Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Kissing Kate: A Sweet Regency Romance (Hearts of Cornwall Book 4) by K. Lyn Smith

 

"Benedick Kimbrell attempted to steal his first kiss from Miss Catherine Parker in the perfectly imperfect spring of 1808. But his hopes, then and since, were larger than fact."

Very sweet Historical Regency romance. Part of a wonderful series, this is the town that has more men than women, and there's a published list of bachelors that brings in women from all over. What's not to like about Kate who is both very proper with the height of etiquette, yet has spunk? And she likes plants, botany, which are close to my heart. Even though they're best friends, she's unsure of Ben and doesn't know why he goes to London, appearing to be a bit of a rogue. They're working through issues of self-doubt, holding yourself to higher standard, being a perfectionist, grief and misplaced guilt as well as peer pressure. They have close family and friends who see them for themselves and help them to discover their own feelings and strengths. Ben has to be the most devoted friend ever. Sweet, fulfilling read with lots of depth and beauty.

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

#KissingKate #BookSirens #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #DavenwoodPress #HistoricalFiction #KLynSmith

Purchase on Amazon (I don't get anything from this)

About the book

“Benedick Kimbrell attempted to steal his first kiss from Miss Catherine Parker in the perfectly imperfect spring of 1808. But his hopes, then and since, were larger than fact.”

A LADY’S UNSPOKEN LONGING

Kate Parker is resolute in her quest for marriage, seeking a dependable match among Newford's eligible bachelors. But behind her composed demeanor, Kate’s heart holds a stubborn affection for her less-than-dependable friend and an unspoken longing for a kiss that was never claimed.

A ROGUE’S LOST AMBITION

Years ago, Ben Kimbrell harbored ambitions, chief among them a kiss from Miss Kate Parker. Fate, though, had other plans. Now, his heart is weighted by family tragedy, his pain concealed behind a carefree charm. His reputation as an aimless rogue is well-earned, but beneath the façade lies a man who yearns for more.

AND A HEART WELL-GUARDED

When Kate sets her sights on Ben's dependable cousin, a man who fits her expectations if not her heart, Ben can no longer stand idly by. His efforts to save her from a loveless match find the two of them paired together in a village production of Much Ado About Nothing. Tasked with crafting the enchanting sets for their town's inaugural performance, their undeniable affection finds the perfect stage to blossom.

But for their love to flourish, Ben must reveal his true self and confront the shadows of his past. Can he find the courage to unlock his heart before it's too late?

Kissing Kate is a heartwarming best-friends romance about finding the courage to choose happiness and the healing power of love. Set in the charming seaside village of Newford, each book in the Hearts of Cornwall series stands alone.

About the author

K. Lyn Smith lives in Birmingham, Alabama, where she writes sweet historical romance about ordinary people finding extraordinary love. Her debut novel, The Astronomer’s Obsession, was a finalist for the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, while many of her other titles have been shortlisted for awards such as the American Writing Award, the Carolyn Reader’s Choice Award, the HOLT Medallion and the Maggie Award.

When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her with family, traveling and watching period dramas. And space documentaries. Weird, right?

Follow K. Lyn so you don't miss any new releases!



My reviews

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Willow: A Guide to Growing and Harvesting - Plus 20 Beautiful Woven Projects


 

Since helping my Grandmother as a young girl, I've wanted to try weaving again but forgotten all but the basics. Willow grows nearby and dries lovely. I've kept to making wreaths because they're simple. This book gives me the techniques and procedures, with templates, to make more involved projects. Simply told, excellent photographs and broken down into digestible segments that make it look easy. This book is a treasure.

#SarahWeal #naturecrafts #weaving #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #jennycrisp


Tuesday, January 16, 2024

The Chosen Season 4 trailer


This looks like it will be quite impactful. Certainly, the other seasons have been amazing in showing the life of Jesus and the people He chose to surround Him, but this season is getting into the most sorrowful part of His life. We will be watching the series for sure!

Synopsis: 
Clashing kingdoms. Rival rulers. The enemies of Jesus close in while His followers struggle to keep up, leaving him to carry the burden alone.

Threatened by the reality of Jesus’ growing influence, religious leaders do the unthinkable—ally with their Roman oppressors. As the seeds of betrayal are planted and opposition to Jesus’ message turns violent, he’s left with no alternative but demand that his followers RISE UP.

Season 4 Theatrical Release Dates:
Episodes 1-3: 2/1
Episodes 4-5: 2/15
Episodes 6-7: 2/29

Official Trailer link: https://collidemediagroup.us13.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7fa294e9cfc078eecabbec8f4&id=188bc82361&e=8178308bbe

#TheChosen4MIN  #MomentumInfluencers #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianMovie #Jesus

Monday, January 15, 2024

A Time to Bloom by Lauraine Snelling

 


Nebraska 1866
One of those books, part of a series, that you really look forward to, sink right in and become immersed. It feels like home. Wonderful characters, everyday life, with all its struggles and complications. Strong, smart women and men who have travelled a long distance, determined to live right and make a homestead and town for themselves. Strong and living in faith. Fabulous creativity and ambition, holding themselves to high expectations.  You have to love them all in this family and appreciate their hard work. Written so well, painted clearly what it was like to live then. Great book to get lost in.

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.

#ATimeToBloom #NetGalley #LauraineSnelling #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #BethanyHousePublishers #BethanyHouse #KierstiGiron #ChristianHistoricalFiction  

My reviews

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Abounding Hope: A WWII Christian Romance by Cindy Kay Stewart

 


Based on true events and backed by extensive research, Abounding Hope is sure to delight fans of WWII adventure cloaked in sweet romance. Come to the place where the war began and discover hope in the darkest places.

What an amazing story. Intense, tense, frustrating, so very real. As they hear of German invasions, Irena, a school teacher, refused to leave her city in Poland and those she loved. She also has close friends who had all attended the same high school with her in Europe. They decide to send one of them to get her to leave Poland. He, like Irena is an American and a successful businessman. Their story of escape and rescuing of children from Poland into the neighboring countries and then back again for her family is very detailed, intricate and twisting. I actually had to make myself put it down for a while and regroup. You can't help but hold your breath during some of this story. I'm hoping there will be another book to follow.

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

#AboundingHope #CindyKayStewart #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #HopeSpringsPress #ChristianHistoricalRomance 

Purchase on Amazon (I don't receive anything for this)

About the book

WINNER OF THE TOUCHED BY LOVE AWARD (Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers)

Poland’s looming defeat forces an American teacher to escape with children wanted by the Nazis.

It’s late August, 1939, and the world is on the brink of war. The Nazis are threatening Poland, but American teacher Irena Simmons refuses to flee to safety. She’s dedicated her life to serving in her church and school, and she’s watching over the little German boys she whisked to safety the year before. When her former classmate, Jonathan, surprises her in Lvov and insists she leave with him before the war starts, Irena balks. Nothing will interfere with her work—especially a man making demands.

American shipping magnate Jonathan Huntwell had a crush on Irena in school. When their former classmates select him to travel to Poland and escort her out before it’s too late, he doesn’t expect the inner turmoil she ignites in him. Although honor-bound to aid any friend in trouble, Jonathan acknowledges that Irena is more than an obligation to him. However, he must keep his feelings hidden, or he’ll jeopardize their friendship.

Irena soon discovers that the Gestapo agent she successfully evaded in Germany has found her in Poland, and he’s after her young charges. When the Germans invade, Jonathan is in Denmark on business, too far away to help. As the rising danger threatens everything Irena holds dear, she must find a way to protect those she loves.


Cindy Kay Stewart

Cindy Kay Stewart, a retired high school social studies teacher and current church pianist, writes stories of hope, steeped in love, and anchored in faith. Her manuscripts have won the Touched by Love Award, the First Impressions contest, and the Sandra Robbins Inspirational Writing Award. They've also finaled in the Maggie Award of Excellence and the Cascade Awards and semi-finaled in the Genesis contest. Cindy is passionate about revealing God’s handiwork in history.

A native of Southern California, Cindy has lived on both coasts, including a sojourn in between. She’s currently happy to make her home in North Georgia and enjoy the peaches. Cindy graduated from Bob Jones University, where she went for her "Mrs." degree. She was successful, and after forty-two years, her husband still puts up with her. While at BJU, she also earned a bachelors in elementary education. She later earned a masters degree in secondary education/history from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and School Leadership Certification through Kennesaw State University.

Cindy has always enjoyed telling stories—first to her dolls and teddy bears and then to her neighborhood playmates. She wrote her first book of stories and poems in second grade.

Cindy’s desire to write Christian novels was kindled after college, but it wasn’t until her daughter married that she had time to invest in the art of writing and publishing fiction. She had to promptly forget everything she’d learned about writing in school and develop a new skill set. That skill has grown through the years.

Cindy loves to research and “dig up” fascinating nuggets from history to share with her readers. She enjoys surprising people by weaving true historical events into her fiction—especially those happenings that seem too unbelievable to be true. But they are and she can prove it!

Cindy loves playing the piano and singing in the choir at her church. She’s an extrovert, which sometimes gets her in trouble. She tends to talk too much and has been known to drive her friends crazy at times. After thirty-two years in education, she retired to pursue her dream of publishing Christian historical fiction.

It’s a good thing that Cindy’s husband is a gourmet cook or the family would starve. She can follow a recipe, but who has time to read one?

Most of all, Cindy loves to point people to Jesus Christ, her Redeemer, and she wants others to experience the same joy He’s poured out on her so abundantly.

My reviews

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

The Element of Love by Mary Connealy

 


1872 California. Part of a really good series, this book is mostly about Laura. There are three sisters, with the story opening as they escape from their evil stepfather before he sells them off in marriages to creeps that are advantageous only to him. As they're leaving, their Mother feigns a fall and goes back to buy them time. Their real father had amassed a large logging operation, training his daughters to take over the company one day and build it even further. They were each highly schooled and each has very special skills. When he died, their mother married the wrong man who had fooled all of them and wanted control of the company. So, they all have deep trust issues. As they're running away, they join a missionary group for safety and anonymity. The parson is a young man with a past, now saved and trying to spread the Good News. Very interesting as it develops. I really liked reading it and was fully engrossed. Each character is very real and 3D. Good lessons of Christian faith. Need to have the next one to binge read it!

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.

#TheElementOfLove #NetGalley #MaryConnealy #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #BethanyHousePublishers #BethanyHouse #ChristianHistoricalFiction  

My reviews
NetGalley

A Christmas Baby at Goodwill House by Fenella J Miller

 



Joanna is closing out Goodwill House and moving the family to a restored manse. While it's being restored, they're all still living at Goodwill House and up and down living continues as the War goes on. Newly married to John, they are separated most of the time because of the war, and each has rocky times. Her baby is due just before Christmas, so they focus on that somewhat. Interesting tale as they all cope with wartime issues. Disappointing, wobbling between atheism and prayers as convenient. Somewhat abrupt ending but overall a good read with likeable characters.

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.

#AChristmasBabyatGoodwillHouse #NetGalley #FenellaJMiller #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #BoldwoodBooks #HistoricalFiction  

My reviews