Mists over the Channel Islands by Sarah Sundin Review

 

I've not read many books set on one of the Channel Island before, in fact before this one I've read one other.  Both of which were set during WWII and that makes sense because the Channel Islands during the war have multiple stories that just need to be told.  And I'm glad that Sarah Sundin choose to set her final book in the companion series about three Dutch cousins on the Island of Jersey as well as giving a woman doctor in a time when it was still rare to have one.  Even though Sundin only writes WWII fiction the books never get old because she always finds a new setting that seems to have never been done before to tell a new story and a new bit of real life history from the war. 

 

 

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 Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz review

Title: The Indigo Heiress 

Author: Laura Frantz 

Ch: 66 plus epilogue 

Pg: 408

Series:

Genre:  Christian Historical fiction Christian historical romance 

Rating:5 stars 

Publisher: Revell

Not going to lie I’m not normally a fan of Scottish heroes it’s the accent, but I will read anything Frantz writes. But I ended up loving Leith Buchanan as a hero even if he’s Scottish. And while I loved the romance I’m a sucker for marriage of convenience and he falls first which Leith very much did. It was the faith content and the sibling relationship that drew me in.

Despite everything that Juliet is going through her Faith in God is evident on every page. Her love for her sister Loveday was what I related to the most as an older sister. You want to do everything in your power for that happiness especially when you’re in Juliet’s shoes. Juliet’s grief was another thing I related too, including doing whatever she could to help her dad run the household despite the toll it was taking on her. Her learning to let go and let God was a gentle reminder to me. 

The slow burn of Leith and Juliet’s romance was also a favorite and of course watching him fall first was chef’s kiss. But Cole and Bella stole my heart and the story. 

With The Indigo Heiress was a beautifully written story by Laura Frantz and I loved every bit of it. 

 

Troupes 

Marriage of convenience 

Grumpy Hero 

He falls first 

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.

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.

Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel review

 Title: Walking on Hidden Wings

Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel

Ch: 37

Pg: 328

Genre: Christian historical fiction Christian historical romance dual time

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Kregel publisher

Walking on Hidden Wings by Rachel Scott McDaniel may be her most emotional book to date. It’s also her steamiest in the sense that the couple is married, but it’s still a clean read. But you can still feel the love that they have for each other despite what they’ve been through. And the book is still faith filled.

Geneva Ashcroft Hayes is determined to find out what’s happen to her husband Warren Hayes. I love how this story plays out and is told in dual timelines. I also enjoyed learning more about wingwalking and barnstorming a lesser known piece of 1920s history and I’ve always loved planes. McDaniel never disappoints with the mystery romance and faith filled stories.

 

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 author . I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz review

Title: The Seamstress of Acadie

Author: Laura Frantz

Ch: 61

Pg: 416

Genre: Christian Historical fiction, Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Revell

The Seamstress of Acadie might just Laura Frantz’s most emotional book to date, at least to this reader. Because of my own Acadian ancestry. Sylvie Galant is French Acadian in Canada when England and France are on the brink of war. But the Acadians just want to live in peace. I love Sylvie’s relationship with her siblings, especially Bleu. William Blackburn is the ranger sent to remove Sylvie’s fellow Acadians. And somehow, they both end up in colonial Virginia.

The Seamstress of Acadie is one of the authors faster paced books. There’s never a slow moment in the story. This one is also the most diverse book from this author. Previous books have included both main and secondary indigenous characters this one includes a look at enslaved peoples in colonial Virginia if only from secondary characters. And the author writes it in a way that flows naturally to the story.

And of course, there’s always the third act twist. And if you don’t like the third act twist this might not be the book for you. And of course, the author knows how to write the colonial equivalent of a mean girl. William Blackburn finds himself as my second favorite hero and Sylvie my favorite heroine.

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.

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.

Forged in Love by Mary Connealy review

Title: Forged in Love

Author: Mary Connealy

Ch: 31

Series: Wyoming Sunrise

Genre: Christian historical fiction western Christian historical romance

Rating: 4.5 stars

Publisher: Bethany House

Reading Forged in Love reminded me why I love Mary Connealy’s western romances. Because she writes feminine heroines who are also tough as nails. Because let’s face it women who went west couldn’t be damsels in distress because they wouldn’t last. Mariah Stover learned blacksmithing at her father’s knee along with her brother. When tragedy strikes, she steps up to be the town blacksmith.
Clint Roberts owns the only diner in town he loves to cook. But he’s also loved Mariah from a distance for years.

I love how both heroine and hero have roles that aren’t the norm but still work for the time period but work for both together. And I especially loved that Clint loves Mariah for herself. As well as the strong faith thread throughout the story.

The Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott McDaniel review

 Title: The Starlet Spy

Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel

Ch: 33

Pg: 259

Series: Heroines of WWII 11

Genre: Christian historical fiction Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Barbour

 

It was the whole female spy heroine that got me to pick up The Starlet Spy. I’m a sucker for WWII books and books with spies. Not to mention that I’ve loved all of Rachel’s previous books. And though this one is a departure from her usual 1920s dual time novels. I enjoyed this one from start to finish. And the fact that this was the first WWII novel that I read set in Sweden kept me turning pages.

I enjoyed meeting all the characters, especially Amelie and Finn. Throughout The Starlet Spy it felt like I was traveling through Sweden with Amelie and loved what she got from seeing the Northern lights which happens to be on my travel bucket list. To some readers the faith content might seem subtle, but I saw it all through the story it wove through every aspect of Amelie’s life.

And of course, I’ve not got to try Salmiak as a fan of black licorice yes I know I’m weird. Amelie Blake has become my second favorite Rachel heroine Devyn Asbury from Undercurrent of Secrets will always be my favorite as a fellow Louisville girl.

 

 

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.

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 Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin review

 

Title: The Sound of Light

Author: Sarah Sundin

Ch: 51

Pg: 371

Genre: Christian Historical fiction, Christian Historical romance

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Revell

With The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin I feel like my reading WWII fiction has come full circle. As the first book I read at 10 set during WWII was also set in Denmark. Even at 10 Number the Stars by Lois Lowry show me how the Danish people stood up to the Nazis in a way kids could understand.

In The Sound of Light Sarah Sundin tells the story of Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt who gives up everything to make a difference for the resistance. And American Dr Else Jensen who at one point wants nothing more than to be a physicist makes the choice to risk it all to help her Jewish friends and Neighbors. Else’s Faith is strong throughout the novel and Henrik’s is still there it’s just taken a bit of a beating.

The Sound of light shows that every day people can make a difference and even though the characters are fictional it does tell what real-life Danes did to defeat the Nazis.

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.

Yesterday's Tide by Roseanna M White review

Title: Yesterday’s Tides  

Author:  Roseanna M White

Ch: 28

Pg:  410

Genre:  Christian Historical fiction, Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Bethany House

 

Yesterday’s Tide is the new dual time standalone novel by Roseanna M White. Set in the outer banks of North Carolina spanning WWI and WWII. I’m not going to lie I loved the WWII setting more than the WWI. While I loved both Evie and Louisa equally as they both were strong heroines in their own right, in which the reader will find out in the end. I do not want to give anything away. However, I’m not going to lie I spent the majority of the book not liking the 1914 hero Remington Culbreth that started to change around chapter 23. However, Sterling Bertrand stole my heart from the beginning.

White does an awesome job of keeping the dual storyline separate and not spoiling either timeline. Till the right moment when both stories come together, and the reader sees how they connect. Which keeps the reader turning the page to find out what happens.

While this one is a standalone novel there are cameos of characters from Roseanna’s previous series. So, there could be slight spoilers to previous series. But to me it just added to the story. Loved seeing characters from the Shadows over England, The Codebreaker series, and The Culper Ring. As Yesterdays Tide kind of connects the three series and the way Roseanna did it is brilliant.

 

I recommend reading at least The Culper Ring and The Codebreakers series first.

 

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.

 

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.

Yesterday’s Tides

In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same–until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie’s inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling’s injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the man he’s tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.

Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, but he doesn’t count on falling in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper’s daughter. When war breaks out in Europe, and their relationship is put in jeopardy, will their love survive?

As Evie and Sterling work to track down an elusive German agent, they unravel mysteries that go back a generation. The ripples from the Great War are still rocking their lives, and it seems yesterday’s tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

Bestselling and award-winning author Roseanna M. White whisks you away to two periods fraught with peril in this sweeping and romantic dual-time tale.

Book links 

Amazon Barnes and Noble Christianbook Roseanna's Shop (signed)

Author Bio & Photo

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Social Media links 

Blog Facebook Pinterest Instagram Twitter Website

The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz review

Title:  The Rose and the Thistle

Author:  Laura Frantz

Ch: 69

Pg:  416

Genre:  Christian Historical fiction, Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Revell

 

I’m not going to lie despite my own Scottish heritage I’ve never been one to sworn over Scottish heroes. But if any author was going to be able to do that it would be Laura Frantz. And with Everard Hume Lord Wedderburn she did. Though it took me a bit to warm up to him. But he’s a hero with strong faith who loves his family. I loved the bond he especially had with his youngest brother. Now Lady Blythe Hedley was a favorite from the start because what’s not to love about a spectacle wearing bookish heroine.

I knew that there was more than one Jacobite rebellions. Though the 1745-1746 is most known. So, it was interesting to read a book set during the 1715 rebellion. And Laura also added another twist in which the Scottish hero isn’t the Jacobite.

I have to say at least in this reader’s opinion this is Laura’s most emotional book. But this twist and turns and the emotional havoc was worth the journey to get to that ending.

And just like with her previous book’s quotes stand out to me in this case there were two “you are still my English Rose. While I remain your Scottish thistle” as it sums up the hero and heroine. And “Though death is melancholy for us here below, it’s more celebration there.” For more personal reasons.

I loved every minute of this book. And I felt like I was in the Lowlands of Scotland.

 

 

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.

 

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.

Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M White by Roseanna M White

 Title:  Worthy of Legend 

 

Author:  Roseanna M White

 

Ch: 26 plus epilogue

 

Pg:  364

 

Series: Secret of the Isles

 

Genre:  Christian historical fiction, Christian Historical Romance

 

Rating: 4 stats

 

Publisher: Bethany House

 

                 I have to say that this was my favorite of the series. And it was a great ending to an awesome series. Everything tied up nicely at least it seemed like it to me. I enjoyed the trip to the Scilly isles and meeting all the characters.

       Though I have to say that Bram might just be my favorite hero from the series from his stance on bullies. That quote was my favorite from the book. And he was the one that seemed the most changed.It’s bitter sweet to end this series but I don’t think I’ll ever forget the characters I meet in these books. And the wisdom shared.

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.

 

 About Worthy of Legend 

Worthy of Legend

The Secrets of the Isles Book 3
Releases September 13, 2022

1906

After a summer of successful pirate-treasure hunting, Lady Emily Scofield and her friends are forced to hide the unprecedented discoveries they’ve made, thanks to the betrayal of her own family. Horrified by her brother who stops at nothing to prove himself to their greedy father, Emily is forced to take a stand against her family—even when it means being cut off entirely.

Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford, is fascinated with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table—an interest he’s kept mostly hidden for the last decade. But when a diary is unearthed in the islands that could lead to a secret artifact, Bram is the only one able to piece the legends together.

As Bram and Emily seek out the whereabouts of the hidden artifact, they must dodge her eager family and a team of archeologists. In a race against time, they must decide what makes a hero worthy of legend—is it fighting valiantly to claim the treasure . . . or sacrificing everything in the name of selfless love?

Book Links

Amazon  Barnes and Noble  Christianbook Roseanna's Shop signed

Author Bio & Photo

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

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