Book Review: We Still Belong

 

We Still Belong

by Christine Day

Pub Date 01 Aug 2023 

 HarperCollins Children's Books,  Heartdrum

 Children's Fiction  |  Middle Grade  |  Multicultural Interest 

A copy of We Still Belong was provided to me by HarperCollins Children's Books, Heartdrum, and Netgalley for review purposes:

From the very first word to the very last, this middle novel will captivate the reader's attention.

Wesley is going to have a very special day. In addition to her poem for Indigenous Peoples' Day, she plans to ask her crush, fellow gamer Ryan, to accompany her to the school dance.

However, as soon as Wesley boards the morning bus, her day begins to unravel. The day is filled with jittery emotions, unexpected encounters, and awkward conversations with her teachers.

Wesley is in store for even more surprises when she attends an intertribal powwow and discovers some truths that she does not find surprising. This includes the knowledge that she is as brave - and as loved - as she could ever hope to be.

I give We Still Belong five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: A Match in the Making

 

A Match in the Making

by Jen Turano

Pub Date 21 Feb 2023 

 Bethany House,  Bethany House Publishers

 Christian  |  Historical Fiction  |  Romance 

I am reviewing a copy of A Match in

the Making through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:

Gwendolyn Brinley has accepted a temporary paid companion position for the summer season in Newport, believing it will be a lark to spend the summer in America's most exclusive town. Her summer turns anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take on the role of assistant matchmaker. After being faced with the challenging task of finding advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn finds herself employed by Walter Townsend, the catch of the season, but a gentleman who Gwendolyn finds utterly obnoxious.

For the sake of his unruly motherless children, Walter Townsend reluctantly seeks a wife. He did not expect Miss Brinley, a matchmaker who turned his search for a new wife into a complete and utter disaster. Increasingly surrounded by society ladies seeking his affection, Walter must overcome their inundating attention and his unexpected attraction to GwendolynIt becomes more difficult for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife the more they spend together during the Newport Season.

I give A Match in the Making five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: The Maid of Ballymacool

 

The Maid of Ballymacool

A Novel

by Jennifer Deibel

Pub Date 21 Feb 2023 

 Revell 

 Christian  |  Historical Fiction  |  Romance 

A copy of The Maid of BallyMacool was provided to me by Revell and Netgalley for review:

As an infant, Brianna Kelly was abandoned at Ballymacool House and Boarding School. From the time she was a young girl, she has worked there and likely will die there. Brianna feels powerless to change her situation, so she consoles herself by exploring the Ballymacool grounds looking for hidden treasures to add to the secret trove beneath the floorboards of her room.

When Michael Wray, the son of local gentry, is sent to Ballymacool to deal with his unruly cousin, Brianna draws his attention immediately and irresistibly. There is something familiar about her. With Michael's help, Brianna investigates the origins of a piece of silver she finds in the woods. They may discover something that changes everything.

An enchanting mystery, a budding romance, and a chance for redemption await you in this fresh take on the Cinderella story from Jennifer Deibel.

I give The Maid of Ballymacool five out of five stars:

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Someone is Always Watching Watching

 

Someone Is Always Watching

by Kelley Armstrong

Pub Date 11 Apr 2023 

 Penguin Random House Canada,  Tundra Books

 Teens & YA 

Tundra Books and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Someone is Always Watching for review:

Blythe and her friends - Gabrielle, Tucker, and Tanya - have always been close friends, attending the same high school and falling in love over and over again. An act of violence has caused a rift between Blythe and Tucker, and they are experiencing more unexpected bouts of aggression and disturbing nightmares.  

A shocking event at school culminates the strange happenings: Gabrielle is found dead in front of her deceased principal, covered in blood.  

In addition to cracks in their friendship, long-forgotten secrets threaten to surface, changing the group's lives forever. When Blythe and her friends can't even trust their own memories, how can they trust each other?

I give Someone is Always Watching four out of five stars! 

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Letters of Trust

 

Letters of Trust

Friendship Letters series - book 1

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Pub Date 01 Mar 2023 

 Barbour Publishing,  Barbour Fiction

 Christian  |  Religion & Spirituality  |  Romance

Netgalley and Barbour Books provided me with a copy of Letters of Trust to review:

It has always been Doretta Schwartz's passion to write letters and she feels that they can be a bit of a ministry to her friends. In this series, Doretta and two of her best friends exchange letters expressing their feelings and struggles in an open and honest manner.

A Pennsylvania Amish farm is a happy place for newlyweds Vic and Eleanor Lapp until Vic's youngest brother drowns in the pond, and Vic turns to alcohol to cope. The situation gets so bad that Vic loses his job and the marriage is falling apart. In a desperate attempt to help her husband, Eleanor writes letters to her Indiana friend, Doretta. Eleanor's trust in her friend and the gentle words she receives in return are a balm for even darker days to come in the first book of The Friendship Letters series by Wanda E. Brunstetter.

I give Letters of Trust five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Book Review: Cold Light of Day

 

Cold Light of Day

by Elizabeth Goddard

Pub Date 07 Feb 2023

 Revell 

 Christian  |  Mystery & Thrillers  |  Romance 

For the purpose of this review, Revell and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Cold Light of Day:

Autumn Long, the police chief in Shadow Gap, struggles to keep her job after an unexpected string of criminal activity leaves her with a wounded officer, unexplained murders, and her own father attacked. Despite her mistrust of outsiders, Autumn turns to Grier Brenner, a newcomer who seems to have the skills and training she needs.

When Chief Long enlists Grier's assistance, he is in Alaska for the same reason so many others are--to disappear. He emerges from the shadows and proves his mettle, but his presence in her life could prove deadly. In the event that his secret is revealed, everything will be lost. Even Autumn may not be able to save him.

To extinguish the deadly threats, Autumn and Grier must rely on each other as stakes rise and dangers mount.

I give Cold Light of Day five out of five stars! 

Happy Reading!