Tag: covenant communications

ARC Book Review: Codes of Courage (Falcon Point Historicals #1) by A.L. Sowards

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 373 pages
Author: A.L. Sowards
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: October 10th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In a battle of torpedoes, depth charges, and secret codes, nothing is as vulnerable as the human heart.

1940: Austrian refugee Karl Lang has lost everything―his country, his home, and his family. All that is left to him is a burning ambition to see the Nazis defeated. Desperate for work and a way to help the war effort, he finds the one place that will take a refugee like him: a supply steamer traversing a deadly path past enemy U-boats.

Since their first meeting, Millie Stevens has felt an undeniable connection to Karl. As the war rages, she shares his determination to oppose the Nazis and finds work at the British codebreaking center at Bletchley Park. There she uses all her intellect and determination to break German codes and read U-boat transmissions―or risk losing the man she loves.

Rolf Denhart will do anything to defend the Fatherland, including long patrols in a cramped U-boat. But rumors from Germany leave him uneasy, forcing a choice between loyalty to his homeland, the safety of his family, and his peace of conscience.

In the midst of war, three lives are woven together to create an epic tapestry of love and loss, joy and pain, sacrifice and courage.

Thank you to the author and publisher for a gifted ARC.

I AM IN MY FEELS.

I was warned before going in what kind of ending I was heading towards so I feel like I’ll mention that here, it is in the bittersweet vein. My rating was not changed by this, a lot because I knew going into it, which I VERY much appreciate. My four star is centered around that I thought the first half was a bit slower and took me awhile to get fully involved.

Anyways, I loved these characters. I loved the themes. The subtle woven in faith elements that played a role in how the three POV’s lives connected, crossed, and ultimately found common ground. It’s a got a really sweet and tender romance. There’s great introspection and realizations. I loved seeing the characters stumble, learn and make the best decisions in rough situations.

And I loved that this was focused out at sea and on codebreakers. It was a different scene of the war I haven’t read much in the historical fiction genre and it was a well researched take on what was happening on the ocean fronts.

I felt ALL THE THINGS throughout. I love the way A.L. Sowards writes her books. I’m happy that I took the chance on reading this, even in my heart is in utter chaos at present. It was such a good book and I loved seeing everything come full circle.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: closed door between a married couple
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: active WW2, loss of loved ones, shipwrecks, grief depiction

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Book Review: Heirs of Falcon Point (Falcon Point #0) by Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards and A.L. Sowards

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction / Contemporary Mystery
Length: 344 pages
Author: Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards and A.L. Sowards
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: October 11th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In the early days of World War II, the Lang family lost everything. Eighty years later, it’s time to take it back.

The Nazis have taken control of Austria, and wealthy widower Leopold Lang faces a difficult decision: join the ranks of the foreign power that has taken over his homeland or flee with his children to safety. Leopold makes his choice—but too late. His family is ripped apart, never to be reunited. But decades later, fate brings together the descendants of this broken dynasty in the place where it all began—Falcon Point.

Anna, Cole, and Tess have never met, each relying on fractured pieces of information to understand their Austrian heritage. But when unforeseen opportunities draw these Lang cousins to Falcon Point, they soon discover they are not alone in their quest to claim the coveted property and the fabled treasure hidden within. Unfortunately, another claimant, one with a much darker heritage, is determined to eliminate the Lang family once and for all.

VERY SUSPENSEFUL.

I was asked to be apart of a release for a future book in this series and I wanted to catch up with the start of the stories! (Though I heard you don’t HAVE to read this first, I wanted to though).

ANYWAYS. Y’all, I really enjoyed this. All of these authors truly came together and created a cohesive story that flowed well and got my heart rate up a bit. I loved seeing the whole cast of characters come together to get back what was rightfully there’s.

I do wish there had been a little more depth to the relationships. There were three small plot romances that I loved, but wanted to see a little more of them. I did like all of the characters and how each had a unique background that I think will show up in future books.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Suspense
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, gun violence, knife violence, loss of life, attempted murder

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ARC Book Review: A Lady’s Promise by Ranee S. Clark

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 200 pages
Author: Ranee S. Clark
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: September 5th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

For orphaned New York socialite Isabella De Vries, finding a husband has become imperative. After unsuccessfully navigating four Seasons, it’s time to enlist the help of an old family friend to find her a suitable match. She trusts Preston implicitly, but his solution is both unconventional and he himself will marry Isabella in name alone so that she may be the sole beneficiary of his inheritance when he succumbs to the disease that will soon take his life. His plan solves everyone’s Isabella will be cared for, and his inheritance will be protected from his irresponsible younger brother, Prince. There is no love left between Prince Baxter and his older brother. When he hears that Preston is going to marry Isabella, Prince knows he will have to charm his way into friendship with Isabella if he wants to see any portion of the inheritance money. His plot, however, quickly crumples to pieces as he and Isabella establish a genuine connection―and he makes the mistake of falling in love with her.

Thank you to the author and Covenant Communications for the ARC.

ENJOYABLE.

I liked this one y’all! It’s very short (180 pages) and still manages to give some good story lines and character arcs throughout. This was a unique premise I haven’t come across before and I loved that it was set in New York.

The main characters Isabella and Prince both had journeys I appreciated seeing. Isabella had to learn to ignore gossip that was truly out of her control and make the best decisions for her and her life regardless of what everyone else will say. And I liked seeing Prince going from over the top spoiled to being humbled by the position he actually does hold in society and what he can do with that power.

The romance was a bit more subtle than I was hoping for, but I do see the necessary progression and slow burn. I would have loved even more moments between the two, yet I did like what was on page. That would be the overall thing I needed most, a longer story with more fleshed out backgrounds and plot.

It’s a quick read. It’s moderately heavy as can be seen from the synopsis. I don’t think it overwhelmed the story though. This was my first book by this author and I would love to try another!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: cancer (a theme throughout), mentions of loss of a parent

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ARC Book Review: Love Unseen by Rachel Kelley Stones

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Romance
Length: 248 pages
Author: Rachel Kelley Stones
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Release Date: July 5th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Hannah Hadley is a permanent fixture in London Society and well on her way to becoming a spinster. Despite her beauty and kind disposition, Hannah has accepted the harsh reality of her situation: she will never marry. Continually affected by an illness from her youth, Hannah acknowledges her chances of entertaining potential suitors, at least respectable ones, is slim.

To members of the ton, Jonathan Carter is undeniably unsuitable. Though he is in possession of a massive fortune and is handsome as well, there remains an insurmountable black mark against him: his is new money. Even so, he’s caught off guard when his enchanting neighbor, Miss Hadley, flatly rejects his offer to dance. Despite their rocky introduction, however, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. But when circumstances force Hannah from her home, the couple’s warm association comes to an abrupt end. Now, Jonathan must find a way to rescue the woman he just might love or risk losing her forever.

Thank you to the author and Covenant Communications for the ARC.

GREAT DEBUT.

I enjoyed this one a lot! Hannah was such a wonderful FMC and her resilient strength shown throughout the whole book. She doesn’t let her disability define her and I loved seeing her define her self-worth and place in society.

There was even DUAL POV with Jonathan too. I adored him as well. I liked seeing his self reflection and growth as he acknowledged mistakes, made apologies and pursued Hannah. They were a sweet pairing and I liked all of their interactions.

A charming story that gets some intense scenes towards the end. I liked the pick-up in action and the rush I felt flying through pages wondering if Jonathan and Hannah were going to make it back to each other. Filled with redemptive characters (and some villains that in no way deserve redemption), a nice level of drama and a satisfying romance, I thought this was a great debut and I look forward to more books by this author.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: low
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: ableism, loss of sight, loss of a father (recounted), brief assault, physical injuries

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