ReviewsByErin

On the vast sweep of the Siberian taiga, Count Dimitri Sokolov witnesses atrocities he will never forget. Exiled for trying to speak the truth and bring things to light, Dimitri vows that the world will know no matter how much the country of Russia comes against him.

Natalia Blackstone has worked at her father's bank for years, even though it's not seen as seemly for a woman at the turn of the century. With her head for business, she's overseen many projects, including one that fostered a long-distance friendship with Count Sokolov. Now that Dimitri is in desperate need of help, the two friends will finally meet face to face.

I normally love Elizabeth Camden's books, but this one was hard for me to really sink into. I couldn't reconcile the Dimitri we got to know at the beginning of the novel, surviving desperate hardship and deprivation, with the flirty, pampered man he transformed into. Is he some wilderness survivalist, or is he an aristocrat who likes manicures? I could also never get a read on businesswoman Natalia and her anachronistic desire to prove herself with her own home. Also it seemed like there were simply too many historical storylines going on. Usually that's what I love best about Elizabeth Camden's novels, so I found that particularly disappointing.

However, none of this will detract me from checking out her books in the future, or rereading some of my favorites when the mood strikes. She's an excellent author and I have a whole list of novels to recommend if you're interested.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

 


If you love classic youth literature, you are not going to want to miss this book by debut author Anna Rose Johnson! With a style that hearkens to favorites like Lucy Maud Montgomery or Maud Hart Lovelace, I was caught up in the characters and the time period and the sweetly woven plotline.

Norvia Nelson is starting a new life. Her parents are divorced and her mother has remarried, which is scandalous in pre-WWI Michigan. On top of navigating her already delicate social standing due to the divorce, Norvia is urged keep her Indian heritage a secret. Though Norvia treasures the stories of their Ojibwe ancestors and her memories with her grandparents and great-grandparents, she knows she would face even more prejudice if their connection was uncovered.

Above all, Norvia desires to be a heroine in her own life. Can she be the heroine in her family, at her school, and among her friends? Will a dashing hero come along to play his part in her story? She wrestles with being who she wants to be while never quite knowing what to say and being uncertain about a great many things. This is so relatable!

I appreciated the faith message that shines through, offering hope that Jesus Christ is the one who remains the same when everything around us changes. That's a wonderful truth that we can always hold close.

Overall, I'd recommend this book for anyone who loves classic children's literature. The characters are delightful, and you'll be swept away with the author's style and voice.

I received my copy of this book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

I loved Amanda Wen's debut novel, Roots of Wood and Stone, and was eager to read her next book. You never know how a sophomore release will compare to the first—but let me put your mind at ease: The Songs That Could Have Been is every bit as good, and in my opinion better, than Roots of Wood and Stone! It's the best book I've read in a long time.

Lauren's beloved grandma Rosie slips away a little more each day as Alzheimer's takes over her life. When Rosie becomes agitated and keeps repeating the name Ephraim, Lauren goes on a quest to find out why Ephraim is important to her grandmother.

Carter's past keeps haunting him, even though he's done a lot to outpace it. The lack of control he felt over his upbringing caused him to go into meteorology, where at least he can warn people about life's literal unpredictable storms. When his paths cross with Lauren, one of the biggest regrets of his life, he can't help but feel the tug of attraction and the hope of a second chance.

But when the trail for Ephraim goes cold and the past comes back to bite both Carter and Lauren, will they choose to stick together or let their fears drive them apart?

Sprinkled throughout the pages is Rosie's own story of earnest, youthful love and a heart full of brave dreams. I loved how these two timelines wove together, each pulling me in with their poignant emotions.

This book deals with very sensitive issues, notably eating disorders, alcoholism, and interracial relationships. It's done with realism, yet portrays grace, hope, and the gospel in a clear way. I highly recommend this book for readers who love digging deeper into life's real struggles, knowing that Jesus will meet us even there. One last note—keep the tissues handy!

I received my copy of the book from Read With Audra. All opinions in this review are my own. Click here or on the graphic below for your chance to win this incredible story!

I've followed Carlos and Alexa since they appeared on Dancing With the Stars in 2015. At that point, I'd never heard of Carlos and barely knew of Alexa, but they really drew me in with the way they openly talked about their faith in Jesus Christ and their love for one another. I don't know them as celebrities but as really cool people who share their lives—which just happen to be different than ours—with their fans.

What if Love is the Point? walks us through both Carlos and Alexa's journeys to becoming youth celebrities. You'll learn about their families and their backgrounds, their teenage dating stories, the things they enjoyed about their lives, and the ways they struggled. You'll learn how each of them individually came to know Jesus Christ as Savior, and shortly thereafter met one another.

Because I've always known them as a married couple, I learned lots of new things about their growing up years. I also loved reading more about things that have happened since I've been following them, like becoming parents and their move to Hawaii. 

Most of all, I'm so proud of them for releasing a story that unashamedly promotes Jesus Christ. They're honest about the things Jesus has helped them overcome, and how He has made good things happen from bad circumstances. You can feel their passion for Him and how much they want to honor Him with their lives. I have mad respect for that.

If you enjoy reading about celebrities or just two really cool people, I'd recommend this book to you.

I received my copy of the book from the authors. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This book sneaked its way onto my TBR when I heard its premise: A young woman living two lives, crossing time  between 1774 and 1914, with the knowledge that she must choose one path to remain in by her 21st birthday. Being a fan of both historical and speculative fiction, I couldn't pass up the chance to read this.

There's really great history presented in both timelines. Libby in 1774 lives in Williamsburg at the heart of pre-Revolutionary America. Libby in 1914 is at the center of New York society and the Dollar Princess movement.

Much to my dismay, I did not connect with this story, no matter how much I wanted to. The author made one timeline so unlikable that I did not understand why Libby didn't do more to improve her situation there, because she had choices and she had people willing to help her. Libby's inaction led me to dislike her as a character, which I know no author ever intends.

The story really lost me when the off-page marital rape occurred. And it didn't happen just once. Although it wasn't detailed, there was no question about what happened, and it brought the character a great deal of distress, as it did to me as well.

Readers who connect with this character will have a more favorable impression of the novel. If you like the idea of a time-crossing heroine, it might be worth it for you to check this out one.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Brody McQuaid survived the Civil War, but he's not gotten over his survivor's guilt. Plagued by flashbacks and nightmares, he cares about very little. Though his brother Flynn has taken Brody into his home, Brody feels like he's a continual disappointment with his uncontrolled ability to find or create trouble.

Savannah Marshall doesn't want to marry Chandler Saxton. She wants to be free to doctor animals, which is what brings her the most enjoyment in the world. Since her parents are so set on her marrying Chandler, Savannah decides to take matters into her own hands and run away. Surely someone will be willing to hire a female veterinarian.

When Brody crosses Savannah's path, she can see clear as day that he's a good man underneath his gruff exterior. He's willing to put himself in harm's way to save a mistreated horse, and he cares deeply about the wild mustangs roaming the mountains. She asks if she can make the McQuaid ranch her home base, and Brody and Flynn agree.

As the female veterinarian and the wounded soldier form a friendship, Brody takes his first steps toward healing.

I always enjoy a good cowboy book, and this one was no different. I liked the twist with runaway bride Savannah, and the Colorado landscape is richly described. Although at first I had a measure of concern about the way Brody was portrayed, as the novel progressed his healing took priority over the romantic relationship, which is exactly what needed to happen before a true relationship could flourish. Both characters showed tremendous growth over the course of the story. I can't wait for the next installment in this series!

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.

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Come along for the tale of a mafia family—where everything, including love, is more than it seems. When the man Sabina loves turns out to be an undercover Prohibition agent charged with bringing down her father, her heart nearly shatters under another loss. She's forced to turn to the one man she'd rather not ask for help—her fiancé.

This story is full of twists and turns, wounds and mendings. Lorenzo is determined to leave the tradition of his family and forge a new, honest life for himself, but can Sabina really leave the mafia lifestyle behind? If she found love in the arms of another man, why would she agree to continue their engagement and fulfill the future they once dreamed of together?

Roseanna wrote this story a dozen years ago, and I think the youth of it shows. I didn't agree with the way physical love was portrayed, and in the same vein did not appreciate that one character visits a prostitute multiple times for her services. I just felt like those things could have been handled differently. I also wish the setting was more vibrant. I've visited Chicago several times, and I understand it looks different now than it did in the 1920s, but I wish there had been more references to historical landmarks or even Lake Michigan.

There were many things the novel did well, and my favorite aspect involved family. Both Sabina and Lorenzo love their families very much, but their families (like most families!) have issues. Fortunately, not all of our families are in the mob! However, learning to leave behind any toxic or unhealthy family traits is something I feel many readers will identify with. Are we brave enough to embrace healthier approaches to life, or will we be stuck in what we've always known?

If you're interested in reading a book about a mafia family during the Prohibition Era, make sure to add Shadowed Loyalty to your To Be Read stack.

I received my copy of the book from the author. All thoughts in this review are my own.


Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books...to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.


Sabina Mancari never questioned her life as the daughter of Chicago's leading mob boss until bullets tear apart her world and the man she thought she loved turns out to be an undercover Prohibition agent. Ambushes, bribes, murder, prostitution—all her life, her father sheltered her from his crimes, but now she can no longer turn away from the truth. Maybe Lorenzo, the fiancé who barely paid her any attention in the last two years, has the right idea by planning to escape their world. But can she truly turn her back on her family?

All his life, Lorenzo's family assumed he would become a priest, but he has different ideas—marrying Sabina and pursuing a career in the law. Despite his morals, he knows at the core he isn't so unlike his mafiosi father and brothers. Has he, in trying to protect Sabina, forced her into the arms of the Prohibition agent bent on tearing her family apart? How can they rebuild what has so long been neglected and do it in the shadow of the dark empire of the Mafia?

Shadowed Loyalty, set amid the glitz and scandal of the Roaring Twenties, examines what love really means and how we draw lines between family and our own convictions, especially when following one could mean losing the other.

A deathbed confession can change everything. Cassandra Hale, who grew up in a girls school and now teaches there, has never known her family. She's shocked when the headmistress confesses in her final hours that she's hid important information from Cassandra. There's only one letter to offer Cassandra that will unlock the key to her past . . . and her future.

Taking the letter from Briarton Park, which contains promises but little more, Cassandra travels to the place so far from the only home she's ever known. But Mr. Clark, who wrote the letter, has been dead more than two years, and no one at Briarton has any idea what he meant by the cryptic comments within the letter.

Mr. North, the local vicar, tries to help Cassandra with her search. She makes friends with young woman staying at the same boardinghouse. And time and again she keeps running into the Warrington family, the current owners of Briarton Park.

Cassandra is a sweet, good-hearted heroine who only wants to know if she has family somewhere in the world. When she finds out the answer may hold an unexpected inheritance, she cares nothing about that, only wanting to know the people she's related to. But when it becomes clear that someone is out to stop her from receiving the inheritance, Cassandra must look around and see who she can truly trust.

I really enjoyed this story. It was engaging from the opening pages, and I liked both the hero and heroine. I thought the plot was well-crafted and unique. I will say I missed a faith aspect to the story, and the ending also seemed rushed. But overall, I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a Regency romance with a light thread of mystery. 

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Rose Bloom is the youngest of the Bloom Sisters, and she's worked hard to earn her place as the livestock manager of the farm. She loves the animals and can't think of anything she'd like more than to inherit the farm from her parents someday.

Her good friend Tate Russell has been produce manager ever since Poppy's marriage. Tate is mum about his past, something about an unhappy family situation in Montana. 

When a bet with Rose goes horribly wrong, Tate realizes he cares for Rose as more than a friend, but what on earth can he do about it? And his brother keeps trying to reach him, even though Tate has made it clear that he doesn't want to have anything to do with his family. But when Travis shows up to deliver the news in person, it might change everything for Tate.

Rose is willing to risk her friendship with Tate for the rewards of a relationship, but supporting him as he deals with family issues may break them. What if they want different things? What if the past calls too loudly for Tate to ignore?

After blistering my way through the first several Bloom Sisters books, this one was a longer read for me. I think I just didn't connect with Rose or Tate, and I was irked that their communication often failed. This story tackles some really good topics, and it will click for many readers better than it did for me. Looking forward to finishing up the series with Dancing With Dandelion.

Lavender Bloom is the quiet sister. The one more comfortable behind the computer. She runs the social marketing for her family's farm as well as her personal fashion blog. Her heart longs to share her faith more with her audience, but that doesn't fit with the rest of the content on her blog. But she shares her thoughts with her internet boyfriend, a fellow writer she's grown close to, even though they've agreed to stay anonymous. Still, it feels like what they share is real, and she's beginning to think there might be a future with WillWriteForTacos if they ever meet in person.

Emmett Drake is head over heels for WordsInBloom. Unfortunately, he has no idea what her real name is or where she lives. His latest novel isn't coming together as well as he would like, and it adds insult to injury when his publisher insists he begins using social media. He didn't start writing in order to put his private life in front of everyone. But they hire a professional to help him, so maybe the process won't be quite so painful.

Except the professional they hire is a fashion blogger, and Emmett can't believe someone who puts such a focus on flippant things would have any kind of depth. And he tells her so.

When she's thoroughly insulted by author E.M. Drake, Lavender turns to WillWriteForTacos for comfort. They agree to meet in person . . . and if you've seen You've Got Mail, you've got a good idea about what follows.

This is my favorite Bloom Sisters novel so far! Of course I love that the protagonists are both authors, but the discussion about social media and appearances is so, so good. It's a much-needed topic in the world today. We can all hide behind screens, or we can assume that people who put themselves out there are doing it for the wrong reasons. Both Lavender and Emmett have room to grow, and room to accept each other with grace. Such a great story!

Of course it helps that You've Got Mail is one of my favorite films, too. If you haven't read this book yet, don't wait! Go check it out now.