Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Jane Reviews: The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

Genre: Women's Fiction
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Releases: Feb. 26, 2019
336 pages
About the Book:
Brought together by a charming bookstore in England, three women fight to defy expectations, dream new dreams, and welcome love into their lives.

As a counselor, Sophia Barrett is trained to help people cope with their burdens. But when she meets a new patient whose troubles mirror her own, she realizes she hasn’t dealt with the pain of her recent past. After making a snap decision to get away for the summer, Sophia moves overseas to an apartment above a charming bookstore in Cornwall, England. She is hopeful she will find peace there surrounded by her favorite thing: great literature.

Bookstore owner Ginny Rose is desperate to save her business without asking for help from a husband who’s decided to take a break from their marriage. Ginny never imagined she’d be solely responsible for keeping afloat her husband’s dream, but the unexpected friendship with her new renter has her feeling more optimistic. Between the two of them—and Ginny’s brother-in-law, William—the bookstore might stand a chance.

Then Sophia finds a notebook in the bookstore that contains journal entries from Emily Fairfax, a governess who lived in Cornwall more than 150 years ago. Sophia learns that Emily harbored a secret passion for becoming an authoress—as well as a deep love for her childhood friend, Edward, whose station she dared not dream to touch.

Eager to know more of Emily’s story, Sophia goes on a quest—dragging Ginny and William with her—to discover the heart of the woman behind the beautiful entries. Soon Ginny’s need to save the bookstore becomes more than a way to save her marriage, and Sophia finds new purpose of her own. Together they find that sometimes both heartache and hope can reach across the centuries.



My Rating & Thoughts:    πŸŒŸ 🌟 🌟 πŸŒŸ πŸŒŸ    (5 stars)

Releases February 26th!

This book sucked me right in! I very quickly found myself caring about Sophia. She is struggling with mixed feelings after the death of her abusive fiancΓ©. She realizes she is not ready to go back to work after 3 months, 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. The more characters I met the more invested in the story I became.

In England Sophia discovers an old journal 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. However it would be great if sometime in the future we could catch up with these characters again.

This book really got me thinking. I highlighted so many sentences while reading this book. Many of the things learned by Sophia & Ginny are things that we all need to remember. While the story did include 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. Highly recommend!



(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.) 

Other Books By Lindsay:

Monday, January 28, 2019

Monday's RSU: January 28th


Welcome to Monday's RSU. Every Monday I share an update of my reading status - what book (or books) I finished since last Monday, what book I am currently reading and what I am planning on reading next. 

Just Finished:

 


Currently Reading: 


   

Reading Next:



What are you books are you currently reading or have recently enjoyed?

Friday, January 25, 2019

First Line Friday: Secrets at Cedar Cabin


Happy Friday!

Welcome to First Line Friday's hosted by Hoarding Books.

Today's book is:  Secrets at Cedar Cabin by Colleen Coble
 
About the Book:
Her mother lied about her identity and her husband wasn’t who she thought he was—can Bailey even trust herself anymore?
 
Running for her life in the wake of her mother’s murder, Bailey Fleming escapes to the only place she can think of—a remote, dilapidated cabin in Lavender Tides. Intending to finally get to the truth behind the lies of her past, Bailey only finds more questions when bodies are discovered near her cabin hideout along with traces of a dangerous human trafficking ring. In an unlikely partnership with FBI agent Lance Phoenix, Bailey races to understand the mystery surrounding her life and circumstances before the murderer tracks her down.
 
Meanwhile, Lance is determined to rescue his sister, Ava, who was abducted after running away from home as a teenager. An unexpected lead brings him to the remote cabin, and he wonders if Bailey—with her suspicious past and strange connections to his sister’s case—is really who she claims to be and if she can somehow lead him to Ava.
    

Do you enjoy books that have action, suspense and romance? If so you need to read this book!
It is the third in the Lavendar Tides series and officially released earlier this week (Tuesday). I had the priviledge of reading an advanced copy and highly recommend it. I was hooked from the moment I met Bailey and did not want to put it down. My full review can be found here.

Now it's your turn!
Let me know your first line in the comments and then head over
to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating!

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Jane Reviews: Breach of Trust by Rachel Dylan

Series: Atlanta Justice # 3
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Bethany House
Releases: Feb. 5, 2019
304 pages
About the Book:
Corporate litigator Mia Shaw suffers the shock of her life when she finds her colleague and friend brutally murdered. Grief-stricken and furious, Mia vows that she will do anything to seek justice and make the killer pay.

The man accused of the murder is a friend of security tech guru Noah Ramirez, but the evidence just doesn't add up. To save his former ATF partner, Noah needs to convince Mia that the real killer is still on the loose.

Mia soon has more than the criminal prosecution to worry about, however. She is tasked with taking over her friend's last case and learns he was hiding secrets about his client. She thinks she may have stumbled upon corporate espionage that has turned deadly, but she has no idea of the danger involved. Her only ally is Noah, despite their difference of opinion on the homicide case. Can he win Mia over to his side and protect her from ever-growing threats? 


My Rating & Thoughts:  πŸŒŸ 🌟 πŸŒŸ πŸŒŸ   (4 stars)   

Releases February 5th!

Story opens with Mia discovering her friend murdered. She is pretty sure she knows who is guilty and begins working with the prosecutor to bring him to justice. Meanwhile she still has her own job to do which means continuing to work on the legal case she has been assigned to. While going through evidence she realizes she needs to bring in a cyber security expert. Problems arise when the expert is Noah, who happens to also be working on trying to clear his friend of murder charges. Yes, the same person that Mia is sure is guilty of killing her friend. Can these two put their differing opinions aside on the one case and work together to solve the other?

The story keep me intrigued trying to figure out the guilty party was in both cases. There were many people that I was suspicious of and I felt like I was right there with Mia trying to figure out who she could trust. Just when I thought the case was wrapped there was a twist that that shocked me! I did not see that coming and was completely taken by surprise. The faith discussions felt like a natural extension of the characters lives. Mia is a fairly new Christian and her faith is being tested because of her current situation but Noah is able to help her understand how faith works and grow in her relationship with God.

I especially enjoyed that Mia and Noah were able to work together even though they had disagreeing opinions. Their romance is not the main focus of the story but rather their relationship builds gradually while they are working on the cases (it also helps that their best friends are married to each other).

This is the third book in the series and includes characters from the previous two. While it could easily be read as a standalone I enjoyed that Kate, Sophie, Cooper and Landon were all included in this one. The twist at the end has left me wanting to read it again and see if there were any hints that I may have missed. Ms. Dylan did a wonderful job of weaving the story together in a way that kept me engaged in both cases and caring about the characters.



(I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley;
opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)


 Other Books in the Series:
    

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Book Spotlight: Secrets at Cedar Cabin by Colleen Coble

Book Spotlight - Secrets at Cedar Cabin

Released Today!
 
About the Book:

Her mother lied about her identity and her husband wasn’t who she thought he was—can Bailey even trust herself anymore?

Running for her life in the wake of her mother’s murder, Bailey Fleming escapes to the only place she can think of—a remote, dilapidated cabin in Lavender Tides. Intending to finally get to the truth behind the lies of her past, Bailey only finds more questions when bodies are discovered near her cabin hideout along with traces of a dangerous human trafficking ring. In an unlikely partnership with FBI agent Lance Phoenix, Bailey races to understand the mystery surrounding her life and circumstances before the murderer tracks her down.

Meanwhile, Lance is determined to rescue his sister, Ava, who was abducted after running away from home as a teenager. An unexpected lead brings him to the remote cabin, and he wonders if Bailey—with her suspicious past and strange connections to his sister’s case—is really who she claims to be and if she can somehow lead him to Ava.  



About the Author:
Colleen Coble
Best-selling romantic suspense author Colleen Coble’s novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has nearly 4 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana.

Connect with Colleen via:

Monday, January 21, 2019

Monday's RSU: January 21st


Welcome to Monday's RSU. Every Monday I share an update of my reading status - what book (or books) I finished since last Monday, what book I am currently reading and what I am planning on reading next. 

Just Finished:

  


Currently Reading: 


   

Reading Next:



What are you books are you currently reading or have recently enjoyed?

Saturday, January 19, 2019

Jane Reviews: To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: May 1, 2011
352 pages
About the Book:
Do They Have a Fighting Chance at Love?

After completing his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father's knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past.

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs in the town her father founded. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she's reluctant to trust him. Yet as the mysteries of the town's new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Eden believes she's finally found a man of honor and integrity. But when the truth about Levi's prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian's affections?

 

My Rating & Thoughts:  πŸŒŸ 🌟 πŸŒŸ πŸŒŸ   (4 stars)   

This story builds in a way that allows you to really get to know the hearts and motivations of the characters before the climax moment happens. I quickly fell for Levi, right from the beginning you get a glimpse of what he is trying to overcome and see his determination to follow God’s way. The more I got to know him and his past the more I began to care that things would work out for him and that the townsfolk would see who he was now. I found Eden a bit more difficult to connect with, and I can’t really explain why (maybe I just fall for guys easier). Over the course of the story she grew on me and by the time the fight scene happened I was right there with her wanting to stop the events. I was very proud of how she stood up to everyone.

There were a couple things that I really enjoyed about this story. The first being the exchange of letters between Levi and Eden, even though they lived close to one another and interacted in person almost daily they wrote long letters to one another which allowed them to really get to know one another and share their inner thoughts. The second thing that I liked was that Levi came clean about his past to Eden himself even though he was scared about how the truth would affect their relationship. He took that leap of faith and even though it did not turn out well for him at first things did turn around and their relationship become stronger because of his honesty.

The secondary characters added dimension and depth to the story. There were a couple characters that I really enjoyed spending time with and appreciated their impact on the story, two of those being Chloe and Duncan. There were also a few characters that really annoyed me and made me wish they would just go away, however even these ones were essential to the story. The theme of redemption and forgiveness was prominent throughout the story.  


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