Book Review: Positively, Penelope by Pepper Basham

 Positively, Penelope - Pepper Basham - 5 Stars - Perfectly Magical In EVERY Way! - Releases August 1st, 2023 (Book 2 in the Skymar Series after Authentically, Izzy)

PERFECTLY MAGICAL IN EVERY WAY. 5 STARS. LOVE THIS SERIES - SUCH GREAT COMFORT READS! I have to say, these characters make these stories. Authentically, Izzy is one of my favorites books of all time and this sequel did NOT disappoint ya'll! This series is just a good time all around and an ultimate comfort to me. Bonus points here for the movie and theater lovers -as this has all the PERFECT classic movie vibes with Julie Andrews, The Sound of Music, Grease, Cinderella, Rambo and so much more! Perfect princess vibes - yes please! THANK YOU PEPPER for the most magical stories.

Positively, Penelope follows Penelope Edgewood - you would have seen her and her siblings, Luke and Josephine in Authentically, Izzy and they're just a GREAT time! Told in e-mails and text messages, plus the traditional narrative story, we follow Penelope as she travels to Skymar for 3 months to be an intern at one of the most historical theaters on the island. She works with Matt Gray, the business manager of the theater, plus we see his daughter, Iris, Grandfather Gray, brother, Alec and sister, Gwynn. Together they make up this century old theater group that is in desperate need of saving. That's where Penelope comes in! Her marketing skills and experience are going to be put to the test as they work to save this theater.

We get to see messages from primarily Izzy and Luke, with some from Josephine as well. Loved all of these great conversations. I can't wait to listen to the audiobook because the narrators will be the same as Authentically, Izzy and they are WONDERFUL! They truly bring these conversations to life!

Like I said, what makes this story is our wonderful cast of characters! Penelope is so wonderful! She is positive, kind, generous, full of sunshine and a genuine heart! Then we have this grumpy-sunshine guy - Matt - who I LOVED! He has been through such hardship with his divorce and the loss of his mother and grandmother - he doesn't know how to begin again....until he meets Penelope. :) I LOVED the relationship between them and Iris too - Iris was so precious! I loved a good story with a single Dad trying to make his way who can find love again - SIGN ME UP!

I hope you all will pick this book up - as if I haven't sold you enough :) - it truly made me happy and feel like a princess would. :) What a magical place - to be in Skymar. I am so ready for Luke's story! If you love theater, movies, fairytales and just feel good stories - this is for YOU!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5383694274
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qVxR3q
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/517207

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE&t=
Plus, Vlog where I started the book at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fOoVZmMy0g&t=29s

Book Review: The Best Summer of our Lives by Rachel Hauck

 

The Best Summer of Our Lives - Rachel Hauck - 4 Stars - A great coming of age story with all the summer camp vibes!

I am so glad I read this book! The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck is a raw, beautiful, coming-of-age Christian contemporary story. The story is dual-timeline, taking place primarily in 1977, with glimpses of 1997. 20 years. 4 best friends. Many secrets. Encounters with Jesus. I really enjoyed learning all about the 4 seasons friend group and look forward to reading more of Rachel's books in the future, as this was my first read by her. 4 stars!

This book is following 4 women - the 4 seasons as they're known - Summer, Autumn, Spring and Snow. We are following their journey right out of high-school as they're forced to become camp counselors during the Summer of '77 in Tumbleweed, Oklahoma because of a prank they pulled in high school. Little do they know, this summer will bring many eye opening events, truths to the surface and walks with God. We see each girl's perspective as they go through this new camp experience. Then we have the 1997 timeline, 20 years later, and you know for some reason early on, the girls had a falling out. We get bits and pieces of where each woman is in their life 20 years later and quickly get back into the '77 timeline to see what happened during that summer that got them to where they are today. 

My favorite part of this story was the ending. I have a hard time with multiple POV stories personally, so I struggled keeping everyone together at first, but once I was about half way through the story, I was really interested in their stories and their personal lives. There was a lot of family drama but what I liked was we end up with an underlying faith element that touches your heart in the end. I did tear up with the last sentence and the author's note. Rachel reminds us in her author's note to always go to Jesus in the desert times - cling to Him. Even when you don't or you are running away in hard times, He is always with you. This story reminds us of that and I really appreciated it in the end. I think many people will be impacted by the way Rachel interweaved the faith in this story. 

Our side characters were also really nice - Greta was so precious and Levi was my favorite of the male roles. Overall, I am so glad I read this book as it is a gentle, spiritual reminder to run to Jesus in those tough times in life. Thank you to Baker Publishing, Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a copy to honestly read and review. 

*Content Warnings* This book is overall clean, but has a VERY BRIEF mention of 3 young girls who were kidnapped, raped and killed at another camp. We also have some discussions surrounding sex before marriage, adultery, teenage pregnancy and dealing with divorce.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5414780481
Amazon: https://amzn.to/449s3l5
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492074

YouTube Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE&t
Reading Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fOoVZmMy0g&t=29s

Book Review: Rocky Mountain Rendezvous by Misty M. Beller

 

Rocky Mountain Rendezvous - Misty M. Beller - 4 Stars - A wonderful journey out west with great characters, a unique setting and a sweet romance! (Book 1 in the Sisters of the Rockies Series)

Rocky Mountain Rendezvous will take you on quite the journey out west! I really enjoyed the setting, characters, history and sweetness of the story. This was my first Misty Beller book and I’m eager to read the next in this series as it left off with a little bit of a cliffhanger – and ya’ll already know I NEED TO KNOW what happens next in a book like this! If you love sweet reads with historical elements, the rocky mountain setting, a western vibe and a character driven story, this is for you!

This story is all about Juniper Collins and her sisters, Rosemary, Faith and Lorelei. They travel to the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous in search of a Piegan Blackfoot woman that helped saved their father’s life many years ago. As they settle in the Green River Valley (future Wyoming), they stand out like a sore thumb in the midst of the rendezvous and Riley Turner comes along, compelled to help these ladies in their journey. The story kicks off from here as Riley Turner and his friends take it upon themselves to help these sisters find Steps Right – the Piegan Blackfoot woman.

I learned so much about the early 1830s rendezvous, where traders would meet to trade needed supplies. I had never heard about this so it’s always nice to learn about something in the past like this and research it on my own. It was so interesting to me. This is a very character driven story, I loved the sisters and their bond in strength together. Riley was a nice guy and I loved seeing him try to help them along the way. There was a nice light faith element as well, where the characters pray to the Lord and their thoughts go to Him many times. Some parts were a little slow for me, but I overall enjoyed the story and I’m super excited to continue on in the series. I love the way Misty brought this historical setting to life with a great adventure. Thank you to Bethany House, Baker Publishing and NetGalley for providing a copy to honestly read and review.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5573554808
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qXz8ah
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492081

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE
Reading Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fOoVZmMy0g&t=42s

Book Review: Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

 

Fairest of Heart - Karen Witemeyer - 5 Stars - A BEAUTIFUL SNOW WHITE RETELLING!

Fairest of Heart is the first in the Texas Ever After series and the first book by Karen Witemeyer I have read and WOW it did NOT disappoint ya’ll! 5 stars and a new favorite author?! SO HAPPY! This book exudes all things southern with a western atmosphere, a fairytale historical romance retelling and excellent faith content. I loved it so much and can’t wait to read more of Karen’s books! This was SO delightful as we have a Snow-White retelling with a swoon-worthy hero! I was HERE for it!

In this book we follow Penelope Snow, the personal maid for famous actress, Narcissa LaBelle. Penelope is a beautiful woman with a gorgeous figure, but she hides it under loose-fitting dresses, so she doesn’t attract attention to herself. In the beginning of the story, Narcissa appears to be helping Penelope get out of a rough situation, but you soon realize, she is the Snow-White Evil Queen all over again! Narcissa constantly is looking in the mirror and obsessed with her own beauty. When she sees Penelope trying on one of her dresses to help Narcissa’s alterations, she gets so jealous that she sends her away to be left for dead. Little does she know, the swoon-worthy and handsome Titus Kingsley and the 7 “old drovers” (dwarves in Snow-White) at Diamond D Ranch help save her and they grow to love her as one of their own….but can she hide from Narcissa forever?

The characters in this really made the story for me. I LOVED our sweet little 7 drovers at Diamond D Ranch – they were these precious grandfather figures to Penelope. Titus and Penelope’s romance was SO SWEET too! What stood out to me the most was the wonderful faith content. I loved how Titus would look to the bible in God’s word for answers to his hard situation. We had SO many scriptures quoted and the characters truly turned to the Lord for guidance throughout the story as they were learning to trust him in every situation they went through.

This was also my first “western” book and I was surprised how much I enjoyed that atmosphere. Even if I don’t always understand some of the language during that time period, I thoroughly enjoyed the setting. I will be picking up more like this in the future for sure. I also think Karen told the story of Snow-White very well! I could easily see the correlation to the characters from the fairytale and I loved that! Overall, a wonderful start to a new series! Thank you to Bethany House, Baker Publishing and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5422072992
Amazon: https://amzn.to/46j8Sah
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492071

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE
Reading Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fOoVZmMy0g&t=42s

Book Review - Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

 

Twilight - Stephanie Meyer - 4 Stars - Just a fun nostalgic read :)

This book is just a fun nostalgic read and I had the best time laughing and reading through this! I did a vlog and movie commentary with my hubs and we had the best time just picking at things and remembering old times when we would go and watch the movies in theaters when we first started dating. This isn't the best book in the world of course, but again, it's not meant to be. Its a pure comfort read for me and just a fun reminder of the book series that got so many of us back into reading back in the day. My fav characters in Twilight are Alice and Jasper haha and I was always Team Edward but of course, in New moon I would switch around back and forth on that LOL. Not much of a review here, just random thoughts, but just a good time book. (But for real, how did we not see how toxic dis was back in the day LOL jkjk) Still love me some Twilight after all this time.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/361614153
YouTube Vlog - Watching / Reading Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPpTUR50HnE&t=

Book Review: Murder at a Scottish Social - Traci Hall

 

Murder at a Scottish Social - Traci Hall - 2.5 Stars - Not For Me, Disappointing

This is book 3 in the Scottish Shire series and while some parts were good, most of this I didn’t love. The story kicks off when a shortbread cookie kills the “Queen Bee” of a “competitive mom clique” and Paislee Shaw, owner of Cashmere Crush Sweater Shop becomes the sleuth to figure out who added peanut butter to a cookie to kill Kristen – who was deathly allergic to peanuts – and who hid her epi pen in the process.

Set in Scotland, I do like the setting and narrator with the Scottish accent. I also do like the main character of Paislee, her son Brody and her gramps with their Scottish terrier dog Wallace. What I couldn’t stand in this story was the circle of “mean girls” – which I guess is the point, but they got on my nerves so bad. They were spoiled mean girls who had everything and still were not happy. We have them continuously saying the woman that died, Kristen, was a “b” word and they were so nasty that it reminded me of high school girls. The mystery would have been ok, but I am just not connected with most of these characters like I am in other cozy mysteries.

The good parts of this show how important it is to appreciate the small things in life, money isn’t everything, wealth can ruin you and how the author stressed the need for food banks to help others in need. We also see Paislee dealing with issues with her son in school so more of the family aspect is shown and I did like that.

I also didn’t love this content --- we have a couple who are participating in an open relationship (WHYYY), another that had cheating going on, another that was “friends with benefits”. Also didn’t love the language – it wasn’t a ton but, them calling the woman that died names the whole time bothered me. At least it was talked about as being bad, but I didn’t love these things in the story. This book is just one that wasn’t for me, personally.

Other content warnings: 1 character with bulimia, 1 character with a drinking problem, 1 character who was seeing her psychiatrist as her now husband but started when she was 16 many years ago, it was mentioned it was inappropriate but wanted to mention it.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5281755436

YouTube Chat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

Book Review: Counter Attack - Patricia Bradley

Counter Attack - Patricia Bradley - 5 Stars - Great charatcers, non-stop action, small town vibes and a second chance romance you will love!

What an AWESOME romantic suspense novel ya'll! 5 stars! A perfect start to a new series! Great characters, non-stop action, small town vibes and a second chance romance you will love and root for! This was my first Patricia Bradley novel and I loved it so much! I live in Tennessee and love all things southern - and this had some great southern vibes with small town diners, grandparents you love and small town livin' that grows on you. Patricia Bradley is a new favorite author of mine now for sure!

Counter Attack is all about Alexis Stone, who is the interim sherrif in Russell County, Tennessee. The story starts with her being undercover invesigating the serial killer known as the Queen's Gambit Killer. She's on the case when she runs into her old high school sweetheart, Nathan Landry. Now in their 30s and both in the police force, will this be their second chance at love as they work together to solve this case? As they work together, pieces of the puzzle start forming and they soon realize Alexis is now the one in danger...

What I really loved most was our main characters of Alexis and Nathan - they worked together so perfectly and seeing them come back together after so long was great. The fast paced suspense and short chapters with both POVs was great too! This is also a page turner for sure. There was also a light faith element I really liked seeing in the story, specifically when Alexis' grandmother asks her...has she prayed/asked God to guide her in the case. I read this in 1 day - it was so bingeable and fast paced - and for once, I figured out who the killer was before it was revealed! A new favorite and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Thank you to Baker Publishing, Revell and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review.

*Content Warnings: There were some parts of the serial killer portions that could be a little unsettling for some readers but I was ok with it. It wasn't too much for me. We have several mentions of the dark web and some tough evil things going on there. While it didn't cross the line for me, I wanted to make note for those wanting to know content. Also, several mentions of drugs as one case is directly related to busting a drug ring.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5555431920
Amazon: https://amzn.to/42X2MK3

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492097
YouTube Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

 

Book Review: Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

Love and Gelato - Jenna Evans Welch - 3.75 to 4 Stars - A fun romance that will transport you right to Italy!

This was super cute and just precious! 4 stars. Get ready to be transported to Italy with all the great food, art and romance! This is a young adult, secular romance where Lina goes to Italy - as it was her mother’s dying wish - so she could get to know her father. What she doesn’t expect is to be given a journal that her mom kept when she lived in Italy herself many years ago. Lina starts to uncover all her mother’s past secrets - when she meets Ren, short for Lorenzo 😁, and the two form a budding romance and work together to figure out everything from her Mom’s journal/past.

Overall I really liked this! It’s a really feel good story that was clean and sweet. There were a few small bits of language for content and 1 scene involving a psychic reading, but other then that it was clean. Very YA leaning but still had a good time with the story. I guess I was mostly interested in Lina’s mom’s story in her journal out of the whole story😁 the audiobook has an amazing narrator!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5516540423
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pmXedT
YouTube Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

 

Book Review: The Bark of Zorro by Kathleen Y'Barbo

The Bark of Zorro Kathleen Y'Barbo - 4 Stars - Another great read in the Gone to the Dogs series!

Who is spray painting the dogs in Brenham, Texas? That’s what Cassidy and Jason are going to try and find out in book #4 in the Gone to the Dogs book series. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series as each book is always a cozy read with a little bit of romance. They’re just a good time!

In this book, dogs start showing up at the Lone Star Veterinary Clinic spray painted with the letter Z on them. Cassidy works at the clinic and she is trying to solve this mystery using social media and her own investigating. Then we have a handsome Game Warden, Jason Saye who comes in to help. He also has reality TV cameras following him around and that makes for some awkward situations🤣 Cassidy and Jason form a little romance, go on a couple dates, all while trying to figure out this little mystery.

I really liked Cassidy in this book- she is definitely a favorite character. I didn’t love Jason as much throughout the story but he grew on me. I loved their first date experience, I haven’t seen that in a book before. The mystery in this one was interesting and I really liked the ending. Excited to get to the next book. Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-book copy to honestly read and review.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5017005130
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CJGQas
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/482252
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

Book Review: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright

 

The Vanishing at Castle Moreau - Jaime Jo Wright - 5 Stars - A mysterious castle, a long kept secret and an ending that will leave with you with so much hope!

Wow, loved this book so much. 4.5-5 stars! Jaime Jo’s endings always have such a big reveal and leave you with such hope. This quote made me cry… “a sisterhood that is greater than fear, and a holy strength that conquers evil.” If you like mysterious castles with secrets, gothic vibes, dual timeline, a century-old mystery….great characters with a little bit of romance sprinkled in- read this!

This is a multi timeline, primarily dual timeline. We have 1801 with short updates here and there from a perspective called “the girl”. It appears to be those that originated in the castle. Then we have 1870, where orphaned Daisy Francois takes a job as a housemaid at the castle. She meets a Gothic authoress who appears to be hiding things about the castle so Daisy starts trying to piece everything together to figure out the castle’s secrets. She also has a small romance here start to bloom. Then we have present day, where Cleo Clemons is hired by this woman’s grandson who lives at the castle- he wants Cleo to help his grandmother with her hoarding tendencies throughout the castle. But there is more to meets the eye for Cleo at Castle Moreau….With a romance blooming for Cleo, secrets of her own to hide and a mystery uncovered at the castle, Cleo may get more then she bargained for in this new job…

The two timelines are tied together by the generations of people who built the castle leading up through present day, while these generations are keeping the secrets of the castle hidden and a lady in each timeline comes in trying to figure everything out with their own little romantic interest.

Some parts were a bit longer for me then others but this is so close to 5 stars for me because of the ending. That last 25% when everything was revealed….my heart. I loved what Jaime Jo did with the ending of this yall! I didn’t see it coming. Completely shocked.

This also wasn’t too creepy for me. Some parts are a little unsettling but nothing too bad. There are mentions of past child abuse but it’s off page and not detailed. The creepy level really just reminds me of stories from mysterious castles like you might see in an episode of “Are You Afraid of the Dark” 😁 Nothing too scary! Maybe some shadows lurking in the dark or someone rattling a door knob but we don’t know who/no one is there type stuff 😁

Overall, I can’t wait to dive into more of Jaime’s books as this was amazing!

Goodreads Review:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5549976325
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pmExqM
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/465107
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

Book Review: A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter

 

A Novel Proposal - Denise Hunter - 4 Stars - A perfect beach read!

This was such a fun, refreshing, light contemporary romance and would be a perfect beach read! I enjoyed the characters, the writing aspect, the little free library, the romance writing 101 bits at the beginning of the chapters and the little mystery they followed surrounding the engagement ring added a nice touch to force them to bond. Some parts were a little predictable, but overall, such a cute, clean romance! I listened to the audiobook, and I was thoroughly entertained! 4 stars.

This book follows Sadie, an author of westerns, who loses her writing contract and is asked to try her hand at writing a romance story. She has never been in love and has no idea where to start with this novel so she goes to this little beach house to get away so she can be inspired to write her story. In comes the next-door neighbor in the little duplex she’s in, Sam. He’s been through a tough breakup about a year ago and hasn’t been looking for love since. They start to get close after Sadie enlists Sam to help her with this situation surrounding an engagement ring. Sam says he will help her as long as she agrees to be his +1 at his cousin (and ex-girlfriends) wedding. Sparks fly and the rest is history…..

Such a sweet romance and I’m excited to read more of Denise Hunter’s books in the future!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5366170962
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JwGMPj
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/509274
YouTube Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

Book Review: The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee

 

The Long March Home - Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee - 5 Stars - An emotional story of 3 friends, trying to make it home from war in the Bataan Death March. 

The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the young American men who went through the Bataan Death March in the Philippines. Not many people know about what happened to these young men and this story truly brings their stories to life. I know I certainly have a new appreciation for these young men as I didn’t know this part of history either.

In this story, based on true events, we have three best friends, Billy, Hank, and Jimmy. The story is told from Jimmy’s main POV. We see his life leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor and after as they suffer through the Bataan Death March, a 60-mile death march to prison camps where they are forced to work as prisoners in the worst conditions possible. We see flashbacks of Billy, Hank, and Jimmy with family and with Jimmy’s high school sweetheart, Claire. These scenes were nice, as it broke up the hard chapters. Our characters are so real and the story itself takes you on a heart-wrenching journey where you are hoping these men just make it home from all the hardship they have endured.

I was so moved by this story – completely and utterly compelled by it. I don’t read a lot of World War II Historical Fiction, but this is easily a top 10 book of the year for me as I just felt so enamored with our characters and their journeys. I cried. My heart was broken and restored. We have true brotherhood depicted in this book and I am so thankful to have read it. Thank you to those men who gave the ultimate sacrifice fighting for our country. If you love books surrounding World War II, strong friendships, and high emotional impact, this is for you. Thank you to Baker Publishing, Revell and NetGalley for providing a copy to honestly read and review.

Content warnings: This book has very graphic war battle scenes, prisoner torture, the horrors of war, etc. It does have some “war time drinking” and very minimal language.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5503853604
Amazon: https://amzn.to/44hWENj
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492110
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

Book Review: In this Moment by Gabrielle Meyer

 

In This Moment - Gabrielle Meyer - 5 Stars - Another favorite book of 2023! 

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer – 5 big stars! WOW. Another favorite book of 2023 for me! This Timeless series is one of my favorite series of ALL time. I just love the uniqueness of the story, the time travel element, our characters and the faith content throughout. If you haven’t read book 1, When the Day Comes, please do!

In book 2, we follow Maggie who inherited the time-crossing gene from her parents. Maggie lives 3 separate lives in 1861, 1941 and 2001. In her 1861 path, Maggie is the daughter of a senator during the onset of the Civil War. In 1941, she is a Navy nurse on the brink of World War II. And in 2001, she is a medical student, working to become a surgeon. We all know as the reader what she is about to endure in 2001 – yet she does not. The decisions she must make about which path to choose – with love interests in each time, who does she truly love? With her time-crossing parents and her sister in 1941, how could she leave them behind by choosing another path? And which career decision does she want more for her life? The decisions she has to make will be the toughest yet……We follow Maggie in her journey through all 3 time paths and wonder how the Lord will lead her in her decisions….

Ya’ll, this book was AMAZING. I don’t know how to even describe how much I love this series. If you love a good time travel story with a strong romance and family – this series is it! I loved the romance in this story – I could see which romance was going to be her strongest, but each time period had so much importance for Maggie. I don’t know how you can choose what to do. I love how this story helps us see how easily sometimes God chooses for us and leads you to what you should do. I love all of the history surrounding the war and we get to see big historical figures like the Lincolns and it’s just so unique!

I also loved the plot twist in the middle – I was shocked! Did not see that coming at all. Gabrielle Meyer’s series has just blown me away and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series – because after that epilogue, I AM SO HERE FOR IT! Thank you to Baker Publishing, Bethany House and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5525578462
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3puDYLv
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492070
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

Book Review: The Other Side of Special by Amy J. Brown, Sara Clime and Carrie M. Holt

 

The Other Side of Special - Amy J. Brown, Sara Clime & Carrie M. Holt - 5 Stars - Such a timely book I needed as a special needs mom!

Reading this book has been so timely in my journey as a special needs mom. To say I needed this book at such a time in my life is an understatement. I have felt so many of the feelings these lovely mothers have explained in such beautiful ways. They are relatable moms, all sharing a common ground no matter what disability their children have. Thank you, ladies, for encouraging my heart as a special needs mother. Thank you to Baker Publishing, Revell and NetGalley for a free e-book copy to honestly read and review. I can’t wait to get my physical copy I preordered to get all my highlights down! If you are a special needs mother, relative to someone with special needs, or just wanting to get an insight to this journey of special needs motherhood, please read this. It has changed my perspective and encouraged my faith tremendously.

My son is 4 and was diagnosed with Autism when he was 2 and a half. Our journey is truly just beginning, but I could relate to so much these mothers have expressed in their own journeys. They remind us that it’s ok to give ourselves permission to grieve certain things in your child’s diagnosis, but to let God handle us where we are in that grief as He is the God of comfort. This book reminds us that comparison truly is a trap and “when we focus on what we do not have, we miss what God freely offers.” How to move from comparison to contentment and focus on Jesus. “We won’t wonder if another family has it worse of better than we do because we accept that Christ is all we need no matter what.” AMEN. I needed the chapters specifically on comparison, grief, fear, shame, brokenness, guilt, soul rest…etc.

My favorite passage: “We have everything we need to be the parent our child needs. We have access to God’s divine power. We have the wisdom to hear God’s voice and turn away from the harsh accusations of the devil. We can live a life of godliness through God’s strength. He abundantly gives us his wisdom without contempt or disdain because we’ve asked. He does not sit in heaven saying, “Oh dear, she’s asking again. I don’t want to give this to her.” With open arms, he’s begging us to ask.” – THIS right here – this is what it’s about. We are fully equipped to handle this with the power of the Lord. Even when things seem impossible, He makes a way. He is there for us going through hard times. I am beyond grateful for His never-ending love for us and our children. He has big plans for our children.

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5509976305
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NxJs0i
Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/492102
YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE

Book Review: Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower

 

Assaulted Caramel - Amanda Flower - 5 Stars - A fun cozy mystery series!

I really enjoyed this new cozy mystery by Amanda Flower! It had great characters and some faith elements since the grandparents are amish and in the amish community. I listened to this on audio so I didn't find any issues with the language differences / verbiage that you sometimes find in amish fiction. It was just precious. I LOVED the grandparents, the small town vibes, the family aspect, and of course, we love a good cozy mystery set in a candy shop! I am a chocolate lover so this was a bonus for me too! 4.5 to 5 stars. I will be continuing on with the series for sure!

This is all about Bailey who is living her best life at the world-famous JP Chocolates in New York City. She is about to get a new promotion when she has to leave to go see her grandfather in Ohio due to his heart condition worsening. When she gets there, we see drama with this guy who wants to buy up all the Amish businesses in town - but her grandfather isn't selling. Next thing you know - Bailey ends up finding this man dead in her grandather's candy shop and she becomes the main suspect. Things go on from here with tons of drama between things going on back home in New York and things happening in Ohio as she tries to put together pieces of the murder to clear her name.

My favorite parts in this were when the Deputy and Bailey would talk and how he was tied in with his story and her grandparents. Also of course - the family aspect with her grandparents was so precious. Such a simple life here in this little town. I, as usual, didnt figure out who the killer was soooooo LOL no surprises there for me. Great ending!

Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5518455388

Amazon: https://amzn.to/44a8wBe

YouTube Review Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNfiPar0nxE