Eat Dessert First ~ Review

Elise's Home Kitchen: Eat Dessert First

By Elise Thomas

With a title of Eat Dessert First, one tends to think this is a cookbook devoted to sweet treats. But with more than 150 recipes less than half are desserts. As someone who is partial to desserts I was more than happy to give this cookbook by Elise Thomas a try, or as Yoda says do or do not, there is no try. Yes, you could get this book just to look at all the lovely pictures, but you won't get as much enjoyment out of it if all you do is look.

There is a delightful assortment of recipes. I have not attempted them all yet. As a Vegetarian I was more than pleased at how easy it would be to switch out vegetarian substitutes for some of the ingredients. Anyone who doesn't have dietary restrictions will love working their way through this cookbook. And there are a lot of pictures which I feel are necessary to have a really good cookbook. I love pictures so that I have a idea of what I'm attempting to create. 

I highly recommend this book if you want something new to serve. Add a new twist to an old favorite and prepare to enjoy the taste and the compliments. But a word of warning this book will make you hungry! Don't open on an empty stomach!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.                                                                                                                                                        

About the Book:

The founder of a successful chain of bakeries shares more 

than 150 no-fuss recipes for delicious go-to family dinners and desserts.

In 2020, when the world was hit with a pandemic, Elise Thomas used her own small kitchen oven to begin baking her signature gourmet cookies. Selling them first out of her garage, her business quickly skyrocketed into a successful chain of bakeries--Cookie Co.--and earned her the nickname "the cookie lady."

Now, in her debut cookbook, Elise shares not only the delectable baked goods she is famous for but also the fast, easy, and delicious meals that have become staples for her own busy family. Recipes are broken into sections based on cravings: Burgers, Sandwiches and Tacos, Pasta, Soups, Salads, Side Dishes, Appetizers and Dips, Breads, Cookies, Cakes and Pies, Desserts and Treats, Breakfast and Brunch.

Whether you're looking for savory dinners like Bacon-wrapped Guacamole Chicken or Beef and Biscuit Pot Pie, or something sweeter like French Toast Rollups or Oreo-Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies, Elise's recipes are both simple and flavorful and focus on ingredients most people already have in their pantry. Alongside full-color original photography of each dish are the culinary tips and tricks Elise has learned over the years, a suggested pantry list, and notes about which dishes her kids love most, which can help take the guesswork out of what's for dinner or dessert.

The British Booksellers ~ Review

The British Booksellers

By Kristy Cambron

The British Booksellers is a split-time book that takes the reader between the two world wars, that reshaped the world and England and the lives of Amos Darby and Charlotte Terrington Holt. From his earliest memories of Charlotte, Amos has always cared for her more than a tenant should for the daughter of an earl. They are bound together by their love of books and a secret dream to own and run a bookstore.

But time, war, and social standing have a way of destroying hopes and dreams. Instead, Amos returns from war broken both in body and spirit, and Charlotte is a war widow with a daughter. And they become competing booksellers in Coventry. Time, in this case, doesn't heal all wounds. And the Great War, which was the war to end all wars, was a false hope because war has come again. And it has come to Britain, attacking in the night, bringing destruction in its wake, igniting old nightmares, and drawing in a new generation. 

This was an excellent read. One was drawn to Amos and his hopes and dreams. Dreams he knew better than to have, but the heart doesn't pay heed to the head. I like how we are slowly introduced to both chapters of Amos's life and how his childhood friendship with Charlotte changed over time. I also found the contrast between Charlotte and her daughter, Eden, to be interesting. The different ways they look at situations and handle them add some insight into their characters. Even more interesting is how the people of Coventry view Amos after his return from war. And then we have the mystery of why Jacob Colt has come to Coventry from America during a war. I love it when there is a bit of a mystery involved and this book definitely offers this with the back-and-forth between the two wars. Add in a double dose of romance, and you have the perfect weekend read.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Inspired by real accounts of the Forgotten Blitz bombings, 

The British Booksellers highlights the courage of those 

whose lives were forever changed by war—and the stories 

that bind us in the fight for what matters most.

 

A tenant farmer’s son had no business daring to dream of a future with an earl’s daughter, but that couldn’t keep Amos Darby from his secret friendship with Charlotte Terrington…until the reality of the Great War sobered youthful dreams. Now, decades later, he bears the brutal scars of battles fought in the trenches and their futures that were stolen away. His return home doesn’t come with tender reunions, but with the hollow fulfillment of opening a bookshop on his own and retreating as a recluse within its walls.

 

When the future Earl of Harcourt chose Charlotte to be his wife, she knew she was destined for a loveless match. Though her heart had chosen another long ago, she pledges her future even as her husband goes to war. Twenty-five years later, Charlotte remains a war widow who divides her days between her late husband’s declining estate and operating a quaint Coventry bookshop—Eden Books, lovingly named after her grown daughter. And Amos is nothing more than the rival bookseller across the lane.

As war with Hitler looms, Eden is determined to preserve her father’s legacy. So when an American solicitor arrives threatening a lawsuit that could destroy everything they’ve worked so hard to preserve, mother and daughter prepare to fight back. But with devastation wrought by the Luftwaffe’s local blitz terrorizing the skies, battling bookshops—and lost loves, Amos and Charlotte—must put aside their differences and fight together to help Coventry survive.

 

From deep in the trenches of the Great War to the storied English countryside and the devastating Coventry Blitz of World War II, The British Booksellers explores the unbreakable bonds that unite us through love, loss, and the enduring solace that can be found between the pages of a book.

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Kristy Cambron is an award-winning author of historical fiction, including her bestselling debut The Butterfly and the Violin, and an author of nonfiction, including the Verse Mapping Series Bibles and Bible studies. Kristy's work has been named to Publishers Weekly Religion & Spirituality TOP 10, Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books, RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, received 2015 & 2017 INSPY Award nominations, and has been featured at CBN, Lifeway Women, Jesus Calling, Country Woman Magazine, MICI Magazine, Faithwire, Declare, (in)Courage, and Bible Gateway. 

She holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing and lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a peppermint mocha latte and a good read. You can connect with her at: kristycambron.com and versemapping.com.

 

Flat Deception ~ Review

Flat Deception

Roxbury Heirs #2

By Paige Edwards

All Lady Sophie Henderson has ever wanted is to raise and race her horses. She longs to make a name for herself as a woman in a predominantly male-dominated field. She is not out to make a stir; rather, she just wants to use her knowledge and skills working with the animals she loves. But when her father receives unexpected news about financial difficulties, Sophie's funds are cut. 

Zander Matthews has long been in love with Sophie, and he knows when he delivers the bad news about the Roxbury Estates finances that Sophie's dream will be the first to be cut when it comes to trimming costs. What he never expected was Sophie's anger and avoidance of him. He wants to help her achieve her dream but Sophie's much like Mr. Darcy when it comes to people losing her good opinion. And she's determined to handle it all on her own, even if she has to sell treasured items to do so. 

As shadows of doubt loom over Sophie and her horses, the situation escalates from bad to worse. Who is behind the attempts to shatter her hopes, dreams, and years of hard work? And who has decided that she needs to be eliminated? In this hour of need, who can she trust?

This is an exciting and fast-moving story that draws the reader into the costly world of thoroughbred racing. When funds are short, what will a desperate person do to keep up appearances and stay in the world they know? There is a definite who-dun-it in this book, and the author does a superb job of keeping the identity a secret. There was just one instance when I wondered, "Is it?"

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Lady Sophie Henderson has worked tirelessly to establish a breeding stable for racehorses on her family’s Scottish estate. But when her father cuts her funding, she’s desperate to find a way to achieve her life’s ambition. Selling precious heirloom jewels enables Sophie to care for her thoroughbreds, though it’s a temporary solution—and one that does not go unnoticed.

Zander Matthews is painfully aware of the role he played in Sophie’s loss of sponsorship. Now, he’s determined to use his hard-earned wealth to help her achieve her dreams. When Zander shocks Sophie with the offer of a business investment, it seems her aspirations are finally within reach. But the new partners discover that finding success will not be simple. There is a dark side to the posh British racing community, and Sophie and Zander have captured the attention of an enemy whose greed knows no bounds. Even as their partnership develops into something more, their happy ending is just beyond reach. Because in a world where people are willing to do anything to win, it’s impossible to know who to trust.

The Lady with the Dark Hair ~ Review

The Lady with the Dark Hair

By Erin Bartels

This is a split-time book that follows Esther Markstrom, who lives in the present day, and Viviana Torrens, who called the later half of the 19th-century home. Ester's life has been dictated by her mother's artistic tendencies and their familial ties to Francisco Vella, a minor painter during the Impressionist Era. 

Vella is a bit of a mystery, with not much known about his work other than the collection of works shown at the museum run by Esther's family. But we, as readers get to see Vella and his "relationship" with Viviana. Viviana can no longer return to her home. She is an orphan who, through a series of events, finds herself seeking refuge and escape. We get to experience Viviana's journey as she discovers herself and the world through the eyes of an artist. 

Both these timelines are brought together as Esther begins a journey for answers, thanks to questions raised by her former professor. Who painted The Lady with the Dark Hair? Was it her ancestor as her family has long believed? Or was it another? But this journey will do more than answer questions about the past. It will help Esther discover truths about herself that she's never had the luxury to explore.

I love duel timelines and the way the story unfolds, revealing bits and pieces of the mystery. And there are so many facets that draw one attention to the world of art. I found the process of making paint in the late 1800s fascinating. I have to be honest, I had never before given any thought as to where paint came from. In my limited experience, it comes from a tube or a small pot. Overall, I would say, this was a good read. There's a mystery and a touch of romance, but nothing to keep you up all night. If you want a book you can read leisurely without the tension that suspense causes, you will love this book. 

I was provided a complementary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.                                                                                                                                                                       

About the Book:

Esther Markstrom and her artist mother have always been proud of their ancestor, painter Francisco Vella. They even run a small museum and gallery dedicated to raising awareness of his scandalously underappreciated work. But when Esther reconnects with her former art history professor, she finds her once-solid family history on shaky ground as questions arise about Vella's greatest work--a portrait entitled The Lady with the Dark Hair.

In 1879, Catalan orphan-turned-fugitive Viviana Torrens has found sanctuary serving in the home of an aging artist in Southern France. It is in his studio that she meets Francisco Vella, a Gibraltarian merchant who sells artists' pigments. When her past catches up to her, she is compelled to pose as Vella's sister and join him on his travels or be deported back to Spain to stand trial. Along the way she will discover that the many parts she has been playing in order to hide her identity have far-reaching implications she never could have foreseen.

This dual-timeline story from award-winning author Erin Bartels takes readers from the sleepy Midwest to the sultry Mediterranean on a relentless search for truth, identity, and the freedom to follow one's dreams.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue ~ Review

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue

By Jaime Jo Wright

Effie James never meant for her sister to see what she did. When they snuck out to check out the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue it was just suppose to be a harmless late night lark. Instead her sister Polly is in shock from what she saw - a brutal murder. But there is no evidence of what Effie heard and Polly saw. Shepherd, Iowa doesn't believe them and their reputations are now called into question. It might be 1901, but proper young ladies don't go out at night to explore abandoned houses and then make up tales of murder. 

The present day finds this same house serving as a Bed and Breakfast, being run by Norah Richman. Norah wants to avoid thinking about rumors of ghosts and hauntings at 322 Predicament Avenue. And she definitely doesn't want to dwell on her own sister's murder, a murder also linked with the house. But with a visiting podcaster sharing he search into answers of the old murder, Norah's fears and pain are foremost on her mind. 

This book is told in a back-and-forth between the two timelines, drawing the reader's attention in from the first page. Two women, two sisters who need answers to events that alter their lives forever. Why and who? These are the answers they seek as they battle the fear that grips them. Effie needs to find evidence of a violent crime, while Norah needs to know why and who. As both work with the strangers who've entered their lives to discover the truth, both will learn exactly who they are and what they'll do and risk for those they love.

Night Falls on Predicament Avenue has some gothic moments and most definitely is not a book to read in bed if you want an 8-hour peace-filled sleep. Nope, this is a stay up all night book that will keep you engaged and reading. Just one more chapter won't work for this book - you need to give yourself all day, and maybe a long weekend to catch up on the sleep you are sure to lose. Not for the faint of heart, this is suspense and mystery at its split-time finest!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

Book Description:

 

As the walls of the house at Predicament Avenue reveal their hidden truths, two women--generations apart--discover that fear and foreboding are no respecters of time.

In 1901, Effie James is committed to doing anything to save her younger sister, who witnessed a shocking murder, leaving her mute and in danger of the killer's retribution. Effie must prove what her sister saw, but when a British gentleman arrives, he disrupts Effie's quest with his attempts to locate his wife, Isabelle Addington, who was last seen at the supposed crime scene in the abandoned house at 322 Predicament Avenue. Just as Effie discovers what she seeks, she finds that the blood staining the walls will forever link her to a scandal she couldn't imagine, and to a woman whose secrets promise to curse any who would expose them.

A century later, Norah Richman grapples with social anxiety and grief as she runs her late great-aunt's bed-and-breakfast on Predicament Avenue. But Norah has little affection for the house and is committed only to carrying out her murdered sister's dreams until crime historian and podcaster Sebastian Blaine arrives to investigate the ghostly legacy of the house's claim to fame--the murder of Isabelle Addington. When a guest is found dead, the incident is linked to Isabelle's murder, and Norah and Sebastian must work together to uncover the century-old curse that has wrapped 322 Predicament Avenue in its clutches and threatens far more than death.

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Jaime Jo Wright (JaimeWrightBooks.com) is the author of ten novels, including Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier Award-winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. 

She's also a two-time Christy Award finalist, as well as the ECPA bestselling author of The Vanishing at Castle Moreau and two Publishers Weekly bestselling novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her family and felines.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES & HASHTAGS

 

X: @jaimejowright @bethany_house @Austenprose

Instagram: @jaimejowright @bethanyhousefiction @austenprose

Hashtags: #nightfallsonpredicamentavenue #jaimejowright #historicalfiction #historicalsuspense #inspirationalfiction #gothicfiction #newbooks #bookrecs #bookx #bookstagram #booktour #austenprosepr #bhpfiction

Be Still My Soul ~ Review

Be Still, My Soul

Mysteries of the West #1

By Faith Blum

Read by Brantley Brumley

Be Still, My Soul is an intriguing read. The story is told primarily from Carsten's viewpoint. As a young boy, Carsten was taught thievery by his father. Carsten was skilled at it until the night he was caught in the act. Since that day, Carsten has changed for the better. But after his father is caught and convicted, the townsfolk view Carsten with suspicion, and when a robbery occurs, Carsten is the one and only suspect. What's worse, the marshal seems to have no intention of finding the true criminal. 

Carsten is determined to clear his name, but accepting help isn't easy for Carsten, even when his friends offer it. When it becomes clear that more is going on than theft, Carsten and his friends soon find themselves in even more danger than they had ever expected and need help. But will the help they need arrive in time? Or will Carsten be convicted of a crime he didn't commit because of the crimes of his father? Trust is a two-way street and is a lesson that Carsten and his friends need to learn.

This book would, in my opinion, appeal to homeschoolers. The main characters are all young adults who are trying to figure life out but with a faith-based support system. I feel that Susan K. Marlow is the author whose work I would most closely compare the style and feel of this story to. Anyone familiar with her Circle C and Goldtown series should enjoy this first book in the Mysteries of the West series. 

I enjoyed this book in the audio edition, which was read by Brantley Brumley. The reading was well presented, though I played it 1.5 times the normal speed as I read faster than the playback speed. At less than 4 hours, this is a perfect road trip companion, especially for those "Are we there yet?" riders. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: Be Still, My Soul
Series: Mysteries of the West #1
Author: Faith Blum
Publisher: Wild Blue Wonder Press
Release Date: November 20, 2023
Genre: Christian Western

"Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour." - Ephesians 4:28

When Carsten Whitford is arrested for a robbery he didn't commit, he struggles to clear his name that's already stained by his father's arrest from four years ago. Carsten is the sole supporter of his mother and he works the farm he has lived on his whole life.

The day after his arrest, Carsten's mentor gets him released until the trial. Carsten and his three friends work together to prove he didn’t rob the store since no one, especially the town marshal, seems interested in finding out who is truly guilty. The townspeople assume he is guilty because of his father’s past, including the girl Carsten wants to court.

Will Carsten and his friends find out who truly robbed the store or will they find something more sinister that could even lead to their own deaths? 

Vanishing Legacy ~ Review

Vanishing Legacy

Elite Guardians: Savannah #1

By Kate Angelo and Lynette Eason

The Elite Guardians have come to Savannah. Not for a visit but as a permanent fixture for the foreseeable future. What Alana Flores never expected was to have a case literally come out of her backyard shed.

Penny Thomas escaped a kidnapper only to be targeted again. Why would anyone target a terrified 7-year old girl is a question Alana, the Elite Guardians and Penny's father Cash want to know. Because until they can figure out the why they can't stop the kidnapping attempts. What's worse, Penny's autism makes the experiences even more terrifying and disruptive. And when Alana's son Rocco makes a connection with Penny he too is added to the danger.

Vanishing Legacy is the first book in the spin-off series Elite Guardians: Savannah. With a whole new cast of characters and a new setting this has a new feel to it while building on the same standards of the pervious one. This book offers some intense moments when Alana has to jump into action. Can I just say there are balloons involved? And that they float? Never mind, I just did. 

If you like Suspense that will keep you turning the pages late into the night, with a touch of clean romance thrown in, you'll want to give this book a try. It's fairly fast-paced and will grab and keep your attention from cover-to-cover! I know because I stayed up way too late for an early morning workday. My bad! But I had to know what was coming next and the who behind everything!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

For this Elite Guardian, protecting her client’s daughter 
just got personal.

Elite Guardian Alana Flores, former LAPD underwater dive detective, just wants a fresh start in Savannah, Georgia, with her son, Rocco. Hoping to repair their broken relationship, and provide a safer, more stable life, nothing could be more disastrous to her hopes than when they find a terrified, autistic child in her shed.

Oh no.

Enter Cash Thomas, a widowed trauma surgeon struggling to raise his autistic daughter, Penny. He’s put his wife’s disappearance and presumed death behind him…until someone tries to kidnap his daughter. Terrified of losing Penny to the same cartel that supposedly killed his wife, he turns to Alana and the Elite Guardians.

But is Sonia really dead? Or is she behind the kidnapping attempts? Cash and Alana must keep their children safe, uncover the truth about Sonia, and find a way to outsmart the cartel before it’s too late.

And what about the spark between them? Could this be the fresh start they both long for? Certainly not while their children are in danger. And when their worst fears happen, will they lose everything?

With heart-pounding foot chases on River Street, underwater thrills off Tybee Island, and a climactic showdown at Forsyth Fountain, Vanishing Legacy will leave you breathless.

 Available for purchase at https://amzn.to/4ao9mwY

Tagline

Safety. Secrets. Sacrifice. What will it cost these Elite Guardians to protect the innocent?

What the Mountains Remember ~ Review

What the Mountains Remember

By Joy Callaway

Belle Newbold's life is a facade. It hides the truth of her past, all she lost when her father died and her mother remarried. Her present and past are about to collide when her stepfather is invited to join Henry Ford's Vagabond camping tour. For the first time in seven years, she will be returning to the mountains and all its hidden memories. 

But it is more than a chance of a rare outdoor excursion for the wealthy upper class that is behind Belle's participation. No, she is being offered a chance to reunite with the man she is engaged to, a man she has only once before met. Worth Delafield is her chance at having a family and the assurance that she can have a simple life but one with financial stability. And she can have a marriage without the fear of a broken heart should he die young. She wants no entanglements of the heart, and the marriage her stepfather has arranged is the perfect way to secure her future without involving her heart.

I love the title of this book, What the Mountains Remember. One just thinks of all the secrets the mountains hold and what they have witnessed over the years. And this camping tour certainly reveals many secrets, some of which will alter the lives of those who are participating in it. And Belle's cousin Marie Austen—well, let's just say she is a character and not my favorite person in the book, but she is pivotal in parts of the storyline. 

I feel for Belle and how she had to hide her true self. Fear is a powerful motivator, and it has held Belle and her mother in its grip for the last seven years. This is a book of rediscovery, second chances, and finding love.

I loved the cover of this book, and it perfectly suits the story, which is set in 1913 North Carolina. Perfect for those who love historical women's centric fiction. As in all life some people are more likable than others, and in this case, I found Belle, Worth, and Shipley Newbold (Belle's stepfather) to be the characters I liked best.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

 

At this wondrous resort, secrets can easily be hidden in plain sight when the eye is trained on beauty.

 

April 1913—Belle Newbold hasn’t seen mountains for seven years—since her father died in a mining accident and her mother married gasoline magnate, Shipley Newbold. But when her stepfather’s business acquaintance, Henry Ford, invites the family on one of his famous Vagabonds camping tours, she is forced to face the hills once again—primarily in order to reunite with her future fiancé, owner of the land the Vagabonds are using for their campsite, a man she’s only met once before. It is a veritable arranged marriage, but she prefers it that way. Belle isn’t interested in love. She only wants a simple life—a family of her own and the stability of a wealthy man’s pockets. That’s what Worth Delafield has promised to give her and it’s worth facing the mountains again, the reminder of the past, and her poverty, to secure her future.

 

But when the Vagabonds group is invited to tour the unfinished Grove Park Inn and Belle is unexpectedly thrust into a role researching and writing about the building of the inn—a construction the locals are calling The Eighth Wonder of the World—she quickly realizes that these mountains are no different from the ones she once called home. As Belle peels back the facade of Grove Park Inn, of Worth, of the society she’s come to claim as her own, and the truth of her heart, she begins to see that perhaps her part in Grove Park’s story isn’t a coincidence after all. Perhaps it is only by watching a wonder rise from ordinary hands and mountain stone that she can finally find the strength to piece together the long-destroyed path toward who she was meant to be.

 

International bestselling author Joy Callaway returns with a story of the ordinary people behind extraordinary beauty—and the question of who gets to tell their stories.

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Joy Callaway is the author of All the Pretty Places, The Grand Design, The Fifth Avenue Artists Society, and Secret Sisters. She holds a BA in journalism and public relations from Marshall University and an MMC from the University of South Carolina. She resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, John, and her children, Alevia and John. Visit her online at joycallaway.com.

 

Pumpkin War ~ Review

Pumpkin War: 

The True Story of Cinderella

Ever After Maneuver #1

By Kendra E. Ardnek 

Elindala's task is simple, make the prince of Charmonce fall in love with her and steal his kingdom. Except it doesn't quite go according to plan. Prince Christof isn't falling at her feet. Yes, he did propose, and he did marry her. But he's determined for them to have a proper marriage but not until she comes to realize that she can trust him with her secrets. But how can she tell him the truth when doing so will betray her country. Worse, if she doesn't complete her task, her mother will consider her a disappointment, and she will end up in the tower with the other imprisoned princesses. If only King Hurbert hadn't married her mother and taken over their kingdom, she wouldn't be in this mess.

What's a princess in disguise to do? Ella needs to figure this out and soon.

Christof knows that Ella is the woman he is to marry. Not that her glamour has enchanted him; rather, it was a gift given to him by his grandmother that showed him where to set his heart. But when it becomes obvious that Ella is hiding something he needs to wonder just what role she is to play in his kingdom. Could his grandmother have been wrong? Could another fae have been working in opposition to his grandmother's gift? These are questions Christof must think on and hopefully get to the truth of his new wife.

Pumpkin War is an interesting twist on Cinderella, especially the stepmother—evil stepsister dynamic. This book is separate from but connected to the author's previous book, To Destroy an Illusion: A Glass Mountain Retelling.  So if you've read it you'll get a fun surprise in this book. If you haven't read it, there will be no issues with reading and enjoying this book, which is the first in the Ever After Maneuver series. 

Experience the story of Cinderella as you've never experienced it before! 

About the Book:

All's fair till it isn't a game...

Go to a ball, meet the prince, fall in love.
It's all simple process, though Elindala knows better than to fall in love with the prince. She wears a glamour that molds her into his perfect woman, and as soon as she has his heart, she will play the part of a faithful wife until she has torn down the defenses and has laid bare his kingdom for her family's attack. She just has to keep up the walls around her heart that have kept her safe her whole life.

Christof knows that all isn't right with his new bride. Ella's story has a few too many holes, and she's keeping a few too many secrets. However, she is the woman he's chosen, and he's determined to win her heart the way that she has stolen his. His parents worry, but he's sure that a little patience and care is all it'll take. After all, she's clearly not had much of that from her stepfamily.

War threatens, and secrets abound. Whose heart is forfeit, and whose kingdom will remain standing at the end of the Pumpkin War?

The Ever After Maneuver is a series of loosely connected swoony sweet retellings set in a shared world, with overarching themes of love, treachery, and political intrigue. There will be story arcs spanning multiple books, but unless specified otherwise, they can be read in any order.

Every Bird That Falls ~ Review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for 

Every Bird That Falls by Sara Davison, 

hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

Every Bird That Falls
Two Sparrows for a Penny #3
By Sara Davison

Eight years ago, Jae-won Lin and her foster sisters were torn apart when they were targeted by traffickers. Jae managed to escape, but the question was, where was she all those years? And why didn't she reach out for help? These are the questions that Tag Monroe wants answers to as soon as he finds her.

The night Tag broke up with her was the worst of her life, but when her foster sisters decided to make sure they weren't separated, she experienced a new worst in her life. Traffickers found them and grabbed her sisters. Jae managed to get away, and her life as she knew it was set on an altogether different path. 

When Jae finally discovers the truth, her life is in danger. But lies have a way of isolating you, and until Jae can break free of them, she will be divided from those whom she loves best. 

This is the third and final book in the Two Sparrows for a Penny series, but it can also be read as a standalone title. It is a contemporary book about human trafficking and grooming. It is well-written and has two threads coming together to give a complete picture. Tag's portion is told in the present day, while Jae's unfolds slowly, giving us glimpses of what she went through over the years. This would make an excellent book club selection as the various aspects of the book would definitely lend itself to much discussion.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book

Title: Every Bird That Falls
Series: Two Sparrows for a Penny #3
Author: Sara Davison
Publisher: Independently published through The Mosaic Collection
Release Date: April 3, 2024
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Lies have kept them apart for eight years.  
Now the truth could destroy them completely. 

Bomb squad leader Tag Monroe’s world is shattered when his sister and her foster sister are abducted by a human trafficker. Eight years later, the two of them have been miraculously freed. As thrilled as he is to be reunited with his sister, Tag has lingering questions. 

How did Jae-won Lin, the third foster sister, elude capture that night? Why didn’t she call the police or Tag to let them know what happened? And where has she been for the last eight years? He loved Jae once, but he can’t let her back into his life until he has more information. 

Unfortunately, time is running out. Someone powerful is coming after Jae, bent on revenge. If Tag can’t get to her before her mysterious pursuer, Jae could take the answers to all Tag’s questions to her grave. 

Along with any hope the two of them might have to find their way to each other again.  

The explosive Christian romantic suspense series Two Sparrows for a Penny by multi-award-winning author Sara Davison continues with this on-the-edge suspense love story that might finally answer the question: Where was Jae?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

More Books In This Series

 

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About the Author:

Sara Davison

has a passion for writing stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats—and maybe swooning a little. A finalist for more than a dozen national writing awards, including the Christy Award, Davison is a Cascade, Word, and two-time Carol Award winner for romantic suspense. She lives in Ontario with her husband, Michael. Like every good Canadian, she loves coffee, hockey, poutine, and apologizing for no particular reason.

Connect with Sara by visiting saradavison.org to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

   

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $25 Amazon gift card 

plus a paperback copy of Every Bird That Falls!

The full tour schedule is linked below. 

The giveaway begins at midnight on April 2, 2024,

and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 9, 2024. 

Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of the close of the giveaway 

and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of the prize. 

US/CAN only. 

Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

The Ark and the Dove ~ Review

The Ark and the Dove
The Story of Noah's Wife
by Jill Eileen Smith

The Ark and the Dove is the story of Noah's wife. Zara has been married to Noah for many years and they are among the very few who even acknowledge that there was much less is a Creator.  Idol worship has become rampant, and God has had enough of humanity's disobedience and their embrace of any and every form of wickedness. For years, Noah has been speaking out, trying to divert his family, friends, and neighbors from the path of destruction that they are on. But nothing Noah has said has made any difference other than to earn him and his family scorn and ridicule.

Zara and Noah have three sons, two of whom are married. When word comes that God's wrath will soon destroy everything, Zara knows they need to find a wife for their youngest son, Ham. But finding a wife for Ham is not easy, though they manage to locate a young woman who will make do. 

As time grows short, Noah, Zara, their sons, and daughters-in-law must work together to fulfill God's command. The ark they build will house them and the animals God provides, as well as the supplies they will need while the earth is cleansed of all its wickedness. 

But people being people, sin is still in the hearts of those who survived the flood. This will challenge them as they live in the confined space of the Ark and later leave it to begin a new life again on dry land. And will the children and grandchildren of Noah and Zara find favor in the eyes of God? All of these are things that trouble Zara as the world she's known faces the wrath of God. She knows God created everything and that as time has gone by, even her own friends who had once believed have turned to other worldly pursuits, finding displeasure in God's eyes. Trusting the Creator after all that she has witnessed seems like it should be an easy thing, but can she protect her children and grandchildren from the evils that they witnessed before the end of everything?

This was an interesting read. Biblical Fiction is a tricky genre, as the author needs to walk a fine line between what is known and what could have been. The author has done so with this book. She's presented a story that could easily follow the daily lives of Noah and his family without stepping out too far by changing the known to fit her story. This book covers decades of time with noticeable jumps to move the story from point A to point B, which is fine - it takes a long time to build an ark that will have to be sea-worthy for who knows how long. If you like Biblical Fiction you may want to give this one a try. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations, but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Zara and Noah have walked together with the Creator for their entire lives, and they have done their best in an increasingly wicked and defiant world to raise their three sons to follow in their footsteps. It has been a challenge--and it's about to get much, much harder.

When the Creator tells her husband to build an ark to escape the coming wrath against the sins of humankind, Zara steps out with him in faith. But the derision and sabotage directed their way from both friends and extended family are difficult to bear, as is knowing that everyone she interacts with beyond her husband, her sons, and their wives is doomed to destruction. And when the ark is finally finished, and the animals have been shut up inside, Zara and her family embark on an adventure that will test their patience and their faith as they await deliverance and dry ground.

Experience the story of Noah and the flood like you never have before. With bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith as your guide, you'll never look at a rainbow the same way again.

A Noble Scheme ~ Review

A Noble Scheme

The Imposters #2

By Roseanna M. White

It's been a nearly a year since Graham Wharton broke her heart, and Gemma Parks will never forgive him. His arrogance cost her dearly and she avoids him whenever and however possible. Which isn't the easiest thing to do as they are two members of the Imposters. 

But a case involving a missing boy and a cold-hearted uncle bring them together at the worst possible time. And as they are working the case undercover Gemma can't exactly snub Graham as she'd normally do, as she has been doing for the last year.

Graham's life was shattered Gemma walked away leaving him grieving and isolated. And combined with her unforgiveness he has given up on God. Because God could have prevented everything. And when a father comes to the Imposters seeking assistance in saving his son from kidnappers, Graham can't say no, even if the father can't pay for their services. 

Can two angry hurting people find a way back to the friendship and love they once had? Or will they allow the anger and grief to destroy and consume everything they once had? And when the case they are working on takes another turn the stakes and cost become even deadlier. To solve this case they will need to understand the people involved and the motivations. Because it is obvious that those with wealth and power have no qualms about threatening a young boy's life to gain what they want. And no one and nothing will stop them. But they haven't taken on the Imposters before.

But the more Gemma, Graham, and the rest of the Imposters discover the more questions they are left with. What is the motivation behind the kidnapping? And can they find Sidney before time runs out and something worse happens?

I have to say I was shocked at just what was the wedge between Gemma and Graham. I know that there were hints of trouble between them in the first book A Beautiful Deception but I hadn't expected this. And to say more would be to reveal way too much. I now feel the need to reread the first book to see if I blinked and missed a vital clue that would have prepared me for the incident that changed everything for them.

This book delves into broken hearts and the powerful influence grief can play in and on a person's life. How we deal with grief is indeed unique to an individual. Everyone deals with it differently as we see played out in this excellent addition to The Imposters series. There was a particular line that stood out to me as I read this book, "Faithless is faithless," and when it was used, it was interesting as it pertained to two different instances and was true to both. 

Though this is the second book in the series, it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone title. There are references to incidents in the previous book, but nothing that would detract from the enjoyment of this book. I highly recommend this book if you are a fan of well-written, fully-developed characters, second chances, and historical fiction.        

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.  

About the Book:

 

In the opulent and perilous world of high society's most elite—and most dangerous—families, two investigators must set aside their broken hearts to uncover the truth.

Gemma Parks is known to the London elite as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talents to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the firm's members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren't for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart.

Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his heart in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma to not only restore the missing boy, but to also win back the only woman he's ever loved. As they trace the clues laid out before them, Graham and Gemma must devise a noble scheme to save the boy's life and heal their hearts.

 

AUTHOR BIO

 

Roseanna M. White (roseannamwhite.com) is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling, 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. 

Pride and Preston Lin ~ Review

Pride and Preston Lin

By Christina Dudley

Lissie (Elizabeth) is the middle Cheng sister who were taken in by her aunt and uncle when their parents died. When Lissie is overworked one night at the family restaurant she makes what could have been a fatal mistake - she serves a customer with allergies a dish that contains shellfish. Not good and then Preston Lin starts throwing his "privileged" opinion about the situation around. He might be good looking but his wealthy family and self-righteous personality make him an instant cringe for Lissie. Especially after the shellfish incident. It's not like she meant to make such a huge mistake.

Pride and Preston Lin is a modern take on Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice with a twist. Preston is a star student at Stanford, and stellar when it comes to swimming. Everything Lissie isn't. And he has his very own fan club in Hazel Bing, the young woman Lissie had the unfortunate incident with. And her brother Charles has a thing for Lissie's sister Jenny, which means more chance encounters with Preston, ugh!

It is really interesting seeing how the author changes up Jane Austen's classic and makes it hers. This is definitely a modern twist, but it all plays out in such an original way that someone with only a passing familiarity with Pride and Prejudice might not recognize it. It is fun seeing the similarities and just how different they come across in a different time period, setting, and culture. Highly recommend to anyone who reads any and all Jane Austen iterations. 

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

 

In this modern-day retelling of Pride and Prejudice, the quick-witted and contrarian Lissie Cheng must navigate societal pressures and her growing attraction to the rich and enigmatic Preston Lin.

 

Lissie is the middle of three sisters, orphaned and taken in by their aunt and uncle. Both she and her older sister, Jenny, work in the family restaurant while pursuing their education and career dreams. When Lissie accidentally serves a dish containing shellfish paste to an allergic customer, she runs afoul of the wealthy Lin family. Their golden boy, Preston, star swimmer and Stanford Ph.D. student, is as handsome as he is self-righteous. Lissie hates him and everything he stands for, but circumstances keep bringing them together. Can she overcome her pride and her initial misgivings about Preston Lin and his condescending mother? Will love prevail, and will these enemies turn into lovers?

 

Pride and Preston Lin by popular Regency romance writer Christina Hwang Dudley is a hilarious and earnest contemporary riff on Jane Austen’s classic work. And readers will undoubtedly root for Lissie Cheng, a sassy new Elizabeth Bennet for our times, to find lasting love and happiness.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Christina Dudley's books have been called "enchanting," "sparkling" and "swoon-worthy" by reviewers like Austenprose and Austenesque Reviews. She's authored two award-winning Regency series: The Hapgoods of Bramleigh and The Ellsworth Assortment, as well as PRIDE AND PRESTON LIN, a contemporary riff on Austen's classic which was chosen as a February 2024 Editor's Pick by Kirkus Reviews Magazine and received starred reviews from both them and Booklist. She and her family live in Bellevue, Washington.

 

ADVANCE PRAISE

 

"In a world with so many Pride & Prejudice adaptations, a new one has to be truly special to stand out, and this one is. Dudley’s contemporary debut is faithful to its source material but finds clever ways to make it work in a modern setting, while also adding an authentic Chinese American perspective on the beloved story. A warm, sweet story with all the witticisms Austen fans savor."— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

 

"Like Crazy (not) Rich Asians meets Jane Austen, Pride and Preston Lin is a delightful retelling of a beloved classic that had me smiling from page one."— Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Hundred Loves of Juliet