Countdown to 2023....Favorite Books of 2022

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2022 was certainly a phenomenal year for wonderful reads. The books I chose gripped me, surprised me, and stayed with me long after I'd closed the book. Did any of these books make it on your favorites list? Any books I'm leaving out? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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I read author Amanda Cox's debut novel The Edge of Belonging in one sitting this summer during an 8 hour car ride...returning home from a family vacation. I inwardly groaned at every gas station/restroom break because it meant I had to put this book down for 5 minutes or more and cried at least 3 times while reading this book. (I think my family may have thought I was crazier than usual.) 

With her riveting and emotional first book, Ms. Cox has officially landed on authors I need to read in 2023 and beyond. 

Ivy Rose returns home to her beloved Grandmother's home tasked with overseeing the estate. She discovers clues surrounding the mystery of her adoption and this sets her on a path of finding out where she came from, who she is, and along the way: love, loss, and redemption. 

Dual time books are becoming increasingly popular and The Edge of Belonging is exceptional and not to be missed. 

Time always flies when I am reading, but this year especially, it felt like time flew in general. I am looking forward to all the new books and authors I will discover in 2023 and I cannot wait to continue this reading adventure with you. Thank you for being here with me and celebrating books. 

Happy New Year! 

Emilee

Stay With Me is Captivating

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Ok, this one shocked me. I never, and I repeat, NEVER read series out of order. By nature I'm a sequential reader. You too?

If you are, you'll understand how crazy what I'm about to type is: I read Stay with Me , the third book in Jody Hedlund's Waters of Time series, BEFORE I read books 1 and 2. 

I own books 1 and 2 and they are still on my unending TBR pile. They just got moved up to the top of list after finishing Stay with Me.

In my opinion Jody Hedlund is one of the most multifaceted and prolific authors in Christian fiction market in the past decade. Is there any genre she can't conquer?!  I was never a fan of YA literature until I read her Noble Knights series and Viola! I was an instant fan.  Her brand new Waters of Time series is a sci-fi /fantasy /dual time story. While sci-fi or fantasy are not genres I typically gravitate towards, I find myself becoming more of a fan under Ms. Hedlund's skilled storytelling. 

Here's what so impressive: I skipped past books 1 and 2 and still loved this story. It stands on it's own and that takes incredibly deft writing to accomplish. 

As a private investigator, Sybil Huxham learns of this "holy water" that can cure people and longs to find it to help her younger brother Dawson who was left blind due to an injury in the military.  Finding a small amount of holy water in a vile, she drinks some and finds herself transported to 1382 to a castle dungeon where she meets Nicholas Worth, a nobleman in the Middle Ages who is falsely being accused of treason. 

Both Sybil and Nicholas' reputations are on the line and they have little choice but to marry. I would say more, but that would ruin the suspense. 

What attracted me to Nicholas as a hero was how he was a man of honor. He's attracted to Sybil, but he's not going to act on his longing for her until she's ready. Also, he really likes that she is independent and can fend for herself. Although he's still protractive over her even though he knows she can take care of herself. I liked that Nicholas didn't try to completely mold her into a woman of the Middle Ages. 

To be honest, by the end of the book, I was a little in love with Nicholas Worth.

 I like that Sybil brings her modern-day feisty, independent spirit to the 1300s. She does have to adapt somewhat to their dress and customs, but she didn't completely lose herself either. 

Nicholas and Sybil's swoon-worthy-toe-melting kisses deserve their own paragraph. Wow! If it's possible for two fictional characters to scorch pages in a clean way, Ms. Hedlund succeeded with their passionate and intense love story. Still haven't fully recovered. 

One aspect of Stay with Me that was intriguing was the juxtaposition of colliding worlds through Sybil and Nicholas. It definitely made for some humorous parts. Particularly with different clothing. There were some laugh out loud moments.  My favorite minor character, Father Fritz, reminded me of Friar Tuck in Robin Hood. Not sure if this was the author's intention, but I pictured Friar Tuck whenever Father Fritz was on the page. Also, the village where Nicholas takes her to stay is hidden away and the archery also gave me major Robin Hood vibes  - and that honestly made me further enjoy and gravitate towards this story. 

I appreciated and resonated with the theme of Stay with Me, which is that God uses trials and hardships to grow us in ways that nothing else can. 

This book was such a delight to read. I'm sure if you inexplicably broke with your normal pattern of reading series in order, you'd be happy with the read. That said after noting how thoroughly I enjoyed this book, I can heartedly recommend you immerse yourself in the Water's of Time series and enjoy the adventure Jody has created. 

 

~~Stay With Me was provided to me by the author herself and the publisher in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~~

Engaging Deception Marries Competition and Romance

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 Engaging Deception the 3rd book in Regina Jennings newest series is finally here! After briefly meeting Olive in Proposing Mischief  I was extremely curious for her story. 

Olive Kentworth has spent the past eight years caring for her terminally ill mother. With her mother's passing, Olive is trying to figure out where she belongs. Although she has no formal training, she has a passion for architecture. Designing and creating buildings are like puzzle pieces to her. Olive may be the tamest of the Kentworth cousins, but she still has a "wild streak" (Jennings, 280.) I really liked that Olive had a quiet, steady demeanor and she preferred to remain in the background. 

Maxfield 'Max'  Scott. is a famed widowed architect with two young children. His wife died two years ago due to a tragic accident. Because of this he does his best to be a present father to his children by upholding a strong work life balance. 

Both Olive and Max are connected by two similarities: their shared loved of architecture and their grief over losing a loved one...Olive with the loss of her mother and Max the loss of his wife. 

Max and Olive get connected because Max needs a nanny. Olive ends up getting hired to take care of Max's children but really wants to become a full time architect. She has two buildings under her belt, including a building Max loves. 

In case you didn't get enough of the Kentworth clan you'll get the opportunity to meet them again. They all have a hand in helping Olive see her worth and potential. Besides the romance, I think the moments with Olive and her cousins were some of my favorite parts. With the Kentworth's Ms. Jennings' has created a family that readers can both relate to and long to be a part of. 

I read this book in two days.... simply couldn't put it down. Engaging Deception was the perfect ending to Ms. Jennings Joplin Chronicle and might just rank as my favorite series of hers to date.  This book is the perfect blend of funny, romance, and inspiration. 

Do you prefer romance, humor, or inspiration the most in your reading? 

Check out my review for book one in the series here and book two in the series here. 

~~Engaging Deception was provided to me by the author herself and the publisher in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~~

Holding the Line Falls Flat

Holding the Line is my 1st book by author Jenifer Delamere. I was intrigued by the heroine Rose Finlay a young widow working full time at a telegraph office independently supporting herself. Having a 21st century lens the idea of a woman supporting herself  and having risen to the rank of assistant manager seems so modern in the late 1800's. 

In the 1880's A young woman's reputation in society was everything. I found it interesting how she (Rose) is allowed to move about society without a chaperone because she is a widow. However a single woman of marriageable age requires a chaperone.  I also did not know that widows wear a mourning ring symbolizing her status as a widow.  

The Heroine, Rose Finlay, has a tragic marriage. Her husband was unfaithful man, but did not realize this before she married him. She was deeply in love, but soon found out some major red flags about her husband. Because of her past, Rose is determined to help other women escape the same fate she did, by making young ladies aware of red flags.

Hero John Milburn (in his late 30's) carries a heavy burden caring for his two widowed sisters and caring for his nieces and nephews. He wants his oldest niece to make a good match in society and asks Rose to chaperone her to a local ball.

So to be honest, this landed in my DNF pile somewhat. I read about 75% of it, and ended up flipping to the last chapter and the epilogue to know how it ended. Unfortunately, this book moved at a glacial pace and in my opinion did not go anywhere. In fact, I could not figure out where it was going and realized that with 75% in, it was clearly going nowhere. 

The one thing I did like was that both Rose and John share an appreciation for the author Charles Dickens. Sadly that was all I did like. 

I genuinely wanted to like this book, the cover art is beautiful and the writing was solid, however the slow pace of the plot and the lack of substantive story development was a detrimental deterrent from my enjoying this book. 

I am curious, what do you do when you dive into a book you believe you will enjoy, but end up not liking it at all? Do you skip to the end, just quit, or are you in it to win it? 

~~Holding the Line was provided to me by the author herself and the publisher in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~~

Delightful Christmas Reads

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I know it's the end of November, but I've been reading Christmas books since October. Something about the cooler temperatures makes me feel like diving into books set during this joyous season.

It's so easy get swept up in the grandeur and romance of this time of year that books and movies portray.  I'll be the 1st to admit at times I do get carried away. Case in point as is evidence by the Christmas novels/novellas I've been reading.

Set during the Victorian era, The Christmas Promise will transport you back to the time of lavish parties and romantic weekends spent at impressive country estates during the holiday season.

While hosting her first Christmas ball since her mother's passing, Lady Ashleigh Arrington never expected to come face-to-face with her childhood nemesis Christopher Campbell, a decade later. Both Christopher and Ashleigh are surprised to find that their mothers signed a secret marriage agreement between their children when they were younger. Since then, Ashleigh and Christopher have grown up, Can they put behind the past behind them and be friends?

Will this marriage contract cause Christopher and Ashleigh to put their dream on hold? 

This story was a wonderful start to my holiday reading deep dive. My only caveat with The Christmas Promise is I felt the romance between Ashleigh and Christopher felt a little rushed. This may be because the story was a novella length. Even with the accelerated love story this didn't distract from my enjoyment of the story or Ms. Meyer's writing. 

I feel like Courtney Walsh deserves the title of "Queen"  of the romantic contemporary  Christmas novels/novellas. This author's Christmas novels will have you laughing, smiling, and will stay with you long after you close the book. 

Last year after reading and thoroughly enjoying A Cross Country Christmas (check it out here). I had high expectations and hopes for A Match Made at Christmas.

I loved the best friend chemistry between Hayes and Prudence and the will they won't they get together vibe.

This is a charming novella and not to be missed this Christmas season if you want to experience pure joy. Isn't that what reading should be about? Pure joy? 

The Christmas Table is author Donna VanLiere's 11th Christmas book.

What sets The Christmas Table apart from her other books is the series is told in dual time. You first read about a couple in 1972 and then present day in 2012. Present day is about Lauren Mabrey who we first meet in The Christmas Town.  

I'm a chronological reader and have read and enjoyed all of Ms. VanLiere's Christmas books. You could probably read them out of sequence, but I feel like you'll get more enjoyment and appreciation because of the way the author introduces characters and their storylines are sometimes spread out through multiple books. 

I could not put The Christmas Table down. Read it over three days and even cried a couple of times in the book. It actually reminded of the TV show This is Us with the way the author weaves the story together showing how our lives are more interconnected then we realize. 

If I had to list a top five favorite Christmas books by Ms. VanLiere it would probably be: The Christmas Shoes (link to my blog on it here), The Christmas Blessing, The Christmas Secret, The Christmas Star and The Christmas Table. Although you can't go wrong with any of her Christmas books. 

I hope you have some festive holiday choices in your TBR pile! What Christmas reads are you enjoying this year? I always love getting new recommendations to checkout! 

Reading is an adventure!

Emilee 

The Bookshop of Secrets is Stellar

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 After 8 years of being a book influencer I'm still awed, inspired and honored to be on street teams to promote books. It's always a special privilege to be on an author's debut novel. You see the author introducing their voice, style of writing and a story they are passionate about. I was absolutely floored by author Mollie Rushmeyer's 1st novel The Bookshop of Secrets it pulls you in from page one. 

Note: The Bookshop of Secrets tackles the heart-wrenching topic of human trafficking and deals with it in a realistic yet sensitive manner.

Because of her traumatic past, Hope Sparrow finds it best to always be on the run never staying in one place too long. Her trip to Wanishim Falls to search for the 1st edition classic books her mother left her leads her on a journey she could have never imagined. 

If you like contemporary slow-burn romances with mysteries, maps, history, a charming and overflowing bookshop called Dusty Jackets (Was there ever a cuter name for a bookstore?!)and pirate treasure then The Bookshop of Secrets needs to be put on your must-read list.

Hero Ronan Barrick just might be on my 2022 'favorite book boyfriends" lists. He was such a kind and caring hero. So patient and loving with Hope. Even though he'd experienced hardship in his life and had had a life changing accident he never had a 'woe is me' attitude, instead he chose to live life to the fullest. What really endeared him to me was his close bond with his grandparents. I may have melted a little every time Ronan was on the page. 

One of the things that I connected with Hope about was that she uses cooking to connect to people and deal with her traumatic past. In fact, on page 239, Hope explains why cooking matters so much to her and it really struck a cord with me. I would highly recommend having a highlighter ready for this beautiful moment. 

I love how this book reminds you that it is never too late to start over and rewrite your story. The reminder of this life truth and that God is the author of our story, is so grounding and needed in today's culture. I found it very motivating and a much needed prodding at this time in my life. Who doesn't need the encouragement that its never too late to change and start living the story God wants for you? 

You can judge this book by the cover. Don't you just want to dive into this cover and explore all the books? Whoever is responsible for the cover design did a phenomenal job. This is one of the best debut novels I have read in a long time and I will be purchasing a paperback copy to add to my collection.  

~~The Bookshop of Secrets was provided to me by the author herself and the publisher in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~~

Dangerous Beauty is so Good It Needs A Sequel!

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 Warning: Dangerous Beauty deals with the horrendous topic of human trafficking. It's heartbreaking in our society today this is still so prevalent.

Dangerous Beauty is the first book I've read by author Melissa Koslin and will definitely not be my last. It was a total page-turner. Every spare second I had, I wanted to be reading this book to find out what happens.  What drew me to this story was the vibrant teal cover with the fire-engine red, eye-catching title and three little words on the back cover "marriage of convenience." If you know anything about me, marriage of convenience tropes (at the risk of sounding cliché) are my favorite type of romances to read. Is this you too? Anyone else want to join me on #teamMOC? It's unusual to find a contemporary romance with this storyline. 

Liliana Vela was a heroine I both liked and admired. She was smart, brave, loyal, and cared about others. Despite the fact, she'd been through severe trauma with human trafficking, she still has a heart for helping others escape the same dangers. More importantly, she depended on God. I appreciated that throughout the story, Liliana was continually going to God in prayer, whether to aid or heal her or protect Meric.

Which brings us to Meric Toledan. He was intense, fiercely protective of Liliana and honorable to the core. At times his seemingly harsh personality can have him come off cold or uncaring, but I liked that Liliana sees through this and knows it's not his true character.

At times, the pacing in this novel is so high-speed I had to re-read pages and sections to make sure I fully comprehended what was going on. I consider this a sign of an excellent book  - not me forgetting details because the pacing is so slow. You actually had to keep up with the non-stop pace, making this fit my definition of a true page turner. 

Meric and Liliana's chemistry was off the charts. Wow. Chemistry is not easy to write and Ms. Koslin executed this to perfection. I loved this entire book, but Meric and Liliana's believable and exciting relationship just put the cherry on top of an already excellent story.

The ending of Dangerous Beauty left me wanting more. Ms. Koslin...can you please write a sequel? A 3-book series about Meric and Liliana would even be better. I want to know more of their story. Two other characters from Dangerous Beauty  I feel deserve their own stories are Agent Bando (Meric's head of security) and Alfred (Meric's assistant and right hand man).

If you are looking for a fast-paced, action story with a blossoming romance look no further than this book. 

Dangerous Beauty is a true page turner and should be at the top of your TBR pile. 

 

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip is THE Must-Read of 2022

 This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive teensy tiny commission for purchases made through these links. I only recommend books and products I love. Thank you so much for the support.

It's 1 AM and I just read the last page of The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by author Sara Brunsvold. Wow- what a story! Mrs. Kip is one of those stories that will soak into your heart and soul and stay with you long after you've closed the book. (For the record-it was totally worth it to lose sleep to finish this book.) 

By the end of the book, I was convicted by how I was living out my life for the Lord. I wanted to be 'a Mrs. Kip' to someone. I love how Ms. Brunsvold showed that it doesn't matter if you've known a person an hour, a day or a week you can still make a lasting impact on their life and sow seeds for Christ. I was reminded of the Bible verse in James 14:4 about our lives being, but a vapor here for a little while and then vanishing away.

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James 4:14 (King James Version)

Mrs. Kip deals with topics we today in society so often and readily avoid such as the trials and difficulties of aging and death. Society generally as a whole avoids these discussions at all costs. However the author deals with them in an honest and poignant way. 

The relationship between Aidyn and Mrs. Kip was so special. One of my favorite parts of the book. This relationship was written beautifully and showed how even when you think you are not making a difference in someone's life, as long as you keep showing up as yourself, it gives the opportunity for seeds to planted and new ways to think about things and growth to take place if the person is seeking and willing.  

Mrs. Kip reminded me of my godly 87 year old grandma who I'm so happy and blessed to say is still with us. She is an incredible prayer warrior with a genuine heart for the Lord and spreading His Word. Much like Mrs. Kip my grandmother is a sower of seeds for Christ and His Kingdom. 

Fair Warning: You'll need to read this book with a box of Kleenex. I cried about 6 times while reading this book which is a new record for me. They were all good tears, I promise you.

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip is not to be missed and is one of my favorite and most surprising readings of 2022. This is not a book I would have picked up myself and this makes me so grateful to my good friend that recommend this book to me. It made my year and it will make yours too! 

P.S. You absolutely, must positively, read this book!

Worthy of Legend: A Journey of Being Who God Made You to Be

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So ecstatic!! Book three, Worthy of Legend, from Roseanna M. White's Secrets of the Isles series is finally here. 

Lady Emily Scofield is a beautiful, gentle, sweet character you can't help but love and sympathize with her plight. Her father sees her as a pawn in a game...using her to further himself through alliance of marriage to whom ever he deems will suit his purposes. Her older brother Nigel is both physically and verbally abusive, and her mother - who she's always seen as an ally - seems to have deserted her. Yet despite all this, Emily attempts to love her family as God loves them. 

She fears that because she isn't a strong character her family and friends will not love her. She comes to realize that no matter how dire her circumstances the Lord sees her. He always does and is always with her.

Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford, is Libby Sinclair's brother from The Nature of a Lady (Book 1 in Secrets of the Isles series).  Two traits I appreciated about Bram were how protective he was - particularly of Emily - and his deep desire to be chivalrous. Throughout the book you see how his love for all things King Arthur and the Knights at the round table inspired this desire. I won't give it away, but Bram also had a particular love for a certain sweet that is just adorable and makes you fall in love with who he is even more.  

"Let's set the record straight here and now. You, Lady Emily Scofield, are an absolute delight and no one in his or her right mind could possibly do anything other than crave your company. Do you understand?" (White, 204)

I loved the sweet and tender romance between Bram and Emily.  Their relationship initially was based on Bram's need to protect her, but eventually turned into love. I liked how throughout Worthy of Legend Bran is a hero on the outskirts of the story that is always aware of everyone around him, but especially Emily. Not only does Bram observe Emily, but he finds himself being drawn to her. They had a natural and easy chemistry that made you want to keep reading to find out what happens.

I really loved the theme of how friends become family. The whole group embraces Emily like family and it was a lovely example of how beautiful family is to our lives even if you are not blood related. 

Ms. White excels at creating a series and making the reader want to come along for the story, but also simultaneously making the reader care about the characters in all the books and seamlessly weaving characters from the series throughout so that you feel like you are coming home. 

The cover for Worthy of Legend is beautiful and breathtaking.  Maybe it's because I'm not-to-subtly bias about the color green...but Emily's fiery red hair and mint green dress with puffed sleeves made me reminisce of another favorite heroine of literature - L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. Please tell me you see it too?

Can't wait to display all these books on my shelf and see how they look together. Each cover is stunning and unique and perfectly fits the story. Do you swoon over gorgeous book covers too?

Worthy of Legend wraps up another tremendous series by Roseanna M. White. If you are looking for a period story filled with romance and mystery then this book is for you.

~~Worthy of Legend was provided to me by the author herself and Bethany House in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~~

Inventions of the Heart was a Struggle

 

Inventions of the Heart is Mary Connealy's second book in her Lumber Baron's Daughter's series and centers around Michelle Stiles who is hiding out at the Two Harts Ranch that is owned by Zane Hart. 

Michelle is determined to stay one step ahead of her stepfather's schemes, which includes marrying her off to an unsuitable man. While she is hiding out, she tries to convince Zane Hart to start mining the gold on his property and let her manage the business. This brings all kinds of trouble and risk their way.  

Having read more than 20 books by author Mary Connealy, I feel I've read enough to get a sense of her writing style. What I've observed is that her books are plot driven, which tend to have less developed characters. If the story is your focus, you're in luck. But if you want to get to know characters in-depth, you probably won't finish quite as satisfied. As a reader I find it hard to connect with such a heavily plot driven story. And if you've never asked yourself if you love the plot more than the character developments, well, now you can! 

This book does have everything you want in a western romance, including kidnappings, rescues, and a wedding (would it even be a proper Mary Connealy book without a wedding?), but I really struggled to connect with the characters and story overall. 

To be fair, I believe that not having read the first book (The Elements of Love) in Ms. Connealy's newest series, there was some confusion and disconnect because I didn't know the characters from the first book. It takes a lot of effort to craft a series that any reader can jump into at any book in the series, and this one left me hanging. 

With that said, I found the start of the story confusing. It was supposed to feel fast paced and action orientated, but for me, it just really left me baffled. The book threw a lot of different characters at you, and paired with the fast pace, I just found myself not caring what happened to anyone. I also was thrown out of the story because, for me, Michelle's name was very modern, so every time I read it, it threw me out of the experience. 

I have nothing but the greatest respect and admiration for Ms. Connealy as an author as she's written and published countless novels. However, I feel I'd be doing the readers of my blog a disservice if I wasn't honest with you all and let you know I had to fight really hard to finish this book. 

Having been a reader of the Christian fiction genre for over two decades, I've grown....my reading habits and genres I may once have been drawn to have changed. I'm so much more intrigued by the characters of the story over the plot. I know in the beginning I absolutely cared more about happened in the book, and now I care who the book introduces me too. This change is exciting, honestly, because it means I will also be bringing new books and styles to my blog that have previously not been represented. 

I'd love to know... are you #teamplot or #teamcharacter? 

~~ Inventions of the Heart was provided to me by the author herself and Bethany House in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~~

Marilla of Green Gables: A Must for fans of Anne Shirley

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As a reader, I admit that I typically avoid books where an author takes a crucial and/or favorite character in a series and explores either their backstory before or after a book/series. My reason being is that I don't want the new author to "ruin" my concept of that character. While after having 4 bookish friends within a week recommend this book to me I knew I had to check it out. 

In the case of Marilla of Green Gables author Sarah McCoy delves into what a young Marilla Cuthbert (and Matthew) were like, how life shaped her before spirited and spunky red-headed orphan Anne Shirley burst into their lives.  

If life hadn't gotten in the way I would have finished this book in less than 2 days. Upon closing this book, I was shocked and pleasantly surprised to find I had a whole new appreciation for Marilla and wanted to go back to Avonlea and dive into re-reading the delightful 8-book Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery. (Warning: You may need a box of tissues when reading Marilla of Green Gables.)

In her author's note Ms. McCoy reveals to us her inspiration for this book was a quote from Anne of Green Gables chapter XXXVII where Marilla is telling Anne how John Blythe (Gilbert's father) used to be her beau and Anne tragically says " Oh Marilla- and what happened?"  Marilla of Green Gables was her answer to this question.  For me, I recall the scene in the Anne of Avonlea (1985) movie where Anne mentions Marilla's romance with John Blythe and Marilla responses with "You can never tell about people by looking at their outsides." This quote always made me wonder who Marilla was before Anne. 

Ms. McCoy did an excellent job of maintaining her own voice as as author all the while paying tribute to L.M. Montgomery.  One aspect I appreciated was how you felt there were some characteristics of young Marilla that we see in Anne. You get the sense that Marilla understands Anne better than she realizes. 

Marilla of Green Gables may end up being on my most surprising reads of 2022 and is not to be missed. I'd even venture to say if somehow you missed the Anne of Green Gables books as a kid (trying to pick my jaw off the floor and not judge.) perhaps reading Marilla of Green Gables will make you want to read the series. Add this book to your TBR pile!

In Honor's Defense is a Superb Conclusion to a Powerful Series

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In Honor's Defense (Book 3 in the Hanger's Horsemen series) is here and I'm ecstatic! Luke Davenport aka "Preach" finally gets his own story. Readers, myself included have been clamoring for his tale since encountering him in At Love's Command. There was something infinitely intriguing about Luke and you want to know more about him as a person and what has made him who he is today. 

In Honor's Defense, Luke isn't quite ready to hang up his spurs or his gun. He takes a lone job tracking cattle rustlers for a rancher and from there the adventure takes off, running him right into the life of Damaris Baxter. 

Damaris Baxter was a heroine I felt an immediate kinship and relatability to. The youngest of eight she was accustomed to being invisible. "Being invisible had its uses, however. Forgettable girls rarely got called on to recite lessons in front of the class. Or asked to dance when one had a perfectly good book to read...Not only was Damaris on the shelf, she was in the back corner behind the knickknacks, collecting dust." (Witemeyer, 8).  At times, I think we can all connect with Damaris' feeling of being invisible. Becoming a guardian to her teenaged orphaned nephew takes her out of her comfort zone and when she rose to the challenge with bravery and determination it made me love her character even more.

Luke Davenport is a man whose compass for right always pointed due North. He's a man that knows his limits and "he knew his God- the source of all strength. He'd keep going until the Lord stopped him." (Witemeyer, 299).  One character trait I appreciated about Luke was his ability to memorize scripture and recall it to memory when needed was impressive and earned him his nickname "Preach".  This character trait made me want to be more intentional in memorizing scripture. There is a pivotal scene In Honor's Defense when Luke is telling Damaris of his past and how ashamed he is. Damaris' response was perfect. "...I do know the man standing before me today is a man to admire. One who places the well-being of others before himself. One who loves God's Word and inspires loyalty in his friends. One who forgives the faults in others faster than he forgives his own. You're a good man, Luke, and I thank God for bringing you in our lives." (Witemeyer, 147). 

The incomparable Karen Witemeyer further endeared herself to her readers and fans when she once again dedicated her newest release In Honor's Defense to her Posse Facebook group. "To my Posse. I couldn't ask for better barnstormers, more dedicated readers, dearer friends. Thank you for blessing my writing journey and my life. (Quoting dedication from In Honor's Defense.) Dear readers if this heartfelt dedication doesn't affect you you may need to get your pulse checked! (Gift of the Heart part of the Christmas Heirloom collection was the first book Ms. Witemeyer dedicated to her Posse.) Karen, Thank YOU for blessing our lives with your gift of writing and your books.  

It's a struggle for me to be unbiased about Ms. Witemeyer's books because as a reader her books are always consistently rock-solid and check a lot boxes for me. I tend to gravitate towards books where the characters are multidimensional, where you see how the characters change and grow; when there's quick-witted banter between the hero and heroine and a plot that keeps you turning pages. Ms. Witemeyer excels at building up the climax till the end. Sometimes it feels like you're about to have a slight panic attack hoping everything turns out ok in the end.

In Honor's Defense is the third in a three-book series. It can be read as a standalone although if you read the series in order you'll revel more in the experience and saga of the Horseman. If you enjoy action-packed romances mixed with a little bit of mystery, you need to add In Honor's Defense to your TBR pile. You won't regret it. 

~~ In Honor's Defense was provided to me by the author herself and Bethany House in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~~

Sunburst is Electrifying and Action-Packed

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Sunburst  contains one of my favorite romance tropes... marriage of convenience. It was honestly one of the very fickle reasons I was drawn to this book. This plot is few and far between particularly in contemporary stories. Immediately, became intrigued and curious to see how Ms. Warren would craft a modern marriage of convenience story.

Former Navy SEAL Ranger Kingston is on a mission in Nigeria to rescue his brother Colt. He never thought he'd come face to face with the one woman whose heart he broke. 

Heroine Noemi Sutton was quick-witted, smart and brave. Having a father that was a former SEAL he taught his daughter how to use her wits and defend herself should the need arise. These attributes made her the perfect foil for Ranger. 

Ranger and Noemi had some seriously smoldering chemistry. (Can I use the word smoldering in Christian fiction?) 

Both Noemi and Ranger are dealing with God in different ways during this story. Ranger is discovering he has to rely on God because he is going blind. In Noemi's case she's running from God because in her mind everyone she loves God takes away. Ranger assures her that "I've got news for you, honey. God very much notices you." (Warren, 287).  This gem of truth is so comforting. No matter where we go we can never escape God's omnipresence.

Ranger's "world is always so black and white- and Noemi gives it color. She makes me laugh, and I feel like I can breathe. Like everything isn't life or death. Mostly, she makes me...feel." (Warren, 295)

Susan May Warren is an author I've been happily reading for the past 20 plus years. With over 85 books published and 1.5 million copies sold she's proven she can write any genre and engage her readers with dynamic characters and plots that keep you turning pages long after you should be asleep. (Bookworms need sleep?)

Sunburst reminded me of The Bourne movies with Matt Damon where you have a mission/op in a foreign country. There's the perfect blend of danger and romance leaving you wondering what else can go wrong and will Ranger and Noemi figure out there in love with each before it's too late?

Sunburst is not to be missed and reminds the reader of why they love Susan May Warren's books so much. There is romance, humor, family, and suspense all wrapped up into these pages. While this is book two (Book one is Sunrise) you could read it as a stand alone but the author does suggest reading them in order. This is the perfect summer read for a pool, beach, or even your own backyard!

~~ Sunburst was provided to me by the author herself and Revell in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~~ 

When the Day Comes is Captivating and Compelling

 This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive teensy tiny commission for purchases made through these links. I only recommend books and products I love. Thank you so much for the support.

When I saw this absolutely stunning cover combined with a captivating plot and I had high expectations for this book. I'm happy to say Ms. Meyer's story exceeded all my expectations. 

The story centers around nineteen-year-old Libby. She is a time-crosser. One life she lives in Colonial Williamsburg 1774 and the other in 1914 New York. On her 21st birthday, she must decide which period to remain in forever- 1774 or 1914. Which time do you think Libby chooses? Which era would you choose? If Libby fell asleep in 1774, she wakes in 1914 and when she falls asleep in 1914, she wakes up in 1774 and so forth. Being a time-crosser, she can't alter history or tell others how it's going to change. Another interesting characteristic about being a time-crosser is if Libby is ill or has a broken limb in one time the alternate period, she is perfectly healthy. 

When the Day Comes was Gabrielle Meyer's first novel published with Bethany House. It's the 1st book in her Timeless series. Guilty reader confession: I always been interested in dual-time stories, and I own several, but I haven't read them yet. However, after reading When the Days Comes, I've became hooked on this genre. I had the tremendous delight and honor of meeting Ms. Meyer last summer at the Mississippi River Readers Retreat in Little Falls, Minnesota and she told us about When the Day Comes and I was instantly spell-bound by the plot. 

The reverberating theme of honoring God no matter what path/time of life you live in rings true and is beautifully illustrated in this book. 

"...you must not let one life dictate the other. There's work to be done here, and God is calling us to do it." (Meyer, 164). 

The struggles and comforts that Libby experienced in each time period were compelling and showed the differences in profound ways that revealed the positives and negatives of choosing to stay in each period of time. I thought this quote beautifully summed up some of the challenges Libby faced and how it can start to affect your heart and mind if you are not grounded in what truly matters in this life. 

"Please Libby, do not let anything turn your heart to stone. Do not let anger or bitterness take root in you. If you do, all of this was for naught. Instead, use what you've learned from me, and from this life to do good and further God's kingdom in the time you occupy." (Meyer 310-311). 

Libby remained true to her values and beliefs whether she was in 1774 or 1914. I admired this trait of her character because I've often wondered if I lived in a different period than my own would the core of who I am remain the same or would I bend to the precepts of the day? Well, the author proves with our heroine it's possible to stay true. 

When the Day Comes is a story that will stay with you long after you close the book and not to be missed. 

~~ When the Day Comes was provided to me by the author herself and Bethany House in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~~

The Do-Over is Pure Enjoyment

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This book was just what I needed to make it through the last weeks of winter here in the Midwest. 

The story starts with you getting to know workaholic, career-driven McKenna Keaton who has been on the fast-track to senior partner at her New York law firm until the rug is pulled out from under her and she finds herself taking a leave of absence from her job and flying home to spend time with her family in Durham, North Carolina.  I really liked the Keaton sisters' relationships with each other and their parents. Their family was relatable, not perfect but you get the sense that at the core of the Keaton clan is love and unwavering loyalty and support. 

McKenna initially feels that her family does not understand her, but she comes to realize you can spend "so much time convincing yourself that no one could understand you that you occasionally lose sight of the people trying to understand." (Turner, 282). This understanding gives McKenna a deeper sense of a love and appreciation for her family. 

While back home, McKenna runs into high school classmate Henry Blumenthal now known as famed documentarian Hank Blume. McKenna has the cutest crush on Henry and it brings you back to your Highschool crush days, if you had one in that time of your life. This quote sums it up adorably  "The unflappable McKenna Keaton had a major, major crush on a boy," (Turner, 72). The chemistry between McKenna and Henry is off-the-charts. 

Henry Blumenthal might be my new favorite hero. I can see why Ms. Turner dedicated her latest release to her hero Henry. Wow! He's pretty swoon worthy. The whole time Henry was on the page I couldn't wipe the goofy grin off my face. 

I genuinely love that Ms. Turner writes about older heroines. It makes you feel like no matter how old you get you are you're never too old to experience the excitement and flutters of love, which is absolutely true. 

The Do-Over is a delightful romance by the brilliant Bethany Turner who is clearly is in her element and at the top of her game combing romantic comedy sprinkling it with her trademark humor and insightful pop-culture references. Having just finished the book I can't stop smiling! 

 The Do-Over is not to be missed if you need a wonderful reading getaway. 

To Treasure an Heiress: A Journey of Finding Your Worth

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Beth Tremayne finally gets her own story in To Treasure an Heiress and it was totally worth the wait! She has a propensity to explore, a desire for adventure and wanderlust. Her excitement and enthusiasm for quests was so infectious and made me wish I was the "adventurous type."  Upon discovering letters and maps on her family's land she reluctantly shares in the search with a man she despises...Lord Sheridan. Beth considers him the "Lord Insufferable Sheridan would probably snatch it all from her if he saw it. Paw through it. Exclaim over each and every article- her search, her clues, her find." (White, 13).  Beth's gumption and determination were qualities I really admired coupled with her evident love for her family made her a heroine to root for, believe in, and enjoy. 

While Beth has a strong dislike for Theodore Howe, Marquess of Sheridan, he finds Beth "...without question the most beautiful woman he'd ever set eyes on " (White, 28). Anytime Sheridan was on the page I found myself laughing because  of the way he thinks and his obvious ploys to try to get Beth to like him. "At this rate, she'd be Lady Sheridan in a decade, at the most." (White, 30). This reference of it taking Sheridan a decade to woo Beth to be his wife was a running joke through the book and was very funny. Beth and Sheridan are drawn together by their mutual wonder for exploration. Soon Beth finds herself seeing Sheridan in a new light and their relationship blossoms.  They had this chemistry on the page that made you want to keep reading and seeing where their relationship goes. 

To Treasure an Heiress was one of those rare books were I was equally as invested in the sub-plot as the plot. One of the most beloved scenes for me was in the sub-plot with Senara and Ainsley (Sheridan's valet) when he gives her a pearl he'd found on one of his expeditions with Lord Sheridan. It's such a beautiful and powerful scene and if we are believers in Christ it reminds us that no matter how much we've sinned Christ sees us as a pearl. "A pearl cannot be stained. No matter how many centuries it sits in the mud, wash it in a bit of water and it's gleaming again." (White, 332). 

If I had one criticism is that the book ended a little abruptly and I would have liked it to be a little longer (Sorry Ms. White) hopefully giving us more insight into Beth and Sheridan's future. 

Also can you please, please do a book about Sheridan's older sisters Millicent and Abbie? I'm so curious to know more about them and their story. The parts they were in the story were some of my favorite scenes. The relationship Sheridan had with his sisters was the perfect blend of familial love and humor. 

To Treasure an Heiress has it all: mystery, maps,  (possible) pirate treasure, and romance. What more could you ask for in a book? 

P.S. I couldn't help but notice the contrast between the two equally stunning covers in Ms. White's The Secrets of the Isles (Cover to the right). I thought they added to the excitement of cracking open the book and reading these stories.  

~~ To Treasure An Heiress was provided to me by the author herself and Bethany House in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own.~~

Drift Away in A Heart Adrift

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You will need chocolate  - and lots of it - as you read Laura Frantz’s A Heart Adrift. This is a beautiful story of loss, forgiveness, and love. The story follows Henri and Esmee as they get a second chance at love 10 years after they broke their engagement. Esmee is a chocolatier and makes delicious-sounding chocolates you will want to eat while reading this story. Henri is a sea captain that can’t seem to find his place on “land” despite being at a time where he is ready to leave the sea behind for good.

Having the courage to change, get through daunting moments, and forgive is essential for Henri and Esmee to have their second chance at love. Author Laura Frantz weaves a magnificent story showing how having the bravery to sit in the uncomfortable moments and have difficult conversations is essential for not having regrets in life and opens the door of opportunity for potentially a second chance at love.

The most powerful aspect of Ms. Frantz’s writing is that she doesn’t skip over the hard topics. She addresses them with truth, grace, and love. This story includes acknowledging slavery and indentured workers, which was a prevalent issue during this time. It could be so easy to skip over these painful realities and leave them out, but she fearlessly wades in and speaks into these truths that were happening during this period in our history.

I have learned so much about history, especially American history from her well researched and equally well-written stories. I am always blown away at the details and people woven into her stories with historical accuracy. It makes you want to learn and research more about specific people, topics and places from the time period she is writing about. A Heart Adrift is the perfect blend of engaging and educational. 

This story felt very much like Ms. Frantz getting back to her roots as a storyteller. She just has a way of challenging you to see and think about tough topics in new light. This book especially opened my eyes to seeing how losing someone can turn a person into an “idol” that you value before God because of the love they gave you while here on earth. There is a lot of “loss” in this book and some of the characters' storylines wrapped up too quickly at the end for you to feel like resolution happened. I don’t want to give anything away, but since this is not usually her style as a writer, I believe this might mean that some of the characters' storylines might continue in another book to see full closure of their characters' story and growth. At least I hope so!

I absolutely loved this book overall. However, I was sad that there was no epilogue included at the end. This is not a light read and you were only able to have small sliver of the “happy ending” that Esmee and Henri worked so hard to have happen for them.  The story would have felt more satisfying and complete to have a snapshot at what their life might have looked like in the future after making it through so much suffering and hardship. However, please don’t let this fact stop you from choosing to read this stunning story that weaves together history, faith, and love so smoothly. Just like one of Esmee’s chocolates. Remember, don’t forget the chocolate to make this story that much sweeter when you read it.

P.S. Laura Frantz is one of my best friend’s favorite authors. She graciously helped me formulate my thoughts around this book to make sure I provided the best review possible for all the Laura Frantz book lovers out there : ) 

~~ A Heart Adrift was provided to me by the author herself and Revell in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own.~~

Proposing Mischief Marries Adventure and Treasure

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Author Regina Jennings' new book in her Joplin Chronicles series, Proposing Mischief, was so enjoyable I didn't want it to end.

The Kentworth cousins are back, and Maisie Kentworth is the heroine in book two. Readers meet her in Courting Misfortune, where she is loyal and honest. In Proposing Mischief, however, we discover another side of Maisie. Her family goes into protective mode after a brief relationship with the wrong man, so she finds herself stuck working on her parents' ranch all the while contemplating her actions. Feeling trapped on the farm, she explores a mine on the edge of her family's land belonging to Boone Bragg and discovers unfound treasure. 

Similarly, to Maisie, the hero in this story, Boone, is also feeling trapped by being thrust into a leadership role at his family's mine (Bragg Mine) while his parents are on vacation. He struggles to tactfully dissuade an associate who wants him to marry his daughter without offending him all while learning to run the mine well. 

Boone saw his "proposal" as a way to gain freedom. Maisie would gain independence and protection by being married to him and he would gain 'autonomy' to run the mine to the best of his ability and not have every single female within a 10-mile radius thrown at him in hopes of matrimony. Neither of them factored love into the equation. 

Maisie has so many qualities I appreciated: her gumption, honesty, and hard-working mindset. She was not one to sit idle and she didn't put on airs. She was just simply unapologetically herself and had such a likeable and refreshing persona. The perfect foil for Boone.  

In Maisie, Boone finds her to be "a diamond in the rough" and "the best treasure [he] found in the mine." (Jennings, 219). 

I really liked how Ms. Jennings developed Boone and Maisie's relationship beginning with friendship and gradually growing into love, respect, and a mutual attraction for each other. It's refreshing to read a book that focused on the more meaningful qualities that build a lasting relationship and did not just focus on the physical aspect of a healthy relationship, which seems so lacking in many books. If you want some good laughs and to feel like you are reading about a healthy romance and not a shallow one, then this is the book for you. 

~~ Proposing Mischief was provided to me by the author herself and Bethany House in return for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own, I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own.~~

Ringing in 2022 with 100th Post

Happy New Year BlondeClassic fans! This blog post will be a departure from my others. The first post in 2022! My blog is celebrating a major milestone - 100 posts! Even typing out the number 100 blows my mind. I'd never have guessed when I started my blog 7 years ago I'd still be blogging let alone reach 100 posts!

Let the thank you's start rolling in:

My parents and siblings for the encouragement with my writing. 

My best friend Jennifer Klotz. We are lifelong best friends. She is the person who helps me by spending countless hours editing my posts until they are just right. She also inspired the name for my blog (BlondeClassic) because I'm blonde and enjoy classic films and books. Thank you doesn't seem like enough. Your constant friendship, encouragement and support mean the world to me and I'm not sure I'd have gotten as far as I did without your unwavering support. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. 

To all the incredibly gifted Christian fiction writers whose influencer teams I'm privileged to be a part of. Thank you for entrusting your books to me to read and review. Even after all these years, it's still a tremendous honor and one I don't take lightly. 

Lastly, thank you to each and everyone one of you that takes the time to read my blogs and comment. It means the world to me. 

Here's to 2022 and the many fantastic books we get to read! 

Happy reading!

Emilee