Book Review: Dear Aaron by Mariana Zapata

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 500 pages
Author: Mariana Zapata
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 10th, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Ruby Santos knew exactly what she was getting herself into when she signed up to write a soldier overseas.

The guidelines were simple: one letter or email a week for the length of his or her deployment. Care packages were optional.

Been there, done that. She thought she knew what to expect.

What she didn’t count on was falling in love with the guy.

GREW ON ME.

Who knew I would have to wait SO LONG for these two to actually meet? And who I would kind of be into it? This is definitely very heavy on epistolary elements but as the pages went by I started to realize that I was invested in how adorable these two were. There was something magic about connecting through writing before Aaron and Ruby had a chance to meet.

I liked that this had it’s own vibe. It’s different than other romances I’ve read and I FELT for both of these characters. It’s a simple romance read without a lot of heavy plot dynamics. Aaron and Ruby fell in love in this precious way that I connected a lot with.

The ending was a little abrupt for me and I wish we could have seen a little bit more (and the rest is redacted for spoiler reasons). I’ve had this sitting on my TBR for so long and I’m glad I got to it! I wouldn’t call it my FAVORITE of MZ’s books but it is highly enjoyable and brought a smile to my face. Aaron is straight swoony with his words and I was melting many times over.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: light, but strong
  • Romance: one open door
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: discussion of deployment and some mentions of war themes, absent mother

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ARC Book Review: For a Lifetime (Timeless #3) by Gabrielle Meyer

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 400 pages
Author: Gabrielle Meyer
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: May 7th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever–no matter the cost.

In 1692, they live and work in their father’s tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother’s mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives–or be their undoing.

In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents’ orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.

The sisters have already decided which timeline they will choose, but an unthinkable tragedy complicates the future they planned for themselves. As their birthday looms, how will they determine the lives–and loves–that are best for both of them?

Thank you Bethany House for the gifted copy.

A CONTINUALLY GOOD SERIES.

I love the exploration of history with each book in this series. This one crossed the birth of aviation and the Salem Witch Trials. I liked seeing the comparisons and differences between the time periods and how each woman, Grace and Hope, interpreted what was happening.

I did think it had a little bit of a slow start. The 1692 chapters didn’t have the same pace as the 1912 ones and I kept wanting to get back to those. After the halfway point I though the plot started moving much better and I wanted to hustle to find out what happens next.

There’s always sweet romances woven in and I loved the way they both played out for the twins. I loved the love interests and the support and care they provided Grace and Hope through their trials. It’s all very sweet and heartfelt and only adds to the story.

I enjoyed many of the moments coming full circle with collision of past and present. I loved the faith aspects and the infused hope and love that was in this book. I can’t wait for more!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction + Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low-moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: falsely accused imprisonment, hangings (historical depictions of the trials), plane crashes

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Book Review: Before the Fortress Falls by A.L. Sowards

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction + Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: A.L. Sowards
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: April 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Their fight for survival would change the course of history.

When rumors reach Vienna that an attack by the Ottoman army is imminent, Wilhelm von Schor, one of the emperor’s courtiers, prepares to evacuate his family—including his sister, Katja. But Katja’s reluctance to leave the city and the people she loves so well grows the farther the family carriage gets from her childhood home. When she learns that another brother, Xavier, is returning to Vienna with his musketeers, she decides to remain behind and face the shadow of war.

Katja soon reunites with Xavier and also with Toby, a dear friend from childhood. As Katja and Toby renew their friendship, an element of attraction builds on the comradery of their youth, and they quickly realize they have found something worth fighting for: love. But all too soon, the Ottomans encircle the city, blanketing its inhabitants in fear. Katja, Toby, and Xavier must each fulfill their new roles if they are to survive. In the overcrowded hospitals, below ground in the countermines, and on the ramparts defending the city walls, the three must fight for love, family, faith, and the survival of their city and everyone inside.

WOW.

This was so good!! I picked this up in a backlist reading moment and I was enraptured by this story. This is my second book by Sowards and I am becoming very committed to everything she writes. I love her multiple POV style and how you get a bit of every angle of the unique historical settings her stories are about.

I loved the complexity of emotions and decisions. I felt like the whole cast was trying their best in an impossible situation. The ups and downs all felt true to the nature of the time and setting. It’s intense and hard and brought out a lot of emotions. I did not want to stop listening because I needed to know where things were going.

The bravery and resilience of everyone who defended their land was soul inspiring. As thousands of enemy soldiers drew closer the group inside found ways to work together and save what they could. It showcased heroes on every level and that even if you’re only stitching sand bags together, IT MATTERS. This was clearly intricately researched and I appreciated the effort and love that went into crafting this story.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction + Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: war themes, loss of life, near death experiences, blood/gore depiction, murder

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Book Review: Daughter of the Sun (The Mothmar Trilogy #1) by Amanda Auler

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 383 pages
Author: Amanda Auler
Publisher: Spirelight Press
Release Date: October 18th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Born without a Gift, Solyana must accept being ordinary amidst the extraordinary. But when blizzards devastate her valley and endanger village life, a prophetic sign emerges, proclaiming Solyana the savior.

Fulfilling the prophecy means leaving the valley and journeying into greater Mothmar–where every previous expedition has led to death.

Unwinding the mysteries of the past and present, Solyana’s choices could spell survival or extinction for those she loves and unknowingly bind her to another…

Pallah, the object of her father’s disdain and overshadowed by her siblings, is desperate for the home she’s never had.

Accepted into a group of elusive zealots under the wrong pretenses, Pallah begins to discover she may be as dangerous to herself as she is portrayed to be to others.

On a night that changes her life forever, Pallah discovers her Gift is forbidden. Between her new group of friends and the persistent voice in her head, Pallah is pushed toward a decision that could send her into irreversible darkness.

Can Solyana find the truth to the prophecy before she is thrust into the awaiting abyss? Can Pallah discover her true purpose before her world collapses in on itself?

A story of friendship, family, and the choices that shape us. Dive into the world of Mothmar and experience magic, animal companionship, and adventure layered through time and dipped in mystery.

GOOD START.

This was a great audiobook. I liked many aspects and look forward to reading book two!

The two main FMC’s had a lot going for them and I liked their journey. There’s a lot of complicated matters happening and I loved the push and pull of what’s right and wrong. There’s some subtle romance plot lines I would love to see some more depth in.

I liked the magic system involving tethers, animals and more. I think that was explained well and I followed that much easier than I did the overall world building. I feel like I’m still a little confused on who’s who and what’s what across the board.

This was a nice series starter and one I’m grateful I had the chance to listen (definitely recommend the audiobook).

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate-high

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