A Creative Retelling! --"Threads of Red" by Julie Wright—Review

 

My Review:

“Threads of Red" by Julie Wright is such a creative retelling! It is a combination of Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, and Sleeping Beauty. I love that the idea for this story came from a question Ms. Wright’s son asked about who would win in a boxing ring—Goldilocks or Red Riding Hood? The book starts with Red and Goldi as enemies, and they must figure out how to navigate a dangerous forest and rely on one another. Different characters start out with jealousy and move towards forgiveness and solidarity, which I loved. There are great character arcs. The story is filled with secrets, difficult choices, and bravery. Red is a great heroine who does not give up. This is not just a fun fantasy story, it does have some darker aspects, which I was not expecting. It has a bit of a Grimm’s feel to it, but it never got too dark for me. It is a beautiful, unique, and creative fantasy about love, friendship, families, sisters, mothers, daughters, and a great romance! I recommend it to fans of fairy tale retellings!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: mention of a curse and a conjurer (a witch-like character), demons, and ghosts; past animal cruelty; a character hears voices in the wind; supernatural elements; blood and violence.

TW: parental emotional abuse; mention of physical abuse; bullying.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

 

Such a Tender and Heartachingly Beautiful Story--"Tenderly Betrayed" by Hannah Linder—Review

 

My Review:

"Tenderly Betrayed" by Hannah Linder is such a tender and heartachingly beautiful story! Hannah Linder is one of my favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint. I have read all of Ms. Linder’s books and she amazes me with her ability to always suck me into her stories and not let go until the last page. This gritty historical suspense story of love and betrayal kept me on the edge of my seat. The enemies-to-lovers romance is wonderful and so well done. Jericho wants revenge and to fight his way through everything. Iris deals with loneliness and holds onto her own secrets. The first kiss was so beautiful, and I especially love the first time Jericho smiles. Iris is originally the light to Jericho’s darkness, but I love how towards the end of the story, their roles reverse. Ms. Linder employs lovely descriptions and lyrical writing. The story and plot are fast-paced, and the multiple mysteries kept me guessing. This is a story about forgiveness, redemption, and light in the darkness. I especially appreciated the wonderful faith content and how characters pray and wrestle with questions. This is a top read of the year, and I highly recommend it to lovers of gritty historical suspense!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: characters drink alcohol and get drunk; violence and blood; the word “bloody” is used; child born out of wedlock; a man loves a married woman; mention of gambling; vague reference to someone sleeping with someone; laudanum use; someone is accused of being a trollop; an animal dies.

TW: loss; grief; su*cide; past parental emotional abuse; parental negligence; past loss; alcoholism; reference to r*pe; physical abuse; attempted se*ual assault (nothing graphic); mental illness and obsession; self-harm; hallucinations.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

 

A Creative & Beautiful Advent Companion! --"Advent Unhurried" by Micha Boyett—Review

 

My Review:

"Advent Unhurried: Daily Devotions for a Season of Wonder and Stillness" by Micha Boyett is a creative and beautiful advent companion! I love how this unique book helps the reader prepare their hearts and find special ways to connect with God during the Advent season. This is unlike any other Advent book I have read before because it contains poetry and because of how creative it is. The author helps the reader slow down to notice God at work and choose to live in the mystery of that. Ms. Boyett offers rhythms and practices to make space during Advent for wonder and to have the right posture in our souls. The book is divided into four weeks of advent with the four traditional themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. There are helpful tips and a cast of characters in the beginning. I love that there is a variety for different days (e.g. poetry, devotions, lectio divinia—with tips on how to engage with them). An example of a devotion I loved is one that talked about building our capacity for joy and then shared a poem by Wendell Berry. I especially love that a lot of the poetry in the book is written by the author herself. I found the book to come from a less conservative view than my own (the author mentions wanting women to preach) and I also found some of the poems on childbirth a little jarring for my personal taste. Those things aside, I recommend this beautiful book to those who want something different and creative to celebrate Advent!

Content: I give this a low PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content:  mention of a woman wanting to preach; a poem alludes to childbirth and mentions a mother’s breasts; talk of blood; mention of se*uality and se*ual experience; the word “a*s” is used three times in a non-derogatory way.

TW: mention of mental health and addiction; anxiety.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

 

A Beautiful Story Filled with Mystery! --"When You Rescued Me" by Sian Ann Bessey—Review

 

My Review:

"When You Rescued Me" by Sian Bessey is a beautiful story filled with mystery, redemption, history, and romance! Ms. Bessey’s books do not disappoint!  You can always tell she does a great deal of research, and I learned a lot about the setting of this book (London 1776). I especially loved learning about the beginnings of Bow Street and that the Blind Beak (one of the characters in the story) was a real person. I love that our hero and heroine meet as children, and that short meeting changes their lives. They then meet again twelve years later and join up to solve an investigation and catch a criminal. The mystery aspect was such a great part of the story. The romance was sweet and clean. There are wonderful messages of redemption, justice, mercy, and compassion. I love that the characters learn that it is not our place to issue ultimate judgment and that God offers forgiveness, so we also are to forgive. I recommend this wonderful story to lovers of sweet romance with a dash of intrigue and mystery!

Content: I give this a G rating. See the trigger warning below for examples of the content.

TW: orphan.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

 

A Stunning Edition of a Favorite Book! --"Blackmoore"-Deluxe Edition by Julianne Donaldson--Feature and Review

 From Julianne Donaldson—the #1 all-time best-selling Proper Romance author—comes a deluxe edition of Blackmoore, which includes a never-before-published bonus chapter.

My Review: 

"Blackmoore,” the Deluxe Edition, by Julianne Donaldson is such a stunning keepsake! Readers will love returning to this beloved book that includes new features, a never-before-published bonus chapter (which brought tears to my eyes), sprayed edges, and a stunning cover! This will be prominently displayed on my bookshelves. This is one of my all-time favorite books. I thoroughly enjoyed my re-read of this wonderful story! Here is what I wrote when I first read “Blackmoore” in 2017: The story itself is so beautiful! I could not put this book down. I can see how this book has hints of “Wuthering Heights” and “Little Women” (two stories which I love, so of course this book was perfect). The story is very deep and the writing beautiful. There are some great themes interwoven into the story. I could feel myself on the moors on a cliff by the sea--what a perfect setting. It is very romantic as well with the perfect hero. This book is hauntingly beautiful and is one of my new favorites!

I will always recommend this amazing and beautiful book, and the Deluxe Edition is perfect for new and old fans alike!

Blackmoore, Deluxe Edition bonus content:

—New additional chapter, “Return to Blackmoore,” set in the modern world. Readers get the real ending to Henry and Kate’s love story.

Content: I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content: manipulative family members; an animal is hurt and dies; rumors of ghosts; a married woman is possibly having an affair.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

 

 

A Gorgeous Edition of a Beloved Book! --"Edenbrooke"-Deluxe Edition by Julianne Donaldson--Feature and Review

 

Return to Edenbrooke in this deluxe edition of the #1 all-time best-selling Proper Romance, which includes never-before-shared annotations from beloved romance author Julianne Donaldson.

My Review: 

"Edenbrooke,” the Deluxe Edition, by Julianne Donaldson is such a gorgeous keepsake! Readers will love returning to this beloved book that includes new features, such as annotations from the author, sprayed edges, and a stunning cover! This will be prominently displayed on my bookshelves. I thoroughly enjoyed my re-read of this delightful, witty, and humorous story and was again reminded of why I and so many others love this story. Our heroine, Marianne Daventry, loves to twirl and wants to learn fencing and archery and be different from her seemingly perfect twin sister. She is stubborn, feisty and struggles with feeling like she needs to be socially acceptable. Marianne learns she needs to be true to herself. She meets a handsome stranger (swoon alert!). She travels to a country estate with a glorious library, while dealing with highwaymen and love on the way. Will she find a reason to twirl again? I love the sweet and honest relationship between Phillip and Marianne. Phillip brings out the best in her. Each is afraid that they will be loved by their misfortunes or possessions, instead of for themselves. They want to feel accepted and esteemed. I absolutely loved the special annotations throughout, which really added a whole new experience while reading the book. I highly recommend this book and special edition for lovers of sweet, clean Regency romance!

Edenbrooke, Deluxe Edition bonus content:

—Prequel novelette, “Heir to Edenbrooke”

—Introduction and inside look on how the author wrote the book, with over 100 annotations and author notes

—Actual music to the “Milkmaid Song”

Content: I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content: mention of gambling; kidnapping; a man threatens to ruin a woman.

TW: loss; grief; parental abandonment; unwanted kiss.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

 

 

A Charming "Beauty and the Beast" Inspired Romance! --"Miss Beresford and the Beast" by Mimi Matthews—Review

My Review:

"Miss Beresford and the Beast" by Mimi Matthews is a charming "Beauty and the Beast" inspired romance! Mimi Matthews is one of my favorite authors, and this book did not disappoint.  It had all my favorite elements, including Victorian Gothic and “Beauty and the Beast” vibes and a sweet animal companion! This book is connected to the author’s other series, “Somerset Stories,” but can easily be read as standalone. “Miss Beresford and the Beast” is a story about the third generation of the family in the “Somerset Stories.”  It was so neat to see familiar characters from the previous series. There were also some “Sleeping Beauty” and “Hades and Persephone” vibes. Charlotte Beresford, our heroine, is a lover of animals and fairytales and she is curious and compassionate. I love that she meets our hero, Magnus Sterling, when she is trying to help a wounded dog. Magnus is scarred and grumpy, but Charlotte can see past that to his compassionate heart. I love Charlotte’s motto about not paying attention to what people tell you, but to what they do. The reader and Charlotte start to fall for Magnus when he helps and befriends a wounded dog and sparks fly. Will they be able to overcome their circumstances and find love? I highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the next book in the series!

Content: I give this book a low PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: Lord’s name is taken in vain; mention of alcohol and someone was drunk in the past; the words “a*se,” “bloody,” “hell” and “da*n” are used.

TW: past emotional abuse; person possibly went mad in the past.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.