Charming - 'Miss Beth Bettencourt' - by Eva Marie Everson

 

About the book:

It's 1962 in Bynum, Georgia, and Beth Bettencourt's world is turned upside down when she wakes to a man snoring in the guest bedroom.

She's home alone; her parents are traveling abroad, grieving her twin sister's unexpected death. Instead of accompanying them, Beth stayed in Bynum to tend to her kindergarten and closely guard her own heart.

A beautiful and beloved member of the community, Beth is an unusual specimen for her time as she nears thirty and remains unmarried. She holds deep-seated unforgiveness toward her twin, Elise, who ran off with Beth's beau. To make matters worse, Elise took their grandmother's ring, which had been promised to Beth.

But now a stranger enters her home and her world. David Patrick Martin seems ready to break down her walls of indifference and find the core of Miss Beth Bettencourt. But can he be trusted with Beth's past, her present, and more importantly, her future?

My review:

This was such an interesting story about a strong Southern woman who's been deeply hurt and is stuck in her life after being betrayed by her sister and soon-to-be fiance.  I couldn't imagine dealing with that betrayal and humiliation or how scary it must have been to wake up to hear someone snoring in your house when you're supposed to be alone!  She was calm and just did what needed to be done; she had that kind of personality but could also be funny and witty.  Then she decided to help David (Marty) which led to getting to know him and what a great guy he really was.  I admired her for helping him and standing her ground when gossip began to fly.  I absolutely loved her family's maid, Molly.  She was an older black woman with plenty of sass and whom Beth treated like family.  Pretty much any conversation Molly had with anyone made me smile as you weren't sure what she'd say next.  I liked that we were told the story from the three perspectives of Beth, David and Molly.  Marty was fascinating because he so multi-faceted.  He was handy and knew engines and could fix them, paint, cook, pray and read what a person was like.  He could also talk about feelings and hurts and encouraged Beth to forgive and let the hurts go.  He had a strong faith and helped reawaken Beth's own.  There was a little bit of romance as you see Beth and Marty start to fall for each other.  I also guessed at but liked the twist as there was a secret someone was keeping.  This story was just a fascinating slice of Southern culture in the 60s that showed what a difference one person could make in another's life.  I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I wasn't compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.

Witty Rom-Com Hits All the Right Notes! 'Brewed Awakening' - by Pepper Basham

 

About the book:

Daphne dreams of Mr. Darcy. Finn serves up pints and rock music. Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival? Perfect for fans of Courtney Walsh and Emma St. Clair.

In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She's built her life--and her late grandmother's tearoom, Tea Thyme--around all things English: delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door.

After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He's looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn't matter that she's ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn's heart is not open to being broken again.

But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled--Wisteria hasn't seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat.

When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship--and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry.

Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever?

My review:

This was such a cute story! Where do I begin?  I loved the witty banter and not just between Finn and Daphne.  There were a lot of fun social media comments with funny hashtags from different people in the community and that really made the small town come alive and feel like everyone truly knew everyone.  Daphne and Finn were so cute together; besides the banter they invented mouth-watering recipes and had amazing chemistry.  I seriously wanted to try the food!  It sounded so good and I keep thinking about it, lol.  Finn and Daphne struggled to trust and open their hearts to each other as they were both protecting themselves from past hurts and Finn especially had his little girl to consider as well.  She was adorable and it was so sweet to see Daphne bonding with her, especially when she gets bullied for having a scar from her cleft lip surgery and Daphne finds words that show her her worth comes from God.  I liked that we're shown people who aren't all perfect-looking and another example of that was Daphne's brother, Jack, who has prosthetic legs.  Besides the romantic comedy, there was also some action as a hurricane is coming nearby and there's a worry about flooding.  Daphne prays and tried to trust God during all of this.  You really see the community come together during this time.  The faith element is on the lighter side in the story as it's mentioned they both attend church and a few other things.  Overall, this story was picture-perfect.  Swoon-worthy banter (and hero) with adorable daughter, amazing food and a quirky community that brings to mind Gilmore Girls.  I really hope there's a sequel!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for this review.  All opinions are my own.                                                                                                                                                                                                      

'Secrets of the Desert Rose' - by Marilyn Turk

 

About the book:

Three Women. Two generations. Their friendship survived the war. Their secret survived even longer.

Monique and Audrey, one French and one British, grow up in French Algiers on the coast of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Best friends, they keep each other’s secrets into adulthood when World War II changes their world and Algiers sides with the Hitler-based Vichy government. Audrey joins Charles DeGaulle’s resistance army, the French Foreign Legion, while Monique stays to work in the underground resistance aiding the Allied invasion of North Africa.

In present day, American born great-granddaughter Nicole, a graduate student in archaeology, goes to North Africa for an internship. The now centenarian Monique (Mimi), debilitated by a stroke, urges her to find the Desert Rose. Nicole finds different types of desert roses, but none are the right one until she stumbles onto information that hints the desert rose might not be a flower after all. While Sami, her instructor in Algiers, helps her find the desert rose, he also has to protect her from people who want the heirloom ring Nicole wears which has its own secret.

Will Nicole find the secret before it’s too late?

My review:

This was an interesting dual-timeline story that really made French Algiers come alive!  I could picture the sights and hear the sounds as Nicole gets to finally travel there and experience the place Mimi told her stories about.  I liked following Nicole and Sami from place to place as they explore but I thought there would have been more research or investigation to her quest.  Monique and Audrey's stories were interesting as they both want to help win the war but in different ways.  They experienced a lot of excitement and challenges.  I really enjoyed learning about what was going on during World War II in this part of the world and how they were affected.  Monique had a close family that faith was a big part of while Audrey had distant parents and struggled to understand Monique's faith.  There didn't seem to be much character development; it felt like Monique and Audrey were the same people they were when they were kids.  This was more of an action story where it felt like the three ladies were always on the go.  I was also surprised by a twist and felt like there wasn't really any closure or big reveal to a secret or to what's next for Nicole.  There was some romance.  Overall, this was an interesting story and a very interesting setting I enjoyed learning more about.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for my review.  All opinions are my own.

Fascinating History! 'Fires of Injustice' - by Kendy Pearson

 

About the book:

She is fighting for the innocent.
He is fighting for a second chance.
 
Yakira Mitchell has devoted her life to rescuing the forgotten from the clutches of exploitation, and now her dream of opening a mission home for Chinese girls is within reach. But as anti-Chinese sentiments sweep through the West, Yakira finds herself at the center of a storm of hostility and prejudice. She is building a home for the broken, but her own foundation threatens to crumble with new revelations about her past.
 
Attorney Grant Campbell, the boy who once held Yakira’s heart, returns to San Francisco to atone for his past mistakes and face the secret that drove him away. He is determined to defend Chinese immigrants and to reconcile with his family and Yakira. But old feelings flare—and so do old wounds.

When flames of injustice consume communities, violence rages, and lives hang in the balance. As Yakira fights to protect her girls, she must face the truth of who she really is—and who God has called her to be.

In the ashes of hatred, Yakira and Grant both discover a love stronger than fear and a purpose forged in fire.

For fans of historical fiction, FIRES OF INJUSTICE is inspired by real, untaught horrors of the Chinese Exclusion era—when towns forcibly erased entire communities by fire, expulsion, and boycotts.

Set just twenty years after the American Civil War, this gripping tale of resilience, romance, and courage reveals another dark chapter of division—and the light that defied it.

My review:

This was a fascinating story about a time I didn't know that much about.  I knew that the Chinese weren't treated fairly very much and that they worked on the railroads but I had no idea of the lengths some people and towns went to to make the Chinese leave or that it became such an organized effort.  The author's note says most of her book is true, just a family created to live through it, which I figured as I was reading it and that's what made me angry.  I hate injustice and unfairness so it was very frustrating to see people's livelihoods ruined or them get beaten up just because they were Chinese and for them to not really have any recourse.  There were some victories along the way as we see Grant filing briefs and lawsuits and taking people to court but they felt too sporadic for all of the heartbreak. There were some interesting courtroom scenes and interesting conversations as Grant tried to negotiate and stop some of this madness.  I really liked Yakira's determination and love for these people; her whole family was just wonderful and had such strength and love to endure all they did.  Her father was keeping a secret from her, however, of her origins, so there was some conflict around that.  Yakira had to learn to forgive not only him but also Grant for leaving as they had been best friends.  Grant had to make some difficult choices, first to come back after running and then finally confessing his guilt; he needed forgiveness and to turn back to God.  There was some romance for a few couples and some action.  If you like historical fiction, you'll like this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for my review.  All opinions are my own.

Fun Romantic Adventure! 'The Hidden Key of Brooke Sumner' - Treasures of Halstead Manor 3 - by Susan L. Tuttle

 

About the book:

Will the key unlock more than a vault filled with treasure?

Brooke Sumner has been carefully avoiding Storm Whitlock ever since he betrayed her trust. When he joins Caspar's mysterious treasure-hunting group, she steps away to focus on her antique shop and keep herself busy.

Then Caspar invites her back for one final assignment, and Brooke is torn. Returning to Halstead Manor to help the team find the second half of a key is intriguing. It also means she'd be working with Storm. But she doesn't trust his motives, so she reluctantly rejoins to keep him in check.

As they dive into their expedition, Brooke finds her heart softening toward those she'd once held at arm's length. And is it possible she misunderstood Storm's betrayal of their friendship?

My review:

This was such a fun, romantic adventure story but it also had depth to it and a great message.  I was a little worried that I might feel lost, seeing as this is book three, but other than a few references to the past, it worked well as a stand-alone.  The treasure hunt aspect was fun, especially as they tried to decipher clues to figure out their next step.  There was also plenty of romantic tension as Storm and Brooke used to be best friends who secretly loved each other and now they're enemies, at least from her point of view.  You quickly find out something's up with Storm as he's trying to protect Brooke and maybe his betrayal isn't quite what it seems.  I loved the songs they would send back and forth as messages they were trying to convey, whether silly or serious.  I knew most but had to look up a couple to see what they were and it was fun to have a soundtrack for the book.  I also liked the references to different artwork and also looked up a couple to find out if what they were saying was true about it in real life and it was!  I liked the exciting action but also felt that the deep conversations were well done as both Gertie and Storm, especially, had a lot of wisdom for Brooke if she'd hear it on an emotional and spiritual level.  They had strong faith and Brooke struggled with her identity and worth as she felt abandoned over and over in foster care.  Gertie also pointed out that you need to go by the truth of who God is, not feelings which aren't always reliable.  One thing I still don't understand is why Storm couldn't tell Brooke the whole story sooner and instead had to let her feel betrayed for over a year.  There were some twists, one which I figured out but a bigger one I didn't see coming!  I'm looking forward to reading the first two and I highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I wasn't compensated for my review.  All opinions are my own.

Action-Packed Teen Read! 'Where Your Treasure Is' - by M. Liz Boyle

 

About the book:

Most people assume I’m reckless and have an adrenaline addict’s death wish. That’s not exactly how I see it.

Eighteen-year-old Ruby has grown up in her twin brothers’ shadow. The whole treasure diving community applauds her brothers and abuelo for finding a famous sunken Spanish galleon. Ruby and her best friend and diving buddy Tanner spent hours searching for another galleon with a massive treasure, Dos Hermanos.

Until Tanner died.

Ruby hasn’t searched for Dos Hermanos since Tanner’s tragic death, but when the family’s nemesis Marco tries to convince Ruby to tell him what she knows about where Dos Hermanos might lie, the race is on. Ruby’s competition has too much gall and not enough conscience, but she is ready to fight for the treasure.

When Marco abducts her brothers and abuelo, Ruby is determined to search on her own and beat Marco at his own game.

But the real question is, will Ruby find the sunken treasure or lose her soul?

My review:

I enjoyed this action-packed story about a pretty strong-willed girl who was sometimes frustrating but very brave.  I couldn't believe how stubborn she could be sometimes and I was amazed at some of her choices; she definitely kept you on your toes!  She obviously cared deeply about her family but there was some hurt from feeling abandoned after her boyfriend, Tanner, died.  She also put her dream on hold to find a certain shipwreck and had a hard time letting go of that.  She learned to depend on God more throughout the story and pray and knew she needed to do that in good times, too, not just in hard times.  The story dealt with grief, danger, priorities and purpose and made you think but was also entertaining because you didn't know what Ruby was going to do next.  Sometimes she could be very smart but was also impulsive so it was a wild ride!  I would recommend this if you like action or young adult stories!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I was not compensated for my review.  All opinions are my own.

Another Winner! 'Claire Holloway is Winging it' - by Angela Ruth Strong

 

About the book:

A romance in the skies from an award-winning author and flight attendant

After Claire Holloway's dream of becoming a ballerina plummets, she's left with her boyfriend as her only support . . . until she decides to become a flight attendant for the free travel. Based out of state, she moves into a crash pad with a gaggle of other flight attendants, and her fear of losing Wyatt seems to become a reality.

First Officer Nathan Stuart—a bit cynical since he and his fiancée broke up—meets a somewhat frazzled Claire on her very first day in the Seattle airport. When they end up on the same crew, he takes her under his wing, and they quickly bond.

When Claire's once-supportive boyfriend's attitude sours into resentment, she's left wondering whether her newfound joy is the right way to go. Pulled between two men and her new career, Claire must learn to listen for God's direction the same way her flight crew follows air traffic control.

In this hilarious rom-com, readers will lift off into the turbulent skies of romantic adventures as Claire navigates God's plan for her life.

My review:

Angela Ruth Strong has done it again!  This was humorous and romantic; I enjoyed every minute of this young woman's journey to find a new career after her dream dies but on the way finds her faith and her purpose.  Claire was such a delight and I loved her quirkiness and the predicaments she found herself in sometimes; the friendship between her and Nathan was so cute.  I liked seeing Claire growing throughout the story as she tried to master this new career while mourning her old one.  It was fun to see behind the curtain, so to speak, of what being a flight attendant is really like.  She had some great spiritual conversations with her friends as she pondered her new-found faith and also came to realize what real love should look like.  I loved that she ultimately didn't find her value and worth in a man but in her Heavenly Father.   Nathan wasn't perfect and struggled with forgiving his ex-fiance but he was a good guy who tried to do the right thing and whose faith was very important to him. Nathan had a great mentor who encouraged him and always had great life and love advice and, along with his wonderful wife and Claire's roommates, really rounded out the story and brought such a wonderful sense of family.  Her roommates were a lot of fun and all so different from each other; Angel, especially, became a really good friend and they had some great conversations.  I can't say enough good things about this book; that's why you should go out and experience it yourselves!  I highly recommend it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  I wasn't compensated for my review.  All opinions are my own.