Book Review: The Sisters of Sea View (On Devonshire Shores #1) by Julie Klassen

December 27, 2023January 5, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 448 pages
Author: Julie Klassen
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: December 6th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When their father’s death leaves them impoverished, Sarah Summers convinces her sisters to open their seaside home to guests to provide for their ailing mother. Emily and Georgiana agree, but Viola, who wears a veil to cover a scar, detests the idea.

Determined to stay together, the sisters begin the new venture. Instead of the elderly invalids they expect, however, they find themselves hosting eligible gentlemen. Sarah is torn between a growing attraction to a mysterious Scottish widower and duty to her family. Meanwhile, the new situation exposes Viola’s scars–both the visible and those hidden deep within–and her cloistered heart will never be the same.

A DELIGHT.

I really enjoyed this! Especially via the audiobook. It had fantastic narration and I was wrapped in this historical story (with a good dose of romance).

The sisters were all unique in their personalities and lifestyles. I love that they came together to find a way to stay in their home and that even with the ups and downs of running a bed and breakfast they found their footing within the home. I love strong relationship bonds like this and I love supportive families. The path is definitely not straight, but the bends and valleys are what makes it dynamic.

I love all of the subtle romances throughout. This specific book focused on one sister more than the others (of which my assumption is each book will have a sister as more of the main focus than others) and I loved her points of view the most. This book is wholesome and they’re Christian themes. I didn’t find these heavy handed, more so beautifully woven throughout. The sentiments of learning to love yourself and forgiveness are some of the themes I appreciated most.

A wonderful read, I look forward to future books with these sisters!!

Overall audience notes:

Historical Fiction
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a parent, a flooding situation, injuries from war

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Book Review: The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof

November 1, 2023November 7, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction Romance
Length: 302 pages
Author: Joanne Bischof
Publisher: Mason Jar Books
Release Date: August 1st, 2016
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two worlds collide when the circus comes to Victorian-era Virginia.

Raised amid the fame and mystique of the Big Top, Charlie Lionheart holds the audience in the palm of his hand. But while his act captivates thousands, it’s away from the spotlight where his true heart lies. Here he humbly cares for his pride of lions as if they were his brothers, a skill of bravery and strength that has prepared him for his most challenging feat yet—freeing an orphaned infant from the dark bondage of a sideshow. A trade so costly, it requires his life in exchange for hers, leaving him tarnished by the price of that choice.

As the circus tents are raised on the outskirts of Roanoke, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. All under the watchful eye of a guardian who not only bears a striking resemblance to the child, but who protects the baby with a love that wraps around Ella’s own tragic past, awakening a hope that goodness may yet reign. When their forbidden friendship deepens, Charlie dares to ask for her heart, bringing her behind the curtain of his secret world to reveal the sacrifice that gave hope to one little girl—boldly showing Ella that while her tattered faith is deeply scarred, the only marks that need be permanent are his own.

TOOK ME BY PLEASANT SURPRISE.

I saw this around recently and felt drawn in enough to give it a go. And Y’ALL. It surprised me in the best ways. I truly ended up loving this romance and story.

The circus setting was perfect. I liked how the good and bad was shown in the historical context of the time period. I thought things were handled with care and I loved learning more about how things were run with traveling circuses and all of the great people you can meet along the way.

Romance wise, I was swooned away by Charlie. It’s a fast paced romance (when they commented on the time that had passed I was shocked it had been so quick). Yet, the insta love nature was drawn out in the right ways that I did still feel the connection between Charlie and Ella. They were super sweet together and both had a lot of character growth.

There are clear Christianity aspects that I thought aligned well with the tone of the plot. Many aspects of forgiveness and realizing your true worth in the face of things out of your control. There’s quite a few hard topics that are addressed and I think both sides of this merged well.

Overall audience notes:

Christian Historical Romance
Langauge: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: medium
Trigger/Content Warnings: rape (happened prior to book, but mentioned and vaguely recounted), loss of a baby (briefly mentioned)

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Book Review: The Heart of a Cowboy (Colorado Cowboys #2) by Jody Hedlund

July 3, 2023July 27, 2022 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Christian Western Romance
Length: 360 pages
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: October 5th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When he agreed to guard her, he never bargained on having to guard his heart.

Brilliant scientist Linnea Newberry is on the adventure of a lifetime, traveling the Santa Fe Trail with her grandfather, Dr. Powell, on a botanical expedition to Colorado Territory. She longs to be valued for her contributions and not seen as a helpless liability. But at every calamity she faces, her grandfather threatens to send her home.

After watching his ma suffer and die in childbirth, Flynn McQuaid has sworn off women and marriage forever. Headed west to start a new life, he has his hands full not only taking care of his younger siblings but also delivering cattle to his older brother. He doesn’t need more complications.

When Flynn rescues Linnea from drowning during a river crossing, Dr. Powell promptly hires Flynn—unbeknownst to Linnea—to act as her bodyguard for the rest of the trip. As Flynn fights against the many dangers of the trail, he soon finds himself in the greatest danger of all—falling for a woman he’s determined not to love.

BETTER THAN THE FIRST.

But I just think that this series isn’t for me. And I’m calling it after two books, here’s my thoughts at least.

I did like the set-up for this one. The Western setting and cattle drive was unique and kept my attention. All of the drama with others and everything else that kept happening luckily had me wanting to see what happened next.

The romance was a bit insta-ish for me. I do admit that Flynn and Linnea really grew on me and I thought the ending was really sweet. There is just ~something~ about Hedlund’s female main character’s in this series that I do no jive with. I think the personality qualities are laid on reallllllly thick and it doesn’t come off well to me as a reader.

This was better than the first book, even if I don’t plan to continue the series I know it’s a favorite of others!

Overall audience notes:

Western Christian Romance
Language: none
Romance: make-outs
Violence: high
Trigger/Content Warnings: near death experiences, gun violence, loss of life, animal death, childbirth, loss of parents

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ARC Book Review: The Heart’s Choice (The Jewels of Kalispell #1) by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

May 14, 2023April 26, 2023 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★
Audience: Christian Historical Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: May 16th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After witnessing a wrongful conviction as a young girl, Rebecca McCutcheon–the first female court reporter in Montana–is now determined to defend the innocent. During a murder trial, something doesn’t sit well with her about the case, but no one except for the handsome new Carnegie librarian will listen to her.

Librarian Mark Andrews’s father sent him off to college hoping he would take over the business side of the family ranch. Mark would rather wrangle books than cows, but when a patron seeks help with research in hopes of proving a man’s innocence, Mark is immediately drawn to her and her cause.

In a race against time, will Rebecca and Mark be able to find the evidence to free the man before it’s too late?

Escape to Kalispell, Montana, for a daring and romantic tale from the talented pens of bestselling authors Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse.

Thank you to Bethany House for the ARC.

DID NOT CLICK.

I gave this an honest try and did enjoy the first 30-40% of it. Then some stuff went downhill and I never recovered my attachment to the story. I struggled with the way some of the faith elements were addressed and handled that ultimately let to a disconnection from the novel. There might have been some reasoning with the time period? But it didn’t work for me.

The romance between Mark and Rebecca was pretty sweet. They had some cute moments and really seemed to connect with each other across the board. I liked their happy ending and their unique career paths in the early 1900’s.

With the little bit of mystery and multiple points of view it kept the general plot progression moving. There was a bit of a full circle moment that was nice to see and while this didn’t work for me I think it could work for others.

Overall audience notes: