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.