Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scotland. Show all posts

Friday, February 7, 2025

Midnight on the Scottish Shore, A Novel of World War II by Sarah Sundin

 



Wow this is an amazing story. Based a lot of fact. WW2. Cilla, a Dutch girl who escaped to English controlled Scotland by using the Germans, got caught as she reached shore. Who wouldn't mind being captured by a brawny Scot in a kilt? Lots of danger, spycraft and love. The depth of espionage and subterfuge thinking between them is enthralling the way it's handled, and they fight together against the Germans on more than one front. Incredible chess game. Thoroughly engrossing and believable to where I wanted to pray for them. I didn't want to finish the book, if only to keep spending time with them a little longer. 

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#MidnightontheScottishShore #NetGalley #SarahSundin #ChristianHistoricalFiction #Revell #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

Synopsis:
In a time of war, danger lurks beneath the water--and in the depths of the human heart

As the German war machine devours the Netherlands, the only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the occupation is to do the unthinkable--train to become a spy for the Nazis. Once dispatched to Britain, she plans to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. But her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.

Yet perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence employs her to radio misleading messages to Germany from the lighthouse at Dunnet Head in Scotland--messages filled with naval intelligence Lachlan must provide. If the war is to be won, Lachlan and Cilla must work together. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy--a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?

My reviews:
LibraryThing

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Midnight on the Scottish Shore promo

 

Midnight on the Scottish Shore is now available!

You can find it at your favorite bookstore (if they don't have it in stock, ask them to order it!) and online at Baker Book House, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and ChristianBook.com. The ebook and audio book are available too.


https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/598755

https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Scottish-Shore-Historical-Suspense/dp/0800741862/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/midnight-on-the-scottish-shore-sarah-sundin/1145837687?ean=9780800741860

https://www.christianbook.com/midnight-scottish-shore-novel-world-war/9780800741860/pd/741869

@SarahSundin #SarahSundin #midnightonthescottishshore #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction

Saturday, February 1, 2025

The Maestro’s Missing Melody by Amy Walsh

 


                                                          

What a lovely story. I'd love to hear it as an audio book to gear the fiddle and violin playing. Christian Contemporary where a Wyoming girl goes overseas to intern under her favorite maestro and meets his family. It's pretty involved with interesting problems and talents for very believable characters. Kept me wondering what would happen next. Nice love story. 

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheMaestrosMissingMelody #AmyWalsh #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ContemporaryChristianRomance 


About the Book

Book: The Maestro’s Missing Melody

Author: Amy Walsh

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release date: September 13, 2024

She was thrilled to apprentice with her fiddler hero—until she got to know him. He regretted his decision to play teacher to college kids—until he got to know her.

For aspiring musician and college student McKay Moonlight, winning a summer internship with Scottish master fiddler Huntley Milne was a dream come true. When a last-minute change moved the internship program from the Scottish Highlands of her ancestors to a village she’d never heard of along the River Deben, McKay was determined to make the best of it. However, she didn’t expect to make such a terrible first impression on her summer mentor.

Hosting a bunch of college students was the last thing Maestro Huntley Milne needed. He was already up to his ears in problems, with Aunt BeeBee being placed in a care home, resulting in him having emergency custody of his tween nephew and niece. Then he met McKay Moonlight, and the chaos really began.

The Maestro’s Missing Melody is a charming story featuring endearingly eccentric characters, a treasure hunt caper through the nooks and crannies of a mansion, and genuine laugh-out-loud moments. Sunshine and thunderclouds attract in this delightful age-gap Christian romantic comedy from Amy Walsh.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Amy Walsh is a 5th-grade teacher who loves teaching children about what she loves to do herself: reading and writing. She enjoys outdoor activities, especially hiking and camping. Amy also appreciates opportunities to share her faith through singing, teaching, and writing for her church family. Amy and her husband, Patrick, have three children: Bree, Spencer, Liz, and a son-in-law, Kyle. Amy and her family love to spend time together celebrating special occasions, listening to great music, swimming and kayaking, and having occasional ping pong tournaments.

 

 

More from Amy


The Maestro’s Missing Melody Cast of Characters

Maestro Huntley Milne regrets committing to host a group of college students, especially when Aunt BeeBee ends up in a care home, forcing him to move into the Milne Monstrosity on Sycamore Street which is about two hours northeast of London. Aunt BeeBee is nagging him to locate the missing Milne stave book, Dory and David are fretting about being put back into foster care, and even his aunt’s cats are high maintenance. Then he meets McKay Moonlight…

McKay Moonlight was thrilled when she won the musical apprenticeship at Maestro Huntley Milne’s Highlands Music Center.  After all, she had a little crush on him for years after seeing him play at the Rocky Mountain Fiddler Championships. When the apprenticeship is relocated to a tiny town near the Deben River, rather than the Highlands of her ancestors, she takes it in stride. Who would think her traveling mishaps would cause her to be late and forget something very important – ruining her chance to make a good first impression on her summer mentor.

The Milne Monstrosity was built by a wealthy plantation owner, who brought his family to England just prior to the American Civil War.  This mansion is a hodgepodge of turrets, towers, secret passages, and gables – – and does not fit in with the other homes on Sycamore Street AT ALL. Beatrice Milne has filled the mansion with many colorful and eccentric collections. Other unique features of the Milne property are a tiny guest house which is the exact replica of the Monstrosity, and a stone amphitheater decorated with musical gargoyles within view of the River Deben.

Dory and David are tween twins who went from foster home to foster home until they were finally adopted by Mama Bee. Dory enjoys riding her bike around her village, learning to play the flute, reading great books – – and finally having a family, even if her adopted mother is much older and let’s say “different” from other parents. David plays the guitar very well, but his real passion is for building gadgets. The twins were content living in the Milne Monstrosity in Eden Cove with Mama Bee encouraging them to explore their interests and grow their talents. But now, Mama Bee is in a care home and they are stuck with grumpy Uncle Huntley until Mama Bee comes home. That’s IF she ever comes home.

Beatrice Milne, aka Aunt Bee Bee or Mama Bee, always had her fingers in so many pies, and those pies were always so splendid, that she seems larger than life to the people of Eden Cove.  Now she is a patient of Balmy Bay Residences, the care home she helped refurbish as one of her projects.  What’s with her change in personality – and her obsession with Huntley needing to search for the missing Milne stave book?

Arabella and Gerard are Aunt Bee Bee’s ginormous cats who have a love/hate relationship with the Maestro.  Who knows, maybe they can help with the treasure hunt for the missing stave book…



Blog Stops

Giveaway


To celebrate her tour, Amy is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54141


My reviews:
Barnes and Noble

Friday, December 22, 2023

Bygone Christmas Brides - Six Stories of Old-Fashioned Christmas Romance

 


Special stories from special authors. 

They had me at old-fashioned. Then at the first page. All six are SUCH good stories and even include characters from Ireland and Scotland. PLUS there’s a recipe at the end of each story. I hadn’t known about the tradition in Ireland of lighting a candle for the holy family and found it very interesting.  

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#BygoneChristmasBrides #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #BarbourPublishing #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarHistorical #GinnyAiken #CarlaGade #PamelaGriffin #TamelaHancockMurray #JillStengl #GinaWelborn

My reviews

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin

 




Her daring bid for freedom could be her greatest undoing. 

Murder, mystery, sabotage.  Set towards the end of WW1, England to Scotland. Rose is being forced to marry an abusive man, by her abusive Uncle. She's allowed to work at the munitions factory, and with the help of her friend she is given a chance to live life differently, after her friend is killed in the explosion where she works. She goes to Scotland near where she grew up before she lost her parents, getting a job at another munitions factory. Pretending to be someone else isn't always easy for her, and little by little she realizes that there was a lot about her friend that she never knew. She becomes close to the family she's staying with, so the lies get more difficult. And she's always looking over her shoulder that she won't be found out.
Alex is sent to secretly search out and prevent another explosion at the munitions plant near his family home. He's following the intelligence they have learned, some of the facts hidden and twisted. There are many twists and turns to this story. Tugs on the heartstrings for the characters and the tension that builds make it a real page turner. It's hard to put down! It's interesting to learn more about the munitions factories and what the women workers went through. The explosion and other events are based on real life. 
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #AsDawnBreaks #NetGalley.

My Reviews:

Sunday, July 18, 2021

The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski

 


     

A sweeping love story set in Paris and Scotland. A princess, mother and younger sister escape from Russia as the big revolution comes about there. They lost everything, even their few things they had packed. After they fled, Svetlana took on the responsibility of providing for them all, but they were reduced to very little. They thought they found help with a Russian who catered to the deposed aristocrats, but he wasn't what he seemed, and pulled them further into poverty.
Wynn is a brilliant Scottish surgeon who steps in to help and is entranced by the princess. He's from a prominent family, but the differences are stark at times. She is very cold and protective, and has trouble trusting him. Their push-pull story is very intricate and develops slowly. Never a dull moment! Excellent read. 
I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. #TheIceSwan #NetGalley

My Reviews:

Thursday, September 12, 2019

The British Brides Collection


". . . if God found the earth perfect enough to create people, then we should never be too proud to till the soil .” 
Beautiful. Christian Historical Romances set 1631 to 1865, England to Scotland, some are linked by  Kennerith castle. Nothing boring here! Unique love stories that keep you entertained and eager to know how they turn out. Not possible to choose a favorite.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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.”
#TheBritishBridesCollection #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:
Goodreads
Powells
BookFun
Amazon
Twitter
Pinterest

Friday, April 5, 2019

A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz

https://www.amazon.com/Bound-Heart-Laura-Frantz-ebook/dp/B07F3F84VG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=A+Bound+Heart+by+Laura+Frantz&qid=1554511193&s=gateway&sr=8-1https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-bound-heart-laura-frantz/1128873064?ean=9780800726645https://www.christianbook.com/a-bound-heart-laura-frantz/9780800726645/pd/726645?event=ESRCGhttps://www.powells.com/book/between-two-shores-9780764219085

Set in the 1700s, first in Scotland along the sea, then America. Lark is descended from a fierce warrior clan whose laird was killed and their castle destroyed. She and her Granny lived and worked at the castle nearby, in the stillroom. Which means they gathered plants and tended bees, for medicinal and other uses, preparing medicines for the Laird and his people. She grew up with Magnus, the current Laird, learned with him. He is a good and handsome man, but forced by his father married another woman - and it didn't go well.  Rich, deep Christian historical fiction. I want to spend more time with these people.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed 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.”

#ABoundHeart #LauraFrantz #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:
ChristianBook
Goodreads
BookFun
Powells
Amazon

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

http://www.amazon.com/Mistress-Tall-Acre-Novel-ebook/dp/B00XNJGKVS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441826233&sr=1-1&keywords=mistress+of+tall+acrehttp://www.christianbook.com/the-mistress-tall-acre-novel-ebook/laura-frantz/9781441228185/pd/76700EB?product_redirect=1&Ntt=76700EB&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCPhttp://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mistress-of-tall-acre-laura-frantz/1121241107?ean=9780800720445http://www.deepershopping.com/item/frantz-laura/mistress-of-tall-acre/6539121.html
http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-mistress-of-tall-acre-P005768154http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Mistress-Tall-Acre/Laura-Frantz/9780800720445?id=6163396555110https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-mistress-of-tall-acre/9780800720445-item.html?ikwid=the+mistress+of+tall+acres&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781410483980-2

She's a daughter of the American Revolution, but her Father is on the wrong side and has returned to Scotland. Her brother fought alongside their neighbor, the General, but hasn't returned even though the General has. Sophie's seen the General's lovely little daughter and instantly made friends. She had been there at her birth, as her mother was the midwife and she was there to help. But the former Mistress has passed away now and the little girl is so lonely. Sophie's not popular in the town because of her Father - people don't seem to regard her brother's service. Their Estate is falling further into disrepair and they've gone too much without because the townspeople won't allow her to sell or trade.

Seamus, despite being a returning war hero, has a legal battle to keep his daughter because his departed wife left her with relatives while he was at war. He needs a wife to help make his case stronger. He's felt a strong pull to Sophie, so she seems a good choice.

"If she wed Seamus, she must keep her love hidden at all times." (Sophie)

This is so well written and the characters became so beloved that I found myself thinking about them long after I put the book down each time - wondering what they would be doing next - imagining my own scenarios.  Another Laura Frantz book that you just don't want to end. There's lots to keep you constantly entertained, from running the Estate to kidnapping and mystery - and lots to pull on your heartstrings. Prepare yourself because you won't want to put this book down!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Baker Publishing Group, Revell Reads - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsementsand Testimonials in Advertising”. 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From the book:
There can be only one mistress of Tall Acre . . .

The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal--you will find it all in the rich pages of this newest novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -