Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

As the German army invades the Netherlands in 1940, Aleida van der Zee Martens escapes to London to wait out the Occupation. Separated from her three-year-old son, Theo, in the process, the young widow desperately searches for her little boy even as she works for an agency responsible for evacuating children to the countryside. When German bombs set London ablaze, BBC radio correspondent Hugh Collingwood reports on the Blitz, eager to boost morale while walking the fine line between truth and censorship. But the Germans are not the only ones Londoners have to fear as a series of murders flame up amid the ashes. The deaths hit close to home for Hugh, and Aleida needs his help to locate her missing son. As they work together, they grow closer and closer, both to each other and the answers they seek. But with bombs falling and continued killings, they may be running out of time.

I enjoyed the change of pace in this WWII book; its backbone is still the history, with a focus on 1940-1941 London, but the personal stories are what really make it. In some ways, it has more in common with a mystery/suspense novel, as Aleida searches for her missing son and Hugh researches his uncle's murder (I absolutely did not suspect the murderer, for all that the clues were there). In the midst of it, there's the air raids, Hugh's work as a broadcaster for the BBC Radio, Aleida's work with child evacuations, and the moral/ethical issues of censorship and telling the truth versus boosting moral.

Sarah Sundin's research is always excellent, and this book is no different. Aleida's search for son is especially heart-breaking, but also uplifting.

Her Part to Play by Jenny Erlingsson

Desperate for extra income after her mother's passing, Adanne accepts a last-minute job as a makeup artist for a movie filming in her small Alabama hometown. She's working to save her parents' legacy and help her brother, but the money hardly seems worth having to face the actor who got her fired from her last job in Hollywood. John Pope has made his share of mistakes over the years. But after turning his life over to God and enduring a messy breakup, he's ready to start rebuilding his career. Imagine his surprise when the woman called in to cover for his usual makeup artist is a quiet but feisty newcomer on the set--and definitely not a fan. Sparks of tension--and could that be attraction?--fly between them, but Adanne hates the spotlight, and John's scheming manager has bigger plans for him than to end up with the humble makeup girl from the small-town South. Can these star-crossed lovers find their way to happiness? Or will the bright lights of Hollywood blind their eyes to what's right in front of them?

If you enjoy a solid, faith-filled story, this is for you. The characters are far from perfect--each has their hang-ups, even while living in faith--but they're still encouraging examples for navigating the challenges of life. Adanne was very relatable, especially her habit of carrying burdens by herself (that being a tendency I fall into easily enough, myself). And even without her extra trauma courtesy her experience in Hollywood, I understand her desire to avoid the spotlight.

I'm not usually keen on celebrity stories (real or fictional), but I'm glad I gave this author a shot. It pairs really well with Toni Shiloh's novel The Love Script. I hope we get stories about Adanne's cousins!

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 Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past. Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.

If you love stories and storytelling (think fairy tales, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, A Tale of Two Cities), this is the book for you. Essentially the book is comprised of Lily Temple telling her story, with smaller stories within the story--a bit Arabian Nights-esque (but not quite as convoluted). There's her past, which she doles out in the form of stories (so that one can't be certain which parts are true, until near the end). There's the movie she stars in, which we get installments of throughout the book. And there are other people's stories that she and Peter help complete in his job as an inquiry agent. At the same time, there are also moments that are very allegorical, with pretty unmistakable metaphors of God's love.

The author's writing is as lovely as ever, and its very literary quality enhances the story theme of the book. I wasn't surprised by the twists, but the author did, through Lily's stories, set them up for if one caught onto the right details. My main complaint is that the ending felt a little incomplete--I could have done with an epilogue ensuring that justice was served, rather than what seemed to me a rather ambiguous ending. And the cover looks 2-3 decades in the future, not that it actually impacts the story at all.

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 by Laura Frantz

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.

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 Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

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. 

Before this book, I think the only time I remember hearing of Denmark's role in WWII was reading Number the Stars 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.

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?

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.

Related novels:

When Twilight Breaks

Until Leaves Fall in Paris

"The Lost Melody" by Joanna Davidson Politano

When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of an adult ward she knew nothing about. The woman is supposedly a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. The woman's portrait is shockingly familiar to Vivienne, so when the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams. The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know. But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?

There's something horrifyingly intriguing about stories of insane asylums. One just can never be sure if what is presented is true, or if it's delusions that lead one to thinking it's true, or if it's deliberate manipulation. Vivienne certainly encounters her share, and sorting the truth from the rest is enough to make anyone feel crazy.

While I was hooked for the first half or more of the story, the feeling of allegory was so strong that it pushed me out of the story in the latter part. The metaphor of light in the darkness feels too heavy-handed (I'd have appreciated significantly more subtlety to it), but unquestionably it's a good and timely message. I just didn't like the feeling of manipulation from the figures of authority in her life--namely Marcel and the music therapist--who push her into being that light, with no regret for their actions. She eventually embraces the role, but it just feels like she was manipulated into it and had no other choice (save despair).

It was still a riveting story, full of suspense, but as happens with stories focusing on insanity, it left me feeling unsettled.

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. 

"Dangerous Beauty" by Melissa Koslin

Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She's not a victim, she's a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she's determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers in her poor Mexican village. But she can't stay safely over the border in America--unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her. Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Assessing the situation, he steps in to rescue Liliana from traffickers. If he can keep his secrets at bay, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.

I really liked this book; it was balanced really well with suspense and character growth. Though there moments of suspense interspersed throughout the story, it wasn't constant danger all the time--there was enough downtime to give Liliana a chance to breathe, and a chance to heal; time to get to know Meric and to figure out how to live again after what she'd been through. And more, she is given agency--part of it is how Meric lets her choose her own path at her own pace, but the greater part is how she steps out to help others who were in her position. She could have safely hidden away from all threats in Meric's penthouse apartment, but she chooses to step back into that fear to rescue others.

Meric is a tough nut to crack; he's the sort that doesn't share his emotions, and he doesn't want to say or do anything that could interfere with Liliana's healing. I did really respect how careful he was of her at the beginning, that he knew how to be as safe as possible around a woman who'd been sexually assaulted and had no reason to trust any man, let alone one that understands violence. And it becomes clear why he doesn't share everything he does, but it also becomes clear just how wounded he himself is from his--or more importantly, his mother's--past.

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 Master Craftsman" by Kelli Stuart

In 1917, Alma Pihl, a master craftsman in The House of Fabergé, was charged to protect one of the greatest secrets in Russian history--an unknown Fabergé Egg that Peter Karl Fabergé secretly created to honor his divided allegiance to both the people of Russia and the Imperial Czar's family. When Alma and her husband escaped Russia for their native Finland in 1921, she took the secret with her, guarding her past connection to the Romanov family. Three generations later, world-renowned treasure hunter Nick Laine is sick and fears the secret of the missing egg will die with him. With time running out, he entrusts the mission of retrieving the egg to his estranged daughter, Ava, who has little idea of the dangers she is about to face. As the stakes are raised, Ava is forced to declare her own allegiance--and the consequences are greater than she could have imagined. This modern-day treasure hunt transports you into the opulent and treacherous world of the Russian Revolution to unearth mysteries long buried.

I love the subject matter--a treasure hunt related to the Russian Revolution? Super exciting! And the author has really done her research for this book. I kept pausing my reading to look up images of the Fabergé eggs described and fact-check about Alma Pihl and Fabergé's lives. It's stunning the research that went into the historical aspects of this novel (though the missing egg is presumably fictional). The past timeline is more about Fabergé himself and the eggs than Alma, but it was a unique aspect of the end of imperial Russia and the revolution that I hadn't heard about (and I took a class devoted solely to the Russian Revolution in college).

As much as I enjoyed learning new bits of history and the treasure hunt aspect, I struggled to like Ava. I just didn't relate to her personality or what drove her. Her mom is great, though, and I love that she got to take part in the treasure hunt too.

A few notes for those looking to get a better handle on the story:

• It's not a romance in either timeline
• It's not heavily suspenseful, but it increases in the latter part of the book
• There isn't actually any faith thread to the story, though I could see an argument for allegory (there's a fair amount of discussion on what makes art valuable, and the role of a master craftsman; I honestly expected it to be applied to God, as there was an easy comparison there, but it didn't go that far).

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.

"Until Leaves Fall in Paris" by Sarah Sundin

As the Nazis march toward Paris in 1940, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. Lucie struggles to run Green Leaf Books due to oppressive German laws and harsh conditions, but she finds a way to aid the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books. Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. After they meet in the bookstore, Paul and Lucie are drawn to each other, but she rejects him when she discovers he sells to the Germans. And for Paul to win her trust would mean betraying his mission.

I enjoyed learning more about Paris in early WWII; I hadn't realized what a large community of Americans there were in the city at the time, or what freedoms they retained, at least for a short while. The story gives a hint at how much messier reality was than we like to think; Paul and his German overseer are fellow graduates of Harvard, with much in common, except that they choose opposite sides. Lucie's roommates are sliding the slippery moral slope of trying to survive while making compromise after compromise in the process. Some Americans heartily buy into Nazi rhetoric, while others immediately begin secretly aiding the Allies.

I struggled to like Lucie at first, mostly because of her bohemian attitude (you can't operate a business if you're going to ignore distasteful things like finances. It just doesn't work. And being smart with finances doesn't make one a capitalistic jerk.) But I appreciated that she comes to like Paul even when she believes he is a collaborator, before learning of his true leanings, and that she never imputes her initial disgust with Paul on his daughter. Paul was wonderful. Not perfect, as he had to work to understand his grieving daughter, but a good man, doing his best to be faithful to his country, family, and employees, even at the sacrifice of his reputation.

Christy Award winner for best historical romance in 2022!

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.

"A Heart Adrift" by Laura Frantz

It is 1755, and the threat of war with France looms over colonial York, Virginia. Chocolatier Esme Shaw is reconciled to life alone after a decade-old failed love affair from which she's never quite recovered. But she longs to find something worthwhile to do with her life. Captain Henri Lennox has returned to port after a lengthy absence, intent on completing the lighthouse in the dangerous Chesapeake Bay, a dream he once shared with Esme. But when the colonial government asks him to lead a secret naval expedition against the French, his future is plunged into uncertainty. Will a war and a cache of regrets keep them apart, or can their shared vision and dedication to the colonial cause heal the wounds of the past? 

And the sailor said, "Esmee, you're a fine girl. What a good wife you would be . . . But but my life, my lover, my lady is the sea." (To slightly misquote a song that was running through my head at the beginning of the book). 

Frantz does an excellent job setting the scene and exploring new aspects of colonial life. The chocolatiering was completely new for me, as with life in Virginia at the start of the French and Indian War--all I'd known before of the war took place farther north, primarily in New York. I really enjoyed the privateering aspect of the book; it's not a subject one sees often, especially as authorized by the colonial government (and technically king of England). I hadn't realized it played a significant role in the French and Indian War. Aspects of the story reminded me of the swashbuckling classic Captain Blood, which I have long enjoyed.

This was a solid, faith-filled story, besides being a lovely example of a second chance at love. I would have preferred more tension , particularly nearing the end. It could have used a little more lead-up to the final conflict; not that it came completely out of the blue, but there hadn't been any major tension leading up to it, so it didn't feel particularly necessary to the plot. I did like the scene, however, especially for Eliza's character arc, but some foreboding and tension in advance would have made it a really solid ending rather than a tacked-on, last-minute conflict. 

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.

"A Midnight Dance" by Joanna Davison Politano

All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most--and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina. Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?

This was definitely my favorite of the author's books so far--I loved the romance, as well as Ella's personal journey. I could easily relate with her: she's doing what she loves (dancing), but somewhere along the line, joy has become second to the work of being the best she can be (and when one loses joy, that leads to burnout, even--or especially--when doing something that one loves). 

This is book I'd read again just to catch all the foreshadowing and hints I missed before the big reveal in the end. Again, I loved the romance--just something about it struck the right chord in me, though it is definitely second in prominence to Ella's personal journey and the search for answers about her mother. It was beautifully written and an overall delight.

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 Paris Betrayal" by James R Hannibal

After a rough mission in Rome involving the discovery of a devastating bioweapon, Company spy Ben Calix returns to Paris to find his perfectly ordered world has collapsed. A sniper attack. An ambush. A call for help that brings French SWAT forces down on his head. Ben is out. This is a severance--reserved for incompetents and traitors. Searching for answers and anticipating a coming attack, Ben and a woman swept up in his misfortunes must travel across Europe to find the sniper who tried to kill him, the medic who saved his life, the schoolmaster who trained him, and an upstart hacker from his former team. More than that, Ben must come to grips with his own insignificance as the Company's plan to stop Leviathan from unleashing the bioweapon at any cost moves forward without him--and he struggles against the infection that is swiftly claiming territory within his own body.

One thing I have gathered from the books I've read by James Hannibal, you can count on a fast-paced international thriller with plenty of twists and turns. The villains are so clever you'd think the hero has no chance--until it proves that the good guys are cleverer yet. 

The story seems to be set post-corona--there are references to the pandemic, but more so in past tense. At this point I'm pretty sick of anything pandemic-related, but it didn't bother me in this book--rather surprising, given that the plot centers on weaponizing plague. But that's the power of engaging characters and captivating plots. I loved how this book continued to surprise me. It would make a great action movie. The author tosses in the occasional spy tip, and the weird thing is, some of them are actually practical for everyday life--like how to survive going through the ice on frozen lake. 

While the story never mentions God or Christianity, it has an allegorical feel; it wasn't until I read the author's notes at the end that I discovered that the story derives a lot from the book of Job (which sounds strange, given this is a spy thriller, but it actually works).

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.

"When Twilight Breaks" by Sarah Sundin - wonderful pre-WWII romance

Evelyn Brand is an American foreign correspondent as determined to prove her worth in a male-dominated profession as she is to expose the growing tyranny in Nazi Germany. But she walks a thin line--if she offends the government, she could be expelled from the country, but if she fails to truthfully report on major stories, she'll never be able to give a voice to the oppressed. As part of an assignment, she meets American graduate student Peter Lang, who is working on his PhD in German. Disillusioned with the chaos in the world due to the Great Depression, he is impressed with the prosperity and order of German society. But when the brutality of the regime hits close, he discovers a far better way to use his contacts within the Nazi party--to feed information to the shrewd reporter he can't get off his mind. But their efforts to expose oppression attract unwanted attention, pulling them deeper into danger as the world marches toward war.

This was a thoroughly engaging story. It technically takes place before World War Two (pre-invasion of Poland), so we see each step Germany takes in downward spiral into fascism, but from the perspective of two Americans living in the country--with, at least initially, differing viewpoints on Germany's choices.

The author touches on some of the seductiveness of the Nazi regime, like things as basic as giving up a few freedoms to see one's family fed; accepting a few harsh penalties to see crime reduced and the streets cleaned up; ignoring unjust ideologies to see prosperity and dignity restored after years of destitution and degradation---all tantalizing rewards for a few small compromises here and there. It's little wonder that Peter is initially impressed with the way Germany has grown over such a short time.

However, Peter is both convicted and disillusioned as the senseless violence increases, making him a worthy hero for our spunky heroine. I loved their romance, especially their close friendship before Evelyn will allow him into her heart. And that climax! Super thrilling. I enjoyed it immensely. 

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.

"Tidewater Bride" by Laura Frantz

Selah Hopewell seems to be the only woman in Virginia Colony who has no wish to wed. She already has her hands full assisting her father in the family's shop, and now she is in charge of an incoming ship of tobacco brides who must be looked after as they sort through their many suitors. Xander Renick is perhaps the most eligible tobacco lord in the settlement. His lands are vast, his crops are prized, and his position as a mediator between the colonists and the powerful Powhatan nation surrounding them makes him indispensable. But Xander is already wedded to his business and still grieves the loss of his wife. Can two fiercely independent people find happiness and fulfillment on their own? Or will they discover that what they've been missing in life has been right in front of them all along?

Inspired by the story of Pocahontas--or the aftermath of her death--Tidewater Bride brings to life the history of Jamestown and the early Virginia colony. It's expected how certain aspects of life were so very different in the 1630's, and yet it's amazing what was already established--tobacco plantations, the slave trade, shipping routes with India. Relations between colonists and natives were tenuous at best, given the common practice of treachery on all sides, but I really liked the peace child trade (hard as it would be) as a genuine attempt to foster long-lasting peace. I don't know if that was historically accurate to the Jamestown settlement, but it was beautiful and heart-breaking regardless.

As to Xander and Selah, they certainly dance around each other long enough. Both are quite independent, but likeable as well. I didn't completely understand all of Selah's reservations about marrying Xander, but then, we get to see his perspective and she doesn't. But it is satisfying when they finally get together, even amid circumstances one would not wish. The secondary characters were delightful--Xander's aunt, all of Selah's family, little Watseka (I'd especially love to know what happens with her when she grows up!). I appreciated a book with a good father-figure for a change--sometimes they feel few and far between, but Ustus was wonderful.

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 Love Note" by Joanna Davidson Politano

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1859 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor. Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.

I was delightfully surprised by the story. While it deals with occasional heavy themes, it's still a light-hearted, almost whimsical tale. The way the love note accidentally gets passed around--some believing it's written to them, some believing it was written to someone else in particular--sets the whole household astir, while Willa is trying to track down both it and its rightful owner before the chaos gets out of hand (too late!).

Sometimes it's a little annoying how stubborn Willa is about seeing what's right in front of her, but at the same time, I've been known to do that too--dig in my heels and reject something out of hand simply because too many people have been pushing me toward it. And the more they push, the more I want nothing to do with it, no matter how much I may actually like it. It's not my most sterling quality, nor is it Willa's. 

Gabe was solid and perfect, and I actually really liked Golda, even if she is cantankerous and not terribly kind to begin with. I did guess some of the mystery before it was revealed (the author sprinkled little hints and clues from the beginning), but it pleased me that I was right. The ending surprised me--it wasn't standard for a romance, yet it was wholly satisfying romantically anyway.

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.

"A Dazzle of Diamonds" by Liz Johnson - Georgia Coast Romance, book 3

Best friends Penelope and Tucker have faced their share of challenges. But finding a lost treasure in time to clear his family's name and win him an election may uncover something they never expected.

This was a fun treasure hunt of a story, though the romance between Penelope and Tucker really stole the show. I loved their friendship (and can see why they'd be reluctant to lose out on something so good, should a romantic relationship not work out). They were definitely a lot better and faster at resolving conflict than a lot of couples I know.

This book felt lighter and more fun than the previous book in the series, though both are highly enjoyable. The diary entries were interesting, though I wish we could have had a little more (granted, this was probably more realistic--goodness knows no one would ever be able to piece together MY life by my paltry attempts at journaling). I enjoyed getting a glimpse of Civil War-era Savannah. 

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.

Georgia Coast Romance
1. A Sparkle of Silver
2. A Glitter of Gold

3. A Dazzle of Diamonds

"Hadley Beckett's Next Dish" by Bethany Turner

When celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanaugh experiences a very public temper tantrum on set with his competition, Hadley Beckett, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley. As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.

I'm not much of a cooking show person, but I am a fan of Bethany Turner's romantic comedies. And this one did not disappoint.

I was shocked at how much I ended up liking Max. He's a grade-A jerk at the beginning, and his insecurities and anger issues can make him really unsympathetic. Yet he changes so much. He's obviously trying to do better, and it's a ton of work; he still messes up a lot, but you can see how hard he's trying and how much he truly does change. 

I really appreciate that Hadley doesn't want to make her accomplishments in a male-dominated field into a weapon in the battle of the sexes. She is proud of what she's done and happy with her life; she doesn't want to be used as a tool for someone else's agenda. I do sympathize with Max's attempts to communicate with her without sounding sexist, be it critiquing or complimenting (once he's genuinely trying, that is). There's a fine line between chivalry and chauvinism, and it's different for every woman and further different depending on whom the woman is interacting with. In general, though, I found Hadley to be quick to offer grace, though she will stand up for herself when she needs to.

And of course, it was delightfully humorous, peppered with pop culture, and underscored with grace for imperfect humanity. Highly enjoyable.

Thank you Revell for the complimentary book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

"Chasing the White Lion" by James R Hannibal - Talia Inger, book 2

CIA officer Talia Inger has reconciled with the man who assassinated her father, but that doesn't mean she wants him hovering over her every move and unearthing the painful past she's trying to put behind her. Still, she'll need him--and the help of his team--if she hopes to infiltrate the Jungle, the first ever crowdsourced crime syndicate, to rescue a group of kidnapped refugee children. But as Talia and her elite team of thieves con their way into the heart of the Jungle, inching ever closer to syndicate boss the White Lion, she'll run right up against the ragged edge of her family's dark past. In this game of cat and mouse, it's win . . . or die. And in times like that, it's always good to have someone watching your back.

I love the combination of spy thriller and Leverage-like team of con-men and thieves working together to make the world a better place. I especially loved seeing the team draw closer together and open up and be real with each other. Sometimes I had trouble wrapping my mind around the layers of mastermind Tyler's plans, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the thrills. And this was full of thrills; if anything, it was more fun and intriguing than book one. The Jungle was obnoxious and a little cheesy, but it really worked--the fact that the team acknowledged that its theme was overblown made it clear it was a quirk of the villain, not just melodrama on the part of the author.

And it's fun to read a book full of geeky pop culture references that I actually get (and, honestly, even use, like the Last Crusade reference). I really enjoyed it.

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.

Talia Inger
1. The Griffon Heist
2. Chasing the White Lion

"The Land Beneath Us" by Sarah Sundin -- Sunrise Over Normandy, book 3

In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the U.S. Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers' betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for—fulfilling the recurring dream of his death. Leah Jones, a sweet girl who becomes a friend, works as a librarian at Camp Forrest. After Clay saves her life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-Day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grow between them before Clay's recurring dream comes true?

It was great to finally see how the three Paxton brothers finally meet over D-Day and reconcile after years of hurt and unforgiveness. It was every bit as hard and rewarding as I anticipated! (Though I'd highly recommend reading books 1 and 2 before this one to get the most out of this story).

I really like how the characters related to biblical counterparts. Though Leah Jones doesn't have a Rachel in her life, she still feels like the unloved Leah: her adoptive parents dropped her off at the nearest orphanage once they ran out of use for her; she has only ever received out of charity, not love; and even her marriage exists not because she is loved, but rather because it's something good Clay can do before he goes off to die in war. And Clay sees himself as Joseph, despised by his brothers and thrown into a pit. Yet he comes to realize that though he is the youngest of the family, he holds a bit too much in common with the older brother of the prodigal son. Both analogies are surprisingly applicable.

As always, the author is unparalleled in conveying the details of WWII, even down to which Army Ranger Battalion and Airforce Fighter Group sailed together from the US to England. And if you want a story about the rough road to forgiveness, this is the one for you!

Thank you Revell for the complimentary book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Sunrise at Normandy
1. The Sea Before Us
2. The Sky Above Us
3. The Land Beneath Us

"An Uncommon Woman" by Laura Frantz

Born and bred on the western Virginia frontier along with her five brothers, plainspoken Tessa Swan is a force to be reckoned with. Raised by Lenape Indians, Clay Tygart returns a hero from the French and Indian War to the fort that bears his name, bringing with him Tessa's long-lost friend, Keturah, a redeemed Indian captive like himself. Determined to avoid any romantic entanglements as fort commander, Clay remains aloof whenever he encounters Tessa, yet the ties between him and Keturah--greater than he realizes--brings him into frequent contact with the frontierswoman, and ultimately draws her into danger because of that tie.

There are few authors who can evoke Colonial era America like Laura Frantz. The hardship of frontier life, the starkness of the forts, the strain between the native tribes and the ever-encroaching whites--all is classic Frantz. I especially liked how she wove in the complexity of captives who are returned to the white world (some with greater "success" than others).

Tessa is marvelous--both practical and feminine, tough yet tenderhearted. And her great aunt Hester is a hoot (and tough as nails). I still not sure I know Clay as well as I should, even at the end. He's admirable for sure, and I loved the constant tug of war between his Lenape upbringing and current white life (classic third culture kid--part of both worlds yet at home in neither), but something feels incomplete. Maybe I just needed him to have a confrontation with either his Lenape family or the Quaker relations--someone to bring it all out and lead to greater healing.

Most of the promised action doesn't occur until quite late in the story (odd, given that book descriptions typically avoid spoiling details past page 100), so the first two thirds felt a bit slow, given what the book blurb led me to expect. I wish there had been more during and after the captivity, but I wouldn't necessarily have shortened the earlier portion for it. This book fits in well with Frantz's earlier works (my favorites).

Thank you Revell for a complimentary book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.