"A Mosaic of Wings" by Kimberly Duffy

Determined to uphold her father's legacy, newly graduated Nora Shipley joins an entomology research expedition to India to prove herself in the field. In this spellbinding new land, Nora is faced with impossible choices--between saving a young Indian girl and saving her career, and between what she's always thought she wanted and the man she's come to love.

If you're a fan of Elizabeth Camden's books, give this one a try! Like Camden's historical novels, it features a strong heroine of an uncommon profession making her way in a man's world. Between the sexism she faces and a challenging home life, Nora could be a bit abrasive at times, particularly in defending herself as a female scientist, but her ability to stand up to opposition gives her the ability to do what's right when others would look away and do nothing. Owen's just a darling, wanting to push her to be the best she can be, both as a scientist and a human with a beating heart.

While etymology isn't my favorite subset of biology (botany is more my thing), I've spent my share of hours chasing lepidoptera, albeit with a camera, not a kill jar. Besides which, my mother has always been quite fascinated with insects, so some knowledge and appreciation has rubbed off. The descriptions of the insect life were well-written, and I was completely immersed in the heady Indian setting--from the sounds of the jungle to the aromas of the the food to the heat and humidity and the unpleasantly ripe bodies of Nora's masculine colleagues. The descriptions of the food left me with cravings for cardamom. I'll gladly read another novel by this author!

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.

(from my own butterfly hunts--a Painted Lady)

"Stay With Me" by Becky Wade - Misty River Romance, book 1

When acclaimed Bible study author Genevieve Woodward receives an anonymous letter referencing her parents' past, she returns to her hometown in the Blue Ridge Mountains to chase down her family's secret. However, it's Genevieve's own secret that catches up to her when Sam Turner, owner of a historic farm, uncovers the source of shame she's worked so hard to hide. Sam has embraced his sorrow, his isolation, and his identity as an outsider. He's spent years carving out both career success and peace of mind. The last thing he wants is to rent the cottage on his property to a woman whose struggles stir his worst failure back to life. Yet can he bear to turn her away right when she needs him most?

Wow. I can always count on Becky Wade for a spectacular read, both fun and poignant, but this one tackles some serious things: addiction. Secrets. The weight of trauma. Grief. It was full of grace and hope, but overcoming was not easy, not for either Genevieve or Sam. Even if I've never experienced anything close to what Genevieve has, I could understand all too well that desire to hide the things that don't align with perfect Christianity, the fear of admitting those things to myself let alone to others.

Besides being convicting, emotional read, it also has Wade's trademark humor. And romance. Even a bit of mystery. Both the main characters and the supporting characters were characters worth rooting for (I loved Gen's sister especially), and I can't wait for the next book in the series! All in all a most satisfying read!

Winner of the 2021 Christ Award for Contemporary Romance.

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.

Misty River Romance
0.5: Take a Chance on Me (prequel novella)
1. Stay With Me
2. Let It Be Me

2.5: You and Me (novella)

3. Turn to Me

Becky Wade's "Take a Chance on Me" - a Misty River novella

When baker Penelope Quinn steps in to help her brother’s family through a medical crisis, she’s forced into close proximity with charming Air Force fighter pilot Eli Price. Penelope has one iron-clad dating rule—she does not date airmen. Months ago, she relaxed her rule with Eli and immediately lived to regret it. After a long deployment, he’s now back in Misty River and, to her dismay, she finds him just as tempting as always. And Eli is set on convincing Penelope to give him one more chance.

A short, sweet story and lovely introduction to the town of Misty River! I love the author's writing style; there's just something about her turn of phrase that always makes me smile--a good-natured, self-deprecating humor that first captured me in My Stubborn Heart and is still evident in this short novella. The story is nothing world-changing, but it's cozy and warm, with a satisfying romance. I'm looking forward to the official book 1 of the series!

Misty River Romances
0.5: Take a Chance on Me (novella)
1. Stay with Me

2. Let It Be Me

2.5: You and Me (novella)

3. Turn to Me

Ronie Kendig's "Kings Falling" - Book of the Wars, book 2

Lief Metcalfe and his team, dubbed Reaper, need to recover the stolen, ancient Book of the Wars if they hope to stop the Armageddon Coalition and their pursuit of global economic control. But their attention has been diverted by a prophecy in the book that foretells of formidable guardians who will decimate the enemies of ArC. While Iskra Todorova uses her connections in the covert underworld to hunt down the Book of the Wars, Leif and Reaper attempt to neutralize these agents but quickly find themselves outmaneuvered and outgunned. The more Reaper tries to stop the guardians, the more failure becomes a familiar, antagonistic foe. Friendships are fractured, and the team battles to hold it together long enough to defeat ArC. But as this millennia-old conspiracy creeps closer and closer to home, the implications could tear Leif and the team apart.

Warning the First: this is not a stand-alone novel. Read book one first.
Warning the Second: this series is not finished (not until Nov 2020). Beware of impending cliffhanger.

This book picks up some months after Storm Rising, as ArC (the enemy) moves into the next phase of their potentially world-ending plot. I struggled with remembering what had happened in the previous book; this one throws the reader right into the thick of things, and there are a lot of nuances that I simply didn't recall.

I spent most of the book frustrated with Lief. He has obviously been whammied (to use a Warehouse 13 reference), and as such, I tried to offer grace--I mean, there's only so much you can expect out of someone who is under the influence of something way outside his control. It's understandable that he's become a paranoid mess with a major case of foot-in-mouth disease. But that didn't mean he was pleasant to deal with, especially as it causes conflict in his relationship with Iskra.

But on the positive side, it was extremely fast-paced, with loads of action. The supernatural elements are part of what sets this (and the Tox Files) apart, and intrigue abounds so that you can hardly know whom to trust. I loved spending time with the crew, especially Mercy and Peyton and Cell.

This book is definitely setting up for an explosive finish.

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.

Book of the Wars
1. Storm Rising
2. Kings Falling
3. Soul Raging

Related series:
Tox Files
0.5: "The Warrior's Seal"
1. Conspiracy of Silence
2. Crown of Souls
3. Thirst of Steel

Lisa T Bergren's "Selah" - Sugar Baron's Daughters, book 3

Selah Banning has come of age on the West Indies island of Nevis, shaped by experiences far beyond the typical upbringing of a young British lady in 1777. With a heart for the slaves, Selah is drawn to Jedediah Reed, a young Methodist preacher who serves the slaves of Nevis and has settled at Selah's family's plantation. Their shared purpose brings them together--despite her guardians' concern with a romance that promises little security for the future. As Jedediah's faith and Selah's abolitionist leanings lead to changes on the plantation, the Revolutionary War continues to build in the States. With the threat of starvation and the conflict with island mogul Angus Shubert growing ever stronger, the future of the Double T and its people hangs in the balance.

Selah is definitely a crusader, sometimes to her detriment. I really enjoyed Jedidiah's surprising musical skill, though like Selah, I was rather frustrated with his moment of noble hypocrisy. I liked Keturah and Verity a bit more than Selah over all, but it was nice to see them all together again.

What most sparked my interest in the story was the effect the American Revolution had on the British-held Caribbean islands. I would have never thought about the islands living in next-thing-to-siege status, as trade between the two colonies had effectively stopped. The only legal goods came on British ships, but they were scarce, thus smuggling was common (with British soldiers willing to look the other way, if it was their only source meals). As the British often sailed through the isles on way to the colonies, it was the perfect place for spies. Who'd have guessed?

While the story wraps up Selah's romance, I was left wondering about other things--like Ian as he is privateering for the American colonies; Verity's enemies on the sea; island politics; the Banning sisters' abolitionist leanings and where it might lead. If the author felt like continuing the series, there's certainly a lot there for it!

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.

The Sugar Baron's Daughters
1. Keturah
2. Verity
3. Selah

Mary Connealy's "Woman of Sunlight" - Brides of Hope Mountain, book 2

After years of isolation on top of Hope Mountain, Ilsa Nordegren may finally be ready to leave. Raised to fear the world, Ilsa and her sisters had never planned on coming down, but when the Warden family arrived in need, a new world was opened to them. Having made his fortune, Mitch Warden returned home to discover a ruthless cattle baron had forced his family to escape up the mountain, and when he follows, the last thing he expects is to fall smitten to an elf-like mountain woman. When dangerous men from his past track him down, he's determined to put a stop to them. But that means a journey to the city--and when Ilsa insists on joining him, the mismatched pair suddenly find themselves on a venture they'll never forget.

There's something rather poetic about reading a story about an isolated trio of sisters (who are just emerging from a quarantine themselves) while in isolation myself during the Corona Virus outbreak . . .

Ilsa might be ignorant after a life of extreme isolation, but she's not an idiot. The author strikes the right balance between innocence and maturity so that Ilsa is comedic in things she doesn't know, yet not awkwardly child-like in things a grown woman should understand. She also proves far more adaptable than her oldest sister, who is still living in true isolation in a high mountain valley, when Ilsa and Mitch end up heading to Chicago. Of all the Connealy books I've read, I think this one spends the most time in the city.

I realize this isn't precisely a mystery novel, but I was surprised to be surprised by the villain. I readily take things at face value (when not reading in the mystery genre, that is), and my assumption and back-up assumption for the villain turned out to be wrong. It's . . . actually enjoyable to to have that happen, especially when the villain makes sense, as this one does.

As the third book comes out this fall and Ursula ends her self-imposed isolation, may we also feel the delights of such freedom! I've found her the most intriguing of the three sisters, and based on the hints throughout these first two novels, Wax Mosby is proving the most fascinating of the heroes. I'm looking forward to the next book.

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.

Brides of Hope Mountain
1. Aiming for Love
2. Woman of Sunlight
3. Her Secret Song

"The Runaway Bride" by Jody Hedlund - The Bride Ships, book 2

Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. Vying for her hand are two very different men: Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem; and Peter Kelly, the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. The men not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak. As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need—a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Pete's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?

I loved the setting of this book. Having read other books about early settlement in Washington State, I expected British Columbia to be more of the same, but I was surprised at a few significant differences, particularly the class structure that the British continued to [at least try to] uphold. The descriptions of the landscape were beautiful; having spent time on Vancouver Island, I could envision the northwest scenery. I especially appreciated the history portrayed--Hedlund does not shy away from the smallpox epidemic and the decimation of the native tribes, and she acknowledges that the whites had culpability in the tragedy.

I really liked Arabella, who is gentle and ladylike, not brash like so many heroines. And though she is gentle, she is strong; no woman could go through what she experienced and reach the point where she's at without inner fortitude. Pete was obnoxious (but in a fun and likable way--I was constantly rolling my eyes at his ridiculous statements). He's really quite noble in not mudslinging Drummond, tempting though it might be. And he's good at not pushing Arabella, who has a lot of scars--physical and mental--to overcome. It was a highly enjoyable read!

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.

The Bride Ships
1. The Reluctant Bride
2. The Runaway Bride
3. A Bride of Convenience
4. Almost a Bride