“Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” ― G.K. Chesterton

Friday, March 1, 2024

A Sweet Historical Romance Filled with Irish Flair--"The Irish Matchmaker" by Jennifer Deibel—Review

 


“The Irish Matchmaker” by Jennifer Deibel is a sweet Christian historical romance novel. I loved the setting of a rural Irish village in the early 1900s. Ms. Deibel excels in her knowledge of Ireland during that time and the dialect. I really felt like I was in Ireland with the rich historical details and her use of the beautiful language. There are a lot of fun Irish words and customs I enjoyed learning about as I read the story. It was especially fun to learn about matchmaking, as that is something I had not read much about before. The slow burn romance between Catríona and Donal is just too sweet for words. Who can resist the story of a single father looking for a mother for his child? Of course, Donal does not mean to fall in love. Catríona has eyes for someone else. Will they end up together? If you love sweet romance combined with fun history, you will love this story that is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day (and all year)!

Content: I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content are: drink is mentioned a few times; someone utters an oath under their breath, but the word is not written; someone speaks of having affairs and dallying with other women; there is a character who is a “player.”

I want to thank Revell and Jennifer Deibel for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own.



Thursday, September 8, 2022

Magnificent Standalone Full of Dangerous Wishes, Deadly Curses and Magic Wells! --"Wishtress" by Nadine Brandes -- Review

 



My Review:

“Wishtress”, by the talented Nadine Brandes, is a new standalone young adult fantasy novel. Let me tell you, you are in for a treat, a boost for your faith and an incredible, edge of your seat adventure!

If this does not convince you, let me give more reasons why “Wishtress” has made it onto my favorites list. One reason is because the world and plot of “Wishtress” is so unique (in true Brandes fashion)! Brandes tells her story with a fresh voice that has the feel of an old fairytale. “Wishtress” reads like a fairytale that has allegory mixed in and includes nods to the Dutch and German cultures. I found myself in awe of the imaginative world and magic system. I especially loved how Brandes weaves incredible symbolism and allegory into the story, even while the narrative itself can be enjoyed for the amazing story that it is! The allegory is so powerful that I found myself super encouraged in my own faith and walk with the Lord by the end of this book!!!  From about two-thirds through the book, there is nonstop action, tension and it is extremely hard to put down!

Brandes writes many incredible characters in “Wishtress”!  Myrthe, the protagonist, is relatable in so many ways. When she discovers who she is and what her talent is, she does not know whether it is truly a gift or a curse, and she questions how to use it. Myrthe undergoes a huge transformation throughout the story. In the beginning, Myrthe feels that people value her tears more than her heart. She is tired of being controlled by her grandmother and longs to live her own life, learn about her gift and to use it to help people. Her journey in many ways mirrors our faith journey. Something I love about Myrthe is that she deals with chronic pain! But I have to stop gushing before I give too much more away!

Will Myrthe become who she was created to be or will she and her gifts fall into the hands of the wrong people and become a curse?  Do not pass up the opportunity to read this deep, thought-provoking, and exciting story!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content are: a woman emotionally and physically abuses and controls her granddaughter; a person curses, but the word is not actually written; people are physically tortured; a girl was forced into prostitution in her past; a man drinks ale; there are descriptions of violence and some gore.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars and a place on my favorites shelf!

I want to thank Nadine Brandes, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.


About the Author:

Hello friend! What will it be? Tea? Coffee? Lemonade? Water? All the best conversations and introductions happen at a coffee shop, in my opinion. 😉 Okay, a little about me:

  • I’m the author of five Young Adult books: ROMANOVFAWKES, and The Out of Time Series.
  • I’m an adventurer.
  • I’m a Harry Potter super-nerd who has been known to eat an entire package of Oreos (family-size) by herself.
  • I watch Fiddler on the Roof at least once a year. (Wait…you don’t?)
  • I love the word bumbershoot.
  • I learned to write using a fountain pen. They are the magic behind avoiding hand cramps. For reals.
  • hate kale with an immeasurable loathing, but I like brussel sprouts. (Sorry if you just gasped and gagged at the same time.)
  • I’ve driven a dogsled, eaten a raw potato, walked a tightwire, and waded through a cattail marsh all for the sake of book research.
  • I’ve been journaling since I was 9-years-old.
  • I love love love Jesus. He’s my auto-buy author. 😉
  • I have two new books coming in 2022 and 2024 and the best way to not miss any of the news is to be subscribed to my newsletter!

 To visit the author's website click here

To purchase the book click here

Friday, July 15, 2022

Sweet and Inspiring "Sleeping Beauty" Retelling--"Veil of Winter" by Melanie Dickerson--Review


My Review

“Veil of Winter” by Melanie Dickerson is a sweet and inspiring retelling, loosely based on “Sleeping Beauty.”  It is the third book in Dickerson’s “Dericott Tales” series. The series does not need to be read in order.

I have read all of Dickerson’s many fairy tale retellings and “Veil of Winter” is one of my favorites! One reason is because I can relate so much to the main character, Princess Elyce (and I think many other readers will be able to relate to her as well). Another reason is that I love the multiple layers in this story. It is a sweet, clean, wholesome journey filled with romance and adventure. But it goes deeper, as it is also about Elyce’s internal journey as well.

I see Elyce as a sort of “Katniss Everdeen,” as she wants to save her people from oppression (they face terrible working conditions and have tyrants as rulers). She decides to do whatever it will take to escape marriage to an evil ruler—even take a sleeping potion, escape from her father’s castle, and face the elements of the harsh winter landscape; all to find a way to save her people!

In the beginning, Elyce feels unloved, having been told to repress her emotions. She feels deeply and believes that there is something innately wrong with her, due to the way she was treated by her father and aunt. Her enthusiastic nature and emotions are wrong and must be repressed because no man will love her otherwise. She starts out very hurt and she is living with false beliefs about herself, causing her to not be able to realize her true potential and become fully who God created her to be.

Enter our hero, the sweet, brave, “cinnamon roll,” Sir Gerard. You may recognize him from previous books in the series and now he has his own story. He is the perfect match for Elyce and assures her that she is not too much, and her emotions and passionate nature are beautiful. Who would not love that kind of man?!  Their journey together is fraught with much adventure, excitement, and danger. The story is a good pace and many times kept me on the edge of my seat. Throughout the outward journey, Elyce is slowly learning to replace her false thoughts and beliefs with the truth and to be gentle with herself. The winter journey that Elyce takes can be compared to her inner journey from being rejected and unloved to learning and realizing her true identity. The journey also mirrors “Sleeping Beauty’s” journey from sleep to a new state of awakening! This story is so beautifully done and encourages the reader to also reject any false beliefs they may have picked up over the years, to love themselves the way God made them and to realize their true potential and identity in Christ! I highly recommend this book!

Content: I give this book a PG rating. An example of the content is that a father physically and mentally abuses his daughter.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars.

I want to thank Melanie Dickerson and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.


About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.

To purchase the book click here
To visit the author's website click here

 

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Shadows, Secrets and Surprises--"Shadows of Swanford Abbey" by Julie Klassen—Review

 



My Review

“Shadows of Swanford Abbey” by Julie Klassen is a Regency mystery and romance novel.  Ms. Klassen is the queen of inspirational regency fiction.  Her newest addition is touted as Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen.  In this story you will travel to an old abbey-turned-hotel, which is possibly haunted!  Add in a murder and you have quite a story!

This book is more of a mystery novel than many of Ms. Klassen’s previous works.  But do not worry, there is still a super sweet romance reminiscent of Austen’s “Persuasion” and “Mansfield Park.”  I was also reminded of “Northanger Abbey” with the Gothic feel and the mystery aspects.  Speaking of nods to great literature, there are many fun character names and situations that brought to mind Austen, Brontë, Dickens and Christie.

The atmospheric setting of an abbey that has been converted into a hotel is the perfect place for a murder mystery, as there are many guests gathered together.  One gets to see characters from both “upstairs” and “downstairs”—people of all classes and walks of life.  As one gets to know them, one wonders, what are their connections to one another?  What could their motives be?  Everyone seems to be hiding a secret of some sort.  I feel the story lagged a bit in the middle, but it really picked up at the end.  I also listened to parts of it as an audiobook and it was hard to feel the suspense and Gothic shivers because of the narrator’s chipper voice (but this is certainly no fault of the author’s).  

The mystery keeps you guessing till the end!  There are as many twists and turns as the old abbey and just when you think you have figured something out, new evidence and information is presented.

I highly recommend this book!

Content: I give this book a PG rating.  Some examples of the content are: a man is shown dealing with depression; a wife was unfaithful to her husband; references to liquor, opium and addiction; talk of women “entertaining” men at night in their rooms; a man is drunk and another high; descriptions of how the mentally ill are treated poorly with some asylums.  Mental health does play a role in the story, and it is treated with sensitivity and respect. 

Rating: I give this book 4 stars.

I want to thank Julie Klassen and Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.



About the Author

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane–Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for 16 years and now writes full-time. Her novels have sold over 1 million copies, and three of her books, The Silent GovernessThe Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and a Christian Retailing‘s Best Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

To purchase the book click here

To visit the author's website click here

Friday, October 22, 2021

Beautiful "Ugly Duckling" Retelling--"Castle of Refuge" by Melanie Dickerson—Review


 


My Review

"Castle of Refuge" by Melanie Dickerson is the second book in the “Dericott Tales” series. This is a young adult “Ugly Duckling” retelling. I was very excited to read more about one of my favorite side characters in the first book of the series, Edwin.  

Audrey and Edwin are the main characters of this story. I really appreciated that this tale includes someone with scars (Audrey has a deformity), someone physically disabled (Edwin lost one arm) and someone who struggles with a mental disability (Audrey’s sister).  It is wonderful to follow along with Edwin and Audrey and see how they grieve and learn to live with their scars and deformities.  One does not see a lot of main characters with disabilities.

Besides overcoming hardships, the characters also encounter adventure, danger and romance.  I love the faith aspects in Dickerson’s books and how the characters truly rely on and grow in their faith.  The lessons are always so beautiful.  Edwin wrestles with blaming and being angry with God for the bad things that happened to him.  He realizes God does not cause evil, but may have plans to use it in ways we cannot understand.  God brings the beautiful from the ugly.  Audrey learns scars are what make her beautiful--the things she has overcome and how she stayed gentle and kind despite it all. 

As with all Melanie’s books, I think readers of middle grade and young adult novels will love this newest addition. It’s a fun, clean, faith-filled and heartwarming adventure!

Content: I give this book a PG rating.  Some examples of the content are:  there is an emotionally and physically abusive and mentally ill sister; people drink ale; a girl was physically abused in the past; mention of the devil and of being possessed by a demon; mention of a large-busted woman; mention of other masters taking advantage of their servants; mention of a concubine.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars.

I want to thank Melanie Dickerson and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.


About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.

To purchase the book click here
To visit the author's website click here

Thursday, May 6, 2021

A Promising New Series by Beloved Author--"Court of Swans" by Melanie Dickerson---Review

 


My Review

“Court of Swans” by Melanie Dickerson is the first installment in her new fairy tale retelling series called “The Dericott Tales.”  This book is a retelling of “The Wild Swans.”  You do not need to be familiar with the tale to enjoy this sweet story.  

This story seems to be aimed mostly for the middle grade and young adult audience, but I also enjoyed it as an adult.  It is a plot-driven, quest type tale.  Our main character, Delia, must rescue her falsely accused brothers before they are killed.  I love the focus on the sibling relationships in this story and how much Delia will do for the love of her brothers.  Delia is very brave as she faces many obstacles.  She learns to be strong and courageous and to rely on God.  In the treacherous palace, she must find out who is her friend and who is her foe.  Who can she trust?  Both Delia and the other main character, Sir Geoffrey, are brave and put themselves in danger to do what is right and just.  They also pray and wrestle with the question of why God allows injustice.  I found the pacing of the story to be a little slow at times, but it is still a great read.

I love the lessons that can be taken away from this fun, wholesome read.  A big lesson the characters must learn is that sometimes God does not take away trials, but that He does walk with us through them.  Delia and Geoffrey learn about not judging others, justice, and that God is the ultimate authority.  They must learn that they have a choice as to how they respond to unfair things in life.  I love how Ms. Dickerson incorporates faith and lessons into her stories.  

Content: I give this book a PG rating.  Some examples of the content are: mention of paramours and of a man who violated a woman; some men are drunk; mention of alcohol; a man accosts a woman with the intent of raping her but is not successful and nothing really happens; someone curses, but the words are not actually written.
 
Rating: I give this book 4 stars.

I want to thank Melanie Dickerson and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.


About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.

To purchase the book click here
To visit the author's website click here



Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Sweet Tea and Southern Charm--"Vixen's Diner" by Penny McIntosh—Review

 


My review:

"Vixen's Diner" by Penny McIntosh is “full of sweet tea, Southern charm and romance” (Goodreads).  I could not have said it better myself. Ms. McIntosh writes a contemporary romance with some magical realism.  The story takes place in a small Southern town.  I love the premise.  In the beginning, we meet Granny, who previously owned the family diner.  She wants Emmy to live the life Granny wanted for her and to not repeat the same mistakes of her ancestors.  She desires for Emmy to be strong and brave.  The only problem is Granny is dead and does not know how to contact Emmy. 

Throughout the story we watch as Emmy navigates life without her grandmother and is trying to run the family diner on her own.  We follow Emmy as she grows, makes choices and figures out who she is and what she wants in life.  Also, if you are into “book boyfriends,” I think you will really like Nick. 

Emmy learns some lessons along the way about not letting the past control her and that she has a choice in how she lives her life.  Be sure to read the special edition if you are sensitive to content.  There are some more serious themes in "Vixen's Diner,” especially surrounding a past boyfriend who is abusive and displays stalker-like behavior.  It is unsettling to read about his thoughts at times.  Overall, I really enjoyed this charming, nostalgic read!  I would recommend "Vixen's Diner" to anyone who enjoys Southern stories, romance, and contemporary women’s fiction. 

Content:  I give this book a PG-13 rating.  Be sure to read the special edition if you are sensitive to content.  Some examples of the content are: a woman is in an abusive relationship; women get pregnant and have children out of wedlock; the words “hell,” “sh*t,” “a**hole,” “b*tch,” and “da*n” are used; a woman is raped, but the book doesn’t go into detail; there is mention of losing one’s virginity; a man has an affair; sexual innuendos; the Lord’s name is taken in vain; characters drink alcohol and get drunk; there is a scene with a little foreplay.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars!

I bought this book with my own money.  I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.


About the Author:


Penny McIntosh is a stay at wife, and mom of three. She has a degrees in Religious Studies and Teaching, and has always been drawn to the mystical and the unknown (something she tries to incorporate into all her books). She is an avid reader, and finds that the silence of the twilight hours offers the most inspiration for writing.

To purchase the book click here (make sure to get the special edition if you are sensitive to content)
To visit the author's website click here