tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36716526494070318172024-03-18T18:40:03.710-07:00God Bless HopeBook reviews, musings on scripture, and even the odd poemRachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.comBlogger688125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-45942551303490868382024-03-13T01:30:00.001-07:002024-03-13T01:30:00.247-07:00A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M White - The Imposters, book 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691553239i/182094112.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="396" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691553239i/182094112.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Gemma Parks is known throughout high society as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talent to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the elite firm's members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren't for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart. Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his soul in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma not only to restore the missing boy, but also to win back the only woman he's ever loved. As they trace the clues laid out before them, Graham must devise a noble scheme to save the boy's life and heal their hearts.<p></p><p>The imposters have a twisty case this time. </p><p>Up until the big reveal of what caused the massive rift between Gemma and Graham (a third to halfway through the book), I was pretty frustrated with that aspect of the story; Gemma is downright cruel to Graham at times and absolutely refuses to listen or forgive him. It just seemed so petty and beyond reasonable for a pair who has known each other forever. But I will say, the actual reason for the rift (which I did not see coming) is one of the few things that I can believe to drive someone to that place. Fair? No; but very understandable. I could absolutely see myself acting in a similar way given the circumstances. From that point on, I was much more invested in their relationship and could find significantly more grace for Gemma.</p><p>It was not only the backstory but also the case that didn't go in the direction I expected, which I really liked in this instance. Even if it's not one of my favorites by the author, it still was a very impactful story (I could have done without quite so many interjections of "lion feathers" and "leopard stripes", though).</p><p>Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p><p><u>The Imposters<br /></u>1. <i>A Beautiful Disguise<br /></i>2. <i>A Noble Scheme</i></p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-37602168858455936522024-02-28T01:30:00.000-08:002024-02-28T10:24:06.503-08:00A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689105579i/182093632.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689105579i/182093632.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>When Clara Marie Stanton's ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it's all Clara can do to protect them from his desperate schemes and society's prejudice. Her family may be eccentric, yes, but they certainly aren't insane. Then Clara's Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing. Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond skilled in repairing clocks, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara's dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer's trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself--at any cost.<p></p><p>I think a book with a strong theme and poignant message can really enhance a story, but in this case, I felt like the story existed to enhance the message. I'm not a fan of <i>Pilgrim's Progress</i> or CS Lewis's more allegorical stories, and this one--for all its whimsical clockwork animals and eccentric characters--fits in decently with them. So if you love the Narnia books, you may really like this one (I know I'm in the minority in that I do not).</p><p>I did enjoy the premise; it reminds me a lot of <i>Around the World in 80 Days</i>, and there's that similar sense of wonder as they tour the continent. I didn't mind the suspension of disbelief required for the mysterious mechanical animals, and I enjoyed the eccentricity to a degree (though I wasn't a fan of Clara's mom's overwhelming obsession with animal welfare). But on the whole, it wasn't really what I was anticipating. </p><p>Thank You Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-49433597612611176272024-02-14T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-14T01:00:00.130-08:00While the City Sleeps by Elizabeth Camden - Women of Midtown, book 1<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689797805i/182094843.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689797805i/182094843.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Katherine Schneider's workaday life as a dentist in 1913 New York is upended when a patient reveals details of a deadly plot while under the influence of laughing gas. As she is plunged into danger, she seeks help from the dashing Lieutenant Jonathan Birch, a police officer she has long admired from afar. Jonathan has harbored powerful feelings toward Katherine for years but never acted on them, knowing his dark history is something she could never abide. Now, with her safety on the line, he works alongside her through the nights as they unravel the criminal conspiracy that threatens her. And throughout it all, Jonathan fears what will happen should Katherine ever learn his deepest secrets. <p></p><p>One thing I really appreciate in Camden's books is that the characters are intelligent and generally act accordingly. For instance, Jonathan recognizes the danger of newspapermen knowing Katherine's name, so he makes sure they never say it in their hearing. They get personal guards who actually do their job. They do research and make sensible plans. That doesn't mean things don't go horribly wrong, of course, but it wasn't lack of smarts on their part. I did live in dread of the inevitable disaster Jonathan's house of lies comes crashing down, but since he'd been building it since age 14, I can see how that would be a tangled web to unweave (to mix metaphors). But I really liked him; such a complex character--so incredibly upright, yet it's all built on secrets and lies. And Katherine was great too.</p><p>I also love how much actual history gets worked into the stories--from Katherine's flamboyant boss to the NYPD's Italian Squad to anarchists to the mafia. I hadn't realized the mafia was already entrenched in New York by 1910 (and certainly didn't expect it to appear in the book). But I can see how it would have been a significant factor to the police force, even if they weren't directly involved in a crime. And if they were . . . Things could get really messy in a hurry.</p><p>This is one of Camden's most suspenseful stories. I can't wait to read about Inga and the other ladies of Midtown!</p><p>Thank You Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-91806552894709540652024-01-31T01:30:00.000-08:002024-01-31T01:30:00.137-08:00The Foxhole Victory Tour by Amy Lynn Green<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1688762050i/182093979.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1688762050i/182093979.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Vibrant and scrappy Maggie McCleod tried not to get fired from her wartime orchestra, but she can't keep from speaking her mind, so an overseas adventure with the USO's camp show seems like the perfect fresh start. Wealthy and elegant Catherine Duquette signs with the USO to leave behind her restrictive life of privilege and to find out what happened to the handsome pilot whose letters mysteriously stopped arriving. The two women are joined by an eclectic group of performers--a scheming blues singer, a veteran tap dancer, and a brooding magician--but the harmony among their troupe is shattered when their tour manager announces he will soon recommend one of them for a new job in the Hollywood spotlight. Each of the five members has a reason to want the contract, and they'll do whatever is necessary to get it. As their troupe travels closer to combat in Tunisia, personal crises and wartime dangers only intensify, until not only their careers but also their lives are on the line. <p></p><p>I liked the focus of the book; there are a lot of WWII stories out there, but very few take place in the North African campaign and even fewer focus on the entertainment industry's part in promoting morale. I knew celebrities did tours, but I hadn't known about the smaller not famous groups that toured around, often in harsher and more dangerous conditions than their more famous counterparts to reach even the farthest troops.</p><p>The focus of this story is on two specific women of the troupe--arguably opposites outside of their love of music. But it's easy to see echoes of the two main characters in each of the other members of the troupe too: each has something to prove--either to themselves or others. Each took a step of faith by joining; each one has a secret holding them back.</p><p>For all that my personality is much more similar to Catherine's, I definitely connected more with Maggie, especially her struggle with loving music but not being able to articulate its value outside religious context; I think it's something many believing artists struggle with. </p><p>Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-20358093011909389542024-01-17T01:00:00.000-08:002024-01-17T01:00:00.132-08:00The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1694700559i/182093563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1694700559i/182093563.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada's Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family--French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral--are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. As British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters British Army Ranger William Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William's, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.<p></p><p>I hadn't known much about Acadia before reading this story--only that many Acadians ended up settling in Louisiana, but I didn't know why they moved to such a distant place. This story is very much a before and after one: life in Acadia, and then life deported. </p><p>I'm a bit torn; I really appreciate it when an author is faithful to history, as Laura Frantz is in this novel depicting the deportation of the Acadians. But I really enjoyed the first half in the Acadian setting and would have loved to see the whole novel set there, with witness to the increasing conflict between the British and the French. There are plenty books about colonial Virginia and colonial slavery sentiments (many by Frantz herself), so that half didn't feel as fresh and new as the beginning, especially with the latter half's significant overlap with <i>A Heart Adrift</i>. It's realistic that the two halves are so different, but as a story I also would have appreciated more connection/relevance between the two.</p><p>It was still a good story, as I expect from Frantz. I'd love to hear more of Bleu's story!</p><p>Thank you Revell and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-36680618032960211562024-01-03T02:30:00.000-08:002024-03-13T08:50:37.556-07:00Most Anticipated Christian Fiction of 2024!<p>New titles revealed for 2024! Here are the one's I'm most looking forward to this year: (to be updated as fall titles are released)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://laurafrantz.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Seamstress-of-Acadie-518x800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="200" src="https://laurafrantz.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/The-Seamstress-of-Acadie-518x800.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpgyJ8ZmMqZRaz7RxbPI5anBjUs44Z607oo_uc0hkF2D4jlttqQUaVyA3dabTs2Pu8W1DxBbJcmfnuDcy2p1RLBKcvmzmfMID5NL36vNEu8iGdfbsZQ3YDL4SGd55K8qLRKo0t-rL_2w1gaaa476cz7gM5nK6UoAOwcphxGC2ZMpq5T4-9oRDUGJzj6I/s500/mail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="322" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpgyJ8ZmMqZRaz7RxbPI5anBjUs44Z607oo_uc0hkF2D4jlttqQUaVyA3dabTs2Pu8W1DxBbJcmfnuDcy2p1RLBKcvmzmfMID5NL36vNEu8iGdfbsZQ3YDL4SGd55K8qLRKo0t-rL_2w1gaaa476cz7gM5nK6UoAOwcphxGC2ZMpq5T4-9oRDUGJzj6I/w129-h200/mail.jpg" width="129" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689797805i/182094843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689797805i/182094843.jpg" width="130" /></a></div></div></div><p>January: <i><a href="I hadn't known much about Acadia before reading this story--only that many Acadians ended up settling in Louisiana, but I didn't know why they moved to such a distant place. This story is very much a before and after one: life in Acadia, and then life deported. I'm a bit torn; I really appreciate it when an author is faithful to history, as Laura Frantz is in this novel depicting the deportation of the Acadians. But I really enjoyed the first half in the Acadian setting and would have loved to see the whole novel set there, with witness to the increasing conflict between the British and the French. There are plenty books about colonial Virginia and colonial slavery sentiments (many by Frantz herself), so that half didn't feel as fresh and new as the beginning, especially with the latter half's significant overlap with A Heart Adrift. It's realistic that the two halves are so different, but as a story I also would have appreciated more connection/relevance between the two. It was still a good story, as I expect from Frantz. I'd love to hear more of Bleu's story! Thank you Revell and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.">The Seamstress of Acadie</a></i> by Laura Frantz (Revell)</p><p>February: <i>Rocky Road </i>by Becky Wade (Indie) - Sons of Scandal, book 2</p><p>February: <i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2024/02/while-city-sleeps-by-elizabeth-camden.html">While the City Sleeps</a></i> by Elizabeth Camden (Bethany House) - Women of Midtown, book 1</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689105579i/182093632.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689105579i/182093632.jpg" width="130" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691553239i/182094112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="396" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1691553239i/182094112.jpg" width="129" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689288950i/182094184.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="517" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689288950i/182094184.jpg" width="129" /></a><br /><br /></div><p>February: <i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-ladys-guide-to-marvels-and.html">A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure</a> </i>by Angela Bell (Bethany House)</p><p>March: <i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2024/03/a-noble-scheme-by-roseanna-m-white.html">A Noble Scheme</a></i> by Roseanna M. White (Bethany House) - The Imposters, book 2</p><p>March: <i>If the Boot Fits</i> by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House) - Texas Ever After, book 2</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689983199i/181857664.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="224" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1689983199i/181857664.jpg" width="129" /></a> <a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51RWi+7wEeL._SY445_SX342_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="288" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51RWi+7wEeL._SY445_SX342_.jpg" width="129" /></a><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1700966590i/200772395.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1700966590i/200772395.jpg" width="130" /></a><br /><br /></div><p>April: <i>Night Falls on Predicament Avenue</i> by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House)</p><p>June: <i>The Hudson Collection</i> by Jocelyn Green (Bethany House) - On Central Park, book 2</p><p>July: <i>Meeting Her Match</i> by Jen Turano (Bethany House) - The Matchmakers, book 3</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1710256347i/209351020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="287" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1710256347i/209351020.jpg" width="129" /></a> <a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1710257115i/209351074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="288" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1710257115i/209351074.jpg" width="129" /></a><br /></div><p><i>In the Sweet Ever After</i> by Melissa Tagg (Indie) - Maple Valley Romance, book 3</p><p>October: <i>Specters in the Glass House</i> by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House)</p><p>November: <i>An Honorable Deception</i> by Roseanna M White (Bethany House) - The Imposters, book 3</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1710257224i/209351061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="287" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1710257224i/209351061.jpg" width="129" /></a><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1710257196i/209351087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="288" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1710257196i/209351087.jpg" width="129" /></a></div></div><p>December: <i>Cloaked in Beauty</i> by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House) - Texas Ever After, book 3</p><p>December: <i>The Seaside Homecoming </i>by Julie Klassen (Bethany House) - Sisters of Seaview, book 3</p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-61003736472888464282023-12-27T01:30:00.000-08:002023-12-27T01:30:00.138-08:00Favorite Books of 2023!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I did a lot of rereading over the course of the year, as well trying out a number of quasi-classics that I've neglected (Daphne du Marier, Georgette Heyer, Mary Stewart). But of the books published this year, there were definitely some outstanding ones (I even re-read <i>The Rose and the Thistle</i> midway through the year):<i> </i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">\<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664754894i/61137156.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664754894i/61137156.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-rose-and-thistle-by-laura-frantz.html"> <i>The Rose and the Thistle</i></a> by Laura Frantz (Revell)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667069778i/62611324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="517" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667069778i/62611324.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><div><i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2023/06/fairest-of-heart-by-karen-witemeyer.html">Fairest of Heart</a></i> by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House) - Texas Ever After, book 1</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677619555i/90203406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677619555i/90203406.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-lost-boys-of-barlowe-theater-by.html">The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theatre</a></i> by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673870544i/61140615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673870544i/61140615.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-vanishing-at-castle-moreau-by-jaime.html">The Vanishing at Castle Moreau</a> </i>by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673021053i/75612953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="516" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673021053i/75612953.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br /><div><i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2023/05/memory-lane-by-becky-wade-sons-of.html">Memory Lane</a> </i>by Becky Wade (Indie) - Sons of Scandal, book 1</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1682440078i/139310243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1682440078i/139310243.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><div><i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2023/07/wedding-at-sea-by-melissa-tagg-muir.html">Wedding at Sea</a></i> by Melissa Tagg (Indie) - Muir Harbor, book 3</div>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-12203976054375736972023-12-13T01:00:00.000-08:002023-12-13T01:00:00.158-08:00A Winter by the Sea by Julie Klassen - On Devonshire Shores, book 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676640057i/89037426.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="517" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676640057i/89037426.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>When the Duke and Duchess of Kent rent neighboring Woolbrook Cottage for the winter, the Summers sisters are called upon to host three of the royal couple's male staff in their seaside house. But they soon realize they've invited mysterious secrets and the sweet possibility of romance into their home. Meanwhile, Emily Summers approaches a local publisher in hopes of fulfilling her dream of becoming an author. When he turns her down, his dashing competitor promises to consider her novel if she will first write a new Sidmouth guidebook for him. Emily accepts and begins researching with the help of the Duke of Kent's handsome private secretary. But a surprise visitor from her past shows up at Sea View, leaving Emily torn between the desires she used to hold dear and her budding dreams for the future.<p></p><p>In a time of stress and busyness, I just really appreciated this gentle romance. I really liked both Emily and James. The book series reminds me of a British television mini series, with small town excitements and small town problems (though the the historical addition of the royal visit is perhaps more grand than one's usual small-town excitements). I really enjoyed how much location-specific history Klassen manages to weave into story, from the royal visitors to the inhabitants to the buildings and natural areas around Sidmouth.</p><p>I look forward to book 3 and hope it is about Claire! And that Sarah gets a happily ever after as well.</p><p>Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p><p><u>On Devonshire Shores</u><br />1. <i>The Sisters of Seaview</i><br />2. <i>A Winter by the Sea</i></p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-57177503214241240062023-11-08T01:00:00.001-08:002023-11-08T01:00:00.158-08:00The Love Script by Toni Shiloh<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667069842i/62611306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="517" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667069842i/62611306.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Hollywood hair stylist Nevaeh Richards loves making those in the spotlight shine but prefers the anonymity of staying behind her stylist chair, where no one notices her. But when a photo of Nevaeh and Hollywood heartthrob Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic. Lamont Booker's bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well known . . . until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent's push for a fake relationship--something he never thought he'd consider in a million years. With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?<p></p><p>In spite of the fact that Hollywood and movie stars really are of no interest to me, Toni Shiloh wrote an intriguing story centered on precisely that, and it was really hard to put down. To my knowledge (not that I'm necessarily one to go by per this subject), it takes a realistic view of Hollywood style fame and how hard it is to be a person of integrity within it, even in a case where the temptation of the flesh isn't much of an issue; there's still paparazzi, internet trolls, and cancel culture just waiting for the <i>appearance </i>of a misstep, and the consequences of one person's fame can easily hurt innocents.</p><p>The story is generally light-hearted, but it definitely has depth. I love how Shiloh works solid spiritual content into the story, with exploration on church-going and deception. The characters were all great. I loved Rosie, and I really hope there will be books about Tuck and Piper and Chris!</p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-78740725439840911622023-10-18T01:30:00.061-07:002023-10-18T01:30:00.141-07:00To Spark a Match by Jen Turano - The Matchmakers, book 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677433692i/89573809.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677433692i/89573809.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>After five unsuccessful Seasons on the marriage mart, Miss Adelaide Duveen has resigned herself to the notion that she's destined to remain a spinster forever--a rather dismal prospect, but one that will allow her to concentrate on her darling cats and books. However, when she inadvertently stumbles upon Mr. Gideon Abbott engaged in a clandestine activity during a dinner party, Adelaide finds herself thrust into a world of intrigue that resembles the plots in the spy novels she devours. Former intelligence agent Gideon Abbott feels responsible for Adelaide after society threatens to banish her because of the distraction she caused to save his case. Hoping to return the favor, he turns to a good friend--and one of high society's leaders--to take Adelaide in hand and turn her fashionable. When danger surrounds them and Adelaide finds herself a target of the criminals in Gideon's case, the spark of love between them threatens to be quenched for good--along with their lives.<p></p><p>This is Jen Turano at her Turano-est: wacky social situations, adorable animals, a full cast of quirky characters, and very wordy (yet very funny) dialogue. I will confess a bit of jealousy toward Adelaide--I would really love to play with a grapple cannon, just for an afternoon. Adelaide has won the jackpot in Gideon. Granted, there's a lot more to him than just his extremely cool weapons stash; he's very considerate, chivalrous, and a man of unexpected talents (who'd have guessed embroidery?). But Adelaide is also perfect for him. They are neither complete opposites nor carbon copies--they land somewhere in the middle, and are very complimentary. Entertaining, as usual!</p><div>Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>The Matchmakers</u></div><div>1. <i>A Match in the Making</i></div><div>2. <i>To Spark a Match</i></div>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-63206756361146513802023-10-04T01:00:00.074-07:002023-10-04T01:00:00.142-07:00The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677619555i/90203406.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1677619555i/90203406.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Barlowe Theater stole the life of Greta Mercy's brother during its construction. Now in 1915, the completed theater appears every bit as deadly. When Greta's younger brother goes missing after breaking into the building, Greta engages the assistance of a local police officer to help her uncover the already ghostly secrets of the theater. But when help comes from an unlikely source, Greta decides that to save her family she must put the threat of the phantoms to rest. Decades later, Kit Boyd's best friend vanishes during a ghost walk at the Barlowe Theater, and old stories of mysterious disappearances and ghoulish happenings are revived. When television ghost-hunting host and skeptic Evan Fisher engages Kit in the quest to identify the truth behind the theater's history, Kit reluctantly agrees to work with him in hopes of also finding out what happened to her friend. As the theater's curse begins to unravel Kit's own life, she sets out not only to save the historical building and her friend, but to end the pattern of evil that has marked their hometown for a century.<p></p><div>Wright consistently writes dual timeline novels better than anyone else I've read. Both timelines are fast-paced and filled with suspense--there's never one timeline that seems boring compared to the other. Instead, the timelines alternate from suspenseful moment to suspenseful moment. I also appreciate that no matter how weird events get, there is always a real-world explanation. Sure, there might be a psychic trailing Kit around with knowledge she shouldn't have, and Greta might be facing doubts to her sanity because she saw something no one else saw or believes, but there's always an explanation that doesn't rely on the supernatural. Always.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love how the setting--Barlowe Theater--is nearly a character in its own right, hiding secrets in the past and present. The creepy old theater ties the two storylines together with its history of disappearances and aura of mystery. But it isn't only the setting that connects the timelines--Wright also does an excellent job with connecting them on a thematic level. A fear or reality in Kit's timeline is echoed in Greta's, and vice versa, increasing the sense that the two stories are intertwined. Excellent, as always!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</div>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-14958900660364587332023-09-20T01:30:00.009-07:002023-09-20T01:30:00.143-07:00The Laws of Attraction by Mary Connealy - Wyoming Sunrise, book 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667070310i/63019900.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="517" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667070310i/63019900.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>If widowed town seamstress Nell Armstrong has to make one more pair of boring chaps for the cowboys in her tiny Wyoming town, she might lose her mind. So meeting Brand Nolte, a widower father struggling to raise three girls, seems like her dream come true. Brand has no idea how to dress the girls, and Nell finally has a chance to both create beautiful dresses and teach the girls to sew. But Nell is much more than a seamstress, and the unique legal and investigative skills and knowledge she picked up alongside her late lawman husband soon become critical when a wounded stagecoach-robbery survivor is brought to town. As danger closes in from all sides, Nell and Brand must discover why there seems to be a bull's-eye on their backs.<p></p><p>The opening of the book, Nell's desperation to sew something pretty instead of making chaps, cracked me up. As one who did alterations for a jeans store, I have felt the desperation to do ANYTHING besides hem or patch one more pair of blue jeans. I feel for her. I really do.</p><p>More than that, I really liked the contrasts in Nell. She's an elegant lady who loves sewing pretty things, but she has the mind of a detective and can lend a hand to any problem, be it teaching motherless girls about feminine things or digging out bullets. I think just about everybody has unexpected skills that don't fit a first impression of a personality, but it's not so often seen in literature. The romance took more of a back seat in this one, but I enjoyed the story.</p><p><u>Wyoming Sunrise</u><br />1. <i>Forged in Love</i><br />2. <i>The Laws of Attraction</i><br />3. <i>Marshaling Her Heart</i></p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-55459230501350453012023-09-06T01:00:00.001-07:002023-09-06T01:00:00.132-07:00Brandon Sanderson's "Skyward"<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531845310l/39348113._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Skyward (Skyward, #1)" border="0" height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531845310l/39348113._SY475_.jpg" width="212" /></a>Spensa's world has been under attack for decades. Pilots are now the heroes of what's left of the human race, and becoming one has always been Spensa's dream. Since she was a little girl, she has imagined soaring skyward and proving her bravery. But her fate is intertwined with that of her father's—a pilot himself who was killed years ago when he abruptly deserted his team, leaving Spensa the daughter of a coward, her chances of attending Flight School slim to none. No one will let Spensa forget what her father did, yet fate works in mysterious ways. Flight school might be a long shot, but she is determined to fly. And an accidental discovery in a long-forgotten cavern might just provide her with a way to claim the stars.<br />
<br />
I'm much more of a fantasy person than sci-fi, but really, who doesn't love Star Wars? So occasionally a space opera sounds like fun, and I figured a young adult one by Brandon Sanderson was worth a read. And I was supremely pleased I did!<br />
<br />
I don't generally care for the spunky, bad-attitude-type heroines, especially those who are exceptionally defiant (as it were*), but Spensa surprised me. She made me laugh. And she might have a bad attitude and definitely wants to stick it to the man, but she isn't stupid about it. For someone as reckless as she is, she's actually got a fair amount of sense and a sense of honor. Ultimately, she's a well-rounded, complex individual, and I ended up really liking her. And I liked that she learned to see past her flight-mates' masks and recognize what was inside each of them, even (or especially) Jerk-Face.<br />
<br />
One thing I can count on with a Brandon Sanderson novel is that things are rarely as they seem, and I am pleased to announce that this is yet again the case, in a way that is exciting, a bit heart-breaking, and far out of the realm of possibilities I had considered. It's clean, thrilling, and a delight. I'm glad there is a sequel!<br />
<br />
*inside joke for those who've read the book<br />
<br />
<u>Skyward</u><br />
1. <i>Skyward</i><br />
2. <i>Starsight</i>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-26634031483356966512023-08-23T01:30:00.090-07:002023-08-23T01:30:00.142-07:00Pixels and Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter - Trinket Sisters, book 1<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1683292531i/149359195.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="491" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1683292531i/149359195.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p>For Emma Trinket, life is a delicate balancing act between loving her family and pursuing interests they don’t understand. When the opportunity arises to finally impress them with her job as a computer programmer, she jumps at it even if it means immersing herself in a world she’s despised since childhood. Unfortunately the one man who could crush her prospects is also the best person to help her navigate the lessons she needs to be a success. Artistic expression is both Carter Anderson’s safe space and his livelihood, but his fading inspiration has him worried about his place in life. His encounters with Emma spark a passion to create that he hasn’t felt in years and he isn’t ready to let go of his new muse even if she’s threatening the sanctity of his art world with her digital technologies. As each tries to gain an advantage from the other, Emma and Carter discover they actually might be more compatible than they thought. Will that be enough to unify their opposing missions or will the real differences between pixels and paint tear them apart?</p><p>I'm really not a fan of books written in the present tense; it takes way too long to get into the story enough for it to quit bothering me. But once at that point, I did really enjoy this book, just as I expected from a Kristi Ann Hunter novel. It is full of the author's delightful sense of humor (I laughed so hard during one scene in particular), engaging characters, and encouraging message.</p><p>Weirdly, in spite of being an artist myself, I connected way more with Emma than Carter. When it comes to the vast majority of art, be it classical or modern, master or amateur, there's a very narrow window that I truly enjoy. And I make art because I enjoy the process and the results, not because of overwhelming emotion or the desire to make a statement. It mystifies me when people find deep emotion or hidden meaning in something that was only meant to be precisely what I depicted. But maybe that proves some of Carter's points in the story; art is certainly a very personal experience.</p><p>I really look forward to reading Amy's story--this book hinted at layers of depth and hurt behind that fashionable façade, and I can't wait to see where she ends up!</p><p><u>Trinket Sisters</u><br />1. <i>Pixels and Paint</i><br />2. (2024)</p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-42751305369667686662023-08-09T01:30:00.122-07:002023-08-09T01:30:00.149-07:00A Beautiful Disguise by Roseanna M White - The Imposters, book 1<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667069698i/62611264.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667069698i/62611264.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Left with an estate on the brink of bankruptcy, Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother open a private investigation firm marketed to the elite . . . to spy on the elite. Dubbed The Imposters, Ltd., their anonymous group soon becomes the go-to for the crème of society when they want answers delivered surreptitiously. But the many secrets Marigold learns about her peers pale in comparison to her shock when she and her brother are hired to investigate her best friend's father as a potential traitor. Pneumonia lands Sir Merritt Livingstone behind a desk in the War Office Intelligence Division just as they're creating a new secret intelligence branch. He suspects a man of leaking information to Germany as tensions mount between the two countries, but needs someone to help him prove it, so he turns to The Imposters, Ltd. No one knows who they are, but their results are beyond compare. Lady Marigold is determined to discover the truth for her friend's sake, and she's more determined still to keep her heart from getting involved with this enigmatic new client . . . who can't possibly be as noble as he seems.<p>It was enjoyable, just not my favorite by the author. The plot was twisty and intriguing, with an unexpected but thrilling conclusion. The main characters were all very likeable--Merritt, Marigold, Yates, Xavier. Maybe too likeable, in the case of Marigold? All together, Marigold's special skills strain credulity a bit--I mean, she's a trapeze artist, an actress, able to memorize whatever she reads or hears (at least short term), and is on the cutting edge of fashion, not to mention being titled gentry. Oh, and she cooks, sews, and has circus animals essentially as pets. All are explained in her backstory, but . . . it's a lot, without much balance in flaws. I guess I found her <i>likeable</i>, but too special and perfect to be <i>relatable</i>. However, I did really like that Merritt starts out sick and physically disadvantaged--a novel introduction for a hero!</p><p>I am terribly curious what went down between Gemma and Graham to cause such animosity; at least they're the leads in book 2! Side note about Graham Wharton: same name (essentially) as Graham, Lord Wharton, hero of Kristi Ann Hunter's novel <i>A Defense of Honor</i>. What are the chances?</p><p>Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p><p><u>The Imposters</u><br />1. <i>A Beautiful Disguise</i><br />2. <i>A Noble Scheme</i></p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-15086577434775355462023-07-19T01:00:00.000-07:002024-02-06T20:01:03.857-08:00A Return to Hawthorne House by Kristi Ann Hunter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1671626664i/74140076.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1671626664i/74140076.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Two new novellas related to the Hawthornes, under one cover!<p></p><p>Always a Lady: Despite the fact that her daughter is not cooperating, Caroline, Duchess of Riverton is determined to ensure every one of her children marries someone they love as much as she loved their late father. William, the widowered Earl of Blackstone, is delighted to have his days of escorting daughters approaching an end. The last thing he expects is to find himself drawn to a woman who is just starting such a journey. Are they each too set in their ways to grasp this chance to have a second love?</p><p>The Lady’s Maid: When Lydia Smith began her career as a parlor maid, she knew love and marriage wasn’t likely in her future. Dreaming about the boy next door as she dusted seemed harmless until he started working as the new valet under the same roof. When Finch needs her help with a special project, will it give them a chance to defy expectations and find love or ruin their happiness forever?</p><div>Even though all these stories technically take place before the first full novel of the Hawthorne House series, they are definitely richer for having read the series first. It's a lovely collection for anyone who wants another taste of the wonderful characters we met in the books.</div><div><br /></div><div>Always a Lady: It's always been clear that Caroline knows all the rules to being a lady, but this story makes it plain she also knows when and how to break them. I enjoyed seeing more of her spunk, and I think Miranda takes after her more than either of them would admit. </div><p>The Lady’s Maid: I always had the feeling in <i>An Uncommon Courtship</i> that there was more to the story of Trent's staff than was included in the book--I mean, a married valet and housemaid is pretty unusual! So this story just makes so much sense and fills in gaps in Lord Trent's unusual household. </p><p>Christy Award winner for best novella/short form in 2023!</p><p>Related novels:</p><p><u>Hawthorne House</u><br />0.5 "<a href="http://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-lady-of-esteem-by-kristi-ann-hunter-e.html">A Lady of Esteem</a>" - a free novella (also included in <i>A Return to Hawthorne House)</i><br />1. <a href="http://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-noble-masquerade-by-kristi-ann-hunter.html"><i>A Noble Masquerade</i></a><br />2. <a href="http://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2016/07/an-elegant-facade-by-kristi-ann-hunter.html"><i>An Elegant Facade</i></a><br />3. <i><a href="http://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2017/01/an-uncommon-courtship-by-kristi-ann.html">An Uncommon Courtship</a><br /></i>4. <i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2017/09/an-inconvenient-beauty-by-kristi-ann.html">An Inconvenient Beauty</a></i></p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-74913497867635659152023-07-05T01:30:00.083-07:002023-07-05T01:30:00.168-07:00"Wedding at Sea" by Melissa Tagg - Muir Harbor, book 3<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51L0avQOo-L.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51L0avQOo-L.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div>Lilian doesn’t remember anything about her life before the day Maggie Muir found her on her front porch—a toddler, abandoned. She has a beautiful life at Muir Farm, but she also has a secret . . . one that raises just as many questions about her future as it does her unknown past. And, of course, it would be private investigator Wilder Monroe, her brother’s best friend and the bane of her existence, who sniffs out her secret before anyone else. Wilder has spent the past three years trying to close the one case on the mystery of Maggie Muir’s long-lost granddaughter. But the decades-long search has become more tangled than ever. Not only are the Muirs the closest thing to family he has left, but if he can solve this mystery, maybe he'll keep himself from drowning in the one he can’t . . . the truth about his father’s death. In the midst of it all, Maggie asks a favor of both Lilian and Wilder: put aside their bickering and work together to plan her summer wedding. It’s a big ask, made all the more difficult when danger comes calling. But if the two enemies can stand each other long enough to pull off the event of the year, they just might solve a mystery in the process.</div><p>This is a rare Melissa Tagg novel in that it lacks the adorable meet cute (not surprising, given that the leads have known each other forever). But it makes up for it in a couple different fun and delightfully awkward scenes. It's full of Tagg's trademark humor, as well as her classic heart-wrenching scenes in which the leads wrestle with their demons and overcome. As with the previous two novels in the series, it even has a spark of suspense and danger.</p><p>This is one of the best--albeit, more unusual--enemies to lovers stories I've read. It's not a case of physical attraction instigating the shift from enemies to lovers, as in so many romances; instead, vulnerability leads to connection, which leads to a deeper relationship, which finally culminates in attraction. The physical aspects are way down the list. </p><p>This was the perfect ending to the Muir Harbor series (though I'd gladly take a full novel about Marianna). They are all equally wonderful, but best together! 5 stars!</p><p><u>Muir Harbor</u><br />1. <i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2021/10/autumn-by-sea-by-melissa-tagg-muir.html">Autumn by the Sea</a></i><br />2. <i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2022/10/a-seaside-wonder-by-melissa-tagg-muir.html">A Seaside Wonder</a></i><br />3. <i>Wedding at Sea</i> </p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-80098619441542414822023-06-21T01:30:00.001-07:002023-06-21T01:30:00.145-07:00His Delightful Lady Delia by Grace Hitchcock - American Royalty, book 3<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1645049335i/60322442.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1645049335i/60322442.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Delia Vittoria's mother has lost her voice at last. After five years of being her diva mother's understudy, it is time for Delia to assume her place as the lead soprano on stage behind the Academy of Music's faded velvet curtain. And she is all that stands between the Academy and its greatest threat--the nouveaux riche's lavish new Metropolitan Opera House. Kit Quincy never misses opening night, but when his sister begs him to help get her husband out of an Italian opera star's arms, Kit confronts the wrong Lady Vittoria. When he happens upon the stunning young diva again at Mrs. Astor's dinner the following night, he attempts to make amends and is instead pulled into a plot to win the great opera war. To draw attention to Delia Vittoria as the new soprano star, Kit is convinced to act as both Delia's patron and the enigmatic phantom who once haunted the Academy years ago. But when a second phantom appears, more than Delia's rising career is threatened.<p></p><p>If you enjoy The Phantom of the Opera (or spoofs there-on), this is a fun homage. No weird, stalk-ery relationships between our heroine and hero--just a sweet romance between a singer who knows who she is (at a core identity level, at least) and a gentleman who, even as he is falling in love, wants to see her succeed. Kit is one of the rejected suitors from book one in the series, and it's lovely to see him find love at last. Of the three books, this is definitely my favorite--it's lighthearted and fun, with an unusual opera setting and theme on finding one's identity in Christ.</p><p><u>American Royalty<br /></u>1. <i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2021/03/my-dear-miss-dupre-by-grace-hitchcock.html">My Dear Miss Dupree</a></i><br />2. <i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2022/01/her-darling-mr-day-by-grace-hitchcock.html">Her Darling Mr. Day</a></i><br />3. <i>His Delightful Lady Delia</i></p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-3088253350064197562023-06-07T19:43:00.060-07:002023-06-07T19:43:00.138-07:00Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer - Texas Ever After, book 1<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667069778i/62611324.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="517" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667069778i/62611324.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters--and her jealous mistress plotting her demise. After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young woman found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her. With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope's acting troupe. The evidence points to her guilt, but Titus's heart divines a different truth--one that might just get Penelope killed.<p></p><p>I've read a lot of fairy tale retellings, including various versions of Snow White, which, admittedly, is not my favorite fairy tale. For all that there is no magic or supernatural element in this version, it is definitely the best retelling of Snow White that I've read. It pays homage to the Disney version more so than the Grimm original, but the Snow White elements mesh surprisingly well with the very western thievery case, spearheaded by our kingly (as it were) Texas Ranger hero (who gets a lot more character development than the prince in either Disney or Grimm's stories. As does their relationship and romance).</p><p>It's plain cute, and highly satisfying--a faith-filled, fairy tale, western, historical romance.</p><p>Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-2948799127498238712023-05-17T01:30:00.128-07:002023-05-17T01:30:00.145-07:00Memory Lane by Becky Wade - Sons of Scandal, book 1<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673021053i/75612953.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="516" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673021053i/75612953.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>After surviving a trauma several years back, Remy Reed relocated to a cottage on one of Maine’s most remote islands. She’s arranged her life just the way she wants it. It’s quiet and solitary—until the day she spots something bobbing in the ocean. Her binoculars reveal the “something” to be a man struggling to keep his head above water. She races out to save him and brings him into her home. He’s injured, which doesn’t detract from his handsomeness nor make him any easier to bear. He acts like a duke who’s misplaced his dukedom . . . expensive tastes, lazy charm, bossy ideas. Remy would love nothing more than to return him to his people, but he has no recollection of his life prior to the moment she rescued him. Though she’s not interested in relationships other than the safe ones she’s already established, she begins to realize that he’s coming to depend on her. Who is he? What happened that landed him in the Atlantic Ocean? And why is she drawn to him more and more as time goes by? There’s no way to discover those answers except to walk beside him down memory lane.<p></p><p>This was a great story, full of Wade's trademark humor and romance, along with a dash of intrigue. Based on first impressions, I assumed that our hero is a rich playboy. He is rich (no doubt about it). He's competitive and intense, but he's not a playboy. He surprised me by how very respectful he is of boundaries, and he's much more self-controlled than his first, in-pain and confused impression would lend us to believe. </p><p>No one in this book leads a perfect life; everyone's is messy. Remy is dealing with trauma by hiding out and losing herself in art. Our hero deals with trauma of a different sort. Even side characters like Wendall and Fiona are dealing with the consequences of their life choices, not all of which were great. </p><p>Losing one's memories is an awful thing (I have a cousin who was in a bad car accident 19 years ago and is still missing two months of her life). But I loved how in this book it becomes almost a gift--a gift of time for our mystery man to view his life from an outside perspective instead of drowning in the midst of his circumstances. God takes something awful and uses it for good, not just for his own healing, but for Remy's healing, and even Wendell's, Remy's elderly friend. It doesn't mean that things aren't really hard sometimes, but God is still there through it all and forever afterward.</p><p>"God has a soft spot for those of us who feel like we've been thrown onto the garage sale pile . . . He's never closer than when we're beaten up, unloved, betrayed." </p><p>I greatly look forward to Jude's story!</p><p><u>Sons of Scandal</u><br />1. <i>Memory Lane</i></p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-18643321714037894222023-05-03T01:30:00.049-07:002023-05-03T01:30:00.148-07:00In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer - Timeless, book 2<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1666314053i/63019896.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="325" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1666314053i/63019896.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until, that is, she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives forever. In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of an influential senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a Navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she's asked to join a hospital ship being sent to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon, yet unable to use her modern skills in her other paths. While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era, and she's drawn to each man in different ways, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer. With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?<p></p><p>This is sort of a fantasy version of a dual timeline novel, in which the heroine exists in three timelines all at once. It has the distinct advantage over other dual timeline books by having the same main character in all three timelines, rather than different characters experiencing different stories. Often in dual timelines, one timeline is more interesting than the other, and I wish that the book could just be about that one. Not so with this book: while I was less interested in her 2001 timeline, her choices and events that occurred still had a major impact on her and her other timelines. As much as she tried not let it inform her choices, the knowledge and skills she gains from 2001 still affect her decisions in 1941 and 1861.</p><p>The stakes felt a little lower in this book than previous one, for all that Maggie is living through the start of essentially three wars. It's more her personal journey of deciding what is right for her; the decision isn't forced in the same way as her mother's in the previous book. Still, it's a highly enjoyable story, and I look forward to the next in the series!</p><p>Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p><p><u>Timeless</u><br />1. <i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2022/05/when-day-comes-by-gabrielle-meyer.html">When the Day Comes</a></i><br />2. <i>In This Moment</i></p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-61151245278709238042023-04-19T01:30:00.002-07:002023-04-19T07:45:17.172-07:00Engaging Deception by Regina Jennings - Joplin Chronicles, book 3<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1646025968i/60324176.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1646025968i/60324176.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it's only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny--not knowing that she'll be working for her idol, Joplin's leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott. Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny--she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What's worse, Maxfield's current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder's work. As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive's involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future?<p></p><p>Ever feel like some has borrowed your life and put in fiction form? Olive (an architect) and I (an artist) share a lot of the same traits. A LOT. There's the conflicting fear and desire to be known; the fear of failure, which can be debilitating, right along side the stress of success, which is almost worse (at least when you fail, you can crawl back into hiding). Olive faces the imposter syndrome of one who hasn't gone to school for one's job (me again). And like Olive, I've even used relatives as a face man to handle the talking. And we each might be practical and a wee bit stubborn.</p><p>Suffice to say, I really connected with the character.</p><p>But besides that, it's just a really good story. It's largely a love story between two people dealing with grief in opposite ways, yet that grief allows them to connect on a deeper and more sincere level than they can find elsewhere. Maxwell, even with his snobbish faults, is an appealing hero. I even kind of liked Ruby, Maxwell's initial love interest who's doomed to be kicked to the curb. Usually when there's The Other Woman involved, she's pretty awful, even if the hero doesn't see it at first. Ruby is definitely not a good fit, but she isn't awful; she's actually pretty great with the kids, but she's immature yet, and neither her heart nor her ambitions are centered on Maxwell.</p><p>All in all, it was an excellent conclusion to the Joplin Chronicles.</p><p><u>Joplin Chronicles</u><br />1. <i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2021/01/regina-jennings-courting-misfortune.html">Courting Misfortune</a></i><br />2. <i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2021/12/proposing-mischief-by-regina-jennings.html">Proposing Mischief</a></i><br />3. <i>Engaging Deception</i></p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-35739132854852295652023-04-05T01:30:00.078-07:002023-04-05T01:30:00.183-07:00The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673870544i/61140615.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673870544i/61140615.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>In 1865, orphaned Daisy Francois takes a position as housemaid at a midwestern Wisconsin castle and finds that the reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress inside hides more than the harrowing tales in her novels. With women disappearing from the area and a legend that seems to parallel these eerie circumstances, Daisy is thrust into a web that may threaten to steal her sanity, if not her life. In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of American aristocratic family the Tremblays to help his matriarchal grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman's stashes of collectibles, a century-old mystery of disappearance, insanity, and the dust of the old castle's curse threatens to rise again, and this time, leave no one alive to tell its sordid tale.<p></p><p>No matter how strange, how creepy, how unearthly, you can always count on Jaime Jo Wright to have a rational and believable explanation for all happenings in the end. There were a lot of direct parallels between the two (technically, three) timelines that made me wonder how she was going to pull it off--no one can live for 220 years, for instance. And ghosts don't exist. But Wright pulls it off expertly, as usual.</p><p>There was something about the past timeline with Daisy and Lincoln that put me in mind of the movie Rigoletto (the 1993 Beauty and the Beast-esque Feature Films for Families movie, not the classic opera), even before I got a full view of Lincoln or learned the castle's secrets. Now at the end, I stand by that impression even more. I can't really draw too many comparisons for sake of spoilers, but it's safe to say that appearances can be very deceiving. </p><p>Wright has a way of pulling hope out of the bleakest circumstances in her stories, but I think this one holds more hope than all the others. There's a significant amount of darkness--abuse permeates all timelines of the story--but there is light for those watching for it.</p><p>Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-59448325739535090022023-03-22T01:30:00.072-07:002023-03-22T01:30:00.167-07:00The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green - On Central Park, book 1<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1656122806i/61140317.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="190" height="293" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1656122806i/61140317.jpg" width="190" /></a></div>For years her explorer father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she'd accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations. The first is her repentant father's offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the world of New York's wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud. With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York's high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him track the criminal. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger's identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.<p></p><div>If you're looking for a classier Roaring 20's story rather than stereotypical, then check this one out! Sure, prohibition and mafia-esque players are part of the setting--especially with a police detective as one of the main characters--but the focus is on the antiquities world and the white collar corruption within. Lauren is a highly educated heroine, and it's really just a by-product of her job and education that she is one of the very best at recognizing forgeries. I loved her conclusion on how to recognize a fake--if you immerse yourself in the genuine article and study what is true, then you will be much more likely to spot what is false. And that applies to a lot more than just antiquities.</div><div><br /></div><div>The love story is not the focus of the story, but it's a sweet addition. I liked how they had been friends long ago and were able to pick up nearly where they'd left off over a decade before. I hope there will be follow-up stories on Lauren's roommates!</div><p>Thank you Bethany House and Net Galley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671652649407031817.post-42469747457527606732023-03-08T01:30:00.113-08:002023-03-08T01:30:00.179-08:00The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664753461i/61140839.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1664753461i/61140839.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden. American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research--her life's dream. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement's legendary Havmand--the merman--and wonders if the mysterious and silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide. When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. <p></p><p>Before this book, I think the only time I remember hearing of Denmark's role in WWII was reading <i>Number the Stars</i> by Lois Lowry, back in 6th grade, maybe? That being twenty plus years ago, my knowledge of Denmark's role was minimal. It was interesting reading about life in the best-off occupied country in Europe, where standards of living remained high and German interference remained low far longer into the war. I loved how much actual history was incorporated into the story, such as how Henrik and his rowing is based off a real man, and all the scientists Else works with at the university.</p><p>I enjoyed the characters, and I loved how Henrik's story parallels the Little Mermaid to a degree (NOT the Disney version, though--the bittersweet Andersen tale). I was laughing at myself for being impressed with the maturity of the characters. Usually when secret identities are in play, you can expect a sub-optimal accidental reveal, after which the drama is milked for all its worth. It happens ALL the time. But not in this book. I could hardly believe it--a mature (and planned) conversation heading off potential problems before they can arise and put everyone's lives in jeopardy. Who would ever expect it?</p><p>Thank you Revell and Net Galley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.</p><p>Related novels:</p><p><i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2021/02/when-twilight-breaks-by-sarah-sundin.html">When Twilight Breaks</a></i></p><p><i><a href="https://rkkoppen.blogspot.com/2022/02/until-leaves-fall-in-paris-by-sarah.html">Until Leaves Fall in Paris</a></i></p>Rachael Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08235781577625847862noreply@blogger.com0