“Worthy of Legend” by Roseanna M White ~ Book Review

“Worthy of Legend” by Roseanna M White

Book Three in the Secrets of the Isles Series

Launch Team Review Copy

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

About the Book:

After a summer of successful pirate-treasure hunting, Lady Emily Scofield and her friends must hide the unprecedented discoveries they’ve made, thanks to the betrayal of her own family. Horrified by her brother, who stops at nothing to prove himself to their greedy father, Emily is forced to take a stand against her family–even when it means being cut off entirely.

Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford, is fascinated with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table–an interest he’s kept mostly hidden for the last decade. But when a diary is unearthed on the islands that could lead to a secret artifact, Bram is the only one able to piece the legends together.

As Bram and Emily seek out the whereabouts of the hidden artifact, they must dodge her family and a team of archeologists. In a race against time, it is up to them to decide what makes a hero worthy of legend. Is it fighting valiantly to claim the treasure . . . or sacrificing everything in the name of selfless love?

My Thoughts:

The author does it again – creates another absolutely marvelous novel that I can’t get enough of. Worthy of Legend was beautiful. From its characters to its plot and the faith message in between, it was all displayed in such a lovely manner, and it was the perfect conclusion to this fabulous series.
Lady Emily really came into her own in this novel, and I absolutely loved seeing her flourish and discover her own strength, even when it looked different than her friends, different than what she thought strength meant.
And Lord Telford. What a loveable protective character in all his standoffishness XD In my review for the second book in this series, I stated how much I loved Sheridan, and now I don’t know how I’d choose between Sheridan and Bram if I had to. Good thing we readers don’t generally have to choose between beloved book boyfriends, right? ;)
There were so many excellent lessons to gather from the pages, and I tabbed so many spots. The historical side of the novel was also exemplary – to be honest, the legend of King Arthur was never one that particularly appealed to me, but I actually loved how it played a part in WoL! Especially in regards to Bram, that was a fun touch.
 Before I finish this review, I also want to add how I so enjoyed Tommie and Enyon’s story told among the pages too; they were so sweet, especially how constant Enyon was. There was plenty of adventure to be had among the pages too, with lots of treasure hunting.
Truly a fabulous book!

I received a copy of the book from the publishers as a part of the launch team. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

The Last Way Home by Liz Johnson ~ Book Review

“The Last Way Home” by Liz Johnson

Book Two in Prince Edward Island Shores Series

Review copy from the publishers/Revell Reads

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

About the book:

A disgraced former NHL player and a local artist are thrown together when her pottery studio burns to the ground on the day he returns to Prince Edward Island. But as they work together to rebuild, their secrets will come out, putting even their hearts on the line.

My Thoughts:

I loved it! Liz Johnson writes some amazing books, and this was no exception. It was such a treat to return to Prince Edward Island and spend time with familiar and new characters, both. 

The Last Way Home is a prodigal-son story, and oh was it phenomenal. There were so many beautiful aspects woven into the pages, and my heart was touched more than once. I also teared up more than once, it was just so good. Beautifully written, with exceptional characters that were flawed, yes, but wonderfully real and redeemed. 

Violet and Eli were amazing. I’m not even kidding. I loved getting to know each of them  and seeing and understanding how their stories were shaped and affected, and how they grew together too. The healing and love they both found was truly well done, and I just enjoyed every minute spent inside these pages among these fantastic characters.

Great depth, warmth, and fantastic characters – I definitely recommend this book as well as this series <3

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.

“Until Leaves Fall in Paris” by Sarah Sundin ~ Book Review

“Until Leaves Fall in Paris” by Sarah Sundin

WWII Fiction

Review book from publishers

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

About the book:

When the Nazis march toward Paris, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. The Germans make it difficult for her to keep Green Leaf Books afloat. And she must keep the store open if she is to continue aiding the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.

Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. But in order to carry out his mission, he must appear to support the occupation—which does not win him any sympathy when he meets Lucie in the bookstore.

In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail?

My Thoughts:

As usual, the author’s writing style was impeccable in this one. Sarah Sundin writes the best WWII fiction, in my opinion, and Until Leaves Fall in Paris was filled with just as much interest and beauty as all the other books I’ve had the pleasure of reading by her.
It was particularly interesting to read about the war through the perspective of those in Paris during the time – I’ve read a lot of WWII books set in America, England, and even Germany itself, but I don’t think I had read one set in France before this. It brought a whole new view of it, and added another layer of depth to the history we’re so familiar with.
The characters came to life, and I truly loved Lucie, Paul, and little Josie. They were all spectacular, and I loved seeing how their lives intertwined and grew.
Lucie often felt that she was never a smart girl, having invested more years in ballet school than education, but she was brilliant, and I absolutely loved how it was shown that ‘smarts’ are in more areas than just math or typical education areas.
And little Josie was so creative herself. Her stories were darling.
That ending was also so perfect. There was a lot of danger and suspense towards the end, but how it all came to conclusion – perfect.
Very glad to have enjoyed another wonderful Sarah Sundin novel!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.

“Midnight’s Budding Morrow” by Carolyn Miller ~ Review & IReadWithAudra Tour

“Midnight’s Budding Morrow” by Carolyn Miller

Book Two in the Regency Wallflowers Series

Review copy from the publishers as a part of IReadWithAudra Tours

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

About the Book:

Can real love grow between a wallflower and an unrepentant rogue? Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend’s rakish brother.

When James Langley returns to his family’s estate, he can’t be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father’s stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love.

Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn’t until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed?

When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope?

My Thoughts:

Beautifully written, Midnight’s Budding Morrow is an excellent new book in the Regency Wallflowers Series. Right from the beginning we get to see what a truly roguish character James Langley is, and I confess even I was curious to see how the main character might eventually develop feelings for him when he was so…unlikeable at first, haha.But his transformation was handled well, and I appreciated seeing how even after he changed, he still wasn’t perfect and battled slip-ups, as we are wont to do in our fleshly nature.

Sarah Drayton was a lovely soul. I loved this description for her: “She was an interesting thing, equal parts boldness and timidity; courage and distrust and fear.” Sarah was such a strong character who at once came across as gentle and vulnerable. Her struggles were just as real as James, and I think the author wrote each of their journeys with impeccable taste and grace. There were definite times I could relate to Sarah, and I just really appreciated how real these characters were.The plot was engaging, and I loved how it all unfurled at such a decent pace.

And I love the fact that it is “unapologetically Christian” as the author stated at the back. I personally prefer my books that way, and deeply appreciated how important and intricate the themes of faith were to this lovely novel.
And once again, gorgeous cover!!

Thanks to the publishers and author for the copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.

GIVEAWAY:

To enter, click on the image above or ENTER HERE!

About the Series:

While most stories set in Regency England focus on the rich, the young, and the beautiful, award-winning author Carolyn Miller decided she wanted to give readers something different for a change. Her new Regency Wallflowers series follows the commoners, away from the hustle and bustle of 1810s London, out in the Lake District of England. She tells the stories of women who are slightly older and have few prospects for marriage, women who might be considered “wallflowers.”

Midnight’s Budding Morrow is the second book in the Regency Wallflowers series. The first book in the series is Dusk’s Darkest Shores.

About the Author:

Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children.

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food.

Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers. 

Learn more about Carolyn at www.carolynmillerauthor.com, or find her on Facebook (Carolyn Miller Author), Instagram (@CarolynMillerAuthor), and Twitter (@CarolynMAuthor). 

“One Fine Day” by Carrie Padgett and Rachel Hauck ~ Book Review

One Fine Day by Carrie Padgett and Rachel Hauck

Review copy from the publishers as apart of Just Read Tours

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

About the Book:

My Thoughts:

How delightful! I couldn’t put this one down. It was so enjoyable; the writing was so smooth, and so captivating. Not to mention the characters themselves were life-like and fun to read about. The romance in this novel was wonderful, and honestly, I loved every minute. I loved seeing Chloe and Sam together, first as re-acquainted friends, and then as more. It moved along at a very decent pace, and the plot was great. I also really enjoyed the bits of French thrown in, as well as the visit to France – I’m learning French, and just found that fun. ^.^ I think it’s wonderful having these new spin-off series of familiar book settings and authors – it’s so fun finding new authors and seeing them continue on well-loved stories! I look forward to seeing what else Carrie Padgett will write – loved her style. Thanks to the publishers for the review copy. I was not required to write a positive review, all thoughts expressed are entirely my own.

“Shadowed Loyalty” by Roseanna M White ~ Book Review

Shadowed Loyalty by Roseanna M White

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

About the Book:

Sabina Mancari never questioned her life as the daughter of Chicago’s leading mob boss until bullets tear apart her world and the man she thought she loved turned out to be an undercover Prohibition agent. Now she sees how ugly the underworld can be. Ambushes, bribes, murder, prostitution—she thought her beloved Papa was above all that, but clearly he isn’t. What does that mean, though, for her and their family? Maybe Lorenzo, the fiancé who has barely paid her any attention in the last two years, has the right idea by planning to escape their world.

All his life, Lorenzo’s family assumed he would join the Church, but he has different ideas—marrying Sabina and pursuing a career in the law. But despite his morals, he knows at the core he isn’t so unlike his father and brothers, which has always terrified him. Has he, in trying to protect Sabina from his flaws, in fact harmed her? It sure seems that way when he realizes he all but forced her into the arms of the Prohibition Agent now bent on tearing her family apart at all costs. But how can they rebuild what has so long been neglected…and do it in the shadow of the dark empire of the Mafia?

Shadowed Loyalty, set amid the glitz and scandal of the Roaring Twenties, examines what love really means and how we draw lines between family and our own convictions, especially when following the one could mean losing the other.

My Thoughts:

Always eager for a new Roseanna M White novel, I was very curious to see how it would go with this being a little different than the other books I’ve read and loved by this author, and I was not disappointed in the least. I love the writing style and how the history – no matter the setting or time period – comes alive so effortlessly through the author’s writing. The 1920’s have always been an era that’s intrigued me, so it was easy for me to fall in love with every aspect of Shadowed Loyalty. The characters were brilliant – Sabina was so well constructed and so life-like, she was easy to relate to and route for. 

This story displayed so many of the complex layers that go along with family, loyalty, faith, and more. The faith theme was so inspiring and encouraging, and I really appreciated how authentic it was to the setting and the history. Lots of wisdom, and lots of touching moments – definitely what I have come to expect from one of White’s novels, and that’s a big reason why I always look forward to her novels.

It was so fascinating getting to read about the mafia aspect, and what it would have been like to have grown up as a Mafiosi’s daughter, and a believer as well. 

Sabina and Lorenzo were absolutely marvelous, and I loved reading how they grew, on their own and together. The forgiveness and love that was shown time after time was deeply beautiful, and all in all, I very much enjoyed this story. <3

I received a copy of the book from the publisher/author. I was not required to write a positive review, all thoughts are my own.

“Counterfeit Love” by Crystal Caudill ~ Book Review/ Blog Tour I Read With Audra Giveaway!

“Counterfeit Love” by Crystal Caudill

Book One in the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age Series

About the Book:

Can this undercover agent save the woman he loves–or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he’s been sent to track down?
After all that Grandfather has sacrificed to raise her, Theresa Plane owes it to him to save the family name–and that means clearing their debt with creditors before she marries Edward Greystone. But when one of the creditors’ threats leads her to stumble across a midnight meeting, she discovers that the money he owes isn’t all Grandfather was hiding. And the secrets he kept have now trapped Theresa in a life-threatening fight for her home–and the truth.
After months of undercover work, Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove is finally about to uncover the identity of the leader of a notorious counterfeiting ring. That moment of triumph turns to horror, however, when he finds undeniable proof that his former fiancée is connected. Can he really believe the woman he loved is a willing participant? Protecting Theresa and proving her innocence may destroy his career–but that’s better than failing her twice in one lifetime.
They must form a partnership, tentative though it is. But there’s no question they’re both still keeping secrets–and that lack of trust, along with the dangerous criminals out for their blood, threatens their hearts, their faith, and their very survival.
Combining rich history, danger, suspense, and romance, Crystal Caudill’s debut novel launches this new historical series with a bang. Fans of Elizabeth Camden, Michelle Griep, and Joanna Davidson Politano will be thrilled to find another author to follow! 

My Thoughts:

This book was so good. Upon first seeing it, I was intrigued by the cover and title, and saw that Kregal would be publishing it, and so all those things combined were enough for me to want to give it a try. I’m so glad I did!
Counterfeit Love is the debut novel of Crystal Caudill and the author started out with quite a winner. The writing was wonderful, the plot captivating, the characters were fantastic, and the faith theme was brilliant. All checked boxes for me!
From the first page, main character Theresa Plane came to life, her personality vividly painted by the well-written words. The novel is told through two point-of-views, Theresa’s and Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove’s. Who is also a smashing character, by the way. ;) He was a wonderful hero, and I eagerly gathered him into the fold of book boyfriends, haha.Truly though, these characters were so alive and fun to follow, and I loved the relationships displayed throughout. The romance was so real, and deep, and sweet. The plot was engaging – there were many twists and turns, and while I had my suspicions of who the villain was (and yay I was right XD I love guessing), the dangers and mystery kept me turning the pages to find out for sure who all were involved in the counterfeit ring. What really made this book shine all the brighter for me though, was the beautiful faith strand. The message of trusting God even if – even if He doesn’t do what we want, or rescue us in the way we hoped. It was really timely for me, and blessed me deeply with the wonderful reminder. I also loved the hymn that was included – How Firm a Foundation. That is one of my favorite hymns, one I cling to frequently, so I loved seeing the characters gain hope and encouragement from it as well. I greatly look forward to the next book in the series, as well as anything this author may write. :)

GIVEAWAY:

Enter the giveaway by clicking on the photo or ENTER HERE!

I received a copy of the novel from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review.

About the Author:

Crystal Caudill is the author of “dangerously good historical romance,” with her work garnering awards from Romance Writers of America and ACFW.

She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

Learn more at crystalcaudill.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.

“Enchanting the Heiress” by Kristi Ann Hunter ~ Book Review

“Enchanting the Heiress” by Kristi Ann Hunter

Book Three in the Hearts on the Heath Series

Launch Team

My rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

About the Book:

Harriet Hancock likes to make the lives of those around her better whether they like it or not. So, she is surprised when her friend Sophia Whitworth has ideas of her own on how to make Harriet happier–by throwing her together with Sophia’s brother, stable hand Jonas Fitzroy. When Harriet discovers his natural way with words, she hatches a plan that would benefit them both.

Holding a grudge against Harriet for her meddling in Sophia’s life, it is only because of his sister that Jonas agrees to approach Harriet about a possible artistic project. What he doesn’t expect is for her to request his help writing a book.

As they work together, they start to see each other in a different light, but when the truth of Harriet’s schemes is revealed, she’ll find her good intentions for once have gone too far.

My Thoughts:

This was so, so good.  Main character Harriet Hancock surprised me in so many delightful ways. I loved the little glimpses we got in the previous books of the series, but oh there was so much more to be discovered about who she was on her own. Outgoing with a heart for adventure, she shined bright on the page and seemingly lept off of those pages.  She was witty, and smart, and kind-hearted, while still having flaws and struggles, and lessons she had to go through. Jonas was such a stalwart, steady, and strong character – so sensible with a heart of gold and a devotion to God and the Bible. I absolutely loved all the verses he had memorized by heart.Both of these spectacular characters went through such a journey of growth in this novel, it was so touching. I personally deeply appreciated the message of purpose – or what happens when you don’t know what your purpose is, or what you want. Seeing that played out among the characters lives bonded me to them in a special way. I only wish they were real. ^.^The plot was so good, the faith message beautiful, and the romance extremely sweet. There was just a lot of heart in this novel that I absolutely loved, and it will remain a favorite. <3 I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

“The Thief and the Noble” by Dana LeCheminant ~ Book Review

“The Thief and the Noble” by Dana LeCheminant

A Robin Hood Regency Novel

About the Book:

“Remember who you’re fighting for.”

As the daughter of a marquess, Lady Marian Russell is poised to impress in her first London Season. She is young, beautiful, and wealthy—but catching an eligible husband is the last thing on her mind. Marian is disillusioned with how the upper class lives while the poor of London suffer, and she is determined to right this imbalance. When she comes face-to-face with a mysterious man who steals from arrogant aristocrats and redistributes the spoils to the poor, Marian recognizes a motivation that mirrors her own. She is determined to discover the true identity of the unscrupulous hero and offer her assistance.

When she unmasks the bandit Robin, he begrudgingly agrees to train the lovely Marian in the art of thievery in exchange for her silence, quickly realizing that his heart may be stolen next. But when they discover a copycat thief operating in London, they are faced with a foe whose purpose is far from noble. Amid distracting suitors, becoming a champion of the poor, and a growing attraction Marian can’t ignore, can she and Robin expose the renegade pilferer without risking themselves.

My Thoughts:

A Regency Robin Hood re-imagining sounded like a fun read, and I am pleased to say that it was just such the thing. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I enjoyed the writing style, and the characters were lively and fun to follow along with.

I liked this Robin Hood character better than the original (I know, gasp….the original isn’t my favorite, but I like retellings of this well known tale), and his escapades were amusing for certain.Lady Marian was a plucky and high-spirited character, even as she was young and sometimes naive. The plot was very entertaining – The Thief and the Noble is an easy-to-read novel that keeps you turning the pages to the end. I also appreciate the clean content.
Oh and the interior design!! The chapter headings and all the accents are absolutely gorgeous and add such a delightful touch to the book. The cover is also just as stunning.If you’re looking for a fun retelling, as well as a unique regency read, certainly check out this one!

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews and Reviews for my honest opinion.

“Sunrise” by Susan May Warren ~ Book Review

“Sunrise” by Susan May Warren

Book One in the Sky King Ranch Series

About the Book:

Pilot Dodge Kingston has always been the heir to Sky King Ranch. But after a terrible family fight, he left to become a pararescue jumper. A decade later, he’s headed home to the destiny that awaits him.

That’s not all that’s waiting for Dodge. His childhood best friend and former flame, Echo Yazzie, is a true Alaskan–a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. Most of all, she’s living a life Dodge knows could get her killed. One of these days she’s going to get lost in the woods again, and his worst fear is that he won’t be there to find her.

When one of Echo’s fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. Plus, there’s more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

Will Dodge be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

Sunrise is the first explosive volume in a new nail-biting series from USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren.

My Thoughts:

Everybody gets excited for a new SMW book! And rightfully so. “Sunrise” starts off the new series Sky King Ranch. Set in Alaska, I really felt like I was transported there myself as I read, and I loved all the vibes it gave. The characters were so realistic and well written, and I loved following along with their story.
Dodge and Echo have had an enduring history together, and also bear a lot of their own individual scars. I liked that they both had issues to work through, and that it wasn’t all wrapped up in a bow at the end. I mean, their romance certainly was lovely at the end (sooo sweet), but they both were still progressively growing in their journey and I appreciate that.
The faith message was subtle, evident in small pieces, but done very well. There were definitely some truths that hit home for me too, and I marked down a few different things.
Echo was relatable for me, especially her ‘what ifs’ – “What if I’m too happy?…What if I love you too much? What if-” “Stop what-iffing” XD That is so me.
Sunrise has great characters, and enthralling plot, and suspense that keeps you turning the pages for more. It’s going to be hard to wait for the next book in this series!!

This book was provided courtesy of Revell through Interviews and Reviews for my honest opinion.