Sweet Sixteen Book Bracket

 

With March Madness going on I thought it would be fun compile a Sweet Sixteen book bracket. My methods for choosing my top 16 are certainly not scientific by any means. Perusing my personal library I picked books that I had fond memories of reading and books that stayed with me long after I closed the book.

I know how I'd fill out my book bracket, but I'm interested to see how you, my readers, would fill out this book bracket. As you can see two authors, Karen Witemeyer and Sarah Sundin each got two books. I couldn't bring myself to just pick one of their books. Technically, it's probably not the correct way to do a book bracket, but I thought it would be fun to see how many of these books you have read too and how you would rank them! 

Voting can be done through my blog, Facebook or Instagram.

ELITE EIGHT:

• If a book gets 15 or more votes, it’s advancing to the top 8.
• If no books get 15 or more votes, then I’ll pick the next highest and advance that book to the #8 seat. These rules will apply to all the voting rounds.
• You can vote from March 22nd- March 24th
• On March 25th, I’ll reveal your top 8 picks.

FINAL FOUR: 

The 2^nd round of voting for the top 4 only gets harder. How can you possibly choose, lol. 

• You can vote from March 25th- March 26th
• On March 28th, I’ll reveal your top 4 picks.

CHAMPIONSHIP

The 3rd round of voting for the top 2…voting gets a little more interesting and intense.

• You can vote from March 29th- March 31st)
• On April 1st, I’ll reveal your top 2 picks.

WINNER

The 4^th round of voting for the #1 pick is a real nail biter…which book will it be?

• You can vote from April 1st to April 3rd.
• I’ll tally the votes and on April 4th and reveal what your top pick is.

I’m curious if my top pick will line with my readers. 

Let the games and reading begin. May the best book win! 

Voting is open March 22nd-24th for the final 8!
Have a blast & May the best book win!

Use this list to easily paste your votes for your elite eight down below in the comments. 

Short-Straw Bride
Karen Witemeyer

Yesterday's Tides
Roseanna M White

Dangerous Beauty
Melissa Koslin

When the Day Comes
Gabrielle Meyer

A Distant Melody
Sarah Sundin

Sweet Briar Cottage
Denise Hunter

An Uncommon Courtship
Kristi Ann Hunter

Things I Never Told You
Beth K Vogt

Autumn Brides
Novella Collection

Afraid of the Light
Cynthia Ruchti

Dear Mr. Knightley
Katherine Reay

Dear Henry, Love Edith
Becca Kinzer

Three Weddings & A Giggle
Novella Collection

With Every Letter
Sarah Sundin

More Than Word Can Say
Karen Witemeyer

The Extraordinary Deaths
of Mrs. Kip Sara Brunsvold

Credit and Thanks for the beautiful book bracket goes to my talented best friend Jennifer Klotz. 

Cold Light of Day is Full of Picturesque Action

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Author Elizabeth Goddard is a new-to-me author.  Cold Light of Day is the first book in her Missing in Alaska series.  Everyone in Alaska has secrets even in the quiet town of Shadow Gap. Police Chief Autumn Long faces struggles of losing her job, taking care of an alcoholic father along with unusual wave of criminal activity in their small town. 

Grier Brenner is an outsider and newcomer to Shadow Gap. Autumn isn't sure what he's running from, but she finds herself trusting him because of his skill set and how he runs towards danger. Even rescuing her on more than one occasion. 

Confession: I found hero Grier's gender neutral name distracting. Despite the fact that, I wasn't a fan of his name he had terrific qualities and characteristics that make you appreciate and root for him One trait, I liked was how he had to balance respecting Autumn's position as Police Chief and his need to always charge in and save the day. 

While the author has Autumn and Grier meet early in the story I felt as if how they initially met wasn't clear. It seemed like you were supposed to surmise they had preciously met before the initial incident that brought them together and that wasn't made clear to me. Once you get past Grier and Autumn's initial meeting, I thought the author did a great job of creating the chemistry between Grier and Autumn and toeing the age old "Will they/Won't they" end up together line. 

When Grier and Autumn start working together, I found myself instantly drawn to the thrilling and dynamic action and investigation plot lines that expertly interweave Autumn and Grier's stories. The intense pace of the story had me on the edge of my seat, eagerly flipping through the pages to uncover the next twist and turn in the plot. With each passing chapter, the stakes continued to escalate, leaving me with a sense of excitement and anticipation for what was to come.

One of the standout elements of the novel is the breathtaking Alaskan wilderness that serves as the backdrop for the story. The stunning natural landscapes are vividly described, providing a stunning contrast to the gripping danger that lurks around every corner. The treacherous terrain, fierce wildlife, and unpredictable weather all add to the palpable sense of danger that permeates the story. Despite the dangers, however, the wilderness also offers a haunting and mesmerizing beauty that adds a unique depth and richness to the narrative.

Overall, this is a gripping and enthralling novel that expertly blends action, suspense, and breathtaking natural scenery to create a truly immersive reading experience. If you haven't left home in while like me because its the dead of winter, this really transported you to a new place. 

I thought Ms. Goddard does a wonderful job of pacing the story to keep the reader turning pages to find out what happens next. I also appreciated the fact that the character's relationship with God was a part of their every day life through prayer and scripture and not added as an afterthought. 

If you love action/adventure thriller style books, than you will enjoy this read. It is also a quick read which was just what  I wanted right now.  All in All, Cold Light of Day is a solid book that I recommend adding to your TBR list. 

Reading is adventure,

Emilee 

~~Cold Light of Day 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. ~

Top 5 Favorite Romances...For Now

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My recipe for what qualifies as a favorite romance might differ from yours. For me, the characters must be complex, but likeable, the romance has to be swoon-worthy, but believable and I know it might be cliché, but I love a happy ending. I know, I know it's a tall order. There's something about getting caught up in a love story that makes the world seem a little brighter and a little happier.

My top 5 favorite tried and true romances are below:

1.) The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery

It's a no-brainer for me that Canadian author L.M. Montgomery would top my list. I've long been a fan of this author and her books, particularly the Anne and Emily series. The Blue Castle was written towards the end of Montgomery's writing career, is considered to be one her few "adult" works for fiction, and is also one of her few books not set on the author's beloved P.E.I.

Last week I read a quote that said, "Re-read your favorite books at different stages in your life. The plot never changes, but your perspective does." I first discovered The Blue Castle when I was 17 and have since read it 8 or 9 times. The Blue Castle has been one of those books I've read at various stages in my life and what I've come to appreciate over time is how the heroine Valancy is becoming who she was meant to be.

You can imagine how excited and gratified I was to find out that this book has a bit of a trend following online. I'm not the only reader who loves Valancy and Barney's story.

If you take a dive into the romance of The Blue Castle I'd love to hear your thoughts.

2.) The Princess by Lori Wick

I have to thank Miss Conway, my high school Algebra I teacher, for introducing me to author Lori Wick. Beyond the Picket Fence was the first book I read of hers and my early introduction into Christian fiction. Prior to that the only other Christian fiction author I'd read was Janette Oke.

In the late 90s, the Christian fiction genre was still fairly new, and I think what sets Lori Wick's books apart is she wrote both historical and contemporary.

The Princess is a modern-day arranged marriage between commoner Shelby Parker and widower Prince Nikolai Markham. Shelby worries if the prince will love her like he did his first wife. One aspect of the story, I appreciate is the way Ms. Wick intertwined so much of what would make a situation like this difficult. Both Shelby and Nikolai had quite a few obstacles to overcome.

On a recent re-read, I observed a difference in the style of how The Princess was written. Ms. Wick has the majority of the backstory told in the first couple of chapters. Nowadays, character backstory is sprinkle throughout a story like breadcrumbs. While this observation didn't detract from my enjoyment of this read, it's just a contrast to how books are written in the Christian fiction market today.

Nikolai and Shelby's love story is magical and you'll want to re-live it again and again.

3.) Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, I make no bones about being a massive fan of author Karen Witemeyer and ALL her books. Ms. Witemeyer burst onto the Christian fiction scene in 2010 and I've been happily devouring her books ever since.

Short-Straw Bride is THE BOOK that made me a die-hard fan of Karen's. It reminded me of 7 Brides for 7 Brothers (except there were only 4 brothers) following the Archer clan, orphans staking their claim on their land, keeping intruders out with shotguns, barbed-wire fences and animal traps. Now grown men, Travis, Jim, Crockett, and Neil Archer aren't quite sure what to make of the beautiful Meredith Hayes.

For me, Karen's books are like coming home. Her stories are always rock solid with complex characters, heart-melting romances, and the gospel message seamlessly woven in. Her books check all my boxes as a reader. I'd start with Short-Straw Bride, but you honestly can't go wrong with any of this author's books.

4.) True to You by Becky Wade Award-winning and contemporary Christian fiction author Becky Wade is known for creating characters and worlds you want to inhabit. Don't you just want to dive headfirst into this stunning cover? This is especially true in her Bradford sisters trilogy. True to You is book one in this series.

After a devastating heartbreak three years earlier, Nora Bradford finds burying herself in work and books much safer, John Lawton, a Navy Seal seeks Nora's help digging into the ancestry of his biological family because of an inherited diagnosis.

True to You has it all a great romance mixed with mystery and not to be missed!

5.) Emma by Jane Austen

I feel like it's "somewhat" of a requirement for any English major worth their salt to have a least one Jane Austen novel on their favorites list. While Pride and Prejudice holds a special place in my heart, I've always gravitated towards Emma.

Austen once said about the her character Emma, "I'm going to take a heroine whom no one, but myself will not like."

Published in 1815, Emma was the last work published prior to Austen's death in 1817. Jane Austen's remaining novels were published posthumously (Northeranger Abbey (1818), Persuasion (1818) and Lady Susan (1871).

Emma Woodhouse spends much of the novel trying to pair other people off she neglects the workings of her own heart and comes to realize she's been in love all this time.

My college English professors might disagree, but I feel like Emma is a regency era romantic comedy ahead of it's time.

How do you feel about Emma? 

I'm so curious which of my top five you've read! Which books would you add to the list?

A Match in the Making is Hilarious

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If you love laughing while you are reading then Jen Turano should be your go-to author. She brings her Gilded Age romances alive with her unique brand of humor and quirkiness.  A Match in the Making is the first book in her new Matchmaker series, and it already has me full of anticipation for where she'll take the series.

Gwendolyn Brinley accepts a summer position with Mrs. Parker believing it to be a paid companion. However, she soon discovers her employer upgraded her duties to "assistant matchmaker" during the summer Newport season. While trying to secure matches for two young ladies her employer is sponsoring, along with Mr. Walter Townsend, Gwendolyn's quiet Newport summer is anything, but quiet and dull. 

Widower Walter Townsend is "the most eligible bachelor of the season" and looking for a wife mainly for his three unruly children. Because he has no luck in keeping governesses he decides a wife is what he needs to reign in his brash brood. Hiring Mrs. Parker and her "assistant" Miss Gwendolyn Brinley. Walter can't help but find himself intrigued by the beautiful, but direct, Miss Brinley. Along with that he is equally impressed at the straightforward way in which she handles his uncontrollable children. 

Ms. Turano excels at banter between Gwendolyn and Walter that will have you laughing out loud, keep you on your toes with her clever dialogue, and leave you wishing you could be that witty in real life. As a reader, I'm always drawn to books that have clever repartee between the hero and heroine. A Match in the Making has this in spades, along with some good lessons in the story that I appreciated - and I think you will too. Also, there are so many funny moments with Walter's children that keep you laughing and remind you of the humor in every day life - and the humor that kids naturally bring! Disclaimer: Read the ending of the book anywhere you're comfortable laughing out loud - because you will be! A Match in the Making is hilarious and not to be missed because it will leave you with laugher and a smile on your face. 

Reading is adventure,
Emilee

~~A Match in the Making 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. ~

The Rose and The Thistle: A Beautifully Crafted Historical Romance

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Christy-Award winning author Laura Frantz is known for her detailed and engrossing historical novels and The Rose and The Thistle is no exception. The author spends a good deal of the beginning of the novel setting up Blythe and Everard's separate stories before they meet. Because of this, the novel was  slower paced at first. I suspect one reason for the unhurried pace could have been the author's Scottish ancestor link and perhaps she wanted to make sure she got the historical facts correct as well as paid tribute to her heritage. 

The main storyline of the book revolves around the relationship between the two main characters, Blythe and Everard, as they navigate their feelings for each other amidst the complexities of their respective backgrounds and social standings. Fun fact, Blythe is the English Rose and Everard is the Scottish Thistle. 

Look out readers, because once they FINALLY meet it's well worth it. Author Laura Frantz excels at slow-burn chemistry and banter and humor between the hero and heroine.  The interactions between the two are romantic and swoon-worthy, however, I do wish they had more of these moments, if I am being honest. Her unique relationship with Everard's youngest brother is  really touching and sweet, and one of my favorite parts of the book. It is a beautiful aspect of how Everard and Blythe's relationship starts to blossom.  

Lady Blythe Hedley was a heroine I liked and admired. Despite the fact that she came from wealth, she wasn't interested in the newest fashions. I also liked that she was a godly woman of prayer and faith. Blythe and Everard's faith is central to their lives and the book explores the themes of religious devotion and the search for spiritual fulfillment in a way that is really well done. 

The characters face difficult choices between loyalty to their families, friends, and beliefs and the demands of their own hearts. Set in the midst of the Scottish Covenanter movement, the book highlights the cultural and political tensions between Scotland and England, as well as the conflict between the Scottish Royalists and Covenanters. 

Laura Frantz's writing style is beautifully descriptive and brings the 17th century Scottish setting to life. The attention to historical detail and the depth of research are evident throughout the book and make for a truly immersive reading experience. I personally found the ending a little rushed, but maybe I feel that way because I really wanted to experience more of their story. I would love to know what you think if you add this book to your TBR pile. 

Overall, The Rose and the Thistle is a must-read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, romance, and beautifully crafted storytelling. The themes of love, cultural conflict, faith, loyalty, and forgiveness are expertly woven together to create a captivating and unforgettable story. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or simply looking for a well-written love story, The Rose and the Thistle is the book for you.

~~The Rose and The Thistle 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. ~~

Yesterday's Tides is Beautifully Mesmerizing

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Yesterday's Tides from Roseanna M. White is is a dual-time story told in present day WWII and the past during the Great War. I thought it was pure genius to juxtapose these two time periods both dealing with war. This story is everything you want in a book and more. I know, bold words. But, not only is the cover breathtakingly beautiful (it always sets the tone for me!), but the story is equally mesmerizing and brilliantly crafted. Case in point: White manages to gift us with complex characters and worlds that simultaneously overlap. You become so engrossed in both the stories and yet somehow you don't feel like one story competes over the other. This takes great skill to do well and this author delivers, pulling you in from the first chapter. 

This story has all the sweeping historical romance nuances readers have come to expect from Ms. White. In fact, if you've read Ms. White's Shadows Over England and her Codebreaker series you'll be pleasantly surprised to be reunited with previous characters making an appearance in Yesterday's Tides.

Here's a sneak peak: In storyline one, WWII has disrupted Evie Farrow's quiet community of Ocracoke Island when she discovers wounded special agent Sterling Bertrand. Over time. he finds himself drawn to and intrigued by the pretty inn keeper who seems to be keeping secrets of her own. Will Evie and Sterling discover the truth before it's too late? 

In the second storyline, set back is 1914, Remington Culbreth arrives at Ocracoke Inn looking to relax never expecting to fall in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper's daughter. With the outbreak of war threating their relationship will they be able to survive what lies ahead?

I won't further spoil how these two stories intertwine. I think you'll be impressed at the deft work Ms. White has created in this book. If you love slip-time historical romances you need to add  Yesterday's Tide to your TBR pile.

I know I've started out daring, and now I'm ending with one more brash statement: I've had the privilege of being on influencer/launch teams for several of Ms. White's series and a few standalone novels, but Yesterday's Tides might be my favorite book to date by this author (I know, but it's true!) and has earned it's place on my 'to keep' shelf... on my to-read-again shelf. If Ms. White is looking for a new historical genre I think she's found it in the WWII genre. 

When you read it, let me know if you agree! 

 Reading is adventure,

 Emilee 

~~Yesterday's Tides 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. ~~

Dear Henry Love Edith has Heart and Humor

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Dear Henry Love Edith marks author Becca Kinzer's debut novel and my 1st book of 2023 and what a delightful book to kick off a year of reading.  The cute cheerful yellow cover caught my eye coupled with the curious plot on the back cover...My initial reaction to Dear Henry Love Edith was it's like You've Got Mail Meets Serendipity. If these rom-coms are your cup of tea you're sure to enjoy this story. 

Edith Sherman was a heroine I felt a kindred spirit connection with because of her old soul mentality. I fond her intriguing, charming, and so relatable. 

Ms. Kinzer's banter between Henry and Edith is on-point and so funny. I like that Henry and Edith both enjoy classic films and have not merely a knowledge of film, but also an appreciation. The author's occasional and subtle film references to classics from Hollywood's Golden age made my movie-loving heart sigh with contentment. In particular her brief reference to Shakiest Gun in the West. endeared her to me because I'd always thought of this Western screwball Don Knotts classic as somewhat obscure, but her referencing it make me feel like she got me as a reader. 

One thing of note, if your looking for a solid gospel thread throughout don't expect it in Dear Henry, Love Edith. Yes, there is reference to living for Christ. but it wasn't overly obvious in my opinion. I was somewhat expecting this because of some of the author endorsements on the front cover are other authors I've read and their books don't have a strong gospel message woven throughout. This fact didn't detract for my enjoyment of Ms. Kinzer's debut novel. In fact, I'm looking forward to more books from this funny and talented author.

If you like to laugh and smile while you read, I urge you to check out Dear Henry, Love Edith.

Here's to all of the amazing reading adventures we'll go on in 2023! 

Reading is adventure,

 Emilee