"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".

"A Dance in Donegal," by Jennifer Deibel

"A Dance in Donegal," by Jennifer Deibel

All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish--that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she's heard so much about.

After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar and ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.

This book took me a while to get immersed into.  Once I did though I loved how descriptive the book was about living in Ireland in the 1920's. You could almost smell the peat burning in all the fireplace's.  How the author mixed Gaelic language into the book made it very authentic.

There were enough twists and turns in the book to keep it interesting.  Just when you thought you figured it out, something else happened.  One of the main themes running through this book was forgiveness.  Also how living in a small town, things take on a life of their own in a blink of an eye.  Which I could relate too, coming from a small town in Britain.

Stars out of 5 : 3.5  Not the best book I have ever read, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it.  Just took a bit longer than normal for me.  If you love anything Irish, you'll love this book.

  "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".

"All That We Carried," by Erin Bartels

 "All That We Carried," by Erin Bartels

Ten years ago, sisters Olivia and Melanie Greene were on a hiking trip when their parents were in a fatal car accident. They haven't seen each other since the funeral. Olivia coped with the loss by plunging herself into law school, work, and a materialist view of the world--what you see is what you get, and that's all you get. Melanie dropped out of college and developed an online life coaching business around her DIY spirituality--a little of this, a little of that, whatever makes you happy.

Now, at Melanie's insistence (and against Olivia's better judgment), they are embarking on a hike in the Porcupine Mountains of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. In this remote wilderness they'll face their deepest fears, question their most dearly held beliefs, and begin to see that perhaps the best way to move forward is the one way they had never considered.

This book makes you think.  Right from the very beginning you know you're in for a roller coaster of a ride with this book.  Not only through all the trials and tribulations they encounter while hiking, but also the emotional ups and downs of each of the girls.  Both these things brings out the best and the worst in each of these sisters and you are brought along for the ride.

if you have siblings, this book will make you think about your relationship with your own siblings.  I, like Melanie am a believer that things happen for a reason, so enjoyed that about her.  

Stars out of 5 : 4 I loved all the descriptions about the hike.  Starting out at the beginning of the book, it even got me dreaming about going hiking.  The more I got into the book, the more I realized how naive I was about hiking in the woods.  

The ending of the book was confusing for me and I ended up having more questions than answers.  So much so, I messaged the author for clarification on a couple of things.  She was very generous in messaging me back and cleared up the things I had questions about.  I cannot reveal what confused me, but if you read the book, I would be more than willing to discuss it with you.

 "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".

"A Cowboy for Keeps," by Jody Hedlund

 "A Cowboy for Keeps," by Jody Hedlund

Greta Nilsson's trip west to save her ailing little sister, Astrid, could not have gone more wrong. First, bandits hold up her stagecoach, stealing all her money. Then, upon arriving in Fairplay, Colorado, she learns the man she was betrothed to as a mail-order bride has died. Homeless, penniless, and jobless, Greta and her sister are worse off than when they started.

Wyatt McQuaid is struggling to get his new ranch up and running and is in town to purchase cattle when the mayor proposes the most unlikely of bargains. He'll invest in a herd of cattle for Wyatt's ranch if Wyatt agrees to help the town become more respectable by marrying and starting a family with Greta. But when old insecurities and surprising revelations arise, can a union born out of desperation survive?

Really enjoyed this book.  There was plenty of action right from the start.  Although Greta and Wyatt were the lead character's, I think my favourite had to be Greta's sister Astrid.  What a firecracker she was.  I think she stole the show.  When you think of a cowboy, the rugged, quiet, handsome type comes to mind, and Wyatt fit the bill perfectly.

Greta had a heart of gold and such a tough spirit, she was willing to sacrifice everything for her sister.  You know what's going to happen with Greta and Wyatt, but what happens in between is what makes the story. 

This is the first book in the "Colorado Cowboy's," series, the next one being released in October of this year.  Looking forward to reading about Wyatt's brother Flynn.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Loved the book, read it in a full day.  Plenty of things in this book to keep you interested.

"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".