but the history of The Golden Gate bridge wasn't something I was familiar with. I didn't even know it was built during the 30s.  So hey you learn something new every day. The bridge is a modern marvel and to think that it was built in the early days of underwater construction without all the benefits of modern dive equipment in those dive suits with the metal and glass helmets attached to air hoses leading the surface. 

 

I finished the book in two days mainly because I had to sleep and go to work because I  had to know what happened to Luke and Margo and how Kayla and Steven's story was going to play out.   I just got to say I loved the ending, both endings.   

 

And even though the Doors to the Past is a series each book in the series is a standalone and can be read as such. 

 

July TBR

 

     To Finish: 

 

TBR Jar: These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

          Curse of the Spector Queen by Jenny Elder Moke

          

 

Kindle TBR Jar: Return to Love by Betsy St. Amant  

              When Tides Turn by Sarah Sundin

 

              

 

Classic: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

 

Audio: Driftwood Bay by Irene Hannon

 

 

To Review: Undercurrent of Secrets by Rachel Scott McDaniel

June Wrap Up

 

I started the month with (52) unread books. Brought (3) books.  Got my owlcrate book () Book of the month () Got () book for review Won a book in a giveaway () Got books for gifts () which brought my total to (55). Read (2) owned books. Read () Kindle books I own  DNF’d (53) So I am ending the month at books () unread books and hoping to get back on track with the whole read 5 physical books before I buy anymore.  I read a total of (22) books across

Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter (library)

Marvel’s Black Widow Prelude by Peter David (library)

Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey (library)

How to Write a Mystery by Mystery Writers of America (library)

Bridge of Gold by Kimberley Woodhouse (library)

Murphy’s Slaw by Elizabeth Logan (netgalley)

The Off Limits Rule by Sarah Adams (audio)

Alaskan Rescue by Terri Reed (netgalley)

A Dying Fall by Elly Griffiths

Taken in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard (library)

Wilderness Defender by Maggie K Black (library)

Pelican Point by Iren Hannon (audio)

Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin (kindle)

Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe (library)

Along a Storied Trail by Ann H Gabhart (owned)

Winter Soldier by Ed Brubaker (library)

Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe (library)

Kind of Cursed by Stephanie Fournet (library)

Black Widow: The Ties that bind by Kelly Thompson (library)

Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin (library)

Her Small Town Secret by Brenda Minton (netgalley)

A Match for the Marine by Jess Mastorakos (owned)