The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer review

Title: The Bookshop of Secrets

Author:  Mollie Rushmeyer

Ch: 22 plus epilogue

Genre:  Contemporary Christian

Rating: 4.5 stars

Publisher: Love Inspired

 

The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer is classified as Contemporary Christian, but I have to say there is an indeed a romantic thread at its heart. Hope Sparrow just wants to find the books her mom left her and get a fresh start. Ronan Barrick wants to make a difference in his hometown. But the town doesn’t want to forget his past. His grandpa Ulysses owns the town bookstore where Hopes books were sent. The two must work together on to solve two mysteries one of which involves pirates.

While both Hope and Ronan are imperfect people, they might just be right for each other. And journey together is what makes this a romance as well.

I do have to give a slight spoiler only because it could be a trigger for some readers. And part of it is mentioned earlier enough in the book. Hope is a survivor of human trafficking. A subject that Mollie handles with grace. And quite frankly we need more fiction authors to bring light to this. As fiction environment would allow more readers to learn about it. If the authors write it with tact and grace. This one had me reaching for tissues but I’m glad I read the book.

 

 

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 Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher review

Title:  The Sweet Life

Author:  Suzanne Woods Fisher

Ch: 27

Pg:  308

Genre:  Contemporary

Rating: 3 stars

Publisher: Revell

 

I’m not going to lie this one wasn’t a favorite read. And that’s okay there’s a book for every reader and a reader for every book. The Sweet Life was well written and a good story. However, for me it hit to close to home. The loss of a parent, a parent going through cancer. And the wedding being call off. Been there done that. But I do have to say this book had me laughing as well as crying. And I liked it enough to read more of the authors contemporaries.

 

 

 

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.

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.

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. 

The Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman review

Title:  The Lady in Residence

Author:  Allison Pittman

Ch: 22 plus epilogue

Pg:  253

Series: Doors to the Past

Genre:  Dual time

Rating: 3.5 stars

Publisher: Barbour

      I’m not going to lie even after finishing Lady In Residence by Allison Pittman I don’t know how I feel about it.  It’s one of those that I am on the fence about, and that doesn’t happen often. I didn’t love it nor did I hate it. I did enjoy the dual time aspect of the novel. I am finding that I do indeed enjoy dual time I’ve always been a historical fiction reader and I’m now slowly getting into reading contemporary though it’s not my go to genre. Dual time gives me my favorite genre while edging me into contemporary.

 

     Dini Blackstone was my favorite character in the book. I loved her quirkiness as well as her love of true crime. And her determination to solve a century year old crime. I saw some of myself in her, I’m a true crime nut especially historical crime. Quin the modern hero was alright he just wasn’t a favorite.

 

     I didn’t care for the historical heroine Hedda but that’s due in part to the fact that don’t care for unreliable narrators. I’ve never liked reading from their points of view. Nor was I fond of the ghost story aspect.  But that doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it.

 

     However, I did enjoy how the author wove both stories and time periods together to get one interesting story.

Love and Other Mistakes review

Title:  Love and Other Mistakes 

Author: Jessica Kate 

Chapters: 44 plus epilogue 

Pages: 352

Genre: Christian Contemporary, Christian Contemporary romance, rom-com   

Rating: 4 stars 

Publisher:  Thomas Nelson 

Love and Other Mistakes is the first book by Jessica Kate that I have read.  It's basically a rom-com in book form. But a Christian rom-com. It's an enemies to friends trope that is actually well done.   Natalie Groves life hasn't gone the way she thought it would, first, her fiancé left then they find out her father has cancer.  Now seven years later she has a chance to follow her dreams, but the only job that she can get to work around her internship is as a nanny to her ex-fiancé child.  Jeremy needs someone to help with his infant son and his niece he just didn't expect it to be Natalie. Both Natalie and Jeremy have different views of the past and neither one sees it the exact same way.   Jeremey was a bit of a bad boy growing up and couldn't seem to measure up to what his father wanted, who just happens to be the chief of police.   As the daughter of a law enforcement officer, I know that that can sometimes be hard to do.  

From the first chapter of this book I was hooked I kept reading I just had to know what happened.  My favorite character in the book I have to say had to be Jeremy's son with Natalie being a close second.  The characters grew and changed over the course of the book and that was great to see.  Most of the characters were different at the end of the book than they were at the beginning but not all. And just the same with life not everyone changes for the better or even grows.

I look forward to reading Jessica's next book and I would love for this one to become a movie because we need more Christian rom-com. 

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 Glitter of Gold review

Title:  A Glitter of Gold

Author:  Liz Johnson

Series: Georgia Coast Romance book 2

Chapters: 21 plus epilogue

Pages: 368

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Rating: 4 stars

A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson is the second  book in the Georgia Coast Romance series but can be read as a standalone. This book follows different characters than the first book.  Anne Norris has moved to Georgia and started a walking history tour of the city but she's running from her past.  Carter Hale a museum director and the black sheep of his family but still wants to make the name Hale proud.  When the hilt of a sword brings them together and leads to a possible shipwreck. Anne agrees to help Carter find the ship but he must leave her name out of the media he makes the promise to do but later will find himself not sure that he can help that promise.  

Mistakes that Anne made in her past has her questioning rather or not she deserves  to have a future.  Carter doesn't think he should plan for wife or kids until he  meets his goals in life. Neither was looking for love or a relationship but can the quest for a shipwreck and  a journal from past show this two what they really want and who writes their story.

This book was a little show starting out that it took me a bit to get into at first, but after a few chapters it picked up and before I knew it  I wanted to know what was going to with not only the shipwreck but what if anything was going to happen between Anne and Carter.   The main theme of this book is grace, but more importantly God's Grace. Which is something that  both  Anne and Carter need to learn.  I loved the historical mystery of the shipwreck and the amateur genealogist in me loved the fact that someone in the story had genealogical ties to the shipwreck. It gave the final touch to make the story come full circle.     

I would recommend this one to fans of Christian fiction, those who love sweet stories, and a bit of mystery in their comptnary fiction. 

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. 

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. 

Review of Falling for You

Title: Falling for You

Author:   Becky Wade

Pg:370

Series: Bradford Sisters Romance book 2

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Rating:  3.5 stars

     Falling for You is the second book in the Bradford Sister’s series by Becky Wade. This book while technically a standalone book in a series it still best to read them in order. This book focues on oldest sister Willow who’s a model taking a break from modeling to run her family’s bed and breakfast. When finds herself face to face with former NFL Quarterback Corbin Stewart who just happens to be her ex-boyfriend.

     Corbin wants a second chance and Willow wants nothing to do with him, she’s put that part of her life behind her. But then the two end up working on a project to help a teenage girl solve a missing person’s case. They both realize that they both played a part in their relationship falling apart. 

     Even though I enjoyed this one I didn’t love it as much as the first book in the series. Two me this book kind of had a bit of second book syndrome. It was still good I just didn’t love it. But I all still looking forward to the final book in the series as well as anything else Becky writes.

    

Review of Then There was You

Title: Then There was You

Author:   Kara Isaac

Pg: 343

Genre: Christian contemporary

Rating:  5 Stars

     Then There was You is another great read from Kara Isaac set in Australia though it has characters from her first two books in it, but reads as a standalone.  Paige McAllister takes a temporally job in Australia mainly to get away from her life in Chicago. 

     Josh Tyler is the front man for a worship band. But his failed past relationship has him pretty much relationship and not really knowing her to trust woman.  He’s not expecting an American girl who he’s convinced that Paige is in a relationship.

     But then they both end up working together and they both realize that there is more to each of them than meets the eye.

     This was a sweet read that I didn’t want to end. I love the Australia setting.  I’m pretty sure Kara’s books are the only books I’ve read that are set in either Australia or New Zeeland. And as well I do look forward to anything Kara Isaac writes for the most part.  

Review of On Love's Gentle Shore

Title: On Love’s Gentle Shore

Author:   Liz Johnson

Ch: 21 plus epilogue

Pg: 336

Series: Prince Edward Island Dreams book 3

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Rating:  4.5 stars

     On Love’s Gentle Shore by the Liz Johnson is the third book in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series. Natalie O’Ryan never thought she would be back in her hometown. But yet she is because her fiancée thought he would surprise her with a wedding on Prince Edward Island. He thought she would love to get married in her hometown, because she’s never told him the reason she left and never looked back. She’s been keeping a part of herself and her past a secret from him. As well as the boy she left behind.

     Justin Kane and Natalie where best friends as children and teens. But when Natalie left without so much as a goodbye Justin buried the hurt and their friendship and focused on running his family’s dairy farm. Now that Natalie’s back in town to get married he doesn’t know what to think. Can these two find a way to mend the past and save a friendship or will they find so much more.

     Even though Justin is the boy from her past and she has a fiancée there isn’t a love triangle.  This book isn’t so much about romance as much as it is about Natalie learning to love herself despite her past, and past hurts. Out of all the characters in this series Natalie was the one I related to the must because like her I didn’t really fit in with my classmates in school and I had stutter that never completely went away. Even now it still comes out when I am tired or stressed.

     All in all, this is good series I would recommend reading. I read this one the fastest out of all of them because I just couldn’t put it down. This book should be read after the first two in the series.  This isn’t the last book in the series. There is a Christmas Novella that comes after this one. That I still have 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.

Review of All Made Up

Title: All Made Up

Author:   Kara Isaac

Ch: 35

Pg: 376

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Rating:  5

All Made Up is my favorite of Kara’s books.  It is also the most emotional of her books at least two me. Katriona McLeod has been a secondary character in Kara’s first three books. She had a career as a professional make-up artist that is dealing with a strong case of what might have been.  She working as a makeup artist the set of the reality TV show Falling for the Farmer when she finds herself on   the show. And the farmer is none other than her ex Caleb Murphy.

Caleb Murphy can’t believe that his mother signed him up for this show nor can he believe that Kat is one of the constants. He sees this as a second chance.  Katriona’s not so sure.

Katriona’ was the easiest character of Kara’s for me to relate to. Not because of the relationship issues nor the reality TV show aspect.  That part was a bit of a turn off because I don’t really care for reality TV. I never did.  But because of the medical issues that she goes through. As I also deal with the same issues. Though not to the level that Katriona does. I was blessed that mom recognized the symptoms and kept taking me to doctors till we got one to listen and start my treatment. So I felt Kat’s plan as well as how she felt when her felt her like her dreams for the future were gone.

Kara did her research on the condition and actually talked to women who have suffered from the condition so that she could write a character true to life. I feel like this book brought to awareness to the condition of Endometriosis. This is the first book I have read that I read that had this condition. And quite frankly we need more books like this tastefully done.   I am thankful that Kara was thoughtful and brave enough to get Katriona her own book.

Review of Where Two Hearts Meet

Title:  Where Two Hearts Meet

Author:   Liz Johnson

Ch: 26

Pg:376

Series: Prince Edward Island Dreams book 2

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Rating:  4 stars

     Where Two Hearts Meet is the second book in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series by Liz Johnson though book 2 focuses on two different main characters’ chef Caden Holt and and Journalist Adam Jacobs it picks up where the first book The Red Door Inn leaves off, so it’s best to only read this one after reading the first one. 

     Caden loves her job and her hometown sometimes but she’s always seen herself as the plain one, the girl that just seen as a friend. She’s pretty much given up on ever falling in love. Adam thinks he two scared from the mistakes of his past to ever have a chance with a girl like Caden. That is until he meets a wise old man who just happens to be a guest at the Inn. Who gives Adam some advice that he just needs to hear from someone who’s been where he’s been.

     I enjoyed this one more than the first one in the series and it really is worth the read.  It a quick read just like the first one in the series.

Review of The Red Door Inn

Title:  The Red Door Inn

Author:   Liz Johnson

Ch: 24

Pg:336

Series: Prince Edward Island Dreams book1

Genre: Christian Contemporary

Rating:  4 stars

     The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson is the first book in the Prince Edward Island Dreams series.  Marie Carrington finds herself in Prince Edward Island thinks to the kindness of Jack Sloane, as well as helping him get his bed and breakfast up and running. Though Jack’s nephew Seth thinks that Marie is up to something he doesn’t trust her.

     The only thing that both Marie and Seth want is to find a safe place to get over the hurts of their past.  But they end up finding so much more.  Proving that God’s plans are always so much better than our plans.

     I enjoyed this book. It’s a sweet read.

Blog Tour review of A Sparkle of Sliver

Title:  A Sparkle of Silver

Author: Liz Johnson

Series: Georgia Coast Romance book 1

 

Chapters: 21 plus epilogue

Pages: 358

Genre: Christian Contemporary with a hint a mystery and Romance

Rating: 4 stars

Millie Sullivan is determined to find away to provide nursing care for her grandma joy the grandma who raised her.  Even snoop around the estate of oil tycoon Howard Dawkins after getting a job as a 20s era guest and tour guide. She's then caught by one of the security guards Ben Thornton a man dealing with his own family troubles.  She makes a deal with him in order to split the treasure.   If he helps her and doesn't turn her end, because even though she only took the job to snoop she really does need the second job.  Against  his better judgement he accepts and agrees to help her.  Sending them both on a journey that they didn't see coming. 

This sweet novel set on St Simons Island Georgia is part contemporary novel, part mystery with just a hint of romance.  Millie and Ben with next to nothing in common, even though he works three jobs he still has a college degree. Millie doesn't she works as a waitress trying to keep her grandmother in her assisted living d who loves reading.  A 90 year old mystery  both want to find the treasure neither  was counting on finding something else instead. 

Millie and Ben were great characters and grandma Joy was such a sweetheart.  Even with everything she had been through in her life Joy never lost her faith she was still trusting God. Even when her granddaughter's faith was shaky.    Millie I have to say was indeed my favorite character mainly because she was the one that was easiest one to relate too. I too know what it’s like to be the only one taking care of a grandparent not because you’re the only one, but because your younger sister in school and needs to finish college.  So it was easy to feel every emotion that Millie was dealing with through the whole book.  The fact that she's a bookworm didn't hurt nor the fact one of my favorite quotes from the book came from her "talking about if she had the money she'd choice books and bookshelves over steak." A girl after my own heart. 

Ben as far as male main characters go was a little on the nerdy side but that was a refreshing change as you don't see many slightly nerdy characters in fiction even Christian fiction.    Ben's main goal through much of the novel is to try to make amends for something that he feels responsible for, though technically not his fault. Though Ben and Millie come from different backgrounds they both have the same thing to work on; forgiveness. 

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson might be a contemporary novel mixed with mystery and a little romance, but at the heart it is a Christian fiction novel focusing on the theme of forgiveness this novel is so much more.  The Christian message while subtle is still there, woven throughout the story.  Of expecting God's forgiveness, forgiven yourself and finally forgiven others.  The other theme in the novel  besides faith is the love of family, and learning that sometimes blood might make you related it doesn't always make you family love makes you family. 

I enjoyed A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson which just happens to be my first book by her but it will not be my last.  I look forward to the next book in this series as well as going back to read her other books. 

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

Liz Johnson's website

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