Monday, September 9, 2024
Book Review // Meddling with Mistletoe
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Book Review // Between the Sound and Sea
As the work begins, "Joey" discovers strange notes tucked deep in the crevices of the old stone walls--pages torn from a lighthouse keeper's log signed by someone named Mae who recounts harrowing rescues at sea. Fascinated by a woman lighthouse keeper, Joey digs into the past only to discover there's never been a record of a lighthouse keeper by that name.
When things start to go amiss on the island, locals are convinced that it is the ghost of the lighthouse keeper and his daughter who were lost at sea during World War II. As Joey sifts through decades of rumors and legends and puts together the pieces of the past, what emerges is a love story--one that's not over yet.
Multiple Christy Award winner Amanda Cox is your guide upon the raging seas of young love, heartbreaking loss, and learning to risk it all for a chance at happiness in this timeless novel.
Friday, July 19, 2024
Book Review // Until Our Time Comes
Major Bret Conway is at Janów Podlaski under the guise of a news reporter, but his true mission is intelligence gathering for the British. That and keeping Adia safe, which is harder and harder to do as she insists they must evacuate 250 horses to save them from being stolen, sold, or eaten by the invading forces. What follows will test their physical, mental, and emotional strength, as well as their faith in God, humankind, and each other.
Drawn from true events of World War II, this epic story of escape, capture, resistance, and love from debut novelist Nicole M. Miller will thunder into your heart like a herd of beautiful horses across a raging river.
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Book Review / The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple
Hi internet world! I have another blogger book review for ya!
Back of the book:
"Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past.
Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.
Award-winning author Joanna Davidson Politano whisks you away to Edwardian England in 1903 for a whimsical and layered tale that treads the crooked line between real and make-believe."
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
4.5 stars!
This book surprised me with how much I liked it. I wouldn't say its my typical favorite genre... It is historical, yes, but it had a level of whimsy and fairytale-ness that it almost needs its own category. That being said, I must confess something... I haven't read or watched many fairytales. I've heard the names of the classics, and I know roughly what they are about. But to give you some context, I had really no clue what the hints were for the various fairytales mentioned through quotes at the beginning of the chapters and the ones the characters referenced. Knowing about them may have helped me understand a bit more. I got the gist though, so that's what matters!
I loved the overall quality of writing style. I must say, these words and descriptions were beautifully penned. So much so that I collected my favorite quotes along the way. I'll share those at the bottom of this review. I liked the setting in a garden, although this part did seem a little far fetched, thinking the garden was somehow special or magical (same with the necklace). On one hand, I can see the beauty that Lily Temple saw, as I also love nature and being out in the "garden."
The characters were fun, Lily made me smile and Peter was Peter. I think he would be considered a cinnamon roll among literary fangirls. Even though they were nothing alike, their romance didn't seem forced, it was so cool to see their story come full circle at the end. (I also love how this book started and then jumped back, then finished where it started).
This book had a short cast of characters, we didn't get to know many other characters, but the two MC's lives did cross with at least 3 people's stories. I liked the mystery aspect! I didn't really have a favorite side character and I usually do.
Overall, this was a fun read, full of beautiful descriptions, deep themes disguised in fairytale lingo, and likable characters, one of which had many tricks up her sleeve!
My favorite quotes:
"We are all of us a combination of romance novels, humorous tales, and tragedies, depending on what angle we show the world”
“Some called him ineffectual and bookish, silent and lacking in might, but only because they didn’t know what real strength looked like or from whence it came.”
“Regret was a poison that never left the bloodstream”
“In my experience, a woman’s intuition is seldom wrong and never unfounded.”
“It’s a pity and a blessing that we cannot see the future until it is the present.”
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Hi! It's a book review // Just for the Summer
Sunday, November 26, 2023
The Warsaw Sisters // Book Review
Heartbreaking, impactful, and a difficult read.
One one hand, for history buffs, this is a 5 star book. The writing style is like poetry: deep and moving. The descriptions so real I ‘bout cried multiple times. The characters determined and realistic, with faults and character flaws.
On the other hand, for sensitive readers, this is a 0 star book. History must be remembered but this book is too painful for those with soft hearts like mine.
These characters faced things that I would have never imagined… yet to think that stuff like this was real, it breaks my heart.
I enjoy reading about those dedicated to fight for freedom in WW2, yet I have never read a book so raw and sad. Revealing such heartbreaks and trials of those in Poland. Despite this, the bravery of those who tried to stand for freedom, it’s inspiring. These fictional characters stood in place of real people that lived, fought, and died for a cause.
Truthfully, I almost did not finish this book. But I had to know how it ended. I had to know what happened and if there was hope. The last couple chapters did offer a sliver of hope in them. But the ending was bittersweet and solemn.
This was not a light read. It was heavy. The plot itself was complicated, with a timeline of about 5 years worth. It was well-planned and plotted. The writing style was amazing. Deep, insightful, and poetic. It was a story of sisterhood, loss, and human resilience. A story of love and the loss of loved ones.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this to my friends. The descriptions were too real for me to want to share this story. However, I do think that this book was good for what it was advertised as. It’s just not for the sensitive heart.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend! What are you reading?
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Against the Wind // Book Review
Hey blogosphere! I'm back with another book review for ya!
About the book:
Doctor-in-training Louisa Vaughn has no intention of remaining in Sweetwater Crossing. She's just there for a few days to help a friend. But she can't abandon the injured man she finds at the side of the road. Until his broken leg heals, she'll serve as the town's doctor and midwife. She may not be fully qualified yet, but surely she's better than nothing.
Josh Porter's plans to win his grandfather's challenge and fulfill his father's final wish to gain full control of the family business hit a roadblock when he breaks his leg. But his enforced stay in Sweetwater Crossing gives him new ideas about the expansion of the company into new territory—ideas Louisa could help turn into reality.
If only the town were more accepting of Louisa's talents! Someone is determined to convince her to abandon her dream of healing others. Can Josh help her uncover the person behind the threats before it's too late? And is there any future for them together when neither of them plans to stay?
My review:
★★☆☆☆
Two stars.
When I saw this beautiful blue cover, I knew I had to give this book a try! And after finding out this was a book about a doctor in training, I thought it might have some Dr. Quinn vibes.
Against the Wind was a sweet story, one that I would have liked more if I would have read the first book in the series. Because I hadn't, I felt like I was missing some important pieces to the sisters' stories. I also did not relate with the characters, they didn't seem to resonate with me. The writing style didn't grab my attention either.
Although this story did not live up to my expectation, I did enjoy the small-town community of Sweetwater Crossing. It's always fun to read about small western communities and how they used to operate. The climax to this story picked up a bit, but other than that, this book was pretty slow.
I love the cover. And I did like that the characters showed courage because they each chose to be entrepreneurs in a time where following the safe path was expected of them.