A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel // Review

My Review: 

 Bringing to life the quaint countryside of Ireland, a land rich in tradition and steeped in superstition, A Dance in Donegal follows a Moira as she heeds her mother's dying wishes that she take up a teaching position in her mother's hometown. 

Moira faces many struggles upon taking the teaching position. The book captures the beautiful land of Ireland, as well as its steeped in traditions. I was glad that Moira had people who showed themselves to be true friends in the wake of her struggles and the horrible way that she was treated by many in the small community. 

This was a pleasant read, with a lovely sense of place, capturing the beauty and foreignness through the eyes of an American. The story was easy to follow, and more simple through most of the book. I liked the Moira was very familiar with Scripture and recalled in constantly in her everyday life. 

A slower read for me, the book was more quaint at first, and then later it was hard to see how the townspeople treated her, though I liked how she tried her best to keep her spirits up and treat others well. It didn't quite grab me the way that I had wished, but I also don't have many complaints. I felt like it did a good job of doing what it wanted, and is a pleasant read. 

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

Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green // Review

My Review:

Sylvie Townsend's worst fears are realized when her adopted daughter goes missing during the Chicago World's Fair. 

Compelling and engaging from the very start, I loved this follow up to Veiled in Smoke. Though the setting and the characters are familiar, this book takes place just over twenty years later, and could be read as a standalone without difficulty. I loved the premise from the beginning, at forty-three, Sylvie has never married, but poured her life into her daughter and bookstore. When her daughter starts asking difficult questions about her origins, she fights the urge to protect her, but finds herself living her worst nightmare when Rose goes missing. 

This story is so well done with a riveting and heart-wrenching plot, that tackles difficult topics of loving and letting go, that had me glued to the page and imagining the worst. Kristof is a well disciplined, kind, intelligent and even keeled man, and I was so glad that Sylvie had him to help her in her search. I loved seeing them work together and realize hopes that they had thought passed them by, absolutely one of my favorite things about this story! 

Overall, this book does an amazing job of bringing the Chicago World's Fair to life, with a compelling and suspenseful storyline that kept me fully engaged, as well as seamlessly integrating a strong message of faith and trusting God. Highly recommend!

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

In Love's Time by Kate Breslin // Review

My Review: 

Captain Marcus Weatherford goes on a mission in service to his country, returning wounded with no memory of the last decade or the woman he loves. With the future of the war and his heart on the line, will he regain his memories before all is lost? 

A compelling novel set during WWI, at times a sweet romance and others a thrilling spy adventure. The stakes are high and time is running out. I admired Clare for her courage and willingness to do what she had to to give her daughter a secure life, facing her biggest fears. 

One of my favorite things about this story was how Marcus and Clare had a wonderful group of supportive friends and family around them. Fannie quickly became a favorite of mine with her authentic compassion and concern for others. 

It was easy to become invested in the characters, as the stakes rose and tensions increased into a explosive crescendo. A compelling novel from beginning to end!

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

The Amish Quiltmaker's Unconventional Niece by Jennifer Beckstrand // Review

My Review: 

A delightful read from beginning to end, I loved how Mattie sees a problem and jumps right in to try an solve it, even if her methods are frowned upon. This was an enjoyable book, that brought a smile to my face, and more than few good laughs. 

I loved how Mattie found support from the Amish and Englishers alike, even winning Freeman to her side as their differences shrink in light of working together. I liked how she was patient with Caleb, while convincing him to join her campaign.  

Lighthearted and engaging, this was a fun read with a unique spin to it. Cathy is such a wonderful supporter, with a passion for the town and plenty of good ideas, with a knack for drawing others in. A fun read, filled with humor, romance, and wonderful characters, you wont want to miss this unconventional adventure!

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

The Confession Musical // Review and Giveaway

Bring your friends & family to see this inspiring and entertaining story of two worlds  colliding as a young Amish woman seeks to find her birth mother.

“The Confession Musical” is in theaters for one night only on February 20th! 

“The Confession Musical” is based on the New York Times best-selling book series “The Heritage of Lancaster County,” written by Beverly Lewis and written for the stage by Emmy-Nominated screenwriter Martha Bolton. Katie Lapp, a young  Amish girl, discovers her parents have been keeping a secret from her… she is  adopted. Katie decides to seek her birth mother, defying the rules of her Amish village and risking a shunning. Meanwhile, her wealthy birth mother, Laura Mayfield,  battling an illness that might take her life, begins searching for her long-lost daughter to bequeath her inheritance before it is too late. Secretly plotting against her is  the gold-digging husband Dylan (played by John Schneider), who is scheming to  make sure he inherits her fortune. With the help and prayers of her Christian maid servant (played by Chonda Pierce), they try to foil Dylan’s plan and reunite Katie  and Laura.

Find out more at the website : https://confessionmusicalmovie.com/

 Buy tickets today to see THE CONFESSION musical movie exclusively in theaters  February 20th!

Review:

Experience Hickory Hollow in a brand new way as Beverly Lewis's best-selling series comes to life on the stage.

An entertaining show, that brings a more humorous side to this beloved story, along with original music. Aided by an excellent cast, I thought that this production did a wonderful job of bringing the heart of the story to life. I also really liked the choice to give the audience the full story rather than in three installments like the book series.

This enjoyable musical is great for longtime fans of the series as well as people completely new to the story or even Amish fiction. The music spans the emotions of the story, heartfelt as well as humorous. I especially loved the song that featured Katie, her bio-mother, and adoptive mother, as well as the humorous exchanges between the maid and the butler.

Overall, this was a well done production, great to watch with the whole family, that stays true to the book series' message of faith. Well worth the time!

#TheConfessionMIN #ConfessionMusicalMovie

Many thanks to Blue Gate Musicals for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

 Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card (Note: This is limited to US winners only.)

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What I Would Tell You by Liz Tolsma // Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: What I Would Tell You

Author: Liz Tolsma

Genre: Christian Fiction / Romance / Historical Fiction

Release date: January 1, 2023

DNA Test Unlocks a Family Mystery

Sephardic Jew Mathilda Nissim watches in horror as the Germans invade her beloved city of Salonika, Greece. What angers her most is the lack of resistance her people put up to their captors. In secret and at great risk to her life, she continues to publish her newspaper, calling her people to action. She doesn’t trust God to help them. When she and her husband find out they are expecting a child, Mathilda may have to resort to desperate measures to ensure her daughter’s survival.

Three generations later, college student Riley Payson and her cousin take a popular DNA test only to discover they don’t share any common ancestors. In fact, the test shows Riley is a Sephardic Jew from Greece. This revelation shakes Riley’s tenuous faith and sends her on a journey to discover what happened to her great-grandmother and how all this relates to her faith and her life today.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 Review: 

A dual-timeline novel about two woman struggling to live their identity in their times. Mathilda Nissim is a Sephardic Jew living in Greece, she uses her pen to bring hope and encouragement to others as the Germans close in. In the present day, Riley goes on a quest to find out more about her ancestors after a DNA test renders unexpected results, finding herself on the adventure of a lifetime. 

A well researched book that does an excellent job of bringing to life the terrors that the Jewish people faced in Greece during the war. This was an intriguing read, as I had not heard about the Sephardic Jews before reading this novel, nor is Greece often the setting for a WWII novel. 

This was a well written book, I liked the friendship between Mathilda and Joanna as well as how Joanna selflessly takes risks and does everything that she can for Mathilda. I also appreciated how it also emphasized the gospel, and the hope we have in Christ. 

Overall, this was a great unique angle on the war an things that many faced at the hands of the Nazis. Great for fans of historical fiction!

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

About the Author

Liz Tolsma is the author of several WWII novels, romantic suspense novels, prairie romance novellas, and an Amish romance. She is a popular speaker and an editor and resides next to a Wisconsin farm field with her husband and their youngest daughter. Her son is a US Marine, and her oldest daughter is a college student. Liz enjoys reading, walking, working in her large perennial garden, kayaking, and camping. Please visit her website at www.liztolsma.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter (@LizTolsma), Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest. She is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk podcast.

 

More from Liz

Take a Trip to Greece with Me

I was privileged to travel to Greece last year to research my upcoming WWII novel, What I Would Tell You. God orchestrated it so beautifully. Because of Covid, we weren’t sure my daughter would be able to travel there for the summer internship she had applied for. Eight weeks before her scheduled departure, Greece reopened to foreign visitors. Around that same time, I sold What I Would Tell You, which is set in Thessaloniki, Greece, to Barbour Publishing. I had to go and visit!

 

Greece is a beautiful country. The pictures you see don’t do it justice. And to someone like me, the history is one of the best parts. My daughter and I explored the old city wall, built in the 1400s, many churches that predated the Ottoman Empire, and many excavated Roman ruins that have been dug up in the city’s process of putting in a subway system.

 

Because this is a WWII book, we also spent a great deal of time learning about the history of the Jews in the city. The Kapani Market, just down the street from our apartment, was a vibrant mix of colorful fruits, fragrant spices, and a cacophony of languages. I could well imagine what this old Jewish market was like prior to the war with people hawking olives, fish, and oregano.

 

We wasted no time in visiting the Jewish museum. I was shocked by the heavy security presence with armed guards outside of the building. Once inside, we had to show our IDs and were required to turn in our phones. Antisemitism is alive and well in Greece. But what a place. There were displays after displays tracing the history of the Jewish people in Thessaloniki from 1492 until WWII. The most breathtaking was the room with stone-covered walls, the names of all 48,000 Salonikan Jews killed in the Holocaust carved into the marble. There’s an entire scene in the book that deals with this room.

 

What saddened me most was what we saw when we visited the trainyard where the Jews were herded into cattle cars and shipped to Auschwitz. Before we got to where the station once stood, there was a wall on which someone had pained a mural covered with black-and-white figures in their striped uniforms, their eyes and mouths wide in horror. As if that weren’t difficult enough to view, what sickened me was the blue swastikas someone had painted over them.

 

We also trekked to the other side of the city to visit what had once been the Jewish cemetery, now the grounds of Aristotle University. All that remains to testify that half a million people were once buried here is a small, ill-kept memorial. There were two dead Christmas wreaths placed there. We visited in August.

 

In addition to a moving and thought-provoking story, I hope to also introduce you to the amazing city of Thessaloniki and give you a peek into the people and the culture of this amazing place. If you ever find yourself in Greece, plan some time in Thessaloniki. Many Americans miss this gem, but it’s packed with charm and history.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 28

Texas Book-aholic, January 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 29

Blogging With Carol, January 29

Genesis 5020, January 30

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 30

Where Faith and Books Meet, January 30

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 31

For Him and My Family, January 31

Cover Lover Book Review, February 1

Lily’s Book Reviews, February 1

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, February 2

deb’s Book Review, February 2

Betti Mace, February 3

Connie’s History Classroom, February 3

Paula’s Pad of Inspriation, February 4

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 5

Books You Can Feel Good About, February 5

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 6

Holly’s Book Corner, February 6

Bigreadersite, February 7

Blossoms and Blessings, February 7

Mary Hake, February 7

Bizwings Blog, February 8

Labor Not in Vain, February 8

Pause for Tales, February 9

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, February 9

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, February 10

Southern Gal Loves to Read, February 10

Lights in a Dark World, February 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Liz is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and 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/23ccb/what-i-would-tell-you-celebration-tour-giveaway

Barking Up the Wrong Tree by Janice Thompson // Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Author: Janice Thompson

Genre: Christian Fiction / Mystery / Romance

Release date: January 1, 2023

Inquisitive, detail-oriented, Veterinarian Kristin Keller prides herself on winning over any dog. But has this self-proclaimed dog whisperer finally met her match in a Sheltie named Remington who has just won the Texas state agility course competition? The champion pooch is acting out of sorts—almost as if he is not the same dog. Has he, by chance, been switched out with another dog just before the next big competition? Kristin and the other Lone Star employees will do anything to help the Atkinson family figure out this mystery surrounding their beloved Remington.

 

Click here to get your copy!

Review: 

A highly entertaining read and great addition to this wonderful series. 

Veterinarian Kristin Keller and her staff are determined to help the Adkinson family find out what happened to their champion dog Remington, go along with them in this entertaining adventure filled with mystery, friendship, and faith. 

A delightfully cozy mystery, that brings back familiar faces, but also would work well as a standalone. I loved seeing Kristin and Tyler working together and reconnecting over the mystery. I liked that they bonded over their shared love of animals and faith. Parker is a great friend, and I liked how they worked together to help others. 

Overall, a fantastic, heartwarming read, that for me is a standout in the series. 

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

About the Author

Janice Thompson, who lives in the Houston area, writes romantic comedies, cozy mysteries, nonfiction devotionals, and musical comedies for the stage. She is the mother of four daughters and nine feisty grandchildren. When she’s not writing books or taking care of foster dogs you’ll find her in the kitchen, baking up specialty cakes and cookies.

 

More from Janice

Barking up the Tree is book three in the Gone to the Dog series. Kathleen Y’Barbo and I are writing six books, in total, and we’re very excited about this series. I happen to be in the dog rescue business. I’ve worked with multiple Houston-based dog rescues over the past five years and have been blessed to care for over fifty dogs in nearly every shape, size, and breed. I am always interested in dog-themed stories.

As a Texan I wanted to place this series in my neck of the woods. Kathleen and I settled on Brenham, Texas, a town not far from where we both live. It’s the home of Blue Bell ice cream (yum!) a favorite here in the Lone Star state. We created a large fictional cast of characters and placed them in a town we know and love.

Along with writing books I’m also a baker and run a baking blog (www.outoftheboxbaking.com). With that in mind I would love to share a recipe from the book. Enjoy!

Nanny’s Coconut Pecan Cake (aka Italian Cream Cake)

Ingredients

FOR THE CAKE:

• 1 white cake mix
• 1 yellow cake mix
• 6 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup sweetened coconut (flakes)
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 small box instant vanilla pudding (powder)

 

FOR THE FILLING/TOPPING:

• Toasted coconut
• Toasted chopped pecans

 

FOR THE FROSTING:

• 1 cup (two sticks) salted butter (softened)
• 1 block cream cheese (softened)
• 1 rectangle Crisco (can omit if you prefer traditional cream cheese frosting)
• 1 bag (7-8 cups) powdered sugar
• Clear vanilla extract

 

Instructions

MAKING THE CAKE:

• Combine all ingredients except nuts and coconut. Mix well.
• Work in the nuts and coconut.
• Grease and flour three 9” pans.
• Divide batter between the three pans and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (approximately) until cake springs back to the touch.

MAKING THE ICING:

• Bring ingredients to room temperature.
• Mix butter and cream cheese until soft and creamy.
• Add Crisco and continue to beat until incorporated. (You can leave out the Crisco if you prefer traditional cream cheese frosting.)
• Add extract and then lower the speed of your mixer to add powdered sugar (more or less to desired consistency).

 

FILLING AND ICING THE CAKE

• Level all three cakes.
• Put one cake on your cake board and add a layer of cream cheese frosting.
• Pipe a ring around the edge of the cake and add some toasted pecans and coconut.
• Continue to stack and fill.
• Turn the top cake upside down, so that it’s bottom up.
• Ice the cake with a crumb coat and chill.
• Once chilled, ice liberally with frosting.
• Add chopped (toasted) pecans and coconut to the sides and top then pipe trim or rosettes to add further décor.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, January 26

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, January 26

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 27

Remembrancy, January 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 28

For Him and My Family, January 28

Texas Book-aholic, January 29

deb’s Book Review, January 30

Mary Hake, January 30

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 31

Cover Lover Book Review, February 1

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, February 1

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, February 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 3

Pause for Tales, February 4

The Book Club Network, February 4

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, February 5

Blogging With Carol, February 6

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, February 7

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, February 7

Labor Not in Vain, February 8

Divine Perspective, February 8

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Janice is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon 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/23cc8/barking-up-the-wrong-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Brilliance of Stars by J'Nell Ciesielski // Review

My Review: 

An action packed spy novel, bullets whiz by as Jack and Ivy fight for their country and find love in this larger than life adventure. 

A theatrical adventure worthy of a Marvel movie, with an origin story to match. I was taken by surprise by this book as it sets quite the different tone when compared to other books by this author. Great for fans of swashbuckling adventure, there is definitely enough action to go around! 

I personally found the book intriguing at first, but as it progressed I struggled to stay engaged despite all the action going on. It is a clean read for the most part, which I always appreciate. But I think that my main difficulty was that the characters and the plot seemed larger than life and unrealistic, as well as the dialogue between them. 

Overall, there are a lot of great things about this book, but for me it just didn't click together for me. 

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

The Cowboy's Journey Home by Linda Goodnight // Review

Lucie's Review:

Yates Trudeau is making his way back to his hometown after being discharged from the Army, running into his former flame brings back memories and hopes for a future, but will the secret he is keeping prevent them from giving love a second chance?

An engaging second chance romance. I liked how Laurel didn't give up on Yates, even though he'd hurt her in the past. There was great character interaction and growth, I especially admired Laurel's faith and her big heart for others. I loved seeing how Yates's family welcomed him back yet gave him space to make up his own mind. 

Overall, an enjoyable read with wonderful characters and a compelling storyline. A great quick, heartwarming read! 

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

The Last Chance Cowboy by Jody Hedlund // Review

My Review: 

An engaging western marriage of convenience romance, that pulled me in from the very beginning. 

Catherine is a midwife with a big heart, who has always dreamed of a family of her own, but a birthing takes a turn for the worst when the mother dies and Catherine is framed for murder. She promises to deliver the baby safely to his father in Colorado.

Dylan McQuaid has made a lot of mistakes in his life, but everything is finally starting to into fall into place now that his debt is paid off, and he is serving as the Sheriff of Fairplay. But that all threatens to come tumbling down when a woman he doesn't recognize shows up with his child in tow. 

A terrific addition to this entertaining series and perhaps my favorite of the series. I loved how Catherine was willing to go the extra mile to help others, no matter the hour or situation. She has a big heart, and is an amazing mother. I loved seeing her and Dylan get to know each other, as well as the chemistry between them. Dylan has come a long way, and it was nice to see the man he is becoming. 

It was also fun to see other members of the McQuaid family and see their love for one another. Overall, this was an amazing conclusion to the series, with instantly likable protagonists, and a quick hook. I very much enjoyed the humor of the situation, and the growing chemistry between them. Plus, Stu and Trudy were a hoot! An amazing read from beginning to end!

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