Sisters

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A Charming and Gentle Story – Guest Review by Hayley

The Summers sisters return to us in the second book of the “On Devonshire Shores” series.  Emily Summers is the main focus of this novel, although we do get to check in with Sarah as well, from time to time.

I greatly enjoyed the history in this book, with much of the story involving the Duke and Duchess of Kent (parents of the future Queen Victoria) and their historic visit to Sidmouth.  Although the visit ends tragically, the history was fascinating, as well as the effect that royal visitors had for the residents of Sidmouth. Continue reading →

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Gripping, Horrifying, And Very Powerful

“The Warsaw Sisters” by Amanda Barratt is a beautiful story that was, for me, also very unexpected.  It is in the Christian Historical Fiction genre so I thought I knew what I was getting into, but that was not the case.  It is an extremely powerful and well-written tale, that much is certain.  The depth and emotion and historical truth of it is quite astounding, in fact.  But it is also VERY graphic, and the depictions about the horrors of war will likely stay with me for a very long time.  This was the author’s intention, of course, to impress upon our imaginations the reality of what happened in Poland during the Second World War.  I’m not sorry I read it, I just wasn’t prepared for it.  And that’s my own fault. Continue reading →

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A Memorable Sequel Story!

I enjoyed the first story in Amanda Cabot’s “Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing” series, so it was a given that I’d have to give the second installment a try.  “Against the Wind” tells the story of the youngest Vaughn daughter, Louisa, and her return to the town where she grew up.  Picking up where the last novel left off, we jump right into the thick of things in the aftermath of the town doctor’s death. Will Louisa be able to fill his shoes in caring for the health of the community members, or will the fact that she’s a woman deter them from reaching out to her for help…? Continue reading →

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This Story Is Like Beautiful, Everyday-Ordinary Poetry

What an unexpected, beautiful story this was, oh my goodness! “The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass” by Katie Powner is one of the most heartfelt books I’ve read in awhile.  I cried, I laughed, I could barely put it down to go to sleep – seriously.   Continue reading →

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Destined To Become A Classic Coming Of Age Story

This book… I’m certain it’s destined to become a classic, truly.  It’s so multidimensional, it has so many different elements of living life and growing up and finding your place in the world…  and it somehow manages to speak to readers across the board, regardless of our experience, age, past, or present.  “The Best Summer Of Our Lives” is the newest release by Rachel Hauck, and I hands-down describe it as a work of art.   Continue reading →

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Step Back In Time To Sweetwater Crossing

As you probably know, Christian Historical Fiction is my favorite genre hands-down.  More specifically, stories with a traditional western setting during the 1800s are my go-to choices.  So Amanda Cabot’s writing is always appealing to me, and when I saw that her new series entitled “Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing” is set in a little Texas town where love grows even as mysteries threaten to divide, I knew I wanted to give it a try! Continue reading →

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Just What My Heart Needed – Guest Review by Hayley

Fans of Regency Era fiction will be eager to pick up Julie Klassen’s latest release, “The Sisters of Sea View.”  As the beginning of her new series “On the Shores of Devonshire,” this book is a delightful read. Continue reading →

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Janette Oke’s Legacy Continues

We’ve reached the end of an era, folks!  Janette Oke, along with her daughter Laurel Oke Logan, have just penned what I presume will be their last novel.  Of course only time will tell if the duo has any more stories up their sleeves, but perhaps Janette is at last ready for retirement after decades of bringing us some of the most iconic and beloved stories in the Christian Historical Fiction genre.   Continue reading →

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Like Stepping Into A Time Machine!

For the last couple days, I have spent every spare minute at the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, where I witnessed an unforgettable story unfold.  How did I travel back in time?  Jocelyn Green’s new release from Bethany House Publishers, “Shadows of the White City”, was my time machine of choice, and as is always the case with her books it completely immersed me from start to finish.  This story is the second of “The Windy City Saga”, and takes place almost twenty years after “Veiled in Smoke” occurred.  All my favorite characters return in these pages, but this time it is Sylvie Townsend who is featured in the spotlight, as uncomfortable as it may be for her. . .

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The Adventures in Nome Continue…

The long-awaited day arrived, when the second story in “The Treasures of Nome” series was released! Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse once again team up to release an unforgettable story from Bethany House Publishers, set in the northernmost state of Alaska during the 1890s. In “Endless Mercy” the youngest Powell sister tells her story as her dreams for a famous future collide with the tumultuous days of her past and present. Continue reading →