Books You Can Feel Good About

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

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Monday, July 5, 2021

A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie Klassen

1813 North Cornwall, England

Laura was orphaned as a young girl, sent to live with her aunt, who also died. She was loved by her Uncle, but when he remarried she became unwanted. She had a habit of going down by the sea, looking for items that washed ashore from shipwrecks, which were common there. She was on shore when a shipwreck happened and witnessed a man washed up on shore, all other passengers lost. She protected him and had him brought to her neighbors house where she helped nurse him back to health. The story unfolds from there for both Laura and Alexander, their backgrounds and family stories interestingly told, and neither of them fit in. Danger twists in during this time of war between France and England. The wreckers are also interesting to learn about, adding to the mystery. Intriguing, holds your interest to the very end. Another get lost in story by Julie Klassen.

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. #ACastawayInCornwall #JulieKlassen #5Stars #ChristianHistorical #Bethany

My Reviews

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

When I Meet You by Olivia Newport

Another story that should be a Hallmark mystery movie. Such well rounded characters, a daughter and father, genealogist and lawyer who loves to be a chef. There's part of their personal lives mixed in with the mystery to be solved from 1909. Very interesting story about a young lady who disappeared after a train ride to Denver, where she was going to sort out some fraud with her father's investments. Throw in some Pinkerton agents and villains and you've got a story to keep you well hooked all the way through. Excellent read, hard to put down. Makes you glad to come back to it each time, and miss it when you've finished it.
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. #WhenIMeetYou #NetGalley

My reviews:

Sunday, June 27, 2021

The Seeds of Change by Lauraine Snelling

1865 Another beautiful new series by Lauraine. I was hooked in the first chapter and loved every new character. Such depth and love between them all. Their parents are gone, and because of a gambler four sisters are pretty much forced to leave their home and head to Nebraska in a wagon. The journey isn't at all easy for them or for other travelers. (I could picture Ward Bond as the wagon master.) Lark is disguised as a boy to hopefully throw off anyone looking for them.
Their arrival in Salton was orchestrated by a brother for them from back home. Their next task was getting settled, meeting new people. But danger still lurks in the background, keeping you on edge even as you're happy for each accomplishment. There's lots to work out. Excellent read with wonderful new friends. Wraps up way too fast. Can't wait until the next book! Love that cover.
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. #TheSeedsofChange #NetGalley

My Reviews:

ChristianBook

To Find Her Place by Susan Anne Mason

Very engrossing story of struggle for these characters. Real enough you'll feel you have to tell someone what just happened as you go along. Men are fighting and those still at home are frowned upon. Women are having to step in to fill positions, but are still not taken seriously. Jane is divorced in 1943 Toronto and acting as the Directress of the Children's Aid Society. She had been a caseworker and is completely committed to the children and making things better. Since her husband left her, and her brother is in the war, she has to support herself and her sick mother. She desperately needs this job to become permanent. Garrett is brought in to audit the business, and Jane, and is planning on submitting his application for the Director position. He also needs the money to help support his parents farm. It's quite a story of difficulties during the war and heartaches, but also has lessons of faith. Circumstances seem to dictate their paths, but we know that God is in control. 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. #ToFindHerPlace #NetGalley

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Friday, June 11, 2021

No Journey Too Far by Carrie Turansky

I absorbed this book, got lost in it. A continuing story of British Home Children who were sent to Canada. This is what happened to Grace who was seven when they came to Canada. She was adopted right away by a wealthy family who tried to hide the fact that Grace was a British Home child and the stigma that went with it. The story jumps to her coming out debut at 17, when she discovered an old trunk in the attic that had an address on it. She remembered her mother and brother and sisters and tried to contact them. They had been searching for her all that time. Her brother returns from war with a story of his own and it unfolds. Well told, with never a dull moment. Christian values while finding their own strength and worth and a murder mystery unfolds. Brilliant!
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.

#NoJourneyTooFar #NetGalley

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Tuesday, April 27, 2021

All Through the Night by Tara Johnson

Cadence and Joshua each have reason to doubt their self worth based on things they had been told during their lives. But each was strong and fought to prove them wrong. Set during the civil war, she has a beautiful voice that helped the soldiers and she acted as a nurse even though she was forbidden to. He as a doctor. He has another secret life, which she stumbles upon. Their struggles with each other keep it entertaining, but each also has a strong faith and dedication to helping others. Excellent read, loosely based on a true person from that time. Keeps you engaged to the end.

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.

#AllThroughtheNight #NetGalley

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