A Warrior's Heart by Misty M. Beller

I really enjoyed the premise of A Warrior's Heart, with its isolated community, fierce defender, and the interloper with regrets, I expected a bit of historical fiction with a healthy dose of eventual romance.

While some of those elements were present, in the end, I felt like I wasn't the intended audience for this book.

The elements I was most intrigued by (the village of Laurent, the life of a female warrior, etc) all quickly took second place to a romance plot between the two lead characters.

The Village of Laurent is a fascinating town hidden in its caves with a history that was only hinted at. I truly hope some of that is unveiled in future novels of the Brides of Laurent series as it felt so underutilized here.

As did Brielle. I really wanted to love her as a lead. She has risen the ranks to be a protector of her people, had faced down hardships and loss, and was a character that hinted towards great strengths and awareness of her weaknesses. But most of the book focused on her attraction to Evan in a way that felt contrary to the character and history introduced in the earliest chapters.

Same with Evan, although he had some shining moments later in the book, most of my memory of the story was his pining after Brielle, even as she was in a position of authority over him.

I think I just went in with the wrong expectations. I wanted the history of Laurent, the reality of life on the frontier and the uniqueness of the culture that had sprung up in their isolation. In reality, this boils down to a romance novel placed in a previous era more than historical fiction and romance fans will probably find a greater connection to the story Beller shares.

 

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

The Lines Between Us by: Amy Lynn Green

 

I really couldn't wait to see where Green would take us with her newest novel The Lines Between Us  and readers familiar to Green's former novel will see multiple elements that are helping form her trademark style.

Green takes readers back to the era of WWII, but as in her last novel, she focuses on the efforts of those who were stateside for the duration. Once again, I was excited to delve into a part of history I don't really dive into often with the focus this time on the WAC (Women's Auxilary Corps) and the CO's (Conscientious Objectors).

Dorie is definitely a plucky heroine (and I think she'd appreciate the term plucky). I felt she was a strong lead with her curiosity and tenaciousness, both necessary qualities for the plot. I'll admit there were times she was a little more abrasive or manipulative than I expected but it was still well written and believable.

Gordon was my favourite of the two lead characters which, it's not often the male lead draws me in more than the female counterpart. I appreciated his wrestling with truth and conviction both from his working out the practicality of his faith and convictions in the present as well as the reconciliation of how those beliefs diverged in his past. Green writes Gordon's story with both the historical detail I'm coming to expect from her as well as the engaging authenticity of her characters.

One element that I've found unique to Green's writing that I was delighted to reencounter was her usage of letters to drive her plot forward. While they played a larger role in Things We Didn't Say,  I loved the creativity of having key plot points driven forward through military missives, heartfelt letters home, and log books full of the ramblings of long nights. It just adds such an interesting element and dimension to the story and I love to see Green continuing this.

The plot itself, again, I love how Green takes lesser known stories from a well covered era and gives them a moment to shine. While it's more common to cover the European lines I was fascinated to read of the roles the CO's filled at home, the work of the WAC, and of the Triple Nickles, all groups that contributed in their own way to the war effort while facing down prejudices for different reasons. Green really does an amazing job weaving these three groups together with the park rangers of Oregon against a back drop of mystery and belief that keeps you searching for the truth on multiple levels until the end.

4 out of 5 stars. 

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

A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano

 

This was not my first time encountering Politano's work but, there is no question this has easily become my favourite. Politano is a gifted writer spinning characters, mystery, and emotion together into a tale you simply won't be able to put down.

Readers are quickly drawn into the story of Ella, a young, aspiring dancer seeking to both find her way in life as well as maintain her last ties with her beloved mother. Both of which have led her to the Craven Street Theatre as an aspiring ballerina, a risky choice for a young lady of the era. I love Ella as a main character. She has the joy and curiosity that makes her such an inviting heroine and yet her drive for perfection and belonging give her story such an air of familiarity. 

Jack, on the other hand surprised me. While I'm used to there being an element of a love triangle or dual suitors vying for attention, I loved how Politano allowed readers to be introduced to Jack through Ella's experiences in contrast to Phillippe's reveal through the general motion of the plot. It added to the element of mystery that surrounded Ella and who sought her good.

Now, piece of advice, don't start A Midnight Dance at midnight (like some who shall remain nameless) unless you have the chance to sleep in the next day. I was amazed at how effortlessly the plot seemed to weave and reveal at the right times, the plot felt perfectly paced as Ella and Jack sought to unravel the mystery of the Craven Street Theatre's ghost. Her characters growth felt natural as well as their missteps, to the point I almost threw the book at one point out of frustration that the end may not go the way my heart hoped.

My only disappointment with the story was the subplot of Ella and her sister Lily. Compared to the pacing, growth, and skill with which the main story flowed and grew, the sisters subplot felt clunkier in comparison and I wasn't sure how I felt about its resolution. To be honest, I'm almost certain that this particular subplot will be forgotten rather quickly as it just felt out of place in comparison.

That said, it is obvious that Politano is a masterful storyteller who has brought readers something special with the Craven Street Theatre and those that call it home.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book as part of the Revell Reads book tour, all opinions are my own.

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

 

I love a good story full of secrets and restoration which makes The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocer a perfect title to kick off my fall reading stack.

Cox may still be relatively new to the world of published novels but she definitely shows the soul of a true writer weaving tales and characters that will bury themselves in readers hearts.

Now that said, can a place be my favourite character? I'm pretty sure Old Depot Grocery may have won a corner of my heart all on its own. I love how thoroughly Cox captured the heart and soul that a meeting place like Old Depot grows in the small communities that home them. Growing up in a small farming community, I may never have gone to the store that inspired Old Depot but I recognized the familiar rhythms and relationships which Cox so beautifully and accurately captured. Old Depot felt a little like home and, honestly, I would have read more about the stories held by her creaky floors and old walls.

The story itself was beautifully woven as Cox jumps between three generations of woman: matriarch Glory Ann, Rosemary, and Sarah. I both loved and occasionally wanted to sigh and shake my head at these women. The plot was laid out so clearly in the effects that one decision can have for all who come after. You could see the regrets and how easily lies and miscommunication snowballed the effects for generations. It makes for a compelling read that is filled with heart. I mean, if you twisted my arm I'd probably admit Glory Ann was my favourite of the bunch, but you could see Cox's background in counselling come through with the realistic ways her characters reacted to grief, loss, and opportunities for change and growth which I greatly appreciated.

There were one or two areas that felt a little out of place, perhaps just for my own perception of the town and history of the story. One phrase from Clarence felt too early for the historical placement of the plot point not a big issue at all in the grand scheme of things. I did struggle a little more with the plot surrounding the robbery feeling out of place with the town but I definitely saw how it was central to the story Cox was telling.

Overall, this was a story that touched on so many timeless themes and did so with heart, I'd definitely recommend giving The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery a peek this autumn.

4.5 out of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book through #RevellReadsBlogTour all opinions are my own

#TheSecretKeepersOfOldDepotGrocery

The Nature of Small Birds by Susie Finkbeiner

The Nature of Small Birds invites readers into the lives of a "normal" American family and the effects of the Vietnam war over the course of multiple generations and through the eyes of various narrators.

Before this particular novel I was more or less unfamiliar with Susie Finkbeiner and her work and I'll admit it took me a little while to adjust to her writing style (Oh how my tired brain would have loved a family tree at the beginning of the book to help me sort out Bruce, Linda, and Sonny as the narrators), eventually I fell in love though.

One of the strongest aspects of Finkbeiner's work is her ability to capture the emotional aspects of her plot for good and for bad. While Sonny is a bit older than myself the nostalgia as Finkbeiner captures the pop culture aspects of her growing up with PBS before moving to malls and movie theaters, I was amazed at how easily my mind was able to capture their world thanks to Finkbeiner's inclusion of these pop details.

Finkbeiner also knows how to handle more serious emotions with a careful and delicate touch, you can see her heart and research going into the scenes where Mindy is processing the emotions surrounding her involvement in operation babylift. I quickly grew to love Finkbeiner's heartbreaking honesty when it comes to life and loss as you saw it throughout the adoption journey as well as with Mindy's adopted uncles time in Vietnam and the effects on them and their loved ones.

I also appreciated how Finkbeiner doesn't try to wrap the story up neatly into a tidy ending, she acknowledges some losses and some messes are too big and too complicated to tidily fix in 356 pages. Some characters get an honest ending instead and I feel like that's truer to the story that was being told one that wasn't finished, wasn't resolved but also one that wasn't devoid of hope.

While it hasn't been terribly long since I finished it, The Nature of Small Birds feels like one of those books that just sticks with a reader popping up in their mind from time to time, something I'm not opposed to in the least.

 4.5 out of 5 stars

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

To Find Her Place by Susan Anne Mason

 

In the  second offering of the Redemption's Light series, Mason reintroduces reader to former case worker Jane Linder and wounded veteran Garret Wilder as they both seek to fill the acting director position for the Toronto CAS. 

While I feel this is the weaker book in the series so far, there are still a lot of elements that make this book worth a look regardless of whether or not they've read A Haven For Her Heart (which I highly recommend!). 

Once again, Mason doesn't shy away from heavier topics to add some depth and realism into her books. I appreciated watching Jane interact with the children in the society's care and Mason's inclusion of how some children grief can appear as anger and/or misbehavior.  I also appreciated her exploration of grief as it related to life altering injury and that she had her characters take time to explore what that meant on an emotional and mental level. Obviously a book tackling WW II era elements will at least touch on grief but I was impressed both with the sheer natural variety Mason includes in this tale as well as how naturally she allows her characters to articulate their grief, even if it's messy.

The story itself was interesting. I appreciate how Mason tackles historical events that are close to home as a fellow Ontarian. She isn't afraid to delve into lesser covered areas and I enjoyed experiencing this fictional account of how children's aid worked in the WW II era. I also appreciated how naturally Jane and Garrett's relationship developed. She took the time to incorporate the back stories she gave them for a natural progression that was far more satisfying. The side story of the missing money was also interesting but felt very much a side story, that wrapped up quickly and without fanfare.

Which touches upon my critique, many of the storylines in this book wrapped up quickly and far more sweetly than was believable given the nature and era of the story. Almost everyone came back from war, children placed with families healed from their issues easily and smoothly, a character faced a disabling injury that he recovered from quickly but also had people bending over backwards to help with accessibility plans in case they didn't (as someone with a disability I confess I laughed at everyone's eagerness to accommodate). After such serious elements it made the ending feel too "fairytale" in some ways for me. While I somewhat expected and maybe even rooted for the unbelievable happy ending it just felt too clean and polished.

3.75 out of 5 stars.

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

Sustaining Faith by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

 

Fans of Oke and Logan will be pleased to reunite with sisters Lillian and Grace in Sustaining Faith. This book is a direct sequel to Unyielding Hope (which far warning I somehow missed) and follows the two sisters as they settle into all the changes the past year has brought to their small family.

Now as I mentioned before, I haven't read book one in the When Hope Calls series. For people jumping into the series at this point it is totally doable. Logan and Oke present a wonderful tale with Lillian and Grace's story, however I did feel I missed some of the richness of the world, plot, and emotions that they laid out earlier. Essentially, if you can get your hands on book 1 first go ahead and enjoy it but if you can't I think you'll pick up just fine.

Oke and Logan really draw on their strengths with this novel. While the events of the book feel very ordinary, right down to waiting on phone calls with spotty connection, Oke and Logan shine with their emotion connection and their ability to pull out their characters hearts, hopes, and fears. Given the underlying themes of loss and starting over that run throughout the book, the authors had plenty of chances to dig deep and I was thrilled to see how often they let their characters sit with what was happening around them.

I've read a few novels in the past that touched on the stories of international orphans sent out to the frontier to find homes or work placements but I really appreciated the approach taken here. With Grace's own experience growing up in homes and Lillian's as someone who was adopted, Logan and Oke really give their characters the ability to explore the issues surrounding the developing care system from different angles.

I was pleased, remembering Oke gentler style from previous novels, to see the authors digging into the more painful emotions that can surround these placements and the grief that surrounds them. From Grace, to Jane, to Freddie the character reacted with an honesty in their portrayal that made my heart ache.

Now, one key point I forgot about an Oke and Logan series is don't expect an ending until the end and that also proves true. This novel very purposefully weaves itself into the story previous and the one (or ones) that are yet to come. In fact, warning to readers, this book does leave you on a cliff hanger on more than one plot line. Not in a lazy way but in one that leaves you checking the calendar for release dates.

4 out of 5 stars.

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