When Silence Sings

When Silence Sings
By Sarah Loudin Thomas
Published by Bethany House
Publication Date: November 5th

The Harpes and the McLeans have been feuding for generations, so it's no surprise to Colman Harpe that when his cousin is killed by a McLean, the Harpes want vengeance. Colman, an aspiring preacher, tries to remind himself that vengeance is the Lord's and stay out of things, but then he receives an unexpected call from the Lord--to preach to the McLeans. Not sure how to carry out that call, and even sure he wants to, he heads out on a fishing trip instead, only to be stranded in a storm and lost in mountain caves until he emerges in the McLeans' territory, cared for by Ivy, an outsider who encourages him to answer his call to preach to the McLeans.

Serepta McLean, the matriarch of the McLean clan, has worked too hard to gain control of and prosper the family businesses to let anything get in her way. Neither of her two sons quite seems up to scratch to be the next leader of their empire--the elder is too sloppy and the younger too eager to make changes Serepta doesn't approve of. While she needs to tend to business and bringing at least one of her sons up to scratch, when a terrible accident leaves a young girl orphaned, Serepta impulsively takes her in and soon finds that the little girl changes her life way more than she anticipated.

Wow! This book was incredibly well written. I don't know anything about West Virginia in 1930, and yet, Sarah Loudin Thomas brought it to life in such a way that it felt totally familiar to me. I was quickly immersed in the setting as well as the plot. From the get-go, Colman, with his Jonah-like story, just tugged at my heart; I think a lot of readers can relate to feeling like there's something God wants us to do but don't have any idea how to actually do it. I thought that was totally relatable, as was how he felt caught between his family and his own desires for life. Ivy and her uncle, who care for him, were totally endearing as well. As for Serepta, she was a fascinating character, one who does things that are definitely questionable but who also does good things. She, along with other characters, definitely make for an interesting discussion topic, like what makes someone good or evil, if anyone is past redemption, etc. There's just so much to like about this book--and there's tons to talk about, which makes it a great choice for book clubs. Highly recommend--I'm picking this as one of the best books of 2019!
5 stars!

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Lady and the Highwayman

The Lady and the Highwayman
By Sarah M. Eden
Published by Shadow Mountain
Release date: September 3, 2019

As the headmistress of a girls' school, Elizabeth Black needs to be all this is prim and proper in order to maintain support for her school. Her job as a "silver-fork" author, writing for the upper classes in Victorian society--is acceptable. Her secret career as the author Penny Dreadfuls--cheap, sensational stories--is not and must remain a secret or it will threaten everything she has worked for.
When Fletcher Walker, another successful Penny Dreadful author, starts sniffing around, trying to find out who the mysterious author "Mr. King" is, Elizabeth figures "helping" him with his search will enable her to guarantee he never finds out that she is Mr. King. She quickly becomes interested in more than just keeping her secret, however; rumor has it that Fletcher belongs to a secret group of penny dreadful authors, the Dread Penny Society, who work to fight for the poor and working-class and whose ideals seem in line with Elizabeth's own, and Elizabeth is intrigued by the possibility that such a society exists. More than that, though, she's intrigued by Fletcher himself--and he seems equally interested in her.

I read an ARC of this novel in July; just over halfway through the year, I"m going to say not only is this one of my picks for the Best Books of 2019, but it's my personal favorite out of everything I've read this year. I have read a lot of terrific books this year, but there is something about this one that just captured my heart beyond what any other book has done.

So, what did I love about it?
Fletcher, for starters. Oh, how I love a good romantic hero, and I've got a special spot in my heart for a rough-around-the-edges-with-a-heart-of-gold hero, which Fletcher totally is. Having risen from the gutters, he doesn't try to be something he's not, and I love it. He's genuine and gritty while also being compassionate and smart and frankly, pretty stinking sexy!

What else? Elizabeth, of course! I love that she's smart and strong and capable. I love that she doesn't shy away from danger but follows her heart and her conscience and helps those around her. I also really liked that she's confident. And I love that she holds her own with Fletcher and that, despite being "higher class" than he is, never, ever treats him that way but genuinely sees him and his worth.

I also love the secondary characters--Elizabeth's fellow teacher Ana and various members of the Dread Penny Society were great characters and I really, really hope that this book is the first in the series and we'll get to know these characters on a deeper level in future books.

What else did I love? The writing! I am NOT one for long (especially flowery) descriptions. I love snappy dialogue (particularly if it makes me laugh!) and Sarah Eden is a master of that style. The dialogue was terrific and moved the story along well. There were many times when I laughed--I'm smiling now as I write this just thinking about some of those great moments! (Ah! I loved the flirting between Fletcher and Elizabeth! So much fun!) The plot was fun and moved along well and kept my interest the entire time.

I also really liked the setting. I don't read many Victorian novels, but I'll definitely read more if Sarah Eden is the author! I liked seeing more about the society, how it was still very, very divided but there were some pushes toward more equality and educating the poor and things like that.

Something else that was neat was that included in the book were two Penny Dreadfuls--one written by "Mr. King" and one written by Fletcher. It was cool having two extra stories worked into the larger story and was a clever way of showing aspects of Victorian society.

So, basically, I loved the entire thing. With several months left in the year, there is the possibility that another book could steal the "favorite book of the year" title from this one, but it's going to take one heck of a book to be able to do that because I absolutely adored this book.

5 stars and one of my picks for the best books of 2019!

 I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Heart of a Vicar

The Heart of a Vicar (Jonquil Brothers #6)
By Sarah M. Eden
Published by Covenant Communications

Harold Jonquil is trying to be the best vicar he can be--and yet, despite his efforts to suppress any un-vicar-like tendencies (like singing drinking songs!), Harold seems to be failing. He isn't connecting with his congregation as well as he would like, and his brothers constantly remind him of his shortcomings. When Sarah Sarvol, the girl he fell in love with years before but couldn't pursue a relationship with, returns to the area to live, she quickly points out his shortcomings and even tells him she'd make a better vicar than him...and Harold soon sees that she has a way of connecting with people that he lacks. Has he been wrong to dedicate his life to being a vicar?
When Sarah and her brother Scott return to England so Scott can assume his responsibilities as their cankerous and cruel uncle's heir, Sarah is determined to be happy--even if it means seeing Harold Jonquil, the man who broke her heart. She's shocked by the changes in him, none of which seem to be for the better, and trying, to break through the hollow and indifferent exterior he projects to see if there is more below his surface, she challenges him to a contest to see who can be a better vicar. As Harold starts to show signs of his old self, though, Sarah finds that her old feelings for him start to resurface, but having been hurt by him once, does she dare trust him with her heart again?

 Oh my goodness! I've heard Sarah M. Eden say a couple times that she can't wait to introduce us to the real Harold Jonquil, and now I see what she meant.. We've seen quite a bit of Harold in the other books in the series, but always through his brothers' eyes, and he was definitely my least favorite Jonquil, based on what I saw through his brothers--he had a holier-than-thou attitude and seemed entirely lacking in real feelings. Well, by the end of the first chapter of this book, I was ready to punch his idiotic (but lovable) brothers in their noses and slap myself upside the head for ever believing anything they said about him! The author did a terrific job of showing his true character--with tons of feelings and vulnerabilities and insecurities. He was just a wonderful character, and I loved getting to see who he really is and seeing how Sarah helped him be more willing to show his family and his parishioners who he really was. I also loved seeing Sarah's bright personality and how she was determined to be happy in spite of difficult circumstances. And while I was put out with the other Jonquil brothers for their shabby treatment of Harold, I loved seeing what was going on in their lives and seeing how they did come through for Harold when he needed them, and I especially loved seeing Harold find his place among them and his community. This was just a beautiful book, and I adored everything about it.

This is an easy 5 stars and one of my picks for the best books of 2019.

I read an ARC provided by the publisher via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Daughters of Northern Shores

Daughters of Northen Shores (Blackbird Mountain #2)
By Joanne Bischof

Norgaard fled his beloved home on Blackbird Mountain after attacking his brother Thor's beloved, Aven, and has spent the past four years working on sailing crews around the Atlantic. Running away hasn't made it possible for him to forget what he has done, though, and the time comes for him to stop running and try to make amends. Returning home, however, will be the most difficult thing he's ever done, as it means owning up to what he has done and trying to regain the trust that he has shattered. When he returns, he finds Thor and Aven wed and expecting a child--but Thor is also deathly ill and their enemies, the Sorrels, have made it clear that they're ready for a fight to end their longstanding feud. While the family doesn't exactly welcome Haakon with open arms, they need his strength and expertise to protect their home and one another.

Ah! I love Joanne Bischof's writing style. It flows so well, with wonderful descriptions and great word choices. I also love her characters, with flaws right alongside their strengths. These characters just capture your heart--from Thor, with his deafness and his strength and his tenderness, to Haakon with his wildness that can't quite overshadow that deep-down goodness, to Aven who loves fiercely and faces life with such courage--and you just can't help but root for them and be swept up in their stories. I loved the first book in this series, and I"m glad to be able to emphatically state that this book is just as lovely and enjoyable to read. One of the best of 2019! 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Daisies and Devotion

Daisies and Devotion (Mayfield Family #2)
By Josi Kilpack

Timothy Mayfield knows that he must marry a woman of wealth, as he has none of his own, but he hopes that he can also find a woman whom he can love.--and Maryann Morrington may be that woman. She isn't a great beauty, but she is the sister-in-law of his friend, has a fortune that will pass to her husband, and he enjoys her company and her wit. Then Timothy's uncle Elliott, who is trying to bring respectability and stability his nieces and nephews, reveals that, upon Timothy making a match of which Elliott approves, Elliott is prepared to give him a generous amount of land as well as a home in London, suddenly he is free to forget about financial matters and find the perfect woman for him--and he promptly puts together a list of everything he desires in a woman, from blonde hair to artistic talent to a tinkling laugh.

Maryann knows that just about any man who shows any interest in her is likely attracted more by her fortune than herself, she appreciates Timothy's honest assertion that he while he needs a woman of means, he also is spending time with her in order to find out if they could connect on a deeper level. When Timothy returns from his uncle's and doesn't pay her any attention at all, she finds her heart wounded--and when another forthright conversation with him has him revealing his newfound circumstances as well as the list of qualities the perfect woman must have--few of which Maryann possesses--any dreams she had of a future with Timothy are shattered. Still, she enjoys his friendship and truly wants his happiness--and she even gives him pointers on how to dress and introduces him to ladies recently come to town in order to help him find the woman for him, while hoping, without any real hope, that someone will come along who can drive Timothy from her thoughts and heart.

This book had me hooked from the opening chapter and I couldn't wait to see how things worked outI loved how Maryann was both very direct and smart; the banter between Timothy and her was terrific from the beginning and continued throughout the book. I really liked Maryann's character--she was good and kind and strong but also somewhat wounded, and she just felt very real. Her pain at Timothy's rejection, as well as his inadvertent insults, was portrayed very realistically and I just hurt for her! I really liked Timothy's upbeat attitude and how he was funny and kind (with a few slip-ups), but at the same time, I got exasperated with him for Maryann's sake. I liked seeing the growth in his character and particularly enjoyed an enlightening conversation he had with his older brother. I also liked how the book ended; I was a little worried it was going to wrap up too easily and without adequate resolution, but I think things played out realistically and satisfactorily. This is a delightful book and one of my picks for best of 2019. 5 stars.

This is the second book in a series; while you could read it without reading the first, the first book is equally enjoyable, so check out Promises and Primroses, too!

I read an ARC from the publisher #ShadowMountain via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #DaisiesAndDevotion

Flights of Fancy

Flights of Fancy
By Jen Turano

Isadora Delafield, one of the most sought-after heiresses in New York's high society, has been raised to be the perfect lady. When a disgusting and dangerous duke decides he will have Isadora as his wife at any cost, Isadora has to get away. With help from her butler, she sets out for Pennsylvania, posing as a servant looking for a position as a housekeeper. When she heads for Glory Manor, she thinks it sounds like a fancy house--and is therefore surprised to find it's a country home, complete with poison ivy, attacking chickens, and cows that try to enter the house. It doesn't take her long to realize she's not at all qualified to be the housekeeper, but she also finds herself drawn to the home and the people there. Determined to stay, she makes Ian MacKenzie a deal he can't refuse so that he'll hire her, even if it's only on a temporary basis.

Ian MacKenzie, a lawyer in high demand as he negotiates between the wealthy industrialists and their works, is busy with his work in Pittsburg. He needs to hire someone to help his aging adopted parents with the farm and with the four orphans they've recently taken in so he can get back to Pittsburg, and while he isn't sure "Izzie Delmont" will even manage to keep the house standing, he also finds himself completely fascinated by her and gives her a chance--and in so doing finds that maybe the path he's been on--to acquire wealth and marry into high society--isn't the right one for him after all.

Jen Turano is the master at humorous Christian romances. If you need a book to make you laugh out loud, look no further. There are so many things to laugh at, and if I listed them all out, it would probably sound absurd, and yet, that's the beauty of Turano's writing--these incidents that should seem over the top actually totally fit into the story and are completely believable with the characters she has created. Wrapped up in all that humor, though, there are also spiritual messages about changing, growing, and finding God's path, along with terrific chemistry between Izzie and Ian, both of whom are totally endearing characters. I loved watching them fall in love with each other as well as watching them fall in love with the four orphans, who are so completely heart-stealing that I wish they were real so I could hug them. This was just a delightful read from start to finish, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

5 stars! Best of 2019!

I read a copy of the book provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A Song for the Stars by Ilima Todd

A Song for the Stars
By Ilima Todd

Maile is relieved when James Cook and his sailors leave her beloved Hawaiian island; while most of her people believed Cook to be their god, Lono, Maile wasn't convinced and is glad the men are gone. However, the men soon return--and the islanders aren't so welcoming this time. A battle ensues, and Maile's fiancé Ikaika is killed by one of Cook's men; Maile takes that same man hostage when her life is threatened.
John Harbottle has quickly come to appreciate Hawai'i and its people, so he is sickened by the battle and the deaths, particularly the one he caused. Although he killed to protect his captain, he doesn't want any more conflict between the people. Although Maile is wary of him at first, she reluctantly cares for him throughout his healing process. His genuine kindness and interest in her people show Maile there is much more to him than simply being her enemy.

This book was lovely, made even better by the fact that it's inspired by a true story. It was so interesting to see how the native Hawaiians viewed the Europeans and to learn more about their life and culture. The backdrop for the story (both the setting and the plot elements) was really beautiful, and then seeing John and Maile's growing feelings was just fantastic. I loved how it moved slowly, from wariness to appreciation to friendship to love, and I really enjoyed the teasing between Maile and John. This was just a highly enjoyable story from start to finish.

5 stars. One of my picks for the best of 2019.

I read an ARC via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz

A Bound Heart
By Laura Frantz


Lark MacDougalls loves her home on the island of Kerrera. She keeps the bees and works in the stillroom at laird's castle, and while it's a simple life, there's nowhere else she'd rather be. Loyal to the laird, Magnus MacLeish, Lark does what she can to try to help his wife, Isla, bear him an heir, but after multiple miscarriages, Lark feels there's little she can do to help Isla. When Isla dies unexpectedly, Lark is accused of killing her, and Magnus, in his attempt to protect Lark, also finds himself imprisoned. While spared the noose, Lark doesn't know what she'll do when she and Magnus are indentured and sent across the Atlantic to a new world and a new life.

This book was phenomenal! The descriptions and the characters are amazing; from the very beginning, Laura Frantz did a terrific job of transporting me to Scotland alongside Lark. It was just amazing how she drew me into the setting as much as the plot. Everything about the story was so interesting--from the Scottish daily life with the poverty alongside the beauty to the harsh British laws that punish the Scots to life as an indentured servant. There's just so much here to fall in love with--including Lark and Magnus, who were both strong, wonderful characters and they were so well-developed and really felt like real people. I really loved getting to read their story and see how things played out for them.

5 stars. A fantastic book to kick of 2019--this one sets a high standard for everything I read from here on out!

I read an ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.