The Juliet Code (Freddie and Grace Mysteries #3) by Pepper Basham | Romantic Suspense Review

 

The Juliet Code

Freddie and Grace Mysteries #3

Pepper Basham

Romantic Suspense

Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley Finally Reach Their Honeymoon Destination Only to Encounter a New Mystery in Need of Solving

Frederick and Grace Percy finally make it to Italy to enjoy a delayed honeymoon and explore the beauties of the historic city of Venice. To their surprise, their friend, Detective Jack Miracle, is also in the city, investigating a series of art heists starting at the house of eccentric millionaire, Laraby Covington. Drawn into a world of boat races, mysterious houses, and parties of the rich and unusual in Venice, Frederick and Grace learn of the existence of the Juliet paintings, (Renaissance paintings feature Shakespeare’s tragic heroine) rumored to hold a secret code to an underground vault of similarly treasured artwork assumed lost over the centuries. As Freddie and Grace are pulled deeper into the mystery and their beloved Detective Jack disappears, can they use their wits and work as a team to find the thieves and Jack before it’s too late?

My Thouhgts

What a fabulous series this has been. It began with The Mistletoe Countess and then continued with The Cairo Curse. Now we find ourselves at the conclusion of the series with The Juliet Code. I hate that we're at the end but what a fantastic adventure it has been.

This volume opens up as Freddie and Grace finally settle in to enjoying their honeymoon. They have traveled to Venice, Italy and are looking forward to a lovely time. Well that lasts for about half a day and then they are once again unwittingly drawn into solving a mystery. 

The fun part is that we finally get to meet the infamous detective, Jack Miracle. He's every bit as interesting as Grace has led us to believe. Just by chance *wink wink* Jack is in Italy to help solve the mystery of some missing paintings. Of course he happens to run into Freddie and Grace and the adventure begins.

I really can't recommend this book and whole series enough. Pepper Basham has a wonderful way of creating characters that you become attached to and she places them in situations that are an adventure for the reader. If her name is on the cover, I want to read the book.

Connect With The Author

www.PepperDBasham.com

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Disclosure

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

How To Plot A Payback by Melissa Ferguson | Contemporary Romance Review

How To Plot A Payback

Melissa Ferguson

Contemporary Romance

He crossed an ocean, and it still wasn’t enough to escape his lifelong nemesis. Now he has to work with her.

Successful screenwriter Finn Masters just landed his dream job writing for Neighbors, one of Hollywood’s highest-rated, longest-running sitcoms. The only downside? It will put him back in proximity of the show’s universally adored, optimistic, altruistic star, Lavender Rhodes, who has been inadvertently ruining his life since they were school chums in England. But she doesn’t even know she destroyed his acting career and wrecked his relationship with the love of his life.

He’s not about to let this woman yank yet another dream out from under his feet. In fact, he realizes he’s been given the ideal opportunity to plot his payback: spinning her character in shocking new directions. What could go wrong? Only everything. As Finn’s not-so-brilliant plot backfires one scene after the next, catching him in the blasts, he’s forced to think about this impossible, infuriating…and maybe even lovable woman in an entirely new light.

My Thoughts

This is quite possibly the perfect summer read. Finn and Lavender have history that only Finn recalls and his recollections are what make this novel hilarious. Lavender's blissful unawareness just adds to the hilarity.

Finn is holding a huge grudge against all things Lavender. But Lavender doesn't have a clue and is determined to win him over. The problem for Finn is that the real life Lavender is hard to resist. 

I absolutely adored this story and I'm hoping that Melissa Ferguson supplies us with more just like it (including these characters would be a bonus). In fact I think this would make a delightful movie. 

I recommend getting a copy of this book (or audiobook) and pop it in your bag for your next trip, whether it be to the pool or the beach. You're not going to regret getting this one!

Disclaimer

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review. 

 

The American Queen by Vanessa Miller | Historical Fiction Review

 

The American Queen

Vanessa Miller

Historical Fiction

Over the twenty-four years she was enslaved on the Montgomery Plantation, Louella learned to feel one thing: hate. Hate for the man who sold her mother. Hate for the overseer who left her daddy to hang from a noose. Hate so powerful there's no room in her heart for love, not even for the honorable Reverend William, whom she likes and respects enough to marry.

But when William finally listens to Louella's pleas and leads the formerly enslaved people off the plantation, Louella begins to replace her hate with hope. Hope that they will find a place where they can live free from fear. Hope that despite her many unanswered prayers, she can learn to trust for new miracles.

Soon, William and Louella become the appointed king and queen of their self-proclaimed Kingdom of the Happy Land. And though they are still surrounded by opposition, they continue to share a message of joy and goodness--and fight for the freedom and dignity of all.

The American Queen weaves together themes of love, hate, hope, trust, and resilience in the face of great turmoil. With every turn of the page, you will be transported to a pivotal period in American history, where oppressed people become extraordinary heroes.

My Thoughts

The American Queen is a story that will stay with me for a long time to come. It's not a story that's easy to read. In fact the first section is brutal and hard to read. But in my opinion it's something we as a people need to face so that it doesn't happen again. 

Before you start this story I would urge you to read the forward by the author. It will give you insight into what her motives were in writing the story as she did. It will keep you from being offended and let you enjoy the story as it unfolds.

Now let me tell you what I enjoyed about this story. First it's based on an historical time and place that I knew nothing about. The main character is Louella and her tenacity and fortitude are truly inspiring. Through overwhelming adversity she continues to make her face like flint and presses forward.

One of the things that's most admirable about Louella is that she doesn't just seek better for herself but also her people. Mind you, this was done at a great personal cost but she just continued to press on. By the time they reached their ultimate destination I was cheering so hard for them. The difficulties weren't over by a long shot but you could see that there was a better day coming.

I truly can't recommend this book enough. Again, it's not an easy read but by the time you turn the last page I think you will be just as moved as I was. 

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

Fiona and the Easter Egg Hunt by Zondervan and Richard Cowdrey | Juvenile Fiction Review

Fiona and the Easter Egg Hunt

Zondervan

illustrataed by Richard Cowdrey

Join your favorite hippo, Fiona, the beloved internet sensation from the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, as she plans an Easter egg hunt for her animal friends at the zoo! Fiona and the Easter Egg Hunt is another addition to the New York Times bestselling Fiona the Hippo series.

Spring has sprung, and new adorable babies are being born all over the zoo! Fiona and her friend Rico the porcupine decide to have an Easter egg hunt for the animals. But when one of Mrs. Swan’s eggs gets accidentally mixed in with the Easter eggs in Fiona’s basket, will Fiona and her friends find the egg before it hatches?

My Thoughts

These Fiona books are such a hit at our house. Of course the illustrations by Richard Cowdrey are a visual treat. But I have to say that the storylines are also rather engaging. They are clever and at the same time help children to understand life lessons.

This time around we are celebrating Spring and the Easter season with Fiona and her friends. She and her dear friend Rico decide to put on an Easter Egg Hunt. It's so much fun for all the little creatures at the Cincinnati Zoo. But then tragedy strikes. Mrs. Swan is missing an egg and it's ready to hatch! Fiona and her friends band together to help find it.

This is an adorable story about friendship and helping others. I think you and your littles will enjoy reading this one over and over. It goes without saying that this would be the perfect addition to this year's Easter baskets.

Check out the other picture books in the Fiona the Hippo series:

Fiona, Love at the Zoo
You’ve Got This, Fiona
Fiona Helps a Friend
Fiona, It’s Bedtime
Fiona the Hippo
A Very Fiona Christmas
Happy Birthday, Fiona

Fiona Goes to School

Fiona's Train Ride

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

 

 

The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find by Jan & Mike Berenstain | Children's Book Review

The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible

Search and Find

Jan & Mike Berenstain

Juvenile Fiction ages 3-6

Explore favorite Bible stories in a fun and interactive way with The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find.. Young readers will find carefully hidden objects in these scenes from familiar Old and New Testament stories, such as Noah and the ark. Jesus's birth, and the Last Supper--all while strengthening early reading and math skills, including attention to detail, concentration, and counting.

My Thoughts

My grandkids love to do search and find activities. The Berenstain Bears Storybook Bible Search and Find gives even the youngest the opportunity to work on these skills. What I really like about this book is that it has lots of learning activities that also include the central parts of the Bible.

The first search activity is all about the Creation story. There's a short little reading that introduces where our story begins. Then there are about a dozen different objects to find. 

I am thrilled that this is a board book which makes it sturdy for those sweet little hands to enjoy over and over. It also holds up to being thrown in a backpack for those car trips and waiting rooms. 

I recommend this book to anyone that has littles in their lives. It would be a great gift or addition to your child's personal library. 

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

 

Sunny Days Ahead: 150 Devotions for Health and Happiness by Lindsay A Franklin | Devotional Review

Sunny Days Ahead

150 Devotions for Health and Happiness

Lindsay A. Franklin

Daily Devotional

When things feel tough, remember there are brighter days to come.

From negative self-talk to daily stress and dealing with discouraging events, the challenges you face every day can bring your spirit down. But the good news is, you don't have to remain in a dark place. Inside Sunny Days Ahead are 150 ten-minute devotions that will guide you toward inner peace and confidence, helping you feel more secure, optimistic, and empowered no matter the circumstance.

Each day's reading includes:

• a hope-filled Scripture that points to God's care and promises in your life
• biblical truth and scientific, therapeutic insights that explore what healthy positivity and self-care look like
• a reflection prompt with space to write out your thoughts and ideas

There's no better time than now to uncover a new, freer outlook on life!

My Thoughts

If you are a living and breathing person it's pretty much a given that you have experienced some pretty cloudy seasons in your life. We all have and we all know how hard it is to remain optimistic during those seasons. In Sunny Days Ahead Lindsay Franklin provides a roadmap to get you back on the path to a better frame of mind.

The set up for this daily devotional is simple. Scripture first. Then author thoughts and suggestions. And finally journaling from you. This should take around 10 minutes. . . very doable!

I liked how each successive day led into the next. By the end of the book you can have confidence and simple tools to help you right your thinking and get you back on track. The only drawback was the journaling portion is too small for me. I just used a separate journal. In the end that worked out better because now I have a clean book that I can pass on to a friend in need.

I should also say that I don't think you necessarily need to be in the midst of a crisis to benefit from this book. I thought it was a useful tool to remind me about the important things and actions that will keep me in a right frame of mind even in the midst of a storm. 

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

 

Wimee Learns About Money by Stephanie Kammeraad | Juvenile Fiction Review

 Wimee Learns About Money

Stephanie Kammeraad

Juvenile Fiction

Join your favorite robot Wimee from the show Wimee’s Words (as seen on PBS) as he learns about what money is and how it works. Readers will have fun as they discover earning, spending, saving, giving, and other money facts.

Wimee is excited! He has received some money from his grandmother as a gift. But he isn’t sure what to do with it. Join Wimee and his friends Moby and Siblee in the park, as they get a lesson in money facts from Mr. Bill. Then follow along as Wimee puts a plan together for how he can use his money.

My Thoughts

If you have a grandkid birthday coming up just stick this in your cart! That's my plan. I'm getting a card, sticking some money in it and including this book. It's the perfect combo.

The book does a delightful job of teaching the concepts of earning, saving, spending, and giving money. The characters are from a popular children's show so most likely they will be familiar with them. 

There's also a great section in the back that goes more in depth of what is money, how do you get it, what do you do with it, and finally where do you keep it. I thought this section would especially appeal to home educators. It would be a good supplement to any beginning unit on money.

It's also worth noting that this book is just one in a series of Wimee books. If this one interests you go take a look at the others. I think you'll like them too!

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

First Words of Christmas by WorthyKids | Children's Christmas Book Review

First Words of Christmas

WorthyKids

Christmas Board Book

Share the Nativity story one inspiring word at a time with this simple and engaging board book for babies and toddlers.

Perfect for curious little ones, this book tells the story of Christmas in bite-sized pieces to encourage word learning. Short sentences and colorful illustrations guide children through that beloved night—from Mary and Joseph's journey all the way to the arrival of the wise men—while each page highlights a new word found in the biblical account—such as star, manger, and angel. Whether you use this book to encourage language development or to introduce the story of Christmas to a special little one, it's sure to make a great gift. 

My Thoughts

This delightful little board book is designed for the youngest in the family. It contains a very basic retelling of the Nativity story. While the wording is simple the illustrations a vibrant and visually pleasing. 

With each flip of the page a simple sentence tells another part of the story. And in that sentence a single word is emphasized. What a great way to gently begin teaching the very important parts of Jesus' birth.

If you have someone in the under three crowd I think this would make a wonderful addition to their Christmas book stash!

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review. 

 

The First Christmas Night by Keith Christopher | Children's Christmas Book Review

The First Christmas Night

Keith Christopher

Christmas Board Book

Experience the events of Jesus’s birth on that first Christmas night with this stunning board book written in the beloved style of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." 

"'Twas the very first Christmas when all through the town, not a creature was stirring—there was not a sound."

This beautiful retelling of the birth of Jesus celebrates that fateful night in Bethlehem so long ago. The story begins with Mary and Joseph's arrival in Bethlehem and continues through Christ's birth, the angels' appearance to the shepherds, and the wise men's visit. Simple, elegant verses are brought to life with lush oil paintings, creating an enchanting reading experience for little ones and their families.

My Thoughts

The artwork in this book is just stunning. It may have been written for children but this adult sure enjoyed it. 

The story of the Nativity is told in rhyming verse that will remind you of the poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'. The cadence is the same so it has a rhythm to it that is somewhat easy to read. There's one portion that was a little glitchy to me but I am sure that I will get better at it with each reading. 

We have the board book version but there are also hardback and paperback versions. I like this board book edition because we have lots of little fingers but I think the hardback edition would be lovely to display on a coffee table during the Christmas season.

I recommend this book for your Christmas collection, if for nothing else than the beautiful artwork. You won't be disappointed!

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

 

Read and Rhyme The First Christmas by Glenys Nellist | Children's Christmas Book Review

 

Read and Rhyme The Fist Christmas

Glenys Nellist

Christmas Board Book

From Glenys Nellist comes Read and Rhyme The First Christmas, a sweet lift-the-flap board book that tells the story of Jesus's birth through interactive rhyming and colorful illustrations. Children will enjoy guessing the hidden rhyme that fits into the story and discovering how Mary and Joseph made it to Bethlehem in time for the birth of baby Jesus.
Read and Rhyme The First Christmas:

• Provides interactive rhyming fun with 24 sturdy flaps
• Tells the story of the first Christmas in easy to understand, perfect to read aloud rhyme
• Is written by bestselling author Glenys Nellist
• Makes a perfect stocking stuffer or Christmas gift for little ones 

My Thoughts

Glenys Nellist is one of our favorite children's authors. She has such a delightful way of presenting the gospel to children. In this particular title she tells the story of the Nativity in a beautiful rhyming verse. 

I love the eye-catching illustrations. The colors are so vibrant and the characters faces are adorable. 

Now let's talk about the fun interactive part. There are 24 little flaps that hide a word that completes each phrase. The word that is hidden is quite apparent when the phrase is read. It's a delight to see your child blurt the word before the flap is lifted. 

If you have little ones I recommend this little board book as a new addition to your Christmas reads!

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in order to facilitate my review.

The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book | Children's Christmas Book Review

The Jesus Storybook Bible

Advent Activity Book

inspired by Sally Lloyd-Jones

This is your guide to a complete and creative celebration of the holiday season, filled with crafts, games, recipes, songs, and activities for every day of Advent. The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book highlights the significance of the Nativity and meaning of God’s most precious gift.

The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book is a journey through the Bible stories in both the Old and New Testaments that lead to Christmas. It includes:

• 24 days of crafts along with songs, recipes, and activities to celebrate Advent, with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions and color photos
• Variations on the activities to make them appropriate and accessible for all ages and families
• A perforated insert with punch-out Jesse Tree ornaments that correspond with the stories of Advent
• A heartfelt letter and reflection from New York Times bestselling author Sally Lloyd-Jones
• All supplies needed are commonly found around the house or easy to obtain.

This Christmas, start new holiday traditions with your family with The Jesus Storybook Bible Advent Activity Book, based on the bestselling The Jesus Storybook Bible, with over 6 million copies sold.

My Thoughts

By far this is our favorite new addition to our Christmas book collection. For many years now we have been using The Jesus Storybook Bible to do our nightly Advent readings. We printed off the corresponding ornaments. Jazzed them up a bit and enjoyed the readings and the adding an ornament to the tree each night. 

Well as time would have it, the kids are steadily getting older and for the past year or two we've been thinking that we needed just a little something extra. Zonderkidz must have heard us because they came up with this perfect companion piece. 

This new book includes pop out ornaments, games, recipes, craft projects, songs and much more. The lovely part is that the directions are clear and each day's activity is fun but also very doable for the overloaded mom during this season. 

If it's only in the budget to add one book this season . . . get this one!

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

A Christmas Vanishing by Anne Perry | Christmas Mystery Review

A Christmas Vanishing

Anne Perry

Mystery

Mariah Ellison, Charlotte Pitt’s grandmother, accepts her longtime friend Sadie’s gracious invitation to spend Christmas with her and her husband, Barton, in their picturesque village. But upon arrival, Mariah discovers that Sadie has vanished without a trace, and Barton rudely rescinds the invitation. Once Mariah finds another acquaintance to stay with during the holiday season, she begins investigating Sadie’s disappearance.

Mariah’s uncanny knack for solving mysteries serves her well during her search, which is driven by gossip as icy as the December weather. Did Sadie run off with another man? Was she kidnapped? Has someone harmed her? Frustratingly, Mariah’s questions reveal more about the villagers themselves than about her friend’s whereabouts. Yet in the process of getting to know Sadie’s neighbors, Mariah finds a kind of redemption, as she rediscovers her kinder side, and her ability to love.

It is up to Mariah to master her own feelings, drown out the noise, and get to the bottom of what occurred, all before Christmas day. With the holiday rapidly approaching, will she succeed in bringing Sadie home in time for them to celebrate it together—or is that too much to hope for?

My Thoughts

I have fallen down a rabbit hole with this one! Can you believe that I have never read a book by Anne Perry before? What a perfect story to break me in. You know that I am now going to have to go back and binge all of her previous novels.

This little Christmas novella is a spin off of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels. The main character Mariah is the grandmother of Charlotte. Mariah travels to her longtime friend, Sadie's home to spend the holidays only to find her friend is missing and no one seems to know where she's gone.

Mariah is determined to not only find her friend but also discover the reason for her disappearance. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to discover the who, what, where, and why of it all. In the end I was pleasantly surprised by the mystery that was revealed. I especially liked the overtone of forgiveness. It is impressed upon that forgiveness is really for oneself. You can't be free if you harbor resentment and anger towards another.

If you are like me and have never been exposed to this delightful author now is the time to check her stories out. This particular tale is set at Christmas but I think it would be a wonderful read any time of the year.

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.
 

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt | Historical Fiction Review

 

The Warsaw Sisters

Amanda Barratt

Historical Fiction 

A richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and resilience

On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls, along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina knows she cannot stand by and soon becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Meanwhile, Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation.

But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear them apart--and the cost of resistance may prove greater than either ever imagined.

READ AN EXCERPT

My Thoughts

I can't recall when a book last moved me as this one did. It was a very emotional read for me. Maybe it was the climate we are living in presently or maybe it was just that I too have a beloved sister. Whatever the root cause I really struggled to just sit and read this one through. I found myself needing to take a break from it.

Please let none of that detour you from reading this beautiful story of two sisters and the unbreakable bond they shared. The setting is Warsaw, Poland during World War II so you already are familiar with some of the atrocities that are going to befall them and their loved ones. How they maintained any semblance of hope is at the center of the story and it is what kept me picking the book back up. I'm so glad that I persevered to the end. Love is always worth the pain and suffering.

If you enjoy reading about the World War II era you can't let this one slip past you. I can guarantee that it will give you a gut punch or two but in the end you'll be glad you took the time to read it.

Connect With The Author

Photo Credit: Emerson Kloostra

AmandaBarratt.net

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Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

Her Secret Hope (A Season in Pinecraft #3) by Shelley Shepard Gray | Amish Fiction Review

Her Secret Hope

A Season in Pinecraft #3

Shelley Shepard Gray

Contemporary Fiction / Amish

She left home to find herself--instead she found true love

Almost two years after Lilly Kurtz first visited Pinecraft, Florida, she's decided to make a fresh start there. She's ready to be new-and-improved Lilly, a Lilly without a past, a Lilly with no secrets. At first, everything goes well. She gets a job, her coworkers feel like family, and she enjoys reconnecting with her friends. But it turns out the past is reluctant to be left behind.

When Lilly meets hardworking farmer Eddie Byler, she can't get him off her mind. But then she discovers that Eddie isn't staying long in Pinecraft--and he actually lives just a few miles from her hometown in Ohio. Lilly doesn't want him to know about the life she's left . . . and she can't imagine following him back to a place where she's never felt accepted.

Will Lilly have to give up on love in order to find peace? Or could it be that love is actually the solution to all of her problems?

READ AN EXCERPT

My Thoughts

I am really enjoying this series. I believe that we met all of the main characters in book one but each of the following books has centered on an individual girl. This time around it is Lilly Kurtz.

Somehow she got up the courage to actually move to Pinecraft and take a position at the Marigold Inn. Both of her friends are now living in Pinecraft so it seemed like the logical next step for her. Of course both of her friends were now married so she was a bit surprised by how little time she actually was able to spend with them. It was kind of one of those lonely in a crowd situations.

Of course there has to be an interesting guy involved. That would be Eddie. He is on vacation with his grandma and takes an interest in Lilly. She's very wary of becoming involved with him because he will be leaving soon. But the attraction is strong and keeps her pursuing a relationship with Eddie.

I have enjoyed getting to know Lilly and her story through this series. She is the most shy of the three girls which of course makes her the most cautious. The story of how she and Eddie work through all the hurdles in making their relationship work was the perfect way to end this series. 

When you get to the end of a story and you want to know more about what happens to the characters as their lives progress you know the book has been good. That's the way this book and series were for me. My hope is that these characters will make repeat appearances in upcoming stories. I recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction with an Amish twist.

A Season in Pinecraft

Her Heart's Desire

Her Only Wish

Her Secret Hope

Connect With The Author

Photo Credit: © The New Studio/You See Photography, Inc. 
www.TheNewStudio.net

www.ShelleyShepardGray.com

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Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

 

Man of Shadow and Mist (Of Monsters and Men #2) by Michelle Griep | Historical Fiction

Man of Shadow & Mist

Of Monsters and Men #2

Michelle Griep

Historical Fiction

“The world seems full of good men—even if there are monsters in it.”
–Bram Stoker, Dracula

England, 1890

Vampires are alive and well in North Yorkshire, leastwise in the minds of the uneducated. Librarian Rosa Edwards intends to drive a stake through the heart of such superstitions. But gossip flies when the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his shadowy manor. The townsfolk say he is cursed.

James hates everything about England. The weather. The rumours. The scorn. Yet he must stay. His mother is dying of a disease for which he’s desperately trying to find a cure—an illness that will eventually take his own life.

When Rosa sets out to prove the dark gossip about James is wrong, she discovers more questions than answers. How can she accept what she can’t explain—especially the strong allure of the enigmatic man? James must battle a town steeped in fear as well as the unsettling attraction he feels for the no-nonsense librarian.

Can love prevail in a town filled with fear and doubt?

My Thoughts

Michelle Griep has become one of my favorite authors. Her novels usually hearken back to a piece of classical literature which is an added bonus to me. In this instance the classic literature is Bram Stoker's Dracula. In fact Bram Stoker himself is a character in the story.

The book was fascinating because it used the superstitions of the people to create the underlying conflict. Sir James has a blood disorder that makes him avoid direct sunlight. Which of course makes him somewhat of a recluse and just adds fuel to the fire of the superstitions. 

In contrast to Sir James is librarian Rosa Edwards. She is a beloved member of the community. She has a deep desire to eradicate the superstitions of the people by educating them. Much to her father's dismay and displeasure she continues to sneak books out of the library for those that are unable to afford a subscription.

Through a chance meeting Sir James and Rosa become acquainted, which leads to a fabulous story. I picked this book up out of my TBR pile without realizing that it is book two in the series. I'm eagerly anticipating going back and reading book one. And I will be eagerly anticipating any additional books in this series.

If you enjoy historical fiction that has overtones of gothic romance, I am sure that you will enjoy this title as much as I did. Don't forget to read book one as well! 

Of Monsters and Men series
1. Lost in Darkness
2. Man of Shadow & Mist

 

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.

The Heirloom (Prequel to The Shunning) by Beverly Lewis | Amish Fiction Review

The Heirloom

Prequel to The Shunning

Beverly Lewis

Christian Fiction / Amish

This heartwarming prequel to The Shunning is a tender story of love, belonging, and the courage to move forward.

After her widowed father remarries, nineteen-year-old Clara Bender is no longer needed to help run his household. Marriage seems like her best hope of moving out, but there are few young men in her tiny Indiana Amish community. When she comes across letters from her mother's aunt Ella Mae Zook, she sets off to visit Lancaster County's Hickory Hollow to decide where her future lies.

Ella Mae is not quite ready to move from the farmhouse where she and her recently deceased husband spent over fifty happy years, but her children are eager to resettle her, making Clara's visit seem like an answer to prayer. The two women form a warm bond while restoring an heirloom wedding quilt and sharing their lives, with Ella Mae confiding about a tragedy from her courting years. Eventually, Ella Mae suggests Clara stay for the summer, allowing Ella Mae more time with her and giving Clara an opportunity to meet the area's eligible young men. But when the unexpected happens, will Clara find where her heart truly belongs?

READ AN EXCERPT

My Thoughts

Like many people I first read The Shunning and the books that followed in the late 90's. I also saw the movies and enjoyed them as well. So naturally when I found out there was going to be  a prequel I knew I had to get it and read it. I'm so glad I did. 

The story in The Heirloom does not center around Katie Lapp who is the main character in The Shunning. Instead Katie is a side character and the main character is Clara Bender. Clara isn't from Hickory Hollow but she takes a trip to visit her aunt, Ella Mae Zook, who does live in Hickory Hollow.

While in Hickory Hollow Clara finds a sense of renewal. Even though the Hickory Hollow community is more strict than her district she finds a freedom that her very soul was craving. She is able to begin emerging from the grief of losing her mother and opening up to the prospect of not spending the rest of her life as an old maid. 

I really liked that this was a completely new story. It takes place shortly before the timeframe of The Shunning which gives a lot more insight into what led up to Katie's story and why the punishment was so severe. Someone that hasn't read the previous series is going to thoroughly enjoy how seamlessly this storyline goes when they read the prequel first and then the series. 

By the way, this would also make a good stand alone read if you aren't interested in reading all four books together. But for those of us that have already invested in the series, I say you are in for a real treat when you add this book to your reading list.

The Heritage of Lancaster County

1. The Heirloom

2. The Shunning

3. The Confession

4. The Reckoning

Connect With The Author

Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Aimee Christenson

www.BeverlyLewis.com

Disclosure

I received a copy of this book from the publisher to facilitate my review.