Thursday, April 28, 2022

The Ebony books by Heather Fisher

 Every once in a while you get a chance to read books from a new author.  I had the privilege of reading the two books of The Ebony.  The first book is the Charm of Saint Helena and the second is Out of the Fog.

The Ebony (Charm of Saint Helena, #1)The Ebony by Heather Fisher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Kindle Unlimited

Book Description: 1795 -Jane Sawyer enjoyed everything India had to offer. Having lived there since the death of her parents, the beautiful country had become her home. However, when her uncle accepts a position at Oxford University, her life takes an unexpected turn. From a treacherous storm that delays their journey, to recovering at an island where she almost drowns, Jane wonders if this is a foreshadowing of hard things to come.

But her thoughts begin to lighten when she discovers that the island holds more adventure than she could imagine. With fate's twists and turns, and encouragement from a handsome captain, who comes to aid her on a few unfortunate occasions, Jane uncovers inner strength she didn't know she had.

As enemy ships stalk the island's shores, only destiny can decide Jane's future with love and war.



My thoughts: I am impressed that this is the debut book for Heather Fisher. The story was well thought out and had great pacing. I couldn't help but adore Jane and James. Their story begins with a near-drowning when Jane is saved by Captain James McCannon.

The setting is on an island. Jane and her Uncle must stay there while repairs are made to the ship they were sailing on. Their goal is to end up at Oxford University where her Uncle has accepted a position to teach future surgeons.

I really enjoyed this book. I love the dynamic between most of their friends. They had a community that watched out for and helped one another. It seemed like an idyllic community, other than the bad guy and the French pillaging merchant ships.

I am very grateful that I have the second book waiting for me to read because this one ended on a cliffhanger. I look forward to finding out if everything works out well in the end.


Out of the Fog (The Ebony, #2)Out of the Fog by Heather Fisher
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review 
Genre: Historical Romance

Book Description:  With Jane's departure for England quickly approaching, Jane Sawyer and Captain James McCannon find their relationship at a crossroads. Even though part of Jane still longs to continue her journey to London to become a midwife, her heart yearns to stay and see where fate will lead them. Will chasing one desire keep her from attaining the other?

James has also discovered Jane's passion, and the last thing he wants is for his romantic pursuit of her to hamper her ability to reach her goals. But will supporting her cause him to lose her forever?

Torn between following their hearts and following their dreams, the two budding lovers struggle to stay afloat through war, misinformation, and the despair of hopes falling just out of reach. Can they find the courage to navigate the fog and build the lives they both desperately crave?
 



My thoughts: This is the conclusion of the first book "Charm of Saint Helena". This story picks up right where the first left off, in the middle of a battle.

Jane and James are great characters. Jane and her Uncle have continued their journey to Oxford while James remained at Saint Helena. Their story shows that love and romance are not always "smooth sailing". There are circumstances and people that come between them.

I enjoyed this story very much. I would love to see some of the secondary characters have a story of their own!


The first book is available for Kindle Unlimited!

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Facing the Enemy by Paige Edwards #bookreview #giveaway #suspense

 



Facing the Enemy by Paige Edwards

Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Source: Purchased a Kindle copy



Book DescriptionLady Elise Henderson lives two separate lives. At home in Scotland, she’s the titled daughter of the Marquess of Roxbury, an heiress in her own right. In London, however, she’s Elise Taylor, a top MI6 operative for the “home office.” But when a devastating accident threatens to end her career, Elise is left with far too much time for self-reflection and the regret of a decision made long ago that features one man: fellow MI6 agent Harry Benson.

Harry Benson, the son of servants, has loved Elise for the better part of a decade. But life took them on separate journeys until their worlds converged once more. An immediate assignment to the Scottish Borders leaves Harry little time to make provisions for his small, rambunctious son, Sammy. Harry knows only one person he can rely on for the boy’s care—Elise. When Elise brings Sammy to her ancestral estate, she never imagines that a nemesis from her past looms in the shadows, hungry for revenge. Stalked at every turn, Elise and Harry discover that fighting their feelings for one another is futile, but can they survive long enough to get another shot at true love?


My thoughts: Third time's the charm?  Lady Elise and Harry were college sweethearts.  Years later they become M16 partners and have a second chance at love.  Now, here they are, meeting again, only this time Elise has been in an accident and is taking medical leave and Harry is going to a new assignment in Scotland.  He needs help and she needs a ride.  Fate is throwing them together once again.

The chemistry between Elise and Harry simmers from the moment that he sees her in the M16 offices.  He has always been in love with her but lived a separate life when things didn't work out.  This gave him the blessing of a young son.  His son proves a blessing to Elise while she takes care of him while Harry is on assignment.  Is this a chance for her to experience motherhood and possible for them to reunite?  You'll have to read the book to find out.

Paige Edwards did not disappoint.  I know when I pick up one of her books I will be invested in a wonderful story.  This is a page-turner that ramps up the suspense.  There is the bonus of a precocious little boy to lighten things up.  This is a story with many fantastic plot twists and elements that you are not going to want to miss.



Online Purchase Links:



About the Author Paige Edwards is an award-winning author, a Readers' Favorite Book Award, Forward INDIES, RONE, and Whitney Awards Finalist of inspirational romantic suspense. Due to her deep British roots, Paige’s books are often set in the UK, and she hops the pond whenever she gets the chance. She is styled the Lady Paige Edwards when in Scotland, but her favorite title is Grandma. When she needs a break from writing, she serves as president of her area's Interfaith Community Council, is fond of digging in the dirt (what some might call gardening), biking battlefields, and kayaking the lake. Paige loves to connect with readers through her website authorpaigeedwards.com. Be sure to follow her on BookBub for the latest on sales:). [https://tinyurl.com/5n7euw68]




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Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Lily of the Valley by Sarah M. Eden #blogtour #giveaway #historicalromance


 I am reading this book next!  I am very excited about the second book in"The Gents" series.  Sarh M. Eden is one of my favorite authors.  There is a giveaway for this book this week. I wanted to make sure that I had the giveaway posted so that you could enter to win a copy.

The synopsis is below!

Cumberland, 1786

Amateur inventor Kester Barrington prefers the peace and quiet of his estate to the bustle of Society. But when his tight-knit group of friends, the Gents, descends on Livingsley Hall for their annual gathering, he stoically joins in their activities. It all seems exhausting—until an unexpected addition to the party catches his eye: his new neighbor, the lovely Violet.

Violet Ridley longs to make friends in this new corner of the country, but her family’s fortune was made through investments rather than inheritance, and Society can be fickle. So when tragedy forces her family to shelter at neighboring Livingsley Hall, Violet is delighted to receive a warm welcome from the Gents. In particular, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Kester. The pair is a study in contrasts: Violet, with her sunny disposition, and Kester, with his prickly facade. Their connection is impossible to deny, but both Kester and Violet harbor heavy constraints. As their association becomes increasingly tangled and confused, their only hope of pursuing a life together is to trust one another with the very truths that could tear them apart.
 


Here is the giveaway information.

(The prize and winner notification will be provided by Covenant Communications.)

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Thursday, April 7, 2022

Before the Fortress Falls by A.L. Sowards #BookTour #giveaway #HistoricalFiction

 


Before the Fortress FallsBefore the Fortress Falls by A.L. Sowards
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Source: Received to Review
Genre: Historical Fiction

Book Description: Their fight for survival would change the course of history.

When rumors reach Vienna that an attack by the Ottoman army is imminent, Wilhelm von Schor, one of the emperor’s courtiers, prepares to evacuate his family—including his sister, Katja. But Katja’s reluctance to leave the city and the people she loves so well grows the farther the family carriage gets from her childhood home. When she learns that another brother, Xavier, is returning to Vienna with his musketeers, she decides to remain behind and face the shadow of war.

Katja soon reunites with Xavier and also with Toby, a dear friend from childhood. As Katja and Toby renew their friendship, an element of attraction builds on the comradery of their youth, and they quickly realize they have found something worth fighting for: love. But all too soon, the Ottomans encircle the city, blanketing its inhabitants in fear. Katja, Toby, and Xavier must each fulfill their new roles if they are to survive. In the overcrowded hospitals, below ground in the countermines, and on the ramparts defending the city walls, the three must fight for love, family, faith, and the survival of their city and everyone inside.
 



My thoughts: History is fascinating. A.L. Sowards always writes a well-researched novel taking a small period of time and crafting a compelling novel.

Before the Fortress Falls takes place during a siege of Vienna in 1683. The Ottoman empire waged war to gain control of the city. The manner of warfare is very interesting. Today, bombs are launched from a distance whereas, in the 17th century, it was hand-to-hand combat.

The story focuses on three siblings who all play pivotal and different roles in defending the city. Wilhelm is a diplomat who is working behind the scenes and securing help, Katja is a young woman who helps in various ways, including taking care of the wounded, and Xavier is a warrior working with the musketeers.

The story also has two other characters with a POV, Toby who is a counterminer, and Ahmed who is with the Ottoman empire. The five characters create a complete picture of the war and the events surrounding it. Toby is also a love interest for Katja.

This book is well-written and the pacing is wonderful. It is one story that captures you from the beginning and holds your interest throughout the whole story. It is a story of hope in the midst of war and adversity. It does contain violence that is non-graphic. I highly recommend this book.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.


Online Purchase Links:




Watch the Book Trailer:





About the Author: A. L. Sowards is the author of multiple historical fiction novels, with settings spanning the globe from the fourteenth to twentieth centuries. Her stories have earned a Whitney Award, several Whitney Finalists positions, and a Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal. She enjoys hiking and swimming, usually manages to keep up with the laundry, and loves it when someone else cooks dinner. She currently lives in the beautiful state of Alaska with her husband, three children, and an ever-growing library.

Visit her WEBPAGE!



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Visit the Tour Stops!

Monday, April 4 Holly's Book Corner Books and Everyday Life
 Tuesday, April 5 Getting Your Read On Literary Time Out Min Reads and Reviews 
Wednesday, April 6 My Book a Day Book Looks by Lisa Our Book Confessions Thursday, 
April 7 Why Not? Because I Said So! Bookworm Lisa 
Friday, April 8 Books Are Sanity Life Is What It's Called LDS and Lovin' It 
Saturday, April 9 Reading with Emily


Tuesday, April 5, 2022

The 12 Days of Easter by Sierra Wilson #Christian #picturebook #Easter


 

The 12 Days of Easter: Learning Easter SymbolsThe 12 Days of Easter: Learning Easter Symbols by Sierra Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Genre: Christian Picture Book
Source:  Received to Review

Book Description Celebrate the Easter holiday with a new, faith-focused twist on the classic Christmas carol, The 12 Days of Christmas.

The 12 Days of Easter features cheerful illustrations and highlights a different Easter symbol on every page. Additional backmatter teaches children and families about the meaning behind traditional Easter symbols with an emphasis on Christ and the resurrection.

A perfect holiday gift and read-aloud to enjoy every Easter season!



My thoughts: I dare you to read this picture book without singing it. For me, it's impossible.

This book features 12 symbols of Easter. It follows the pattern of "The Twelve Days of Christmas". I would love to sit with a child and sing it together.

The pictures and symbols are simple enough for children to enjoy. At the end (after singing) the symbols are listed with their meanings. It would be a great time to discuss why each is important and what they mean for the season. I would then go back and sing it again with the symbols fresh on the child's mind.

This is a clever and fun book for Easter.



Get a copy!
(Available on Kindle Unlimited)



About the Author Sierra Wilson started talking early and has been a storyteller ever since. She loves to teach and work with children, and this love has shaped her life from working as a junior high/high school English teacher and children’s art teacher to serving as a church children’s leader and a mother. Sierra is passionate about writing, art, hiking, family time, and eating entirely too much chocolate. She currently lives with her husband and three young children in the prairies of Alberta, where she is a toddler-chaser by day and a writer/artist by night.


Visit her WEBPAGE!

Visit the tour stops!

March 29th - Heidi Robbins w/ Heidi Reads - http://heidi-reads.blogspot.com/
March 30th - Jessica Harwood @lovelybookishdelights - https://www.instagram.com/lovelybookishdelights/
April 1 - Cathy Jeppsen w/ My Book a Day - http://mybookaday.com/
April 4 - Sandra Meaders w/ Life is What It's Called - https://lifeiswhatitscalled.blogspot.com/
April 5 - Bookworm Lisa - https://lisaisabookworm.blogspot.com/ 
April 6 - Crystal Job w/ Books are Sanity - http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/
April 12 - Sydney Anderson w/ The Singing Librarian - https://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/youth