Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard // Review

Lucie's Review: 

An action packed read that kept me on the edge of my seat with all of the twists and turns.

A great start to a brand new series from one of my favorite suspense authors. Autumn Long is the police chief in small town Alaska working hard to stay on top of the sudden influx of crime and bodies being found, all while a local dissenter is gunning for her job. I admired her faith and determination to keep pushing despite everything that seems to be working against her. 

Grier is looking to keep a low profile, but he he can't stand idly back and not help Autumn when she asks. But his secrets are putting them all at risk. 

A high stakes read with non-stop action, great characters development and non-stop action throughout. I loved how the book kept me enthralled and holding on tight to find out what would happen next. I will warn readers that if more grisly suspense reads are not your thing, then be warned there are a fair amount of murders, bodies found, and intense moments. 

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this thrilling adventure and I can't wait to see what comes next in the series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Red Ribbon by Pepper Basham // Review

My Review: 

Ava Burcham is a talented young woman with a big heart and a curious mind that isn't a stranger to trouble. She is determined to find out who killed her father, but she may be getting into more than she can handle poking around the bootlegging businesses of Appalachian Mountain folk. 

An engaging read that brings to life a fictionalized account of the Carroll County Courthouse Massacre, which was an event that I was not terribly familiar with before reading this book. The author did a great job of bringing to life the lives of the mountain folk and staying true to the history. 

Ava is a kind-hearted heroine, with a quick mind and a shadow hanging over her heritage. I liked her heart for helping others, and how she likes to brighten the lives of others. Jeremiah is a patient and protective hero, who loves Ava no matter what. Granny Burcham was probably my favorite character, with her heart and wise words of wisdom. 

Overall, an entertaining read with likable characters, an engaging story, and solid message of trusting in God. Great for fans of Appalachian fiction and romance! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Hopefully Ever After by Beth Wiseman // Review

My Review: 

An unlikely friendship forms between Samuel Byler and Eden Hale when she comes to stay with her cousin Yvonne for a few months in the summer. 

A charming romance that brings back familiar faces and new friends as well. My heart went out to Eden, who has had a rough upbringing. She surprises her hosts, but many in the community judge her to be a bad influence. I liked how she encourages Samuel to be thankful for his family. 

A charming read by one of my favorite Amish fiction authors. I loved the friendship and familiar faces. I especially liked how it continued to follow Yvonne and Abraham. 

Overall, this was a well written and engaging read with great character development, and filled with heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Shielding the Baby by Laura Scott // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Officer Danica Hayes and her dog Hutch find themselves working to solve a double murder while protecting the victim's brother and his infant son. 

A heartwarming and engaging adventure, with wonderful characters that were easy to cheer for. I loved how Danica's dog Hutch adores baby Caden and is very protective of him. 

The first in a new series, this was a fun read, with great relationship building and interaction throughout. A little lighter on suspense than typical in these books, I didn't mind at all as it was still very enjoyable and the dog's love of the baby was so cute!

Overall a great read, I liked how Luke was inspired to be a better man for his son and grew in his faith. This was a very entertaining read, and a great start to a series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson // Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: The Keys to Gramercy Park

Author: Candice Sue Patterson

Genre:Christian / Historical / Romance

Release date: April, 2023

Secrets Sealed Within a Wall Come to Light in Lower Manhattan

Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.

Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy’s passion, despite his family’s real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for New York governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family’s reputation.

Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson lost everything—his house, his wife, his standing in society. In his darkest moment, he’s awarded a position with the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems. Secrets are meant to be kept, and Franklin will take his to his grave.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 My Review: 

A twisting mystery from the past comes to light when historical journalist Andrea Andrews finds a wad of counterfeit notes in the wall of her apartment building. Waitressing to make ends meet, this story behind the bank notes could be the lead that she needs to secure a raise working for the Smithsonian, but will it mean hurting someone that she has come to love? 

A riveting dual-time line read set in New York around the elusive and mysterious Gramercy Park Neighborhood. I found myself equally engaged in both of the storylines, past and present, it made me sad to think about how Edward treated the people around him. I think I liked the duality of this bittersweet story, and how it doesn't sugarcoat evil in this world in its many faces. Cora is a sweet child with a pure and kind heart. I liked how Andrea is smart, yet she takes time to think about how her actions may impact others. 

Overall, this was a riveting and immersive read that I didn't want to put down. It was a well written book, though some parts just gave me the creeps if I thought about it too much. An engaging timeslip read with thread of hope. 

*Due to some of the content, would recommend to adults, with caution towards older teens.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

About the Author

Candice Sue Patterson studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, splitting wood, or decorating cakes, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes Modern Vintage Romance—where the past and present collide with faith. Her debut novel How to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart was a 2012 ACFW First Impressions finalist and made INSPYs Longlist for 2016.

 

More from Candice

A locked secret garden in Manhattan with historical significance and the only ones privileged to step inside are the wealthy residents who purchase a key—count me in! The plot for The Keys to Gramercy Park was born at our dining room table when my husband looked up from the book he was reading and asked if I knew about Gramercy Park. I hadn’t, so we started Googling and discovered it was a real garden in Manhattan built in 1841 for the cream of society. The fact that it’s been off-limits to the public for one hundred and eight-two years instantly brought all kinds of story ideas to my mind.

Not long after, I discovered that Barbour Publishing Inc. was looking for dual-time stories to fill their Doors to the Past series. I love reading dual-time novels but I’d never written one. I love a good challenge, so I began plotting and before I knew it, I had another first—creating a villain.

I’ve only ever seen the New York City skyline from the New Jersey ferry that travels to and from the Statue of Liberty, so after the story was contracted, I spent several weeks researching Manhattan and Gramercy Park. New York is full of rich history and it was so fun to stumble across the historical details of The Player’s, Edwin Booth, and the stories behind each home along Gramercy Square.

One of my favorite things about writing this story was the juxtaposition of the timelines. We don’t have the present without the past, and what happens in the past affects the future, but the future can also determine how we view, feel, and learn about the past. That’s essentially what The Keys to Gramercy Park is about—the butterfly effect of past events reaching ahead two centuries with dire consequences. I love how in one scene the characters are sending telegraphs and in the next scene, they’re sending text messages.

What’s your favorite thing about dual-time novels? Make sure to check out the other books in the Doors to the Past series!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 26

lakesidelivingsite, May 26

Melissa’s Bookshelf, May 27

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 28

Blogging With Carol, May 28

Book Looks by Lisa, May 29

Connie’s History Classroom, May 29

Texas Book-aholic, May 30

For Him and My Family, May 30

Cover Lover Book Review, May 31

Where Faith and Books Meet, May 31

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 2

Blossoms and Blessings, June 2

Remembrancy, June 3

Holly’s Book Corner, June 3

Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 4

Pause for Tales, June 4

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, June 5 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, June 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 6

Inklings and Notions, June 6

Simple Harvest Reads, June 7 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Labor Not in Vain, June 7

She Lives To Read, June 8

Books I’ve Read, June 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Candice is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2626e/the-keys-to-gramercy-park-celebration-tour-giveaway

To Capture His Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen // Review

My Review: 

A delightful read from beginning to end. 

 Photographer Eva Caldwell and detective Nathan Winston are both respected professionals who hold one another in high regard, content in their lives but longing for more than friendship. Nathan's mother throws a weeklong party for singles, with matchmaking in mind and in order to avoid his mother's schemes he asks Eva to attend as his love interest to prevent his mother from attempting to make him a match. Eva agrees to the arrangement but it also makes the feat of making known their true feelings for each other more difficult. When strange things start happening at the party the must work together to figure out what is going on before someone gets hurt. 

Just like its predecessor before it this charming Victorian mystery was engaging form the start with winning protagonists and a riveting plot. I loved that this book brings back many familiar faces, including the main characters who were a part of the previous book as well, though this book could also be read as a stand alone. Great character development and interaction, I loved how the speech and mannerisms felt authentic to the time period and really added to the story. I also really liked how Eva employs Sam as her assistant, he is such charming young man, eager to learn more and be helpful. 

Overall, this was such a fun read, engaging from beginning to end. I liked that Nathan is such gentleman, and is protective of Eva in the most gallant ways throughout. He is thoughtful and really admires her work. A wonderful escape of a read, clean in content with a great plot. Definitely recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Her Easter Prayer by Lee Tobin McClain // Review

Lucie's Review: 

A heartwarming romance of fresh starts and new beginnings. 

My heart went out to Emily for all the hurt and tragedy she had been through, now she works at a boy's school teaching reading. Her heart is captured by a young student and his handyman father who give her cause to hope again.

A heartfelt read with compelling characters, Emily is a giving yet vulnerable character slowly healing the pain from the past. I loved her heart for others, and how she reaches out to help Dev and Landon. 

Overall, a compelling read with great characters that tug the heartstrings. I'm looking forward to reading more books set at this school!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton // Review

My Review: 

Charlotte Lucas has the unfortunate luck of sharing a name with the pitiable character from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. 

When her elderly neighbor asks her to go on a blind date with her grandson, Charlotte can't say no. When Liam Connell shows up, he is full on main character material with a movie star ex-girlfriend to match, and way out of her league. Charlotte likes to play it safe in the background. Will Charlotte find the courage to become the main character in her own life? 

A charming romance with wonderful dollops of Jane Austen inspiration throughout in this fresh read about love and believing in yourself. A clean romance, with a likable heroine, and a wonderful cast of characters. I adored Vera and her matchmaking ways!

Overall, a quick enjoyable read for fans of clean romance and Austen-inspiration. Full of heart, and sure to bring a smile to your face. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

All That Fills Us by Autumn Lytle // Review

My Review: 

A heart-wrenching journey of a broken young woman, searching for something bigger than herself. 

Told in the first person, this story does a good job of showing the ways that the disease affected Mel, in her thinking, how she viewed others and herself through its lens. Most of the book is her walking on her journey to Mt Rainer, passing the times with her thoughts and her memories. She meets a full cast of colorful characters, trail angels, who tend to her physical and mental needs. I loved each of their unique and compassionate hearts. 

Mel has a complicated relationship with her faith, and her parents were portrayed as unlikable do-gooders with big visions that didn't include the family in front of them. Mel is drawn to Catholicism and she encourages herself with stories of the saints and their righteous pilgrimages, but she also seems open to other more new age things and self-help, self-love mantras. Theologically it is safe to say that I did not agree with the book. 

Overall, this was a difficult book for many reasons. Her journey was long and it was hard to read her story painted through such a lens of cynicism and disease, but at the same time that is what was well done as it showed how the disease was harming her. At times the book was whimsical, with the many friends she made along the way that brought hope and color to her world. The end felt a little anti-climatic to me personally, neat and folded up like that, so there was that too. In the end this just wasn't a book for me. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Guarding His Secret by Jill Kemerer // Review

Lucie's Review: 

Randy Watkins has a lot on his plate when a baby is left in his care, he enlists the help of a longtime friend Hannah Carr who also has a passion for training dogs, to help him out. 

Randy has never let himself get too close to a woman before, but he can't help but admire Hannah for her helpful and caring nature. They work well together and I could see why Randy was hesitant to put someone through something that could have many unknowns. I liked that they shared a faith in God and had great interaction, working together. 

Overall this was an engaging and heartwarming read, with an adorable puppy to boot! A great story with well developed characters and a compelling plotline. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.