Hannah G
An odd little tale about Margaret, a strong-willed young woman, who becomes the wife of the shiftless Jan Vedder. It seemed as though her husband would never learn to buck up and be a man, and she is forced to make her own decisions about her family and future. An interesting story about small-town life in the Shetlands.
A very enjoyable read. The only thing I didn't like was Nora's friend Nikki, who had no filter called “appropriate” on her mouth (not anything really nasty, but she does employ some innuendo and flirts with a man twenty years her junior). Also, I wanted John to communicate a bit better. To Nora, he's a silent mystery for a great deal of the book.
I loved the whole part about the small town built for Nora (despite recently having researched the cost of moving buildings, which means it's more fairy-take than practical) and I loved her research work. The twist is indeed quite the little doozy, but I really liked it. The redemption message and the specifically Christian application was a nice plus as well.
Note: for those of you who read “Her One and Only,” Gray is mentioned; and his best friend makes a cameo appearance in this story.
This is a new favorite! I will have to figure out a way to get my hands on a print copy of this so I can reread at leisure!
There were definite elements of mystery; while it was not a murder-mystery in the traditional sense, there was a girl's disappearance and a double murder to find the culprit for. I loved everything about this book, especially how Miles is so tender toward his wounded friend. I would love to have some sort of sequel!
Very sweet book! I always intended to review it when I figured out where I'd stashed my copy...
It's a sweet, innocent tale of six boys who live in the same house, and the young woman who cares for them. They're often rambunctious and have many an adventure (I think there was a particular escapade over a roof, if I recall correctly...) It's particularly fun when they try to listen in/matchmake on the young woman and her beau.
A fast-paced and intense thriller set by the Georgia coast. The sea-turtle rescue elements were a really fun addition to the plot and moved the story along nicely, reminding me of Coble's other books featuring dolphins.
It would be very traumatic to lose a friend to murder, so it makes sense that Torie will stop at nothing to make sure her friend's “accidental” death is solved and prosecuted. She's sure that Lisbeth didn't willingly go out into the water; but as soon as she starts to piece a thing or two together, the killer instantly tries to terrorize her away from the case—and when that doesn't work, she's next on his list.
One of the best examples of Coble's talent for penning a great thriller story. Definitely going to be rereading this one at some point.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
Oh, a new author to follow! :) I wasn't sure what I was getting into, with the spooky tones, but I really, really loved the mystery that is strewn through the story, parallel in the two time frames as each character (Ivy and Kaine) probes into the mysterious secrets surrounding the deserted Foster Hill house. A murdered girl was found in a hollow tree a hundred years ago. Ivy, in the early 1900s, is the doctor's daughter and the keeper of the book of deaths, her way of writing obituaries for townspeople.
Ivy is considered odd after her brother's early death leaves her pensive and quiet. Her quick intuition leads to town rumors of a “second sight” and leaves her even more alone. At the young woman's mysterious death and unknown identity, Joel re-enters her life: her brother's best friend who disappeared years before and left her to face her grief alone. He's just returned as the new sheriff's deputy and is soon in the midst of the attempt to solve the crime.
Kaine, the modern-day heroine, is also doubted by her community after no real evidence shows up for a stalker she knows she has. The person who caused her husband's fatal car accident, she's sure, must still be after her. Problem is, the death was ruled accidental. Only her sister believes she's telling the truth, and isn't simply overly forgetful or suffering from some form of PTSD. Unable to stand the sinister tricks any longer, she quits her job, buys a historic home in her ancestors' hometown, and heads off to an adventure. Trouble is, the realtor's pictures were overly kind, and she finds herself in a world of hurt trying to make her new home livable. And things begin to happen there...things like what her stalker did, only more aggressive than before.
There are quite a number of creepy passages, melodies from an abandoned house, “ghosts” in the halls...but it's not sensationalized. The focus remains on the house's mysterious past rather than the creepy phenomenons. I liked having an engaging mystery with a touch of the shiver-y to keep it compelling, and I actually enjoyed both timelines equally.
Thanks to the publisher for a free ebook for review. A positive review was not required.
I'd seen or heard something of Walcott's work a couple years ago and decided to try out one of his stories. I found this one online and ordered it, but when I saw the cover I thought it was a romantic comedy. Now, I should know better than to trust a cover on an old book without reading the beginning, but I didn't take the time. Last week I picked it up again and found a fast-paced thriller!
Here's a quick summary: Giles Dudley arrives in California to take a new job and lodge with his distant cousin and best friend, Henry Wilton, who also happens to be his double. He soon finds his friend is much changed and worried about some unknown evil influence that he's unable to explain without breaking a confidence—but he wants Giles to help him save a child from this syndicate of a threat. However, there's no time to learn much before Henry is brutally murdered! A local policeman thinks Giles is Henry and then warns him to keep Henry's identity until the crime is solved. Can Giles “Henry” stay alive long enough to find out who and where the child is, and stop the bad guys in time?
This one definitely kept me guessing. Bad guys everywhere, eccentric Mother Borton, likable and plucky Detective Corson, beautiful Luella Knapp, forceful Dodderidge Knapp, and so on...each character is colorful. What little romance is there is definitely not the main focus of the story. There's, however, a fair bit of profanity, so be aware of that.
Betty is the mother of three and the beloved wife of a military officer. In this sequel to an older novel called Betty's Christmas, Betty and her family are out west at a military station. Far away in Europe WW1 rages, but the US hasn't entered yet. She's a vibrant woman, and I absolutely loved the whole normal-family vibe in this sprightly novel. I didn't know it was a sequel but it didn't make it any harder to read. I'll definitely be seeking out the first book.
This was my first read by this author and I'm very glad I didn't let myself be put off by the amateurishly blended cover image. The story itself is well written and contained a deep Christian message that I really enjoyed. The romance is quiet and understated but quite satisfying.
Definitely will be reading more of her books!
An excellent shorter Christmas story. Aletta is a young widow in 1863, partway through the Civil War—facing the birth of her second child, the loss of her job, and foreclosure of her home, all at the same time. For a novella this book is pretty chunky, which makes me quite happy! (Oh, if only it would be published in one of those darling mini hardcovers!...)
Jake has a new future to find after a head injury leaves him with impaired vision and an inability to shoot. It's devastating to the sharpshooter to realize he's no longer useful for the war effort. His general orders him to a house party as an ambassador of sorts, or as a sort of thank-you to the women's aid group so the general can show his gratitude by letting them meet one of the soldiers. He definitely didn't expect to run up against a fetching young widow and her energetic son and to feel his heart stirred by thoughts of home and family for the first time.
Aletta's son Andrew quite steals the show for me, also. He's such a vibrant and typical six-year-old.
There is so much I enjoyed about this book! Very good job, Mrs. Alexander. And I can hardly wait for that real-life love story we'll be getting next year, in the first book of the series.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free review copy.
(Thanks Chantel for challenging me to read this!)
4.5 stars.
It took me only a couple chapters to connect with these characters. Now I can hardly wait to grab the other two books of the series and devour them, especially after I read the synopses on them!! I really enjoyed the author's style and felt she really nailed the idea of Atlanta, since I lived there for three and a half years.
Harris tackles the issue of human trafficking, something I'm deeply concerned about. The scenario was very realistic; I actually knew someone from an average middle-class neighborhood who was only one street over from a major trafficking ring that got busted while I lived there (and the only thing the neighbors noticed amiss was that the family had regular company who often played their car music a little loud. No one ever dreamed there were several dozen girls in the basement.)
The mystery was well plotted, layered, and difficult to guess the end of. I also really liked that the two characters were already dating when the story started, so there weren't a lot of distracting zings of early attraction. Refreshing difference. Definitely recommended!
4.5 stars
Fun travel adventure with a veteran doing a favor to a fellow veteran–only the one doing a favor is a Viscount and not a chauffeur at all! The fair lady, an American heiress touring England, catches his fancy at once, especially when he realizes her older-lady-companion is an adventurer ready to sell her hand to the one who greases her own the best. How can he leave the innocent, beautiful American to the wolves? Hijinks ensue as the Viscount pretends to be a chauffeur and keep his own identity alive on the side without the twain ever meeting.
The travelogue bit reminded me a lot of CN and AM Williamson's books, to the point where several times I forgot I wasn't reading something they wrote.
What a scrumptious long read this was! Susan Warner is a long-loved author for me, but this is the first I've read of her sister Anna's work. Both sisters are gravely under-appreciated these days (Susan as the first American author to sell one million copies of a book; Anna as the author of the song “Jesus Loves Me”) and I'll definitely be looking for some of Anna's other books.
Faith and Mr. Linden have a super-slow romance with such deep emotional moments. This book is chock-full of lessons in mature Christianity and beautiful applications (Scripture ladders is a really neat concept of building and using cross-references.) Mr. Linden is a schoolteacher who is earning a few dollars to finish his degree as a preacher and he lives up to his calling beautifully, bringing the Gospel to all the “good” folks in town who didn't think they were sinners, but who were in need of a Saviour nonetheless. Practicing delightful Christian charity with feeding the needy and helping the disadvantaged...
It's set in old Pattaquasset, Connecticut (which according to a Google search appears to have grown into modern Saybrook) and the local flavor is a delight.
A true gem of a story!
Listened to volume 1 on Librivox and read Volume 2 off internet Archive.
An enjoyable and pleasant story set on PEI as the MCs work to open a B&B on the island. I especially liked Marie and Jack (Seth got on my nerves a few times.) I'm also looking forward to the next story, featuring Marie's friend Caden.
Christian message: praying, trusting God. The preacher is referred to as “Father.” Just be aware that it's more of a “God” message than a “Jesus saves” kind of message. I never could figure out if the preacher was supposed to be Catholic or Anglican.
Content: kissing; mentions of a past rape and flashbacks to it, no graphic details .
4.5 stars, rounded up
18+ for content (drugs and human trafficking)
This story switched more to Gio and Morgan's viewpoint, with some serious suspense on Morgan's part in particular. It was really wrenching to see her edge closer and closer to escaping, but for her to feel unworthy and to try to help other girls escape instead of her.
Absolutely delightful ending to the Packhorse Librarians duo. It's five years later and Bettina has been doing a lot of growing up, and now she's rooted in the community and at home in Nanny Fay's house. But war is stalking the nation and might change all her dreams. What are the right decisions for her? Lovely story.
Truly loved this exciting chase as our heroine is trying to escape bad guys who are determined to find evidence she didn't know she had, and are willing to hurt her or her little boy in order to get it. There's a massive twist at the end that was really well done.
This was one of my Christmas-money box of books this year. I've seen it several times at bookstores but always bought other things instead...but I'm glad I finally bought it! It's a fun, innocent story about the widow Mrs. Wings and her struggle to raise her children in the city. At just over 100 pages, I read it in less than an hour.
This was a hilarious book, though I usually do not care so much for talking animals....but how can you beat a horse telling his version of a romance?
Well, the story itself is written as five stars. Set mostly in America from 1781-1793, it provides an interesting historical perspective on the American opinion concerning the French Revolution.
The love story is sweet until the Great Accidental Misunderstanding, which is what knocked a star off for me. And there was also the matter of a great curse that the hero swore when he found out how he had been deceived. Other than that, a good solid historical with a strong Christian-faith message.
This was my first Cyrus Townsend Brady book, probably read eight or so years ago. The sea descriptions are so good that it's easy to feel a part of the action.
This is the book that got me hooked on Arthur Marchmont's writing. Plenty of danger and intrigue in high circles, along with the fair maiden (Sarita) in peril who needs a handsome, daring Englishman to dash to her rescue!
2.5 stars
I liked the characters...but oh, the comma splices and run-ons! At least forty instances of a comma being used to join random phrases, to the point where a few sentences didn't even make sense. Laura Scott has always been hit or miss for me—I guess it depends on the editor—and this one barely escaped a two star rating, because the punctuation and grammar were just so crazy. Also, there were a few weird things that wouldn't be accurate, like when the sheriff asks Julianne if she minds him driving when she accepts a ride in his squad car. Duh!
Otherwise, it was a good story, and I absolutely had fun reading about the dog, Tracker, and his talents.
This is a short book based on a few episodes of the life of Henri de Tonty, an Italian soldier who helped explore and conquer the French New World alongside his beloved friend, the mercurial-fortuned La Salle. There are some interesting facts, but also a lot is heartbreaking; especially the story of the saintly Jeanne la Ber, a beautiful young woman who longed to be close to God, and even gave up an overwhelming great love because she was trying to please God by giving up what she wanted. That particular character may haunt me for a bit with her dedication to a system that would not even ultimately help her get to God; she thought that repeated denials and penances would make God look upon her with favor, and had no clue that God had already provided to her the price of His favor, in Jesus.
The story was good, but written in episodic style, and with a distance that made it hard to know the characters very well.