A Royal Christmas by Melody Carlson ~ a book review

This one is a keeper!  It’s the perfect book to read if you want to put yourself in a Christmas mood.  It’s easy to read, the characters are engaging and the plot is delightful.  However, if the typical holiday movie is not your cup of tea, you may not love it as much as I did. 

Here is the blurb from the publisher’s website:

“Adelaide Smith is too busy for fairy tales. She's been working hard to put herself through law school, and she's determined to stay focused on her goals. Then she receives a letter notifying her that she is a direct descendant of King Maximillian Konig V, the ruler of a small European principality called Montovia.

What? No. That's the stuff of cheesy made-for-TV movies, not real life.

Still, curiosity gets the best of her, leading to a Christmas break trip chock-full of surprises, including a charming village, an opulent palace, family mysteries, royal jealousies, a handsome young member of Parliament, and the chance at a real-life fairy tale romance.”

This is a contemporary novella, so it doesn’t take long to read. There is a strong element of Christian faith but it doesn’t come across as “preachy”. 

This story has all the feel good elements of a happy holiday fantasy. A lovely Christmas village, a handsome "prince", a beautiful historic castle, and a couple of mysteries to solve.

My copy is a hard cover copy, another big plus!

Go HERE to read an excerpt 

Go HERE to learn more about Melody Carlson and her other books 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.

 

 

In the Shadow of the River by Ann H. Gabhart ~ a book review

This story takes place on the very interesting setting of an old time showboat.  Right off the bat, we are drawn into a mystery and the suspense continues through out the story.   The story begins in 1881 , with the main character, Jacci, as a young girl, facing danger and along with her mother, fleeing for her life.

They find refuge on a showboat where her grandfather is the lead actor in the show.  Jacci grows up with her new “family” of showboat actors and crew. 

There are elements of mystery, suspense, suspicion, deception and a forbidden family secret.  Amongst all the excitement and mystery there is also love, forgivness and faith.  This is not a ‘preachey’ story but the character’s faith plays a crucial role.

The dialog is very entertaining and the author does a very good job depicting life on a historic showboat.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“If all the world's a stage, Jacci will play her part.

She only hopes her story does not turn out to be a tragedy.

In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci's actor grandfather tends to her mother, and Jacci gets a first taste of the life she will come to lead.

Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard that same showboat and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci's mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life--and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past--is always there, lurking in the back of her mind.

When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it's clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows . . . and the answers she craves will not come easily.”

I loved this story.  It was very easy to read and very entertaining. The suspense and mystery will keep the reader guessing.  There is also a romantic element that will keep the reader’s interest.  Jacci has two suitors. Who can she trust?  Who will she choose?

Go HERE to read an excerpt:

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.

Go HERE to learn more about Ann B. Gabhart and her other books:  

 

The Swindler's Daughter by Stephenia H. McGee - a book review

This story takes place in Georgia in the early 1900’s.  The main character, Lillian, has been led to believe that her father died several years ago.  She is shocked to find out that he only recently passed away and that he left her his business and possessions.  This is just the beginning of the family drama and suspense in this story. 

Faith plays a very prominent role in this story. The main characters are portrayed as very strong Christians. On occasion, they seem almost too good to be true. 

In addition to the family drama, there are also elements of mystery and suspense and a cast of unsavory characters which keeps your attention.  The dialog is very easy to follow and is very readable.  There are a few instances of mild humor but not so much that it detracts from the story.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“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.”

Go HERE to read an exerpt: 

Go HERE to learn more about Stephenia H. McGee
 

This book was very enjoyable to read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

 

 

After the Shadows by Amanda Cabot ~ a book review

This is the first book in Amanda Cabot's Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing series.  This first book is set in the late 1800’s in Texas. 

First of all, I want to be clear about why I read and what I like to read.  I read for the enjoyment of learning about the various customs and the culture of different times in history.  I don’t read simply to stretch my thinking or expand my intellectual knowledge, or even to strengthen my faith. However; if a book does that for me it is definitely a bonus!

This book does some of each of those things so it earns 5 stars from me.

The dialog is easy to follow. The story line is very interesting and deals with not just the history of late 1800’s Texas but also deals with various social issues.  The family in the story is a unique blended family with a variety of issues. This book is also about faith and being strong in what you believe.  The characters are all very believable, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.  There is also an element of what some might call prejudice but what probably was more lack of knowledge and understanding.  And added to all the family issues, there is a mystery that keeps the reader very engaged.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“A brighter future awaits--if she can escape the shadows of the past

Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the handsome new schoolteacher, Craig Ferguson, and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boardinghouse, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town.

Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father's death--and to aid Craig, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. As they work to uncover the truth, they just may find the key to unlock a future neither could have imagined.”

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

Go HERE to read an excerpt:

Go HERE to learn more about Amanda Cabot and her other books: 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”