Line by Line by Jennifer Delamere

Alice McNeil is determined to remain a spinster pursuing a life of purpose through career and hobbies despite her mother and society's expectations. Douglas Shaw is equally determined to use his intelligence and ambition to rise above a childhood of poverty regardless of what his heart may be saying to the contrary.

There is no doubt in my mind that Jennifer Delamere is a solid writer. She paints her world well, she's easily established a trilogy here with characters like Emma, Rose or even Mavis poised to take their own time in center stage. I even thoroughly enjoyed her little forays into the scientific advancement of the day and age showing the importance and procedures of the telegraph and the new found promises of the telephone.

That said, I struggled with this book. I did not connect with Alice or Douglas at all as story leads until the very last pages of the novel. Alice's character seems so focused on her spinsterhood it's hard to see the character underneath.It also makes the expected ending feel more jarring as Alice's character has to 

undergo a complete inner shift in a very short time to reach the anticipated conclusion (while well written, the format did feel very familiar to the genre). Douglas' ambition also leaves out a lot of his personality until his acquaintance with Carnegie.  I felt like I spent more time searching for a character to lead me into the story over enjoying the story itself.

Honestly I feel like this is still an enjoyable book just not a match for me.

3 out of 5 stars

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

Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes

After reading Dykes latest book Set the Stars Alight I am convinced she is not a story teller but a story weaver, combining plot threads and ideas into a wondrous narrative that draws readers into a world of her creation.

Dykes starts weaving her threads by introducing two stories, that of Lucy Claremont and Dashel Greene as well as that of  Frederick, Juliette, and Elias two hundred years prior. I've seen these alternating time periods done badly, I've seen them transition well but, again, Sykes weaves the time periods together in an almost dance as each shift in era doesn't leave you jarred but simply reveals the next step in the story (and yes this does make it ridiculously hard to keep the one more chapter promise before bed).

I'll admit, it took me awhile to get into the pacing and narrative that Dykes creates at first. It was hard to connect the two stories in my mind. 

On one hand we had Dash and Lucy, one looking to the stars, the other to the past grieving the loss of Lucy's father and reuniting after years apart to chase down The Jubilee, a long unsolved naval mystery. On the other, you have Fredrick a privileged son weighed down by guilt, Elias the peasant he was press ganged into naval service with, and the young woman who connects them Juliette.  However, slowly but surely, Dykes weaves her connectors bringing past and present into light to create a rich, engaging story.

Dykes doesn't shy from deeper themes within her work, in fact, she uses the different eras and their context to further hone in on them. Here readers are invited to explore grief, identity, and restoration with a wide range of characters who feel fully fleshed, making readers feel invited into their world. Honestly, the little details like the dove, the star parties, or even the ball just added so many honest elements which made the book better.

I'm also glad to say this was one of the most satisfying conclusions I've encountered in a novel this summer (and honestly this is the year where I crave a satisfying ending). Dykes ability to weave her narrative meant that the characters plots were well resolved with a few twists at the end that made it extra sweet.

4.5 out of 5 stars

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

A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson

 

I generally love Liz Johnson's books  (for a sweet contemporary series go check out her Red Door Inn!) but A Dazzle of Diamonds felt like a mixed bag for me.

As usual, Johnson focuses readers through the primary female character, in this case, Penelope Hunter an event planner with more than she could have planned for. Her job is in trouble as she attempts to plan her ex fiances wedding while helping best friend Tucker Westbrook run for Sheriff. The problem is that Tucker's family has been accused of being traitors in the war and now Penelope's only route to clear his name is helping him find the missing treasure from centuries past.

All in all, this novel had all the components I like in a summer romance. Old friends who don't realize they're in love (I'm a sucker for those as it mirrors my own romance), missing treasure, ties to the past, and an absolutely amazing supporting character.

So, why the mixed feelings, looking at the cover Penelope looks like ever other female lead, pretty and young. Tucker's inner monologue more than once appreciates her legs, her lips, and her curves. However, there was extra attention to mention Penelope's eating her feelings in brownies or wedding cake, the way her corset dug into her ribs, the special ordered size for her wedding gown. The dialogue in the book was written as a woman uncomfortable with her weight but the cover contrasted that greatly. The way her appearance and weight was addressed just felt uncomfortable and out of place in the way it was addressed and how Penelope was portrayed in the art.

Now that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy part of the book. Honestly I'm a firm, firm believer Aunt Shirley needs her own book. Honestly she was wise, intelligent, and loads of fun. Her sections of the book shone and I want more Aunt Shirley!

I also quickly found myself more engrossed in Caroline and Josiah's story. The way Johnson unraveled their tale with the old letters gave their story a great sense of pacing and I quickly became more invested in their story than the main characters. I actually confessed to my husband I would read the whole book just for their Civil War romance and intrigue.

3 stars out of 5

I received this book as part of the #RevellReads summer tour, all opinions are my own.

A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham

Aggie Pratt has a secret that has shaped her adult life, pushing her to the frontier, and away from those she loves. I thoroughly enjoyed A Life Once Dreamed and was even more impressed at how Fordham not only wove Aggie, James, and the town of Penance into life but also managed to keep me guessing on Aggie's secret until half way through the book.

I appreciated how well Fordham wrote Aggie as part of her small town. As some one who also moved out west to a small town for a time, her interactions brought back so many memories. From the neighbours who seem to nose into the details of life, to the community that grows, to the beauty of the landscape Penance and Aggie's experience of it read true. Additionally, Aggie's growth and struggles as a young woman felt real and believable as Fordham built up the small details within the character and her environment.

Fordham's writing feels so inviting, in part, due to her attention to detail. While I would put her novels as more character centered over world building she doesn't ignore Penance as merely setting but makes it its own character. The people themselves have quirks and personality (McHenry was a particular favourite in Penance for myself).Fans of her work with keen eyes will notice a shout out to her previous novels adding some continuity within her library that brought a smile to my face.

Let's not forget the plot. While the romance one expects from this genre was definitely front and center, Fordham also took the time to explore other more serious issues. Illness, fire, child loss, class divide, and illegitimacy are all touched upon in varying degrees. The handling always feels gentle (honestly the whole book including the epilogue does to a point but after the way 2020's been I kind of need/like that) which did leave me wishing for more depth at times but I overall I felt that Fordham stayed true to he writing style and the story's feel.

4 out of 5 stars.

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

An Appalachian Summer by Ann H Gabhart

An Appalachian Summer is just what this summer calls for. Now I admit, I may be biased. Ann H. Gabhart has slowly worked herself into my absolute favourite authors thanks to her ability to craft relatable characters, engaging plots, and a setting that leaps off the page to invite you home and An Appalachian Summer is no exception.

This time readers are invited into the life of Piper Danson, a debutante who dreams of a life with purpose and an old friend who disappeared from her life following the stock market crash.Swearing off her debut season for something more meaningful, Piper volunteers as a courier for the Frontier Nurses. I really enjoyed this on two fronts. First for those who have read These Healing Hills, An Appalachian Summer  feels like revisiting a friend as Mrs. Breckinridge and the frontier nurses come back again this time through the lens of a courier. Second Piper is a great lead character as she learns life outside her father's house and away from many of the conveniences and  distractions. It's easy to root for Piper as she chases chickens, navigates the hills, and muddles through what her life should look like.

Gabhart helps give Piper life by placing her in a setting that thrives all on it's own. She infuses life and in a summer like this one it's nice to have a book so inviting it whisks you away to another time and place. I will admit some of the slang the characters used felt a little modern but, I'll confess, my knowledge of thirties slang is fairly scant. Otherwise it was refreshing to imagine walking along swing bridges and up and down the mountains.

For the romantics in the crowd Gabhart delivers on that front two as Piper finds herself facing two opposite paths with her father's choice of Braxton Crandall and her heart's wonderings regarding her childhood friend Jamie and Piper's Aunt Truda also faces down her own regrets from her past. 

Honestly, An Appalachian Summer  was the at home escape I needed thanks to Gabhart's consistent ability to spin a world that invites you to get lost in it. I would definitely recommend this and it's predecessor These Healing Hills.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group

A Reckless Love by Beth White

Sometimes I'm almost nervous to pick up the end of a trilogy. Will the ends be tied up, will the writing stay consistent? I'm so happy that I took a chance as White delivers a thrilling end to The Daughtry House Series that is sure to keep readers engaged to the last page.

Now, confession, I still haven't gotten my hands on book 1 and honestly, while Aurora holds her own as the female lead, White has delivered such an exciting and intricate plot that I'd definitely recommend reading through all three books to get the full impact.

In A Reckless Love readers get a chance to follow Aurora's journey as the youngest of the Daughtry girls trying to find her own place amid her changing family and town life. Aurora really is the perfect sister to finish out this trilogy with her mix of sunny outlook and spitfire personality, her newly realized maturity fits well into a world that was trying to find it's feet. 

Aurora certainly has a lot to sort out too as she helps her sisters establishing their hotel, inherits a saloon (complete with saloon girls), and finds herself in the middle of increasing tensions in her hometown as the klan's web effects continue to throw the town into strife.

I'll admit, given recent events the plot lines surrounding postwar racial tension was a bit sobering. Themes like justice, racism, and revenge are explored throughout the trilogy but the feel more prominent here as White seeks to bring the Daughtry sisters story to a close. I felt for the most part they were handled well as they were mostly presented to the readers through the sisters eyes.

Zane also provides a strong male lead throughout the story as he wrestles with his desire to see justice done after a years long man hunt. I have to admit well a quicker romantic plot than I usually enjoy, White does such a wonderful job writing the interaction and inner wrestlings of both Aurora and Zane that their story line was absolutely delightful to read and possibly my favourite pairing of the series.

For fans of historical fiction of this era, White's trilogy is a perfect balance of romance and intrigue.

4.5 out of 5 stars

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

Stay by Anjuli Paschall

Stay is a mix of wisdom and vulnerability, conversations over coffee and life earned lessons.

In Stay Anjuli Paschall shares the lessons she's learned over her life about the beauty and growth that can come from staying and meeting with Jesus in the moments that would typical kick us into fight or flight.

Paschall covers a variety of topics throughout these pages with some more lighthearted reflections like engagements that don't match our expectations and decades old Christmas traditions while other reflections may touch on fears or even triggers as Paschall talks about helping friends through addiction, the realities of aging and death, or even pregnancy trauma. The theme tying these together is Paschall's willingness to stay in her vulnerable truth and point herself and her readers back to Jesus in the middle of life's chaos.

Although Paschall has a notable online presence I wasn't familiar with her or the mom's we love club before reading this book. There were moments when the writing style felt too conversational as thoughts trailed more than I expected but that's also more a personality thing than a quality thing (and I read late at night when my patience isn't at it's peak).

I did, however, appreciate the obvious love and earnestness with which Paschall shares not only the biblical truths she has obviously wrestled with her whole life but the journey it took to get her there and I think that's what makes this book worth reading, Paschall's willingness to acknowledge the journey of learning and living with Jesus. She doesn't just tell her readers to stay with Jesus in the middle she shows them how she's repeatedly found him there when she looked. I love leading by example.

4 out of 5 stars.

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