Favorite Books of 2019!

Early Happy New Year!  As usual, I'm doing this at the last possible moment and just hoping I put the numbers in the correct order.  Haha!  Gotta love pregnancy brain.  
Anyway.  So, this is my yearly "favorite books" post - although this year is a little different.  I usually try to have a nice even/normal number of books for the list.  This year there are 11.  I know, it's weird.  But my "most anticipated books" list for 2020 (posting tomorrow) has 11 on it as well.  I don't know how or why, but they both worked out that way and my brain is too scattered to try to "fix" either of those.  And this time, not all of the books on my list were published in 2019.  Some of them I've just discovered this year and greatly enjoyed (and am disappointed I missed out on them for so long!).  Regardless, I hope you enjoy wandering through some of my favorite reads for this past year.  Please comment and let me know if you've read any of them, or if any of them catch your fancy, or tell me about some of your favorite books that I've maybe been missing out on! 
(Side note: these are in alphabetical order, which means I don't have to try to figure out which one was my most favorite. )  
Oh, and you should be able to click on any of the titles to learn more about the book.  :) 

1) The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof

This book is so beautifully written!  I'd actually had it sitting in my TBR pile for almost a year before reading it and once I started, I couldn't believe it had taken me that long!  I had a book hangover for days after this one!

2) Flight of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse

This is the second in The Ravenwood Saga and I'm still anxiously awaiting the third!  I loved seeing the characters continue to grow and learn - though I didn't necessarily love the cliffhanger at the end . . . . Such is the price the impatient pay for an epic series that isn't quite all finished. 

3) The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden

This book really surprised me!  And I adored all of the history Ms. Camden included. 

4) One Thing I Know by Kara Isaac

Okay, this cover sucked me in immediately.  But one of my favorite things about this book was the fact that it didn't fall into all of the usual molds for Christian Fiction.  It was very honest and at times, heart-wrenching.  But it was real.

5) A Pursuit of Home by Kristi Ann Hunter

I was SO excited for Jess's book!  And it was very different from anything I could have imagined!  Definitely worth the wait, though.

6) Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig

Leif Metcalfe.  Book of Wars.  Intense.  Need I say more?

7) Now, Then, and Always by Melissa Tagg

I'm always up for a return to Maple Valley, but this one . . . I cried.   I laughed too.  And I really didn't want to turn that final page.

8) Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano

I read this book during the worst of my morning sickness and it was a fantastic distraction from the fact that I was laying on the couch, unable to sleep, as I tried to hold down dinner.  I laughed so hard.  It was great! 

9) Sweet on You by Becky Wade

Three words: Zander and Britt.  And a mystery.  And chocolate.

10) Things Left Unsaid by Courtney Walsh

This book had sat on my Kindle for months, if not longer, patiently waiting for me to finally pick it.  And a couple weeks ago, I did.  I couldn't remember what it was about, just that a friend had recommended it and it was supposed to be really good.  It was way better than that!  In a crying-for-fictional-people-and-wishing-I-could-hug-them kind of way.

11) The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

Honestly, this book was hard for me to read at times.  It resonated deeply with several things I was struggling with and I'm thankful for how the author handled some sensitive subjects.  And the second book in the series releases next week!  I can't wait to read it, too! 

   

Bookish Thoughts: A Pursuit of Home

"Daphne might not have all the typical feminine graces of an aristocratic wife, but if trouble came knocking, she'd tuck herself behind her husband's coattails.  Jess would climb out the window in order to circle around and stab it in the back.  No man wanted that in a wife, not really." 

Description:
In early 1800s England, Jess Beauchene has spent most of her life in hiding and always on the move in an effort to leave her past far behind her. But when she learns the family she thought had died just might be alive and in danger, she knows her secrets can only stay buried for so long.

Derek Thornbury loves the past, which has led him to become an expert in history and artifacts. He knows Jess has never liked him, but when she requests his help deciphering the clues laid out in an old family diary, he can't resist the urge to solve the puzzle.

As Jess and Derek race to find the hidden artifact before her family's enemies, they learn as much about each other as they do about the past. But can their search to uncover the truth and set history right lead to a future together?

About the Author:
Kristi Ann Hunter graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in computer science but always knew she wanted to write. Kristi is a RITA Award and a Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award for Excellence winner. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.






My Thoughts:
Kristi Ann Hunter is one of my very favorite historical fiction authors so, of course, I was super excited for this book!  Add in the fact that this is Jess’ story and you would find me stalking the mailbox for days, awaiting its arrival.  I’ve been looking forward to her book since discovering she would be more than simply a quirky character in “A Noble Masquerade” and was most definitely not disappointed with what I found between the beautiful covers. 

Along with being a favorite author, Ms. Hunter is also one of the only authors of Regency novels whose works I will excitedly read again and again.  I have nothing against stories set in that time period, they just aren’t typically to my liking.  But apparently, if you add in some especially quirky characters (one of them being a valet with a couple missing fingers), sarcasm, intrigue, a treasure hunt, and some knife throwing, I’ll stay up quite late trying to read “just one more chapter.”  I found all of those things and much more in this story.  

I absolutely loved the new characters I got to meet, but also I had to grin at being reunited with some old friends.  While you don’t have to read the books in order (though I would highly recommend all of Ms. Hunter’s books!), as the author does an excellent job of allowing each story to stand alone, I do think keeping up with the number of characters/titles/names may be slightly confusing if you haven’t read the others.  If you have read the previous books in the series, then you’ll already be acquainted with Derek Thornbury and Jess Beauchene.  Jess with her sharp tongue and equally sharp knives; Derek with his quirkiness, affinity for all things art and history related, and penchant for spouting random facts.  Though I knew them a bit from the other books, I couldn’t resist falling in love with them in this one.  Who can resist a hero that maybe isn’t the most dashing man in the room, but who is loyal, stubborn, somewhat socially awkward, kind, and determined to do the right thing, regardless of the cost?  And Jess was something of a surprise for me.  I already knew her as this very blunt, somewhat hardened spy-turned-cook, but learning her history and background brought her to vivid life.  She is loyal, determined to protect those she loves, and is searching for a light in the shadows that she’s lived in for so long.   

Two more things I greatly enjoyed:  The dialogue, sarcasm, and just the interesting way the characters viewed things had me cracking up more than once (and my husband looking at me, awaiting an explanation) !  And the way the author chose to define more so what real love looks and acts like.  Faith isn’t a deep, long, theological discussion here, but rather is woven throughout the story and shown in a myriad of ways.  
Overall, I can’t think of a single page of this book that I didn’t enjoy.  I would indubitably recommend it!

Random question:
Are there any genres or time periods that you don't typically read, but make will an exception for certain authors? 

As always, thank you so much for stopping by!  If you'd like to learn more about this book, or any of the others in the series, links are below!  

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Christian Book

Bookish Thoughts: A Gift Like No Other

"Guilt is like a cancer that eats away at our soul, robbing us of joy, hope, and all too often, the very forgiveness that will set us free."  - Patrick O'Conner 

Description:

WARNING: Due to a subject matter that deals with marital problems, please be advised that this sweet inspirational novella contains a higher level of romantic passion.

Her dream is writing.
His is the perfect wife and mother.
Until God fulfills them both
with a dream like no other.

Twelve years ago, Faith O’Connor happily gave up her dream as a copywriter to become a wife and mother, clinging to her husband’s promise she could return someday. But when the opportunity arises to write for the Boston Herald again two days a week, her dream hits a snag … along with her marriage.

To Collin McGuire, family is everything because he never really had one of his own. Raised by a father who died early and a mother who didn’t care, Collin is determined to give his children the very best with a full-time mother. But when he denies Faith her dream, he soon discovers he’s denied his own as well … until Christmas day brings a healing through a gift like no other.

About the Author:

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” not only underscores her intense passion for God and romance, but her staunch advocacy for sexual purity before marriage as well. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys reading what she writes -- close-knit Irish family sagas as well as both historical and contemporary religious and inspirational romance for the sweet and Christian markets.

Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Heart of San Francisco series with Revell Publishing, Julie was named American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered 17 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie was also named on Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction list. Her latest novel, Surprised by Love, appeared on Family Fiction magazine’s list of Top Ten Novels of 2014, and her independent novel A Light in the Window is an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers' Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner. Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets.

You can contact Julie and read excerpts from her books at www.julielessman.com, or through Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, or Pinterest, as well as sign up for her newsletter. Check out Julie’s group blog, The Seekers, Writers Digest 2013, 2014, and 2015 “Best 101 Websites for Writers,” and Julie’s own personal blog, Journal Jots, voted blog of the month in the Readers’ Choice poll of Book Fun Magazine.

My Thoughts:

Disclaimer: I’m not typically someone who enjoys novellas or intentionally seeks out Christmas stories.  They just aren’t usually my cup of tea . . . but I do make exceptions for certain authors, and Julie Lessman is indubitably one of them.  My usual arguments for avoiding them just don’t hold water with hers.  So, if you’re like me, a long-held skeptic of anything that is less than 200 pages in length, give this one a try - I highly doubt you’ll be disappointed.  

I’ve long been a fan of Ms. Lessman’s books and I adore the O’Conner family and all the additions they’ve collected over the course of the series.  Even saying that, when I saw this would be a novella about Faith and Collin McGuire, I admit to slight skepticism.  Theirs was the very first book in the series and they’ve played parts in several of the other ones as well, so what more could there be to tell?  Quite a bit, as it turns out.  If you haven’t read the rest of the series, you may find yourself playing catch up a bit, regarding names, who everyone is, and with some of the stories they tell.  Though I do think the author did an excellent job of explaining a bit, without slowing the story down.  So if this your first foray into the group, I would still say, “go for it!” just anticipate wanting to find the rest of the books ASAP when you’re done.

I would like to note something, though it’s already stated in the description: this story is about a married couple and deals with some marital issues.  So with that in mind, there are some “steamier” scenes than one tends to find in most Christian fiction.  The author’s tag line, “ Passion with a Purpose” definitely fits.  Even saying that, as a married lady myself, I truly appreciated how Ms. Lessman handles even the sensitive topics in marriage.  Her writing continues to point back to the Designer and Creator of all things, including marriage.  Though this book is fiction, many of the discussions within it had me stepping back and double-checking my own marriage and attitudes.  Would I still recommend this book to an unmarried woman?  Yes, I would.  But I would include the understanding that this novella carries with it some heavier topics regarding marriage and enduring through the struggles.  As well as some scenes that may encourage a blush - even Faith blushes at some of the conversations and she’s an “old married lady.”

Now, before I make it sound entirely boring, trust me, it certainly isn’t.  I can’t help but love the eclectic O’Conner clan, with their banter, random advice, love, and shenanigans.  I love how regardless of what’s going on, the family is always there for one another.  Even fathers-in-law to their sons-in-law and best friends to their hard-headed co-owners.  And some of the conversations are definitely laugh-out-loud-while-reading-in-a-crowded-place worthy.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book - especially to married or soon-to-be-married ladies.

Thanks again for stopping by and perusing my blog!  As always, if you'd like to learn more about this book, links are below!

Have a lovely day! 

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Bookish Thoughts: Aiming for Love

Description:
Josephine Nordegren is one of three sisters who grew up nearly wild in southwestern Colorado. She has the archery skills of Robin Hood and the curiosity of the Little Mermaid, fascinated by but locked away from the forbidden outside world--a world she's been raised to believe killed her parents. When David Warden, a rancher, brings in a herd much too close to the girls' secret home, her older sister especially is frightened, but Jo is too interested to stay away.

David's parents follow soon on his heels, escaping bandits at their ranch. David's father is wounded and needs shelter. Josephine and her sisters have the only cabin on the mountain. Do they risk stepping into the world to help those in need? Or do they remain separated but safe in the peaks of Hope Mountain? 

About the Author:
Mary Connealy writes "romantic comedies with cowboys" and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, The Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie's Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero. Learn more at www.maryconnealy.com.






My Thoughts:
I’m not even sure where to start with this book.  It was both somewhat what I had expected, but also almost nothing like expected.  I’ve read quite a few of Mary Connealy’s tales over the years, though I’ve not kept up with her most recent writing, and this story was . . . different.  Not in a bad way, at all.  Just different. 

Expected things:  I liked the characters.  They were quirky and definitely unique.  The details and descriptions are very well done.  There’s suspense and a hint of mystery.  I couldn’t resist laughing more than a few times.
Unexpected things:  The story was deeper than I remember from her older books.  God was mentioned much more than just in passing.  This is something of a heavier story, with more difficult topics broached and in the beginnings of being tackled.  The ending was kind of left unfinished. 

Overall, I did enjoy the story and as already mentioned, I liked the characters.  I enjoyed meeting Jo, Ilsa, and Ursula, along with Dave, Mitch, Ma, and Quill.  The sisters are different, as expected.  They haven’t spoken to people other than one another in years and are a little awkward at times, as a result.  I loved Jo’s curiosity and willingness to reach out to help others.  She’s outspoken and determined to do the right thing, as she sees it.  I appreciated the kindness she shows even those who oppose her.  And she and her sisters have such a loyalty to one another, which was interesting to see play out amidst conflict.  I had to laugh at the misunderstanding of “two Bibles” and the stories that ensued.  This book closed with a lot more questions than answers, which in most cases leaves a cliff-hanger and an “I can’t wait to find out what happens next!” attitude.  In this case, though, to me the story just felt unfinished.  Like someone ripped out the last couple chapters and I was missing something.  I am curious to read the next book, but more so just kind of perturbed at how this one ended.     

Overall, I did enjoy this book, but would maybe suggest waiting to read it until the next one is available.  So you don’t have the wait time I get to endure between this ending and the next beginning.


I'm fairly confident that I didn't actually share a single review or anything else during October - though I didn't actually check my post list to verify that.  My husband and I have been seeking to learn to intentionally find time for rest in this busy season of our lives.  In that, though, I totally ran out of time and energy to get much of anything done on here.  So I'm going to try to do better, but I'm not going to let a screen (as much as I love my book people!) interrupt the time my husband and I have together.  :)

As always, I hope your day is well! Until the next time, read a good book for me!

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Bookish Thoughts: Diamond in the Rough

"You seem to be an original, my dear, so perhaps you won't feel the need to wait so long before you abandon what's expected of you, embracing who you truly are and who God meant you to be, instead of trying to embrace a sense of who others want you to be."  - Miss Mabel Huxley

Description:

To save her family from financial ruin, Miss Poppy Garrison accepts an unusual proposition to participate in the New York social season in exchange for her grandmother settling a family loan that has unexpectedly come due. Ill-equipped to handle the intricacies of mingling within the New York Four Hundred, Poppy becomes embroiled in one hilarious fiasco after another, doomed to suffer a grand societal failure instead of being deemed the diamond of the first water her grandmother longs for her to become.

Reginald Blackburn, second son of a duke, has been forced to travel to America to help his cousin, Charles Wynn, Earl of Lonsdale, find an American heiress to wed in order to shore up his family estate that is in desperate need of funds. Reginald himself has no interest in finding an heiress to marry, but when Poppy's grandmother asks him to give etiquette lessons to Poppy, he swiftly discovers he may be in for much more than he bargained for.

About the Author:

Jen Turano is the author of over eight books and two novellas. A graduate of the University of Akron, she has a degree in clothing and textiles, is a member of ACFW, and lives in Denver, Colorado. For more information, visit her at www.jenturano.com.

My Thoughts:

I’ve had the pleasure of reading all of Jen Turano’s books to date, and can honestly say that she is one of my very favorite historical fiction authors.  That being said, this review will probably have a bit of bias.  I’ve been hooked since reading my first of her books (which was actually her second published work) and have yet to be disappointed.  Though I’ve greatly enjoyed them all, I have had some favorites here and there, and this one definitely falls into that category!  

As always, Ms. Turano kept me in stitches from the first few pages all the way through!  I would frequently look up and find my husband trying to read over my shoulder and find out what was so funny!  I couldn’t help but love Poppy’s character and her penchant for finding herself in the midst of unusual circumstances - situations that are rarely of her own making, but she jumps in with both feet.  I adored her unique way of looking at things, enjoyment of life, and determination.  She’s quirky and kind, but also stubborn and sometimes a bit reckless.  I noticed that the author’s portrayal of society changed a bit during this book, as well.  It isn’t a kind place, most of the time, with gossiping, conniving, and sabotage being things that are clearly shown.  Which highlights even more the kindness in Poppy’s character, as well as several other characters we’re given the opportunity to meet.  I also quite liked Reginald, with his faux stuffiness and determination to help his cousin.  I loved the teasing he and Poppy regularly engage in, as well as getting to see Poppy and other characters through his eyes.  I do have to say, that there were a couple characters that surprised me!  When the book began, I wasn’t expecting to like them, but over the course of the story, I found them becoming some of my favorites.

And of course, there’s a bit of intrigue mixed in, which kept me curious and hurrying to finish the book before bedtime.  Though I wasn’t overly surprised at “whodunit,” the reasoning behind all of the shenanigans wasn’t quite what I had anticipated.

I will definitely be rereading this book and am anxiously anticipating what I’m hoping will be Beatrix’s book!

Something I didn't include in my review, is that I really enjoyed the focus placed on being who God created you to be, rather than who society, or the media, or whomever, says you ought to be.  That's an excellent reminder for anyone, especially in today's culture of social media and comparison, but particularly teens and younger women.  So if you are a younger lady, or if you have one in your life who enjoys reading, I'd highly recommend this book to you/them.  Plus, it's really funny! 
(No one asked me to say that, just so you know - that's my own personal observation)
As always, links are below!

Have a beautiful day!

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Bookish Thoughts: Recovered Secrets

Description:

A blank memory. A new life.

But her borrowed time just ran out

Two years after Grace Thackery washed up on a small-town Mississippi riverbank, she has the first clue about the life she doesn’t remember: someone wants her dead. And while search-and-rescue director Hollis Montgomery’s determined to protect her, the secrets of her past are darker than they expected. Can the bond between Grace and Hollis survive her true identity…and an assassin?

About the Author:

Jessica R. Patch lives in the mid-south where she pens inspirational contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. You can find her watching way too much Netflix with her family, going on fun adventures (all in the name of research), and collecting recipes to amazing dishes she'll probably never cook.

My Thoughts:

I read this book a couple months ago and absolutely loved it!  Jessica R. Patch is definitely one of my favorite suspense/mystery authors and her books always keep me guessing.  I was super excited to learn this would be Hollister’s book (Greer’s brother) and was hooked from the very first page!  I’ve yet to find one of Ms. Patch’s books that doesn’t leave me wishing there were more hours in the day to read and this one is certainly not the exception. 

Okay, so I admit it; I’m a sucker for amnesia stories.  I’m not entirely sure why, but I find them extremely interesting.  That being said, I actually haven’t come across that many of them.  Of the few that I have read though, I would have to say that this one is probably my favorite, so far.  I thought Ms. Patch did an excellent job of capturing the confusion, fear, and uncertainty that must surely go with it.  I loved Grace from the first couple pages, especially after she yells, “I’m a ninja!”  Her story kept me on the edge of my seat, having to know what was going to happen next!  I loved Hollister’s loyalty and determination to remind Grace of who she is, even as she’s learning who she was.  I so appreciated the theme of God’s grace and forgiveness that was woven throughout the story.  It never seemed trite or contrived, but rather perfectly suited the situation the characters were facing. 

Overall, I immensely enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it!

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and read my blog!  It truly means a lot, that you would share your valuable time with me!

As always, links are below if you'd like to learn more about this great book or the author's other works!

Have a lovely day!  

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Bookish Thoughts: The Spice King

"The world was a huge, wide-open landscape bursting with opportunity, and it was up to her to choose how she would live in it.  God had blessed her with a sound mind and the freedom to make choices in life.  It was a blessing she must not squander."

Description:

Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building his very successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Resolved to salvage his family before it spirals out of control, he returns to his ancestral home to save his brother and sister before it's too late.

As a junior botanist for the Smithsonian, Annabelle Larkin has been charged with the impossible task of gaining access to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. If she fails, she will be out of a job and the family farm in Kansas will go under. She has no idea that in gaining entrance to the Delacroix world, she will unwittingly step into a web of dangerous political intrigue far beyond her experience.

Unable to deny her attraction to the reclusive business tycoon, Annabelle will be forced to choose between her heart and loyalty to her country. Can Gray and Annabelle find a way through the storm of scandal without destroying the family Gray is fighting to save?

About the Author:

Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in gilded-age America featuring clever heroines and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Awards and have appeared on the CBA bestsellers list. She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband, who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books. Learn more at www.elizabethcamden.com.

My Thoughts:

I confess, I used to read all of Elizabeth Camden’s books, but I fell behind a while ago, amidst the busyness of life.  So this is the first one I’ve read in quite a while and as I read, I was reminded what I so enjoyed about her other books!  I didn’t have a ton of expectations, given the previous statement, but if I’d had any, I can confidently say they would definitely have been far surpassed!  

I can’t fathom how much research and time Ms. Camden must put into every single one of her stories!  There is so much detail and specifics, which I absolutely adore!  I so appreciate how she writes about different professions and times in history.  There is such variety across her writing and this book is no exception!  If any other author had published a book about a spice company owner and a botanist , I probably would have been more than a little skeptical.  But not with this one!  From the first time I saw the cover and read the description, I was intrigued!  This was something I’d never considered reading about and I so enjoyed getting to know Gray and Annabelle!  They are opposites in many ways, but also so suited.  I so appreciated Annabelle’s integrity and desire to do the right things, the hard things.  And Gray’s devotion to his family and integrity, in his own way. 

They lived in a huge and expansive country,

filled with choices and opportunities.

Not all of them were easy, but she had found 

a man of characters who would step into that 

world with her, and nothing had ever felt so right."

I loved the history surrounding their characters, too!  Like Annabelle’s sister assisting at the Library of Congress to help the blind and integrity in food manufacturing and labeling.  And throw in a bit of mystery (which I’m hoping continues in the next book) and I’m hooked!  I’m definitely a history geek and this book is like stepping back in time.  The vivid descriptions and detail made it seem as though I was right there with them, learning how to bottle vanilla and appreciate rare orchids.  Though it may sound a bit odd, this was a fun read for me!  I greatly enjoyed it and am anxiously awaiting the next book!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys unique characters and American history!

*My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book!  I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and have not been compensated for it in any way.  All opinions expressed are my own.

As always, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and read my review!  If you enjoy history, I hope you'll consider finding a copy of this book - I truly doubt you would be disappointed! (Just in case you're interested: the paper copy is on sale on Christian Book for $7.99 - the link is below :)  ) 

Have a lovely day! 

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Bookish Thoughts: A Glitter of Gold

"Could it really be true that when God saw her, he didn't dwell on all the hurt she'd caused?  He didn't see the black stain on her heart.  He saw grace.  And it covered all her sins."  - Anne Norris

Description:

Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia, for a fresh start. Now her pirate-tour business is flagging, and paying the rent requires more than wishful thinking. When she discovers evidence of a shipwreck off the coast of Tybee Island, she knows it could be just the boon she needs to stay afloat. She takes her findings to local museum director Carter Hale for confirmation, but she runs after a disastrous first meeting.

Carter has been searching for the location of the wreck detailed in the worn pages of an 18th-century diary, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task. And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she'd never do again: trust a man.

Finding a monetary backer and sticking with a search that's turning up nothing will take all their dedication--and every secret they've tried to hide. If they can find the lost ship, they may discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world--love.

About the Author:

By day Liz Johnson works in marketing. She finds time to write late at night and is a Christy Award finalist and a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist. Liz makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona where she enjoys theater, exploring local history, and doting on her nieces and nephews. She loves stories of true love with happy endings. Find out more about Liz at LizJohnsonBooks.com.

My thoughts:

Quite frankly, I had absolutely no idea what to think of this book when I first started it.  Not in a bad way at all!  I’ve read almost all of Liz Johnson’s books and have always really enjoyed them.  From suspense to romance to everything in between, if she’s writing it, I’d like to read it.  But having not yet read the first book in the series, I was entirely unprepared for what I might find between the covers.  What I found was a dual-storyline romance that tugged on my heart and almost brought me to tears more than once.  I found a story about shame, regret, fear, hope, justice, grace, and treasure.  And a beautiful definition of what treasure really is. 

"Anne Norris knew two things for certain. 

Some things could be forgiven.

And some things most certainly could not."

My favorite thing about any fiction novel, regardless of genre, is always the characters and Ms. Johnson’s are some of the best!  I connected with Anne very quickly and her story broke my heart.  For the fear and shame she lived with and the quest for freedom that was coming up empty again and again.  I wanted her to find everything she was searching for and so much more!   I didn’t connect quite as quickly with Carter, though I did come to really like him, too.  He was struggling to prove that everything he had worked for, all he had done, was worth everything he had left behind.  And the dual-storyline had me turning pages, for the mystery it held kept me as intrigued as Anne and Carter!  Though I loved the main characters, my favorite secondary character was unquestionably Aunt Tessie.  Her kind spirit and honesty made me wish she was my aunt, too!  And I loved how her character was given space to share truth and give the others a good kick in the pants when needed.

". . . God's grace isn't just forgiveness.  It's also strength to face the hard times.  It's the thing that prompts you to get back up when you've been pushed down.  Shame never did anything for anyone but make them feel lower than low.  Grace refuses to leave you there."

My only mildly negative comment is that it did take me a couple chapters to really get into the story and find it to be a page turner.  I actually put it aside and read something else, before coming back to finish it.  Though I’m very confident that had more to do with where my mind was, than the story itself.    

I also very much enjoyed how the author wove in the topics of grace, truth, shame, and letting go of the past.  The story didn’t come across as “preachy” or anything like that, but rather, I thought it was handled very well and with a grace such subjects don’t always find in fiction.  It wasn’t glossed over with pretty words, nor did it slow down the story for a sermon.  An excellent balance.    

Overall, I very much enjoyed this book and am looking forward to tracking down a copy of the first one!

*My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book!  I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and have not been compensated for it in any way.  All opinions expressed are my own.

If you track my review down on a website, you'll find I gave it 4 stars . . . despite that, I would have to say that this one will probably be ending up on my "favorite reads from 2019" list here in a few months.  :)

As always, thank you so much for stopping by!  Links are at the bottom of the page and stay tuned - I'm thinking it's way past time for a giveaway!  So I may get inspired when I have a few days off next month and share a book or two.  If I can find any I'm willing to part with.  ;)

Have a ducky day!

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