Claire Holloway is Winging It - Angela Ruth Strong

Claire Holloway is Winging It - Angela Ruth Strong

4.5 Stars (Rounding Up to 5)

I really enjoyed this book! She really handled this in a realistic way. 

I really enjoyed this lighthearted Christian rom-com, my first read by Angela. Claire Holloway, a former ballerina turned flight attendant, meets Nathan at work, a pilot healing from heartbreak, while she’s still in a relationship with Wyatt. You think it's a love triangle, but it's not in the traditional sense.

While this trope isn’t usually my favorite, Angela handled it realistically and thoughtfully. If I had to read a book with a significant other story plot, this is how you do it gracefully. 

The story emphasizes honesty, boundaries, and trusting God’s timing and plan. Nathan was sweet, supportive, and clearly a good Christian man, maintaining healthy boundaries despite his attraction to Claire. He knew what the right thing to do was and took necessary steps to ensure he was respectful.

I appreciated seeing Claire grow in faith and discern God’s direction for her life. Her journey from a people-pleaser to someone learning to trust God was beautifully done. I am a people-pleaser myself, so I found some of that relatable. 

The book also highlights healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, friendship before romance, and the importance of waiting for marriage from a biblical perspective. 

While I do wish Claire had ended things with Wyatt sooner, I appreciated seeing her grow and that makes sense for the pacing of the story. We really see, especially in the end, how she grows in faith and realizes her worth is in God and not a boyfriend. That in itself was beautiful. 

Overall, Claire Holloway Is Winging It was a fun, heartfelt romance with a unique setting and likeable cast of characters. I enjoyed the humor, airline world and the journey the characters made realistically. 

Content: Clean romance, FMC in relationship while thoughts of MMC but handled as well as it could be realistic way, brief mention of possible drug deal happening nearby, jokes about plane issues while flying, romance is kisses only, MMC walking through hard time after his ex cheated on him, cheating side characters mentioned, mention of church hurt in the past, mentions of past affairs. [Note: To be clear, we do not see much of her relationship with Wyatt on page outside of phone calls and texts until toward the end, and by then, it's obvious to the reader that they won't really work out and are not going to continue at some point.]

Thank you to the publisher, Kregel, for a complimentary copy of the book to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/473eXd3
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780825455742_claire-holloway-is-winging-it
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Last to Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn

Last to Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn
Book 3 in the Gossamer Falls Series
3.5 Stars, rounding up to 4.

Nice end to the series! We get Mo and Bronwyn's romance! This is 75% romance/25% suspense - mostly due to the nature of their relationship, past and everything they need to work out together.

This is the end to the Gossamer Falls Series, a Christian Romantic Suspense series. Bronwyn is strong woman who has poured her heart into The Haven, her family's resort. Financial discrepancies come up, tension builds, and she thinks there is more at play here other than financial issues. She gets help from Mo, her first love, and that adds an emotional layer to everything. Mo is a standout guy, he's a former Army Intelligence officer so he brings a lot of skills to the tables for the investigation. 

I enjoyed my time with this one, as I was really ready for Mo and Bronwyn's romance. I am not always crazy about flashbacks in romance books, so those bits took me out the story a smidge. However, I do love the family thread and other characters we get throughout the book from previous books. Because of that, I recommend each book is read in order so you're not spoiled.

Also, while I love a good romance in the romantic suspense reads, I think I would like a bit more of the suspense elements to keep the plot moving, if that makes sense.

Overall, glad to have finished this series and would recommend!

*Content/Trigger Warnings: Mentions of drug trafficking, shootings, alcohol, deaths, someone trying to kill Bronwyn, cancer of grandparent, eating disorder, weapons, general crimes, nothing explicit but general themes of those items. Romance is kisses only and no language.  

Thank you to Revell for sending me a complementary copy of this book to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3P9ShBT
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780800745387_last-to-fall
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

 

Break My Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn

Break My Fall - Lynn H. Blackburn
Book 2 in the Gossamer Falls Series
4 Stars

Love this series - great romances and family dynamics! So pumped we got Police Chief Grayson Ward and Dr. Meredith Quinn's romance story! 

This is a Christian Romantic Suspense series - we have small town danger, steady suspense and a good romance. Gray watches out for Meredith, loved that. At the beginning of the books, we see someone cut Meredith's fuel line so Gray was right there in the thick of things to keep her safe. While they had a rough start to their romance though, it was more realistic.

Gray had been through some hard things, loss of loved ones, so he was quite guarded in the romance department but Meredith knocks down his walls little by little. They try to resist their feelings because of several things but ultimately let their past go to proceed with things together. 

Some of the bits did drag on a little bit, but I still enjoyed my time with it. I liked the romance and their interactions better then the suspense aspect too. It's nice to see characters in their early 30s too, more realistic look at things.

The suspense has drug lords, corruption, unexpected movements...I would say its a bit more morbid than usual but nothing extremely detailed at the same time.

What else can I say? Read if you like a good romantic suspense, families that have each others backs, light faith elements, brother's best friend, law enforcement MMC, etc. 

Ready to read Mo and Bronwyn's romance next!! :)

Content/Trigger Warnings: Past loss of sibling, parents, loved ones recounted, death, gun shoot outs, drug lords, car accidents, mentions of human trafficking and domestic violence, mentions of bodies death, decomposing, loss of limbs, mention of breast cancer, a brief almost panic attack, kisses only clean romance, no language

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3P8EV8W
Baker Book House:  https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9780800745370_break-my-fall

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Why Did Jesus Have to Die? The Daily Grace Company Lent Q&A Book

 

Why Did Jesus Have to Die? The Daily Grace Company Lent Q&A Book
5 Stars

Thank you Daily Grace Co for sending me a complimentary copy of this to read! I loved it. I took my time with this one and it was very in depth, bringing lots of questions we have to the table. It also explained some of the other points of view people have and brought us back to scripture to explain the truth where possible. My favorite parts were on the Jesus Ascension portion. It was filled with the hope of Christ.

Highly recommend for anyone needing something theologically rich, especially around Lent season as we celebrate the Lord.

Daily Grace Co: https://collabs.shop/ghiyvq

10% Off Daily Grace Company Order with Discount Code BOOKLOVERAMANDA

The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas

 

The Hired Man by Sandra Dallas
5 Stars

Secular Historical Fiction

Standalone Book

Wow. Honestly y'all. This book blew me away. I have never read a Sandra Dallas book until now and while this had some heavier topics, I was completely immersed in the storytelling, the characters and the setting. (*See trigger warnings at the end if needed.)

Set in 1937 Colorado during the Dust Bowl period, lots of dust storms are brewing, food is scarce, times are hard, work is few and far between....We follow Martha Hellen, the POV throughout the story. She is I believe either 15 or 16. A young man by the name of Otis helps a young boy out of a dust cloud/storm and Martha Hellen's Mama wants to help him by letting him stay in exchange for work on their property. He is considered a "vagrant", an out of towner...not welcome by most of the community. However, they believe in helping the less fortunate....this leads to a story of heartache, loss, unknowns....

Like I said, I was completely immersed in this book. I listened to the audiobook for the first 50% (amazing narrator) and then there was soooo much going on, I had to stop and grab my e-book ARC because I NEEDED TO KNOW! 

I think what stands out for me on this is the ending with the twist - it TOOK ME OUT. I never saw it coming. 

Martha Hellen and her family - I loved them. Such good examples of parents during that time - good, hardworking people who had been through so much hardship but never gave up. Martha Hellen was a good friend, also someone who never gave up. 

What else can I say....I think the ending was brilliant honestly because it was so unexpected. I had to go back and re-read it like 4 times to make sure I was reading it right! That's how blown my mind was with it. 

I definitely want to read more of Sandra's books. She sure does tell a WILD and good story!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the complimentary ebook and audiobook to honestly read for review. All thoughts are my own.

*Trigger/Content Warnings: Death, Poverty, Language - 2 to 3 GDs, few other smaller words, situational language I guess you would say....I didn't care for the language personally. Sexual assault, murder, bullying, sexism - may be other things I missed but there is no romance really in this, it's a historical fiction story showing the realities of the hard things that happened during that time. It won't be for everyone but I really liked the story overall.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8421617259
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4sbNnCW
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links,

Book Reviews Graphic Novel Wrap Up for Let's Get Graphic Readathon

 

Recently, the Let's Get Graphic 24 hour readathon happened hosted by these ladies:

https://www.youtube.com/@GwendolynKensinger
https://www.youtube.com/@ABookLikeYou
https://www.youtube.com/@Julesbooksandthings

It was to read Graphic Novels for 24 hours in early March and I managed to get a few read!

Thought I would list all of them in one blog post:

1. Pawcasso  - Remy Lai - 4 Stars

Y'ALL THIS WAS THE MOST ADORABLE GRAPHIC NOVEL! All about a girl and her dog, but much more than that. Some great themes of friendship, kindness, community. So funny too, lots of good laughs. I needed a good laugh and this hit right at the perfect time. A good rec from my friend! :) Also, the artwork is the best! Not a lot to say, but it's just a sweet, wholesome graphic novel book.

2. Millie of the Manor - Katrina Evans and Andrea Bell - 5 Stars 

Absolutely amazing. It really is like "Clue meets the baby sitters club". A great graphic novel story about friendship, social anxiety and working through the hard moments in between. Amy goes to therapy to learn ways to cope with her social anxiety. She gets invited to a murder-mystery game party, makes new friends and the rest is history. I have always had somewhat of social anxiety that I have to "mask" in a way at work and in new social situations due to some struggles I have in my ADHD. This was relatable for me for sure, especially to little Amanda.

The murder mystery was so fun, I love they did it as a party! The artwork in this and the COLORS are beautiful! Well done!

3. How to Talk to You Succulent - Zoe Persico

MY HEART AND NOW I'M SOBBBBING! This was a look inside a little girl's grief after losing her mother, who loved plants. She goes to her Grandmas with her Dad after her mother passes and starts a new journey. She makes a new friend and realizes she can talk to plants just like her Mama could. Lots of memories, hard times, loneliness and grief. It was a hard journey for her, but she had hope in the end for the way her life was now. I am not a plant girly, but if you are, this is a good one. Just be aware of it as a heavier read. Glad I read this one for sure.

*Content: Grief from loss of mother, 1 to 2 mentions of "oh my god" or "oh god"

Book Links from Amazon: (I read mine through Libby though, check your library!)

1. Pawcasso: https://amzn.to/3N6ot8E

2. Millie of the Manor: https://amzn.to/3PGA8vs

3. How to Talk to Your Succulent: https://amzn.to/3NEWH38

*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.

Shadowed by Dani Pettrey (Novella)

 

Shadowed - Novella Prequel to the Alaskan Courage Series by Dani Pettrey 
(Novella is on Amazon as an E-Book or you can get it as part of a Novella Collection in Sins of the Past - A Romantic Suspense Novella Collection with 2 other novellas by Lynette Eason and Dee Henderson)
5 Stars

Once again, love this series. This prequel introduces Ben and Libby, that you see in the Alaskan Courage Series as the parents to the McKennas. Loved getting to see them  together and how they got together. Also nice that it was set in 1979 Alaska and not a  modern time.

Ben is a young Alaskan fisherman who nets the body of a Russian open water swimming competitor. Libby is another swimmer who knew the woman and is pulled into trying to figure this case out with Ben. 

I think it's best to have gotten acquainted with Ben and Libby from the books 1+ and then going back to this novella, it made me appreciate their back story more.

It was fast paced, quick romance. Always enjoy the faith elements in these books. While I don't have a ton to say, it was a good, edge of your seat prequel to the series. 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/8418668656
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rnUuGZ
*Amazon links are affiliate links and a commission may be earned on items purchased from these links.