Tag: book reviews

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Land of Dreams (Home to Green Creek Book #1): (A Frontier Historical Fiction with Drama, Love and Faith) 

343 pages Bethany House Publishers April 1, 2025 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

During her voyage on a ship to America, Norwegian immigrant Amalia Gunderson makes a solemn promise to a dying mother to watch over her five-year-old daughter, Ruth. Together, Amalia and Ruth trek to Iowa to claim the farm and former boardinghouse that Ruth has inherited, despite opposition from a difficult cousin. Struggling with an empty house and scarce resources, Amalia resolves to return the boardinghouse to its former purpose, aided by the kindness of strangers and the resilient spirit of her young charge.

As Amalia and Ruth endeavor to make ends meet, tensions rise due to a trail of orphans showing up on their doorstep. Meanwhile, Absalom Karlsson–the magistrate’s son–offers legal assistance and helps them advocate for justice. With each challenge they face, Amalia and Ruth find hope in believing that with faith and determination they can overcome even the most daunting of trials.

In this heartwarming series starter, bestselling author Lauraine Snelling weaves together a delightful story of new beginnings.

MY THOUGHTS

I am always so excited to read a book by one of my favorite Christian fiction authors. I know some years ago I read a series by the author with Norwegian characters and the Norwegian culture and enjoyed it very much this has the same in it.

I read it awhile ago so I can’t remember if any of the characters from that series are in this book or not.
Making a new start is not easy but when the unexpected happens it’s doubly hard.


On a ship bound for America Norwegian immigrant, Amalia Gunderson becomes the guardian of a young girl who lost her mother on the voyage.
She and five year old, Ruth find themselves in a strange and new land with a house, Ruth will inherit when she is of age but it is not empty.

Despite being pushed and pulled in a lot of directions with opposition to what she is doing and some bad advice Amalia show her strength and perseverance. Doing what is right in this new land by taking care of the child and honoring God is her mission and though struggles are ever present she will not give up on herself or God.

With a boarding house being run there are other orphans that show up and through hard work and sacrifices all work towards a common good.
The author has a way of writing realistic fiction that I feel as though I am there experiencing it as well.


I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley for my honest opinion.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Award-winning and best selling author Lauraine Snelling began living her dream to be a writer with her first published book for young adult readers, Tragedy on the Toutle, in 1982. She has since continued writing more horse books for young girls, adding historical and contemporary fiction and nonfiction for adults and young readers to her repertoire. All told, she has over eighty books published with more than 4 million copies in print.

Shown in her contemporary romances and women’s fiction, a hallmark of Lauraine’s style is writing about real issues of forgiveness, loss, domestic violence, and cancer within a compelling story. Her work has been translated into Norwegian, Danish, and German, and she has won the Romantic Times Career Achievement award for Inspirational Fiction, the Silver Angel Award for An Untamed Land and a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart for Song of Laughter.

As a sought after speaker, Lauraine encourages others to find their gifts and live their lives with humor and joy. Her readers clamor for more books more often, and Lauraine would like to comply … if only her paintbrushes and easel didn’t call quite so loudly.

Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a watchdog Basset named Winston. They love to travel, most especially in their forty-foot motor coach, which they affectionately deem “a work in progress”.

Thank you for stopping in.

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Amish Fiction

The Secrets We Keep-Amish mystery

320 page Crooked Lane Books publisher June 24, 2025 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Detective Nate Fisher must go back to the Amish community he left behind and confront his past to help the woman he once loved in this dual-POV mystery, perfect for fans of Linda Castillo.

Back to active duty after an administrative leave of absence for the use of deadly force, the last thing Detective Nathan Fisher wants to do is return to the conservative Amish community he left behind, but when his father passes, he has no choice. Hoping to clear his head and perhaps mend fences with his family, he returns to his small Mississippi hometown despite not being welcome. What was supposed to be a quick visit turns into a prolonged stay when his former love pleads for his help.

Rachel Hostetler’s world is turned upside down when she finds her brother’s body hanging in her family’s barn. Rachel is sure her brother Albie did not kill himself, but neither her father nor the police are willing to listen. When she spots Nate, her ex, now a detective in Oklahoma, back in Cedar Creek, she knows he is the answer to her problem and begs him to intercede.

As Nate and Rachel come to terms with their shared history, despite knowing nothing can come of the longing they have for each other, the pair must look into Albie’s death as suspects stack up. The truth is out there, but can they find it before Nate has to return to his real life and face the shooting that has him so desperately searching for peace?

MY THOUGHTS

I love the cover, very intriguing for a mystery book. This is an Amish mystery which I was drawn to because I live amongst the Amish here in Pennsylvania.


The book starts off with a bang, as we get right to the mystery. Fast paced this was hard to put down. A tragedy strikes an Amish family and a former Amish man who is now a policeman/detective comes back home. While there he seems a former girlfriend who the tragedy happened to her family.

As he tries to fight romantic memories and those renewing feelings she begs him to help investigate the case because the local police aren’t taking it seriously.

I enjoyed the book but there are some unrealistic things here the Amish would not get involved in and also some repetitive thoughts throughout the book but it did not take away my enjoyment of the book.

Fast paced and I had a hard time putting it down. Looking forward to reading more by the author soon.

I was given a complimentary copy of the book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

Amy loves nothing more than a good book. Except for her family…and maybe homemade tacos…and nail polish. But reading and writing are definitely high on the list.

Born and bred in Mississippi, Amy is a transplanted Southern Belle who now lives in Oklahoma with her deputy husband, their genius son, two spoiled cats, and one very lazy beagle. Oh, and don’t forget the stray kitty that has taken up residence on her front porch. ^..^

When she’s not creating quirky characters and happy endings, she’s chauffeuring her prodigy to guitar lessons, orchestra concerts and baseball practice. She has a variety of hobbies, but her favorite is whatever gets her out of housework.

Amy also writes contemporary romances under the pen name Amie Louellen.

An award winning author, Amy is a member of RWA and ACFW. She loves to hear from readers. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. For links to the various sites, check her website: http://www.amylillardbooks.com.

May your days be filled with sunshine.

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Blog Tour

Blog Tour for Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop (The Holly Berry Sweet Shop Series #8)

Happy Ever After at the Second Chances Sweet Shop

Love is in the air…

After difficult times, Holly is finally adjusting to her new normal. Her daughter Hope is happy, she’s created a beautiful home, and an unexpected offer may mean fantastic opportunities for her sweet shop, Just One More.

But her sense of calm is shattered when best friend Giles drops a bombshell – a proposal to Sienna, a woman Holly barely knows and who isn’t right for Giles at all.

For Giles’s sake, she tries to make peace with Sienna, throwing herself into wedding planning. But as everyone else cheers on the ‘happy’ couple, Holly’s left questioning whether her doubts are about them – or about something in her own heart…

Return to the cosy world of the Cotswolds in this heartwarming story of love, friendship and second chances – perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Jessica Redland.

Purchase Links

UK – https://mybook.to/HappySweetShopUS – https://mybook.to/HappyCandyStore

MY THOUGHTS

I’m sorry to see this series has come to an end. I mean a series with a focal point of a sweet shop, there’s something just magical about that. I think we all love to visit a sweet shop and the series has been so much fun. I’ve loved getting to know Holly. She’s gone through some ups and downs but she’s resilient and lands on her feet. She’s had the help of her friends to get her through her rough patches for sure and she also has a lovely daughter Hope that we met a few books back. Once again she’s hit a rough patch in this book and it’s not even due to her sweet shop. Her personal life has taken a surprise turn and left her feeling surprised and in shambles.
Best friends are great to have, they’re there for you and make you hold your chin up when times are rough. What if your best friend throws a curve ball in the mix like Giles does with Holly and proposes to someone else just when you are admitting to yourself that your interest may have gone past the friend zone?
Will Holly have a chance to convince Giles to take a chance on her or is it too late for a second chance for them?
I highly recommend starting at the beginning of the series and just binge reading the whole series, no regrets it’s just that great. This is a feel good, unputdownable series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this series.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Author Bio –
Hannah Lynn is a multi award winning novelist. Publishing her first book, Amendments – a dark, dystopian speculative fiction novel, in 2015. Her second book, The Afterlife of Walter Augustus – a contemporary fiction novel with a supernatural twist – went on to win the 2018 Kindle Storyteller Award and the Independent Publishers Gold Medal for Best Adult Ebook.

Born in 1984, Hannah grew up in the Cotswolds, UK. After graduating from university, she spent 15 years as a teacher of physics, first in the UK and then Thailand, Malaysia, Austria and Jordan. It was during this time, inspired by the imaginations of the young people she taught, she began writing short stories for children, and later adult fiction.

With over 20 publications spanning a number of genres and translated into half a dozen languages, Hannah has proven herself to be both an accomplished and prolific author.

Now settled back in the UK with her husband, daughter and horde of cats, she spends her days writing romantic comedies and historical fiction. Her first historical fiction novel, Athena’s Child, was also a 2020 Gold Medalist at the Independent Publishers Awards.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @HannahLynnAuthor

Twitter: @HMLynnauthor

Instagram: @hannahlynnwrites

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/HannahLynnNews

Bookbub profile: @hmlynnauthor

Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping in.

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The Peacemaker (A Mifflin County Mystery Book 2) 

361 pages Barbour Fiction Publication date March 1, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

An Unresolved Mystery Holds an Amish Community in Limbo

In book two of A Mifflin County Mystery series, Rosa Petersheim’s disappearance continues to cause suspicion and pain to swirl in the Big Valley.
 
Ada’s best friend, Rosa, disappeared a year ago and still has not been found. In their grief and confusion, Ada and Rosa’s boyfriend, Ephraim, have grown very close. But some in the community feel Ephraim is responsible for Rosa’s disappearance. Now Rosa’s younger sister is making accusations against Ephraim that can’t be true, and he pulls away from Ada, feeling betrayed. A fire set by an arsonist might finally be the thing to reveal secrets that have long been dividing this community of friends and family. But will it be too late for love between the peacemaker and the suspect?

MY THOUGHTS

This is the second book in the Mifflin County mystery series.
I’ve been reading Wanda’s books as long as she’s been writing them. I love how realistic they are.


This book picks up perfectly where the first book in the series ends.
We have the same characters as the last book, but it focuses more on a different family this time.


There is really a lot going on in this fast-paced book. Really things changed so quickly with the characters at times it was hard to keep up.
I experienced so many emotions while reading this and we really do see the Amish experience the same emotions we do including self-doubt at times.


Full of examples of faithful living and praying in this clean read that I really enjoyed. I had trouble putting this one down and greatly look forward to the conclusion of the series in the next book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 100 books with more than 12 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Wanda’s fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda’s desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

All of Wanda’s novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda’s primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern “Englishers.” Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: http://www.WandaBrunstetter.com

Hope your weekend has gone well. Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Amish Fiction

The Protector: A Mifflin County Mystery (1) (Mifflin County Mysteries)

320 pages Barbour Fiction publisher August 1, 2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

n book one of A Mifflin County Mystery series, after a night out with her boyfriend, Rosa Petersheim has disappeared from the Big Valley without a trace. Norman Petersheim always considered himself his sister’s protector, and he can’t believe she would have left home of her own accord. Clearly, he must have failed her. He throws all he has into helping the authorities search for Rosa, while trying to support his parents and siblings–who are struggling both mentally and physically. Salina Swarey loves Norman and hopes they are headed toward marriage, but his obsession with Rosa’s whereabouts is driving them apart. Can Norman find peace and contentment, even if he never learns where Rosa has gone?

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed reading this, the first book of three in the Mifflin County mystery series.
The Petersheim family is devastated, their daughter, Rosa has disappeared on her way home from a young people’s event.


Her oldest brother feels responsible and it’s affecting her whole family, even leading to her mother’s failing health. They all just want to see her walk through the family home’s door again.


The Amish community can’t understand what has happened to this young Amish woman and the police don’t really seem to be taking much an interest in solving this case.


Feeling guilty. older brother Norman Petersheim spends so much time trying to solve the case that his girlfriend doesn’t feel appreciated. Will this young love have a chance or will his unwillingness to understand her needs drive them apart completely.


Love the realistic situations of the characters and their character development.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 100 books with more than 12 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Wanda’s fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda’s desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

All of Wanda’s novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda’s primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern “Englishers.” Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: http://www.WandaBrunstetter.com

You should be proud of how far you’ve come.

Categories
historical fiction

Freedom’s Song

344 pages WaterBrook publisher Publication date October 19, 2021

ABOUT THE BOOK

Her voice made her a riverboat’s darling—and its prisoner. Now she’s singing her way to freedom in this powerful novel from the bestselling author of The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow.

“[An] enjoyable faith-filled adventure . . . Sawyer’s episodic narrative and rich assortment of characters fighting for freedom provide the story with many twists and unexpected side-plots.”—Publishers Weekly

Indentured servant Fanny Beck has been forced to sing for riverboat passengers since she was a girl. All she wants is to live a quiet, humble life with her family as soon as her seven-year contract is over. So when she discovers that the captain has no intention of releasing her, she seizes a sudden opportunity to escape—an impulse that leads Fanny to a group of enslaved people who are on their own dangerous quest for liberty. . . .

Widower Walter Kuhn is overwhelmed by his responsibilities to his farm and young daughter, and now his mail-order bride hasn’t arrived. Could a beautiful stranger seeking work be the answer to his prayers? . . .
 
After the star performer of the River Peacock is presumed drowned, Sloan Kirkpatrick, the riverboat’s captain, sets off to find her replacement. However, his journey will bring him face to face with his own past—and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be free. . . . 

Uplifting, inspiring, and grounded in biblical truth, Freedom’s Song is a story for every reader who has longed for physical, emotional, or spiritual delivery.



MY THOUGHTS

The book was slow to start but once it got rolling it became a great story. Forced to sing on a riverboat as a young girl because of her melodious voice by her father he unknowingly signs her over for many years. She wants a simple life, one far away from the riverboat and its customers.


An accident one night on the boat grants her freedom as she’s washed ashore. The people she finds are also seeking freedom of another kind.
The book was full of excitement and adventure of many kinds from being prisoner on a riverboat to being on the run, the unknown and the uncertainty that goes with this.

I loved seeing the enthusiasm and fortitude Fanny has despite all the hardships she has faced and continues to face. great reading with an exciting plot.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

Award-winning, bestselling author Kim Vogel Sawyer is a wife, mother, gramma, chocolate-lover, cat-petter, and–most importantly–a daughter of the King! With more than 1.5 million books in print in seven different languages, Kim enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Her “gentle stories of hope” are loved by readers and reviewers alike. Kim and her retired military husband, Don, reside on the plains of Kansas, the setting for many of her novels.

Believe in yourself!

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Blog Tour

Blog Tour for The Dressmaker’s Secret by Michelle Vernal

The Dressmaker’s Secret by Michelle Vernal

Buy link: https://geni.us/B0DWT4469Vsocial

1962. Even as she gazes at the silk bridal dresses in the window, the little girl’s eyes fill with tears. She has dreamed about gowns just like that. But now, lost and alone, she only wants to be held. Just a moment ago, she was in the arms of her mother. Now her only hope lies in Brides of Bold Street, where past and present blur…

Sabrina Flooks was lost as a little girl, then raised and trained by talented dressmaker Evelyn. The historic bridal shop on Bold Street is all Sabrina has ever known.

Since the kind shop owner took her in, Sabrina has followed in Evelyn’s footsteps, stitching and bejewelling gorgeous wedding dresses. She’s buried herself in the rich fabrics, closing off her heart rather than face the pain of what happened all those years ago…

Until the sparks that fly between her and handsome Adam Taylor take her completely by surprise. His quiet charm and kind smile encourage her to let her guard down. Just a little.

As love truly begins to bloom, the only way she can overcome the fear of being abandoned again and learn to feel safe in Adam’s warm embrace, is if she finally finds the truth about her identity and her past.And the way to unravelling it all may be closer than she ever thought possible…

Because the rails full of petticoats, veils and skirts hide a secret. One that could have her walking a path through the past.

Could the journey through history give her everything she ever dreamt of? And even if she uncovers the truth, will she make it back to Adam in the present day or will it take Sabrina away from everything she holds dear?

You will be totally swept away by Michelle Vernal’s beautiful tale of love, loss and family secrets spanning decades. This enchanting read is perfect for fans of Sandy Taylor, Barbara Davis and Jean Grainger.

MY THOUGHTS

The Dressmaker’s Secret is the first book in the Brides of Bold Street. This is also my first read of a historical time slip book by the author. The others I read were contemporary fiction.

I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this type of book by the author just as much as I had the others.
The book was gripping and so hard to put down.

I enjoyed the historical section as much as I did the modern time period. The book is full of nostalgia and so heartwarming. I could fully picture the long-ago time I was reading about with a bit of intriguing suspense thrown in. I enjoyed this read very much!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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

Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Blog Tour

Blog Tour for The Spanish Daughter by Soraya Lane

The Spanish Daughter by Soraya Lane

https://geni.us/B0DGXXS8KXsocial

Argentina, 1939: “My darling Valentina, I beg you to not go through with this marriage. I know your duty to your family means the world to you, but I pray our love means more. Let us run away together, and never be parted again…”

London, Present day. Rose once thought she was alone in the world, having just lost her beloved mother a few months ago. So, when she is presented with a mysterious box containing a small figure of a horse, a scrap of glittering silk and the hope of a lost family being found, Rose will stop at nothing to find them.

When her search takes her to a sprawling and luxurious estate in Argentina, where the best polo horses in the world were once raised, Rose wonders if she’s mistaken. But when she meets a charming local, Benjamin, he takes her by the hand and encourages her to rediscover her roots.

As they spend long sunlit days riding horses, and cosy evenings eating dinner with his family, Rose wonders how she will ever return to the grey skies back home. But then she discovers a heart-wrenching story of two forbidden lovers: a wilful Spanish heiress and a hardworking stable hand, ripped apart by an arranged marriage and one of the largest inheritances in the country, which intertwines Rose and Benjamin’s families in ways she could never have imagined.

As Benjamin’s family grow wary of the stranger in their home dredging up the pain of the past, Rose finds herself at a crossroads. Will her great-grandmother’s story give her the courage to fly in the face of convention and follow her heart? Or will she too have to give up the one she loves most to heal family ties…

A heartbreaking and page-turning novel about following your heart and never giving up on love. Perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Lucinda Riley and Victoria Hislop.

MY THOUGHTS

This is the sixth book in the Lost Daughters series, and I’ve read them all. The series is absolutely amazing and not to be missed. A time slip, multi-generational book they all revolve around adoption, family secrets starting several generations and a different time in life.

Life was slower then, more proper then and people cared what others thought so secrets were kept so as not to bring shame to families. As the secrets now come to life sometime later heartbreak is once again upon us.

If only we could go back in time and make a change with things. Such an excellent read, I simply couldn’t put this down and read it in a day. I fully recommend the author’s books.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Soraya Lane graduated with a law degree before realising that law wasn’t the career for her and that her future was in writing. She is the author of historical and contemporary women’s fiction, including the #1 Kindle bestselling novels The Last Correspondent and The Secrets We Left Behind. 

Soraya lives on a small farm in her native New Zealand with her husband, their two young sons and a collection of four legged friends. When she’s not writing, she loves to be outside playing make-believe with her children or snuggled up inside reading.

Author social media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SorayaLaneAuthor

Twitter:

Instagram @SorayaLaneAuthor

Website: www.sorayalane.com

Newsletter sign up:

https://www.bookouture.com/soraya-lane-email-sign-up/

Categories
Blog Tour

Blog Tour for The Secret of Ruby’s Lighthouse by Kristin Harper 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ruby rocks in her favorite chair and tries not to think about the past. This family inn, with views across the grassy dunes to the lighthouse standing against bright blue sky, is all she’s ever known. But Ruby has been keeping a secret all these years… this summer, has the time finally come to share it?

Meg Carter can’t wait to spend the summer with her great-aunt Ruby, helping renovate her charming—if a little old-fashioned—inn by the ocean. But a surprise arrival changes their plans. Simon, grandson of the former owners, is selling his land next door to a luxury resort developer. The plans are certain to ruin the beautiful view of the lighthouse, which has guided lost seafarers home for generations… and put Ruby’s inn out of business for good.

Forget sorting through Ruby’s classic book collection and spring cleaning the bedrooms: there might not ever be any new guests if the plans go ahead. Simon may be tall and handsome, with eyes like green sea glass, but he’s stubborn to boot… and Meg’s discussions with him always end in fireworks.

Then Ruby says she has a secret about Simon to share. But the elderly lady only has time to say “the lighthouse holds the key” before becoming desperately ill.

Distraught, all Meg cares about is her beloved aunt’s health. Ruby is in no state to share her secret now: but what if it could save the inn for good? A tour of the lighthouse, with its glittering glass lamp and red-and-white stripes, brings Meg no closer to the truth… and it’s against her better judgment that she takes long walks on the beach with Simon, and even grows close to his sweet children.

But is she wrong to open her heart to the one person who could hold the answers? And will Meg ever solve the secret of the lighthouse—before it’s too late for the inn, and for Ruby?

An utterly addictive escapist read that will sweep you away to the gorgeous coastline of Dune Island. Fans of Debbie Macomber, Mary Alice Monroe and Elin Hilderbrand won’t be able to put this down.

Author Bio:

Ever since she was a young girl, there were few things Kristin liked more than creative writing and spending time on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with her family. Eventually (after a succession of jobs that bored her to tears), she found a way to combine those two passions by becoming a women’s fiction author whose stories occur in oceanside settings. While Kristin doesn’t live on the Cape year-round, she escapes to the beach whenever she can.

https://www. kristinharperauthor.com/

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Kristin Harper here:  https://www.bookouture. com/kristin-harper

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0DV9TQWQWsocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you’ll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
historical fiction

The Italian Girl’s Secret: An absolutely gripping and emotional WW2 historical fiction novel

382 pages Bookouture publisher September 10, 2021 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Italy, 1943. In the hills outside Naples, the silver moon shines brightly on a whitewashed farmhouse. An urgent knock on the door breaks the silence: and in that moment, one young woman’s act of incredible bravery changes the course of the war.

For Carmela del Bosco, a farm girl in a remote Italian village, sheltering an English spy is the most dangerous thing she could do. If she’s caught by the fascists it would be the end, especially for her beloved grandmother sleeping soundly upstairs. But taking in the pleading brown eyes of the man calling himself Sebastiano slumped at her door, and his terrible injuries inflicted by the Nazi occupiers, Carmela remembers how Nonna always taught her right from wrong. Risking everything, she hides him in a ruined tower on the edge of the farm.

Each day Carmela tends his wounds, and the passion that kindles between them is a light in the darkest time. Sebastiano has information that could end the war, and needs her help to send it. But tracking down fellow members of the resistenza in the mountains meansrisking her life and bringing danger to everyone she knows.

Carmela knows she must find the courage to do what’s right for her country. But if she leaves the farm, will she ever see her beloved nonna again? And will her sacrifice tear her away from the only man she’s ever loved, forever?

An absolutely stunning and heartbreaking historical novel about the impossible choices people are forced to make in wartime. Fans of The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See and Rhys Bowen will be captivated.

MY THOUGHTS

Italy, 1943. In the hills outside Naples.
Carmela del Bosco must forget, what has happened seems a lifetime ago but that’s easier said than done.


Her slumber disturbed in the early morning at her Nonna’s farm where she lives, a man, badly beaten, an English spy on the run from Nazi occupiers. Calling himself Sebastiano, Carmela hides him in a ruined tower on the farm property. His discovery could put not only her but her Nonna and all residents of the farmhouse in grave danger.


As time goes on, they admit to having feeling for each other.
He begs her to leave the farm and get a message out that could end the war. She’ll need to track down fellow members of the resistenza leaving her family members alone and vulnerable especially her Nonna. Will she ever see her again or her new love?


Danger abounds, found around every corner. The tension doesn’t let up over the whole book. Utterly heartbreaking. The author grabs your attention and doesn’t let go.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Natalie is a RITA nominated, USA Today best-selling author of ten historical novels: The Dress Thief, The Milliner’s Secret, The Wardrobe Mistress, A Gown of Thorns, The Secret Vow and The Paris Girl (featuring sisters, Katya and Tatiana.) Two further novels are set in southern Italy: Into the Burning Dawn and The Italian Girl’s Secret, both featuring young women facing tough choices.

The Girl with the Yellow Star takes the reader to wartime Cornwall and introduces Gwenna and little Lotti, the motherless child who comes unexpectedly into her life. The Locket is a split timeline novel featuring Irene, a country girl living next door to a new American airbase and her grandaughter Ruby who uncovers Irene’s lost past. The Paris Inheritance is her latest novel, a split timeline between an English painter caught in Paris by enemy occupation and Hope, an Englishwoman who comes to France looking for a new life. Both women are on the knife edge of life-changing events. Natalie writes page turning stories of wartime, love and challenging choices.

From February 2025, look out for Natalie’s country house crime novels under the name Kay Blythe. One and the same, Natalie/Kay aims to delight the reader with immersive, twisty historical adventure. Happy reading!

“Encourage one another and build each other up”