Bookish Thoughts: Vying For The Viscount

 

Description:

For Hudson, the newly titled Viscount Stildon, moving to England from India where he was born and raised was already an arduous enough endeavor. When he learns the fate of the racing empire he inherited along with his title depends upon him getting in the good graces of another stable owner, he's even more at a loss.

The stable at the neighboring estate has been Miss Bianca Snowley's refuge for years, and when a strange man appears to be stealing the horses, she jumps to their protection without a second thought. Upon learning Hudson is actually the new owner, she can't help but be intrigued by the area's newest eligible bachelor.

Any thought of romance is quickly set aside, however, when Hudson proposes they work together to secure suitable spouses for each other. As their friendship grows, Hudson and Bianca begin to reconsider what they truly want in life. But will societal expectations and the weight of their responsibilities keep them from pursuing their true desires?

About the Author:

Kristi Ann Hunter is the author of the Hawthorne House and Haven Manor series and a 2016 RITA Award winner and Christy Award finalist. Kristi graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in computer science but always knew she wanted to write. She lives with her husband and three children in Georgia. Find her online at www.kristiannhunter.com.

My Thoughts:

I’ve been a fan of Kristi Ann Hunter’s since my first time reading “A Noble Masquerade” (which I’ve read at least 5 times now) and was very excited to learn she was starting a new series!  I’m always up for an adventure to Regency England via one of her books and couldn’t wait to start this one!

As always, I just adored the new characters in this book!  I was also very happy to see some old friends from a couple past books make an appearance!  Hudson and Bianca quickly took up residence in my mind, along with Aaron and surprisingly, Lady Rebecca.  I enjoyed their dialogue, frequently peppered with quick wit and banter  I commiserated with Bianca, reevaluating what she thought she wanted from her life.  And Hudson, coming to the place he was always informed would be his home, only to realize it’s so very different from what he’d expected.  I do have to confess, there were a couple times that I found his reluctance to make any form of decision without first consulting another person rather frustrating.  Though that did make it all the more satisfying when he finally did step up and come to realize that he didn’t need everyone’s approval for his life to be a success.

One of my favorite things about Ms. Hunter’s books is how she always finds ways to add humor to a story that doesn’t always necessarily sound like it’s going to be funny.  And it usually sneaks up on me, even though I’ve come to expect it.  Then I find myself, often in public, laughing out loud because of something a character said just so that I found hilarious or because a bunch of grooms are trying to teach a viscount how to dance.  I love it!

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this story and am eagerly anticipating the next one! (until then, I’ll probably be found rereading all of her other ones)

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by!  I know things are weird right now with Covid and all that, so please let me know how you're doing and if there's any way I can be praying for you, I'd love to do that. 

Have a ducky day! 

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Bookish Thoughts: Acceptable Risk

 

Description:

Sarah Denning is a military journalist with the Army in the Middle East when her convoy is attacked and she's taken hostage. When former Army Ranger Gavin Black is asked by his old unit commander--Sarah's imposing father--to plan an extremely risky rescue, he reluctantly agrees and successfully executes it.

Back in the US, Sarah is livid when she's discharged on a false psychiatric evaluation and vows to return to the Army. Until she learns of her brother's suicide. Unable to believe her brother would do such a thing, she puts her plans on hold and enlists Gavin to help her discover the truth. What they uncover may be the biggest story of Sarah's career--if she can survive long enough to write it.


About the Author:
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Collateral Damage and Protecting Tanner Hollow, as well as the Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband and two children. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com.

My Thoughts:

Give me a good suspense book and I’ll happily spend the day reading. Give me a great one and I’ll stay up half the night finishing it. This one falls into the “great” category, without a doubt. 

Though there are several authors of suspense novels whose works I very much enjoy, I’ve yet to find one who keeps me turning pages like Ms. Eason does. She always leaves me guessing and wanting to rush on to see what’s going to happen next! Her stories are definitely on the opposite end of the spectrum from boring and I’ve learned to never start one later in the evening, unless I want to be up reading until well past midnight. I do have to say, I was surprised that I actually guessed correctly “whodunit.” I’m not typically right when it comes to Ms. Eason’s stories, but this one did seem a little obvious, even though I didn’t quite know the “why?” behind it. Though that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the story at all. It just gave me more questions and reasons to stay up and keep turning the pages despite knowing my baby would be up a lot earlier than I would like.

"And that's what real strength is. 

Pressing on when it would be much easier to simply give up."

-Gavin Black

Sarah Denning is a compelling character. I so appreciated her strength and determination, despite her life being quickly upended in more ways than one. She hasn’t had an easy go of it and willingly admits that some of it has been her own doing. The story focused a lot on her, which I found very fitting. Not that Gavin Black doesn’t have his own issues, they just weren’t at the forefront like Sarah’s were. This book tackles family dysfunction, PTSD, suicide, and other mental illnesses. My heart broke with Sarah, for the grief she battles and the internal war with forgiveness. Gavin’s level-headedness, compassion, and integrity were much needed in light of everything she was dealing with. He obviously cares for Sarah and does his best to protect her and be the friend she needs during a very difficult time. I really enjoyed the fact that he’s not entirely the stereotypical suspense novel hero. He has a few of the usual traits, but I found it was his foibles that made him instantly likable. I also really enjoyed getting to see some familiar faces from “Collateral Damage.” As soon as I turned the last page, I was online, looking to see whose story would be next . . . I have to confess, I’m slightly disappointed that it’s not Caden’s. But I’ll still just be over here, waiting for the next one to come out . . . .and probably binge reading her previous books until then.

Thanks for stopping by!  Sorry for the weird look this one has - they updated the website and I'm still trying to figure it out, haha!

If you have time to leave a comment, please let me know who your favorite suspense author is!  I'm always looking for new recommendations, though our bookcases overflow-ith as it is. :)

Have a lovely day! 

 

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Bookish Thoughts: A Portrait of Loyalty

"There was still a God in heaven, and He still loved His children . . .

even when His children had failed to love one another."

- Lillian Blackwell

Description:

He sees patterns in what she deems chaos.
She sees beauty in a world he thought destroyed.

Zivon Marin was one of Russia's top cryptographers until the October Revolution tore apart his world. Forced to flee to England after speaking out against Lenin, Zivon is driven by a growing anger and determined to offer his services to the Brits. But never far from his mind is his brother, whom Zivon fears died in the train crash that separated them.

Lily Blackwell sees the world best through the lens of a camera and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and re-creating photographs. With her father's connections in propaganda, she's recruited to the intelligence division, even though her mother would disapprove if she ever found out.

After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily that soon takes over their hearts. But both have secrets they're unwilling to share, and neither is entirely sure they can trust the other. When Zivon's loyalties are called into question, proving him honest is about more than one couple's future dreams--it becomes a matter of ending the war.

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

My Thoughts:

I know for authors, they spend months, sometimes years writing a book.  But for a reader who spends hours reading what took much longer to write, it seems this series went by far too quickly for my liking.  I’ve greatly enjoyed all of Ms. White’s books that I’ve read and I honestly don’t think I could ever choose a favorite . . . but if I were to try, this one would definitely be in the running!

One of my favorite things about Ms. White’s books is the historical detail.  I love how it colors the stories and adds depth and detail to the characters and settings.  I also enjoy the uniqueness of the characters, along with their gifts and talents.  I’d never read of photography during WWI or how it was used in the war effort.  I so enjoyed how Lily, being a photographer, saw the world in a different way.  Ms. White did a great job showcasing that difference without making it overbearing or distracting from the rest of the story.  And I was fascinated by Zivon’s way of watching everything and predicting what would happen next.  I was also very happy to see characters from the previous books back to reprise their roles and get to see their stories continue!  I love that these characters have become dear friends over the course of the series, though I hated bidding them “farewell,” for now.

". . . Batya used to say that the difference between a wise man and a fool

was not that the wise man was right and the fool was wrong - but that the fool always 

assumed himself right, and the wise man would wonder if he could be wrong.

We cannot learn from our mistakes and grow wiser if we never admit to the times we've chosen the wrong path."

- Evgeni Marin

It seems to me that some of the most difficult books to read are often the ones that I keep coming back to read over and over.  I’m fairly confident that this one will be one of them.  Actually, probably this entire series.  In this story, grief, loss, hate, and bitterness, along with differing opinions in politics, are topics that are woven throughout.  I really appreciate how the author approaches them with her customary thought-provoking conversations, grace, and compassion.

There honestly wasn’t a single page of this book that I didn’t enjoy!  I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction!

*My thanks to the author and 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!  There were several other quotes that I really wanted to share in this post too, but I don't want to spoil the fun of finding them for yourself!  If you'd care to learn more about the book, links are below!

Have a beautiful day!

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Bookish Thoughts: A Dazzle of Diamonds

"You don't have to be ready to enjoy the adventure.  That's what makes it an adventure. . . . The adventure is in the unknown.  God has amazing things in store for you, but if you knew what they were, you'd miss out on the anticipation of discovering them."  - Aunt Shirley

Description:

Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events manager at one of Savannah's premier historic venues--until her ex-fiancé walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.

Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot--and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.

To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job--and falling helplessly in 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 www.LizJohnsonBooks.com. 

My Thoughts:

I’ve long been a fan of Liz Johnson’s writing and though I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a series coming to an end, I was still very excited to read this book!  When Ms. Johnson first switched to writing more strictly contemporary romance, I confess to being a little leery.  I’d adored her suspense novels and wasn’t sure what to expect.  But given this is the second trilogy she’s completed in this genre and seeing as how I’ve devoured every one of the books, I hadn’t any need to be concerned.  

I don’t know that I can pinpoint one specific thing that makes Ms. Johnson’s books stand out to me, it’s more them as whole stories.  I love her opening lines, e.g. : “Penelope Jean Hunter loved every wedding she’d ever been to. Except her own.”  I love the characters, the descriptions, the dialogue.  I love how real the characters are.  I felt as though I could so easily be sitting down for a chat with Penelope, hearing about the job she loves and talking about Ambrose.  I adored the fact that Penelope and Tucker have been friends forever and getting to watch as they realized that sometimes the best romances are built when you’re already best friends.  I really enjoyed the historical aspect of the book, with it being a little like “National Treasure.” (at least, in my mind) Following clues and stories from the past to find a hidden “treasure.”

I can’t think of a single thing about this story that I didn’t enjoy, aside from the fact that it ended.  Though I do have to say that the ending was beautiful!  And it may have made me love Tucker just a little more (if that’s possible).

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'm excited to get back into reviewing, hopefully a bit more frequently!  My munchkin is taking more regular naps and sleeping for longer periods at night, which means I have a little more time to read, which is SO nice!

Have a beautiful day! 

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Bookish Thoughts: Start With Me

"Lace, I know you haven't seen a whole lot of it, but this is what love looks like.

Choosing the other person.  Wanting the best thing for them.  What he did last night?  That's love."

Description:

Lacey O’Connor is finally a sure thing for the promotion she’s spent ten years working for. But when a scandal rocks her firm she finds herself on a collision course with the one person she has spent five years trying to forget. Only to discover he doesn’t even remember her…

Victor Carlisle has spent the last three years trying to convince his family he’s no longer the playboy alcoholic who tore their life apart. When a company merger is announced with a US sister firm, he’s presented with the perfect opportunity to prove he’s changed. Only to find himself falling for his competition and the one woman his family will never accept.

As the competition intensifies the choice looms between the professional and the personal. Can they find a way beyond their past decisions and present aspirations to take a chance on the one thing they’re not looking for?

About the Author:

Kara Isaac writes contemporary romance in beautiful Wellington, New Zealand. She is the author of four novels including the RWA RITA award-winning Then There Was You (https://www.rwa.org/page/2018-winners), Close to You, a RITA Award Double Finalist, and Can't Help Falling, an RT Review Top Pick. When she's not chasing three small people, she spends her time writing horribly bad first drafts and wishing you could get Double Stuf Oreos in New Zealand. She loves to connect with readers on her website www.karaisaac.com, on Facebook at Kara Isaac - Author, Twitter @KaraIsaac and Instagram @kara.isaac.author

My Thoughts:

If I’m being honest, I haven’t read a single book by Kara Isaac that I haven’t immensely enjoyed. . . And I’ve read all of them.  So I was obviously super excited for this one!  And as a self-proclaimed fan, I was very disappointed in myself for not immediately recognizing the characters’ names and putting together that they were from “Can’t Help Falling” and “One Thing I Know.”  But my embarrassment aside, this may very well be my favorite book of hers, so far!

As I’ve said in more than one review, I absolutely adore Ms. Isaac’s writing style!  Especially when she’s writing an English character.  I can almost hear the accent as I’m reading (sigh).  I love how she draws me into her novels from the very first pages and I spend the rest of the day wondering where the story will lead next.  Her books always keep me up much too late at night, particularly considering that I have a newborn and should be sleeping when she sleeps.  But I found this tale far too hard to put down, so I was grabbing every extra moment I had to devour it!  As previously mentioned, these characters do tie into a couple of Ms. Isaac’s other books, though each of them are written to stand alone.  Which is great, if you don’t care to start with the prior books, but I personally adored those as well and would highly recommend them!

There were so many things I loved about this book!  I loved the dialogue: the quick wit, quips, and arguments.  I loved the relationship between Lacey, Rachel, and Anna.  And watching Victor seek healing and restoration from his past.  He so desires to be a better man than he was in the past.  I loved the redemptive theme throughout.  I wanted to slap Peter more than once for how he treated his brother (thankfully, Emilia took care of that for me).  I loved little Libby!  She was only there for a couple pages, but she stole my heart.  I loved how real the characters seem; they came alive within the pages and I felt as though I was saying “goodbye” to dear friends by the time I turned the final page.  And honestly, I so appreciated the fact that not every character is automatically a Christian by the end.  There’s no cliched sudden confession of belief.  It wouldn’t have suited the story or the characters, and I admire that Ms. Isaac chose to stay true to them.

My take: if you’ve never read one of Kara Isaac’s books, you’re missing so much!  Including but not limited to: sleep deprivation due to fictional characters.  Said characters taking you through a variety of emotions such as anger, sadness (sometimes with tears), and joy.  Great dialogue, including English and Australian accents.  Laughing out loud in public because you chose to bring your book along.  Adventures on multiple continents, including America, Europe, Australia, etc.  

Do you need any other reasons to pick up this book (and her other ones)?

Thanks for stopping by and reading my review!  As always, if you'd like to learn more about this book, links are below - and I will note that the Kindle price is currently only $4.99!  And it's free on Kindle Unlimited, if you use that service.  Personally, I can't wait for the paperbacks so I can add it to my "keeper" bookcase!  (yes, what is probably much to my husband's dismay, it's an entire bookcase now, not just a shelf or two.)

Have a ducky day! 😊

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Bookish Thoughts: Hadley Beckett's Next Dish

Description:

Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.

When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.

As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.

About the Author:

Bethany Turner is the award-winning author of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and Wooing Cadie McCaffrey and the director of administration for Rock Springs Church in Southwest Colorado. A former bank executive and a three-time cancer survivor (all before she turned 35), Bethany knows that when God has plans for your life, it doesn't matter what anyone else has to say. Because of that, she's chosen to follow his call to write. She lives with her husband and their two sons in Colorado, where she writes for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book I’ve read from this new-to-me author and I have to say that I greatly enjoyed it!  I had no idea what to expect, but I knew it was going to be good when she had me laughing in the prologue.  From then on, I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next and how many pages would be between bouts of laughter.

I honestly wasn't sure what to think of this book when I started it. I loved watching the cooking channels as a teenager and I'd never read a book set around celebrity chefs. So I was curious, but also a little cautious. Though that caution was thrown to the wind within the first few pages. I loved Hadley, with her wry sense of humor, sarcasm, kindness, and awkwardness. She's sweet, but also sassy - even if only to herself. And I found myself surprised that I genuinely liked Max! I know, it's a rom-com, you're supposed to fall in love with the hero. But I wasn't too sure about him. That being said, he started losing a couple of the rough edges and I really enjoyed how the author wrote from his perspective. He's funny, with a dry wit and a bit of the curmudgeon thrown in. And I laughed so much at the dialogue between him and Hadley! 

My only slight disappointment is that we didn't get to see as much of Max's transformation as I would have liked. He was asking a lot of questions, but then it seemed as though he found the answers off page and they weren't really mentioned again. That said, I did really enjoy the ending! And I immediately went looking for Ms. Turner's other books, which I shall hopefully have in my hands, soon. 

*My thanks to Revell 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! I hope everyone is doing well, especially with all of the craziness in the world! Seriously! But thankfully, we still have books, and video calls are becoming a big thing, which is better than nothing. I've just been hibernating at home, enjoying having time off work to spend with my Tiny Girl. 

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: Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs

Description:
Parents are always looking out for the perfect bedtime book to create a sense of well-being before a night of rest. Mama Kisses, Papa Hugs explores a child's curiosity about how love is shown between parent and child, with the reassurance that Mama and Papa will always love their little one. And like Lisa Tawn Bergren's young protagonist asks his mother, this question is pressing on the minds of many children:

"Mama, how does God kiss us?"

Mama smiled. "He kisses us a hundred times a day; although if you don't pay attention, you might miss it."

"At night he kisses us with a shooting star. In the morning, he kisses us with sunlight, crawling across the fields and into our windows. On a hot summer afternoon, he kisses us with a gentle breeze. But most of all, he kisses us through our family. That's how God made us. That's why I give you Mama kisses."

About the Authors:

Lisa Tawn Bergren is a best-selling author of nearly forty books, including the beloved God Gave Us children's book series. Her work spans many genres, from adult fiction to devotionals. She and her husband, Tim, live in Colorado Springs with their family.

From early childhood, Aleksandar Zolotić used his vivid imagination to create amazing drawings, making everyday moments in his life look special. Years later, he studied at the Faculty of Applied Arts in Belgrade, and he's gone on to win numerous awards for his work. When not creating imaginative illustrations, he spends time drinking iced coffee and eating homemade muffins with his wife and reading picture books to his daughter, while preventing his baby son from eating them.

My thoughts:

This is my first time reviewing a children`s book, so please bear with me.  That being said, I was super excited to receive this book and my husband and I sat and read it to my pregnant belly the day it came.  I had no idea what to expect from a children’s book, but we loved this one!  The way it’s written, it encourages parents to take turns reading the mommy and daddy sections, making funny voices, or showing how a polar bear “kisses,” which was really fun.  I can easily imagine us cuddling up with our little one, when they’re older, and reading this to them together.  I also really enjoyed how the story lead into how God is our Father and seeing how He “hugs” and “kisses” us every day.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to get to read it to our little one someday soon!

*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.    

Sorry for the short review - I'm still learning to do this on a tablet while our new baby naps.  

Thank you so much for stopping by!  If you're interested in learning more about the book, some links are below.

Have a lovely day!

Amazon

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Christian Book