"To Find Her Place," by Susan Anne Mason

"To Find Her Place," by Susan Anne Mason

In the midst of WWII, Jane Linder pours all her energy and dreams for a family into her career at the Toronto Children's Aid Society. As acting directress, Jane hopes for a permanent appointment so she can continue making a difference in the lives of children. But if the board were to find out she is divorced, everything would change. 

Garrett Wilder has been hired to overhaul operations at the Children's Aid Society and investigate a report of misused funds. He hopes to impress the board members with his findings and earn the vacant director's position. A war injury ended his dream of taking over his parents' farm, but with the security of the director's job, he'd be able to contribute financially and help save the family business. 

Despite their competing interests and Garret's early suspicions, a friendship grows and feelings begin to blossom. But when Jane receives an unexpected opportunity that could fulfill her deepest desires, she finds herself at a crossroads. Can she discern the path to true happiness?

This book is the second book in the Redemption Series of books by Susan.  This book made you think and brought to light how WWII affected everyone.  The one thing that stood out, was the struggle to find foster parents during the war because most men were away at war.  People who were left behind were struggling and taking on extra mouths to feed during that time wasn't an option for many.

It also brings to light different attitudes that were a priority during those times; things that nowadays we would never think of.  Add in mystery and romance and it's my type of book.

Stars out of 5 : 5 This book is well worth reading.  I found it very interesting from a historical sense.  I am looking forward the next in the series, and as always please read the author's notes as they are also quite interesting.

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"A Lady in Attendance," by Rachel Fordham

 "A Lady in Attendance," by Rachel Fordham

Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel's real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts's lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias. In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.

As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can't help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Can the questions that loom between them ever be answered? Or will the deeds of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?

Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man and a hardened woman, as well the friends who stand by them, as they work toward a common purpose--to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving--and perhaps find love along the way.

What a lovely book, it has a bit of everything.  Great characters, a love story and a whole lot of forgiveness.  Add to it a bit of mystery and what more could you ask for?  Hazel and Gilbert are a match made in heaven, but both carry baggage that must be dealt with before true love can find it's match.  You are told a story that twists and turns and keeps you on your toes.

A perfect book to read on a hot summer's day!  As it's set in the Buffalo area, you do get some snow thrown in for good measure!!

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  It's no mystery what is going to happen.  It's one of those books I call "grocery list" books.  You can read it and think of other things at the same time.  Will I remember in the weeks to come, probably not; but all the same I enjoyed it.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"At Lighthouse Point," by Suzanne Woods Fisher

"At Lighthouse Point," by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Blaine Grayson returns to Three Sisters Island with a grand plan--to take Camp Kicking Moose to the next level. Her dream starts to unravel when she discovers Moose Manor's kitchen has been badly remodeled by her sister, Cam, who doesn't know how to cook. Added to that blow is the cold shoulder given by her best friend, Artie Lotosky, now a doctor to the unbridged Maine islands.
 
As old wounds are opened, Blaine starts to wonder if she made a mistake by coming home. Little by little, she must let go of one dream to discover a new one, opening her heart to a purpose and a future she had never imagined. 

I really enjoyed this book.  It moved at a pace to keep you interested.  I will say my favourite character had to be Jean Paul; poor Jean Paul!😄 I think he could have a book written just about him.  This is the first book I have read in the Three Sister's Island Series.  So I need to go back and read the first two.  This book works as a stand alone book as well though, so no worries there.

The whole Grayson family are such a great bunch and the way the author describes everything and everyone, you feel as though you are right there with them.  After reading this book, I feel as though there are stories left to be told, and I hope there are more books to be added to this series.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Perfect summer book.  I read it over a couple of days and I was sad to see it end.  This book made me laugh, made me fall in love with the characters, and made me want to visit Maine!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Blackberry Beach," by Irene Hannon

"Blackberry Beach," by Irene Hannon

Katherine Parker is on the cusp of having everything she ever wanted--fame, money, and acclaim. So why isn't she happy? In search of answers, she comes incognito to Hope Harbor on the Oregon coast for some R&R. Maybe in her secluded rental house overlooking the serene Pacific she'll be able to calm the storm inside.

Coffee shop owner Zach Garrett has found his niche after a traumatic loss--and he has no plans to change the life he's created. Nor does he want to get involved with his reticent new neighbor, whose past is shrouded in mystery. But when Katherine and Zach are recruited to help rehab a home for foster children, sparks fly. As their lives begin to intersect, might they find more common ground than they expected . . . and discover that, with love, all things are possible?

This is another book in the Hope Harbor series by Irene.  Love visiting the area through Irene's novels.  This is a lovely book, that will make you happy.  A book to read over a few lazy afternoons on the beach or in the park.

As always there are a few twists and turns and I think the main theme here, is when faced with difficult decisions, do what your heart tells you to do.  Draw on your faith and don't be pressured into things you are not sure about.

I wish we could have had a couple of recipes for the truffles that Katherine makes, they sound lovely as does all the lovely goodies in the coffee shop and at the afternoon tea Katherine and Stephanie had.

Stars out of 5 : 4 It's no surprise how this book will end.  This is not a hard read, and you don't have to concentrate too hard.  When you want an easy read, this would be a perfect book.  Look forward to the next book in the series.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell , a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"Night Fall," by Nancy Mehl

 "Night Fall," by Nancy Mehl

Finally free of her troubled upbringing, Alex Donovan is able to live out her childhood dream of working for the FBI. But soon after she becomes a member of the FBI's elite Behavioral Analysis Unit, authorities in Missouri contact them about bodies found on freight trains--all killed in the same way.

Alex never expected to be forced to confront her past in this new job, but she immediately recognizes the graffiti messages the killer is leaving on the train cars. When the BAU sends her to gather information about the messages from her aunt in Wichita, Kansas, Alex is haunted by the struggles she thought she'd left behind forever.

In a race against time to solve the case and recover a deadly virus sample the killer intends to spread, Alex must face how far she'll go--and what she's willing to risk--to put a stop to the Train Man.

I have to say this book sucked you in, right from the very beginning.  As with all books you get an introduction/taste of the characters in the first chapters, and the way Nancy described them all, you knew this was going to be an interesting book.  There were so many ups and downs, that you just wanted to turn the page to see what happened next.

What was interesting, was this book is the first I have read that mentions the Covid-19 virus.  So it's a very up to date book.  I really would have loved to hear how Nancy came up with the idea for this book, as the story in itself was so different.

Stars out of 5 : 5 A solid 5 stars for me.  A portion of the mystery I never figured out until it was revealed in the book.  Another part I guessed but wasn't positive it was correct, again until it was revealed in the book.  I am looking forward to the next book in the series, as I bet it will be well worth reading.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"A Tapestry of Light," by Kimberley Duffy

 "A Tapestry of Light," by Kimberley Duffy

In 1886 Calcutta, Ottilie Russell is adrift between two cultures, British and Indian, belonging to both and neither. In order to support her little brother, Thaddeus, and her grandmother, she relies upon the skills in beetle-wing embroidery that have been passed down to her through generations of Indian women.

When a stranger named Everett Scott appears with the news that Thaddeus is now Baron Sunderson and must travel to England to take his place as a nobleman, Ottilie is shattered by the secrets that come to light. Despite her growing friendship with Everett, friend to Ottilie's English grandmother and aunt, she refuses to give up her brother. Then tragedy strikes, and she is forced to make a decision that will take Thaddeus far from death and herself far from home.

But betrayal and loss lurk in England too, and soon Ottilie must fight to ensure Thaddeus doesn't forget who he is, as well as find a way to stitch a place for herself in a cold, foreign land.

This book was so interesting.  It had so many layers to it; however what stood out to me about this book, was how descriptive it was.  You could visualize the sounds, the sights and smells of India in the way it was written.  I learned so many things about India that I knew nothing about.  As a sewer I was fascinated with the Beetle Wing Embroidery that Ottilie did, you can read more about that here.

The strength if character that Ottilie had, stood out the most in this book and despite all her challenges in life, she relied on God to help her over come them.   When the book took us to England; although a different country, the descriptions that the author wrote about made it easier for you to visualize everything.  You could almost feel how cold Ottilie felt with all the damp weather in England!  Then going from food which includes some making flavours and spices, to the bland British food it made you feel so sorry for Ottilie and her brother.😀

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 The book only lost half a star as some passages in the book went on for much too long, to my liking.  I loved the historical aspect of the book and I learned a lot.  This book is well worth reading in my opinion.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"My Dear Miss Dupre," by Grace Hitchcock

 "My Dear Miss Dupre," by Grace Hitchcock

Willow Dupré never thought she would have to marry, but with her father's unexpected retirement from running the prosperous Dupré sugar refinery, she is forced into a different future. The shareholders are unwilling to allow a female to take over the company without a man at her side, so her parents devise a plan--find Willow a spokesman king in order for her to become queen of the business empire.

Willow is presented with thirty potential suitors from the families of New York society's elite group called the Four Hundred. She has six months to court the group and is told to to eliminate men each month to narrow her beaus until she chooses one to marry, ending the competition with a wedding. Willow reluctantly agrees, knowing she must do what is best for the business. She doesn't expect to find anything other than a proxy . . . until she meets a gentleman who captures her attention, and she must discover for herself if his motives are pure.

This was a good book, with a neat storyline.  I think if you watch the tv series "The Batchelorette" and enjoy that you will love this book, as it's a similar theme.  Girl has to chose out of a group of men her husband to be.  The little things in this book made it more enjoyable; for example Fritz and his flowers.

There were plenty of twists and turns in this book, that kept you glued to the book and wanting to know what happened next.  You can't help but fall in love with Willow and her "Batchelor's."  I know I had a favourite who I cheered on from the beginning.  It won't be a shocker how it ends, but a great book overall.

Stars out of 5 : 5 This is the first book in the "American Royalty," series by this author.  I am looking forward to the next one.  Great book.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".