Enjoyable! 'An Arrival of Hope' - Home to Osceola 3 - by Alena Mentink

 

About the book:

She’s resigned herself to a quiet life. He buried his heart with his wife. Neither expects redemption to come calling.

Rosalind Durmond still harbors a heart made for storybook romance—she just knows such tales aren’t written for her. She thought she’d traded those dreams for duty when she agreed to care for her aging aunt. But when that aunt sets off for the Nebraska plains to right an old wrong, Rosalind finds herself knee-deep in family strife—and face-to-face with a widowed farmer whose quiet strength stirs hopes she thought long out of reach.

Zane Hoffman’s learned the hard way that happy endings exist only in fairy tales. Since his wife’s death, he’s sworn off risking his heart again. Yet when a red-haired woman with a knack for finding trouble crosses his path, his conscience won’t let him walk away.

As secrets from the past turn dangerous, Rosalind and Zane must fight for survival—and for the fragile love awakening between them.

My review:

I really enjoyed this story about a woman who longs for adventure and romance but thinks there's not much chance of either.  I liked going with her on the adventure of a new place, even though she had her hands full watching over her aunt, who seemed to not only be stubborn but have some kind of dementia.  There was also a suspenseful element as her aunt seemed to think the fire that killed her family was intentionally set and was trying to find out more.  That led to some action in the story later on as things came to a head.  There was a little bit of romance and an interesting twist as a selfish, conniving woman who had tried to catch a husband previously and repeatedly in this series finally met her match  I liked seeing her transformation as it was funny but also a faith journey.  I actually haven't read the first two books in the series yet but plan to.  It was also amusing seeing some of the situations Rosalind got into and what she tried to do to get out.  Zane had a more sober outlook as he was still grieving and blaming himself for his wife's death plus needing to be mother and father to his young children.  I liked that she was patient and tried to be a friend without expecting more.  There were also some good spiritual conversations about trust in hard things and praying for guidance.  If you like historical fiction you'll like this one!  I highly recommend.

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

Very Enjoyable! 'An Appearance of Impropriety' - by Jayna Breigh

 

About the book:

As the youngest female judge in LA, Mahalia Jackson has her career goals carefully aligned. But when her mentor tells her she needs to break her shell of professionalism and show a little heart by volunteering for the Junior Jurors program, her plans begin to falter.


Attorney JD Cash heads up the Junior Jurors program, a project born out of his own troubled past. He leverages his position as an attorney to fulfill God's calling on his life, supporting the orphans and widows of society who have lost beloved husbands and fathers to TransNation's eighteen-wheeled time bombs roaming America's freeways.


Mahalia's rule—never date a lawyer—is a straitjacket that tightens when she presides over the case where JD serves as a young widow's attorney. But when an earthquake leaves JD and Mahalia in a vulnerable position, her resolve begins to waver and she finds herself opening up to the sad-eyed lawyer. But online, anonymous colleagues and adversaries attempt to destroy Mahalia’s reputation and career.


A legal drama threaded with romance, An Appearance of Impropriety will show readers that real love is worth the risk.

My review:

I really enjoyed this story set in the legal world of courtrooms and trials but that also showed who JD and Mahalia really were outside the courtroom.  JD had a very tough childhood and now helps widows and orphans as they fight the corporate giants against them.  He was such a great guy, from fighting for the underdog to mentoring teens so they know they can break the cycle of poverty.  He was an honorable man of faith but felt he needed to focus on his career and helping as many people as he could to make up for not being able to save his mom.  Mahalia was an incredibly strong woman who's excelled in her career but still hears the voices saying she's too dark or sees how she's treated differently even from within her own community.  I appreciated these glimpses into another community and culture from my own.  She had a certain idea of the man she was looking for and JD did not fit that plan.  She also had walked away from her faith and struggled to give control back over to God.  You also throw in the complication of her presiding over one of his cases and seeing each other in court and it seemed like they had some real obstacles.  

It was fun to see them get to know each other even while thinking there's no way this could ever work.  She really came out of her shell in the mentorship program and connecting with the teens and they brought an extra layer of drama.  There were some cryptic text exchanges between different parties throughout the book that lent an air of mystery because you were trying to figure out who was who and what they meant.  She was hoping to get a promotion but there were rumors and allegations swirling around so there was a sense of suspense.  There was some romance but mainly the buildup of attraction as they both felt the pull but were determined not to act on it.  I would definitely recommend this book from a new-to-me author but will be looking for more from her!

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

Another Winner! 'Echoes of a Silent Song' - Melodies and Memories 1 - by Amanda Wen

 

About the book:

A split-time romance from an award-winning author
When a choral composer and conductor falls victim to creative block, he resorts to his fallback plan of teaching high school choir. Callum Knight's goal at Peterson High is rediscover his muse, extract himself from teaching, and get back to Boston as quickly as possible.

As the long-suffering accompanist at the high school, Peterson-native Blair Emerson has watched the revolving door of choir directors and their negative impact on her choirs over the last few years. She is less than impressed when a disheveled Callum stumbles in on his first day.

But then they discover an unsigned, unfinished, and handwritten choral composition by a clear musical genius. Blair recalls rumors of Iris, a Peterson student from the 1970s who composed music but was found dead during her senior year. Blair and Callum work to determine if the piece is hers, and the truth they uncover shakes both of them to the core.

With rhythm and flair, Amanda Wen takes readers on an unexpected journey into the depths of a small town's history in this riveting first book in the Melodies and Memories duology.

My review:

This was another wonderful story by Amanda Wen!  This was a new world to me, that of choir directors and composers and it was interesting to see.  I especially liked the enemies to more trope as it was amusing to see Blair and Callum not get along at first before they started finding common ground and discovering an attraction to each other.  I love split time stories as we get two stories in one! We got to see what was happening in 1969-70 with a girl named Iris who supposedly committed suicide and Blair and Callum's investigation as they tried to figure out if the composition they discovered was hers and what really happened to her back then.  I really liked the mystery and suspense elements to the story.  I did suspect something early on but there was also a twist so I liked that unpredictability.  The romance was sweet and Blair and Callum were believers, though struggling with their respective faiths.  The story also dealt with the difficult topics of suicide and mental health as Callum's fiance had committed suicide and they believed Iris had as well.  Wen also mentioned in her author's note about a character displaying covert narcissism and I had recognized that in the story; it was difficult to see someone getting manipulated by them  I don't want to reveal any spoilers so won't say who it was.  Overall, while there were some sad and difficult things discussed, they weren't dwelt on and the story felt hopeful, not despairing.  I highly recommend this wonderful book!

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

Beautiful and Moving! 'Through Water and Stone' - A National Park Novel - by Karen Barnett

 

About the book:

In 1948, Zion National Park ranger Henry Eriksson and his wife, Alma, are less than one year removed from their infant son's sudden death in a flash flood, and the weight of the loss hasn't diminished with time. When Henry discovers an abandoned baby in a hatbox on his morning rounds, he's unsure how to react, but Alma is delighted, and she reignites with purpose at what seems to be a miracle from God.

Nearly eighty years later, Talia Eriksson leaves her job at an athleisure company in Palo Alto, California, in disgrace and returns to Zion National Park to reconnect with her grandfather and review her life goals. But when an at-home DNA test exposes family secrets, Talia and her newfound friend, law enforcement ranger Blake Mitchell, work together to search for answers.

Talia navigates the rocky path into her past with Blake by her side, what she discovers may alter everything she knew to be true about herself. With the uncertain future looming, Talia must learn that family is deeper than genetics and that trusting God can mean being still and clinging to the Rock.

My review:

This was a beautiful story and I'm not just talking about the plot.  The Zion National Park setting was gorgeous and the descriptions really made me feel like I was there.  It was truly a character of its own.  I loved both of the storylines as my heart broke for what Henry and Alma had endured, losing their child like that.  I can't even imagine the heartbreak.  Then to have this hope and renewed purpose as they find a baby who needs them, only to later be worried that he would be taken away.  They were a couple of strong faith who determined to do the right thing and it was incredibly admirable.  I admired Talia, too, as she stood up for what's right and lost her job because of it.  I admired her drive but she also needed to learn to slow down and listen for what God wanted her to do.  It was fun going along with her on her hikes as she rediscovered the park and got to know Blake.  I especially find genealogy fascinating so I loved when she got her results and started digging into that.  Blake was a man of faith who was a little scared of commitment because of his messy family and also trying to deal with some residual effects after being deployed.  He had that war experience in common with Henry.  There were some sweet romantic moments and some action.  I didn't want to put it down!  I highly recommend it!

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

Fascinating! 'A Song in the Dark' - by Kimberley Woodhouse

 

About the book:

Against the simmering backdrop of the impending WWII, blind virtuoso pianist Chaisley Frappier embarks on a concert tour through a rapidly changing Europe despite the dangers. When she learns that Hitler's escalating regime of injustice is targeting other disabled people, Chaisley realizes she is in a prime position to help those who are threatened reach safety. But the Führer's growing fascination with the celebrated musician endangers her undercover mission and forces her to walk a tightrope between her fame and her calling.

When Rick Zimmerman receives his next assignment from the British Secret Intelligence Service, he's surprised to learn he'll be acting as the personal driver of a world-renowned pianist as she traverses Europe. The role gives him the perfect cover to complete side missions of sabotage and intelligence-gathering, but he soon suspects the brilliant, alluring pianist has secrets of her own. As Chaisley and Rick confront evil at every turn, it will take every bit of faith and courage they possess to triumph over hate--and survive.

Bestselling author Kimberley Woodhouse crafts a stirring story of fighting for hope, love, and justice amid the tumultuous European continent on the brink of war.

My review:

This was a fascinating story for many reasons.  Not only was Chaisley a piano prodigy as a child, she was blind.  Then she was determined to help disabled people who were in danger while she was on tour and worked with her assistant and contacts to get people to safety.  She also developed a complicated code using Braille and music.  She was very impressive and I kept imagining what it would be like to be blind and then to face such a terrifying time and to come face to face with Hitler, no less!  She had a very strong faith and also an ability to detect lies based on someone's tone, inflections, etc.  She was incredibly brave and inspiring but not perfect.  Rick, too, was a man of great faith and bravery as he watched Chaisley to figure out her secrets while knowing many of his fellow spies had disappeared.  He was trying to deduce if she was on the side of good or evil and what her plans were, all while falling for her and being given new orders he had to carry out.  There was a little bit of romance and some action.  Her guardians and assistant were inspiring as we saw all they did to save the ones in danger.  It really made me appreciate again all the people who risked their lives to save Jews, the disabled, etc. from Hitler, some names of which we know and some will probably never be known this side of Heaven.  I highly recommend this book and pray we never forget.

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

'Perfect' Audiobook- Hearts on Display 1 - by Kimberly Keagan, Narrated by Robin McAlpine

 

About the book:

In the glittering era of the Gilded Age, the heirs of Philadelphia’s Denwall Department Stores navigate family expectations, relentless ambition, and unexpected love.

William Walraven’s picture perfect life is turned upside down when his fiancée jilts him for an English aristocrat and his father refuses to name him as his successor. To prove he’s worthy of leading Denwall, Will must open their first New York store under budget and before the Christmas shopping season. Overwhelmed by disappointment and a nearly impossible deadline, Will has no time for distractions—especially not the captivating bookseller he saves from being crushed by a beer wagon.

Ivy King and her aging grandmother are barely keeping their struggling bookshop afloat. Though drawn to the charming, enigmatic man who saved her life, Ivy has no illusions about her place in the world. It certainly isn’t beside a department store heir whose dazzling emporium threatens to close her family’s business.

Brought together in the wake of an attack on Will’s brother, Will and Ivy find themselves at a crossroads—torn between the expectations that define them and a future neither expected.

Perfect is a clean, wholesome historical romance featuring opposites-attract tension, class differences, a touch of mystery and humor, and an inspirational journey of faith and love.

My review:

This was a sweet romance about two people attracted to each other but fighting it as they both started out believing a romance couldn't work between them.  William had been dumped by who he thought would be his perfect match, even if they weren't in love, so decided to focus on proving his worth to his father so he could take over the family business.  He was drawn to Ivy when he met her but felt he had too much work to do and his father would never approve anyway since she was of a lower station so wasn't planning to pursue anything.  Ivy, too, had a past rejection but because of her shorter leg that she had to wear a special shoe for.  She felt that no one would want her, especially not a man of high society, since she and her grandmother were struggling shopkeepers.  If it weren't for Will's pushy but loving brother, I don't know if they would have gotten together as Will seemed determined to stay away.  He had to work through some issues with his father as he had impossible standards that no one could live up to and work to fight for the woman he loved.  I liked the echoes of You've Got Mail with the little bookshop fighting to survive and the big store coming to threaten their way of life.  I liked the mystery where Ivy started to notice rare books missing at her second job as a librarian and was trying to figure out if they were being stolen when Will's brother was attacked.  They were drawn closer than before and he started to help her with the mystery.  There was also a faith element as they attended church together and there was mention of prayer.  I thought the narrator did a good job but I did have to listen at 2x the speed.  I usually do, though, as that's what I'm used to now so anything slower usually seems too slow, especially at the regular speed.  I liked the story and if you like romance, you'll probably like it.  I am curious to continue the series as I'm interested in who will catch the bookworm brother's eye.

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

Beautiful, Touching Story! 'A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro' - by Heather Norman Smith

 

About the book:

A small dose of kindness can go a long way

Andy Clark has always been different. But it isn't just the tumorous mass covering half his face that sets him apart—it's his quiet kindness. As an anonymous do-gooder in Flatsboro, North Carolina, Andy lives out what his mama taught him, even though she's no longer there.

Della Rose Miller, a well-known former beauty queen, escapes her crumbling marriage to arrogant Wade Miller and moves back to her hometown in hopes of finding reprieve. She and her daughter settle into a little Flatsboro apartment and quickly learn that they’re in the same complex as a childhood classmate whose heart Della Rose broke in third grade.

With her life turned upside down, Della Rose is uneasy about starting fresh, but when unassuming Andy turns his generosity toward her daughter, an unlikely friendship rekindles. When a heroic act suddenly pushes Andy into the spotlight, he risks his anonymity and quiet day-to-day habits to stand up for what's right.

As Della Rose navigates the end of her marriage and Andy continues his secret philanthropy, they navigate grief and trusting God. Heather Norman Smith weaves a charming and heartwarming Southern story to remind you of the power of simple kindness.

My review:

This was such a beautiful, touching story about the difference kindness can make in a person's life.  Andy was such a sweet guy, always sincere and caring about others.  He's had a hard life because of the tumorous mass that covers half his face, with some people scared or disgusted.  His own father left so his single mother raised him alone.  She was an incredible woman and taught him about faith and how to treat others.  We really get to know her even though she's passed because of letters she wrote as he grew up that he'd take out and read.  His grief over losing his best friend and roommate that he took care of was incredibly touching; he had Down syndrome and was always happy and full of joy.  Andy went through a lot of changes in the story.  Not only did he lose his best friend but a woman he knew when they were little kids moved in to the apartment building and he could tell she really needed a friend.  He also wanted to tackle a bigger philanthropy project and met a man down on his luck who could assist him.  We also get Della Rose's side of the story as she's dealing with being on her own for the first time in her life and needing to support her daughter.  Her husband becomes threatening and that creates an element of suspense in the story as I kept waiting for something to happen with him.  She also wondered if there could be something to faith after knowing Andy again and seeing the love of Jesus shine through him.  This was set in a small Southern town and that was another character in itself.  I laughed, I cried.  I highly recommend!

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