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!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble 

Christian Book

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!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble 

Christian Book  

Goodreads

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!  

Amazon

Barnes & Noble 

Christian Book

Goodreads

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! 

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

Christian Book

GoodReads

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!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book

GoodReads

Bookish Thoughts: Vow of Justice

"Just remember.  Justice and revenge are two very different things."  Lincoln St. John

Description:

Playing dead might just get her killed

FBI Special Agent Lincoln St. John is living his own personal nightmare. When the woman he loves, Allison Radcliffe, is killed, he devotes himself to tracking down the killers and making them pay for their crimes. He expected it to be a challenge. What he never expected was to find Allison very much alive shortly after her "murder."

As his anger and hurt mix with relief, Linc isn't sure how he's supposed to feel. One thing he does know for sure: he and Allison will have to work together to stop a killer before she dies a second time--this time for good.

About the Author:

Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of Oath of Honor, Called to Protect, and Code of Valor, as well as the 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:

For anyone who doesn’t know, this is the forth (and final, I believe) book in Lynette Eason’s “Blue Justice” series.  I read the first one when it released early last year, but somehow missed books 2 and 3, something I will soon be rectifying!  I’ve greatly enjoyed pretty much all of Ms. Eason’s books that I’ve ever picked up and this one is certainly no exception!  

Despite not having read them in the correct order, I didn’t feel as though I was playing catch up when I started this one, something I really appreciated.  Ms. Eason does an excellent job of pulling in characters and details of her past books, while also filling in enough backstory that they can be read as stand-alone novels, if desired . . . though I’m honestly not sure why anyone would want to do that.  After reading this one, I’m super excited to go back and read the others, now!  I love that this series follows a family and how the author includes that in the story, even in something as simple as sibling teasing to lighten the tension that is constantly building.  I so enjoyed getting to know Lincoln St. John better.  He is the common sense of the team, while Allison Radcliffe seems more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants kind of impulsive.  I loved her determination to protect those around her and her desire to see justice done.  I also greatly appreciated how the author wove themes of justice vs. vengeance into the story and how that was not only spoken of, but also shown in the decisions and actions the characters chose.  By the time I turned the final page, I felt as though I’d been there with them every step of the way, through dangerous situations and at times, painful choices.     

Ms. Eason has long been one of my go-to authors for suspense and this book may be one of her most intriguing, yet.  Something was constantly happening that kept me flipping pages long past my bedtime and as soon as I could grab it again after work.  I did get a little lost on the timeline of things, occasionally, with how quickly everything was happening.  And for mystery lovers, I will forewarn you that I did find part of the plot twist predictable, but maybe that was just me.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to tracking down the other “Blue Justice” novels!

*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 and read my review!  I truly appreciate that you chose to spend your time reading my blog, when there are a few hundred like it.  :) 

Per my usual MO (I've obviously been reading a lot of cop books lately), links for the book are below, if you'd like to learn more about it and the other St. John siblings.

Have an awesome day! 

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Christian Book

GoodReads

Bookish Thoughts: The Killing Tide

I still find this cover super trippy!  And it's an odd texture, if you get to hold the paper version in your hands. . . . I'm also only 3 days late posting a "happy release day!" review and considering the busyness of this season in my life, I'm going to just take that as a win. :) 

Description:

When one Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous crime yet. His only clues are what little evidence remains aboard the dead officer's boat, and the direction the clues point to will test Finn and the Guard to their limits.

When investigative reporter--and Finn's boss's sister--Gabby Rowley arrives, her unrelenting questions complicate an already volatile situation. Now that she's back, the tug on Finn's heart is strong, but with the risks she's taking for her next big story, he fears she might not live through it.

Thrown together by the heinous crime, Finn and Gabby can't ignore the sparks or judgments flying between them. But will they be able to see past their preconceptions long enough to track down an elusive killer, or will they become his next mark?

About the Author:

Praised by New York Times bestselling author Dee Henderson as "a name to look for in romantic suspense," Dani Pettrey has sold more than half a million copies of her novels to readers eagerly awaiting the next release. She is the bestselling author of the Chesapeake Valor series and the Alaskan Courage series and winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award, two HOLT Medallions, two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing's Best Award. She and her husband reside in Maryland. She can be found online at www.danipettrey.com.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book in Dani Pettrey’s new Coastal Guardians series!  I’ve been a big fan of her books since Submerged and was super excited for this one.  I always love first books, with all the potential for new stories and new characters, and this one definitely met all my expectations and exceeded a few of them!

As usual, my favorite part of this book was the characters.  Gabby and Finn are for sure on the list of favorite characters from Ms. Pettrey’s books, though I’m pretty confident most of the other characters on the team are going to fall into that category, too.  Gabby is an investigative reporter, staying with her family after making an enemy who now wants her dead.  To go with that, she’s stubborn, curious, determined, and kind.  Finn, part of the Coast Guard Investigative Service, has some things in his past that haunt him, but that he doesn’t let that stop him from doing what’s right.  I loved his integrity and loyalty to his friends.  He’s also as stubborn if not more so than Gabby, and determined to keep her safe.  I enjoyed watching them butt heads and learn to work together, but also become something more.  I so enjoyed how the story didn’t solely focus on them as a couple, but came from multiple perspectives within the team.  Sometimes the switching between characters’ thoughts was a little confusing for me, but not too bad, once I caught back up.  The momentary confusion was definitely worth what it added to the story.

Can we talk about the mystery and suspense for a moment?  It was definitely suspenseful - Ms. Pettrey is well known for keeping the tension running throughout the story and this one is definitely not an exception!  I loved the mystery, too!  I spent the entire story trying to guess “whodunit” and didn’t have a clue, which was great!  I appreciate books that can stump and surprise me.  My only bit of negative to that is something that happened in the end (I’m not going to spoil) seemed more than a little far fetched.  But it wasn’t a big enough issue to ruin the story for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book!  I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery and suspense!

*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 stopping by and taking the time to read my review!  I had this goal of posting at least 2 reviews a month, but summer and some exciting news has kind of interrupted that plan.  And that's okay.  I might get there, eventually. 

Anyway!  Links are below, if you'd like to check out the book further and maybe read some other opinions of it.  

Have a great day and weekend! 

Amazon

GoodReads

Barnes & Noble 

Christian Book