The Apple Creek Announcement is book three in the Creektown Discovery series by best selling author Wanda Brunstetter. This is a Amish contemporary series that is so interesting. If you have not read the first two you will be able to follow this one easily. The other two are just as marvelous as this one.
Two of the series favorites are back again. I love Lois and Orley as well as their antique store. In fact, they are so lovable I wish they had a series dedicated to their back story and future.
This book is the story of Andrea and Brandon. He is a veterinarian and she is a piano teacher and artist. They are newly engaged and have a few issues. Some of the hiccups are minor and others are not. They each write a letter to the newspaper advice column Dear Caroline wanting help. Brandon strikes up a friendship with Orley and asks for his advice, also.
Author Brunstetter has written another page turning story. I was immediately captivated and because engrossed in the tale and characters. At times I even wanted to offer advice. I loved the fact that the engaged couple had a cat and dog that spatted. The author writes believable characters and situations. The dialog was authentic for Amish and taught me a few new words. There are mystery, redemption, humor, conundrums, family issues, adoption, wedding issues, and cute animals.
There are so many life and spiritual lessons in this book. This is a story of love, hope, faith, family, forgiveness and perseverance. As you read make sure you let those messages sink in. After you have read the book, you will want to go back and ponder the lessons. Be sure to catch the recipes at the end after the story.
I highly recommend this book and the other two. It would make a nice selection for a book club. The entire series would be a great choice for that. Fans of contemporary fiction will enjoy this book. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided but these are my honest words.
Deception by author Patricia Bradley is the last one in her Christian contemporary suspense Natchez Trace Park Rangers Series. This fourth book is a thrilling roller coaster read. I had trouble putting it down! Even though I had not read the first three books, I was able to follow this one without problems. However, after reading how fantastic Book 4 was, I will go back and read the three books that I skipped.
This is the story of Ranger Megan Thorn. She is in Natchez working on a white collar crime case. Her childhood friend, Clayton Bradshaw, becomes involved after an attack. These two are relatable, realistic characters. I loved their interaction. It was easy to become invested in them as well as this book.
Action starts at the beginning of this intriguing novel and continues throughout the book. There are twists and turns, danger, surprises, danger, mystery, romance, and adventure! Just when I thought I had something figured out, something happened to prove me wrong. This tense read will keep you on your toes and turning pages! There is a thread of Christian inspiration woven throughout this book that I appreciated.
I completely enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. Any fan of Christian action, intrigue, light romance will love it. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.
USA Today best-selling author, Patricia Bradley is the recipient numerous awards, including an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in suspense, a Selah winner, was a Carol and a Daphne du Maurier finalist. Her romantic suspense novels include the Logan Point series, the Memphis Cold Case Novels, and the Natchez Trace Park Rangers. She is now hard at work on the second book in her new Pearl River series set in the Cumberland Plateau area above Chattanooga. The first book in the series, Counter Attack will release in mid-2023.
She has conducted writing workshops for American Christian Fiction Writers, the Mid-South Christian Writer’s Conference, the KenTen and Scrivener retreats (where she was the keynote), the Memphis American Christian Fiction Writer group, and the Bartlett Christian Writers group.
She and her two cats call Northeast Mississippi home–the South is also where she sets most of her books, and when she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.
Crossfire is Book #2 in the Extreme Measures Series by award winning author Lynette Eason. It is a contemporary, mystery, suspense, Christian, romance fiction that is just riveting. Action begins on page one and captured my attention immediately.
Author Eason is a talented storyteller. She is masterful in the art of mystery and suspense. As I read I was certain I had something figured out only to have a twist prove me wrong. Her characters are realistic and believable. Friends are tried and true while bad guys are vicious villains. I was so engrossed in the characters and story that I did not want to stop reading this page turning book.
This is the story of special agent Julianna Jameson, a top-notch negotiator, and former Army Ranger sniper Clay Fox. She gets called in to negotiate a courtroom hostage situation. Clay’s sister, Reese, is one of the hostage.
There are so many life and spiritual lessons woven into this captivating story. Good verses evil, darkness verses light, hope, trust, faith, family, love, revenge, and redemption are all tackled in this story. It is a intense story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The faith element of healing past mistakes and accepting God’s forgiveness was a breath of fresh air. The way the characters felt after receiving God’s forgiveness was beautiful. They illustrated that they could begin again without the weight of the world and past mistakes on their shoulders. It was so inspiring. I was encouraged by the way they asked God for help in the small and big details of their lives.
I highly recommend this amazing, intense book to all readers! It’s so intriguing that you will not want to put it down until the end. It gets a 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.
Matters of the Heart: A Shumard Oak Bend Novel, is Book 3 in the Discerning God’s Best Series by author Heidi Gray McGill. This is a Christian historical novel that does not hide its Christian message. Brava author McGill! I adore Christian novels where the inspirational and faith messages are not hidden or diluted. If you have not read the first two books in this series, you will be able to follow alone just fine. It makes a nice stand alone book. You will, however, be missing two great back stories that are equally as wonderful as this one.
The author has done a wonderful job. The storyline is engaging. I was immediately invested in the story and characters. There were a few twists and turns thrown in for surprises. Characters are believable. They are down to earth and easily relatable. Descriptions were on point and took me back in time to 1866 Missouri. The writing style is very nice. The story is told from two different points of view. Each chapter is clearly noted as to whose it is.
This is the story of feisty Irish immigrant Katie Murphy and Finnish immigrant Hans Korhonen who fought in the Civil War. Each are searching for a new beginning. These characters are open and had me emotionally invested. Katie was a fun, fireball. She was determined to follow God and His plan for her. Hans is not sure about God. He is goes back and forth between being closed off to open and lovable.
I thought this was an extremely entertaining and inspirational read. The more I read, the more I felt that I was part of the community. The characters felt like friends. A few were quirky and provided humor. It was very enjoyable.
I highly recommend Matters of the Heart. It gets a 4 star rating from me. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest thoughts.
About the Book
Book: Matters of the Heart
Author: Heidi Gray McGill
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Release date: July 15, 2022
When those experiencing the same fate she endured show up at her doorstep…
Katie determines to be their champion, no matter the fallout.
Will the man who fought for the other side also fight for her?
Unconventional Katie empathizes with the widows and orphans of the Civil War, searching for a place to call home in Shumard Oak Bend. But with no one to help her, she’ll need to do it secretly, a challenge she readily accepts. She’s taken charge before, and she’ll do it again, no matter who she has to outwit to get the job done.
He vowed to be his own man and stop doing everyone else’s bidding. But he follows orders when a pair of emerald green eyes, blazing red hair, and freckles that dance on the bridge of a pert nose conscript him to duty. Be his own man. Who is he kidding? Skunks don’t change their stripes. They leave disasters in their wake wherever they go, just like him.
Overcoming personal obstacles and finding your true self doesn’t mean going it alone. Yet the answer isn’t always in the one you seek.
Heidi is an optimist who chooses to find the silver lining in life’s clouds of doubt. This plays out in her writing. Her ability to weave scripture seamlessly into the lives of her characters will uplift and encourage you, while her masterful storytelling will keep you turning page after page and wishing for more.
Heidi lives with her husband of thirty years near Charlotte, NC. When she isn’t writing, you will find her outside playing with her two grandsons, walking, scrapbooking, reading, cooking, traveling, or finding an excuse to have an outing with a girlfriend.
Fusing Faith and Fiction™
True Christian Fiction. Relatable Characters. Life-changing stories.
More from Heidi
Where did the idea for Matters of the Heart originate?
Before I was an author, I was the founder and director of an English as a Second Language ministry. The program touched the lives of students from 35 different countries. Regardless of culture, religion, language, or age, I found a substantial similarity in these students—they all wanted to improve their lot in life and that of their children.
Stories abounded of walks across deserts, financial hardships, desperate attempts to explain emergencies to medical professionals or law enforcement, failed verbal connections with schoolteachers, and an inability to obtain work because of their lack of language skills. Prejudice and distrust blocked them, culture shock took them outside their comfort zones, and the urgent need to survive made them scramble to dig deep inside and find creative ways to secure shelter and put food on their tables.
It wasn’t that these immigrants weren’t capable of achieving success. In their home countries, vocations varied from chemist and biologist with PhDs, to teachers, lawyers, and medical professionals. Others came from poverty and had little education but were not afraid of hard work, long hours, and low pay. They were tenacious, and they worked with relentless determination and a bullheaded resolve to achieve their goals. They relied on each other and soaked in everything around them in their desire to assimilate into the American culture and find a new place to belong.
Immigrants in the late 1800s were not much different. Individuals came to improve their lot in life and be a part of the greatest country in the world. In Matters of the Heart, Hans Korhonen left Finland with his brothers to take advantage of the land grants. Together, they worked to establish a farm large enough to sustain four families and support troops during the Civil War. Yet, in their desire to belong and give back to our great nation, Hans’s idyllic life changed through his service as a Union soldier.
Kathleen Murphy, or Katie, came to the United States to escape a life of extreme poverty and abuse in Ireland. Working in her aunt and uncle’s boarding offered more than a job. It provided the love and support of a family. Katie rose from her previous station and started fresh with hope on the horizon. She found a source of ministry that gave her life a purpose she’d not had before.
My association with my former ESL students helped me develop the characters in this book into individuals with which readers can identify.
Join Katie and Hans as they establish themselves in their new home of Shumard Oak Bend.
Grace Along the Mountain Trail by bestselling author Misty M. Beller is Book 8 in her Call of the Rockies Series. This is a Christian historical romance adventure novel. If you haven’t read the others in the series, you can still read this and follow along without problems. It makes a nice standalone.
Set in the 1830s this is this story of Lola Cameron. She travels out West to meet her half brother that she just learned she had. Her father neglected to share that news with her, but included a contingency in his will that Lola must find him. The journey out west over the mountains is beautiful yet dangerous.
I adore author Beller’s books. Her characters are realistic and easy to engage. There is always a tread of Christian inspiration woven throughout the entire story. This tale had inspiration, drama, adventure, romance, faith, hope, fear, and redemption. It is a lovely story with brave, resilient characters. The writing is so well done that I was immediately engaged and my attention help as I turned the pages until the end. There were a few surprises that kept me reading even when I needed to stop.
At the end of the book, there are no discussion questions, but there is a preview to Calm in the Mountain Storm. It’s the next book in the series. I highly recommend Grace on the Mountain Trail. It is a captivating historical fiction. I gladly give it a 5 star rating. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my own, true words.
About the Book
Book: Grace in the Mountain Trail
Author: Misty M. Beller
Genre:Christian Historical Romance
Release date: July 12, 2022
This epic journey is her last hope to find her lost brother—the only family she has left.
When Lola Carson’s father died, his last words spoke of a half-brother she’d never known about. And now, to claim her own inheritance and come to terms with her father’s secret life, she must find this mysterious man—whose last known whereabouts are somewhere west of the wild Rocky Mountains. After hiring family friends to accompany her on the trek, she sets out for a wilderness few white women have ever seen. She doesn’t expect the majestic peaks to captivate her so, nor the half-dead brave they find on one of the slopes.
White Owl left his village and his broken heart behind when he set out for a fresh start. His newfound faith is the one anchor in his life. He’s desperate to learn more about the God he’s committed to follow and become an interpreter for the missionaries who led him to faith. But he barely starts his journey when a hunting accident nearly kills him. The woman who discovers him in the midst of his fevered delirium seems to be a gift from above.
But the more White Owl learns about Lola’s companions and her dangerous quest, the more he realizes his own calling is clear—to take her safely to her brother. The question is, will he have to sacrifice more than his heart to accomplish that goal?
From a USA Today bestselling author comes another epic journey through breathless landscapes and adventure so intense, lives will never be the same.
Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.
More from Misty
Is this the book for you?
With so many books out there, it’s sometimes hard to know if a new book will be the right fit for you or not. I thought it might be fun to share some highlights that may help you know if you’d like to read Grace on the Mountain Trail.
If you…
Love adventure and don’t mind being snowed in (at least in your imagination as you sit snuggled in your comfortable house).
Fall for Native American heroes who are, yes, strong and capable, but also searching for a fresh start and eager to grow in their fledgling faith.
Find unusual and remote settings fascinating, especially the Rocky Mountains!
Enjoy historical detail and are eager to live vicariously in the early 1800s Montana frontier.
What to expect from Grace on the Mountain Trail?
Emotion-rich sweet romance.
Native American heroes who know how to be both tough and gentle.
The grandeur of the Montana Rockies.
Tough heroines who do what needs to be done.
Adventure that will keep you turning pages.
A peek at one of our favorite characters from earlier in the series!
If Grace on the Mountain Trail sounds like the right fit for you, I pray you love Lola and White Owl’s story!
The Heart of the Mountains is Book 2 in author Pepper D. Basham’s series My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge. This is a heartwarming, faith filled, historical Christian book that swept me away to the mountains in another time. Even though it is the second book in a series, it easily is read as a stand alone. However, the first book, Laurel’s Dream, is captivating, as is this one.
The is the story of spunky English nurse, Cora. She travels to America’s Blue Ridge Mountain to see her family that has gone there to help the people. It is also the tale of woodcrafter, Jeb. He is such a good man but has a few issues. He and Cora found something in common and began a beautiful friendship that bloomed into something more.
The author did a marvelous job portraying life in the mountains. She mixed mountain lore and distrust of newcomers with gratitude and eventual acceptance. With her deft pen she had me immediately invested in the story and feeling the characters’ emotions. More than once I had tears in my eyes or chuckled.
The characters are brilliant. They jumped from the page and into my heart. I found them believable and well rounded. The conversations were realistic.
There is so much in this book. Mystery, action, danger, romance, drama, are all wrapped up nicely in this novel. At times I was surprised by a twist that was thrown in, and other times laughing by the antics of a character. So many life and spiritual lessons are woven throughout the book from beginning to end.
I highly recommend this riveting novel. It is a page turning delight. Any book club would enjoy this as a selection. There is a lot to discuss. This gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit and NetGalley, but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: The Heart of the Mountains
Author: Pepper Basham
Genre: Christian Fiction / Romance
Release date: July 1, 2022
Can their hearts overcome the darkness of the mountains?
To escape a forced marriage, Cora Taylor travels from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of her brother, who is working as a teacher in a mission school. She hopes to find a place where her nursing skills and independent ideas will be accepted and appreciated, but nothing prepares her for the wild mixture of isolation, community, brokenness, and hope within these mountains…or in the person of Jeb McAdams.
Returning from the devastation of World War 1 emotionally damaged, Jeb McAdams struggles against the rampant mountain alcoholism to soothe his nightmares. It’s easy to hide within the mountains, or it was, before Cora Taylor arrived. Now, she seems to show up at every turn, bringing her modern ideas, curiosity, and beautiful eyes with her.
Bound by their shared war history, the pair develop an unlikely friendship, which unexpectedly hints to something more. But when Cora’s desire to help the women of the mountains crosses an unspoken line, will Jeb be able to protect this feisty flatlander from the wrath of the mountain men or will he end up losing much more than his heart?
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell’s Crossroads and Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.
You can learn more about Pepper at her website http://www.pepperdbasham.com or connect with her on FB, IG, or Twitter.
More from Pepper
It’s so interesting how one idea can influence an entire series, or…how one person’s story can.
The idea for The Heart of the Mountains started in Laurel’s Dream with a hint of a family history story about a girl named Kizzie. (Someday, I hope to bring Kizzie’s story to the pages of a book). From there, the idea began to grow out of a love for my Appalachian culture into a series of books which highlighted (and fictionalized) stories from my family history.
The main story in The Heart of the Mountains is about Jeb and Cora, two different people with similar servant hearts, but the secondary story that touched me so much was the one based on my great grandfather’s life. I write about it in the Author’s Note at the end of the novel, so I won’t go into detail about it. However, what I loved getting to do is bring the truth of God’s redemption in my great grandfather’s life…to life again.
I never knew “Papa Rat”. I only knew the stories handed down to me by my granny and my mama, but in writing this story, I feel as though I had a tiny opportunity to “meet” him in these pages. He was a gruff mountain man with a broken past which led him to make a whole lot of broken choices, but his story is incredibly encouraging, because it points to the God of broken people. My great grandpa wasn’t left in his brokenness, but, after years of running away from God, he would later recount that God pursued him. The beauty of Sam McAdams’ journey in The Heart of the Mountainsis only a little glimpse into what I imagine my great grandpa’s redemption story looked like.
Because my great grandpa was forever changed when Jesus saved him (as any of us should be).
I think that’s what my granny and her siblings (and even “Papa Rat” himself) would want most -that his story would point to Jesus. I hope that’s what you see when you read about Sam McAdams in The Heart of the Mountains.
Have you ever read a book based on family history? One of my favorites is Catherine Marshall’s Christy.
All that is Hidden by author Laura DeNooyer is a Christian historical novel about two siblings. Set in late 1960’s Smoky Mountains, it is heavy with southern charm and family issues. In June, the author was named a semi-finalist for All That Is Hidden in Serious Writer’s “Book of the Decade” contest. Brava!
This is the first book that I have read by this author. While I love historical fiction, I prefer the 1800s or early 1900s. It took me a while to become invested in this book and its characters. If that happens to you, just keep reading.
This is the tale of Tina, a feisty 10 year old tomboy, and her family. Tina grows up and breaks the mold by learning to play baseball with the boys. Her brother, Nick, shares a lot of antics with her.
The story takes a turn when secrets are brought to light. What one was a safe, simple life is challenged. This story is filled with life lessons, bits of humor, emotions, twists and turns, family drama, and an abundance of Appalachian folklore.
The author has a nice style of writing. Her details and descriptions took me back to the Mountains in a time when this country was experiencing some unrest. The conversations sounded authentic. Characters were believable and interesting. The one downside is that there seemed to be two or three subplots going on, also. A few times I had trouble following along.
I recommend this to readers that enjoy historical fiction set in the mid 1900s or mountains. If you are a baseball fan, you will enjoy all of that. It receives a 4 out of 5 star rating from me. I received a complimentary copy from the author, but these are my honest words.
About Author Laura DeNooyer:
As a Michigan native, Laura earned a BA in Education and Fine Arts at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, then taught school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for nine years. She pioneered the middle school and high school art program, wrote curriculum, taught creative writing, and coached volleyball.
Over twenty years later, Laura started her own teaching and tutoring business from home, working with home schoolers the past sixteen years. Between these two teaching jobs, she and her husband raised four children. In her spare time, Laura wrote and published her first novel and received awards for other stories.
Storytelling through novels is her passion, especially character-driven stories featuring complex relationships, whether historical fiction or a fairy tale setting.
Laura has contributed to The Baum Bugle periodical and hosts a blog to encourage creativity and spur imagination, wherever they are found. https://lauradenooyer.com
In Honor’s Defense is the final book in the Hanger’s Horsemen Series by award winning author Karen Witemeyer. She is an exquisite storyteller, and I always enjoy her books. I was immediately captured by this story and its characters.
This is the story of Luke, a strong godly man who falls for a woman he must protect from harm. It is also the story of Damaris, a strong, feisty woman. She moves to Texas to take care of her late brother’s teenage son and finds trouble. Was her brother killed?
The plot is excellent allowing the story to move at a nice pace and the characters to develop. It stays interesting with mystery, cattle rustling, an angry teen with grief over his father’s death, romance, and adventure. There is a faith message woven throughout the book as well as some life lessons. At times the drama and action are lightened by humor. Some twists and turns had me guessing. There are many quote-worthy words in this novel. Damaris said this one: “A person of integrity always lives up to his or her word.”
If you haven’t read the other books in this series, this book can easily be read as a stand-alone. I highly recommend it and the author. Witemeyer always produces a captivating masterpiece, including In Honor’s Defense. It receives 5 out of 5 stars from this reader. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: In Honor’s Defense
Author: Karen Witemeyer
Genre: Historical Romance
Release date: June 7, 2022
Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life–for respect, for country, and for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he’s left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, tracking down a group of rustlers, he jumps at the chance.
Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nathaniel, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she’d have and to give him the family he desperately needs.
When Nate finds himself knee-deep in trouble, Luke’s attempt to protect him leaves Damaris feeling indebted to the Horseman. But suspicions grow regarding the mysterious death of Damaris’s brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without.
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Romance Author in 2019 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she’s on deadline.
More from Karen
Meet Luke and Damaris
As the Hanger’s Horsemen series comes to a close, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Luke Davenport and Damaris Baxter. If you haven’t read the other books in this series, don’t worry. This one stands on its own just fine.
Luke
Luke Davenport is a former cavalry officer who is part of an elite squad of men known as Hanger’s Horsemen. Haunted by the horrors of war, this group of Texas legends has spent the last few years fighting for justice on behalf of those who cannot fight for themselves. Luke is Matthew Hanger’s right-hand man, but when Matt retires the Horsemen in favor of a more settled life with his new wife, Luke is left feeling adrift. So when a solo job comes his way to track down rustled cattle, he jumps at the opportunity.
Known for his strength, his size, and his skill with his fists, I modeled Luke after a pair of football players, Howie Long and JJ Watt. He’s a man of action with a bit of wildness inside, yet his ability to memorize Scripture earned him the nickname Preach. He’s a godly man with scars, seeking to find his place as his Horsemen brothers move on to new phases of life.
Damaris
Damaris Baxter has been invisible her entire life. Plain of face and quiet of manner, she it’s the epitome of unremarkable. While she dares heroic feats and grand adventures between the covers of her favorite books, life outside the pages consists of little more than needlework and dull conversation with her great aunt. Until her brother dies under suspicious circumstances and she travels to Texas to care for her nephew. Determined that the “Texas Damaris” will be bolder and braver than her former self, she sets out to win the heart of a grieving boy and ends up mixed up in a dangerous murder plot with a handsome cowboy who actually sees her.
When creating Damaris’s character, I gave her two of my favorite hobbies—reading and cross-stitching. She shares other similarities with me as well. She’s a quiet person who dislikes making waves, but when family needs her, there’s nothing she won’t do to help. Her questionable baking skills might also have found some inspiration in my personal experience. Just ask my husband about my famous transparent chocolate chip cookies.
Opposites Attract?
I love to explore what brings people together, and while it’s a common idea that opposites attract, I’ve always believed that there must be some core commonalities beneath the differences to bind a couple together for a lifetime. So, while Luke and Damaris seem to be stark opposites—he an adventure-seeking soldier used to solving problems with guns and fists; she a quiet, proper lady used to escaping problems with books and needlework—they actually have several core commonalities. They both crave belonging and family, they both value God’s Word, and they both have a strong, protective instinct toward those they care about. This core common ground is what serves as the foundation for their relationship.
Now that you’ve been introduced to Luke and Damaris, I hope you’ll join them on the adventure that leads them to love.
To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away a Hanger’s Horsemen prize bundle consisting of autographed copies of all three books in the series, a custom mug, and Horsemen swag!! (U.S. Only)
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Much Ado About Persuasion is a Christian historical, retelling of a mixture of two books. Author Barbara Cornthwaite has taken books by authors Jane Austen and William Shakespeare and blended them into one delightful story. The title might have given this away.
This novel is a very imaginative retelling of the combined stories of Persuasion by Jane Austen and Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. For me, the way the author overlapped these two stories made an interesting new tale. Both stories were twisted and shaped to become a new combined one.
I enjoyed the writing style of the author. The language was period correct. Her characters were researched and loosely based on the originals. The way the novel is written reminds me of the style of Jane Austen.
It took me a while to become invested in the story and characters. There are many different characters as well as storylines. It is not a book to read lightly. I needed to pay attention to get everything straight at first.
Scripture and faith are included along with multiple timeless life lessons. I found clever humor in places and some emotional bits. All in all it is a nice book. Shakespeare and Austen fans will enjoy it. Readers that like the combination of two books made into one will, also. For me, I prefer my stories separate, but I do recommend this one. It gets a 4 out of 5 star rating. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.
About the Book
Book: Much Ado About Persuasion
Author: Barbara Cornthwaite
Genre: Historical/Jane Austen Retelling
Release date: May 3, 2022
Some duel with swords, others with ships. In love, however, they duel with hearts.
When Sir Walter Elliot, secret admirer of the Navy, invites officers to visit his estate, what could be more natural than for his two daughters to find themselves in love?
Elizabeth Elliot’s legendary, bitter pride clashes with Admiral Baldwin’s stubborn conceit until any hope of a match seems impossible. They say love conquers all, but does it?
All looks hopeful for Anne Elliot and the dashing Captain Wentworth, but when a cousin steps in and sets evil plans into motion, is their love enough to withstand the storm, or is it best to let the captain sail that ship… alone?
Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing meets Jane Austen’s Persuasion in this story about trust, disappointment, and disguises.
Barbara Cornthwaite lives in the middle of Ireland with her husband and children. She taught college English before “retiring” to do something she loves far more; her days are now filled with homeschooling, trying to keep the house tidy (a losing battle), and trying to stay warm in the damp Irish climate (also a losing battle). She is surrounded by medieval castles, picturesque flocks of sheep, and ancient stone monuments. These things are unappreciated by her six children, who are more impressed by traffic jams, skyscrapers, and hot weather.
More from Barbara
I discovered Jane Austen in college when I was required to read Pride and Prejudice. This was in the dark ages before the famous adaptations, and I knew nothing about the storyline. In fact, I expected it to be depressing, probably because the title sounded similar to War and Peace. It was a delightful surprise to be charmed by the novel, and I went on to read all Austen’s other books on my own. Each of them have a special place in my heart. I love Emma so much that I wrote a two-book parallel novel for it (the George Knightley, Esquire series). I also have novellas based on Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma in the A Very Austen anthologies. This book, however, is the first thing I’ve written based on Persuasion.
Shakespeare I met in high school, and furthered my acquaintance with him in college. Much Ado About Nothing is, I think, my favorite of his plays (although there are several close contenders for the top spot). His grasp of character is unmatched, and his language, even after five hundred years, is striking.
Mixing the stories of these two authors has been great fun, and redeeming a couple of characters who didn’t learn anything from their mistakes in the original stories gives my version a spiritual twist. I hope you enjoy it!
Midnight’s Budding Morrow ~ Review with Excerpt and Giveaway
Midnight’s Budding Morrow
Regency Wallflowers Book #2
By Carolyn Miller
Midnight’s Budding Morrow is Book 2 in author Carolyn Miller’s Regency Wallflowers Series. This Christian historical fiction may be read as a stand alone if you haven’t read the first book in the series. You will be able to follow and enjoy the story.
In this Regency tale, we meet Sarah Drayton. She is an orphan from a good family, however not from one of wealth or prestige. Beatrice Langley is Sarah’s friend and takes her to visit the Langley home in Northumberland. Also there is Bea’s brother, James. He needs a wife quickly and decides on Sarah.
I really enjoy the writing style of this author. Her characters are multilayered and relatable. The villains are detestable, while the heroes shine. Conversations sound authentic for the location and time period.
It did not take me long to become invested in the story. I really liked Sarah and her friend Bea. At times the character’s emotions caused tears to gather in my eyes. That is the sign of a good book.
Overall this was a highly enjoyable book, but I will admit I did need tissue for a scene or two. So I would recommend this for home reading and not your lunch break at work.
I highly recommend this book. It gets a 4 star rating from this reader. A copy was provided by the publisher, but these are my honest words.
About the Book:
Can real love grow between a wallflower and an unrepentant rogue?
Sarah Drayton is eager to spend time with her best friend at her crumbling Northumberland castle estate. Matrimony is the last thing on her mind and the last thing she expects to be faced with on a holiday. Yet she finds herself being inveigled into a marriage of convenience with her friend’s rakish brother.
When James Langley returns to his family’s estate, he can’t be bothered to pay attention to his responsibilities as the heir. War is raging and he wants only distraction, not serious tethers. But his roguish ways have backed him into a corner, and he has little choice but to obey his father’s stunning decree: marry before returning to war, or else. Suddenly he finds himself wedded to a clever and capable woman he does not love.
Sarah craves love and a place to belong, neither of which James offered before returning to the battlefront. Now everyone around her thinks she married above her station, and they have no intention of rewarding her for such impertinence. It isn’t until her husband returns from war seemingly changed that she begins to hope they may find real happiness. But can she trust that this rake has truly reformed?
When tragedy strikes, this pair must learn to trust God and his plans. Will they be destroyed . . . or will they discover that even in the darkest depths of night, the morning still holds hope?
While most stories set in Regency England focus on the rich, the young, and the beautiful, award-winning author Carolyn Miller decided she wanted to give readers something different for a change. Her new Regency Wallflowers series follows the commoners, away from the hustle and bustle of 1810s London, out in the Lake District of England. She tells the stories of women who are slightly older and have few prospects for marriage, women who might be considered “wallflowers.”
Midnight’s Budding Morrow is the second book in the Regency Wallflowers series. The first book in the series is Dusk’s Darkest Shores.
About the Author:
Carolyn Miller is an inspirational romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children.
A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English literature and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. She enjoys music, films, gardens, art, travel, and food.
Miller’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.
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Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 