When Stone Wings Fly by Karen Barnett

When Stone Wings Fly
by Karen Barnett

ISBN-13: 9780825447174
Paperback: 344 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Released: June 14, 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Kieran Lucas's grandmother is slipping into dementia, and, when her memory is gone, Kieran's last tie to the family she barely knows will be lost forever. Worse, Granny Mac is being tormented by flashbacks of her mother’s death and the loss of their home. Kieran heads to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to find answers to her great-grandmother's mysterious death and bring peace to Granny Mac. Park Historian Zach Jensen may be the key to locating both the answers and a precious family heirloom. But just as in the past, Kieran's needs clash with government regulations.

In 1932, Rosie McCauley's Smoky Mountains home is threatened by the Tennessee Great Smokies Park Commission as they create a new national park. But Rosie vows the only way they'll get her land is if they haul her out in a pine box. When a compromise offers her and her disabled sister the opportunity to stay for her lifetime, it seems too good to be true. Ornithologist Benton Fuller arrives to conduct a bird survey for the park and the two form a tenuous bond. But their friendship broadens a rift between her and the other mountain folk who are suspicious of any government connections. Then the discovery of an illegal still in the woods near her cabin leads to a violent clash between sides that could destroy them all.


My Review:
When Stone Wings Fly is a Christian historical romance, a split-time story set in 1932-42 and in present day. When the Tennessee Great Smokies Park Commission starts to forcefully buy up the land to create a national park, Rosie refuses to leave. Her family's roots are in this land, and her simple-minded sister wouldn't handle moving very well. Even when a kind, handsome bird watcher captures her heart, she refuses to leave--he'll have to leave his prime job as a university professor and join her on her dirt-poor farm if he wants her. Her refusal to loosen her grip and trust that God could provide a good life outside of her land brings about a series of tragic events leading ultimately to her death.

In the present day, Kieran's broken family meant that she spent years in foster care, but she's finally found family: Granny Mac. Mac talks about her mother, Rosie, and a stone bird she had, but her memories are muddled due to dementia and being so young when she left Rosie's land. Kieran hopes to find the old homestead and dig up the bird to help Mac (and herself) reconnect with the past. Park historian Zach kindly spends extra effort helping her uncover the past, but digging up the bird is illegal and he's very by-the-rules. Granny warns Kieran that she also holds on to things too tightly (by following her own way to keep happiness). Will Kieran be able to choose a way that will finally break the string of tragedies in her family?

In both timelines, the characters were likable, complex, and reacted in realistic ways. Historical details were woven into the story without slowing the pacing. Suspense came from the lurking danger from a growing feud with a neighbor. Both couples became friends before moving into deeper caring and romance. The Christian element was trusting God enough to let go of the things that provide (sometimes false) security. There were no sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Off the Chain by Janice Thompson

Off the Chain
by Janice Thompson

ISBN-13: 9781636093130
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Released: July 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Marigold Evans’ first attempt at rescuing an abandoned pooch lands her in a drainage pipe in Brenham Texas and almost in jail, until Parker Jenson comes to her rescue. Then a bad day only gets worse as the Lone Star Vet Clinic, where they both work, is vandalized and the list of suspects starts to climb. With the help of her fellow employees, Marigold sets out to help more dogs in crisis and start her own dog rescue.


My Review:
Off the Chain is theoretically a cozy mystery. Actually, it's a romance with dogs, relationship dramas, and a mystery about who broke into the vet clinic. Marigold comes across as slightly out of touch with reality (to add comedy) and one of the first jokes is that her memory is so bad that she can't even remember to take memory-improving supplements, so she'd make a horrible sleuth. She didn't turn out to be as ditzy or forgetful as she's initially portrayed, but it's just as well that she's simply a kind, caring vet tech who wants to start her own dog rescue, help her friends, and who realizes she's been swooning over the wrong guy. So who solves the mystery? Well, they think they have it solved early on, so they don't bother to actively investigate. But the dogs can smell out the truth and eventually literally uncover the proof of wrong-doing.

The characters were likable, and both love interests were really nice guys who supported Marigold's rescue efforts. One was simply more interested in her than the other. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this humorous romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Cowboy's Journey Home by Linda Goodnight

The Cowboy's Journey Home
by Linda Goodnight

ISBN-13: 9781335585141
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired
Released: July 26th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Medically discharged from the military, Yates Trudeau and his ex-military dog, Justice, return to the family ranch, vowing to make amends—and keep his prognosis hidden. Only, civilian life means facing reporter Laurel Maxwell, the woman he left behind but never forgot. Forging a new bond comes naturally, but when she learns the truth, will she risk her heart for an uncertain future?


My Review:
The Cowboy's Journey Home is a romance. Yates left home to join the military because he felt guilty but didn't want anyone else to be burdened with the truth. He returned after being discharged due to a bad injury, but he didn't want to talk about that because he didn't want to worry anyone. Like they didn't worry anyway, which is why he finally answered their questions. Anyway, much of the story was about him not answering the questions of why he left so abruptly and how badly he was injured, but he was still able to rebuild his relationships to some degree. He spent time with his old girlfriend, Laurel, whose family was feuding with his for generations. They spent time together as they helped a single-parent family through the Big Brothers/Sisters program. Laurel and Yates supported each other, helping each other with some problems they faced. Yates finally confessed and found forgiveness and healing.

Laurel bravely stood against the feud and forgave Yates (as Christ would want) even though she was hurt and angry at how he ended things. The dog was ex-military, an explosives detection dog. He was an emotional support to Yates. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Texas Buried Secrets by Virginia Vaughan

Texas Buried Secrets
by Virginia Vaughan

ISBN-13: 9781335587152
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Released: July 26th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from Goodreads:
Publicly vowing to bring a serial killer to justice, Deputy Cecile Richardson solidifies herself as the criminal’s next target. And when a newly discovered victim is identified, it becomes even more personal for Cecile. She will solve this cold case. Can Sheriff Josh Avery keep her safe long enough to identify and catch the culprit—or will the killer successfully hunt down his prey?


My Review:
Texas Buried Secrets is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the sixth in a series, but it works as a standalone. Josh and Cecile respected each other's abilities and got along well. Josh acknowledged in word and deed that she was an excellent investigator and able to take care of herself. And she was. But as her injuries added up and slowed her down, she needed some help to survive the repeated attacks. The mystery was clue-based. Cecile asked questions and followed up on leads. Whodunit wasn't obvious so it was realistic that super-investigator Cecile didn't pick up on it sooner.

Josh's wife's murder has remained unsolved, and a reporter has implied that Josh got away with murder. Though several characters pointed out that since he kept getting elected sheriff, obviously few believed that accusation, he's refused to date Cecile because he doesn't what to smear her reputation with his. At the end, he said something deliberately hurtful to make Cecile move away to protect her reputation. Cecile and her dad realized the killer was still out there. I'm like, "you just left her emotionally hurting, physically injured, and on her own. That isn't protecting her." He did soon realize this, but if I'd been Cecile, this would have been an issue needing forgiveness. Instead, she's hard on herself for giving up on him. I'm willing to accept this as how complex, messed-up people can act, but it baffled me that this was treated as such a non-issue.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romantic suspense.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Wedding Plot by Paula Munier

The Wedding Plot
by Paula Munier

ISBN-13: 9781250822369
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Released: July 19th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Mercy’s grandmother Patience wedding to her longtime beau Claude Renault at the five-star Lady’s Slipper Inn promises to be the destination wedding of the year. Just as the four-day extravaganza is due to begin, the inn’s spa director Bodhi St. George disappears—and Mercy’s mother Grace sends Mercy and Elvis to find him. But what they discover instead is a stranger skewered by a pitchfork in the barn on the goat farm where St. George lived.

As Mercy tries to figure out who the victim is and where St. George is hiding, the bride and groom’s estranged relations gather for the first of the pre-wedding festivities. Long-buried rivalries and resentments surface—and Mercy realizes that they’re all keeping secrets that could tear both families apart. When Elvis interrupts the escalating melodrama to alert Mercy to an intruder on the estate, she finds a wounded St. George in the cottage where she and Troy are staying. St. George is not who he says he is—but when he escapes from the hospital and disappears again, Mercy thinks he’s gone for good. With the wedding imminent and the families at each other’s throats, finding St. George will have to wait.

The big day arrives—but the danger is far from over. With the families and the festivities still under threat, it’s up to Mercy and Elvis together with Troy and Susie Bear to stop the killer and save the bride and groom—before death do they part.


My Review:
The Wedding Plot is a mystery/suspense novel. It's the fourth book in a series. You don't need to read the previous novels to understand this one, and this novel didn't spoil the whodunit of the previous novels.

The characters were engaging, complex, and acted in realistic ways. I cared about what happened to them. The mystery was complex since the cold case and the recent murders may or may not be connected. Mercy and her talented service dog, Elvis, and U.S. Game Warden Troy Warner and his search and rescue dog tracked down clues, asked good questions, and pieced together what was going on. The suspense remained high as someone was killing people (mainly ex-special forces military men), which also threatened to shut down the wedding as some attacks occurred at the Inn. There were also relationship tensions as the two extended families had their infighting and doubts about the marriage.

There was occasional use of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to people who enjoy canine mysteries and suspense.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Castle Deadly, Castle Deep by Veronica Bond

Castle Deadly, Castle Deep
by Veronica Bond

ISBN-13: 9780593335901
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: July 5th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Autumn has arrived at Castle Dark, and Nora Blake has settled into her role as an actor in Derek Corby's castle murder-mystery troupe. The setting of Derek's fall mystery: the catacombs in the depths of the castle. A man is killed during one of their first shows, and the audience is made up of fellow actors from the community theater. The killer is someone they all know! Everyone agrees: there is no motive for killing this seemingly innocent victim. As Nora practices her lines at Wood Glen's Blue Curtain Theater, she realizes that everyone around her is an actor, and all of her suspects are perfectly capable of convincing others of their innocence. Nora soon discovers that someone else is in danger...


My Review:
Castle Deadly, Castle Deep has a ton of community theater filler and a clueless mystery. So we have a murder committed in complete darkness during the murder-mystery theater at the castle. Then everyone repeatedly said how no one would kill such a lovable, nice boy. So I'm going, "so who was the real target?" Yet the police and Nora can't even figure out that the victim wasn't the target until 73% of the way in. The murder was solved less than 9% later. Romantic drama was a large part of the filler, so Nora's shopping, noticed a romantic attraction forming, and then commented on it to another person. That person attacked her, thinking she knew that person was whodunit. So, really, no clues or sleuthing. There was also a minor mystery that was solved by her walking in on the actual mystery-solver and just finishing what they had already figured out.

The castle theater idea is intriguing, but it was shut down near the beginning of the book. However, we got very detailed scenes of them practicing the community theater production, which might have been more interesting if I'd ever seen the play before. They do the scenes (in detail, even line-by-line) of practically the whole play out of sequence and then in sequence. The focus was mostly on how Nora's so brilliant at bringing out her unique vision for her character. I found it very, very boring. Oddly enough, the community theater production could have been completely cut from the book without affecting the mystery.

Then there was the romance. Nora told Dash that he'd have to make time for their relationship, then committed to two theaters so she had no time for him. She's also jealous of his beautiful co-worker, though he's only professional around her. She blames the "distance" between them on Dash. He noticed her distance and how her new, handsome co-worker flirted with her. She condemns his lack of trust, and he obediently asks for forgiveness. Nora doesn't admit any fault, herself. They have passionate sex (only the kissing and rubbing her body through her clothing before heading to the bed is described) and all is well. There was occasional use of bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Peril at the Exposition by Nev March

Peril at the Exposition
by Nev March

ISBN-13: 9781250855039
Hardback: 352 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Released: July 12th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
1893: Newlyweds Captain Jim Agnihotri and Diana Framji are settling into their new home in Boston, Massachusetts, having fled the strict social rules of British Bombay. It's a different life than what they left behind, and Jim is now a detective at the Dupree Agency. Captain Jim's sent to Chicago to investigate the murder of a man named Thomas Grewe. Everyone's talking about the preparations for the World's Fair. As Jim probes the underbelly of Chicago’s docks, warehouses, and taverns, he discovers deep social unrest and some deadly ambitions. When Jim goes missing, young Diana ventures to Chicago to learn what happened. But who can she trust, when a single misstep could mean disaster?


My Review:
Peril at the Exposition is a historical novel set in the Spring of 1893 and set mostly in Chicago. It's not actually about the World's Fair as hardly any action occurred there. They discussed its layout as it's a probable target. Diana visited once as a tourist, which was described with a long list of the exhibits and a scene set in the Ferris Wheel. But you don't get a sense of what the fair was like. The author used few sensory details (smells, sounds, etc.) that immerse a reader in the setting, making the story feel very flat to me.

We mainly got Diana's point of view. She used very little logic and thought she was smarter than she really was. She needlessly put herself and others in danger. She wasn't in touch with reality. For example, she was sure that if a deed was real then the mine must be full of valuable ore and that simply possessing a deed (stolen or bought) made the mine legally yours. She was so sure she knew what was going on and yet she repeatedly trusted the wrong people and came to the wrong conclusions. Most of her suspects wouldn't actually gain from blowing things up (as Jim eventually pointed out). Diana felt justified in accusing people of crimes before proving such was actually true. She came to snap judgements of people and their motives that showed more about her prejudices than other's.

Jim mostly searched for any physical evidence of who killed his coworker and for the crates of explosives. Diana mostly went around causing sandal along with a male cross-dresser maid. I found it confusing that Jim and Diana kept contradicting themselves. For example, Jim sent a letter to be translated and needed the translation mailed back urgently. Diana waited with the translation at the post office. Jim visited the post office specifically to get the letter. But he refused to even read the letter when Diana tried to give it to him because it would be dangerous for him to have the letter. Even though he went there to get it. Then, later, suddenly it's fine for him to read it even though nothing really changed. The continual switches between "it's too dangerous" and then they act like it's not or "this is true!" only we find out it's not just made this a confusing mess. There was no chance to reason through what was going on when the main characters weren't reliable and no one was what they seemed. It's more like the author was trying to trick the reader than write a mystery.

This is the second book in a series. It's hard to understand the references to family and events from the previous story if you haven't read it as the author provided little of the background. There was no sex. There was some bad language. While I read an Advanced Reader Copy and hopefully some of the confusion will be fixed by the final copy, I just can't recommend it as a historical or a mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Best Is Yet to Come by Debbie Macomber

The Best Is Yet to Come
by Debbie Macomber

ISBN-13: 9781984818843
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Released: July 12th 2022

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
A new beginning in charming Oceanside, Washington, is exactly what Hope Godwin needs after the death of her twin brother. There are plenty of distractions, like her cozy cottage with the slightly nosy landlords next door, and a brewing drama among her students at the local high school.

Despite having settled quickly into the community, something is still missing for Hope. That is, until her landlord convinces her to volunteer at his animal shelter. There she meets Shadow, a rescue dog that everyone has given up on. But true to her name, Hope believes he’s worth saving.

Like Shadow, shelter volunteer Cade Lincoln Jr., is suffering with injuries most can’t see. A wounded ex-soldier, Cade identifies with Shadow, assuming they are both beyond help. Hope senses that what they each need is someone to believe in them, and she has a lot of love to give. As she gains Shadow’s trust, Hope notices Cade begins to open up as well. Finding the courage to be vulnerable again, Cade and Hope take steps toward a relationship.

But Hope’s new happiness is put to the test when Cade’s past conflicts resurface, and Hope becomes embroiled in the escalating situation at the high school. Love and compassion are supposed to heal all wounds. But are they enough to help Hope and Cade overcome the pain of their past and the obstacles in the way of a better future?


My Review:
The Best Is Yet to Come is a heartwarming story with several sweet romances. Hope patiently won the trust of the dog (which wasn't the focus of the story) and also Cade's trust as he watched her patience and kindness with the dog. Cade's attracted to her, but he has become comfortable feeling angry and worthless. Not only couldn't he save his best friends when he was also injured in Afghanistan, but his parents refused to support his choices. Cade and Hope learned to trust one another (through some ups and downs) and healed enough to build a solid relationship.

Among Hope's high school students were a nerd and a cheerleader who once were good friends. The girl's worried about her twin brother, who's on the football team and appears to be taking drugs. She reaches out to the nerd to help her figure out who's supplying the drugs in return for going to the Homecoming dance with him. She initially resents this bargain, her recent boyfriend is set on punishing him for taking his girl, and the drug dealer doesn't want to get caught. This provided some mild suspense.

There were no sex scenes. There were a couple uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

A Edge of Dusk by Colleen Coble

A Edge of Dusk
by Colleen Coble

ISBN-13: 9780785253709
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Released: July 12th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Nine-year-old Annie Pederson’s life changed the night her sister was kidnapped. The two had been outside playing on a dock, and Annie never forgave herself for her role in her sister’s disappearance. Twenty-four years later and now a law enforcement ranger, Annie is still searching for answers as she grieves a new loss: the death of her husband and parents in a boating accident.

But Annie and her eight-year-old daughter, Kylie, aren’t the only people in the town of Rock Harbor whose lives have been marred by tragedy. While managing the property around the Tremolo Resort and Marina she inherited, Annie discovers a dead body floating in the cold Superior surf and begins to work with the sheriff’s office to tie the death to a series of other mysterious reports in the area.

At the same time, her first love, Jon Dustan, returns after nine years away, reigniting the town’s memory of a cold case he’d been suspiciously linked to before he left to pursue his orthopedic residency. Avoiding Jon becomes impossible when Annie realizes he remembers some important clues in the cold case. But now she's being targeted by someone desperate to keep secrets from the past hidden.


My Review:
A Edge of Dusk is a romantic suspense novel. It's the first in a series, and some issues brought up in this book haven't been wrapped up and so probably carry into the next book. One of these issues was the nanny. Annie was understandably super-protective of her daughter. She hired a woman that she didn't know with barely a work-history check, then entrusted her daughter to her. I'm just thinking: it'd make more sense for Annie to have the woman do the painting and Annie watch her kid. It's just a little odd considering the context, and why didn't Jon pass on the clues that would have prompted her to look more closely at the nanny? He tended to be slow to realize that certain things would be helpful for Annie to know.

Anyway, there were a number of mysteries to solve: the past disappearance of Annie's sister, a cold case of two missing women whose bodies turned up in one of Annie's unused cabins, and young men who were camping alone being attacked and killed. Annie and Jon investigated, following up on new leads on the cold case where Jon was a suspect. Annie asked good questions. As they spent time together, they were able to clear up some conflict which had caused them to split up years ago. The suspense came from the danger to others from the serial killer(s) and to them because whodunit didn't want them investigating.

The Christian message was trusting God. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this exciting novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Deadly Shallows by Dani Pettrey

The Deadly Shallows
by Dani Pettrey

ISBN-13: 9780764230868
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: July 5, 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Coast Guard Flight Medic Brooke Kesler is ecstatic to watch her friend and mentee graduate from medic A-school, but her elation turns to anguish when men in ski masks open fire on the crowd.

CGIS Agent Noah Rowley is rocked to the core when he learns of a mass shooting raging on his Coast Guard base. Still, the shock is nothing compared to the heart-wrenching fear when he learns the woman he loves is at the graduation. Fortunately, his team rapidly ends the shooting melee, and Noah discovers Brooke is still alive. Once assured she's okay, he quickly turns to learning who is behind the attack.

Little do Brooke and Noah know that the shooting is part of a master plot, and that Brooke has overheard something that holds the key to exposing the mastermind's identity. Determined not to be caught, the cunning villain focuses on taking out Brooke and, if need be, those who would protect her. With targets on their backs, Brooke and Noah must race to find the killer before he strikes again.


My Review:
The Deadly Shallows is a Christian romantic suspense novel. It's the third in a series. You don't need to read the previous novel to understand this one, and this one didn't spoil the previous novel. There were two mysteries to investigate: one romantic pair investigated why dogs were falling ill from houses next to the water. The rest of the team focused on who was behind the mass shooting and why. The suspense was high due to the danger of getting killed. The bad guys were quite willing to kill innocent bystanders and even their own men. They kidnapped Brooke to discover if she knew something important. Happily, she was able to outsmart the bad guys and escape. The torture was not described but her injuries were mentioned when she's at the hospital.

The team worked well together to find answers to the crimes. The characters were engaging, complex, and reacted realistically to events. Both couples liked each other from the beginning. One couple grew to care more deeply for each other as they spent time together. However, even though Noah admired and cared for Brooke, he kept holding back on a relationship with her because he felt that she deserved more from a marriage than he could give her. (And he didn't intend to explain his reasoning or give her a chance to decide. Grr.) Some of the characters prayed to God to help them. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this suspenseful novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Where Dreams Meet by Moore, Mackley, Frank, Kelly

Where Dreams Meet
by Jennifer Moore,
Renae Weight Mackley,
Carolyn Twede Frank,
Carla Kelly

ISBN-13: 9781524421526
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Released: July 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
"To Love a Spy" by Jennifer Moore
New York, 1781. Despite her family's betrayal of the Crown, Susannah Partridge remains loyal to the king. But when she becomes embroiled in the treasonous activities of her charming neighbor, Eli Matthews, Susannah must determine where her allegiance truly lies

"Southern Belle, Yankee Heart" by Renae Weight Mackley
Richmond, 1861. The Union is splintering, and Northern dressmaker Rebecca Steed finds herself stuck in the South with little money and even less hope. But being stranded in Virginia comes with an unexpected silver lining in the form of Nathan Hill, a man whose opposition to slavery and determination to do what is right quickly win her affection. But how can she give her heart to a Confederate soldier?

"Where Dreams Meet" by Carolyn Twede Frank
New York, 1892. When Jane O'Shea arrives at Ellis Island from Ireland, she has nothing but a desire to make her way in the world. With help from Peter Dockery, a gentle stranger, Jane embarks on her new life. As the couple faces seemingly insurmountable odds, they discover that adversity is better faced alongside the one you love.

"The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You" by Carla Kelly
Washington, DC, 1905. Nothing could have prepared Lieutenant Hank Thornton for his new post in Washington, DC. As a military aide to President Teddy Roosevelt in the White House, Hank is to be nothing more than a dashing dance partner at various political events. It isn't until he meets Minnie Gallagher, an intrepid copy corrector at a local paper, that he begins to see the possibilities of this odd assignment.


My Review:
Where Dreams Meet is a collection of 4 short historical romance stories. There's no sex or bad language.

"To Love a Spy" is set in New York, 1781. Rebecca's a loyalist and works in an inn housing British officers. Their neighbor, Eli, is friends with everyone, and she's drawn to his caring personality. Then she realizes that he's spying on their British friends for the rebels. She saves him from discovery but demands to know why he's spying. The characters were likable and had some complexity. There was some suspense. 3.5 stars.

"Southern Belle, Yankee Heart" is set in Richmond, 1861. Rebecca travels to Virginia and buys cotton dress fabric only to be stuck there when a new law prevents cotton fabric from going north. She stays long enough to make dresses from the fabric. After initially avoiding the handsome traveler who stays at the boarding house on the weekends, she agrees to make him a fine shirt. She's immediately infatuated. He explains that he doesn't support slavery but feels he should support his state by joining the Confederate army. She returns north and decides she just doesn't belong with her loving family or friends anymore because she thinks constantly about this man she hardly knows. She returns to Virginia and learns that she can see him for a few minutes every week. She feels this confirms that God wills for her to move there and sew shirts for the Confederates. Um, seriously? Infatuated girl abandons her family, goes into danger against her father's advice, and even puts her father in danger (as he works for the US government and she could be used as hostage against him)? Very shallow story. 1 star.

"Where Dreams Meet" is set in New York, 1892. Immigrant Jane has an ugly birthmark on her neck that she keeps hidden. When a strange man helps her get to her aunt, she's kind in return despite the ugly purple birthmark across his face. She learns that he's shunned in their community, but they become friends. Her own family doesn't treat her well, but Peter won't propose until he can find the deed proving he's the rightful owner of his property, which his greedy neighbors plan to take from him. Likable, complex characters. Personality quirks cause some naturally-occurring tension between Jane and Peter, but they realize and admit when they're wrong and learn to work together as a team. Nice. 4 stars.

"The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You" is set in Washington, DC, 1905. Lieutenant Hank is selected to escort ambassador's daughter's at balls and social events. Only Hank's not a good dancer and too blunt to be diplomatic. He's stuck escorting Alice, the president's daughter, who's well known to be outspoken and difficult. At his boarding house, he falls for the kind, strong Minnie who wishes to be a reporter, but the paper she works at only allows men to write articles. She writes an article about a suffragette meeting, which Alice wants to read. It ends up in unexpected hands, and Minnie must decide what she really wants in her future. Enjoyable characters who had some complexity. Interesting historical setting (with Alice's upcoming wedding). 4 stars.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Beyond the Desert Sands by Tracie Peterson

Beyond the Desert Sands
by Tracie Peterson

ISBN-13: 9780764237324
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: July 5th 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After living an opulent life with her aunt for the last few years, the last thing twenty-five-year-old Isabella Garcia wants is to have to celebrate Christmas in the small silver-mining town her father and mother founded in the desert. She'd rather stay in California with the handsome Diego Morales who is courting her. Isabella is further miffed to have to bear the company of Aaron Bailey, a businessman with the Santa Fe Railroad, whom her father has sent to escort her safely home. Aaron finds Isabella spoiled, and she finds him judgmental.

But she is surprised to see how much the town of Silver Veil has grown and how fragile her father's health has become. Then Diego shows up with news that her aunt has died. Isabella is saddened by the loss of not only her aunt, but also her place of escape.

Faced with all these changes, she struggles to sort through her future and who she wants to be. But trouble is brewing, and there are those who hope Isabella stays just as she is, even if it costs her everything.


My Review:
Beyond the Desert Sands is a Christian romance set in 1911 in New Mexico. When Isabella was young, her parents forced her to leave family, friends, and a city life that she enjoyed to live in a remote desert area near a silver mine. They never explained why, so she concluded that they didn't care about her feelings so she shouldn't care about their feelings. Since no one else would, she'd fight for her chance of happiness: returning to live with her aunt. Now she's been called home due to her father's seriously waning health. When her parents finally explain why they moved here, she realizes she must forgive them and reevaluate her life.

The main characters were likable, complex, and reacted realistically to events. Nonetheless, it boggles my mind that her parents didn't want to worry Isabella (though she knew her father had poor health) so never even told her the move was to improve his health. They all admitted that they made mistakes in how they handled that, so much of the story was Isabella reconciling with her parents and making friends in the now-thriving town. Aaron didn't like her selfish, bitter attitude and bluntly let her know it, helping her to see how others viewed her behavior. He wasn't mean to Isabella despite how she initially treated him, and they became friends (and more) as they got to know each other. With God's leading, Aaron was willing to release his dreams for his future to help Isabella's family.

The Christian element was about forgiveness, second chances, and trusting God with your future. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham

The Heart of the Mountains
by Pepper Basham

ISBN-13: 9781636093253
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Released: July 1st 2022

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
To escape a forced marriage, Cora Taylor travels from England to the Blue Ridge Mountains in search of her brother, who is working as a teacher in a mission school. She hopes to find a place where her nursing skills and independent ideas will be accepted and appreciated, but nothing prepares her for the wild mixture of isolation, community, brokenness, and hope within these mountains…or in the person of Jeb McAdams.

Returning from the devastation of World War 1 emotionally damaged, Jeb McAdams struggles against the rampant mountain alcoholism to soothe his nightmares. It’s easy to hide within the mountains, or it was, before Cora Taylor arrived. Now, she seems to show up at every turn, bringing her modern ideas, curiosity, and beautiful eyes with her.

Bound by their shared war history, the pair develop an unlikely friendship, which unexpectedly turns into something more. But when Cora’s desire to help the women of the mountains crosses an unspoken line, will Jeb be able to protect this feisty flatlander from the wrath of the mountain men?


My Review:
The Heart of the Mountains is a Christian romance set in 1919 in the Appalachian Mountains. Cora served as a nurse in WWI, and Jeb McAdams served as a soldier. They experienced things that changed them but which also gave them a different perspective that laid a foundation for a friendship. Cora joined her uncle and brother in the mountains to avoid a marriage she didn't desire but also to help the locals with her nursing skills. Some locals weren't happy to have another outsider influencing people, though. Between handling medical crisis and learning to avoid the dangers of the mountains (both animal and certain unfriendly people), Cora's friendship with Jeb grew as they spent time together.

The characters were complex and reacted realistically to events. The historical and setting details immersed me into the story and brought it alive in my imagination. Cora felt that God had used some bad circumstances to prompt her to go to a place where she'd find happiness and contentment helping others. There were no sex scenes or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.