A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy

 

This is the book that has made Duffy a must read on my reading list. In A Tapestry of Light, Duffy introduces readers to Ottilie Russell, a young woman of European and Indian ancestry, caught between two worlds and surrounded by grief.

This is an easy book to get lost in. Duffy skillfully brings India of the late 1800s to life as she invites readers into Ottilie's hometown. I really appreciated her attention to the smaller but important details using things like the spices and the scents of Ottilie's daily routine to bring the narrative to life. You can feel Duffy's excitement for history and storytelling come through with this care. I was glad to see this detail maintain it's pace throughout the story as Ottilie left India for England, eventually ending up in London.

One of my biggest issues with Duffy's last book was an inability for me, personally, to connect with the main characters, that wasn't a problem at all here. I really appreciated how Duffy tackled so many universal issues amid her backdrop, things like racism, poverty, loss, and love. The characters weren't rushed through their stories and many had more complicated backgrounds than their initial introduction hinted at.

I also really appreciated Duffy's treatment of faith within Ottilie's story. Ottilie isn't the typical heroine I see so often in the genre. She wrestles with her faith, she feels the questioning about having questions, she knows her own brokenness, she fights in the midst of loss. Her grief and questions feel so real. I love how Duffy chose to keep Nani and her Bible as such a central part of Ottilie's journey and her interactions became a favourite part of the story for me.

For people wanting a vibrantly painted setting, deeply realized characters, and a plot to keep the pages turning A Tapestry of Light is well worth diving into.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Destined For You by Tracie Peterson

 

Tracie Peterson is one of those authors who have been around forever and generally I don't expect a lot of surprises from her anymore, just solid and predictable historical fiction with some romance thrown in. Destined for You, however, completely blew me away and is my new favourite in Peterson's collection.

The characters themselves feel very familiar to the genre. Gloriana is the patient, nurturing female lead who is wrestling with God while Luke is the handsome protector standing true among life's hurdles. Peterson gives them a small town backdrop that feels warm and familiar with the energetic J.T, the wise and comforting Pastor Sedgewick and his wife, right down to friendly pup Jack.

It's Peterson's plot with its handling of grief as well as how grief can affect one's interactions with God that really made this a book to be remembered. Throughout the course of the story Peterson touches upon multiple types of loss including loss of parent, loss of sibling, and even grief that comes from broken relationships and loss of potential. 

While fans of Peterson's will find themselves with a resolution they'll be pleased with, I enjoyed how, even with Glory's more traditional gender roles, Peterson allowed the character to sit in her grief, fear, and anger over the losses and changes she's encountered over the past number of years in her life. Glory gives voice to a lot of hurt I'm slowly seeing given space in the church for discussion and it was refreshing and moving to see Peterson's treatment of it.

Luke is the dashing male lead but I also liked how Peterson wrote his acknowledgement and respect of Glory's fears and grieving as well as his relationship with  J.T. While their connection still leaned into the grief they shared J.T. and Luke's relationship brought some lighthearted moments into the novel's conversation.

5out of 5 stars

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

My Dear Miss Dupré by Grace Hitchcock

 

It's historical fiction meets The Bachelorette when Willow Dupre finds herself faced with 30 potential suitors under her roof and 6 months to find a husband or face loosing control of her family's sugar business.

In my opinion, Hitchcock has given the historical romance genre a fun and intriguing twist on the standard. Willow's a great main character with her mix of intelligence, capability, and vulnerability. Hitchcock does an amazing job writing Willow's journey from initial reluctance, to slowly softening heart, to eventual conclusion.

Of course, the cast of suitors made the story even more interesting. 

I'll be honest, even though I'm perfectly content with how Willow's story resolved, there was more than one suitor I was rooting for! Hitchcock really worked hard to give the men compelling stories through their personalities, histories, and interests. Between former boxers, flower aficionados, childhood friends (and rescuers) there was a breadth of options. It also really made Willow's confusion more believable as she sorted out her feelings and connections (and added some great moments of interest like Fritz's use of flowers to communicate).

Since this is only book one in the American Royalty series I'm truly hoping that some of the other suitors find their own happily ever after in subsequent books.

For those that aren't into poor romance there are lots of other elements that make this story enjoyable. While there are the obvious moments of romance with Willow's search for romance, there are also moments of intrigue and drama as the men and Willow seek out threats to Willow from within their own. There was also an interesting side story involving Dupre Sugar's rival within the business world that added elements of mystery and betrayal for extra tension.

While there were a few points that made me shake my head a little (letting the final three beaus look into the businesses secrets while under threat from their main rival for example), the book is still a fun read and a great start to a new series.

4 out of 5 stars

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Blackberry Beach by Irene Hannon

 

Irene Hannon is once again inviting readers back to Hope Harbor. In Blackberry Beach it's coffee shop owner Zach Garrett and visitor Katherine Parker's turn to guide readers through the now familiar town.

I'll be honest as far as the Hope Harbor series goes this was probably the hardest for me to engage with the main story line.  While it definitely fits the feel and themes of the series, I think some of the stories Hannon chose to explore through her characters hit too close to home in this case. While Katherine wrestles with finding the path her life should take, Zach wrestles with family rifts, loss to cancer, and heart surgery of a loved one.

On the positive Hannon made good use of her prior excursions to Hope Harbor to really give the amazing small town feel that this series has brought since page 1. I absolutely loved seeing series regulars back to shine like the clergy, Charley, and my favourite pair of seagulls. They really add to the uniformity of the series and add such wonderful richness to the setting.

I also feel like the secondary storyline of Frank and Stephanie  was the highlight of the book, to the point I'm almost sorry they weren't the central storyline. The struggles just felt more true to life, their connection and fears felt more true, and I loved their absolute joy (not to mention they had a wonderfully satisfying conclusion.)

While this is not my favourite outing in the series I think most fans of the series will be happy to have returned to this charming little town.

3.5 out of 5 stars

I received this as part of the RevellReads #HopeHarbor book tour. The opinions are my own.

Always Know with Melinda Estabrooks

 

Every once in awhile you stumble onto a book at just the right time.

This collection of stories begins with the last line of the show See Hear Love "Always know . . . you are seen, heard, and deeply loved by God." After a year of isolation and conflict these words hit with a much needed truth which unfolds throughout the pages thanks to a chorus of voices.

I was truly impressed with the diversity of this collection with 50 contributors from different walks and stages of life. It really hit me as such a reflection of the body of Christ, so many different parts coming together to share truth, uplift, and encourage reflection and growth.
With such diversity in its pages it would be a challenge not to find a voice that resonates. There is such power in a person's story and you can feel the heart of the writers coming through the pages.
 I think the diversity lends itself to Always Know being a book that will connect through multiple reads with different chapters connecting with readers at different stages in life.

The book is also very easy to engage with. Most of the chapters average two pages with the main text, reflection, takeaway, and author bio. It was so easy to grab the book in a quiet moment and read a chapter while reflecting on the follow up questions while I moved through my day.

If you're like me who's always looking to dig a little deeper, Always Know also has an amazing feature where each chapter is linked with an episode of See Hear Love (another great resource from Melinda). This really lets readers customize how they engage the material and allows for more in depth engagement on the chapters that stay with you.

5 out of 5 stars

I received this book as part of the #AlwaysKnowBook tour. The opinions are my own.

The Moonlight School by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of those authors I've come back to a few times over the years but this was my first foray into her non-Amish fiction. Stylistically, there were definitely some familiar elements, inherent to her storytelling that I was pleased to see carried over.

First, the skill of her world crafting. I often appreciate the care Fisher puts into building her story's worlds and found it more impressive in The Moonlight School.  As a historical fiction incorporating real life characters, Fisher has done her work to keep historical accurate information blended in with her vibrant Appalachian community. It was easy to picture Lucy and Jenny wandering up and down the hills of Kentucky, discovering the wonder of the outdoor services, and finding peace in the hills.

I'm also a sucker for stories that incorporate real life individuals as accurately as possible and Fisher gives us two notable ones. First was Cora. While Lucy may be the main character (and completely fictional) her second cousin Cora was an actual individual who campaigned against illiteracy through the moonlight schools she and Lucy are working to start up in the novel. Fisher definitely makes a compelling case to read more about this passionate lady. I also loved the character of Mollie McGlothin who true to the novel was the catalyst for Cora's night schools when she learned to read. These little moments of history made the novel so much more engaging and Fisher's research really shines through.

As far as the story itself goes, this really feels more coming of age for Lucy more than a typical romance when compared to similar novels. As a result I found the ending a little frustrating with how Lucy makes peace with her discoveries about Charlotte's disappearance and Lucy's own heart. It felt a little too much like leaving openings for a sequel in a story that doesn't really feel it leads up to a sequel. That said, I suspect I'm the minority on this as the story really does highlight a unique point in US history around a wonderful coming of age tale.

4 out of 5 stars

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

 

Sundin combines thrilling narrative with keen awareness of  historical detail to present a story that kept me up until the wee hours promising myself "just one more page". Although I had heard of Sundin before, with historical fiction being a personal favourite genre, this was my first true introduction to Sundin's work and what an introduction!

First, I was so impressed with Sundin's ability to balance the elements within her narrative.
Let's be honest, the action/suspense was wonderful. I loved how aware Sundin is in this novel of her pacing to maximize the suspense and, in my opinion, reader enjoyment. Even though everyone is familiar with what was coming a few short months after the story occurs Sundin still captures so much tension as Lang and Brand pick their way through the rapidly changing landscape.

That said, Sundin equally captures the emotion of the time as readers are led through the sorrow and fear of the Gold's or the hope that grows out of Lang and Brand's encounters. As exciting as the suspense/adventure elements are, I was glad Sundin gave equal time to the human element of the story to give depth and character growth.

Which is probably why I enjoyed the book's two leads so well (the villian was well written too but I don't want to focus on that too much due to spoilers).

Evelyn is every inch the spunky lead in this story and I think her efforts to be respected in her field are still, sadly, relatable today. I did find hers too be an interesting journey as she delved into her family history and how her growing awareness of her family affected how she interacted with the events around her.

On the other hand, I think Peter's story was the one that sucked me in, Sundin's use of Peter to show how different political and societal events had originally made some sympathetic or ignorant of what was happening in Germany in that period was an angle I don't often see used for one of the main protagonists but I found Peter's journey to be far more interesting as a result.

In the end, Sundin has given readers a thrilling outing in pre WWII Europe with an extremely satisfying ending.

An easy 5 out of 5 stars for me.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."