Meddling with Mistletoe

Meddling with Mistletoe: A Red Door Inn Christmas Romance, Softcover
By Liz Johnson / Revell

Liz Johnson’s newest book is a joy to read. I chose this book to review because she is one of my favorite authors. Meddling with Mistletoe earns high marks for its setting, delightful plot, and characters you will grow to love. It’s a multigenerational story brimming with Christmas cheer and a bounty of plot twists and turns. The romance that blooms between our two main characters, Whitney and Daniel, is equal parts fun and serious. We see them share a stroll through a holiday light display and feel their sense of awe and joy. They grow closer while selling Whitney’s delicious homemade pies at a local farmers’ market. At the mid-point their growing bond is disrupted by a backstory that threatens to tear them apart. All ends well, just in time for Christmas.

Aretha Franklin Sloan is Daniel’s meddling aunt. It’s easy to walk in her shoes and understand why she’s working so hard to micromanage Daniel’s love life. The story resembles real life when despite her best efforts, her plans go awry.

If you’re looking to pick up a genuine and satisfying romance novel with the expectation of enjoying a respite from crazy schedules then this book is for you. I read a print copy supplied by the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

Between the Sound and the Sea

Between the Sound and Sea: A Novel
By Amanda Cox / Revell

I can confidently offer high praise for Amanda Cox’s newest release titled “Between the Sound and the Sea.” The story from start to finish is a brilliant example of Christian fiction. I think I will always remember when her main character, Joey tells Peter, “God meets us right where we’re at. And maybe things in our lives get broken down and beaten up along the way. The good news is restoration work is kind of His specialty.” This passage shines a light on an important truth. It’s a message of hope to cling to when the outlook is grim. I always enjoy the multi-layered and multi-generational stories crafted by Amanda Cox. This novel is a standout.

Readers not familiar with the Outer Banks of North Carolina might unfairly prejudge the book and decide it’s just another beach read with romance, summer fun, and outlandish leisure adventures. This book is certainly not that! The historical themes running throughout the story are highly captivating. Unlocking the mysteries associated with the fictional Bleakpoint Island and its lighthouse allows the author to weave into her story many details that were documented in communications and other artifacts associated with this region during WWII. Plus who doesn’t love a plot line dedicated to restoring a lighthouse.

Our protagonists, Josephina “Joey” Harris, Finnegan Walter O’Hare, III and his father, Walt O’Hare are the perfect trio to keep this story moving at a great pace. Each character forges ahead despite carrying the burden of heart-breaking set-backs and crippling doubts. Naturally they experience times when they second-guess nearly every previous decision. But they’re mature enough to avoid staying mired in regret. Each one of the main characters finds a way to step out in faith and connect with a positive network of people. Upon reviewing the book in its entirety, I feel every storyline was resolved with great satisfaction. Even our troubled teen, Peter, lands on a promising path. Okay so maybe I would like to be a fly on the wall at Murph’s Convenience Store to see how Ida takes the news about the real story of Cathleen and Callum McCorvey. But I can wait for that to be revealed in the movie or sequel. Thank you Amanda Cox for writing such a great novel. I received a complimentary copy of this book to review from the publisher, Revell.

Hidden in the Night

This book is the third novel in Elizabeth Goddard’s Missing in Alaska series. I chose the book due to this unique setting and early mentions of retrieving a lost manuscript of Jack London. Goddard’s main character is a rare-book collector and former FBI agent. These plot ingredients were irresistible to me. There were many excellent parts to the book. The dialogue was concise and great. The Alaska setting was stellar. I could feel the cold wind. I especially liked all the action in the planes and the stealthy, night time escape by boat. The characters were realistic and interesting. As they moved through the story, they were very active in solving the plot’s mystery. The characters all had different motives for pursuing the lost manuscript and this brought the action to an apex.

The romantic theme running through the book was well balanced, with just enough emotion that moved the plot ahead but didn’t make it seem unrealistic or out of place.

I was lukewarm about the conclusion to the manuscript story. For me it bordered on the fantastical and made the book more like a doomsday sci-fi novel. Not a genre I typically choose to read. I might have been more in step with the novel if I had read the previous two books in this series.

I thought the villains in this book were portrayed with sufficient measure of selfishness and greed. Both Carl and Donovan passionately pursued ill-gotten gains but their evil actions were thankfully thwarted by the good guys. I always read author notes at the back of the book. The information shared here reminded me again why I chose the book to read in the first place. I also was a fan of Jack London’s Call of the Wild. I remember reading it many years ago. Readers will find Hidden in the Night full of action and fast-paced. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple

Clever is the one word I would use to describe this book. I appreciated both the literal story and the figurative one. The author showed a high level of skill and successfully wove all story elements together into a satisfying read. The religious theme was ever present, but never heavy handed.

The antagonist Josiah Fairchild is a believable and active accuser. In this story, he is the “father of lies”. Should the novel ever become a screenplay, he would be the personification of the Bible’s devil.

Naturally the main character’s friend and companion would be named “Peter”. No other name would fit his steadfast presence in Lily Temple’s life. He was her rock and literally an ambassador for Christ.

The cases Lily Temple and Peter Driscoll teamed up to solve added to the overall story. One allowed us to meet characters who showed unconditional love towards one another. The case of the lost girl who eventually was reunited with her father was a picture of restoration that warmed the heart.

I loved the setting of the story. The character’s dialogue and their movements about the English seaside towns of Brighton and Hove and St. Anne’s Well Gardens was captivating.

I would recommend this book to my book buddies. My copy of the print book fell on hard times when it suffered a fatal accident with my cat. I was only one third of the way through so naturally I purchased an electronic copy. Now as I look back on my highlights I’m reminded again of the wonderful word choice employed by the author. I’m impressed by the plot’s sophistication and the layers of storytelling.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review. When my print book disintegrated, I purchased the ebook immediately. I had to know how the story ended. The conclusion was consistent with my expectations. The characters found a sense of peace, an emotion many of us are currently seeking. They walked a long steady journey back to the garden and restored a personal relationship with the Father who is full of love, grace, and mercy and always ready to draw us near.

The Divine Proverb of Streusel

The Divine Proverb of Streusel, Softcover
By Sara Brunsvold / Revell

Wonderful book from cover to cover! I already have a chain of three book buddies lined up who will love this book as much as I have. I’ll share it with a “Must read!” exclamation. The title captures the imagination and it delivers a story with so much heart. It’s quite a feat when an author can make a relative who died years ago standout as a main character. Grandma Anna fits into the plot as seamlessly as her granddaughter, Nikki and Anna’s two sons, Wes and Chris.

I started using sticky tags to bookmark stellar sentences. The prose is lyrical and nuggets of wisdom crafted by the author are scattered throughout. The recipes, recipe notes, and companion Bible verses from Proverbs make the plot sing.

I haven’t read Sarah Brunsvold’s debut novel, but I’m interested. This newest release is a superb example of Contemporary Christian fiction. So many readers will relate to her storyline and they will be encouraged and lifted by the characters’ growth and changes. I appreciate how directly the author dealt with the shunning of all things German during WWII. Her portrayal of farm life and small towns is accurate and adds to the story.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher, Revell in exchange for my honest review.

#TheDivineProverbOfStreusel!

The Warsaw Sisters

The Warsaw Sisters of WWII Poland
By Amanda Barratt / Revell

I’ve been steeped in World War II topics in recent months. For print books, I read The Watchmaker’s Daughter (The True Story of Corrie Ten Boom) and The First Ladies. On many evenings this fall, my husband and I settled in and watched all two seasons of World on Fire on PBS. I requested The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt to review, because I wanted to keep this reading and viewing theme going along the same course. Amanda Barratt’s book is accurate and reflects a great deal of research. Her writing shines a light on the horrific experience Polish citizens experienced at the hands of German invaders. It is interesting how this author was able to craft a plot that weaves in many different points of view. Her prose is rich and detailed. It was an education to read about the Home Army Uprising and their valiant effort to defend Warsaw. The Polish citizens were heroic in their efforts. This is one reason I love to read fiction and non-fiction based on history.

The story is built around the experience of two sisters who chose different paths during the war. One chose to get involved with rescuing Jewish children out of the Warsaw ghetto. The other eventually becomes a soldier in the resistance movement. They fall out of regular contact and events make it seem they will stay separated. But Barratt writes a satisfying conclusion giving readers reason to hope.

My recommendation for readers thinking about picking up this book is to be patient and allow yourself a good amount of time to read this book. Read the historical note for context maybe just as you begin your reading journey. Also stop and look up some of the cultural references to help with your understanding. While I have some knowledge of Polish customs, many terms were new to me such as oplatki. Also I did not know some of the Polish musicians and poets that Barratt referenced in her novel.

I did read the book from cover to cover and I appreciate the amount of work this author put into sharing The Warsaw Sisters with her readers. The publisher, Revell supplied me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. On a final note: I seem to be unable to stop myself from picking up more WW II books. Now I’m reading Freedom Flyers: the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II by J. Todd Moye. #TheWarsawSisters!

On Moonberry Lake

On Moonberry Lake
By Holly Varni / Revell

We’ve all seen those signs, “Life is Better at the Lake!”. Holly Varni’s novel proves the truth in this statement. Her novel On Moonberry Lake is chock-full of characters to love and plots you fall for hook, line, and sinker. From beginning to end, readers are treated to equal parts of heartwarming sentiment and comedy.

The book opens with a spotlight on broken relationships experienced by the main character Cora Matthews. She attends her mom’s funeral and can only think about how the words, distant and estranged, perfectly describe their relationship. Two weeks before the funeral, she cancels her wedding plans and breaks her engagement. When she makes the trip back to her childhood hometown she feels the weight of being alone and untethered to anyone and any place. She never dreamed she would be back at Moonberry Lake where she spent carefree days living in her grandparents’ lakeside lodge. A lodge she and her mother left decades ago due to a family dispute that remained unanswered all the years they lived away. Cora learns at the funeral that she has inherited the lodge. It’s a structure that suffers from neglect, but can be a temporary home for Cora while she starts to find a new path forward.

Cora indeed finds a full life lakeside made up of quirky but loyal new friends. She and two other characters work hard to repair the lodge and bring it back to life. The characters, Cora meets while carrying out her daily tasks can only be described as one-of-a-kind. Trust me when I say, you’ll be hard pressed to pick a favorite. From the bossy checkout clerk at the local store to the math genius who suffers from agoraphobia, each one is revealed to be a beautiful soul. There’s romance in the story too and what a love story it is. Finally Cora is able to invest in someone and build connections with her new community. She is naturally apprehensive but she listens to the wise counsel of her new neighbor Kitty when she says, “Happiness is yours for the taking. Sometimes you just have to do things scared and see how they work out.”

On Moonberry Lake is pure book joy. Pick up a copy and enjoy this delightful story. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review. #OnMoonberryLake!

He should have told the bees

He Should Have Told the Bees: A Novel
By Amanda Cox / Revell

Amanda Cox is a gifted writer who shines a light on characters struggling with mental health issues. She handles these difficult subjects with empathy. I had read her first book, The Edge of Belonging and loved it so much I gave it away immediately and recommended it to others. When I read about this new release I knew I had to read it. It’s a heart-warming story that mirrors the social problems prevalent in our communities. The issues of substance abuse, insecure housing, and people suffering from crippling anxiety are driving factors in the story.

While these issues are real and heavy, the two main characters emerge through their family struggles victorious. I haven’t given the book away yet, because I’m interested in keeping it in my personal library. In addition to an engaging plot, it is written beautifully with smart, concise prose. The secondary characters offer so much to the story. I loved all the dialogue shared between one main character and her counselor. The two male characters who develop into romantic interests for our two main female characters are sincere and prove themselves to be trustworthy. The thoughts the men shared always moved the story ahead in a positive direction.

I am a beekeeper with six years of experience. I appreciated the accuracy in this novel. The apiary and farm setting added great appeal to the story.

I highly recommend this book. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

The All American

The All-American: A Novel
By Susie Finkbeiner / Revell

The All American by Susie Finkbeiner

What a wonderful book! You’ll meet unforgettable characters with spot on dialogue. Expect to feel a full range of emotions as you proceed through their story. You experience joy over the characters’ victories and then despair when trials sabotage their harmony.

The author chose to tell the story from two different viewpoints rotating between the two main characters, Bertha and Flossie Harding. They are sisters and passionate about dissimilar interests. It’s baseball for Bertha and books for Flossie. Their dad is an author, and mom, formerly of the United Kingdom, is his biggest fan.

The book spans the time period from 1952 through the end of the decade. A time in our country when The Red Scare was an event that upended many innocent lives. Bertha and Flossie’s Dad was caught up in the snare and this accusation set in motion many unforeseen events.

As the Harding family deals with the consequences of these allegations, the family shows great strength. Amid the turmoil, Bertha gains the chance to pursue her dream of playing for the All-American Girls Baseball League. This sub-plot adds a fun dimension to the plot.

All the Harding family members have great stories to tell; including Uncle Matthew, and the newlyweds, Chip and Peggy.

I read this book at the height of baseball season. The book brought back pleasant memories of little league games and family trips to Cooperstown. But you don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy the novel. It’s a great read any time of the year. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Revell in exchange for my honest review.

This is Where It Ends

This Is Where It Ends: A Novel
By Cindy K. Sproles / Revell

A unique setting is what I prefer in both books and movies . When I consider the series I love in print and those I stream over the internet, I’ve noticed they all share this one thing in common. So this is one reason, I chose to read and review This is Where it Ends by Cindy K. Sproles.

The main character is Minerva Jane Jenkins, a Kentucky mountain woman. Sproles captures her dialogue and spirit beautifully. Minerva is 94 throughout most of the story. At her age, she has limited vision and mobility but nothing is going to keep her down. She is formidable in words and action.

A young reporter hikes out to her remote mountain home and asks a series of questions she’s not ready to answer in full. The answers they discover together upend Minerva’s solitary existence. Minerva and Del Rankin form a unique bond. From the story’s mid-point to the end, the pace is quickened by the mystery this pair unravels. At the conclusion, all mysteries are solved. The ending is bittersweet and the main characters experience the push and pull between love, jealousy, and forgiveness. Minerva’s life experience has steeped her in wisdom. She doesn’t hold back and shares her wit, observations, and nuggets of wisdom throughout the story.

Readers with an interest in stories from Appalachia will love this book. The map of Minerva’s homestead I can imagine in my mind. Tranquil and serene are the words that describe it best, with tremendous porch views down sweeping valleys. The success of this story is sealed when you consider Minerva’s steadfast companion through it all is her hound, Satchel.

I received an advanced copy of this book to review from the publisher, Revell. I will be sharing this book with my reading buddies and I’m confident they will enjoy it.