Tea With Elephants by Robin Jones Gunn review

Title: Tea with Elephants

Author: Robin Jones Gunn

Ch: 23

Pg: 304

Series: Suitcase Sisters

Genre: Contemporary Christian fiction

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Revell

Ever since I first picked up the author’s books as a teenager, each time I’ve read a book by heart they’ve touch my heart. And Tea with Elephants was no different. It’s the first book in the Suitcase sisters. And it’s set in Africa when two friends Fern and Lily get gifted the trip of a lifetime.

I was hooked from page one and loved every many of it. And I have to say I was happy to discover what happened to a beloved character after their book had ended. Fern was the one I related to the most. And while Danny was a secondary character I also related a bit to him especially with what he has to face. As at least to me it’s one of the hardest things a child has to face even as an adult.

The faith thread throughout the book not only weaves Lily and Ferns story it also weaves the bigger story of God’s plan. And just like I’ve been since I was a teenager I feel blessed by the story and scripture. And so glad the author’s writing fiction again. And can’t wait to see where the next book in the series takes us.

 

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

 

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.

The Blooming of Delphinium by Holly Varni review

Title: The Blooming of Delphinium

Author: Holly Varni

Ch: 28

Pg: 304

Series:  Moonberry Lake

Genre: Christian fiction hint of romance

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell



While I loved Delphinium and her ability to sense smells with people and determining what kind of person they are. As well as the banter between her and Elliot. And the small town of Moonberry lake makes it feel like the reader lives there.

But the seniors, especially Bob stole my heart. Their shenanigans and wisdom made the book for me as they reminded me so much of the residents of the retirement home I used to work at. I wish more authors would include senior characters in their stories. The Blooming of Delphinium reminded me just how important relationships with our elderly relatives should be as well as elders in general. Not just for the wisdom but because they will keep you on your toes and keep you young.

Can’t wait to see if there’s another book in Moonberry Lake and what else the author has in store.

 

 

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

 

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.

The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson review

 

 

In The Christmas tree Farm by Melody Carlson two sisters butt heads over how to save the family farm.  Madison also butts heads with her neighbor and former boyfriend.  What Madison and her sister Addie are going to need is a Christmas Miracle.  I didn’t know how I would feel about this one as I was worried about the sisters’ relationship. But I did end up enjoying this one.  Melody has quickly become a favorite author for Chris novella’s to read every year and The Christmas Tree will be no different. I enjoyed the unique twist that she put on the story. I don’t think I’ve ever read a Christmas story quite like it.  It was like a warm hug without having the over the top hallmark feel. I can’t wait to pick this one back up in December.

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

 

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.

Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson review

 

Return to Prince Edward Island at Christmas time with Liz Johnson with Meddling with Mistletoe.  What do you get when you mix a baker in need of an oven, who finds in in the form of an Inn as long as she cooks breakfast for the inn and a single man with a nosy aunt? You get a matchmaking scheme at Christmas. This sweet novella is just the thing to get into Christmas spirit. It was also nice to visit old Prince Edward Island favorites, but also to meet new favorite characters in Whitney and Daniel.  I do recommend that you read both the Prince Edward Island Dreams series and the Prince Edward Island Shores series before this novella. I can’t wait to read this one again in December.

 

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

 

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.

Trail of Threats by Jessica R Patch review

 

Trail of Threats by Jessica R Patch is the six book in Mountain Country K-9 but can be read as a standalone. Sadie Owen’s is determined to give her son a life she’s not looking for love and neither is Officer Rocco Manelli he wants to protect and serve. But then Sadie becomes a target and everything changes. I loved how Sadie didn’t give up and was willing to fight but her son and his service dog stole the book. This suspense novel had me turning pages late into the night because I had to know what happened. However this one isn’t as dark as her FBI:Strange Crime unit. This is the romantic suspense most readers enjoy.

I can’t wait to read more by the author and more in the series.

 

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

Something Borrowed by Rachel Scott McDaniel, Allison Pittman and Susie Finkbeiner novella collection review

 

With this novella collection centered around a Special wedding dress Rachel Scott McDaniel has done it again. With A Heart in Disguise Clara Westlake is a seamstress in the Camouflage Corps. I thought I knew my WWI history but this is the first I had heard about the Camouflage Corps and the important job they had during WWI. That's what I love so much about Rachel's books after the Faith content and love story is that I l always something new from history.  I also loved that the dress that played a part in this story would find its way through time and to more wars for two more stories. 

 

 A Letter to Eli by Allison Pittman was set during WWII. And a possibly second chance for Betty and Eli. I did enjoy this one but it wasn't my favorite of the three. And that's on me not Allison's writing. I think I'm kind of getting burnt out on WWII romances. But if that's not the case for you then you'll also love Betty and Eli's story. 

 

And finally we have A Daffodil in the Dress by Susie Finkbeiner set during the Vietnam, this one was my favorite of the three stories in this collection. Though it's a second chance at love and not always my favorite I enjoyed it. Kate and Ike's story is just so sweet despite the tragedy of the Vietnam War. And Little Eloise is just a doll.  This story was only my second Susie Finkebeiner story but it weren't be my last. And it was also only my second Vietnam War book because there's not that much out there. Because it's one war that war and horrific and to close to recent memory.  But the author tackled that was grace. And overall I would give this collection 4.5 stars 

 

While each of these novella's are separate stories they are sewn together with a dress, faith and love.  And that makes three stories worth reading. 

 

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

July Wrap Up

 

  I read or listened to a total of 9   books across 2160 pages and 36:16:00 hours. My average rating was 3.81 And I DNF 6 books. And my total of unread 90 .

 

Kill or Bee Killed by Jennie Marts 

Offside Hearts by Nikki Larson 

Until our Time Comes by Nicole M Miller (owned) 

A Deception Composition by Anna Lee Huber (audio) 

The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand by Matthew Gray Gubler 

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness 

Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver 

The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson 

Deadpool Vs Haweye 

Romancing the Grumpy by Jenny Proctor review

Title: Romancing The Grump

Author: Jenny Proctor

Ch: 26 plus epilogue

Pg:358

Series: Appies 4

Genre: Rom Com

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: indie

I never thought that any of the Appies would replace Flexi as my favorite. But that was until I read Romancing the Grump and met grumpy Nathan Sanders. Grumpy sunshine has always been one of my favorite tropes. But Nathan was more than just a grumpy hockey player. And of course, Summer’s the exact opposite of him making the banter awesome.

I mean as a rom com you know how it ends but the fun is the journey the characters take to get there. And it doesn’t hurt that he loves his family. Nathan really is a grump with a heart of gold.

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.

Until Our Time Comes by Nicole M. Miller review

 

Title: Until Our Time Comes

Author: Nicole M Miller
Ch: 49 plus epilogue
Pg: 384
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
Publisher: Revell

Until Our Time Comes is the debut novel by Nicole M. Miller about a part of World War Two history. Involving the Janow Podlaski stables in Poland. This book was the first time I had heard about it. But horse trainer Adia Kensington and Bret Conway bring the story to life.

While you can tell the author did her research and but that it to the book it reads like the historical fiction novel it is and not a history textbook. I felt like I was there with Adia as she tries to save the horses. It felt like I was traveling across Poland with her and eventually farther into Eastern Europe.  And of course it brought history to life for me. I did learn a lot from this book as the only thing I already knew was the bit about the allies making their way east. I can’t wait to see what else this author writes.

 

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

 

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.

Love at First book by Jenn McKinley review

Title: Love at First Book

Author: Jenn McKinley

Ch: 23 plus epilogue

Pg: 09:49:02

Genre: Rom Com

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Berkley

I loved this hate to love rom com. Emily and Kieran were perfect for each other even if they don’t see it. But it’s the banter between them the keeps the reader turning pages.

Though I listened to the audio book instead of reading. As the audio adds charm t Kieran’s Irish accent and not to mention proper pronunciation of the Irish names.

Now this isn’t just a cute rom com it does deal with some tough issues. There’s a trigger warning for cancer, and difficult parent adult child relationship but the author handles it all respectfully.

 

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.

A Run at Love by Toni Shiloh review

Title: A Run at Love

Author: Toni Shiloh

Ch: 43 plus prologue and epilogue

Pg: 352

Series: Love in the Spotlight book 2

Genre: Christian romance rom com

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Bethany House

I never thought that anyone could write a Christian romance or rom com set around horse racing and the Kentucky Derby due to its nature. But Toni Shiloh did,and she was great at writing a story set around the culture with a Christian theme.

Piper McKinney and Tucker Hale are best friends who both grew up around horses and horse racing Piper’s a Black Woman and the transracial adopted daughter I say this because it’s important to Piper’s character and how her story plays out, of the McKinneys and the owners of the thoroughbred farm while Tucker is the son of one of the trainers.

Toni handles the storyline of transracial adoption and Piper being the only Black person in her small town as only she can with grace and truth.

As not only a Kentuckian but a  Louisvillian I’m wary of authors not from here setting their books here, but with Toni I didn’t have to worry she did her research. Even including how to say my city in the books. I also loved that she created a fictional town in a very real county as horse country is well known. But the fictional town feels like it fits. And I love that she included Kentucky’s soft drink.

In the two books I’ve read by Toni I’ve discovered that faith is a huge part of her books. Especially in the character’s life and that of the story. I know want to read the first book in the series and now can’t wait for the third book to release.  

 

 

Loyally Luke by Pepper Basham review

Title: Loyally Luke

Author: Pepper Basham

Ch: 23

Pg: 384

Series: Skymar book 3

Genre: Christian romance Christian rom com

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

All I can say with Loyally Luke by Pepper Basham is finally. Not because I wanted the series to end, but because we finally get Luke’s story. And as someone who fell for Luke in the first book, I spent the second book falling deeper. But in Loyally Luke I fell head over heels, what can I say I’m a sucker for a country boy in flannel with a heart of gold. I have to say I love seeing more of Luke in this one.

I have to admit Ellie wasn’t who I pictured Luke falling for he who dislikes the rom com. It was hilarious to see him end up in one. His and Ellie’s meet cute was perfect for him. And there was more than meets the eye to Ellie.

This one gave me a bit of The Princess Diaries vibes and all the movie references. Whoever thought a country boy could charm a princess. But for me it was Luke dropping The Princess Bride quotes into normal conversation. And then accidentally creating what I thought was the perfect country song.

And like all of Peppers books faith is threaded throughout the story and plays out in the characters’ lives. And love that Luke is a man of faith that makes him the perfect hero in my book. That alone would do it but a country boy in flannel makes Luke even more realistic. And a perfect end to 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.

The Song of Sourwood Mountain by Ann H Gabhart review

Title: The Song of Sourwood Mountain

Author: Ann H Gabhart

Ch: 41 plus epilogue

Pg: 354

Genre: Christian Historical fiction, Christian Historical romance

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell

The Song of Sourwood Mountain is the newest Kentucky set book by Ann H Gabhart. I have to say the story reminds me of Christy. In the sense Mira a teacher leaves her life in Louisville to teach in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. Gordon Covington is a preacher who’s convinced Mira is the teacher the town needs.

What I love about Ann’s apart from the fact that she always gets Kentucky right is that her settings become another character in the book. The town of Sourwood the perfect name for a mountain town and even fictional fits perfectly in the hills of Eastern Kentucky. That seemed like a world away from Louisville in 1910. Heck even today it still can feel a world away.

And it was actually the secondary characters especially Ada June who stole my heart. While the book focuses on Mira and Gordon’s story. It is the secondary characters who help shape them and their story. Mira and Gordon wouldn’t be who they are without the people of Sourwood.

 

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

 

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.

The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel review

Title: The Irish Matchmaker

Author: Jennifer Deibel

Ch: 30 plus epilogue

Pages: 320

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction, Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell


I have to say while not my favorite book by the author I still enjoyed it. I didn’t really like the heroine Catriona at the beginning. Sara the heroes daughter was actually my favorite character. And Donal was such a sweetheart but then I’m a bit of a sucker for the single dad troupe. But the heroine did redeem herself by the end.

I’ve seen readers saying this is a love triangle book, but I didn’t get that vibe even though there’s two guys in the story. That doesn’t mean love triangle that means the author wants to kept the readers on their toes and continuing to read.

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.

April Wrap Up

 

  I read or listened to a total of 16   books across 4,009 pages and 17.85 hours. My average rating was And I DNF books. And my total of unread remained at 86.

 

Happily Never after by Lynn Painter 

Pronto by Elmore Leonard 

Betrothal or Breakaway by Leah Brunner (ebook)(owned) 

Matzah Ball Blues by Jennifer Wilck (own voices) 

Better Late than Never by Jess Mastorakos (Ebook)

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman 

He Rule Book by Sarah Adams (owned) (audio) 

Rogue and Gambit: Power Play by Stephaine Phillips 

White House Wild Child by Shelley Fraser Mickle’s

Sandcastle Inn by Irene Hannon (owned)

Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel (owned)

Wake Me most Wickedly by Felicia Grossman

Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown

The Cowboy’s Secret Past by Tina Radcliffe

The Marine’s Deadly Reunion by Loretta Eidson

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin review

Title: Embers in the London Sky

Author: Sarah Sundin

Ch: 49

Pg: 391

Genre: Christian Historical fiction Christian historical romance

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Revell


I love how this author with each WWII novel she writes can find a new bit of history to tell. Even though Sundin writes WWII for each of her storylines it feels like a new story each time. And she never disappoints. Though I d think Hugh Collingwood might be my new favorite hero of hers. And I think it’s because he doesn’t let having Asthma stop him from doing what needs to be done. And Aledia is proof of what a mother’s love can do.

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.

A Groom of One's Own by Emma St. Clair review

Title: A Groom of One’s own

Author: Emma St. Clair

Ch: 24 plus epilogue

Pg: 368

Series: Appies 1

Genre: Rom Com

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Indie


When we first meet Eli in Just Don’t fall he comes across as a bit of a ladies man. But in A Groom of One’s Own we learn that’s not exactly the whole truth. He actually has a heart of gold and loves his mom. He wants to get married but for love not to stay in the country. Enter Bailey who also has her own problems and the solution of a marriage of convenience.

I’m a sucker for the marriage of convenience troupe and I jump for the chance to read it especially in contemporary romances and rom coms where it’s not so common. And. A Groom of one’s own doesn’t disappoint.