After Anne an Honest Look at Montgomery's Life

 

L.M. Montgomery’s Anne Shirley—always Anne with an e—is one of my all-time favorite literary heroines. For over 117 years, this spirited, red-haired orphan has captivated readers with her imagination, resilience, and charm.

After Anne: A Novel of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Life is Logan Stener's debut novel. She brought the writing of Anne of Green Gables and the story behind the author's inspiration to life. Paying homage to Montgomery while still maintaining her own author voice. 

I loved how Ms. Steiner tied in Montgomery's writing of Anne with real her real life and showcased how much fun Maud had with writing the character of Anne. She also didn't shy away from writing about hardships and challenges Maud endured. Writing became her escape. By the end of After Anne I had more empathy and compassion for Montgomery. It also made me want to dig deeper into the life of this beloved Canadian author. 

One sad aspect, Ms. Steiner covers in After Anne how Montgomery witnessed the popularity of her books, but also the decline. To me this was heartbreaking and made me want to read her entire list of books and keep her stories relevant in today's world. 

If you're a reader who's a fan of all things Anne, you need to add After Anne to your TBR pile. Marilla is another book I recommend if you want another book in the Avonlea world.  Both books are wonderful companions to Anne of Green Gables.

Nine years ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Prince Edward Island with my best friends Jennifer and Heather. What a once-in-a-lifetime, truly magical experience. If you have the chance to go...take it. You won't regret it!

Top 10 Favorite Classic Films

It's Saturday night and you have no idea what to watch. I've got you covered with my top ten list of favorite classic films. My enjoyment of old movies is a close second to my love of books. 

Did any of my top ten make your list? Any that I'm missing from my list that you'd recommend? I'd love to know. 

10. ARSENIC AND OLD LACE (1944)

 Arsenic and Old Lace is a zany dark comedy where Grant plays Brooklyn dramatic critic against marriage, ties to knot with a minister's daughter (Pricilla Lane) to tell his maiden aunts only to discover they are serial murderers. 

9.) TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1963)

If you've read Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, the black and white 1962 film starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch got the book spot on in my opinion. It's so rare that a film gets a book right, but in this instance every time I watch the movie I feel as though I've read the book. 

8.) SHADOW OF A DOUBT (1943)

Shadow of a Doubt marks director Alfred Hitchcock's first film set in America, and he considered this a favorite among his own films. Teresa Wright plays small town girls Charlotte "Charlie" wishing someone could come and shake up her family. Sends a wire to her Uncle Charlie (Joseph Cotten) who she is named after. Little knowing her uncle is not who he seems. 

7.)  THE AFRICAN QUEEN (1951)

The African Queen is a classic adventure film with a romance between opposites attract leads Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. 

6.) CASABLANCA (1942)

Casablanca is a WWII romantic drama with a superb cast. This film ranks twice on two separate American film institute (AFI) lists. Top movie quotes with a whopping six total and it is number three on AFI's 100 Best Films Over the last 100 years. 

5.) SOUND OF MUSIC (1965)

Gorgeous scenery, seven precious children, songs you can't help, but sing along too, and Christopher Plummer...what more could you want? You can check out my review of this magnificent film here.

4.) GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)

This 1939 four hour long classic still holds records. Eighty-six years later it's still one of the most popular films. The romantic in me loves the kissing scenes. 

3.)  SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)

Singin' in the Rain (1952) reminds me of my childhood. I remember being eight or nine watching it at my grandma's house. To me the film exudes joy. It's my go-to film when I don't know what to watch. Gene Kelly's memorable scene where he's singing in the rain is one of the best scenes in cinematic history. I smile every time I watch it.

2.) IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)

It's A Wonderful Life (1946) is one of those films that I watch every Christmas growing up, but to me it's also one of those films I watch and still find new things I appreciate about it more and more. You can read my film review here. 

1.) AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (1957) 

An Affair to Remember (1957) is the quintessential Cary Grant film.  A couple meet on an ocean liner, fall in love and agree to meet six months later on top of the Empire State building. Grant and Kerr's chemistry is unparalleled. In case you can't get enough of Cary Grant after watching this movie you can check out my top five favorite Cary Grant films here. 

Top 10 Romantic Movie Kisses: Hollywood's Golden Age Edition

This February 14th aka Valentine's Day I was inspired to do a top ten romantic movie kisses.

Did any of my favorite lip lock scenes make your list?

10.) SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)

Singin' in the Rain is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time. Dancer Gene Kelly plays a silent film star navigating the pitfalls of talking pictures. His romance with chorus girl Debbie Reynolds gives viewers one of the most iconic kisses at the end. 

9.) AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (1957)

An Affair to Remember is my FAVORITE Cary Grant film. The kissing scene is tender and sweet. Fair warning you will need Kleenex when watching this romantic film.

8.) CASABLANCA (1942)

Casablanca. Kissing scene...need I say more? 

7.) TO HAVE AND TO HAVE NOT (1944)

Bogie and Bacall's first of four films they make together. Bacall takes charge of the kissing scene telling Bogart "It's even better when you help" and leaves him with the memorable line, "You know how to whistle Steve? You just put your lips together and blow." 

6.) NOTORIOUS (1946)

Alfred Hitchcock may be the master of suspense, but he also gave us some unforgettable kissing scenes like in his 1946 film Notorious starring Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman. 

5.) ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953)

This black and white classic romantic comedy shot on location in Rome has a bittersweet love story between a princess (Audrey Hepburn) and a newspaper report (Gregory Peck) with a heartbreaking and tender kissing scene.

4.) SOUND OF MUSIC (1960)

Sound of Music is the second musical on my list. I'm not even sure if I can put into words just how romantic the scene between Maria and Captain Von Trapp when he kisses her.  The older I get this scene has become more swoon worthy in my mind although I'm realizing it's probably just Christopher Plummer....it was always Christopher Plummer. 

3.) THE QUIET MAN (1952)

I'm going to say something probably controversial and un-American, but I'm not a huge fan of John Wayne. The Quiet Man is probably one of the few John Wayne movies I like. The kissing scene is so well-known director Steve Spielberg paid tribute to it in his 1982 film E.T. 

2.) IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946)

I could probably watch the legendary candlestick phone kissing scene between James Stewart and Donna Reed over and over again. It's one of my favorites and one of the best kissing to come out of films from Hollywood's Golden Age. You can't have this kind of swoon-worthy kissing scenes in the 21st century with modern technology. 

1.) GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)

Eighty-six years later Gone with the Wind is still the gold standard in Hollywood. At the time this film was one the second film in technicolor. (Wizard of Oz was the first), its four-hour long historical period drama, the elaborate costumes and who can forget the weak-in-the-knees kissing scenes where Rhett tells Scarlett she needs kissing badly and by someone who know how. 

Top 5 Favorite Series: Christian Fiction Edition

I've been reading Christian fiction since I was a teen (I won't say how long ago...) and in this time I've seen the genre not only grow in popularity, but the writing become exceptional. 

I have had such fun creating my top five and ten lists. I thought it might be fun to list my top five favorite series.  These books made my list because of the engrossing plots, memorable characters, and have stayed with me long after I've finished the story.

Here are my top five. Did any of these make your list? My hope is it'll inspire you to read in 2025. 

1.) KAREN WITEMEYER

If you've read my blog for a while it's no surprise that this fan-favorite historical author made my list. Although narrowing it down to one series was a challenge. It was a toss-up between her Archer Brother series and the Patchwork Family series. Ultimately, I choose the Archer Brothers probably because Short-Straw Bride was THE book that made me a lifelong, die-hard fan of this author.

Short-Straw Bride (Archer Brothers Book One)

Stealing the Preacher (Archer Brothers Book 2) 

A Cowboy Unmatched (Archer Brothers Book 3)

An Archer Family Christmas (Archer Brothers Book 4) can be found in the Under the Texas Mistletoe collection. You can read my review here.

2.) GABRIELLE MEYER

This author's creative time crossing series has taken the Christian fiction world by storm. Although only four books published there's due to be seven books total...maybe more. 

When the Day Comes Book 1

In This Moment Book 2

For a Lifetime Book 3

Across the Ages Book 4

Every Hour until Then releases May of 2025

3.) BECKY WADE

Becky is known for swoon-worthy romances mixed with mystery. So, if you love a book that's just not all about the romance and keeps you thinking than I highly recommend her Bradford sisters series.  

True to You Book 1

Falling for You Book 2

Sweet on You Book 3

4.) ROSEANNA M WHITE

Roseanna is a prolific historical author. With some many wonderful series it was hard to narrow it down to one, but her Shadows Over England series kept replaying in my head. 

A Name Unknown Book 1

A Song Unheard Book 2

An Hour Unspent Book 3

5.) BETH K VOGT

Contemporary romance author Beth K. Vogt mesmerized me with the raw and honest storytelling in her Thatcher Sister series, a powerful and unforgettable journey that had me laughing and crying.

Things I Never Told You Book 1

Moments We Forget Book 2

The Best We've Been Book 3

Unpacking Christmas (A Thatcher Sisters novella)

Christian fiction has a unique way of weaving faith, hope, and powerful storytelling into unforgettable narratives. These top five series have left a lasting impression, offering deep character development, meaningful themes, and stories that inspire, challenge, and uplift. Whether you're looking for heartfelt romance, thought-provoking drama, or gripping suspense, these books showcase the best of Christian fiction. Have a favorite series of your own? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear what books have impacted you!

Reading is an Adventure,

Emilee 

Across the Ages is a Page-Turning Read

Across the Ages was my first read of 2025! Author Gabrielle Meyer set the bar high with this 5-star read.

The fourth book in her Timeless series follows time crosser Caroline who lives two lives two hundred years apart. One in 1727 as Caroline Reed and the other in 1927 ad Caroline Baldwin.

In 1727, she's desperate to find answers to her questions as to why she's been cursed with a time-crossing existence. Discovering a letter from her mother who was also a time crosser leads her to a clue. Disguising herself as a cabin boy, Caroline boards a ship for the Bahamas in search of proof.

Her life in 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota she's the daughter of a renowned preacher with two older brothers whose corruption and life choices threaten to ruin her family. With the help of a childhood friend now a police officer he helps her find the answers she seeks against the backdrop of Prohibition and speakeasies. 

Caroline must decide which life she wants. 1727? or 1927? Which one will she choose?

Her stubborn, spunky determination to find out why she was a time crosser was a quality I admired. It makes you want to root for her. I feel like Across the Ages had a similar vibe to book one When the Day Comes. The way the author expertly balances possible love interests in each timeline was outstanding. It was so well done I found myself liking both romantic heroes. I was leaning a little more towards one hero than the other, but thought it was brilliant the way she made you like both. Also, I love the way the author ties in previous characters as well as introducing future characters...pure genius. Total masterclass.

I also liked that Caroline's perspective changes about being a time crosser. Initially, she sees it as a curse, but over the course of the story she recognizes it as a blessing. 

If you haven't read Ms. Meyer's Timeless series do yourself a favor and read them. I'd rank it as one of my top five favorite series of all time for its creative time crossing plot, exceptional storytelling, captivating characters, and the extraordinary way the author weaves in the gospel. This book had the timely theme of trusting God with His Plan for your life and knowing His Timing is always perfect and is fitting as we begin a new year.

This series needs to be read in order. Ms. Meyer's intertwines characters from previous novel to get the full effect and appreciate the story. 

If you like historical, fantasy, time crossing books you need to add Gabrielle Meyer's Timeless series to the top of your TBR pile.

You can find my review of When the Day Comes here.

You can find my review In this Moment here.

You can find my review For a Lifetime here.