My Book Reviews

The Swan House Elizabeth Musser. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Savored every word I stumbled upon The Swan House accidentally and savored every word. Wonderful characters navigating tragic, life-changing circumstances. In my opinion, a true picture of life in the US in the early sixties. Highly recommended.

Then Again, Maybe Susan Tuttle ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Didn’t want this book to end Don’t you love a book that you can’t read fast enough, but at the same time, you don’t want to end? Then Again, Maybe is that book— a novel filled with wonderful, complex characters struggling to learn what forgiveness and reconciliation truly mean. I can’t wait to read more by Susan L Tuttle

Vying for the Viscount Kristi Ann Hunter ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Fabulous characters. Kristi AnnHunter is a master at character development. Vying for the Viscount is no exception. A wonderful read. Plus always fun to find characters from Kristi Ann’s former novels making cameo appearances.

The Haven Manor Series: A Defense of Honor, A Return of Devotion, and A Pursuit of Home Kristi Ann Hunter ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Lovely Intriguing The Haven Manor series has beautifully developed characters and intriguing plots. Kristi Ann Hunter takes the reader to a bygone era. I recommend reading the whole series in order. The first of the three books was my favorite, but the last two were also very good, and the last books pulls together all the characters for another glimpse.

Under Scottish Stars Carla Laureano ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ This story finally returns to and completes the MacDonald family’s stories. And it is just as compelling as the first two books in the series. Look for reviews of London Tides (book2) and Five Days in Skye (book1) father down on this page. Carla Laureano is one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend any of her books.

To Have and to Hold: Three Autumn Love ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ I loved all three of these Autumn Love Stories. Each are unique, sweet romances. Looking forward to more short stories from Becky Wade, Betsy St Amant, and Katie Ganshert

The Lacemaker Laura Franz ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Revolutionary War sacrifices are often lost on us nearly 240 years later. Laura Frank brings those patriots and their sacrifices to life in The Lacemaker.

The Printed Letter Bookshop Katherine Reay ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ I almost gave this 4 stars because I thought it started slowly, but the rest of the book made my perseverance worth it! Such a lovely ending—Katherine Reay knows how to end a book!

Start With Me Kara Isaac ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Kara Isaac shares another great read. Wow! Loved this book! I hated to see it end, and hope to read more of this series in the future. Beautifully developed characters and story. Kara Isaac is the new Charles Martin

Things I Never Told You-Beth K Vogt Thatcher Sister Series Book 1,2&3, ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Good book, but for me the ending was not satisfactory. I needed more wrap up or at least more progress in relationships. But I did go on to read Book 2 which focuses on the story of the middle sister. Don’t read Book 1 unless you are willing to continue. (😂 LOL) I am glad I read them in order.  Moments We Forget Book 2 Thatcher Sisters Picks up where Book 1 left off and continues the story of the middle sister. The Best We’ve Been Book3 Thatcher Sisters Picks up the story and focuses on the oldest sister. The series is worth the read, especially is you have sisters. 

If I Were You Lynn Austin Would make a great TV series  ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ A view into life during and after World War II. An inspiring book of friendship, courage, and forgiveness with an unlikely relationship at its center. Although this novel was a bit long, Lynn Austin gave the reader a realistic and often terrifying understanding of life in England during WWII with a contrast of life in the US. If I Were You would make a fantastic TV series. 

Dancing Shoes Lynne Gentry⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Lynne Gentry has a gift for humor. Delightful story of courage to begin again. I can’t wait to read Baby Shoes. If you “grew up in church” or if you love the Mitford Series, you will love this series beginning with Walking Shoes! 👠 

Stay with Me, Becky Wade ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Becky Wade always delivers a beautifully written story. Stay with Me is extremely timely and insightful with flawed and relatable characters A beautiful picture of grace.

London Tides, Carla Laureano⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Grace for Grace BrennanThe second novel in the MacDonald Family Trilogy is just as compelling as the first and beautifully written. Ian MacDonald offers grace to his long-absent love—just as God showers grace on us all.

Joyce K Ellis The Heart Psalms ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Assurance in Times of Turmoil Reading the devotional messages, study of the Psalms, and the challenge to journal or to write one’s own psalm are wonderful practices to give peace to our hearts in times of Covid19 turmoil. Highly recommended.

Jody Hedlund The Reluctant Bride ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Excellent story Jody Hedlund draws the reader into this compelling story of two young English adults from opposite backgrounds. The reader observes as they grow in love, respect, and confidence.

Jessica White Song in the Dark ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Personal growth and healing If you love mythology like Jessica White, you’ll particularly love her novel, Song in the Night. But if mythology is not your thing, don’t despair, it’s not a requirement to appreciate this story of personal growth and healing. Throw in two mysteries, an overbearing mother, a sabotaging ex-boyfriend, a love story, three Dobermans, a handsome detective, and a talented, caring harpist, and you’ll be turning pages all the way to the end. Lovely debut novel. 

Lauren K Denton Glory Road ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Multi-generational story A lovely story. Mom, teenage daughter, and grandmother and their inter- generational relationships. Loving and allowing oneself to be loved.

Lauren K Denton The Hideaway ⭐️⭐️⭐️ While I enjoyed the two POVs and tracking the decades-apart stories of an eccentric grandmother and her success-driven granddaughter, I can’t recommend this story as highly as the one above. I thought Glory Road was more interesting and better written. 

Marilyn Howton Marriott God Bless the Child ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️God Bless All Children   Heartbreaking accounts of hurting children and the sacrificial commitment of the child psychologist God called to help them. God Bless the Child is more than a title. It is a prayer.

Pat Nichols The Trouble in Willow Falls ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Changes in a small town. Having recently moved from a large city to a small town, I can attest that Pat Nichols accurately describes life in a small town. Residents understand sacrifice and change are necessary, but naysayers abound. Will their efforts be enough? And will the changes destroy their best “small town” qualities?

Ramona Richards Murder in the Family ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Not Sweet Home Alabama When extreme greed causes a rift and a dysfunctional family becomes even more dysfunctional, Molly’s best choice is to flee, make a new life, and never look back. But twenty years later, Aunt Liz trusts no one but Molly to execute her will, and Molly is forced to return to Alabama. Past wounds rip open as she faces a family willing to go to any extreme to get what they want, even murder. 

Carla Laureano’sBrunch at Bittersweet Cafe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Delightful addition to the Supper Club series  Romantic kisses, grand gestures, impossible situations, personal growth, and renewed faith all combine for a delightful romance. I can’t wait for Spring 2020 to rejoin Rachel, Melody, Ana, and their friends at the next Saturday Night Supper Club!

Ann Patchett Run ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wonderfully Developed Characters Ann Patchett’s Run tells the story of a family through wonderfully developed and diverse characters. I plan to read the rest of her books.

Lisa Crane The Gingerbread Man of My Dreams ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Wishing for more Gingerbread Man, like all of Lisa’s books, is romantic, fun, and compelling. I always read them quickly, and then I wish my literary friends weren’t gone. Write more, Lisa Crane!

Kara Isaac Then There Was You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Checked All My Boxes This beautifully written story by Kara Isaac checked off all my boxes: Imperfect Christians struggling with life while seeking God in their struggles. Imperfect church with ministers struggling to bring glory to God in their flawed ways. Top it off with the perfect romance between an imperfect but made-for-each-other couple. This was one of those books I couldn’t put down but was sad to finish.

Carlos Camp Muskogee Creek ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A Deep South trip back to the late 60s A delightful story! Carlos  Camp’s debut novel places the reader in the middle of a simpler time in the the Deep South in the late 60’s. If you grew up in the South at that time, you’ll feel right at home. If you didn’t, you’ll come away with a true picture of that world as it began to undergo changes. As much as was right about the down-home “good ole days,” much needed changing.

Have your read any of the above books or books by these authors? Please reply and add your own thoughts or recommendations.