Fascinating and engaging book reviews and encouragement you'll want to read.
Author:deanne01
I am an avid reader and reviewer. I am open for review requests please contact me at Cnnamongirl at aol dot com. I work with big name publishers and indie publishers alike. I am on launch and street teams and have MANY NetGalley and GoodReads reviews up. I love all animals and I am a vegetarian. Thank you for joining me here.
I just love this beautiful cover and can’t wait to read the others in the series.
About The Book
From the Yukon to Seattle, the hope of a new beginning waits just around the corner.
Addie Bryant is haunted by her past of heartbreak and betrayal. After her beau, Isaac Hanson, left the Yukon, she made a vow to wait for him. When she’s sold to a brothel owner after the death of her father, Addie manages to escape with the hope that she can forever hide her past and the belief that she will never have the future she’s always dreamed of.
Years later, Addie has found peace in her new life as a photographer, training Camera Girls to operate and sell the Brownie camera. During the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo in Seattle, Addie is reunited with Isaac, but after the path her life has taken, she’s afraid to expose the ugliness of her former life and to move toward the future they had pledged to each other.
When her past catches up with her, Addie must decide whether to run or to stay and face her wounds in order to embrace her life, her future, and her hope in God.
My Thoughts
I have long been reading this authors books. She has so many out, I call her the “Queen of Historical Fiction.” Her research is immaculate and makes each story relatable and realistic. Her books have a beautiful faith message but it’s not overbearing. Remember Me is the first book in the Pictures of the Heart series. The setting is 1909 at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Expo in Seattle. Addie Bryant has had a very harsh and heartbreaking bringing up. Her brothers and father did not love her, and she had no one. After they betrayed her in the worst way possible, she was able to escape. With memories of a promised love from childhood she holds onto these happy memories as a way to keep going but doesn’t expect anything to come of it. After she is reunited with Isaac, her past love, she doesn’t feel worthy of forgiveness or to be with him. The theme here is your past is in the past and God is a forgiving God to be trusted and Addie does come to do this. A strong story line with themes of forgiveness, redemption and love. I will continue to read books by this author as she’s one of my all-time favorites.
Pub Date: 07 Mar 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Author
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than one hundred books. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.
In 1870, Mariah Stover is left for dead and with no memory when the Deadeye Gang robs the stagecoach she’s on, killing her father and brother. As she takes over her father’s blacksmith business and attempts to move forward, the old-fashioned townspeople meet her new occupation with disdain.
Handsome and polished Clint Roberts escaped to Western Wyoming from the painful memories he left back east. In the hope of a new life, he opens a diner where he creates fine dishes, but is met with a harsh welcome from the townsfolk who prefer to stick to their old ways.
Clint and Mariah are drawn together by the similar trials they face in a new town, and Clint is determined to protect Mariah at all costs when danger descends upon her home. As threats pursue them from every side, will they survive to build a life forged in love?
Mary Connealy steals you away to the atmospheric American West with an adventure-filled, charming nineteenth-century tale.
My Thoughts
I have been reading this author’s books for years and have always enjoyed the strong faith message in them. Mariah Stover is no shrinking violet, despite being on a stagecoach that was robbed and that took the life of her father and brother she knows she must go on. She is left with no memory of the incident. I enjoyed seeing Mariah cast as a strong woman taking over her father’s blacksmith shop, a job at this time period known to be a man’s job. The town’s people are not accepting of her doing this as they are used to seeing men do this and are stuck in the old way of thought. Hoping to escape painful memories Clint Roberts comes to town for a new start and opens a diner but the townspeople are not accepting of him either. Mariah and Clint become friends bound together by a common ground of nonacceptance and find they have a lot in common. Despite this closeness danger seems to follow Mariah. Is someone trying to eliminate a witness because she is still alive after the robbery? This is a wonderful start to a new series and it’s so refreshing to see women doing male dominated jobs including her friend Nell who as a talented seamstress makes chaps for cowboys. This story taking place in Wyoming has such a wonderful description of the barren and dusty area that I can just picture it now. I was going to give this book 4 stars but I am removing one star for it including animal abuse. I could never condone animal abuse and including it does nothing to enhance the story. There are several instances where a dog is abused, and I was so disappointed to read this. I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.
About The Author
Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of 65 books and novellas. Her most recent three book series are: Braced for Love, A Man with a Past and Love on the Range for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing and many novellas and several stand-alone books for multiple publishers. Mary will be a published author for ten years in 2017 with nearly a million books in print. She has a degree in broadcast communications with an emphasis in journalism and has worked at her local newspaper.
Living in a bustling farmhouse with her mum, aunt and uncles, cousin and too many dogs to count, surrounded by the breath-taking Cotswolds countryside, she knows she is privileged and protected.
But all families have secrets, and the Travers family are no exception. Their farmhouse sits in the grounds of the Juniper Meadows estate, passed down through the generations and now being made to pay its own way with a myriad of businesses and projects. When a construction crew uncover what appear to be historical ruins, the history of the Travers family is put under ever closer scrutiny as a dig gets underway.
Hope may have found a blossoming romance with local archaeologist Cameron Ferguson who is running the dig, but when things start to go wrong around the estate and family secrets begin to be revealed, Hope wonders if she’s made a big mistake in digging up the past.
Where We Belong is the first book in the Juniper Meadows series. It is a contemporary romance. I am always excited to start a new series by an author who I’ve read their books in the past and have loved them. The characters are so relatable and realistic, after reading just this first book in the series I feel as though they could be friends. I found it interesting to see an archeological dig featured in the book, something not often seen. While preparing to break ground on the family home the dig team may have found ruins, so they bring in the archeologist and Cameron Ferguson, University lecturer. I found the story revolving around the testing digs to be wonderfully researched and fascinating. While we see a clear romantic connection between Cam and Hope, our leading couple, there are also side characters that I think will play an important role in the upcoming books. This book is just the foundation to work with there is plenty of material to work with, characters to elaborate on their stories and secrets to be divulged. I loved meeting the black labs they are right there sticking their noses in everything and so affectionate. The more the dig happens the more secrets are revealed in the archeological sense and in the family. I think more of a backstory will come to light as family secrets are unearthed. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series as I already feel a part of the community with its warm and welcoming characters and beautiful setting in the Cotswolds.
Published March 9,2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Author Bio
Author Bio –
Sarah Bennett is the bestselling author of several romantic fiction trilogies including those set in Butterfly Cove and Lavender Bay. Born and raised in a military family she is happily married to her own Officer and when not reading or writing enjoys sailing the high seas.
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity. Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to drive gender parity. IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere. Inclusion means all IWD action is valid
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you’re continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.
I am really looking forward to reading…………….
Publish date June 8,2023 Aria and Aries publisher
I was just approved for this on NetGalley this morning after requesting it yesterday. It sounds great. I enjoy reading books that feature older people. You also can’t beat a book taking place in Ireland by the sea.
Description
People come to the guest house for fresh air and views across the Atlantic. But if they’re lucky, they might just leave with the second chance they didn’t know they needed…
Esme has run the guest house for as long as anyone in Ballycove can remember. But in her declining years, her sight is failing, and when she has a fall on the eve of the summer season, she is forced to take a back seat for the first time in her life.
From her chair in the entry hall, not much passes Esme by. There’s Cora, the wife visiting indefinitely… without her husband; Niamh, the city professional with a life-changing decision to make; and Phyllie, the grandmother whose family is slipping away from her.
Esme’s guests provide the colour that helps her keep her grip on the world. All of them have something they want to escape – or to hold on to. But can Esme help them find their way before the summer is over?
From bestselling Irish writer Faith Hogan comes a new, uplifting story about discovering love, friendship and the healing power of the Irish sea air. It will charm fans of Sheila O’Flanagan, Heidi Swain and Susanne O’Leary.
Praise for Faith Hogan’s books: ‘Uplifting, emotional and brimming with warmth and humour’ CATHY BRAMLEY on The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club
Homeless Man Finds Money on the Road, Spends It on Flowers and Gives Them to Random Women — Story of the Day
A homeless man finds money on the street and spends it on flowers for random women. The florist was baffled why a poor man would do such a thing instead of keeping the money to himself. So he explained to her why and she was left in tears.
We are so caught up in this dog-eat-dog world of accumulating MORE and MORE and MORE money, power, and social standing that we’ve put values like kindness and honesty on the back burner.
After all, what do you receive for being kind and honest? Perhaps some gratitude? But is that appreciation worth anything to us? The bitter truth is most of us in the modern world don’t even see the “logic” in trying to be kind and honest. But trust me, your good deeds might mean a lot to someone…
Hello, my name is Jack, and I am a homeless man. Yes, you read that right. I’ve got nothing — no money, no home, and no friends. I was on my way to a dumpster behind a neighborhood restaurant the morning I spotted several dollar bills on the road.
That day started like any other for me: dismal and hungry. I checked my pockets and realized I was right. I didn’t have a single cent with me. The only option left was to eat the leftovers from a dumpster. And where better to look for leftovers than in a dumpster near a restaurant?
I was on my way to a dumpster when I found the dollar bills. | Source: Pexels
So I was trudging in the searing heat, clutching my churning stomach and hoping not to pass out. As I crossed the first street on my way, I noticed something on the road. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing at first. In fact, I rubbed my eyes twice before picking up the multiple dollar bills that were just lying on the ground.
“This is crazy!” I thought to myself. I needed the money and had it right in front of me! I looked around for its owner, hoping they would come up to me and say, “Hey, you freak! That’s my money! Give it back!”
“Money that comes to you easily or dishonestly must be parted with promptly.”
But the whole area around me was eerily quiet with nobody in close sight. Also, names like “freak,” “bum,” and “creep” have become synonymous with my persona. That’s how people “love” referring to me.
Anyway, after finding the money, I was at a loss for what to do. I had no idea who owned it, and I had no way of contacting the cops to report it. Also, I was afraid that they would accuse me of stealing it if they found me with it. So I sat on the sidewalk, not knowing what to do.
I was hungry but didn’t want to spend that money on food. That would be dishonest and wrong. I may be poor, but I’m not a thief.
I was shocked when I found multiple dollar bills. | Source: Unsplash
So I sat on the sidewalk for a few minutes, and then I had an idea. I dashed across the street to a flower shop. A bell rang as I entered the shop, signaling my arrival to the florist.
“Good morning,” she greeted cheerfully but grimaced when she turned to face me. When I walked in, she was busily arranging flowers. Now that we were face-to-face, I caught her name on the badge on her apron. It read “Amanda.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t offer you any money. Please leave!” she stated bluntly, glancing at my appearance. She was aware that I was a homeless man. Who wouldn’t? I hadn’t washed in days and my clothes were shabby and filthy. But she was mistaken in assuming I was there for the money.
“I don’t want any money from you,” I explained. “I need to get some flowers. I have this much money. What can I do with it?” I asked, holding up the bills I had found.
She looked confused. “Well, that could get you a whole bouquet! … But why would you spend so much money on flowers? Don’t get me wrong. A man like you could use it for yourself,” she suggested.
The florist suggested that I spend the money on myself, but I had another idea in my head. | Source: Pexels
But I shook my head. “I don’t want to,” I said. “Just get me as many flowers as you can with it.”
Amanda was understandably perplexed, but she eventually got me some flowers. As she finished wrapping them in cellophane paper and tying a ribbon around them, I gave her the cash.
She accepted the money and asked, “Are you getting these for someone special?”
“You could say that,” I replied, and Amanda looked perplexed again. So I finally explained why I wanted to buy flowers from her.
I said, “The money I just handed you is not mine. I discovered it on the side of the road. I don’t want to be dishonest. My mom once told me that the money that comes to you easily or dishonestly must be parted with promptly.
“Since I have no way of returning the money to the owner, I will distribute these flowers I bought with it to strangers. You never know; it might brighten their day. And that will mean a lot to me!”
I noticed that as I said that, Amanda had tears in her eyes. “That’s amazing…” she managed to say. “I’m sorry, I forgot to ask your name.”
I bought those flowers to put a smile on people’s faces. | Source: Pexels
“Jack,” I introduced myself. “You can call me Jack.”
“This is from me, Jack. Please get yourself something,” Amanda said, offering me some money. I was hesitant to accept it, but she assured me I had earned it by doing a good deed.
I accepted the money, thanked her, and offered the flowers to random women I met that day. Before leaving Amanda’s shop, I gave one to her too. “Have a nice day,” I said as I gave it to her.
Later that day, when I offered a rose to an older woman, she cried and hugged me. “Thank you very much, son,” she said. “I was feeling lonely today. It’s as though God sent you to comfort me. God bless you…”
I had tears in my eyes as I hugged her back. But that wasn’t the end of it all.
Seeing the old woman’s happy face made my day. | Source: Pexels
Finally, I gave my last flower to a little girl who was sitting in a park with her mom. You should have seen the smile on her face when I gave it to her. Her mother also took me to a restaurant and fed me. I had already eaten with the money Amanda had given me, but I couldn’t say no to someone who offered food to me with so much love.
Everyone I met that day was delighted when they received the flowers. To be honest, I want to thank whoever dropped that money by accident. I wish that person happiness and good luck wherever he or she may be. The money urged me to perform a noble act, and it brightened many people’s days, including mine.
What can we learn from this story?
Nothing beats doing what is right and good. Jack could have kept the money, but he didn’t want to be dishonest. So he spent the money wisely and did a noble act by brightening people’s days and giving them flowers.
One small act of kindness can put a smile on someone’s face. It isn’t a big deal to give someone flowers. It’s something that everybody can do. But here’s the thing: we don’t do it. Jack did, and his thoughtful gesture brought joy to many people.
290 pages Boldwood Books publisher March 16,22 publish date
Fall in love with Sarah Bennett’s bestselling Mermaids Point series!
Bestselling author Alex Nelson is slowly coming apart at the seams after a failed marriage and an abrupt change in career leave him at a crossroads in life. When an unexpected opportunity arises to escape to the idyllic village of Mermaids Point, he’s hot on the heels of his brother, Tom, who has recently moved there. Buying a rundown bookshop might be just his latest harebrained scheme, but Alex has never been one to do things by halves.
After spending her early years caring for her mother, Ivy Fisher is finally ready to start living her own life. But when the impossibly charming, impossibly good-looking Alex Nelson swoops in and snatches her dream out from under her nose, it really is the last straw. Forced by circumstances to spend more time with him, Ivy finally gets a peek of the real man beneath the confident exterior, and she likes what she sees.
But just when things are starting to come together for them, Ivy is reminded why men can never be trusted. Is Alex who he says he is, or is he using Mermaids Point as nothing more than research fodder for his next bestseller?
Enjoy a gloriously uplifting, page-turning, romantic escape to the seaside with the bestselling author Sarah Bennett. Perfect for all fans of Trisha Ashley, Holly Martin and Milly Johnson.
My Thoughts
I read the Mermaid’s Point series out of order, so I am now finishing it up. I am really going to miss this series, I’ve enjoyed it quite a bit, meeting the characters, having them carry over into other books, plus the location of the seaside is so relaxing. The author really makes this into a place you’re ready to come and visit. The book is an emotional page turner. With Alex Nelson going through a job change he relocates to Mermaids Point at the suggestion of his older brother who also lives there. When he gets the great idea to buy an old rundown bookshop from the owner who is retiring, he has his blessings to redesign it to suit his fancy. Will it be just what Mermaids Point needs or a bust? Ivy is a creative woman designing clothing and toys and the bookshop would be the perfect place to sell her designs. When that falls through, she feels the loss even more so because she has the goods strewn about her home and her mother’s bedroom whom she misses terribly after her loss. I loved seeing how Alex and Ivy’s romance plays out. They are such a wonderful couple. Heartwarming and gentle this emotionally moving story is a real winner. I’m looking forward to starting the next series she’s putting out.
Pub Date 16 Mar 2022 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Thank you for taking the time to check out my books. I write heart-warming stories set in small communities full of family, friendship and romance. My hope is that readers will fall in love with the places I create just as much as they do with the characters who live there.
I write in third person from a dual perspective to ensure readers can truly get under the skin of both the hero and the heroine. Every book can be enjoyed as a standalone story with a guaranteed happy ever after, but for the most satisfying reader experience I recommend following the arc of each series.
It is both a dream come true and a joy to be able to offer you a few hours of gentle escapism from the rigours of day-to-day life.
Settle into your favourite reading spot and let me whisk you away to beautiful settings you’ll wish you could visit for real.
I glance over at Lou’s house as I pull onto my drive, surprised that it is still in darkness. Lou and the kids should have been home from school long ago. I should be preparing a delicious meal for my children as they tell me about their day. But Lou’s car is nowhere to be seen…
The night is drawing in and Lou has still not returned. I try not to panic, but deep down I know something is wrong. Lou is the most dependable friend. Our children are at the same school. We always help each other out, and she cares for my two like only a mother can.
As a storm rages outside and local news reports tell everyone to stay indoors, a feeling of deep dread starts to swell. Then the call comes. The police have found Lou’s car, with my children’s schoolbags still inside along with Lou’s phone. But they are nowhere to be seen.
Clutching my husband’s hands, willing our children to be found safe and sound, I try to silence the voice inside my head. I’ve not been honest. I’m being punished for what happened all those years ago.
And then I get Lou’s message and I know that if I want to see my children again, I need to tell the truth to everyone I love.
What I don’t yet know is that Lou has been keeping her own dark secret. And once the storm passes, nothing will ever be the same again.
A gripping and addictive psychological suspense about dark obsession, intense motherly love and how far we will go to protect those we love the most. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Adele Parks and Sally Hepworth.
My Thoughts
Excuse me for one moment while I pick my jaw up off of the floor!
Secrets, sure we all have them, like eating that last slice of pizza that no one was supposed to eat because it was being saved. But what if your secret was bigger, oh so much bigger and you were about to find out exactly how it would affect your life?
Lou is the perfect neighbor, self-confident, bright, full of energy and always wanting to spend time with the neighborhood kids and pick them up from school when she picks up her own kids. She’s the kind of woman we all want to be and envy. She’s perfect!
There’s a crazy strong storm brewing and Lou is going to pick up the kids after school again, thank goodness because they’ll be safe with her. It’s getting later and later, and the kids are not home yet, and no one can get ahold of Lou.
Three neighborhood women have been friends since childhood. They hide a secret no one can know. Lou’s car has been found, it’s now dark and one child has asthma, the rain is pouring, and the creek continues to rise. Are they safe, dry, in danger?
You can feel the tension mounting, where is Lou? And what is this text message they receive telling the women to “tell all and the children will be safe.” Can they believe it and what power does Lou have over these women? All we care about is, are the children found safely?
Some absolutely astonishing revelations come to light in the twists and turn revealed in this suspenseful, psychological thriller! So good, I recommend it to you if you like tension filled reads with an unforeseen ending.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio
Leah Mercer was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the east coast of Canada. Her first ambition was to be a journalist, but after completing a Master’s in Journalism, she soon realised she preferred anything other than reporting the news. After trying her hand at public relations, teaching and recruitment in various countries around the world, she finally settled in London and returned to writing…fiction, this time. Her first two novels, Who We Were Before and The Man I Thought You Were, were shortlisted at the UK’s Romantic Novelists’ Association Awards. Leah loves books, running and visiting historic houses with her husband and their son.
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