Friday, May 26, 2023

The Swindler's Daughter - Review


 Book Description

A surprise inheritance. A cache of family secrets. A choice that will change her life forever.

Lillian Doyle has lived her entire high-society life with her widowed mother, believing her father died long ago. But when news arrives that her estranged father only recently passed away--in jail--Lillian is startled to find that he has left a business and all his possessions to her, making her a rather unusual heiress.

When she arrives at her father's house in a backwoods Georgia town, the dilapidated structure is already occupied by a woman who claims it was promised to her son, Jonah. In her attempts to untangle the mess, Lillian will discover not only a family she never knew she had but a family business that is more than meets the eye--and has put a target on her back.

To discover the truth and take hold of the independence she's always dreamed of, she'll have to make friends with adversaries and strangers--and Jonah, the dusty and unrefined cowboy who has secret aspirations of his own.


"This book has something for every reader--an underlying mystery, a sweet romance that blooms unexpectedly, and a surprisingly suspenseful climax to the story."--Susan Anne Mason, author of the Redemption's Light series

"If you like stories of romance, mystery, and action set in realistic historical times and places, you won't want to miss this book."--Ann H. Gabhart, bestselling author of When the Meadow Blooms


My Review

Lillian chafed against her mother's ambition. She didn't want the society marriage nor her mother's lifestyle. Her opportunity came when her father, whom she didn't know had been alive, died and left her an inheritance that would change everything for her.

Lillian is a well written character who has to overcome a lot, including re-framing her thoughts about her mother. She blossoms into a spunky woman with determination and kindness.

Jonah is set on buying a property for his mother and sisters so they are able to support themselves and he can attend university and become an Electrical engineer. It seems God has other plans, when the property is left to Lillian instead of the expected family member.

What unfolds includes some mis-perceptions between Lillian and Jonah, a mystery bigger than them all, and a plan revealed by Melanie, Jonah's mother. Lillian discovers her dreams and finds a family that she has always wanted.

This story was beautiful and heartwarming. There were lessons in love, patience, growth, and forgiveness. The writing was full of complex and delightful characters, interactions, and the uncovering of a sinister plot that threatened them all. The story was well written and the mystery kept the suspense well. As each clue was discovered, I was left wondering how all would turn out.

I highly recommend this story set in the early 1900s. It is one that can inspire faith. I received a copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.

Endorsements

"This book has something for every reader--an underlying mystery, a sweet romance that blooms unexpectedly, and a surprisingly suspenseful climax to the story. Historical fans will love it!"

Susan Anne Mason, author of the Redemption's Light series

"The Swindler's Daughter is a compelling story with characters I enjoyed getting to know as they faced challenges in times of uncertainty in their lives. If you like stories of romance, mystery, and action set in realistic historical times and places, you won't want to miss this book."

Ann H. Gabhart, bestselling author of When the Meadow Blooms

About the Author 

Stephenia H. McGee is the award-winning author of many stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South, including The Secrets of Emberwild. When she's not reading or sipping sweet tea on the front porch, she's a writer, dreamer, husband spoiler, and busy mom of two rambunctious boys. Learn more at www.stepheniamcgee.com.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

A Path to Acceptance


A Path To Acceptance JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Path To Acceptance by Lisa M. James, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

A Path to Acceptance

Title: A Path to Acceptance
Series:
The Prodigal Woman Series
Author:
Lisa M. James
Publisher:
Independently Published
Release Date:
May 19, 2023
Genre:
Christian Romance / Fantasy

Wanton. Tainted. Immoral. These were all words that could describe Penelope. After being forced into a world of harlotry to cover her parents' debts, Penny learned how to survive without feeling. When a mysterious man approaches Penny with an offer to free her from her situation, Penny soon discovers that leaving her tavern could not rid her of the reputation she gained as a harlot. Would anyone be able to see beyond her tainted past?

Abandoned by his father as a child, Ryland refuses to depend on anyone but himself. Surviving as a mercenary for wealthy landowners, he accepts an assignment to free a harlot from a life of slavery. Frustrated when he is forced to take her under his care, Ryland discovers there is more to this harlot than her beauty. Can her unshakeable faith bring him back to a Redeemer he has long since rejected?  

Discover the story of a tainted woman in A Path to Acceptance.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

My Review

This book, like the one before it in the series is something beautiful. The characters are unexpected, relatable, and feel that there is no redemption for them. There is a strong feeling of "I am not good enough" allowing them to stumble through the story and find their worth. 

Worth is inherent but feeling that feeling is more difficult in trying circumstances. Penny is sold into harlotry and is given a way out, for her, the biggest challenges is not seeing herself in that light as everyone sees her that way. 

This story is set in an alternate world that gives a plain view of good, bad, and redemption. I found myself engrossed in this world and feeling so deeply Penny's pain. On the other side of this coin, Ryland was also relatable with his own set of challenges that have faced him. He too found a way to shut people out. The paths they trod made their redemption and quiet love story so beautiful and well done. It was natural as they each fought their individual demons and some quite real external enemies as well. 

There were aspects of life and death. The ending fit perfectly and left me cheering. 

I received an early copy through the publisher and this is my honest review. 

More Books in this Series

A Path to Forgiveness


About the Author

Lisa James

Lisa M. James is a Romantic Fantasy and Christian Fantasy author. Her  novels have made the Amazon Best Sellers list for numerous categories, including: Fairy Tale Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery Fantasy, Christian Fantasy, and Religious Romance. She is committed to creating fantastical worlds with clean romances and diverse female leads. When not writing, Lisa can most often be found watching Disney movies or enjoying homemade chai. 

Connect with Lisa by visiting lisamjames.com to follow her on social media and sign up for newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a paperback copy of A Path to Acceptance & a Vera Bradley Crossbody bag (plum pansies print)!

A Path to Acceptance JustRead Giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 22, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 29, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

Friday, May 19, 2023

The Late Mrs. Willoughby - Review







QUICK FACTS


·       Title: The Late Mrs. Willoughby

·       Series: A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery (Book 2)  

·       Author: Claudia Gray

·       Genre: Historical Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Austenesque

·       Publisher: Vintage Books (May 16, 2023)

·       Length: (400) pages

·       Format: Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook 

·       ISBN: ‎978-0593313831

·       Tour Dates: May 15 – 29, 2023

 

BOOK DESCRIPTION

The suspenseful sequel to The Murder of Mr. Wickham, which sees Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney reunited, and with another mystery to solve: the dreadful poisoning of the scoundrel Willoughby's new wife.

Catherine and Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey are not entirely pleased to be sending their eligible young daughter Juliet out into the world again: the last house party she attended, at the home of the Knightleys, involved a murder—which Juliet helped solve. Particularly concerning is that she intends to visit her new friend Marianne Brandon, who's returned home to Devonshire shrouded in fresh scandal—made more potent by the news that her former suitor, the rakish Mr. Willoughby, intends to take up residence at his local estate with his new bride.

Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley are thrilled that their eldest son, Jonathan—who, like his father, has not always been the most socially adept—has been invited to stay with his former schoolmate, John Willoughby. Jonathan himself is decidedly less taken with the notion of having to spend extended time under the roof of his old bully, but that all changes when he finds himself reunited with his fellow amateur sleuth, the radiant Miss Tilney. And when shortly thereafter, Willoughby's new wife—whom he married for her fortune—dies horribly at the party meant to welcome her to town.

With rumors flying and Marianne—known to be both unstable and previously jilted by the dead woman's newly made widower—under increased suspicion, Jonathan and Juliet must team up once more to uncover the murderer. But as they collect clues and close in on suspects, eerie incidents suggest that the killer may strike again, and that the pair are in far graver danger than they or their families could imagine.

 

MY REVIEW

This is the second book featuring Juliet Tilney and Jonathan Darcy. These are fantastic characters partly because they are well-written and partly because of the license allowed when adding offspring to Jane Austen characters, It gives the reader a new lens with which to view the entire world.

 

Heavily featured in this story is the town of Barton, complete with the residents of Barton Cottege, Allenham, Delaford, and of course Barton Park. Included are new characters purported to be friends to Mr. Willoughby.

 

The story and mystery are delightful. It is slow to lay out the clues, but the important thing is for our two investigators to learn and interact as they go. Their previous adventure with Mr. Wickham is mentioned multiple times and the time period between both books is not long.

 

It is delightful to see these characters inner thoughts. With Jonathan there is an impression that he struggles with what we might call Asperger's due to his well-written quirks. He struggles in his interactions with others because he is not confident in his ability to understand a situation, but he is also very observant.

 

One theme I noticed was that of the danger of gossip. The entire town had decided the murderer of Mrs. Willoughby without a thought to truth. In fact the story, as layered as it is, bounces between suspects until ultimately all is revealed. Afterall, It wouldn't be a whodunit without uncovering the truth.

 

This is a delightful world that has been created with existing characters and new. It was a well thought out story and was fun to read. There is definitely a need for a third adventure with these two. The miscommunications caused by the very nature of Regency society leave so much room for more.

 

I received an early copy through NetGalley and this is my honest review.

 

PRAISE FOR THE LATE MRS. WILLOUGHBY

·       “An absolute page-turner full of well-plotted mystery and hints of simmering romance.... More of the Jane Austen characters we love (as well as those we love to hate).” —Mia P. Manansala, author of Arsenic and Adobo

·       ”Gray makes her endearing leads’ sleuthing both plausible and entertaining while evoking the wit and feel of Austen’s classic novels. Admirers of P.D. James’s Death Comes to Pemberley will be delighted.” Publisher’s Weekly (starred review)

·       ”Absolutely delightful! Fans of Jane Austen and historical mysteries will fall in love with this series. Gray remains true to Austen’s style and intent for her beloved characters while still adding her own spin on them and their progeny—one that is both refreshing and absorbing. I’m already looking forward to the next installment.” —Anna Lee Huber, USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Darby series

 

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

 

AUTHOR BIO


Claudia Gray
is the pseudonym of Amy Vincent. She is the writer of multiple young adult novels, including the Evernight series, the Firebird trilogy, and the Constellation trilogy. In addition, she’s written several Star Wars novels, such as Lost Stars and Bloodline, and Jane Austen-inspired series, A Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mysteries. She makes her home in New Orleans with her husband Paul and assorted small dogs. 

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

 

Monday, May 15, 2023

The Long March Home - Review

 


This has to be one of the books that has been more difficult to read and for all the right reasons. The subject of this book being the Bataan Death March. 

This book follows three friends: flashing back from their time growing up in Mobile, Alabama and through their time and experiences in the Philippines. The descriptions of the Death March were powerful. The emotions experienced by Jimmy, Hank, and Billy  were something this book helped me experience. 

I felt like a witness to the depravity of the POW camps and the March itself. I saw the way that these soldiers had to survive and felt for the ones that could no longer go on. 

The ending will rip your heart out. 

Softening the story are the flashbacks to Mobile, and to Clair. Jimmy's struggles with his father and the relationships he had with those back home added depth and humanity to the story. Jimmy's faith crisis in the backdrop of utter Hell was powerful and moving. 

I found myself crying at the utter devastation that occurred in that war. These men that were forgotten after the early days of war until after the war was over. One line that gutted me was when a doctor was being told about what the character experienced and cal
led him a liar. To me this just summed up the entire experience for this character. 

I recommend this book to those who are students of history. I love the way a historical novel brings history off the page and places me in the center of everything giving me a different perspective and experience of something that I was not personally around to see and experience. This novel does this for me. 

I received an early copy through the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review



Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Love in the Squared Circle

 

Love in the Squared Circle JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Love in the Squared Circle by Heather Greer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Love in the Squared Circle

Title: Love in the Squared Circle
Author:
Heather Greer
Publisher:
Scrivenings Press
Release Date:
April 19, 2022
Genre:
Christian Contemporary Romance

Trinity Knight is not a fan of professional wrestling. But with her husband gone, it falls to her to give their son the father-son trip they daydreamed about when he was alive. After Trinity causes them to miss a meet and greet with Jay’s favorite wrestler, a random act of kindness saves the trip and starts Trinity on an unexpected path.

Universal Wrestling Organization Champion Blane Sterling hears whiny children at photo ops all the time. However, overhearing a young boy comfort his mother piques his interest. Touched by their story, Blane works with the UWO Public Relations team to give Jay the experience of a lifetime. As they learn each other’s stories, Trinity and Blane are drawn to each other. 

But they don’t just come from different states. They live in different worlds. Trinity might learn to fit into his life, but can those in her world look beyond Blane’s profession to see his heart? Or will a lack of acceptance cause Trinity and Blane to lose their shot at love?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop/IndieBound | BookBub

MY REVIEW

I truly loved this story. I have watched professional wrestling from time to time, but I really loved Blane. He was everything a good man should be. Trinity is a widow with a son who was trying to keep his dad alive for him through the sport that they loved. Blane gives this to her and more. 


The relationship and chemistry were on point.  Jay is a a great kid and gets an incredible experience. I loved this book. The story was fresh and new and it was the perfect read. 


The elements of faith and Christianity were strong and not too much. This was a well written story that would appeal even if you aren't a fan of professional wrestling. 


This is a story of faith, family, and finding love in unexpected places. I could read Trinity and Blane's story again and again. 


I received a copy from the publisher and this is my honest review 


About the Author

Heather Greer

Heather Greer loves growing in her relationship with God and helping others do the same. While she's served in ministries dealing with toddlers through adults, her focus is on encouraging and challenging teen and adult believers to go further in their faith. She is blessed to be able to use her God-given passion for writing to do this, both in her books and blog. 

Heather is a pastor's kid from southern Illinois. While she never intended to marry a pastor, she became a pastor's wife when her husband answered the call to preach five years into their marriage. Now that three of her four kids have flown the nest, Heather enjoys more time for reading and writing and writing about reading. And when she's not doing any of those things, you'll probably find her in the kitchen baking for her friends and family. 

Connect with Heather by visiting heathergreer.com to follow her on social media and sign up for newsletter updates.


Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive an ebook of Love in the Squared Circle and $25 Amazon gift card!

Love in the Squared Circle JustRead Tours giveaway

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 8, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 15, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

JustRead Publicity Tours

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