The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox is a dual timeline story.   It jumps from 1965 to present day and as the 1965 storyline progresses the two stories intertwine into one.  I found this very interesting to read and a great way to deeper know your characters as you're reading about their older and younger selves.  

In 1965 Glory Ann confesses to her parents that she is pregnant with her dead fiancés baby.  He died in Vietnam and her parents arrange a marriage of convenience to save her reputation.  Clarence is a nice enough guy, but Glory Ann is determined to never love again.  Time though, has a way of changing things.  Clarence is so good with Rosemary and his patience and love for Glory Ann, in time, wins her over.  Soon they have a baby of their own.  When a tragedy strikes the family, Rosemary spends years blaming herself and trying to make up for her wrongs.

In present day, Sarah returns home to help her mother, Rosemary and grandmother Glory Ann, run the Old Depot Grocery store that her grandmother owns.  Sarah has just suffered the loss of her husband, but more than that she is dealing with a lot of guilt, and could it be that the nausea and lack of appetite could be caused by something else?  She soon discovers that her mother has been keeping a secret and is determined to uncover what it is.  The three woman are going to have to come together and let love heal their wounds.  The secrets that have been kept are destroying all of them.  

I really can't recommend this book enough.  I couldn't get enough of it and lost several hours of sleep trying to find out what happens next.  There is a big surprise in this book that I must not spoil, but oh is it a good one!  I was not expecting that twist!  

Thank you to Revell and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book.  The review is my own opinion.

The Gold in These Hills

Joanne Bischof is one of my all time favorite authors and her recent release, The Gold in These Hills, is one of her best books yet.  It is a dual storyline.  That seems to be a very popular style of writing and although it is not my favorite, I did enjoy both of these storylines and how they complimented each other.

One of the stories is set in the late 1800s to early 1900s.  Juniper Cohen came to California to marry John as his mail order bride.  The gold mining town they are living in is slowly fading into a ghost town with no gold to be found.  John seems to have disappeared and many of the townsfolk believe him to be dead.  But not Juniper.  She refuses to believe that her beloved John is dead.  She writes him letters and turns down proposals in hopes that one day he will return, but it's not long until she finds out that John is an outlaw.  Juniper is furious.  When he finds his way back home, he is near death's door and Juniper struggles to care for this man that betrayed her.  She has to find a place of forgiveness and allow her own heart to be healed.  

The other story is set in present day and focuses on Johnny Sutherland who is going through a divorce.  He has just bought an old farmhouse and is excited to fix up a new home for him and his two children.  After discovering some old letters written by Juniper he realizes that there is a lot more history in this old house than what he realized.  He meets Sonoma who is doing some research for her family tree in hopes of discovering more about her heritage.  As they read the letters and dig into the past and new relationship begins to form between the two of them.

I really enjoyed so much about this book.  I wouldn't have minded if the whole book would have stayed centered on Juniper and the early 1900's, but it was clever how the two stories interlocked.  I am so excited for the next book in this series to come out and I'm sure I will love it just like this one. 

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. 

The Healing of Natalie Curtis

 Historic fiction has always been my favorite genre to read and it is books like The Healing of Natalie Curtis by Jane Kirkpatrick that serve as a perfect example of why. 

I don't recall hearing anything about Natalie Curtis prior to reading this book.  There is a lot that could be said about her life and the book only touches on a brief time period.

Living in New York, Natalie has isolated herself for the past five years after having a breakdown of sorts.  Her health is bad and she has little desire to do the things she once loved.  Her brother, who has been living out west comes for a visit and she sees how is health has improved greatly since being a way.  He convinces her that it would help her too if she would go back with him and maybe if she goes she can find her love for music once again.  

Not long after arriving in this new land does she find out that the Native American's music and dialect is under attack.  Under the Code of Offenses that prohibits the natives from singing, dancing or speaking their own language. It soon becomes Natalie's mission to preserve the songs and language of these people.  She knows what she must do...appeal to Teddy Roosevelt, the president of the United Stated. 

While helping the native people, will Natalie find the song in her heart again or is it lost forever?

When I pick up a historical fiction novel and it leaves me wanting to know more about the true life events or with a deeper knowledge of a time period or historical figure I knew little about, I know it was a good book.  This one was amazing! If your a History buff like me, I think you will love this one!

Thanks to Revell for proving me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Christmas In The Alps

 

 I have read several books by Melody Carlson and I've come to look forward to her Christmas novels.  Yes, I said Christmas.  I know it's only September, but what other way to end summer and go into the fall season than with a holiday book. The nights have even been a bit chilly here this week which make it perfect for a cup of coffee a blanket and a book.  

I always consider this Author's books what I like to call "easy reads".  They are usually kind of light hearted and just enjoyable.  This one continued in that category for me.  

Simone has had a rough year (relatable right). After a time of heartache and loss she discovers a letter from her French grandmother who has now passed away.  The letter informs Simone of a treasure that she is heir to and how she needs to travel to Paris in order to retrieve it.  Simone thinks that her grandmother must have not been in her right mind when she wrote the letter and doesn't want to go.  Her fear of flying doesn't help, but with the persuasion of a friend she heads to the French Alps.

During her flight she meets the charming Kyle Larsson and one of my favorite parts is when he helps her through a panic attack on the flight. When they land they part ways, but soon find themselves reunited. As she is trying to uncover the treasure that her grandmother spoke of is it possible she may uncover a romance between her and Kyle?

There were a few slow moments to the book, but overall an enjoyable read.  Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Since You've Been Gone

 Since You've Been Gone is the third and final book in the Restoring Heritage series by Tari Faris.  This whole series has been really good, but this is not one that you have to read in order to feel like you understand what's going on.  It makes a great stand alone book if you so choose.  I do think you would enjoy the whole series though.  

I am someone who reads a great deal of historical fiction and suspense.  Not very often to I read modern day romance novels. They just never really appeal to me, but that was not the case in this book.  I thoroughly enjoyed the characters of Leah and Jon.  

Leah is back in Heritage and her main goal is to try to make her business a success, but there's a problem.  Jon Kensington is heir to the company and also her old high school crushd and nemesis.   Back in the day he made Leah's life very difficult and she has yet to forgive him. Why would she trust him after all these years?  Instead of selling the business Jon makes a proposal to Leah that they become partners.  With her creativeness and his business smarts they could make it a success.  Leah is on edge though and feels like he is once again trying to belittle her.  What she doesn't understand is that was never his intention when they were in high school and it is certainly not his intentions now.  He has secretly loved her for all these years, but with the constant disagreements will she ever see past to the man he really is and can they learn to trust God and each other?

Thank you to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Midnight Dance

 A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano has been my favorite book I've read so far this year.  It has been a while since I have stayed up all night reading, but I could not stop.  The author used her words to dance right into my heart.  The story tells the history and culture of ballet set in London in the 1830's and honestly I found myself quite surprised that I fell in love with a novel about ballet.  

The first chapter starts out with some excitement and a bit of a mystery, but soon the author gives some clarity.   Fast forward five years and there is so much mystery that surrounds Ella as she tries to uncover who she is and what really happened to her mother.  Throw in some romance and you have an amazing story that will captivate you.  

From the Back of the Book:

All theater romances are tragedies.  Ella Blythe knows this.  Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most and certainly different that the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater.  Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.

Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?

Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this evocative story!

I can't wait to read more books by this author.  Thanks to Revell for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Beyond the Tides

 

I am so excited to tell you about Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson.  This has been my favorite summer read so far and I'm sure you will love it too.  There is so much good to say about this book.  First, any book that has me showing outward emotion is a winner for me, whether that emotion be fear, anger, tears or laughter.  For this book, it was laughter.  The author had me laughing out loud with her wit on several occasions.  Another plus was the romance. And when I say romance, I mean romance.  The first kiss between the main character's will have you sighing and smiling at the same time.  Such a beautiful descriptive way of describing a beautiful moment.  Also, the setting ya'll!  Prince Edward Island! Need I say more?

Another great thing about this book is that it's the first one in a series!  I can't wait to read the second book and if it's anything like the first I know I will love it too!

When Meg Whitaker's father decides to sell the family's lobster fishing business to her high school nemesis, she sets out to prove she should take it over instead.  Though she's never had any interest in running the small fleet, or even getting on a boat due to her persistent seasickness, she can't stand to see Oliver Ross in charge.  Not when he ruined her dreams of a science scholarship and an Ivy League education ten years ago.

Oliver isn't proud of what he did back then.  Angry and broken by his father walking out on his family, he lashed out at Meg, an innocent bystander.  But owning a respected fishing fleet on Prince Edward Island is the opportunity of a lifetime, as well as a way to provide for his mother, and he's not about to walk away just because Meg wants him to.

Meg's father has the perfect solution.  Oliver and Meg will work the business together, and at the end of the season he'll decide who gets it.  Along the way, they may discover that their stories are more similar than they thought, and  their dreams aren't what they expected.

***Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Under the Bayou Moon

Right now we are in the middle of a heat wave.  Heat index is currently at 109 degrees and this is the pattern for the remainder of the week.  Even though I am a summer lover this is pretty hot and on days like this I feel there are really only two options.  Find some water to cool off in or stay indoors in the air condition. Both of those places are really good for reading.   So let me tell you about a book that makes for a great summer read.

Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse takes place in 1949 in Louisiana and I absolutely loved the setting and the way the culture that was represented.  The characters were fun loving and almost perfect.  This book is one that I like to call an easy read.  You don't feel tense reading it, you can just sit back and enjoy with a glass of ice tea.  At times the storyline was a little too slow, but overall I found it to be a very good and enjoyable read.

When Ellie Fields accepts a teaching job in a tiny Louisiana town deep in bayou country in 1949, she knows her life will change, but she could never imagine how dramatically.

Though rightfully suspicious of outsiders, who have threatened both their language and their unique culture, most of the residents come to appreciate the young and idealistic schoolteacher, and she's soon teaching just about everyone, despite opposition from both the school board and a politician with ulterior motives.  Yet it's the lessons Ellie herself will learn from new friends, a captivating Cajun fisherman, and ever a legendary white alligator haunting the bayou, that will make all the difference.

Take a step away from the familiar and enter the shadowy waters of bayou country for a story of risk, resilience and romance.

I should also probably warn you that after reading this book you are going to want to visit bayou country for yourself!

***Thanks to Revell Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Come Back To Me

 I can always be assured that when I pick up a book by Author Jody Hedlund that I'm going to love it, but love may not be a strong enough word for this book.  This was astounding writing and storytelling at its finest.  I have to say I was a little worried when I found out this book was going to include time travel because I wasn't sure how Jody Hedlund could pull it off.  I mean, its pretty different from her normal writing, but let me tell you, she does it and she does it with her normal elegant writing style that I absolutely love. A matter of fact, I felt like I was traveling back in time write along with them. 

I will warn you, you're going to want to clear your schedule because you won't want to stop reading.  This has been the best of my summer reading to date.

From the Back Cover:

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.

That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister Ellen from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them.  But when her father falls in to a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must questions all of her assumptions.  He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time.  Insane.  Until Marian test his theories  and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protections...as his wife.  The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William.  Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister?  And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

This is the first book in the Waters of Time series and I can't wait to read the rest of the books as they become available.

Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Lady in Attendance

 

After being falsely accused and spending five years in a New York state reformatory, Hazel is now free and wants to redeem her name.  She can no longer go home to her family, for the false accusations has tarnished her family name and they are still trying to redeem themselves from the damage that was done.  She finds a job working for Dentist, Doctor Gilbert Watts as his lady in attendance and in him she finds more than an employer, she finds a good friend.  She's working hard to clear her name and finally has hope that her future may look brighter than she thought.  Gilbert on the other hand can tell that Hazel is hiding a secret.  When he finds out the truth about her past, will he be able to look beyond what meets the eye and see the real truth.

I just adored this story by author Rachel Fordham.   I was so intrigued with the character of Hazel and couldn't wait to see how the story played out.  The friendship was so sweet between her and Gilbert.  I couldn't help but feel sorry for Hazel.  Our choices when we are young can effect our future even if we are "innocent" being in the wrong place at the wrong time can have its consequences.  

I can't wait to see what this author writes next.  This was one is going on my list of favorites!

Thanks to Revell Reads for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  I give this one five stars!  A must read for historical fiction readers.