Embers in the London Sky By: Sarah Sundin Genre: Fiction, Historical, Romance Publisher: Revell Publication Year: 2024 Series: Stand Alone My Rating: 5 of 5 stars Synopsis:
To find her child, she’ll stop at nothing. To report the truth will take him deep into the flames. As she flees the German army invading the Netherlands in 1940, Aleida van der Zee Martens escapes to London to wait out the occupation. Separated from her three-year-old son, Theo, in the process, the young widow desperately searches for her little boy even as she works for an agency responsible for evacuating children to the countryside. When German bombs set London ablaze, BBC radio correspondent Hugh Collingwood reports on the Blitz, eager to boost morale while walking the fine line between truth and censorship. But the Germans are not the only ones Londoners have to fear as a series of murders flame up amid the ashes. The deaths hit close to home for Hugh, and Aleida needs his help to locate her missing son. As they work together, they grow closer and closer, both to each other and the answers they seek. But with bombs falling and continued killings, they may be running out of time. ~Taken from Sarah's site: https://www.sarahsundin.com/books/embers-in-the-london-sky/ My Thoughts: Sarah Sundin's speciality is World War 2 and this honed focus shines through in this well researched novel. I love reading Sudin’s novels. This story had two mysteries that unfold within the pages. The first is Aleida searching for her missing son and the second is a rash of homicides in Hugh and Aleida’s circle of friends. This was a well written, engaging novel about two people trying to survive the Blitz in London, build a relationship and grow in their trust of God. Recommend? Yes, this has a sweet romance, murder mystery and the London Blitz. Sundin doesn't disappoint with her newest World War 2 story. Cheers, Rebecca Revell Reads sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions expressed are my own.
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The Seamstress of Acadie By: Laura Frantz Genre: Fiction, Historical, Romance Publisher: Revell Publication Year: 2024 Series: Stand Alone My Rating: 5 of 5 stars Synopsis:
As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada’s Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family–French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral–are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America’s borderlands. As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William’s, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future. ~Taken from Laura's site: https://laurafrantz.net/books/the-seamstress-of-acadie/ My Thoughts: Can we just be in awe of the cover for a minute? The pretty pinks in contrast with the cloudy sky. Sigh! It is just so pretty and eye-catching. Laura Frantz is a master at crafting early colonial day stories and this one does not pale in comparison to her other ones. If anything it was a further delight as some previous characters from another novel made an appearance to help Sylvie in her journey. The tale of Acadie is a heartbreaking piece of history, but Frantz skillfully wove Slyvie’s story into it. The research that was poured into this novel was reflected by the superb story of how Sylvie overcame and didn’t just let life pass her by but by how she lived. Recommend? Yes, this is another masterful novel by Frantz with deep meaning, a sweet romance and a bit of adventure mixed in. Cheers, Rebecca Revell Reads sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions expressed are my own. Against the Wind By: Amanda Cabot Genre: Fiction, Romance, Historical Publisher: Revell Publication Year: 2023 Series: Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing, Book #2 My Rating: 4 of 5 stars Synopsis:
Doctor-in-training Louisa Vaughn is supposed to be in Sweetwater Crossing for only a few days to help a friend. She never expected to be swept up in a secret that could threaten her career and her heart. But she can't abandon the injured man she finds at the side of the road. Until his broken leg heals, she'll stay, serving as the town's doctor and midwife. Josh Porter's plans to gain full control of the family business hit a roadblock when he breaks his leg. But his enforced stay in Sweetwater Crossing gives him new ideas about the expansion of the company into new territory - ideas Louisa could help turn into reality. If only the town were more accepting of Louisa's talents! Someone is determined to convince her to abandon her dream of healing others. Can Josh help her uncover the person behind the threats before it's too late? And is there any future for them together when neither of them plans to stay? ~Taken from Amanda's site: https://www.amandacabot.com/index_files/more-wind.htm My Thoughts: Cabot takes the reader back to Sweetwater Crossing, Texas in this next installment of her current series Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing. In this story we get to follow along with Louisa as she returns to town and ends up becoming the town’s newest midwife as the doctor has died. She helps out a visitor named Josh when he is injured. The personal growth Louisa and Josh experience in this story is believable and as the reader follows along on their journey we are given a little mystery, but also grace, love and mercy. Recommend? Yes, a sweet romance with a touch of mystery and the main characters learning to spread their wings. Cheers, Rebecca Revell Reads sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions expressed are my own. He Should Have Told the Bees By: Amanda Cox Genre: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher: Revell Publication Year: 2023 Series: Stand Alone My Rating: 5 of 5 stars Synopsis:
Beekeeper Beckett Walsh is living her dream, working alongside her father in their apiary, until his untimely death sends her world into a tailspin. She suddenly finds she must deal with a new part owner of the family business–one who is looking to sell the property. Beck cannot fathom why her father would put her into the position to lose everything they built together. When Callie Peterson is named in the trust of a man she’s never heard of, she’s not sure what to do. Her fledgling business has just taken wing and her mother has reentered her life asking for help getting into rehab for her lifelong substance abuse issues, making Callie’s financial situation rather . . . precarious. She’s sure she has no right to someone else’s farm, but the money from the sale could solve her problems and give her the stability she’s always craved. As these two women navigate their present conundrum, they will discover a complex and entangled past full of secrets–and the potential for a brighter future for both of them. ~Taken from Amanda's site: https://amandacoxwrites.com/books-2/he-should-have-told-the-bees/ My Thoughts: A touching story of two young women who are thrust together after the loss of Beck’s father. To be honest my favorite character was probably Fern. She is a young girl who comes into Beck’s life for the summer and gives Beck the connectivity she needs after just losing her dad. She keeps Beck on her toes with her whimsy and sweet childish enthusiasm. Fern is just what the story needs as Beck and Callie work on managing their anxieties and forging a relationship as they figure out the next steps in their lives. Recommend? Yes, a good story that deals with anxiety and childhood trauma, while also giving you an appreciation for bees. Cheers, Rebecca Revell Reads sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions expressed are my own. A Royal Christmas By: Melody Carlson Genre: Fiction, Christmas Publisher: Revell Publication Year: 2023 Series: Stand Alone My Rating: 4 of 5 stars Synopsis:
Adelaide Smith is too busy for fairy tales. She's been working hard to put herself through law school and now that the end is in sight, she's determined to stay focused on her goals. Then she receives a letter notifying her that she has been found through a DNA registry to be a direct descendant of King Maximillian V, the ruler of a small Eastern European principality called Montovia. She's understandably skeptical. This is the stuff of cheesy made-for-TV movies, not real life. Although the pieces of this surprising family puzzle seem too good to be true, curiosity gets the best of her. At the king's invitation, Adelaide embarks on a Christmas break trip that is chock-full of surprises, including a charming village, an opulent palace, family mysteries, royal jealousies, a handsome young member of Parliament—and the chance at a real fairy tale romance with a happily-ever-after ending. ~Taken from Melody's site: https://www.melodycarlson.com/ My Thoughts: A sweet, short (novella length) story set during the Christmas season in a small (fictional) European country. This book had all the hallmark Christmas vibes and will delight those who love small town Christmas stories. Adelaide finds out her father is a king, but is dying and will not last long. She wrestles with getting to know him in a short amount of time, but also with God’s timing of finding him. One of the key phrases that becomes her mantra towards the end of the book is, “God’s plan in God’s time.” What a beautiful reminder for us that God has a plan and He knows the timing. Recommend? Yes, a sweet Christmas novella with a touch of intrigue. Cheers, Rebecca Revell Reads sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions expressed are my own. |
Welcome!My name is Rebecca and this blog is dedicated to my thoughts and opinions of the books I read. I hope you enjoy reading through my reviews. And hopefully you will find a good one to get lost in! Archives
November 2019
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