Book Review - A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson

My Review

After her husband dies, Vera Swanson moves to a new town to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. When her daughter's family moves away, Vera finds herself alone in a new place with the holidays just ahead.  When her neighbor's four year old child, Fiona, knocks on the door, Vera's life changes. Vera helps Fiona and also takes on her challenge to make a special Christmas quilt for Fiona's mother. Vera doesn't know anyone in town, so she puts up signs looking for quilters - and finds herself surrounded by some new friends.

I wanted to read A Quilt for Christmas because I have enjoyed Melody Carlson's other Christmas books. (I try to read the new book each year!) This book was no exception.

This is a short book (novella length) and a cozy read for a long afternoon or a quiet weekend. I found Vera a very likable and sympathetic protagonist.  She is lonely and she wants to make friends and help others - and by the act of opening the door (literally and figuratively) to little Fiona Albright, she does just that.

The other women in the quilting circle are also interesting - Tasha is a happy, fun-loving young artist;  Beverly is a friendly empty nester; and Eleanor is a grouchy retired therapist who is living with her adult son.  In the course of the book Vera (and the reader!) gets to know them all and learns their stories.  One of the ladies even has a sweet romance over the holidays.

I recommend A Quilt for Christmas for anyone who is looking for a cozy Christmas story.   This gentle and uplifting book would make a great Hallmark movie!

Book Synopsis

Cuddle up with this cozy story of giving and forgiving--with a little bit of romance

Christmas should be celebrated with family, but for Vera Swanson, that's not an option this year. Widowed and recently relocated, she is lonely in her condo-for-one--until little Fiona Albright knocks on her door needing help.

With her mother seriously ill and her father out of town, Fiona enlists Vera's aid, and when she finds out her new neighbor is a quilter, she has a special request--a Christmas quilt for Mama.

Vera will have to get a ragtag group of women together to fulfill the request. Between free-spirited artist Tasha, chatty empty nester Beverly, retired therapist Eleanor, and herself, Vera has hopes that Christmas for the Albright family will be merry, after all. And she may even find herself a new family of friends along the way.

Author Bio

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of more than 250 books with sales of more than 7.5 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award, her novel All Summer Long was made into a Hallmark movie, and the film version of The Happy Camper is soon to be released. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

 

Book Review - The Highlander's Holiday Wife by Vanessa Kelly

My Review

The Highlander's Holiday Wife is the fifth book in the Clan Kendrick series. This is the story of Lady Samantha Penwith, who is looking for her husband's murderer -- when she unexpectedly meets Doctor Braden Kendrick on her quest.

I wanted to read this novel because I have enjoyed the earlier books in this series. The holiday setting was an extra bonus.

I think this may be my favorite book in the Clan Kendrick series.  I really like Samantha, who is so bright, independent, and determined. The sub-plot of her looking out for her late husband's much younger sister, who is deaf, was lovely and well written. And Samantha and Braden!  Braden is a wonderful book boyfriend - smart, strong, pragmatic, and infinitely kind.

I enjoyed the blend of romance and the mystery of what happened to Samantha's husband.  The author did a wonderful job of balancing the two storylines - and they certainly kept me up late reading to see what would happen next!

I recommend The Highlander's Holiday Wife, and the other books in this series (must be read in order!) to fans of historical romance, especially with a Scottish setting.

Book Synopsis

Meet the most level-headed of the Clan Kendrick brothers and the independent woman who steals his heart in the fifth installment of USA Today bestselling author Vanessa Kelly’s intoxicating series set in Regency Scotland…

Filled with saucy wit, surprising twists, and unforgettable lovers, the latest novel in USA Today bestselling author Vanessa Kelly’s captivating historical romance series puts the most level-headed Kendrick at the center of a passionate and perilous adventure…

It’s Christmastime in Edinburgh, but Lady Samantha Penwith’s secret mission takes no holiday: the Highlands-born lass vows to find the assailants who murdered her beloved husband, founder of a charitable school for orphaned boys. On her latest undercover excursion, she closes in on a pair of armed attackers and interrupts another assault, then disappears into the darkness, leaving the lone victim mystified—and lucky to be alive…

Braden Kendrick may be the sensible brother, yet the dedicated doctor routinely ignores the dangers of his late-night calls to the city’s slums. But when a fleet-footed rescuer saves his life, he’s determined to uncover the stranger’s identity. And once he does, he’ll find himself facing his own past loss for the first time—and more than willing to risk his heart again, just in time to make the Clan Kendrick’s Christmas celebrations more festive than ever…

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound | Target

 

Author Bio

Vanessa Kelly is a USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the “New Stars of Historical Romance.” Her Regency and Scottish-set historical romances have been nominated in a number of contests, and she has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Her books have been published in eleven languages.

Vanessa’s first Clan Kendrick book, The Highlander Who Protected Me, was a USA Today, Barnes & Noble, and BookScan bestseller. The subsequent Clan Kendrick books have all been BookScan bestsellers, and several hit the top 50 on the Barnes & Noble mass-market bestseller list. Her previous series, The Renegade Royals, was a national bestseller, as was The Improper Princesses Series. My Fair Princess was named a Goodreads Romance of the Month and is a USA Today and BookScan bestseller.

Vanessa also writes USA Today Bestselling books with her husband, under the pen name of V.K. Sykes.

You can find Vanessa at vanessakellyauthor.com or at vksykes.com. For all of Vanessa’s latest news and contests–and to receive a free story–please sign up for her newsletter on her website.

When she’s not dreaming of plots for her next Regency novel, Vanessa is writing USA Today Bestselling books with her husband, under the pen name of V.K. Sykes.

You can find Vanessa at vanessakellyauthor.com or at vksykes.com. For all of Vanessa’s latest news and contests–and to receive a free story–please sign up for her newsletter on her website.

Clan Kendrick Facebook Group | Facebook Author Page | Pinterest | Instagram | Goodreads

 

 

Book Review and Giveaway - The Other Side of Certain by Amy Willoughby-Burle

My Review

The Other Side of Certain is a historical novel set during the Depression. It is the story of Mattie Mobley, a young woman from a privileged background who dreamed of being a teacher - so she traveled from Asheville to a very rural part of Kentucky to start a one room school and become a Pack Horse Librarian. There is a mystery in Certain, Kentucky involving an abandoned church (now a library) and a widower who is exiled outside of town with his children. She is determined to learn the story ... especially after she meets the widower.

I wanted to read this novel because I was intrigued by the Depression era setting. I also loved the idea of Pack Horse Librarians!

This is just a lovely read.  I found myself immediately transported to another time and place by the author's storytelling, and felt like I was discovering the town of Certain just as Mattie was. I was very intrigued by the church-turned-school and the mystery of the broken church window there.

Daniel, the exiled widower, is a fascinating character and I loved his slowly unfolding connection with Mattie.

The author is a wonderful descriptive storyteller. I loved details like:

"Back in the church, I discovered that the pews did serve as bookshelves. Volumes of literature of all types were categorized along the rows, spine out or flat down for magazines and other things. “That’s clever,” I said, pointing to a bookend made from a license plate folded at a ninety-degree angle. I could see them all through the rows. “We make do,” Ava said, coming to stand beside me. “People send all sorts of things as donations. Nothing goes to waste.  When you don’t have much, much care is given to everything" (eBook location 195).

I highly recommend The Other Side of Certain to fans of historical fiction, and especially to anyone who is interested in 1930's America. This is the first in a new series, Love for Certain, and I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.

Book Synopsis

For the love of love…and books

Mattie Mobley planned to be a teacher, but when times grew tough during America’s Great Depression, and there were no teaching positions in her hometown of Asheville, NC, Mattie found work starting a school and helping the Pack Horse Librarians just over the mountains in the rural town of Certain, Kentucky. She’s not certain at all that this is a good situation, but she’s determined, and honestly, a little desperate. Of all the things that Mattie does have—money, comforts, a good name, she doesn’t have what matters most—friends, love, and a purpose of her own.

Daniel, “The Grizzly Bear,” Barrett had a lovely life for a little while. Overcoming his family’s bad name and worse reputation, he made a life for himself in Certain. He was married with children and a figure of respect in his church, but desperate times called for desperate measures and a terrible tragedy was the result. Now exiled with his children along the wily run of the Hell for Certain Creek, Daniel has gotten used to being the town pariah again. It’s in his blood after all. Right? Maybe not, but he’ll need the powerful influence of love not only to change his own mind about himself but to convince his estranged extended family and the whole town as well.

Can one librarian with a saddlebag full of books make people see the difference between fact and fiction? Mattie loves a good story, and this may be her best one yet. Fiction tells the best truths and the best truth of all is love.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Author Bio

Amy Willoughby-Burle grew up in the small coastal town of Kure Beach, NC, and now lives in Asheville, NC with her husband and four children. She teaches creative writing and works as a freelance editor when not working on her own fiction. She is also the director of Wildacres Writers Workshop. She is the author of the novels The Lemonade Year and The Year of Thorns and Honey. Her award-winning short fiction has been published in numerous journals and in her collection, Out Across the Nowhere. Her fiction focuses on the importance of family and friends and centers on the themes of forgiveness, second chances, and finding beauty in the world around us. She likes to write about the wonder and mystery of everyday life.

Visit her online at www.amywilloughbyburle.com. You can also Amy on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

Giveaway

Enter to win this fun prize package including:

Tote Bag
Journal & Pens
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Paperback copy of The Other Side of Certain

The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on October 14th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

The Other Side of Certain

 

Book Review - A Lot Like Forever by Jennifer Snow

My Review

Whitney Carlisle is a workaholic living in the small town of Blue Moon Bay, California.  She is a real type A personality and very driven -- so much so that she can't focus also on her wedding plans to Trent Connolly.  (As in, can't even get started making plans!)  Whitney is also hiding a health secret -- while Trent has a secret of his own.

I wanted to read this book because the small town romance sounded appealing.

This is the third book in the Blue Moon Bay series, but it also read well as a standalone.  

I liked the structure of the storytelling, with some parts "Now" and others "Then."  We are able to see how Whitney and Trent got together, what appealed to them both about each other and their relationship, and their individual backgrounds.

Whitney has a lot going on.  Her mother is struggling with Alzheimer's and Whitney also has a serious health issue that she is not addressing.  I sometimes felt a bit frustrated with her extreme drive to work and to tamp down her feelings (with Trent and with not spending as much time with her mother, who needs her).  The conflict Whitney and Trent have could have been resolved by better communication -- and not keeping secrets.

That said, I got really engrossed in this book and kept reading (late at night!) because I wanted to see how it would all resolve.  I kept pulling for Whitney and Trent to open up to each other.  The supporting characters in this book (especially Trent's family) were very appealing as well.

I recommend A Lot Like Forever for fans of small town romance.   Based on the author's storytelling and sensitivity telling this story, I think the entire series would be a good read.

Book Synopsis

Whitney Carlisle has everything under control–or at least that’s what she needs everyone in Blue Moon Bay to think. She has always faced the hard times in her life head-on and come out stronger for it. But this time, she isn’t so sure. Whitney knows she needs help, but how can she put that burden on Trent, her fiancé? How can she crush his dreams by telling him the plans they made for a future together have to change?

All Trent Connolly wants is to get married, have kids, and spend the rest of his life loving Whitney. Their relationship has had its share of ups and downs–like any other couple–and they’ve always managed to get through it unscathed. So when Whitney is clearly struggling with something, Trent is ready to help. His fiancée’s strong will is part of what draws him to her–but this time, it feels like it’s pushing him away.

Whatever Whitney is hiding from everyone has to be big. Possibly life-changing. She must believe that revealing her secret would do Trent more harm than good, even if it crushes her under the weight of it. The only thing he can do now is be there for her in whatever way she needs…until a secret of his own comes to light that threatens to steal their chance at forever.

Each book in the Blue Moon Bay series is STANDALONE:
* A Lot Like Love
* A Lot Like Christmas
* A Lot Like Forever

Author Bio

Jennifer Snow is an award-winning, contemporary romance author writing for Harlequin, Grand Central, and Berkley/NAL. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her husband and son. Find out more at jennifersnowauthor.com.

Book Review - The Weekly Gratitude Project by Zondervan

My Review

The subtitle for The Weekly Gratitude Project is "A Challenge to Journal, Reflect, and Grow a Grateful Heart." That is exactly what this book is about - mindful journaling to become more grateful.  

I found this book appealing because I love to journal, like devotional books, and found the idea of a weekly gratitude project appealing!  Years ago I wrote a gratitude list at the end of every day and it really changed my outlook. I realized that even on the worst days there were still blessings to be grateful for.

This is a beautifully designed book - a hardcover with sewn-in ribbon bookmark. The book is divided into themes and then weeks under each theme. The book's themes are: 

Purposeful

Motivations

Promises

Gifts

Applications

I love the format of each week.  It begins with a Bible verse, then a short paragraph about the week's theme, and then several journaling questions with room to write. The writing sections are lined, and the pages are illustrated with beautiful leaves and plants.

I am putting this book aside for the new year and look forward to going through and journaling in it. The Weekly Gratitude Project is a lovely book and it would be a great gift - or a purchase to prepare for a year of mindful journaling and gratitude!

Book Synopsis

Publisher: Zondervan; Illustrated edition (November 10, 2020)

Hardcover: 144 pages

It’s time to start a project that will grow a grateful heart. The Weekly Gratitude Project is a 52-week guided gratitude journal that offers a life-changing journey through reflection prompts and inviting questions to guide you into a deeper relationship with God. This yearly gratitude journal features beautifully illustrated journaling pages that will help you discover more intimacy and joy in your spiritual life.

The Weekly Gratitude Project is:

• Perfect for a beginner in faith and practicing gratitude, but strong and thought provoking enough for someone who already has a solid foundation
• An easy-to-use journaling format designed to help you focus on adding more gratefulness into your day
• A helpful companion for individual worship, Bible studies, and small groups

Each week includes:

• A biblical theme to focus on
• A short but impactful Bible verse to help you reflect and meditate
• Inspirational insight to guide your thoughts and jumpstart your gratitude project
• Journaling prompts and lines to help you reflect and grow a grateful heart

This 12-month journal:

• Showcases beautiful photography and calming colors
• Has a pretty ribbon marker, so you never lose your place
• Provides a ton of journaling space, but easily fits on your nightstand, tote bag, or a gift basket
• Is perfect for a self-purchase, Mother’s Day, National Best Friend Day, a welcoming gift for Bible study groups, birthdays, and holidays

Check out the rest of the series, The Weekly Prayer Project and The Weekly Faith Project.