The Bitter End Birding Society is a Tear-Jerker

 

Before reading Amanda Cox's books I did not read a lot of women's fiction. Now I can't imagine missing one of her books. She pens poignant stories of hope, healing and belonging themes that are so relevant in today's society. I read The Bitter End Birding Society on a beach in Florida and blubbered like a baby the last few chapters. 

Five books in and you'd think I'd be prepared for the fact that I will cry at some point in her books. Part of Amanda's genius and mystery is I have no idea which part of the story will turn on the waterworks. All of her books should come with a PSA warning that you will need Kleenex. 

Kindergarten teacher Ana Leigh Watkins sees the summer as a fresh start to put aside the hometown hero image she feels she doesn't deserve and help her great- aunt prepare for her retirement. 

Not knowing what adventures in Bitter End will lead her to she discovers a family branch involving a moonshiner's daughter and a preacher's son. 

Once again, Amada Cox draws you into the quirky small town of Bitter End as only she can do. My favorite part of The Bitter End Birding Society was the connection the two older women in the story and how the author had the heroine Ana bring them together. It was exceptional storytelling as only Amada can do.

I'd rate The Bitter End Birding Society a solid 5 star read.  Amanda's storytelling that'll tug at your heart strings and stay with you long after you close the book. If you're looking for a story rich in themes of hope, healing and belonging you need to put this book at the top of you TBR pile. 

Through Each Tomorrow is Exceptional

 Gabrielle Meyer's Timeless series is easily one of my top five favorite series and Through Each Tomorrow continues this author's exceptional storytelling. With each new book she gets better and better. 

I've been dangling Through Each Tomorrow as a motivational carrot, and it was worth the wait. Gabrielle proves once again she is the queen of plot twists and 'I didn't see that coming' moments. 

In 1883, Charles Hollingsworth is a poor farmer determined to secure financial stability for his mother and sister as he is unsure which path he'd choose when he turned twenty-five.  He's come up with a risky plan along with his best friend Drew that he hopes could save the farm, but it could also jeopardize his entire future and alter which time-crossing path he'll choose. 

In 1563, he is the true Earl of Norfolk serving in Queen Elizabeth's court alongside his stepsister Lady Cecily. 

At the suggestion of readers online, I re-read books one (When the Day Comes) and three (For a Lifetime) and I'm so glad I did. The way she connects characters is mind-blowing and has you intrigued and excited frantically turning pages to discover character connections. 

The theme of Through Each Tomorrow is trusting in God's timing and His plan is always perfect for our lives resonates truth. 

I'd rate Through Each Tomorrow as 4.75 stars. There was a couple of scenes between friends Charles and Drew where Charles slightly annoyed me. My reasons might seem petty, but it was my initial reaction. In my opinion he overreacted and as a result I liked him less for it. However by the end of the story, I liked him better. 

I'd rank the series as follows...Every Hour Until Then, Until the Day Comes, Through Each Tomorrow, Across the Ages, For a Lifetime and In This Moment.  If you've read the entire Timeless series, I'm curious how you'd rank them. Let me know in the comments.

I look forward to book seven (Into a Golden Era) coming out in May of this year.

Countdown to 2026....Favorite Reads of 2025

 I can't believe it's time to write my new year's countdown post! This year flew by.

2025 was a banner year for great books. Rather than a top 5 list, I'm listing my favorite top 6 books because I couldn't leave any of these off my list. 

Adventure was the word of the year in terms of reading. These books live rent free in my head, and you'll still be thinking about them long after you close the book.

I discovered a couple of new-to-me authors (Susan L. Tuttle and Christine Hill Sunz), but I also noticed that four of my auto-buy authors (no surprise) made the list.

In no particular order, here's my top 6 list. Did any of these make your favorites list? Any books I'm leaving out? I'd love to know.

                                          You can read my review of To Love a Beast here. 

You can read my review of The Novel Adventures of Natalie Daughtry here.

                              You can read my review of The Lawyer and the Laundress here.

                                       You can read my review of First Love, Second Draft here.

                                      You can read my review of Every Hour Until Then here.

      You can read my review of The Atlas of Untold Stories here. 

The Birds' Christmas Carol is a Bittersweet Story

The Birds' Christmas Carol should come with a PSA warning. You will need Kleenex when reading this gem of a story.

Author Kate Douglas Wiggin is best known for Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. A few of her writer contemporaries include Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, Mark Twain and Jack London. Many of Wiggins novels were made into films. Most notably, the 1938 version of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm starring Shirley Temple. Also, Summer Magic (1963) starring Haley Mills and Dorothy McGuire was based on her novel Mother Carey's Chickens.

I think I was about nine or ten years old when my mom read us this bittersweet story of Carol Bird, a Christmas-born child whose loving and generous nature brings joy to all those she meets. I loved how her abundant and sweet character brought delight to her whole family. 

My heart can only take reading this story every few years. At only 74 pages, this emotional story will stay with you long after you closed the book.

Along with the tears, the author also provides numerous comical moments with the nine Ruggles children. One minute you'll be shedding tears, the next minute you'll be laughing through your tears. 

If you've never read The Birds' Christmas Carol, I urge you to check it out. It's a poignant Christmas story that will tug at your heartstrings even 138 years after its publication.  

Reading is an adventure,

    Emilee 

 

The Heart of It's a Wonderful Life is a Lovely Tribute

 It's a Wonderful Life is a Christmas tradition for many, my family included. (Always the B&W version never colorized version.) 

 Author Jimmy Hawkins' (he played Tommy Bailey, Geroge and Mary's youngest son) new book The Heart of It's a Wonderful Life offers some unique facts and insights into this beloved holiday film. Jimmy clearly has a love and admiration for this movie and it's evident in this book. 

I thought I'd close the book and have more film trivia to share with family and friends. Instead, I walked away with the inspiration to never give up on your dreams. 

Director Frank Capra had a clear vision for his first post-WWII movie. How different would this film look had he compromised on his concept? 

I'd rate The Heart of It's a Wonderful Life as 4 out of 5 stars. Because I know the film backwards and forwards. I didn't feel there was a lot of trivia I didn't already know. I enjoyed this book as a tribute to the film, and it gave me a great appreciation for it. 

When the movie premiered in 1946 (almost 80 years ago) it opened to a lukewarm reception from audiences and critics alike. Thanks to a clerical error, this film had since become a masterpiece. During his lifetime, Capra witnessed his favorite film (and Jimmy Stewart's) become the iconic Christmas classic it is today. How cool is that?! 

Do you have any Christmas films you love to watch every year? I'd love to know. 

Reading is an adventure,

    Emilee 

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is a Stirring Read

 

If you've been living under a rock for the past five or six years and haven't read Amanda Cox's books you're seriously missing out! Amanda writes rich, powerful, thought-provoking, dual-time POV stories that make you think, but also tug at your heart strings and make you cry. Every story I've read of Amanda's I always think I'm not going to cry while reading it, but inevitably there's some good tears shed before I've read the last page. 

This was my second time reading The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery for my book club. Wow! It was even more intense the 2nd time listening to it on audiobook. To me that's the power of an exceptional story.

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is set in a smalltown Tennessee town and explores the complex grandmother/mother/daughter relationships between Glory Ann Clearwater, Rosemary Anderson, and Sarah Ashby and how the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives around us. 

While Amanda's stories contain some romance that's not the main storyline. As I've gotten older, I find that while I always want to romance, I don't always need it. She also writes compelling and complex heroes in all of her books, and The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is no exception. The heroines (Glory Ann, Rosemary, and Sarah) were gripping, I found myself draw to the heroes. I'm curious if you felt the same way. 

I'd rate it 5 out of 5 stars. One aspect of Amanda's books I enjoy and have come to expect from her is the distinct way she weaves her dual-POV stories and how each character is essential and well-written in her books. She's become an auto-buy author for me. If you're interested, you can read more of Amanda's book reviews here. 

Reading is an adventure,

    Emilee 

About Last Christmas is a Charming Romantic Read

 

Rachel Scott McDaniel's books have been on my TBR pile for a while. After reading About Last Christmas, I want to read more books by this author.  

Greta Carlton is a caretaker for her grandmother and is content running her antique shop in the charming town of Silver Creek. 

She meets Leo, a handsome stranger during the Christmas festival, and they share a memorable and romantic evening causing her to believe in the movie-style romance. They agree to meet, and she is stood up leaving her wondering if it was all too good to be true.   

Greta was a unique heroine. I liked that she appreciated vintage/antique things but was also an expert in her field. I loved her care of others and her generous heart. 

The romance between Greta and Leo is a sweet, Hallmark-style romance that readers expect from rom-coms, but there was more depth than I was expecting for a holiday rom-com. This was an unexpected delight. 

One aspect I loved About Last Christmas was the author's humor. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments in this story. 

I'd rate About Last Christmas 4 1/2 out of 5 stars. The ending felt a little rushed, but overall, it was a charming, heartwarming holiday read that left me smiling long after I closed the book. 

Reading is an adventure,

    Emilee