The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano

                                                                         Book Synopsis

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words.

Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight. 

My thoughts:

The Love Note is such a beautiful novel. Not only is the cover beautiful but the story itself is equally beautiful.  As much as I wanted to read this book as fast as I possibly could, I read it at slower pace than I normally do, so I could savor each and every word the author has written.

The premise of the book fascinated me as did the dialog, and the letter discovered by Willa piqued my curiosity as much as it did hers.  I originally thought that Willa would be my favorite character, but that changed throughout the story as so many interesting characters made their appearance.  I loved how the letter made its way around Crestwicke Manor and how many lives it touched.   I especially loved the ending, even though I wasn’t ready for it to end.

There is so much to love about this book and the authors writing that I would wind up gushing if I continue to rave about how phenomenal The Love Note is.  Not only do I recommend this novel but also anything written by this author.

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

The Sound of Falling Leaves by Lisa Carter

 

                                                                     Book Synopsis

  After aspiring opera singer Tessa loses her voice in a fire, she needs both a place to heal and a way to keep music in her life. She retreats to her aunt's apple orchard in rural North Carolina to collect folk ballads. But amid the autumn splendor of this isolated Appalachian community, she uncovers an unnerving connection between a murder case and a long-ago disappearance. Tessa gets a glimpse into an almost-forgotten world, encounters a corrupt, small-town political dynasty, and finds superstition and prejudice at every turn.

She's also drawn to Zeke, the handsome but enigmatic orchard caretaker, who shows her that mountain justice is neither impartial nor just. But battling a conspiracy of silence, Tessa isn't sure if she can trust him. Yet somewhere in the mists of the Blue Ridge Mountains, evil lurks, and a killer is determined to keep the past where it belongs--dead and buried.

My thoughts:

The Sound of Falling Leaves is a character driven novel written by Lisa Carter.  I haven’t read any of her previous work, so I honestly had no idea what to expect but I’m happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

I don’t read too many romantic suspense novels, but this one is one of my favorites for the premise, the characters and the intrigue.  I liked the main characters, Tessa and Jake, the setting of the book and the twists and turns that held my interest.  I thought the pace was a little slow at times but overall, I have nothing but good things to say about this book which is why I recommend it to other readers.

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

                                                                                 

                                         

Sisters of War by Lana Kortchik

 

From Goodreads

A powerful and hard-hitting novel' – Deborah Swift

A dark shadow is about to fall over the golden cupolas of Kiev…

As the Red Army retreats in the face of Hitler’s relentless advance across Eastern Europe, the lives of sisters Natasha and Lisa are about to change forever.

While Lisa’s plans to marry her childhood sweetheart turn to tragedy under the occupation, Natasha grows close to Mark, a Hungarian soldier, enlisted against all his principles on the side of the Nazis.

But as Natasha fights for the survival of the friends and family she loves, the war threatens to tear them apart.

The Story of Us is a powerful tale of love, loss, and the power of hope set in Kiev during the Second World War, perfect for fans of Kate Furnivall, Pam Jenoff, and V. S. Alexander.

What readers are saying about The Story of Us:
‘A really brilliant read’

‘Excellent research and a fascinating story’

‘Great story, definitely worth reading’

‘I was really drawn into the story and finished it in a few sittings, and would recommend it heartily’

‘Brilliant story, from the start to finish just couldn't put it down. Such a good author’

My thoughts:

I am a huge fan of historical novels, even more so when they are written by a new to me author.  Sisters of War is set during WW2 in Kiev, which was interesting to me since I have never read another novel where Kiev was occupied by the German army. 

The author writes about love, loss, betrayal, and broken hearts, and she drew this reader in with every single word she wrote.  I loved her characters so much and could imagine how fearful they may have been but also could easily imagine how they felt when they were given any happiness in their lives. 

Overall, I thought the writing was exceptional, the storyline was intriguing, and I was interested throughout the book.  I look forward to reading more from Lana Kortchik.

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

The Plans We Made by Kathryn Cushman & Lauren Beccue Blog Tour +Giveaway

 

About the book:

When past secrets hold the only key to hope for the future…

Caroline Chapman is reeling from a broken engagement. Determined to start again, she moves cross-country for her dream job of planning events in the historical mansions of Newport, Rhode Island. Just as her life is getting back on track, she gets an email that shakes her very foundations.

Linda Riley’s life looks picture perfect - a wonderful husband, two great kids, involved in church and the community. Then comes the diagnosis that shatters the facade. In order to save her son’s life, she must reveal secrets that can rip everything apart.

Connected by more than painful circumstances, these two women discover a sacred bond. In this beautiful story of love, loss, and the fight for life, Caroline and Linda experience the reality that life doesn’t always go according to The Plans We Made.

Book Trailer

My thoughts:

The Plans We Made is a heart-stirring, beautifully crafted novel that I loved from the first page until the very last page.  Life doesn’t always go as we plan and it certainly doesn’t go as planned for Caroline Chapman and Linda Riley, two of the several characters in this book. The two women face different challenges but they share a bond that is undeniable and that will change their lives forever.  I loved their families, the way they rallied around each other and the love and support the gave to Maddox.

The authors have written a phenomenal story of forgiveness, illness,  relationships and family.  The topics are difficult ones but they handled the hard topics beautifully by adding in a touch of humor that made me laugh after I had just finished being on the verge of tears.   I loved this novel and highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy and was under no obligation to write a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

About the authors:

Kathryn Cushman graduated with a degree in pharmacy from Samford University. After hanging up her lab coat, she shifted her focus toward writing. Her previous works have received multiple nominations for both the Carol Award and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. The Plans We Made is her tenth published novel.

 

Learn more at kathryncushman.com. Follow Kathryn on Facebook and Instagram 

Lauren Beccue graduated from Holy Cross with a BA in English and now lives with her family in Santa Barbara. She writes about faith and family, with an emphasis on agricultural passages of the Bible.   This is her first novel

Learn more at Follow Lauren on Facebook and Instagram

Author giveaway:

MAKE YOUR PLANS IN PENCIL! 

Now, go buy your copy of The Plans We Made online or at a local bookstore, then be sure to head to Lauren’s website to

claim your bonus freebie!

THREE CUSTOM PENCILS:

 Make Your Plans in Pencil

 The Plans We Made

 Proverbs 19:21

 Just contact Lauren with with your name, address, and where you purchased the book, and she’ll send you a set. That's it! (US only and get 'em while they last)

BOOK GIVEAWAY

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Her Secret Song (Brides of Hope Mountain #3) by Mary Connealy

 

Book Synopsis

After a rough winter spent alone, Ursula Nordegren realizes she must overcome her fears of the outside world and begins a trek down Hope Mountain. Along the way she finds a badly wounded stranger and realizes God may have used her decision to leave as a way of saving the man.

Wax Mosby was climbing Hope Mountain in part to atone for his terrible choices. He was hired to drive out the Warden family and now knows he was duped. But when he's wounded during the climb, the last person he expects to rescue him is a beautiful blond woman with the voice of an angel.

As both Ursula and Wax weigh the costs of living new lives, the two find an unlikely bond. And they're joined by Ursula's sisters and the Warden family as the final showdown over the family ranch looms with the coming of spring.

My thoughts:

I have been looking forward to Ursula’s story, she is the sister who has been the most resistant to leave the security of the mountains and to willingly associate with anyone other than her two sisters.  Now that her sisters have married and have a different lifestyle, Ursula has spent a long, lonely harsh winter alone she is ready to overcome her fears and see what life can be like.  I have to admit that it took a lot of courage to overcome the fears that were instilled in her since childhood.

Ursula gets more than she bargained for when she finds Wax Mosby who has been injured and needs her help. It was truly touching to see her help a complete stranger since she was so afraid of anyone outside of her family, especially when she took him to her home   That’s one of the many things that I have loved throughout this entire series, seeing the three young ladies’ willingness to help those in need.

They are good, kind caring young women who are filled with love but are mistrustful, which has made their journey sweet, laugh out loud funny and a joy to take with them.  I adored Ursula’s story and thought it was the perfect ending to a perfect series.

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

The Sowing Season by Katie Powner

 

                                                                            Book Synopsis

After he's forced to sell the family farm he's labored on his whole life, 63-year-old Gerrit Laninga doesn't know what to do with himself. He sacrificed everything for the land--his time, his health, his family--with nothing to show for it but bitterness, regret, and two grown children who want nothing to do with him.

Fifteen-year-old Rae Walters has growing doubts and fears about The Plan--the detailed blueprint for high school that will help her follow in her lawyer father's footsteps. She's always been committed to The Plan, but now that the pressure to succeed is building, what was supposed to unite her family in purpose, may end up tearing it apart.

When their paths cross just as they each need a friend the most, Gerrit's and Rae's lives begin to change in unexpected ways. Can they discover together what really matters in life and learn it's never too late for a second chance? 

My thoughts:

The Sowing Season by Katie Powner is an absolute gem of a book.  The characters spoke to my heart, they are flawed, they have good intentions, so they are relatable.  After Gerrit sold the family farm he life changes completely, leaving him with more time at home than he had ever had before.   He had me laughing at his attempts to take care of things at home.  

Gerrit has a gruff exterior but has a soft, caring side that he shows in surprising ways.  His unlikely friendship with Rae was truly sweet and I loved the time he spent with the family dog, Daisy. I could have spent more time with these characters because they were so endearing but the book had a satisfying ending, so it made my time spent with them very enjoyable. 

Overall, I thought this easily one of the best debut novels that I have read.  The Sowing Season is a poignant story with unforgettable characters, making it one of my favorite books that I’ve read this year.

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

 

                                                                           

The Kissing Tree: Four Novellas Rooted in Timeless Love

Book Blurb

Bestselling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors' unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.

In Regina Jennings' Broken Limbs, Mended Fences, a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman.

Karen Witemeyer's The Kissing Tree Inn tells the tale of an unlikely woman building a very unexpected lover's retreat.

From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.

Heartwood by Nicole Deese is a modern-day romance where the aftermath of a giant storm brings changes for the owner of a historic inn.

                                            

My thoughts:

One of the best novella collections I have read in a long time, of course that’s what I expected and exactly what I got from these four amazing authors.  I loved how carving the couples initials in the kissing tree played an important part in each of the novellas and how much I looked forward to finding out which couple would be next to share in that time-honored tradition.

Each of the stories are set in different time periods spanning from 1868 to the present, and I loved each and every one of them.   They are heartwarming stories filled with charming characters who will stay with me for quite some time.   The Kissing Tree is definitely going on my keeper shelf because I will want to read this collection again. I highly recommend this to readers of all ages.

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

 

The Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant

 

Book Synopsis

The only thing Bri Duval loves more than baking petit fours is romance. So much so, she's created her own version of the famous Parisian lovelock wall at her bakery in Story, Kansas. She never expects it to go viral--or for Trek Magazine to send travel writer Gerard Fortier to feature the bakery. He's definitely handsome, but Bri has been holding out for a love story like the one her parents had, and that certainly will not include the love-scorned-and-therefore-love-scorning Gerard.

Just when it seems Bri's bakery is poised for unprecedented success, a series of events threaten not just her business but the pedestal she's kept her parents on all these years. Maybe Gerard is right about romance. Or maybe Bri's recipe just needs to be tweaked.

Novelist Betsy St. Amant invites you to experience this sweet story of how love doesn't always look the way we expect--and maybe that's a good thing.

My thoughts:

I have mixed feelings about this novel, there were some things that I liked about the storyline and some things that I found annoying.  Something that surprised me is the secondary characters appealed to me more than the main characters, which is something that I have never experienced before.

I think the premise of the book was cute but I found the chemistry between Brie and Girard non-existent for the most part and that annoyed me . She wants a love story like the one her parents had and he doesn’t care about that at this point in his life. There are a few sweet and funny moments in the book that I thoroughly enjoyed that made me keep reading until the end.

I have heard other readers say they love this book, so perhaps this just wasn’t the right book for me at this time.   I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Cold Case Pursuit by Dana Mentink (True Blue K-9 Unit Brooklyn)

 

About the book

A cold case solved by the K-9 unit…

but the past is not so easily escaped.

Decades after her parents’ murders, Penelope McGregor’s grateful the killer’s finally been identified—until he comes after her. Now Detective Tyler Walker and his K-9 partner, Dusty, must protect Penelope and catch the culprit…while making sure his little girl stays out of the crosshairs. But can the single father outplay a killer whose endgame will leave no one safe? 

My thoughts:

Non-stop action from start to finish and I loved every single minute of it.  Ms. Mentink has the ability to keep this reader engaged no matter what.  Do I get a little nervous for the characters? Of course, I do but that’s part of the reason why I love her writing so much. She makes me care about them and the precarious situations they find themselves in.

Cold Case Pursuit is he story of Penelope McGregor who is tormented decades later by the killer who murdered her parents when she was a child. As she is confronted with terrifying things that no person should be subjected to, she is not alone in fighting this battle.  Detective Tyler Walker and his K-9 partner, Dusty protect Penelope while trying catch the culprit.  I loved these two characters so much, add in an adorable little girl, and the other K-9’s and you have yourself one incredible story that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.  I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for her readers next.

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

My Prayer Journey by Ink & Willow

 

Prayer doesn’t always come easy. You may struggle to find the words, feel inadequate, or even battle with consistency in our prayer life. Promises to pray are easy to pass out but harder to keep, as this spiritual discipline takes a backseat to the busyness of life.

You have great intentions for your prayer life, but all too often, you fall short. This guided journal will help you grasp hold of those good intentions and dive deep into your prayer life. My Prayer Journey is both a practical tool and a source of inspiration.

Containing 52 weekly pages complete with inviting prompts to spark honest reflection and heartfelt prayer requests, this delightful resource also includes moving quotations about prayer, devotional thoughts, and insights on prayer practices. A prayer log at the front of the book provides a simple, organized way to keep track of specific concerns and requests, along with God’s surprising answers. Additional bonus features include an inspirational music playlist (available on Spotify), stories behind beloved prayers and hymns, and additional open journaling space.

Featuring full-color watercolor illustrations of architecture by Korean artist Sunga Park, My Prayer Journey will speak to your heart and deepen your faith in the God who is always near.

My thoughts:

My Prayer Journey is the most beautiful Guided Journal I have ever seen.  The cover itself is lovely, but inside it is filled with wonderful quotes and artwork. I haven’t started using it yet since we only have three more months left in 2020 and will use the Faith planner that I started at the beginning of the year.

The reason why I want to begin using this for 2021 is because it’s a 52-week guided journal with prompts when you journal and a Prayer Request Log.  I love the inspirational playlist that was thoughtfully included, too.  There are so much to love about My Prayer Journey which is why I encourage everyone to get a copy for yourself and gift a copy to family and friends. 

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

Piecing It All Together (Plain Patterns #1) by Leslie Gould

 

                                                                         Book Synopsis

When Savannah Mast's fiance dumps her a week before their wedding, she flees California for the safety of her Amish grandmother's farm near Nappanee, Indiana. She's not planning on staying long but becomes unexpectedly entangled in the search for a missing Amish girl. She can't leave--especially not when her childhood friend Tommy Yoder is implicated as a suspect.

When Savannah accompanies her grandmother to Plain Patterns, a nearby quilt shop, the owner and local historian, Jane Berger, relates a tale about another woman's disappearance back in the 1800s that has curious echoes to today.

Inspired by the story, Savannah does all she can to find the Amish girl and clear Tommy's name. But when her former fiance shows up, begging her to return to California and marry him after all, she must choose between accepting the security of what he has to offer or continuing the complicated legacy of her family's faith.

My thoughts:

Leslie Gould writes time-slip novels that have become some of my favorite reads.  She certainly knows how to weave a tale and always draws me into the lives of her characters.

Piecing It All Together is a perfect example as I became caught up in the lives of present-day Savannah, Jane .and the story of Emma from over 100 years in the past.   The secondary characters are wonderful, too.  I loved spending time with the ladies in the community, as they gathered in the quilt shop, talking, quilting and hearing the story of Emma.   This novel is an emotional one as it deals with broken relationships, family, friends and a message of faith woven throughout.  I highly recommend this novel.

This is the first book in a new series by the author and I’m already anxiously awaiting the second book. I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.  All opinions are completely my own.

The Cedar Key by Stephenia H. McGee

                                                                     Book Synopsis

       Could the key to Casey’s future be hidden in someone else’s past?

Casey Adams unexpectedly inherits an old Victorian house full of other people’s memories. Stuck in a quirky little Mississippi town, Casey’s hope for a fresh start died as soon she had to lay the grandmother she’d just met to rest.

But Grandma Ida carried secrets beyond the grave.

Before her death Ida carefully planned a trail of clues to help Casey unlock the Macintyre family secrets and finally explain why they abandoned her. But each of Ida’s letters will only come from Casey’s handsome—and often frustrating—new neighbor. As Casey pieces together the stories behind the objects filling her grandmother’s house, she embarks on a heart-stirring journey that rattles her foundations, ignites her faith, and leads her to a startling discovery that will reshape her future. But only if she can face the lies that have been slowly tearing her apart. 

My thoughts:

This the first book that I have read by Ms. McGee, I am a little embarrassed to admit but after finishing, The Cedar Key, I’m excited to read more of her books.  What I loved about this book was being captivated from the very beginning of the story of Casey Adams and her inheritance of an old Victorian house, the things she discovers and the healing it brings to her.

It’s a heartwarming, Contemporary story filled with loss, acceptance, love and unforgettable characters.  The Cedar Key is a book that you won’t want to put down once you start reading it.

I received an e-copy and was under no obligation to write a favorable review.  All opinions are completely my own.