Category Archives: Fiction

The Inn At Rose Harbor

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The Inn At Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever had a best friend or a spouse to die unexpectedly? If so, how did you deal with your grief?

Jo Marie is still reeling from the recent, unexpected death of her military husband, Paul. She needs a change in her life, so, she opens a bed and breakfast in the small friendly town of Cedar Cove. She names her place The Rose Harbor Inn. One of her first two guests are Joshua Weaver, a man who has been called back to town by Michelle, a woman he befriended in high school. Michelle beckons him back to town because his step-father is dying. Joshua wants nothing to do with his step-father since the man treated him so horribly while he was growing up.

Her second guest is Abby Kincaid. Abby was driving the car which killed her best friend in high school. She can never forgive herself for the accident and she cuts herself off from her friends and family, shunning their offers of friendship and love. After being absent for several years, she’s back in Cedar Cove to attend her brother’s wedding. Can she find the courage to move forward with her life and forgive herself for the accident?

I liked this book. I think one of the unique aspects that I liked about it was that it touched upon the realm of the supernatural, just a little bit. Overall, a nice, heartwarming read.

So, have you ever had a best friend or a spouse to die unexpectedly? If so, how did you deal with your grief?

 

Christy Award Nominations!

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Below is a list of the Christy Award nominations! Have you read any of these books? 

CONTEMPORARY
Farewell, Four Waters by Kate McCord (RiverNorth, an imprint of Moody Publishing)
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon (G.P. Putnam’s Sons)
The Story Keeper by Lisa Wingate (Tyndale House Publishers)

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert (WaterBrook Multnomah)
Firewall by DiAnn Mills (Tyndale House Publishers)
Undetected by Dee Henderson (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

CONTEMPORARY SERIES
The Amish Blacksmith by Mindy Starns Clark and Susan Meissner (Harvest House Publishers)
Home to Chicory Lane by Deborah Raney (Abingdon Press)
When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren (Tyndale House Publishers)

FIRST NOVEL
Feast for Thieves by Marcus Brotherton (RiverNorth, an imprint of Moody Publishing)
For Such a Time by Kate Breslin (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)
House of Living Stones by Kate Schuermann (Concordia Publishing House)

HISTORICAL
The Advocate by Randy Singer (Tyndale House Publishers)
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (Viking)
The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot (Tyndale House Publishers)

HISTORICAL ROMANCE
A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)
Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer (WaterBook Multnomah)
With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

SUSPENSE
The Color of Justice by Ace Collins (Abingdon Press)
A Cry from the Dust by Carrie Stuart Parks (Thomas Nelson, a division of Harper Collins Christian Publishing)
Sky Zone by Creston Mapes (David C Cook)

VISIONARY
Once Beyond a Time by Ann Tatlock (Heritage Beacon Fiction)
Shadow Hand by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)
A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes (Enclave Publishing)

YOUNG ADULT
Failstate: Nemesis by John W. Otte (Enclave Publishing)
This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof (Independently Published)
Storm Siren by Mary Weber (Thomas Nelson, a division of Harper Collins Christian Publishing)

There’s Something About Christmas

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There’s Something About Christmas by Debbie Macomber

Have you ever stopped celebrating Christmas because it was too painful?

Emma’s mother has died, and she no longer celebrates Christmas because it reminds her of the good times she’s shared with her mother, making her feel sad. When Emma meets Oliver, her life changes. He’s cocky, arrogant, and is hired by her boss to fly Emma to three interviews that she has to do for the newspaper. She has to interview finalists for a fruitcake competition.

The flights and the interviews prove interesting.

This was a lighthearted book that you’d enjoy if you want a story without a lot of drama or conflict.

So, have you ever stopped celebrating Christmas because it was too painful for you?

Barefoot Summer

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Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

This was a good, enjoyable book. I believe it’s the first book I’ve ever read by this author. Madison is still grieving for her identical twin brother who died from a diving accident ten years ago. Her brother had a dream of winning the sailing regatta in their small town of Chapel Springs before his 27th birthday. Madison is about to turn 27, and she wants to win the regatta in her brother’s memory, hoping the win will make her feel better.

If she wins, the nightmares about her dead brother might stop. Maybe, she can now rest and get a full night’s sleep instead of being tired all the time.

Due to a strange set of circumstances, Beckett, someone whom Madison has been crushing on for years, has been assigned to give her boating lessons. Beckett kissed Madison once in high school, but, he knows she’s way out of his league. Madison is from a “normal” supportive, happy family. Her family isn’t twisted and dysfunctional like his. She doesn’t have an imprisoned alcoholic dad or a grandfather who suffer’s from memory loss. He can’t act on his attraction to Madison, can he?

I like how the characters in this book were two polar opposites who were attracted to one another. This book is also about conquering your fears, learning to move forward after tragedy. Overall, a wonderful read.

 

The Lawyer’s Luck

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The Lawyer’s Luck

When future lawyer Lawrence accidentally shoots Realie for stealing his horse, his life drastically changes. Realie is an escaped slave and she’s so close to freedom, but now, she has a major setback. She’s been shot and now she’s injured. She’s in no condition to travel.

For some strange reason, Realie finds herself drawn to Lawrence, whom she calls Lawyer. He seems determined to help her, plus he’s a free and educated man. What would he want to do with the likes of her? Besides, they’re from two opposite worlds – all Lawyer seems to know about slavery is what he’s read in the newspapers, he’s never been a slave.

This book had me mesmerized from the first page. It’s well-written and the characters really came to life. Lawrence’s and Realie’s attraction is deep and real (no pun intended), and in spite of their being total opposites, you can see how they suit one another.

This book is the prequel to the Milford College Series! Can’t wait to read the rest of them! 🙂

Head In The Clouds

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Head In The Clouds

When Adelaide’s supposed beau leaves her, with little explanation, she figures that he’s the mate that God had intended for her. She gives up her teaching job, leaves her home, all on a wild goose chase to go after this man! After all, they’re destined to be together! She’s shocked at what she finds when she encounters her supposed beau. She’s now left destitute and jobless in a foreign land. She sees a newspaper ad for a governess and her life drastically changes.

When Adelaide arrives on the sheep farm, she meets Gideon, her new boss, and his mute daughter, Isabella.

Gideon and Adelaide are attracted to each other, but, Adelaide wonders if she can take a chance on Gideon’s attraction. After all, she’s been hurt in the past.

I liked this book. I liked the attraction between Gideon and Adelaide, and I also loved how he defended her, showing how much he cared for her. I also loved Gideon’s love for his daughter, and what he did to protect her from her evil uncle.

I had a lot of sympathy for Isabella (Gideon’s mute daughter). She’s lost both of her biological parents, and she’s got an evil uncle who’ll stop at NOTHING to get her inheritance. I also felt bad that Isabella had to spend her life practically alone.

I’ve noticed this scenario in other historical settings – you have a young child with no playmates and little or no interaction with other children. It just sounds like a sad and lonely life for a child, not having any interaction with peers. It was nice how Adelaide reached out to Isabella, hoping she’d speak, trying to make Isabella’s life more fun.

Overall, a good read.