Echoes Among the Stones by Jaime Jo Wright

About the book

After Aggie Dunkirk's career is unceremoniously ended by her own mistakes, she finds herself traveling to Wisconsin, where her grandmother, Mumsie, lives alone in her vintage, though very outdated, home. Aggie didn't plan for how eccentric Mumsie has become, obsessing over an old, unsolved crime scene--even going so far as to re-create it in a dollhouse.

Mystery seems to follow Aggie when she finds work as a secretary helping to restore the flooded historical part of the town's cemetery. Forced to work with a puzzling yet attractive archaeologist, she exhumes the past's secrets and unwittingly uncovers a crime that some will go to any length to keep hidden--even if that means silencing Aggie.

In 1946, Imogene Grayson works in a beauty salon but has her sights set on Hollywood. But coming home to discover her younger sister's body in the attic changes everything. Unfamiliar with the burgeoning world of forensic science and, as a woman, not particularly welcomed into the investigation, Imogene is nonetheless determined to stay involved. As her sister's case grows cold, Imogene vows to find justice . . . no matter the cost.

My thoughts:

I absolutely loved everything about this time-slip novel by Jaime Jo Wright.  It is pure perfection in my opinion with just the right amount of mystery, a gripping storyline and  lovable characters. 

Mumsie is simply adorable which made her my favorite fictional grandmothers of all times.  She is courageous, determined and full of spunk, qualities that I greatly admire.

Grief is difficult to deal with but unfortunately it's something that we all experience in our lifetime so my heart ached for Imogene and her family when their sister tragically died   I was  extremely impressed with Imogene's attempts to solve the mystery and fight for justice for her beloved sister.  Aggie is an amazing character, too and I loved her almost as I loved Mumsie.  Their relationship developed over time and was quite humorous which I appreciated. 

There are twists and turns throughout that had me reading as fast as I could so that I could find out what had transpired all those years ago.  This reader was more than satisfied with the surprise ending of this artfully written novel. The book was well paced with compelling characters and my favorite penned by Ms. Wright.  I highly recommend Echoes Among the Stones to readers of suspense and mystery Christian novels who also enjoy a good time-slip.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

The Bake Shop (Amish Marketplace #1) by Amy Clipston

About the book

Return to Lancaster County with the first installment of Amy Clipston's charming new Amish Marketplace series.

Christiana Kurtz loves to bake, but when her bake stand becomes too busy, her mother encourages her to move her business to the local market. Her new bake shop becomes so inundated with customers that the line blocks the leather and woodcraft shop next door, which is run by Jeffrey Stoltzfus. When Jeffrey complains that her stand is driving away business due to the lines, she complains to him that his personalization machine smells. Though their relationship starts off on bad footing, they eventually forge a friendship.

When Christiana’s father makes a surprise visit to the market, he is upset to find that Jeffrey uses the building’s electricity to personalize his items. He tells Christiana that Jeffrey is too modern for her, and she’s forbidden from dating him. Christiana is crushed, but she knows she must obey her father.

When Jeffrey’s shop catches fire one day, he puts the entire market in jeopardy—including Christiana’s bake shop. Christiana, however, can’t deny how she feels about Jeffrey despite his mistakes. Though the odds are against them, can two young people find a way to rebuild both their businesses and their relationship?

My thoughts:

The cover is just as sweet as the story of Christiana Kurtz and Jeffrey Stoltzfus.  I love Lancaster County so I'm always ready to return there, spending time there in person or through the eyes of characters, it's always a treat for me. Going to an Amish market is a fun way to see the lovely crafts, quilts, baked goods and just walking around taking it all in is always a pleasant experience.  

Amy Clipston brings that experience to life in the first book in her new series.

Christiana has a bake stand at her parents house but the time comes for her to move her baked goods to the market, with her fathers permission of course, which wasn't easy to get.  It's actually a good place for her to be with family and friends working or shopping there.  One of the first people she runs into is Jeffrey which results in spilled coffee which would put anyone in a bad mood especially since he has to work that day.  Oh, and his booth happens to be next t her. 

I liked that there friendship started off slowly and that there were obstacles in there way. making for an interesting storyline that was fun to read.

I was in the mood for a lighthearted read after reading some that were not so lighthearted. There are several characters in this book that I liked so I'm curious to see what's in store for them.

I revived a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.  All opinions expressed are my own.

A Pursuit of Home (Haven Manor-3) by Kristi Ann Hunter

Book Synopsis

When she learns the family she thought dead might be alive and in danger, Jess Beuchene knows her secrets can only stay buried for so long. Desperation brings her to Derek Thornbury, an expert in history and artifacts, to help her decipher the clues in an old family diary.

Will their search to uncover the truth of the past lead to a future together?

My thoughts:

A Pursuit of Home is the third and final book in the Haven Manor series. I recommend reading the first two books in the series before starting this one because you'll want to familiarize yourself with the cast of wonderful characters and you'll love this series as much as all of the readers who have read it.  

Like every other fan of this series, I have been so anxious to read Jess's story, although the wait was hard, it was well worth it.  Kristi Ann Hunter certainly crafted a terrific storyline for Jess and coming up with so many incredible disguises for her with so many interesting parts including twists,, turns, an old family diary and Derek Thornbury.   I really liked Derek who is perfect for Jess.  

They are quite the pair, their strengths play off of each other perfectly and of course the witty banter is something I always appreciate.

This is an amazing conclusion to an amazing series which is why it's one of my all time favorite series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions expressed are my own.

A Cross to Kill (A Shepherd Suspense Novel #1) review + Giveaway

About the book

John Cross is a small-town pastor, bent on leading his flock to follow God's calling. He's not the sort of man one would expect to

have a checkered past.

But the truth is that the man behind the pulpit preaching to his sheep was once a wolf--an assassin for the CIA. When John decided to follow Christ, he put that work behind him, determined to pay penance for all the lives he took. He vowed never to kill again.


Now someone wants the peaceful pastor to pay for his sins with his own life. And when a terrorist out for revenge walks into the church, John's secrets are laid bare. Confronted with his past, he must face his demons and discover whether a man can truly change. Can he keep his vow--even when the people he loves are in mortal danger? Will his congregation and the brave woman he's learning to care for be caught in the cross fire? In the end, his death may be the only sacrifice he has left to offer . . .

Andrew Huff's thrilling debut is not only a riveting story of suspense, it's also a deep exploration of the moral quandaries that face those who choose to follow the Prince of Peace in a violent world.

My thoughts:

A Cross to Kill is the first book in a Shepherd Suspense series and if the rest of the books in the series is as intense as this one is, then readers will be in for a wild roller coaster ride.  It's non-top excitement with some heart-pounding scenes within this novel.  Truthfully, some parts were a bit too much for me because I thought there was more violence than I'm used to reading in the suspense genre.  That's not to say I didn't enjoy the writing or the characters because I did.

I was particularly intrigued by John Cross and the dilemma he faced with being a small-town pastor and his past of being an assassin for the CIA.  I hadn't read another novel with this interesting premise so I knew it would be a welcome change from what I normally read.  I also liked the spiritual journey and the fact that we all have different paths on our journey. I actually do like non-stop action, and getting to know the characters and the author certainly delivered on those fronts.

Overall, I thought the book was good and I'm anxious to see what direction he will take his characters in as the series progresses. If anyone is looking for an edge of your seat, nail-biting book, then I highly recommend this one.

I received a complimentary copy of A Cross to Kill from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

      What Other's Are Saying

"An action-packed nail-biter from beginning to end, filled with enough twists and turns to put 24 and Jack Bauer to shame! I couldn’t put it down. Many thanks to Andrew for hours of entertainment and frantic page turning." Lynette Eason, best-selling, award-winning author of the Blue Justice series “What a ride! A Cross to Kill had a lot of amazing action (right from the beginning!) but an even better story to tell. I was amazed at the amount of detail Andrew was able to write into the scenes to bring them alive in my mind.” Rob Thomas, Founder & CEO of Igniter Media “Huff has written a fast paced novel which draws the readers into the adventure from the opening pages. An intriguing story with suspense, action, and danger. The major characters wrestle with faith, forgiveness, and redemption in a believable plot line that holds the readers’ attention to the end.” Glenn Kreider, author of God With Us       About the author Andrew Huff spent 10 years in local church ministry before pursuing God’s calling into creative storytelling and media production as the Product Director at Igniter Media, a church media company (ignitermedia.com). He is a two-time finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Contest for unpublished authors (2014 & 2017) and also won the Best Screenplay award at the 2015 48 Hour Film Festival in Richmond, VA. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Science in Religion degree from Liberty University and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary. He resides in North Texas with his beautiful wife Jae and their two boys. Learn more at andrewhuffbooks.com. Facebook (@huffwrites)  Twitter (@andrewjohnhuff)  Click here to enter

#HFVB Blog Tour Distant Sgns by Ann Richter review +GIVEAWAY

Distant Signs by Anne Richter

Publication Date: November 7, 2019
Neem Tree Press
Hardcover; 240 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Saga

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis

Distant Signs is an intimate portrait of two families spanning three generations amidst turbulent political change, behind and beyond the Berlin Wall. In 1960s East Germany, Margret, a professor's daughter from the city, meets and marries Hans, from a small village in Thuringia. The couple struggle to contend with their different backgrounds, and the emotional scars they bear from childhood in the aftermath of war.

 As East German history gradually unravels, with collision of the personal and political, their two families' hidden truths are quietly revealed. An exquisitely written novel with strongly etched characters that stay with you long after the book is finished and an authentic portrayal of family life behind the iron curtain based on personal experience of the author who is East German and was 16 years old at the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Why do families repeat destructive patterns of behaviour across generations? Should the personal take precedence over the political? Can we rise above our histories and political identities to forge a new understanding of the past and to welcome change?

Available on Amazon

My thoughts:

Distant Signs is an artfully written novel that looks into the lives of two families, three generations spanning from 1965 to 1992 and the effects of WWII.  It's an interesting read but a slow moving one, which I liked.  I'm a fan of historical fiction and usually read a novel of this genre in a few days, not so with this one.  This reader needed to spend extra time with the characters so I went bask and read several passages a few times.

Margaret and Hans are the main protagonists who have differing views which held my interest throughout. I enjoy reading about family dynamics although this is different from what I normally read, I found the  plot held my interest throughout.  The post war, the fall of the Berlin wall and the finely crafted characters made this a very enjoyable read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through  HFVB Tours.  All opinions are my own.


About the author

Anne Richter was born in 1973 in Jena, in the former German Democratic Republic. Her degree in Romance languages and English included study periods in England, Italy and France. In 2011, Anne was nominated for the Ingeborg Bachmann Prize, a highly regarded German-language literary award. Her debut novel, Distant Signs, was published in Germany in 2013. Anne is currently writing her second novel.

Douglas Irving is Scottish. He studied German and Spanish at Aberdeen University. In 2014 he completed a Masters in Translation at Glasgow University. His first translation, Crossing: A Love Story by Anna Seghers was published in 2016 in the US to positive reviews. His translation of Anna Seghers’ last work published in her lifetime, Three Women from Haiti, is set to follow.

Blog Tour Schedule

Thursday, November 7

Review at Broken Teepee

Review at Comet Readings

Friday, November 8

Review at Book Geek

Sunday, November 10

Excerpt at A Darn Good Read

Tuesday, November 12

Review at Books In Their Natural Habitat

Wednesday, November 13

Excerpt at To Read, Or Not to Read

Thursday, November 14

Feature at Lost_in_a_book_reviewer

Friday, November 15

Review at Red Headed Book Lady

Monday, November 18

Review at Gwendolyn's Books

Tuesday, November 19

Review at Locks, Hooks and Books

Wednesday, November 20

Review at 100 Pages a Day

Thursday, November 21

Review at Peaceful Pastime

Friday, November 22

Feature at What Is That Book About

Saturday, November 23

Review at Impressions In Ink

Monday, November 25

Review at So Many Books, So Little Time

Tuesday, November 26

Excerpt at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, November 27

Feature at Just One More Chapter

Friday, November 29

Feature at Coffee and Ink

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a copy of A Distant Signs by Anne Richter! 

Click here to enter

Giveaway Rules

- Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on November 29th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

- Paperback giveaway is open internationally.
- Only one entry per household.
- All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
- The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.

#HCTour Home for Christmas by Catherine Laniganreview +Giveaway

On tour with Prism Book Tours

Home for Christmas

(Shores of Indian Lake #12)

By Catherine Lanigan

Contemporary Romance

Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages

November 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Can a magical Christmas under glass…

…bring them back together for good?

Widowed dad Adam Masterson still doesn’t understand why Joy Boston left Indian Lake and broke his heart all those years ago. Now she’s returned to sell her grandfather’s beloved poinsettia greenhouse—and Joy and Adam’s connection is as strong as ever. But Joy has a life in New York. And Adam has only until Christmas to convince Joy that she belongs in Indian Lake—with him.

Goodreads      Amazon     B&N     Harlequinn     IBooks

My thoughts:

Every single time I read a novel set in Indian Lake, I can easily imagine residing there.  It sounds like such a charming place where friends and neighbors rally around each other, even when a person feels underserving of it.

Joy Boston receives a warm and welcoming homecoming when she returns to her hometown after having been away for so long.  She is surrounded by old friends who want to help her with reviving her beloved grandfather's poinsettia greenhouse.  To be honest, I have never been a fan of poinsettias but after reading this book, I kind of want one or two of them and I almost started decorating for Christmas.

Adam Masterson and his young son, Titus stole my heart  along with Mrs. Beabots. I would love to have a Mrs. Beabots in my life and not just for her amazing wardrobe but because she is a good person.  All of the characters in this book and series have been good and kind which is one of the reasons why I always look forward to returning to the shores of Indian Lake.  There is something special about this place the author created and the characters she has so lovingly crafted.  

We all make mistakes and without forgiveness and second chances, I think this would be a sad world but it doesn't have to be that way and if you pick up a copy of this book, you will see what I mean.

Catherine Lanigan has become one of my favorite authors because she truly does write heartwarming  novels that are suitable for all readers, ones you can share with your daughters, mothers. grandmothers, friends and family. I love a sweet, clean romance  and Ms. Lanigan is one of the best authors in this genre.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Other Books in the Series

About the Author

Catherine Lanigan is the international bestselling and award-winning author of over forty-five published titles in both fiction and non-fiction, including the novelizations of Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile. Ms. Lanigan’s novels have been translated into over twenty-four languages. Lanigan was tasked by the NotMYkid foundation to pen a collection of compelling and informative true stories of teen addicts. Ms. Lanigan’s SHORES OF INDIAN LAKE series for HARLEQUIN HEARTWARMING includes LOVE SHADOWS, HEART’S DESIRE , A FINE YEAR FOR LOVE, KATIA’S PROMISE, FEAR OF FALLING, SOPHIE’S PATH, PROTECTING THE SINGLE MOM, FAMILY OF HIS OWN, HIS BABY DILEMMA, RESCUED BY THE FIREFIGHTER and HERS TO PROTECT (2019).

Ms. Lanigan is a frequent speaker at literary functions and book conventions as well as inspiring audiences with her real stories of angelic intervention from her Angel Tales series of books. She is an outspoken advocate for domestic violence and abuse and was honored by The National Domestic Violence Hotline in Washington, D.C. She has been a guest on numerous radio programs including “Coast to Coast” and on television interview and talk show programs as well as blogs, podcasts and online radio interview programs. She writes a monthly blog for Heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com.

Website    Goodreads    Facebook    Twitter    LinkedIn    BookBub    Pinterest

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

- One winner will receive a $100 Amazon eGift Card (open internationally)

- Two winners will each receive a signed copy of Home for Christmas with a bookmark (US only)

- Ends November 27, 2019

ENTER HERE

Christmas at Whitefriars by Elizabeth Camden

Book Synopsis

Mary Beckwith lives in a magnificent English castle during the twilight years of the gilded age. With the help of an American millionaire, she has succeeded in renovating her beloved Whitefriars castle into a splendid estate just in time for Christmas.

From across the ocean, millionaire Everett Wooten has spent a fortune propping up Whitefriars to add modern conveniences and rebuild crumbling old walls. Even though he’s never met Mary, they have enjoyed a lively business correspondence over the nine years they have been working toward a renovation. Now he has finally come to see Mary and the castle in person, but nothing is as he was led to believe.

Mary and Everett try to find a way forward, but red-blooded American entrepreneurship doesn’t always mingle with blue-blooded English tradition. Can a Manhattan business tycoon and an English lady come to an accord, or will their joint venture in Whitefriars result in heartbreak for them both? 

My thoughts:

I thought Christmas at Whitefriars is one of the best novellas I have read.  I have loved Ms. Camden's novels but wasn't certain if a shorter story would have an impact on me but boy was I wrong!

She managed to write a captivating story that was hard to put down.  

Mary Beckwith is an endearing character, her panic attacks and anxiety are something I think we all have experienced at some point in our lives but hopefully not to the extent she did.  I felt so bad for her, especially when she and her brother travel to York to meet Everett Wooten.  Everett turned out to be much more likable than I originally anticipated and I liked how understanding he could be. Well, he was less understanding when he visits the crumbling castle that Mary is trying to renovate than he was at their first meeting but he is s wonderful character.  

In this beautifully crafted story the author skillfully brought her characters to life, she made me care about them and most importantly I think she genuinely cared about them by making them seem so real to me.  If you are already a fan of Ms. Camden, you will want to read this novella and if you haven't read any of her books, this is the perfect book to start with. 

I received a copy from the publisher.  All opinions are completely my own.

Serving Up Love - Four-in One Harvey House Brides Collecion

Book Synopsis

Bestselling novelist Tracie Peterson joins Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, and Jen Turano in this collection of four novellas, each featuring a Harvey Girl heroine. From Kansas to Texas, the Grand Canyon to New Mexico, the stories cross the country with tales of sweet romance and entertaining history.

In Karen Witemeyer's "More Than a Pretty Face," a young woman works her hardest to escape poor choices from her youth. Tracie Peterson offers "A Flood of Love," where reuniting with an old flame after more than a decade offers unexpected results. Regina Jennings's "Intrigue a la Mode" delights with a tale of a young woman determined to help support her family, despite warnings of danger nearby. And Jen Turano's "Grand Encounters" heads to the Grand Canyon with a tale of a society belle intent on finding a new life for herself. Bestselling novelist Tracie Peterson joins Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, and Jen Turano in this collection of four novellas, each featuring a Harvey Girl heroine. From Kansas to Texas, the Grand Canyon to New Mexico, the stories cross the country with tales of sweet romance and entertaining history.

In Karen Witemeyer's "More Than a Pretty Face," a young woman works her hardest to escape poor choices from her youth. Tracie Peterson offers "A Flood of Love," where reuniting with an old flame after more than a decade offers unexpected results. Regina Jennings's "Intrigue a la Mode" delights with a tale of a young woman determined to help support her family, despite warnings of danger nearby. And Jen Turano's "Grand Encounters" heads to the Grand Canyon with a tale of a society belle intent on finding a new life for herself. 

My thoughts:

Serving Up Love is a an excellent collection of four historical novellas by four amazing authors who happen to be some of my favorites so when I first saw this book, I was absolutely giddy with delight and that is not an exaggeration!

Tracie Peterson set her novella in 1929 New Mexico where I fell in love with the precious and precocious Katiann.  This little charmer will steal you heart along with the rest of the characters in this story.

Karen Witemeyer  takes us to 1902 Texas where we meet Rosalind, a lovely young woman who has made some past mistakes and seems to be paying for them far longer than she should have had to.

Regina Jennings novella takes place in 1898 Kansas and the one that had me turning pages as I could because it had such a fascinating storyline. I loved everything about this story.

Jen Turano takes her readers to 1908 Arizona where I found myself laughing at the antics of her characters as I usually do.

I was thoroughly entertained while learning about Harvey Houses.  The young ladies worked hard and tirelessly to provide top of the line service to the guests.  This is the perfect read for busy times because you can read a complete story at you leisure or you find it hard to put down like I did you read the book in two days.   I highly recommend this novel to readers of historical and Christian fiction. 

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher.   All opinions are completely my own.

In the Cradle Lies (Tree of Life- Book 2) by Olivia Newport

Book Synopsis

A Father-Daughter Genealogy Team Link Present to Past on Family Trees

 
On a solo ski vacation in Canyon Mines, Colorado, Tucker has a love-hate relationship with his wealth, spending indiscriminately while skiing fearlessly and preparing to conquer the overgrown slope of Hidden Run, a dangerous run not attempted in decades. As genealogist Jillian tries to uncover enough of Tucker’s family tree to understand his charming nature but reckless resolve, Jillian’s equally charming father, Nolan, cajoles Tucker into giving him ski lessons to get him talking about the suspicious circumstances surrounding his grandfather’s life in St. Louis in the 1930s. 
 
On the surface, Tucker’s family’s history seems too perfect. The secret may lie in the sealed envelope Tucker carries with him at all times—even on the ski slope. When no one can find Tucker to tell him the fiancée he never mentioned turned up in Canyon Mines, they realize he must be off attempting to ski Hidden Run alone in a snowstorm. And they may be too late. 
 
In the Cradle Lies is the second book in the Tree of Life series by Olivia Newport. You’ll want to return to the lovely Colorado mountain town of Canyon Mines again and again to explore and celebrate unforgettable family stories that will inspire you to connect with your own family histories and unique faith journeys.

My thoughts:

In the Cradle Lies is a page turner of a novel. I loved the first book in the series but this book was my favorite. It was fun going back in Canyon Mines, Colorado and catching up with Jillian and Nolan, the father-daughter duo who are rather charming. I loved their relationship, how they help each other and their friends in their community.

This is another time-slip story, the storyline was fascinating even if it was a bit sad. Tucker was difficult for me to like at times, yet I still myself feeling bad for him occasionally. His family has a dark secret as we learn more about when we meet his grandfather as a child in the 1930's. It was surprising what had transpired but it kept me turning pages as fast as I could to find out how it would all play out.

I loved the returning characters, their shops, their penchant for ice cream and hot chocolate but most of all I loved the emotional story the author told. A little bit of mystery with a lot of love and friendship made this book a pleasure to read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.