Bookish Thoughts: The Ice Swan

 

Description:

Amid the violent last days of the glittering Russian monarchy, a princess on the run finds her heart where she least expects it.

1917, Petrograd. Fleeing the murderous flames of the Russian Revolution, Princess Svetlana Dalsky hopes to find safety in Paris with her mother and sister. But the city is buckling under the weight of the Great War, and the Bolsheviks will not rest until they have erased every Russian aristocrat from memory. Svetlana and her family are forced into hiding in Paris’s underbelly, with little to their name but the jewels they sewed into their corsets before their terrifying escape.

Born the second son of a Scottish duke, the only title Wynn MacCallan cares for is that of surgeon. Putting his talents with a scalpel to good use in the hospitals in Paris, Wynn pushes the boundaries of medical science to give his patients the best care possible. After treating Svetlana for a minor injury, he is pulled into a world of decaying imperial glitter. Intrigued by this mysterious, cold, and beautiful woman, Wynn follows Svetlana to an underground Russian club where drink, dance, and questionable dealings collide on bubbles of vodka.

Out of money and options, Svetlana agrees to a marriage of convenience with the handsome and brilliant Wynn, who will protect her and pay off her family’s debts. It’s the right thing for a good man to do, but Wynn cannot help hoping the marriage will turn into one of true affection. When Wynn’s life takes an unexpected turn, so does Svetlana’s—and soon Paris becomes as dangerous as Petrograd. And as the Bolsheviks chase them to Scotland, Wynn and Svetlana begin to wonder if they will ever be able to outrun the love they are beginning to feel for one another.

About the Author:

With a passion for heart-stopping adventure and sweeping love stories, J’nell Ciesielski weaves fresh takes into romances of times gone by. When not creating dashing heroes and daring heroines, she can be found dreaming of Scotland, indulging in chocolate of any kind, or watching old black and white movies. Winner of the INSPY and the Maggie Award, she is a Florida native who now lives in Virginia with her husband, daughter, and lazy beagle. Learn more at www.jnellciesielski.com.

My thoughts:

I honestly don’t remember hearing of this author, prior to this book coming across my screen one day, as I sought a different book to read.  This one definitely seemed to fit the bill, being set in Paris during the Great War and surrounding a Russian princess fleeing her own war.  I hadn’t a clue what to expect, so this was definitely something different.

I can’t fault the author at all in her storytelling abilities.  I found myself easily drawn into the story, despite not particularly caring for the characters, at least in the beginning.  Svetlana is standoffish and cold, though I was expecting that from the description.  I greatly liked Wynn and his mostly easy-going nature.  I absolutely loathed Svetlana’s mother, maybe even more than Sheremetev, which is saying something.  She is childish and selfish, hardly a mother at all to Svetlana or Marina, and I was honestly kind of hoping something would happen and remove her from the story.  Her only redeeming moment is at the very end of the book, making it a sometimes tedious 400 pages, with her so frequently a part of the story.  Leonid was a surprising character and most often the comic relief, something this tale greatly needed.  I realize it was a very difficult time in history, but I wasn’t anticipating how drab the story could be, with so few light-hearted or positive moments.  

I honestly kept reading because I’m a sucker for “marriage of convenience” stories and was desperately hoping there would be a happy ending.  Thankfully, there was!  But I’m not sure I’d really recommend pushing through the heaviness to get there, unless that’s the kind of book you’re looking to read.

I'm thinking sometimes in the next 3-4 months, I'm going to be stepping back from reviewing, even more than I have thus far. Or maybe just taking a hiatus while we find our new normal with 2 little ones.

I've also been finding myself losing my joy of reading a great story and I want to find that, again. Hopefully taking a break will help with that.

I'm considering the idea of possibly writing some posts of a more conversational nature, but I want to pray about it more, before I add my thoughts/opinions to the litany that already exists online. So we shall see, just know, this blog might go through an adjustment period, as my own life changes. :)

Thank you so much for sticking around, this far!

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Bookish Thoughts: The Heart's Charge

 

Description:

Members of Hanger's Horsemen, Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks arrive in Llano County, Texas, to deliver a steed, never expecting they'd deliver a baby as well. Left with an infant to care for, they head to a nearby foundling home, where Mark encounters the woman he'd nearly married a decade ago.

After failing at love, Katherine Palmer dedicated her life to caring for children, teaming up with Eliza Southerland to start Harmony House. From mixed ancestry, illegitimate, and female, Eliza understands the pain of not fitting society's mold. Yet those are the very attributes that lead her to minister to outcast children. The taciturn Jonah intrigues her with his courage and kindness, but there are secrets behind his eyes--ghosts from wars past and others still being waged.

About the Author:

Voted #1 Reader's Favorite Christian Romance Author of 2019 by Family Fiction Magazine, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer (www.karenwitemeyer.com) offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. She makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children.

My Thoughts:

I’m kind of an on-again, off-again reader of historical Western fiction.  I used to read it more, but with having less time to read, I’ve found myself slowly weeding this genre out of my frequent reads . . . unless it’s by Karen Witemeyer!  In that case, it’s instantly on my to-be-read list, even if I’m not able to review it.

This is the follow-up book to At Love’s Command, though you don’t have to read the first to appreciate this one.  Each book stands alone, but if you read the first and enjoyed the characters, I can almost guarantee that you’ll like this one.  Though I’m not picky about the storyline, at least when it comes to Ms. Witemeyer’s books, I’m not typically a huge fan of love lost and then found again.  So I was excited to find that this book had a dual romance aspect and nicely tied up 2 stories in 1.  I found the mystery intriguing and quite enjoyed getting to know Eliza and Jonah, along with the rather colorful collection of kids in their care.  

I honestly can’t think of a single thing to nitpick or say I didn’t enjoy.  It did broach the topic of skin color and background in a way that I found well done and rather fitting for the time we’re living in.  Though I may not be racing back to read it again, I found it an interesting summer read and would recommend anything from this author. 

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Bookish Thoughts: Jewel of the Nile

"In my experience, God starts to tell us something, and before the sentence is out of his mouth, we finish it off the way we prefer.  We assume.  We presume.  And we jump to false conclusions." - Hermione   

Description:

Whispered secrets about her parents’ past take on new urgency for Chariline as she pays one last visit to the land of her forefathers, the ancient kingdom of Cush.

Raised as an orphan by her aunt, Chariline has only been told a few pieces of her parents’ tragic love story. Her beautiful dark skin is proof that her father was Cushite, but she knows nothing else. While visiting her grandfather before his retirement as the Roman official in the queen’s court, Chariline overhears that her father is still alive, and discovering his identity becomes her obsession. Both her grandfather and the queen have reasons for keeping this secret, however, and forbid her quest. So when her only clues lead to Rome, Chariline sneaks on the ship of a merchant trusted by friends.

Theo is shocked to discover a stowaway on board his vessel and determines to be rid of her as soon as possible. But drawn in by Chariline’s story, he feels honor-bound to see her safely to shore, especially when it appears someone may be willing to kill for the truth she seeks.

In this transformative tale of historical fiction, bestselling author Tessa Afshar brings to life the kingdom of Cush and the Roman Empire, introducing readers to a fascinating world filled with gripping adventure, touching romance, and a host of lovable characters—including some they may recognize from the biblical book of Acts.

About the Author:

Tessa Afshar is the Publishers Weekly best-selling author of biblical and inspirational historical fiction, including Harvest of Gold which won a Christy Award and Land of Silence, which won an INSPY. The Way Home: God's Invitation to New Beginnings is Afshar's critically acclaimed Bible study based on the book of Ruth, which won the ECPA Christian Book of the Year Award, 2021 in the Bible Study Category. Born in the Middle East, Tessa spent her teen years in England and later moved to the United States. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life. She holds a Master of Divinity from Yale, where she served as co-chair of the Evangelical Fellowship for a year. Having served in women and prayer ministry for twenty years, Tessa became a full-time writer several years ago. Contact Tessa at tessaafshar.com or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTessaAfshar/

My Thoughts:

I’ve been a fan of Tessa Afshar’s books since first discovering her very first novel at a library and diving in.  Since then I’ve eagerly anticipated her next release, only missing last year’s due to all the fun of 2020.  That being said, getting to start this new book was like stepping back in time and greeting dear friends, though I hadn’t met them, yet.

Ms. Afshar’s books are the only Biblical Fiction I’ve read and I think it’s because I enjoy them so much, I’m concerned I’ll be disappointed or unfairly compare another author’s work.  There is so much depth of character and history in Ms. Afshar’s writing, and I loathe having to put down one of her books, once I’ve started it.  I love the beauty of her descriptions, how she brings the ancient past to life in a way that makes it seem maybe not quite so distant.  Though I know her works are fiction, I so enjoy how she uses Biblical teachings and accounts, bringing life to scripture that I’ve read most of my life.  

I confess, Chariline wasn't my favorite character, at first.  She is impetuous and listens little to the advice of others. At first. But as the story progressed, I found myself liking her more and more. She is more than she first seems and I couldn't fault her for some of her actions, especially as she quickly sought to learn from her mistakes.  I also couldn't help but love Theo and his motley crew. 

Overall, this is a book that I'm hoping to read again very soon and it definitely makes me long to revisit friends from previous novels.

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Bookish Thoughts: Come Back To Me

 

Description:

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.

That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister Ellen from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

About the Author:

Jody Hedlund (www.jodyhedlund.com) is the bestselling author of more than thirty historical novels for both adults and teens, including Come Back to Me, and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. She loves to imagine that she really can visit the past, although she's yet to accomplish the feat, except via the many books she reads. 

My Thoughts:

I've read several books around time-travel, so I thought I had a pretty good idea what to expect . . . But this one was a bit different than the others! I haven't read anything from Jody Hedlund for a while and was intrigued by the time-travel aspect, so decided to give it a go. And I really enjoyed it! 

I will say that I found the beginning of the story a little slow to start. The back cover description gives enough detail/info for the first few chapters to seem a little "eh" to me. I really wanted to get to the whole "going back in time" thing. But, the extra time in the beginning did allow for more character development, and with Marian being as intentional as she is, jumping right into anything didn’t suit her character.  I found the questions she mused regarding an “ultimate cure” to be very astute and I’m curious to see how the possible answers play out in the following books.  This one is listed to be the first in a series, though it stands alone just fine, and aside from a few unanswered questions, is a complete story in itself. 

I would have to do some checking to know for sure, but I’m fairly confident that this is the first story Ms. Hedlund has published that has a contemporary storyline to it, which I found interesting.  She did quite well with both eras, though historical is definitely where her talent with writing shines through.  I greatly enjoyed the trip to the past, seeing it through both William and Marian’s eyes - especially with Marian having some knowledge of the history, but also experiencing it firsthand.

Frankly, aside from the slow opening, the only reason I’m not rating this book higher is because I didn’t particularly like Marian.  I did like her better as the story progressed, but she often seemed flat and dull.  If the story itself hadn’t been so intriguing, I don’t know that I would have finished the book, based on Marian alone.  And while I liked William, I didn’t get to know him super well, with a lot of his perspective involving war or thoughts of wooing his wife.  Which is maybe mostly what men from the Middle Ages would have pondered . . . .

Anyway, if you enjoy novels based on time-travel and are looking for something a little different, I would recommend this book. 

I just had a thought, while I was getting this ready to post . . . isn't it crazy that now, thanks to the internet, social media, blogs, etc. we can share our thoughts on any subject we desire, and people hundreds or thousands of miles away can read them? How wild is that? 100 years ago, the only people who could do that were possibly newspaper reporters . . . .

That to say, thanks again for stopping by and reading some random thoughts from this opinionated book-lover!

Have a lovely day!

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Bookish Thoughts: The Nature Of a Lady

 

"Because it's by naming a thing, knowing a thing, that you come to

understand it.  Only when you see its unique traits can you truly 

appreciate what it is, and what it isn't." - Oliver Tremayne 

Description:

1906

Lady Elizabeth "Libby" Sinclair, with her love of microscopes and nature, isn't favored in society. She flees to the beautiful Isles of Scilly for the summer and stumbles into the dangerous secrets left behind by her holiday cottage's former occupant, also named Elizabeth, who mysteriously vanished. 

Oliver Tremayne--gentleman and clergyman--is determined to discover what happened to his sister, and he's happy to accept the help of the girl now living in what should have been Beth's summer cottage . . . especially when he realizes it's the curious young lady he met briefly two years ago, who shares his love of botany and biology. But the hunt for his sister involves far more than nature walks, and he can't quite believe all the secrets Beth had been keeping from him.

As Libby and Oliver work together, they find ancient legends, pirate wrecks, betrayal, and the most mysterious phenomenon of all: love.

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of numerous novels, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to Edwardian British series. Roseanna lives with her family in West Virginia. Learn more at www.roseannamwhite.com.

My Thoughts:

What can I say about another excellent book from one of my very favorite authors? Probably just that, it was wonderful! I loved this story! It's probably one of my favorite reads of the year, so far.  So rich in history with characters I adore, it doesn’t get much better for this reader than one of Roseanna M. White’s books. 

One of the things I greatly enjoyed about this book was the beautiful setting!  Ms. White has such a marvelous way of adding details until it’s almost as though I can smell the flowers blooming and feel the spray of the surf.  I loved getting to experience the Isles of Scilly through newcomer Libby, as well as through the eyes of Oliver and Mabena, natives to the islands.  The islands almost seemed a character in and of themselves, at times.  I also enjoyed Libby’s love of nature and science and how Ms. White used her perspective to show us a different way to see the world.

There are some quirky characters who add colorful life to the island, including Fitzwilliam Gibson and Oliver’s Mamm-wynn, whom I fell in love with.  Being that this is the first book in a series, I’m hoping they might make a special appearance in the future stories, as well.

The mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing.  It’s always interesting to me, reading about investigations prior to the “connected generation” where we have everything at our fingertips.  I love the old ways of problem solving and sleuthing, reminiscent of some of the stories I grew up with.

I’ve said before that my favorite Roseanna M. White novel is whichever I read most recently, and I’d say that’s true of this one, too.  If you’ve never given her books a go, I would highly recommend this one! (or any of them, really.  But the beginning of a series is always a nice place to start.)

*My thanks to the author 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.    

Thank you so much for stopping by! Thankfully, with a functioning computer, I'll hopefully be able to post a little more frequently. I also have a backlog of reviews awaiting my spare time (which isn't as often, with a 14 month old roaming around), so you'll probably see several pop up for a couple weeks.

As always, purchase links are below! I so wanted to include more quotes from the book, but I also don't want to spoil anything. Does anyone else like the Kindle specifically because you can highlight things?

Have a lovely day!

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Bookish Thoughts: Never Miss

 

Description:

Former CIA sniper Kadance Tolle possesses a special set of skills and a rare pedigree. She comes from a family of assassins, and by saving Lyndon Vaile's life she risks being found by them. Despite the danger, Kadance feels compelled to help Lyndon discover who is after him--and his research that seems to prove that the Ebola virus was manmade and is about to be weaponized.

With shadowy figures pursuing them and a Mastermind watching their every move, Kadance and Lyndon must scramble to stop an impending bioattack at the State of the Union address. But their warnings fall on deaf ears, and it becomes increasingly clear that there's no one they can trust--except perhaps each other.

Strap in for a breakneck story that will have you up all night, hurtling toward the last page as the clock ticks and time runs out.

About the Author:

Melissa Koslin is a fourth-degree black belt in and certified instructor of Songahm Taekwondo. In her day job as a commercial property manager, she secretly notes personal quirks and funny situations, ready to tweak them into colorful additions for her books. She and Corey, her husband of twenty years, live in Jacksonville, Florida, where they do their best not to melt in the sun. Find more information on her books at MelissaKoslin.com

My Thoughts:

I haven’t taken the opportunity to read a new-to-me author in a while and I was very excited for this book!  Sometimes I just need something different to get out of a reading slump and this definitely fit the bill.  It is a fast-paced read that kept me guessing, while also just really wanting to snuggle Mac. 

Suspense is such an interesting balance of action and character arc, something I thought Ms. Koslin did quite well.  I enjoyed the intriguing ride, while also getting to know Lyndon and Kadance.  Of the two, I would have to say that oddly enough, Lyndon was my favorite.   I liked Kadance, but sometimes she seemed a little stiff and not quite likable.  Mac was probably my favorite character, though he never actually says a word.   

Having not read anything from this author before, my mind raced, wondering if the villain was someone I could guess or if it would be an outside character, only revealed at the end.  I was definitely in for a surprise!  Though I have to say that while I found the ending a little anti-climatic, it was also pretty satisfying.  

Overall, I could honestly see this book being a movie and I would totally pay to watch it!  Reminiscent of some of my favorite action flicks, I enjoyed the turn of every page and the race to the finish. 

*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.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Sorry for the silence of the last month! My old laptop decided to crash a few weeks ago and we've been waiting for the new one to arrive. Thankfully, my sweet husband did some searching and found a new one that works great and was on sale!

Anyway, that's a tiny slice of my life lately - as in super tiny, haha! It's late, so I'll just say that the links are below and I hope whenever you're reading this, that the rest of your day is delightful!

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Bookish Thoughts: Is It Any Wonder

 

"Whoever said all you need is love was an idiot."

Description:

Twelve years ago, Cody Boggs and Louisa Chambers made a pact that no matter where their lives took them, they’d return to Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse on July 30, their shared golden birthday, and continue their tradition of exchanging birthday wishes. But that was before a tragic accident upended both of their lives, irrevocably pulling them apart.

Their worlds collide just months before that particular day when Louisa’s fledgling event planning company is hired by the local Coast Guard station, where she discovers Cody has recently returned to the island as the second in command. As they plan a regatta fundraiser, hoping to promote positive PR in the community, neither can deny the fireworks each encounter ignites. But working together also brings up memories of the day Cody’s father died, revealing secrets that have Cody and Louisa questioning everything they thought they knew and felt about their families and each other.

About the Author:

Courtney Walsh is a novelist, theatre director, and playwright. She writes small town romance and women's fiction while juggling the performing arts studio and youth theatre she owns and runs with her husband. Her debut, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists. Her novel, Just Let Go, won the Carol Award in 2019 and Just One Kiss was a 2020 Christy Award Finalist.

A creative at heart, Courtney has also written two craft books and several full-length musicals. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three children and a sometimes naughty Bernedoodle named Luna.

Connect with Courtney online at her website (courtneywalshwrites.com) or on any of these social media platforms:

Facebook.com/courtneywalshwrites
Instagram.com/courtneywalsh
Twitter.com/courtney_walsh 

My Thoughts:

I confess, I’ve only read a couple of Courtney Walsh’s books so far, despite the fact that I’m immediately drawn in as soon as I start one.  I finally sat down to read If For Any Reason and absolutely loved it, so when I saw this one was set in Nantucket as well, I couldn’t resist!  Though this book ended up being a hard read for me, I still greatly enjoyed it.

"You only get a handful of years on this planet.  

Running seems like such a torturous way to spend them."

One of my very favorite things about Ms. Walsh’s books is how authentic the characters are - and how they become dear friends of mine by the end.  I loved getting to know Louisa and Cody, through their messiness and pain, laughter and memories.  Louisa is so kind and bubbly, often thinking of others and wanting to love them well.  Cody on the other hand doesn’t really seem to like people at the beginning of the story.  He’s withdrawn and focused on atoning for his father’s death.  I greatly appreciated the kindness and gentleness with which the author handled the topic of grief.  My own father actually passed while I was about halfway through this book, and I almost didn’t finish it right now.  But I’m glad I did, as there were several truths I found that encouraged me amidst everything happening in my life.

I do have to say, if you’ve lost a loved one, specifically a father, I would recommend having tissues nearby.  This story is beautifully written, but also heart-wrenching at moments.  And some of the best wisdom comes from Maggie Fisher, who I just adored.  If I had to choose a favorite character from the book, it would probably be Maggie.

"Louisa wouldn't say that Maggie was a hoarder - at least not to her face - but 

the woman had crammed so much stuff into her cottage, it was a miracle she ever found

her way to the front door."

Honestly, my only negative comment is that the ebook lied to me!  It told me I should’ve had more pages, but there’s an excerpt at the end!  So in my mind, this book ended much too soon!

As always, thank you so much for stopping by!

I hope you enjoyed my review!  And possibly the light-hearted quotes I found to share.  There's been a lot of sadness around me lately and I needed some smiles.  :)

Per usual, links are below if you'd like to learn more about the book!  We're going to be a little extra busy the next couple weeks, so though I'm hoping to add another review, we'll see what time allows.

Have a lovely day!

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