A Realistic Story with a Sweet Romance--"A Place at Our Table" by Amy Clipston--Review

 “A Place at Our Table” by Amy Clipston is the first book in the “Amish Homestead” series.  It deals with very realistic issues and can be a heavier read at times, but the romance is so sweet.  I don’t usually expect Amish books to deal with such complex topics, but I really enjoyed it!

The characters in this book deal with loss, fear, guilt and grief.  I felt the first half of the book is rather heavy; but as it shifted to focus more on the romance, the tone turns lighter and sweeter.  I really appreciate the lessons the story includes, such as trusting the Lord with our futures and that tomorrow is never promised so you should live your life to the fullest.

There are some great relationships and friendships in this book.  I appreciate seeing the family and sibling relationships, which play a big role in the story.  The romance is sweet and slow building.  I found myself really rooting for Kayla and Jamie (our main characters) and their relationship.

All in all, I enjoyed this book.  In the beginning it was slower for me and dealt with some heavy topics, but as the story progressed, I found myself invested in the characters.  I would especially recommend this book to fans of Amish fiction.

Content: This is a clean read with no mature content.

Rating: I give this book 3.5 stars.

Genre: Amish; Christian fiction; Romance

I want to thank the Fiction Guild, Amy Clipston and Zondervan 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:

Hi, I’m Amy Clipston. I am an author of Amish and Christian fiction with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Most of my books focus on the Amish community, faith, and love. I also write romance novels and young adult inspirational stories.

To visit the author's website click here
To purchase a copy of the book click here

A Contemporary Romance with Depth--"Blue Ridge Sunrise" by Denise Hunter--Review

 

My Review:

 

From the cover I was expecting a fun, cute romance.  Instead, "Blue Ridge Sunrise" by Denise Hunter is a romance with a lot of deeper issues being explored; such as family drama and dealing with past mistakes.  The first half of the book is dealing more with Zoe, our main female protagonist, returning home and facing her past.  Because of this there are flashbacks to Zoe’s past; a lot of which were bad decisions she had made.  I didn’t enjoy the first half as much because there is more mature content and I was really frustrated with Zoe.  The second half is where I started to like the book a lot more and I give Ms. Hunter kudos for the transformation Zoe goes through and her character arc. 

In the end, Zoe and Cruz (the hero of the book), learn a lot of lessons.  Zoe’s friend reminds her to find her identity in God and not any man.  Zoe realizes she has been trying to control things when God should be in control and she should pass things by God before acting.  Cruz’s faith also grows throughout the novel.  The only thing that is a little troublesome is that Zoe and Cruz made mistakes in the past, but I don’t really see them acknowledging specifically that what they did is wrong.

Of course, I love the romance!  Cruz is a great guy and it’s so sweet how he is so protective of Zoe and never stops loving her.  Ms. Hunter is an amazing writer and her style is easy to read.    Overall, I liked the book.  I think fans of contemporary novels and romance with some depth will really enjoy this book!

Content: This book definitely falls in the category of edgy Christian fiction with a PG-13 rating.  Some examples of the content are: the word hell is used; a couple shares a hotel room and sleep together when they aren’t married; people are at a bar and drink alcohol; a man is physically and emotionally abusive towards his girlfriend; a man calls a woman a derogatory name, but the word isn’t written; reference to someone being a drug addict.              

      
Rating: I give this book 3 stars.

Genre: Contemporary; Christian fiction; Romance.

I want to thank Denise Hunter, The Fiction Guild 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.                                                                            
 

 

 

 

 

Author Bio:

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 30 books, including "The Convenient Groom" and "A December Bride" which have been made into Hallmark movies. She has appeared on the The 700 club and won awards such as The Holt Medallion Award, The Carol Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories. Her readers enjoy the experience of falling in love vicariously through her characters and can expect a happily-ever-after sigh as they close the pages of her books.

In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking coffee, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are currently enjoying an empty nest.

You can learn more about Denise by visiting her FaceBook page.

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

Murder and Mayhem, O My!--"Murder at the Flamingo" by Rachel McMillan--Review

Murder and Mayhem, O My!   If you’ve been following my reviews for a while, you’ll know Murder at the Flamingo by Rachel McMillan is a little out of my reading comfort zone (as far as the time period and it being a murder mystery).  So I am pleasantly surprised by how much I did enjoy this book!

The story is a great one that focuses a lot on the characters and not a whole lot on the actual murder, blood and grime, etc.  Our main characters, Reggie and Hamish, are both looking for adventure and really trying to find themselves, each in their own way.  Hamish is not the usual hero, but one I think many readers will love.  Hamish deals with panic attacks and anxiety (mental health is addressed in such a loving way through Hamish’s character).  Hamish is very relatable, sweet, bookish and a real gentleman.  I really like Hamish’s love of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the way he uses passages from the book to help calm his anxiety.  I enjoyed Reggie’s character as well.  She is very adventurous and independent.  I didn’t like how Reggie has a boyfriend (who is back in her home town), but at the same time she is sort of developing a romance with another man. 

Mystery and suspense readers will find much to love in the story of Luca (Hamish’s cousin) and his nightclub, where the mysterious murder takes place.  I enjoyed the literary references in Murder at the Flamingo and reading about the pop culture of the time.  This is published by a Christian publisher, but there isn’t any overt faith content (except characters visit a church and mention it as a safe haven for all religions) but it is still very clean and has Christian themes, such as sacrificial love.

Overall, this is a great read!  I listened to part of it through an audiobook which I highly recommend, due to the narrator who does all of the different accents.  Murder at the Flamingo presents wonderful themes of family loyalty (characters struggle with how far one should go in being loyal as compared to choosing one’s conscience), being the hero of one’s own story and learning to live in the moment.

Content:  This is a clean read.  I would rate it PG for some minor content.  This is a murder mystery that takes place in nightclubs during the 1930s, so keep that in mind.  Some examples of the content are: the main character deals with panic attacks and anxiety; references to alcohol; a man makes unwanted physical advances on a woman but is unsuccessful; a mention of the devil and hell; a mention of cursing, but the words aren’t actually written; a woman is a man’s mistress; violence and talk about the mob; a murder takes place; a lot of drinking and smoking in the nightclubs.

Rating: I give this book 3.5 stars.

Genre: Mystery; Historical Fiction; Romance

I want to thank The Fiction Guild, Rachel McMillan 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:

 There is nothing better than exploring the world --near and far:  whether with a notebook and passport  at the ready or in the pages of a book. 

 

 I currently explore 1930s  Boston in my noirish mysteries starring Hamish DeLuca and Reggie Van Buren set in the city's historic North End.  My Sherlockian-inspired series featuring lady detectives Jem Watts and Merinda Herringford took readers around Edwardian-era Toronto. 

​

My passion for all things Europe infuses my contemporary romances,  including the Vienna-set Love in Three Quarter Time.

​

Stay awhile and explore. I'll always have new book recommendations as well as tips and tricks on how to find the world far away--or in your own backyard. 

​

I live in Toronto, my favourite film is Master and Commander, I am obsessed with Hallmark Christmas movies, Broadway musicals and Starbucks.

 

To purchase the book click here

To visit the author's website click here

A Sweet Story of Forbidden Love-"The Weaver's Daughter" by Sarah Ladd Review

 

"The Weaver's Daughter" by Sarah Ladd is a Regency story full of feuding families and forbidden love.  It has a Romeo and Juliet feel to it that readers will love!  Lovers of historical fiction and the Regency will find a lot to appreciate in this new novel by Ms. Ladd.

Ms. Ladd excels in her attention to historical detail and her descriptions of the time period and setting.  She gives great depictions of the village and English country side.  This is not the normal Regency of high society, drawing rooms and balls.  Rather it brings the reader to the everyday lives of the working class.  I learned a lot about mills and the weavers of the time period while reading.  The pace is a little slower with some lengthier descriptions of the mills that some readers may find to be more tedious.  I still highly enjoyed the book and it’s nice to have a change of pace once in a while.

Ms. Ladd also writes her characters in a relatable way.  The two main characters are flawed, yet loveable.  Kate, our heroine, wants to help her father with his business, but he chooses others to help instead of her.  He thinks she should tend to things in the cottage and dye house and be more of a lady.  She has spent her life around the business.   Her father thinks she needs to marry another weaver and marry for security.   It’s all about loyalty and staying in the family business.  Yet Kate is strong willed and not afraid to stand up for herself.

Henry, the hero, is a man who has been to war and is trying to reconcile the horrors he experienced in war to everyday life in his village.  He also realizes he’s now entered a new war zone; one between the millers and weavers.  I like that Henry realizes that the things he thought mattered before the war–a beautiful wife, possessions and power–don’t really matter. Now he wants safety, security, happiness, justice, hope and forgiveness.  He is such a kind man.  He and Kate are caught in the middle of their families’ battles. 

Can these star crossed lovers be together?  Will they forgo loyalty to their family for love?  You will just have to read to find out!

Content:  This is a clean read with a PG rating for some mild content.  Some examples of the content are: men drink ale; talk of brandy and smoking a pipe; talk that a woman has disgraced herself by getting pregnant out of wedlock; a man uses snuff; it is said that a man curses, but the words are not actually written; a man seems to have PTSD from war.

Rating:  I give this book 4 stars.

Genre: Christian fiction; Historical fiction; Romance; Regency

I want to thank Sarah Ladd, Thomas Nelson and the Fiction Guild 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:

 

Sarah E. Ladd has always loved the Regency period — the clothes, the music, the literature and the art. A college trip to England and Scotland confirmed her interest in the time period and gave her idea of what life would’ve looked like in era. It wasn’t until 2010 that Ladd began writing seriously. Shortly after, Ladd released the first book in the Whispers on the Moors series. Book one of the series, The Heiress of Winterwood, was the recipient of the 2011 ACFW Genesis Award for historical romance. Ladd also has more than ten years of marketing experience. She holds degrees in public relations and marketing and lives in Indiana with her family and spunky Golden Retriever.

To visit the author's website click here

To purchase the book click here

This Book is Addicting!-"The Austen Escape" by Katherine Reay Review

 

My Review:

Why have I not read any books by this author before?!  Note to self: Read more of Katherine Reay’s work because it is amazing!  “The Austen Escape” is the first book by Katherine Reay I’ve read and now I’m hooked! 

“The Austen Escape” is especially meaningful to me as Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors and there are so many references to Austen and her work throughout the story.  For those not familiar with Austen–not to worry; there’s a great character reference section in the front of the book. 

Ms. Reay has a certain style of writing that is witty and easy to read.  Ms. Reay is a genius in the way she connects present day characters to Austen’s characters.  I especially love Mary (our main character) and her complex personality.  I love that she is an engineer, yet also a hopeless romantic and an Audrey Hepburn lover (I can relate to the last two characteristics).  The relationships are also so well written and complex. 

Ms. Reay explores the themes of friendship, family and finding oneself.  What a neat concept of going away and living like one is in a Jane Austen novel (sign me up!).  I think this quote sums up the experience of the Austen Escape well: “In playing other characters, they find themselves.” 

This book is addicting!  I took it everywhere with me and got upset when I had to stop reading and do “real life.”  I highly recommend “The Austen Escape!”

Content:  This is a clean read.  A few minor examples of content are: characters drink alcohol and a character struggles with a type of memory loss/disassociation disorder. 

 

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars!

Genre: Contemporary; Christian Fiction; Romance

I want to thank the Fiction Guild, Katherine Reay 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:

Katherine Reay is a writer, wife, mom, continually rehabbing runner, compulsive vacuumist and a horrific navigator…

She graduated from Northwestern University and earned an MS in Marketing from Northwestern as well. She then worked in marketing and development before returning to graduate school for a Masters of Theological Studies. Moves to Texas, England, Ireland and Washington left that degree unfinished as Katherine spent her time unpacking, raising kids, volunteering, writing, and exploring new storylines and new cities.

The Reay family (with a great sense of permanency) now resides outside Chicago, and Katherine pursues writing with more focus. She writes character-driven stories and non-fiction that focuses upon examining the past and how it influences our present experiences.

To visit her website click here

To purchase the book click here

A Beautiful Coming of Age Story--"The Crooked Path" by Irma Joubert Review

"The Crooked Path" by Irma Joubert is a book I knew nothing about.  I don't normally like books that take place around the World Wars, as I'm more of a "happily ever after" type of person and books about the Wars are often too realistic and hard to read emotionally.  That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by this book!

From the moment you read the first few pages, you can tell Ms. Joubert is a wordsmith.  Her writing style is top notch and flows well, making it easy to read.  The setting in this book is unique--South Africa and Italy during the World War II era.  I appreciate how Ms. Joubert incorporates a lot from the cultures of the places she writes about.  She obviously did a lot of research. 

There are a lot of great themes in this book, such as self-esteem, loss, death, chronic illness and the path we travel in life.  There is some faith content, but I would have liked more.  Overall, the book is a little too sad for me and some of the parts were so well written that I had to disengage so I didn't become depressed.  This is not a fluffy read.  I appreciate books that deal with such issues and themes, but they are not my favorite to read.  Like I said before, I do truly appreciate the writing style and the lessons that are incorporated into this story!

Content:  I would give this book a PG rating.  There is a girl asking how people get pregnant and if there's a way to not be pregnant.  A guy notices a woman's curves.  A guy and a girl who are not married sleep under the same blanket, but nothing happens.  The word "hellhole" is used.  There are harsh conditions described in concentration camps.  A married couple is in bed talking without any clothes on.  Babies are born out of wedlock.  A character wants an abortion.  Characters drink alcohol. 

Rating:  I give this book 3.5 stars.

Genre: Christian Fiction; Historical Fiction; Romance

I want to thank Irma Joubert, Thomas Nelson and the Fiction Guild 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:

International bestselling author Irma Joubert was a history teacher for 35 years before she began writing. Her stories are known for their deep insight into personal relationships and rich historical detail. She's the author of eight novels and a regular fixture on bestseller lists in The Netherlands and in her native South Africa. She is the winner of the 2010 ATKV Prize for Romance Novels.

To purchase this book click here

Get in the Mood for Christmas with "Christmas at Carnton" by Tamera Alexander (Review)

"Christmas at Carnton" by Tamera Alexander is a sweet Christmas novella that will get you in the Christmas spirit.  “Christmas at Carnton” is the second book I’ve read by this author.  It’s a novella to start off a new "Carnton" series.  It is a longer novella at a little over 200 pages.  It's the perfect read for a cozy winter's night.

"Christmas at Carnton" reminds me of a great Hallmark movie.  Its characters are real, flawed people who you grow to care about.  I especially like our heroine, Aletta, who is recently widowed with a young son and another child on the way.  On top of that she loses her job and home.  She has a strong faith that shines despite her hardships.  She prays for others, helps people even when she is barely making it herself, and shows a great deal of courage.  She is a wonderful picture of strength amidst great hardship.

"Christmas at Carnton" is an excellent story.  I appreciate how Ms. Alexander puts a lot of history in, so you really feel like you've learned something while reading a great book.  This tale shows the hardships women faced during the Civil War as well as Southerners.  Being from the North, I don't know as much about the South and their side of the story.  They are real people with hopes and dreams, some good and some bad.  Most of the people Aletta knows don't even own slaves and they see the War as being more than just about the issue of slavery.  Bravo, Ms. Alexander, for shining light on the lesser known stories of the War and making history come alive!

Content: I would give this book a PG rating.  There is talk of a man banishing his wife's doubts that he desires her and then lying in bed and talking with her after the fact.  There are hints that a woman who is behind on her mortgages is giving a man at the bank favors of a sordid nature.  The word Negro is used, but not in a derogatory way.

Rating: I give this book 4 stars.

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction; Romance

I want to thank Tamera Alexander, Thomas Nelson and the Fiction Guild 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:


Tamera Alexander is the USA Today bestselling author of numerous books, including A Lasting Impression, A Note Yet Unsung, To Whisper Her Name, and To Wager Her Heart. 

Her richly drawn characters and thought-provoking plots have earned her devoted readers worldwide, as well as multiple industry awards.

These awards include the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Bookseller’s Best Award, and being listed among Publishers Weekly and Library Journal’s Top Inspirational Fiction, among others.

Tamera's books have been translated into numerous languages. She's toured Germany and The Netherlands meeting readers, and cherishes those connections.

She hopes readers who pick up one of her novels will be swept away into another time and place, that they'll fall in love with the characters and gain insights into the history of the setting and people of yesteryear. But most of all, when a reader turns that final page in one of her novels, she prays they will have taken a step closer to Christ. Because He's what it's all about.

After living in Colorado for nearly two decades, Tamera and her husband now make their home in Nashville where they enjoy life with their two adult children who live nearby, and Murphy—a rambunctious but oh-so-lovable Australian Terrier.

To visit the author's website click here

To purchase this book click here

A Poignant Story of Love in the Post-Civil War South--"To Wager Her Heart" by Tamera Alexander Review



If you like the "When Calls the Heart" TV series, I think you'll really enjoy "To Wager Her Heart".
"To Wager Her Heart" by Tamera Alexander is the third book in the "Belle Meade Plantation" series.  It can also be easily read as a stand-alone.  I don't normally like to read a lot of books set in the U.S. during different war periods, but recently I've been picking more of these up and enjoying them more than I thought I would.  "To Wager Her Heart" is just such a book.  Tamera Alexander has a superb and engaging writing style and creates here a story that draws the reader in.  Her characters are also very well written and come to life on the page.  She is very good at writing swoon-worthy moments!  

"To Wager Her Heart" is set in the post-Civil War South.  It is fascinating to read about the South and what life was like for everyday people after the war ravaged their land and their hearts.  Ms. Alexander does such a great job portraying this "in-between" time where a lot of change is taking place, but there's also many people who still hold to the "old ideals", including the father of our main character (Alexandra). 

I love how Ms. Alexander incorporates real life into the fictional story, like the freedman's school that Alexandra teaches at (Fisk University) and the Jubilee Singers.  I love that the university emphasizes knowledge, not only of the basic subjects, but of Christ.  Despite these many good things, it was hard for me to read at points, due to the vivid descriptions and the heavy subject matter.  Like I said, it's not my favorite time period to read about, precisely because of all of weightier issues that come along with it.  But it is important to remember these periods in our nation's history as well and the courageous men and women who went before us. 

There are many important messages in this book.  Throughout the story, Ms. Alexander conveys the lesson that we're all created in God's image and it doesn't matter what color skin you have, which is still a very pertinent message today with the recent racial tensions and the white supremacy movement.  I was encouraged by Alexandra's struggle with fear after tragedy and how she is able to overcome that fear through her faith.  Tragedy, loss, love, overcoming, and justice are all themes that are woven into this amazing story! 

Content: This is a clean read, but it is more on the edgy, gritty side of Christian fiction.  One character was in a train accident and she often thinks about it or has flashbacks.  The descriptions of the accident and aftermath are very detailed and vivid.  The word "negro" is used in context.  There is talk about a woman's "assets" and the author implies that a character is a prostitute.  The prostitute propositions a man, and this man has been to a brothel before.  The Lord's name is taken in vain once.  A person accidentally gets drunk.  A man tries not to look at a woman's décolletage.  There is some sexual innuendo.  There is talk of how slaves used to commit suicide. 

Genre: Christian historical fiction; Romance

Rating: I give this book four stars. 

I want to thank Tamera Alexander, Zondervan, and the Fiction Guild 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: Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling author and one of today's most popular writers of inspirational historical romance. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, not far from the Southern mansions that serve as the backdrop for many of her critically-acclaimed novels.

To purchase the book click here

To visit the author's website click here