Tag: Book Review

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Knowing You (Pictures of the Heart Book #3): (A Historical Christian Romance Book Set in the Pacific Northwest)

304 pages Bethany House publishers November 7,2023 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Could a captivating art exhibit hold the key to truth–and love?

Budding artist May Parker is captivated by the Japanese exhibits at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition and longs to know more about her mother’s heritage–which her mother refuses to speak of because of the heartache she left behind in Japan. Wanting to experience more of the exhibits, May works as a Camera Girl–but her curiosity leads her into danger when a suit of samurai armor becomes the target of an elusive art forger.

After ten years apart, May is reunited with her childhood friend Lee Munro, a police detective assigned to keep a watchful eye on the exposition. Their friendship immediately begins to blossom with hints of something more, but when they become entangled in a dangerous heist involving the samurai armor and their love is threatened, can they overcome the odds against them?

MY THOUGHTS

I have been enjoying the Pictures of the Heart series and this book is no exception. In this series the setting is the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition. Camera Girls there take pictures with Brownie cameras and sell them to the tourists.

This book features May Parker, a Japanese American woman. She has an interest in Japanese art, which is the focus of the book. She is also trying to learn more about her Japanese heritage, but it makes her mother sad to talk about her past in Japan.

There is a lot of discrimination in the book which made me sad to read about the unfair treatment. May has been discriminated against since childhood and when, as a child, her best friend, Lee Munro moves away she knows she won’t have any easy time of it.

Camera Girl, May Parker enjoys her work but when a piece of Japanese art is switched with a forged piece she decides to investigate and is reunited with her childhood friend Lee.

I loved seeing the happy reunion between these two characters who had not forgotten each other over the years and had missed each other a lot. As their age has increased so has their maturity and that childhood friendship blossoms into a true love.

Lee is now a police officer and is involved in solving the forged art piece case and tasked with locating it and tracking the criminals in this crime ring.

Such a fascinating story. You could feel the tension rolling off the pages as the danger of the heist comes to the front. A strong story of faith, compassion, intrigue and romance.

I suggest you read this series in order as each story builds on the last. Highly recommended!

Pub Date 07 Nov 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.

Visit Tracie’s web site at: http://www.traciepeterson.com

This is a favorite author of mine. Have you read any of her books? Have a great weekend.

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Home for Christmas: The Magic of the Christmas Season sends a woman back in time to the 1940s

345 pages Avon publisher October 11,2022 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Piper McCaulley doesn’t know which way is up or down. Her gran, her last remaining family, died two weeks before Christmas, leaving Piper to reevaluate her life. Did she really want to stay chained to the family business just to hang on to this old house? She didn’t care that her great-great-great grandpa had built it with his own hands. How could she make huge life decisions if she’d never even been outside of Alaska?

She needs to leave the snowy wilderness that’s her backyard and see the world, and since her gran left her a battered old compass, Piper takes this a secret message from her beloved grandmother: to follow her heart.

But before she is even a foot outside the door, Piper finds herself caught in a blizzard and wakes up in 1945 in the original home that her ancestors had built—a time when her gran was just a girl Piper’s age. Once she has gotten over the shock, Piper has the joy of getting to know her grandmother in a whole new way, a way that sheds light on everything Piper had come to know and not know about her own past. 

Over the course of one magical holiday season, Piper must go on a journey through time to learn the meaning of real love, home, and how a family legacy can connect one another forever.

  

MY THOUGHTS

I think maybe when I requested this one, I was drawn in by the cover but hadn’t really read what the book was about. This is a time travel book which I’m not crazy about those types of books, I like books that are a little more realistic.


Piper McCaulley is a young woman living in 2022, her grandmother has died a few weeks before Christmas and she has mixed feelings should she stay in the family business and continue to live in the house her great-great-grandfather had built?

Somehow getting lost in a snowstorm in Alaska propels her back in time to 1940’s when her grandmother was living at home and a youngster, living in the house Piper is living in.

Time travel doesn’t do it for me, but I did think it was neat that she got to meet past relatives and become friends with her grandmother when she was younger. There were tender moments. She even falls in love.

She is able to reevaluate the importance of family without all the modern-day distractions. I was wondering would she be able to stay in this time period, would she want to and what would happen to her romance if she wasn’t able to stay in this time period. Overall, a heartwarming story worth reading.

Pub Date 11 Oct 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

Courtney Cole is a New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels. She enjoys eating reader emotions for breakfast, wearing cashmere socks (when she’s not barefoot) and collecting hula girls.

An optimist, Pacman champion, trophy wife, and fierce mama, her motto is to live with grace. She believes in the power of blonde hair dye and red lipstick, and feels that a well-timed smile can change the world.

To learn more about her, visit http://www.courtneycolecreates.com

Have a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

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The Secrets Beneath (Treasures of the Earth Book #1)

328 pages Bethany House publishers September 26,2023 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Some secrets can only stay buried for so long. . . .

Anna Lakeman has spent her life working alongside her paleontologist father, drawing intricate sketches at every dig. When they find dinosaur bones near their home in Wyoming Territory, they’re given the opportunity of a lifetime and are swiftly caught up in the competitive era of the Bone Wars. But after her father becomes sick and Joshua Ziegler, an old beau, returns for the summer, Anna’s world is upended, and the practical, orderly life she has made for herself shatters.

Medical student Joshua Ziegler left his hometown to forget Anna, the one woman he truly loved and deeply hurt. But when he returns, time hasn’t erased the feelings they’ve always had for each other. After Joshua’s nephew goes missing–just like his sister did years ago–and Anna’s job is threatened, tensions mount and dangerous secrets are unearthed.

MY THOUGHTS

The sciences are not one of my favorite things to read about. I’ve read so many books by this author that I just knew she could turn a subject that I wasn’t overly excited about into a fascinating story that I couldn’t put down.

When this historical fiction story took place, the late 1800’s paleontology was not a field women got into, there were a few but they were not well received and discredited often. A young woman who grew up with a famous paleontologist father has for many years been drawing intricate sketches at every dig as a way of cataloging and keeping track of all the progress.


When the elements open up a previously closed area in Wyoming Territory, near their home and they find bones it’s just what they need. This is just the opportunity her father needs to further his career during the competitive Bone Wars, and it’s working. He’s got permission to do his dig and no one else is permitted in this area, then exciting bones are found.

When her father falls ill and rapidly declines Anna Lakeman is not only upset about her father’s career advancement, thinking someone may take it from him but she’s very worried about this health. She is determined to go it alone and do the digging for her father.

When her former beau shows up the hurt feelings come rushing back, they had a big misunderstanding but now he’s back.
Doctor in training Joshua Ziegler left to forget his feeling for Anna but upon returning they both realize the feelings are still there.

There is a bit of a mystery when Joshua’s nephew goes missing. Is he in danger and what happened to him?
A very intriguing story, I also enjoyed the historical aspect of it and can’t wait to read more in this series.

Pub Date 26 Sep 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than two dozen books. She is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she’s shared at more than 2,000 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family’s story have garnered national media attention for many years including ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, Discovery Health channel’s Mystery ER, The Hour of Power, The Harvest Show, and over 1,000 other TV appearances and radio interviews. She lives and writes in the Poconos with her husband of thirty years. kimberleywoodhouse.com

Find Kim on twitter and facebook:

twitter.com/kimwoodhouse

author fan page Kimberley Woodhouse

Have a marvelous weekend. Thanks for stopping in.

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Nine Lives and Alibis: A Cat Cafe Mystery (Cat Cafe Mystery Series Book 7)

332 pages St. Martin’s Paperbacks publisher August 22,2023 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

In Nine Lives and Alibis, the seventh in Cate Conte’s Cat Café beloved cozy mystery series, Daybreak Island is gearing up for Halloween—but this year it seems like it’ll be all tricks and no treats.

It’s October in Daybreak Harbor, which means everything Halloween. The town is going all out for the holiday, hoping to one-up the festivities in neighboring Salem, Massachusetts, and Maddie James is delighted to be part of the planning for the annual happenings.

But trouble brews when Maddie’s youngest sister, Sam, books a famous medium, Balfour Dempsey, to come to town for the celebrations and stay in the local haunted inn—along with his equally famous black cat. The town busybody books a secret reading with Balfour and doesn’t want anyone to know why. Maddie’s best friend Becky is hell-bent on getting Balfour to help her solve two 40-year-old mysteries—a murder and a missing maid. And the psychic has a stalker who’s followed him here to the island, demanding he connect with her dead husband.

When Balfour is pushed off the cliffs behind the inn to his death and his beloved cat goes missing, it throws the whole town into a frenzy. And Maddie and her family find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery straight out of a Halloween movie.

MY THOUGHTS

Nine Lives and Alabis finds us in Daybreak Island, Mass. The little island town is hoping to one up its neighbors in Salem, Mass who everyone goes to see for all their Halloween scares.

This year Daybreak Island is hosting a Halloween Festival better than any of the previous years. A famous medium, Balfour Dempsey has come to stay at the reportedly haunted hotel. While there he is being asked to try to solve two cold cases from forty years ago, a murder and a missing maid.

I enjoyed the New England setting, as we spent time there this Fall including Salem, Mass.

When another murder occurs, the whole town is in an uproar and Halloween festivities are the last thing on their minds. Past and present come to mingle in the case being solved.

Maddie runs a cat cafe and takes in strays and gives them the best care. She and her cat JJ also solve cases together and she’s on the job here finding the murderer and discovering what happened to his cat.

Surprising twists and turns I sure didn’t see coming. I enjoyed all the Halloween descriptions from the decorations and foods to the pet costume parade to all the festivities at the haunted hotel This is a series I’ll continue reading.

Pub Date: 22 Aug 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

“Cats were my weakness. I’d never met one I didn’t love instantaneously.”
― Cate Conte, Cat About Town: A Cat Cafe Mystery

“Those who love cats have a special place in heaven,” he said, tipping his fedora at me.”
― Cate Conte, Cat About Town: A Cat Cafe Mystery

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The Teacher’s Christmas Secret: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance (Seven Amish Sisters Book 3) by Emma Miller

203 pages September 26,2023 publish date Love Inspired publisher

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Amish school brings them together.

Will his secret break them apart?

When widowed schoolteacher Tobit Lapp is injured, he reluctantly agrees he needs Cora Koffman’s help. Cora’s still upset Tobit got the job at the Amish schoolhouse, but she agrees to teach his class till he’s able. As they work together on lessons, a surprising friendship blossoms between them, but Tobit’s heart is torn. He’s falling for Cora—yet his secret could ruin everything…

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

Seven Amish Sisters

Book 1: Her Surprise Christmas Courtship
Book 2: Falling for the Amish Bad Boy
Book 3: The Teacher’s Christmas Secret

MY THOUGHTS

Human nature being what it is Cora Koffman tries not to be upset and jealous when newcomer to their Honeycomb, Delaware Amish school Tobit Lapp gets the teaching job she has yearned for. Getting off on the wrong foot, anger clouds her judgement of widowed Tobit who has a young teenaged son.

When an accident proves disastrous to Tobit and leaves him unable to teach, he reluctantly lets her take his place while he recovers.

I’ve seen this in stories a lot recently, the grumpy and sunshine pair and it actually works in most books including this one.

Having never taught before Cora is nervous but excited about teaching and she excels at it. As she spends more time with him, he sees how smart she is and realizes some of her teaching ideas really are great and they implement them into the teaching program. I enjoyed reading about the Christmas program the teacher and children are putting together.

Cora and Tobit seem to be falling for each other and Cora looks forward to being courted by Tobit until an unbelievable secret comes to light. Will the romance be able to possibly be saved?

I’ve really enjoyed many books by this author in the past. The books feel realistic, and I love her writing style, it is realistic and encouraging. Though a short book the story feels complete and not rushed. I suggest you read the other books in the series though each story is a stand alone.

Pub Date: 26 Sep 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Pre-order here

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THE AUTHOR

Emma Miller is a wife, mother and a grandmother who lives a quiet life in Delaware. She’s the author of the Hannah’s Daughter’s series and is at work on her next Amish romance novel.

Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping in. Does this sound like a book you’d read?

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The Sunflowers Babushka Planted by Beatrice Rendon. Illustrated Children’s book.

32 pages ages 5-9 Capstone Editions Jan 1,2024 publish date grades K-3

About The Book

“When Tania was six years old, she and her parents fled Ukraine during World War II. For years they were refugees in Europe, displaced and without permanent residence. Finally, they found safe housing in a refugee camp, but what about home? Day by day, they stitched together new lives, but it wasn’t until a memory of Tania’s babushka and her beloved sunflowers that the family at last began to rebuild a sense of home.

This true account about debut author Beatrice Rendón’s grandmother offers a universal story of hope for refugees around the world.”

MY THOUGHTS

Based on the author’s family history from many years ago.
A young girl named Tania lives a simple life with her parents who live with her grandmother.

Their home is in Ukraine. When a war starts in Ukraine Tania becomes a refugee fleeing Ukraine with her parents for their families’ safety. Grandmother, too elderly to travel stays behind.

Wandering through Europe for years as displaced people during WWII, they wondered if they’d ever be able to go back to their country.

Sad but realistic we get a child’s eye view of the war with her thoughts. We see just how fragile and scary life can be for its youngest members.

For comfort Tania thinks about the sunflowers her grandmother has planted for beauty, Ukraine’s national flower.

Well executed story showing the fragility and uncertainty of times for children. This child was well loved and felt secure with her parents and was able to return to a normal life after the war. Beautifully illustrated which adds to the validity of the story.

Pub Date 01 Jan 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

About the Author 

Beatrice Rendón was born and raised in the Midwest. She grew up hearing her family’s stories and how their resourcefulness and resilience helped them survive. She is a former classroom teacher and a lifelong lover of children’s literature. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and their cat. This is her first book.

About the Illustrator

Originally from Poland, Olga Baumert studied fine art and jewelry-making before moving to the UK and earning a degree in graphic design and illustration from De Montfort University. Her art is inspired by great stories, interactions between people and nature, and open landscapes—especially ones with tiny figures hiding in them. Olga lives in Leicestershire, England, where she uses a mix of traditional techniques, including gouache, watercolor, acrylics, and colored pencils, to make her art.

Links

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The Heirloom: (Prequel to The Shunning, An Amish Christian Fiction Book)

327 pages Sep. 12,2023 publish date Bethany House Publishers

SYNOPSIS

This heartwarming prequel to The Shunning is a tender story of love, belonging, and the courage to move forward.

After her widowed father remarries, nineteen-year-old Clara Bender is no longer needed to help run his household. Marriage seems like her best hope of moving out, but there are few young men in her tiny Indiana Amish community. When she comes across letters from her mother’s aunt Ella Mae Zook, she sets off to visit Lancaster County’s Hickory Hollow to decide where her future lies.

Ella Mae is not quite ready to move from the farmhouse where she and her recently deceased husband spent over fifty happy years, but her children are eager to resettle her, making Clara’s visit seem like an answer to prayer. The two women form a warm bond while restoring an heirloom wedding quilt and sharing their lives, with Ella Mae confiding about a tragedy from her courting years. Eventually, Ella Mae suggests Clara stay for the summer, allowing Ella Mae more time with her and giving Clara an opportunity to meet the area’s eligible young men. But when the unexpected happens, will Clara find where her heart truly belongs?

MY THOUGHTS

I have read this author’s books since she started writing them. She is the one who started me reading Amish fiction. What I like about her books is how realistic they are. I love her writing style. The situations portrayed are realistic and believable. And I can always learn something about the Amish culture from her books. They are always very well researched.

Having read her book The Shunning and the rest of that series when it was first published many years ago, I was thrilled to see a prequel to this series in The Heirloom.

Clara Bender lives in Hickory Hollow, Indiana, and her widowed father is newly remarried. I didn’t like her new stepmother when we first met in the book. Her character is portrayed as unlikeable, as many stepmothers are portrayed. She doesn’t make much of an effort to get along with Clara or empathize with her.

Missing her mother, Clara reads some letters that were bundled away and sent from her aunt to her mother over the years. The two had a close and loving relationship. Clara contacts her aunt about a visit, as she wants to get to know her and hear more about her mother in her younger years.

I loved it when letter writing was popular and used to write and receive letters from my grandmother. The pretty stationery was always a treat to see. Clara’s father isn’t crazy about her going to visit her aunt because it’s a different church district and the rules are different in that district. He relents when she makes plans to stay for a short amount of time.

Once arriving, I enjoyed getting to know the aunt, and we see a bit of a timeslip as we are taken back in time to her aunt’s youth and get to meet some of the youngsters her aunt knew. Just like with today’s youth, there were the reliable and steadfast youth and the braggarts and show-offs. We see from this why the bishop back then made the rules so strict after some mishaps, and this explains why Clara’s aunt is the way she is and also why she doesn’t speak of this time period with anyone.

I enjoyed reading about fixing the heirloom quilt and its repair process.

After acclimating herself to her new homestead in the Lancaster area, she and her aunt would like her to stay longer. Also, the new beau she has wants to grow closer to her. He is a strong man of faith. I enjoyed seeing how Clara and her aunt drew closer in their relationship with each other and with God. Clara goes through some uncertainty when she decides she wants to make this her permanent home, and her father can’t agree to her staying in Lancaster for many reasons. Because of her upbringing, she will not disobey her father. But God always has our best interests and will bring us through our trials and tribulations.

This is an excellent book. This author, with her steadfast faith, never fails to write an inspirational book.

I was given a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Beverly Lewis (beverlylewis.com), born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 19 million books in print. Her stories have been published in 12 languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today. Beverly and her husband, David, live in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, making music, and spending time with their family. –This text refers to an alternate kindle edition edition.

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The War Librarian-Captivating historical fiction by Addison Armstrong-Review

383 pages G.P. Putnam’s Sons Publisher August 09,2022 Publish date

About The Book

The Paris Library meets The Flight Girls in this captivating historical novel about the sacrifice and courage necessary to live a life of honor, inspired by the first female volunteer librarians during World War I and the first women accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy.

Two women. One secret. A truth worth fighting for.

1918. Timid and shy Emmaline Balakin lives more in books than her own life. That is, until an envelope crosses her desk at the Dead Letter Office bearing a name from her past, and Emmaline decides to finally embark on an adventure of her own—as a volunteer librarian on the frontlines in France. But when a romance blooms as she secretly participates in a book club for censored books, Emmaline will need to find more courage within herself than she ever thought possible in order to survive. 

1976. Kathleen Carre is eager to prove to herself and to her nana that she deserves her acceptance into the first coed class at the United States Naval Academy. But not everyone wants female midshipmen at the Academy, and after tragedy strikes close to home, Kathleen becomes a target. To protect herself, Kathleen must learn to trust others even as she discovers a secret that could be her undoing.

Grab A Copy Here

My Thoughts

Following up after the popularity of The Light of Luna Park, the author has once again released a compelling read we can get lost in.
This dual timeline is divinely researched as the author combines fact and fiction in the time periods of 1918 and 1976.
Strong, empowered women lead in firsts including WWI women librarians and the first class of women to attend the United States Naval Academy. I found it fascinating how each timeline is a standalone but so seamlessly meshes at the end of the book with the characters from the first timeline finding their way into the second timeline.
The book shows resilience the women show during hardships. I also enjoyed the inclusivity shown by the book club created during WWI that included ALL soldiers regardless of color. Soldiers of color were often not treated until all whites were treated regardless of injury and oftentimes it was too late for them as evidenced by the author's writing.
Very authentic feel to this writing. I will be on the lookout for more by this author.

Pub Date 09 Aug 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

Born in The United States

Website

http://www.addisonarmstrong.com

Genre

Historical Fiction

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A Christmas Deliverance, A satisfying Christmas mystery novella by Anne Perry-Review

About The Book

A courageous doctor and his apprentice fight to save London’s poor—and discover that the hearts of men can be colder than a winter chill—in this gripping holiday mystery from New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry.

“Perry’s Victorian-era holiday mysteries [are] an annual treat.”—The Wall Street Journal

Scuff has come a long way from his time as a penniless orphan scraping together a living on the banks of the Thames. Now he’s studying medicine at a free clinic run by Dr. Crowe, a thoughtful if stoic mentor. But lately Crowe has been distracted, having witnessed an altercation between a wealthy former patient of his named Ellie—a woman that he not only treated but developed unacknowledged feelings for—and her controlling fiancé. It seems someone is forcing Ellie to marry the man. When Crowe’s emotions come flooding back, he sets out to uncover the troubling connection between Ellie, her father, and her betrothed.

With Crowe engrossed in his investigation just weeks before the holidays, Scuff is left to run the clinic on his own, treating London’s poor and vulnerable. In the holiday spirit,  he offers Mattie, a young girl in need, a warm place to stay as the winter chill sweeps through the city. Together, Scuff and Mattie must also fend off the police, who are growing suspicious of Crowe’s amateur sleuthing. Will Crowe be able to help Ellie, and will Scuff be able to ensure that he and Mattie—and all of their patients—have a safe and peaceful Christmas?

Grab A Copy Here

My Thoughts

This is a wonderful mystery book with a Vintage Christmas vibe.
An old-time doctor, along with his apprentice that was an orphan he took in off of the streets and taught him everything he knows, have a free clinic set up on the Banks of the Thames.
He is a no-nonsense doctor but kindly, accepting fish wrapped in newspaper, whatever fruit is in season or odd jobs done for him. He knows not to make the poor feel unworthy or they won’t come to his clinic until it’s too late.
There is the sweetest little street urchin in the story, just five years old and she brings a kitten barely weaned as payment for taking care of her cut. She shows such bravery and even helps out the old doctor handing him towels and doing other small chores and in return gets delicious and nutritious meals.
There is just enough of a mystery to keep the reader reading and intrigued.
The setting feels as though you are watching a feel-good old-time movie.
The author has many books out, but I’ve only read two of them, both Christmas mysteries.
I really do need to read more of her books, they are so well written.

Pub Date 08 Nov 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland.

Welcome and thank you for spending some time on my blog today. I hope you are having a marvelous day.

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#Bookouture Blog Tour for Christmas In The Little Irish Village by Michelle Vernal

Christmas in the Little Irish Village: A page-turning Christmas romance to fall in love with by Michelle Vernal

Welcome to the little Irish village where Christmas celebrations are in full swing! Twinkling lights, cosy fires and big mugs of hot chocolate are in abundance as Shannon Kelly returns home to the Shamrock Inn. Will this be the year she finds the man of her dreams or is she destined to be forever unlucky in love?

Thirty-four-year-old Shannon is heartbroken following an unexpected break up. Seasonal joy is the last thing on her mind, as she wonders if she’ll ever find the kind of long-lasting love she’s always dreamed of. Even the comforting distractions of her big Irish family can’t cheer her up. Then things get even worse when Shannon slips over on the ice and finds herself red-faced in the arms of a gorgeous American man…

Despite the embarrassing encounter, Shannon can’t help wondering who the handsome stranger is. She soon finds out when James Cabot takes a room at the Shamrock Inn. Their second meeting is equally disastrous when she gives James the tour – without realising her skirt is tucked into her knickers! Shannon isn’t sure how she’s going to survive living under the same roof when she has such a talent for making a complete eejit of herself, and resolves to avoid their new guest at all costs.

But when Shannon discovers James is in Ireland because he’s claiming to be the long-lost grandson of her elderly neighbour, Maeve Doolin, she is immediately suspicious. Shannon has known kind Maeve since she was a little girl and feels protective of her, so she’s determined to find out the truth. Even if it means spending more time with James…

The two of them end up getting closer than she’d bargained for when they take a tour of Emerald Bay and end up snowed in together. But just as James begins to make Shannon’s heart melt with his cheeky grin and awful carol singing, a shocking secret threatens to shatter the growing romance between them.

Can Shannon trust James? And will she get the happily-ever-after she’s been hoping for this Christmas?

This gorgeous festive romance is the perfect cosy read to snuggle up with this Christmas. Fans of Nicola May, Trisha Ashley and Debbie Macomber will love this wonderfully uplifting novel.

Buy link: https://geni.us/B0BBNGK43Bsocial

My Thoughts

You will get the full Irish experience while reading this one. Being that my ancestors came over on a boat from Galway I knew this one was the perfect read for me.
You’ll be immersed in the authenticity of the Irish humor,foods and settings.
An American guy,an Irish gal snowed in together with an elderly neighbor it looks like love may be a blooming in this charming rom-com. When secrets are revealed though it just may send that fledgling romance south . This book is just lovely, so entertaining. The humor is great and had me laughing out loud. Heart-warming and charming, so looking forward to the next in this series.

Pub Date 14 Oct 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own. 

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About The Author

Michelle Vernal is a New Zealand author who writes stories that will take you onto the page with her characters and make you feel part of their lives. She writes with humour and warmth, and her readers describe her books as unputdownable, feel good and funny. Her writing has been likened to Maeve Binchy but with a modern-day vernacular. In 2015 she was shortlisted for the Love Stories Award. In 2020 she won the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal Award for Chick lit, and in 2021 was shortlisted for the Page Turner Book Awards.

Author social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleVernal

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellevernalnovelist/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellevernalnovelist

Website: https://www.michellevernalbooks.com/

Newsletter sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/michelle-vernal

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