Tag: historical fiction

Book Review: The Mobster’s Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Christian Historical Romance
Length: 368 pages
Author: Rachel Scott McDaniel
Publisher: Ally Press
Release Date: November 2nd, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The one man who could help her, must never know her name.

If Kate Chamberlin can’t reveal her true identity to the world, she must settle for sharing only her talent. Hired as a musician for KDKA radio, Kate plays everything from sponsors’ jingles to complex sonatas. As long as the whispers around the broadcasting room refer to her as “Killjoy Kate” and not “Catarina the crime boss’s daughter,” then her life is safe from danger.

Or so she thinks.

When anonymous, violent threats surface, Kate’s wary of accepting protection from the handsome private investigator, Detective Jennings. His save-the-world attitude is as charming as his manners, but no one, especially him, can know the gruesome realities of her birth.

The 1924 Pittsburgh underworld is as complicated as it is elusive, and though the dealings of the Salvastanos have dwindled, Rhett Jennings is certain the man responsible for his father’s death is still at large. But his personal hunt for justice must be set aside when his day job requires him to investigate threats directed at a young radio broadcaster with enamoring brown eyes and secretive behavior.

When danger surrounds them, will the truth of Kate’s past become the key to their survival?

I LIKED IT.

This is my first by the author, and the first Christian romance I’ve read in a very long time. Both turned out better than I expected and I’m grateful for that.

I liked the plot and setting. The historical aspects worked so well and I felt transported to the 1920’s. The mystery brought out enough intrigue to keep the page turning and I did not see some of the ending reveals coming!

Romance wise, it was rather swoony and sweet. I love protective heroes, it’s just my favorite, and there were plenty of opportunities for that here. A tiny bit of fake dating, taking care of you scenes and you can consider me charmed. There were a few things about purity that I didn’t love and I’m mostly chalking up to a time period situation. Otherwise the Christianity aspects worked well into the plot and I liked the themes of forgiveness and God accepting you where you are.

Overall audience notes:

  • Christian Historical Romance
  • Language: none
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: non-consensual drugged beverage, attempted murder, loss of a parent, gun violence, break-ins

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Book Review: Angels of the Resistance: A WWII Novel by Noelle Salazar

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction
Length: 416 pages
Author: Noelle Salazar
Publisher: MIRA
Release Date: November 29th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the bestselling author of The Flight Girls comes a story inspired by true events, about courageous women who risked everything for country, for family, and for each other.

Netherlands, 1940

As bombs fall across Europe, fourteen-year-old Lien Vinke fears that the reality of war is inescapable. Though she lives a quiet life with her mother and older sister, Elif, in their small town of Haarlem, they are no strangers to heartache, having recently suffered an immeasurable loss. And when the Nazis invade the Netherlands, joining the Dutch resistance with Elif offers just the atonement Lien craves.

Trained to shoot by their late father, the sisters are deadly wolves in sheep’s clothing. They soon find themselves entrenched in the underground movement, forging friendships with the other young recruits, and Lien even discovers a kindred spirit in a boy named Charlie. But in wartime, emotional attachments are a liability she can’t afford, especially when a deeply personal mission jeopardizes everything she holds dear—her friendships, her family, and her one shot at redemption.

GREAT AUDIOBOOK.

Another solid read from Noelle Salazar!!

This was a book I easily flew through and loved the Dutch setting. It was another facet of WWII history that I knew little about and I liked understanding more of that glimpse through these pages.

I LOVE strong sibling relationships and Lien and Elif were that personified. They were able to lean on, look out for, and take care of each other amidst the worsening conditions. I liked following the rebel group and seeing the character development across the board. There were many times I audibly gasped wondering where the book was going to go next.

The writing style keeps you engaged and the characters will bring out the emotions. I look forward to whatever Salazar writes next!

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical Fiction
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: WWII, loss of loved ones, murder, sexual assault and attempted rape

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Book Review: Keeper of Enchanted Rooms (Whimbrel House #1) by Charlie N. Holmberg

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Historical Fiction/Fantasy Romance
Length: 347 pages
Author: Charlie N. Holmberg
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: November 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Rhode Island, 1846. Estranged from his family, writer Merritt Fernsby is surprised when he inherits a remote estate in the Narragansett Bay. Though the property has been uninhabited for more than a century, Merritt is ready to call it home—until he realizes he has no choice. With its doors slamming shut and locking behind him, Whimbrel House is not about to let Merritt leave. Ever.

Hulda Larkin of the Boston Institute for the Keeping of Enchanted Rooms has been trained in taming such structures in order to preserve their historical and magical significance. She understands the dangers of bespelled homes given to tantrums. She advises that it’s in Merritt’s best interest to make Whimbrel House their ally. To do that, she’ll need to move in, too.

Prepared as she is with augury, a set of magic tools, and a new staff trained in the uncanny, Hulda’s work still proves unexpectedly difficult. She and Merritt grow closer as the investigation progresses, but the house’s secrets run deeper than they anticipated. And the sentient walls aren’t their only concern—something outside is coming for the enchantments of Whimbrel House, and it could be more dangerous than what rattles within.

I LIKED IT.

I consider this a soft four stars. Some miscommunication popped up that made me want to shake a few people, but otherwise this was a pretty delightful and enchanting read.

The plot was a fantastic idea. I loved the idea of a sentient house (with secrets of its own) and a whole society dedicated to taking care of those situations. There’s reverse grump x sunshine here that also worked so well. I adored Hulda and Merritt’s dynamic. It was charming, a bit humorous and sweet.

I don’t think the extra chapters following an antagonist really changed anything? That could have been covered in a sit down between characters and the pace would have been a bit more steady.

It’s a cozy story and the audio narration was great. There’s a good mix of action and intrigue and I liked how things came together in the end. I liked the whimsical nature and I’m curious to see where book two will go.

Overall audience notes:

  • Historical fiction / Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: brief mentions of child abuse, murder, physical injuries

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Monthly Reading Wrap-Up: November 2023

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It was my birthday month and what a great month it was. I’m thankful for another year around the sun and the fact that I’m closing in on FIVE HUNDRED books this year!

Favorites this month:

  • The Scarlet Veil
  • Lost Kingdom
  • Emergency Contact
  • Iron Flame
  • The Binding Season
  • The One with the Kiss Cam
  • Defiant
  • Solo for the Season
  • A World Without You
  • A Court of Silver Flames
  • This Dark Descent
  • Isle of Brine and Bone
  • Well of Dreams
  • The Takedown
  • Last Call at the Local

Least Favorites:

  • The Holiday Stand-In
  • The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk
  • Sword Catcher (Sword Catcher #1) by Cassandra Clare
  • Thieves’ Gambit (Thieves’ Gambit #1) by Kayvion Lewis
  • [ARC] A Winter by the Sea (On Devonshire Shores #2) by Julie Klassen
  • The Scarlet Veil (The Scarlet Veil #1) by Shelby Mahurin
  • Merry Kismet (Gift-Wrapped Romance) by Anneka R. Walker
  • [ARC] Lost Kingdom (Lost Kingdom #1) by Laurel Black
  • [ALC] Emergency Contact by Lauren Layne and Anthony LeDonne
  • A Song of Shadow and Starlight (Shadow and Starlight #1) by Morgan Gauthier
  • Curses and Other Buried Things by Caroline George
  • The Rules of Mistletoe by Taylor Epperson
  • Iron Flame (The Empyrean #2) by Rebecca Yarros
  • A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak (Girl’s Guide) by Laura Taylor Namey
  • Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale
  • [ARC] The Binding Season (Fallow Creek #3) by Claudia Cain
  • Date the Alphabet (Love Tucson #2) by Laura Langa
  • [ARC] The One with the Kiss Cam by Cindy Steel
  • The Roaring Days of Zora Lily by Noelle Salazar
  • [ARC] Defiant (Skyward #4) by Brandon Sanderson
  • Solo for the Season (Gift-Wrapped Romance) by Martha Keyes
  • A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
  • A World Without You by Caitlin Moss
  • Lord Farleigh and Miss Frost (Clairvoir Castle Romances #4) by Sally Britton
  • A Sugar Creek Christmas (Sugar Creek #1) by Jenny B. Jones
  • [Reread] A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses #4) by Sarah J. Maas
  • This Dark Descent (This Dark Descent #1) by Kalyn Josephson
  • [ARC] A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
  • One Small Secret (Gift-Wrapped Romance) by Esther Hatch
  • Better Hate than Never (The Wilmot Sisters #2) by Chloe Liese
  • Isle of Brine and Bone (Halcyon Bay #2) by Natalia Macias Lucia
  • Heir of Sun & Moon (The Five Realms #1) by Jenessa Ren
  • Emerald of the Sea by Kimberly Pearl
  • Eldest (The Inheritance Cycle #2) by Christopher Paolini
  • [ARC] The Atlas of Us by Kristin Dwyer
  • [Novella] Bright Winter Lights (Winter Nights #2) by Liz Maverick
  • The Holiday Stand-In by Kortney Keisel
  • How to Lose a Guy Before Christmas by AJ Pine
  • Well of Dreams (The Runic Saga #1) by Kayla Ann
  • The Takedown by Carlie Walker
  • A Song of Thieves (Thieves of Felshan #1) by Jacqlin Guernsey
  • [ARC] Last Call at the Local (Love, Lists & Fancy Ships #3) by Sarah Grunder Ruiz
  • A Modest Independence (Parish Orphans of Devon #2) by Mimi Matthews
  • Five Gold Rings by Kristen Bailey
  • [Novella] Mistletoe for Felicity by Sally Britton

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