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.