Wednesday, March 20, 2024

The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham (Review)

Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Revell
Released: July 3, 2018
323 pages

About the Book:

Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone.

For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He's determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn't expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart.





My Rating & Thoughts:    


I was fully engrossed in this book. Loved the setting and the characters. Em has had a hard life and it is Caleb's job to catch the ones responsible for her current situation. Will he? Em and Caleb slowly become friends and I loved their interactions and the competitions. Em has a goal and that's her focus, what happens when that's complete? There are so many great characters in this story, with the two little girls being some of favourites. Deals with grief, hardships and looking to the future. There was one character who I didn't care for because of their attitude but they try to change near the end which I was happy to see. I loved the princess story told at the end, I knew what was coming and still loved it. I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters. Maybe we'll see them again in future books?

Favourite Quote: 
“The future may not work out how you've planned or dreamed, but it will work out.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)


Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel (Review)

Genre: Women's Fiction 
Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
Released: Feb. 26, 2019
319 pages
About the Book:

A year after the death of her abusive fiancé, domestic violence counselor Sophia Barrett finds returning to work too painful. She escapes to Cornwall, England--a place she's learned to love through the words of her favorite author--and finds a place to stay with the requirement that she help out in the bookstore underneath the room she's renting. Given her love of all things literary, it seems like the perfect place to find peace.

Ginny Rose is an American living in Cornwall, sure that if she saves the bookstore she co-owns with her husband then she can save her marriage as well. Fighting to keep the first place she feels like she belongs, she brainstorms with her brother-in-law, William, and Sophia to try to keep the charming bookstore afloat.

Two hundred years before, governess Emily Fairfax knew two things for certain: she wanted to be a published author, and she was in love with her childhood best friend. But he was a wealthy heir and well out of her league. Sophia discovers Emily's journals, and she and William embark on a mission to find out more about this mysterious and determined woman, all the while getting closer to each other as they get closer to the truth.

The lives of the three women intertwine as each learns the power she has over the story of her life.

My Rating & Thoughts:    


This was my second time reading and I wasn't as hooked as I was the first time. While I really enjoyed the characters and following the journey they were on, I wish faith had played a larger role in the story.

Sophia has been struggling with mixed feelings after the death of her abusive fiancé. She is et to return to work after 3 months, but her first day back she realizes she is not ready and deciding she needs a change in scenery she makes the decision to go to Cornwall, England. When she arrives in England we meet Ginny, William and Emily. Sophia discovers an old journal at the bookstore that captures her attention and with the help of William she is able to not only discover who the writer was but quite a bit about her life. Along the way Sophia and William grow close. Can Sophia open herself up to the possibility of a new relationship after the hurt of the past? While each character captured my heart in a different way, it was Ginny’s circumstances that broke my heart. I was very pleased with the support she received from those she didn’t expect it from. I was very pleased with the ending we were given for each character. The story includes some difficult situations such as an abusive relationship, a husband’s abandonment, and a seemingly impossible dream the overall story was not depressing but rather I found it encouraging. The message I take away from it is that God is always there to help you navigate the hard times and rise above them.

Favourite Quotes: 
“We can have all the head knowledge in the world, but our hearts are often what leads us towards destruction - or healing.”
“All we have in life are the choices we make. We must make choices we can live with - and die with, if it comes to that.” 
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

Monday, March 18, 2024

Trial by Fire by Terri Blackstock (Review)

Series: Newpointe 911 #4
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Zondervan 
Released: Oct. 18, 2000
338 pages
About the Book:

Pastor and fireman Nick Foster found the body in the inferno engulfing his church. From the bullet wound in the head, it's clear this is no ordinary fire victim. The quiet community of Newpointe, reeling from the shock of the dead man's identity, struggles with the agonizing question: who did it --- and why?

Paramedic Issie Mattreaux is no icon of virtue, but she cares enough about her teenage nephew, Jake, to track him down when he turns up missing. Only, what she finds is far more than a harmless bonfire on the outskirts of town.

After a chilling attempt on Issie's life, Nick takes on the role of protector even as he struggles wit the tragedy that has struck his church. Whoever is behind the fire is far from finished. Unknown to Nick, that person's twisted agenda now threatens to consume everything he loves most.





My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐


This book includes a disturbing subject matter. There are two teenagers who are following in their grandfather's KKK affiliation and recruiting other teens to join them. They burn down a church and encourage them to kill for the cause. Pastor/firefighter Nick is struggling to understand God's plan for him. The church members show Nick that the church isn't a building but the people. There is a lot of faith talk in this one as we see the Bible being used for evil purposes, Christians struggling with their beliefs and others turning to God during a trying time. I was very invested in the story but had to take breaks at times due to the heaviness of the storyline with the teenagers as this weighed on me.

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)