The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah E. Ladd

Christian Historical Romance with danger, suspense and betrayal. Oh my what a good book. This is one that you read every word, taking your time and still finish in two days. I really enjoy Sarah's writing style. Each scene and character is fully dimensional and you're right there. I'm not sure if this is being released around Father's Day on purpose, but this story is nearly as much about the fathers as it is about their children.  I believe that parents' love - or withholding of their love - strongly influences the lives of their children.

Camille and her father run the Curiosity Shop in London, selling all kinds of treasures. She runs the shop and handles the books while he scouts for things to sell. Her mother left for Portugal years before and didn't return.  So Camille pretty much has taken care of herself and business for years without much attention from either parent. But then someone steals a precious ruby from Jonathan's father - a ruby that he had purchased from Camille's father. And it looks like her father could be the one who stole it. Both families are balancing on financial ruin and looking at the ruby to restore their fortunes.

Jonathan and a friend of the family (who is a private investigator) go to the shop in London just as Camille is being overwhelmed by thieves.  Camille and Jonathan have more in common than they think. Not having a loving relationship with their fathers is at the top of the list. Camille's story is an excellent example of a self reliant, strong woman starting over with courage and a good attitude after the total collapse of her family.  Jonathan's is about following your convictions without the support of your family even when they don't approve.  Since they have to, both discover that they can make it on their own. I didn't find much of a Christian influence in the book though. I loved the cover and find the time period to be quite interesting. The author skillfully takes you there.This is a (A Treasures of Surrey Novel) and the first one. I'm looking forward to reading more - hated to see this one end.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Publishers and The BookLook Bloggers Team. 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 “GuidesConcerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”. 

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The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest by Melanie Dickerson

Oh I needed that! What a pleasant book to read. This is a Medieval Fairy Tale that is Christian Romance. Could I figure out what was likely to happen? Yes. It's loosely based on Swan Lake and Robin Hood. But I very much enjoyed the way it was told and has its own plot twists.

Odette was orphaned when little and later taken in by her Uncle. Because she can identify, she becomes a huntress at night in the Margrave's forest, thinking she is taking deer to feed the poor. As it turns out the meat is actually being sold on the black market instead, but she doesn't know it. She does feel badly though when she meets Jorgen, the Forester and begins to care for him. He's charged with finding the poacher - whom he thinks may have killed his adoptive father. (Jorgen was orphaned around the same time as Odette had been.)

Get this book for a pleasing way to relax and just be entertained. One of those books that makes you go ahhhh.  I really enjoy Melanie Dickerson's writing style. And you have to love that cover! I'll be first in line when the next book comes out.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson Publishers - The BookLook Bloggers Team. 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 Useof Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”. 

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London Tides by Carla Laureano

  

I loved the cover and the quick review and was eager to read it. This was the second book in the series, but I didn't know it until just now. It works as a stand alone but I think it would have been a better experience to have read book one first. It's a Christian romance, but if you're a strict Christian you may not appreciate the references to when the characters had slept with others (although in this story they do not sleep together). It turned me off.

Grace and Ian have a past - in fact Grace left Ian just before their wedding. She's an Irish girl who's a photographer in war-torn and poverty stricken areas, so she has PTSD. But she's come back to London to see Ian and her best friend, and has an exciting new job offer.

Ian never talked her down after she left, but has not found anyone else. He's not quite sure he can trust Grace not to leave him again though.

This is a steamy off again, on again relationship. I felt that it was very interesting, but in the third quarter I was ready for everyone to make a decision and stick with it - sick of Grace's issues. I actually got to the point where I was going yada yada yada and skipping over paragraphs. I wonder if that happens all too much in the lives of those who have PTSD? I consider myself compassionate, but I just didn't want it dragged out anymore. Maybe that was the point you were supposed to get and it was pretty realistic. I didn't make a personal connection with the characters, so I didn't feel for them. That being said, in the end everything was wrapped up beautifully with a wonderful Christian lesson.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the David C Cook - 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 Useof Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”. 

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Until the Harvest by Sarah Loudin Thomas

This is book two in the series. A Christian Historical romance set in West Virginia, 1975.  This picks up several years later, with a death in the family that stretches the faith of a young man.  He's of college age and looking to find himself, sometimes going down the wrong path to find the right one. 

There's also a girl who's his age with parents who aren't very loving, and a sister who needs special care.

Similar to the first book, there's a person with a special gift who helps others in the community.

They find life on a farm is an answer in the right direction, and that an extended family can be a wonderful thing. We all need to be loved and appreciated, and it doesn't have to be by family. A family is people who love you. God's love and the people He sends to us make life worth living.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - 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 inAdvertising”. 

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