Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson

Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson is the first in her new series, Prince Edward Island Shores.   Charming and beautifully written, the stunning cover helped to draw me into the story’s wonderful setting on Prince Edward Island. 

I was so taken with the story of Meg Whitaker and Oliver Ross.  They were both such likeable and interesting characters.  In Beyond the Tides they both have to work together to decide who will end up owning the lobster fishing business that belongs to Meg’s father.   But, the problem is Meg’s father has determined they have to spend a three month fishing season working together.   Which is very challenging since they were far from friends in the past, have a rough history, and both have their own baggage.

Beyond the Tides tells of two delightfully flawed people as they navigate their past, their present and their future. The author weaves together a delightful story with the redemptive power of forgiveness, loving unconditionally, and the value of living every moment.  I highly recommend Beyond the Tides. 

 

By day Liz Johnson is a marketing manager for a Christian publisher. By night she makes up her own love stories. She is the author of seven novels, a New York Times bestselling novella, and a handful of short Christmas stories. She’s also a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist.

Liz is a graduate of Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, where she earned a degree in public relations.

Now a resident of Nashville, she enjoys exploring local music, theater, and history of Middle Tennessee. She also takes every chance she can to visit Arizona to dote on her nieces and nephews. She writes stories filled with heart, humor, and happily ever afters.

This Time Around by Denise Hunter, Melissa Ferguson, and Kathleen Fuller

I am a big fan of novellas and This Time Around is a wonderful novella collection.  It  includes “A Summer Detour” by Denise Hunter,  “Pining for You” by Melissa Ferguson, and “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not” by Kathleen Fuller. 

Each story has characters who knew each other in the past and have met again as different people in the present.  If you have read any of the authors’ other stories you will recognize some characters and settings and feel like you are coming home.  If the authors are new to you, I guarantee you will want to find their other books and read more! I found  each one charming and loved their small town setting.  .   

This Time Around has three novellas filled with sweet romance, wonderful characters, and a ever after.  I found this the perfect summer time read. Each story is a delight and I highly recommend this book.

I was given the book by the publisher and not required to write a positive review. 

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 35 novels, three of which have been made into Hallmark movies. She has appeared on the The 700 club and won awards such as The Holt Medallion Award, The Carol Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories, peopled with layered characters who struggle with real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the experience of falling in love vicariously through her characters and can expect a happily-ever-after sigh as they close the pages of her books.

In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking coffee, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are currently enjoying an empty nest.

You can learn more about Denise by visiting her FaceBook page.

Melissa Ferguson lives in Bristol, Tennessee, where she enjoys chasing her children and writing romantic comedies full of humor and heart. Her favorite hobby is taking friends and acquaintances and turning them into characters in her books without their knowledge. She is confident you should read all her novels, starting with this one.

With over a million copies sold, Kathleen Fuller is the author of several bestselling novels, including the Hearts of Middlefield novels, the Middlefield Family novels, the Amish of Birch Creek series, the Amish Letters series, the Brides of Birch Creek series, the upcoming Mail Order Brides of Birch Creek, as well as a middle-grade Amish series, the Mysteries of Middlefield. She has also contributed to numerous novella collections.

She and her husband James live in Arkansas and have three adult children. When she’s not writing, Kathleen is avidly crocheting, reading, and traveling, sometimes all at the same time. She runs the Facebook group Books & Hooks, which combines her love of books, crochet, and collecting recipes that she’ll never have enough time to make.

To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano

“She was always doing the unexpected, and he couldn’t deny that he found unpredictability to be one the things he enjoyed most about her.  “

To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano is a fun-loving mystery with plenty of Jen Turano’s wonderful humor and sweet romance.  Daphne, our heroine, is absolutely adorable and probably one of my favorite characters from Jen Turano’s books to date.  She is witty and had depth that I appreciated as I read the story.    Herman, our hero, is all that a hero should be and I enjoyed the banter between him and Daphne.  Since they are both writers there were many great jokes about writers that really added to the story.

It was fun to leave New York for a bit and visit Boston and meet Daphne’s family.  The meeting with Daphne’s publisher had me laughing out loud and is worth reading the book for that alone!  Jen Turano is able to weave in a deeper story line through humor and talk about real issues facing women then and now. 

Jen Turano has once again written a humorous Gilded Age story with laugh out loud scenes, relatable characters, and themes that touched my heart.   A fabulous read!

I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review. 

Named One of the Funniest Voices in Inspirational Romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today Best-Selling Author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publisher Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She’s been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. When she’s not writing, she spends her time outside of Denver, CO. Readers may find her at www.jenturano.com or https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/or on Twitter at JenTurano @JenTurano

Love and the Silver Lining by Tammy L Gray

I am a big fan of author Tammy Gray’s book Love and a Little White Lie. I was eagerly anticipating her newest story, Love and the Silver Lining, and I was not disappointed by this wonderful new book!

Our story features Darcy who seems overwhelmed with her life after finding out she will not be able to teach English overseas the next year, she has lost her apartment, and is coping with her parents divorce.  She is questioning her life and her faith in God.  She tells Bryson, our hero, she is mad and  wishes she had not tried so hard to do the right thing.  She wished she had rebelled like she thought he had.   He asks, “Are you asking me if being a rebel worked in my favor, or are you mad you could not bribe God with your good behavior?”  

Darcy begins to find purpose in rescuing dogs in Bryson’s friend Charlie’s backyard.  Charlie has recently lost his wife, and can not take care of them or himself.  The personalities of Charlie’s dogs tend to mirror the people around Darcy which I enjoyed.  I am only a minor fan of dogs, and I really enjoyed all the dog training scenes.   But, if you are a lover of dogs you will be in heaven.  

I found myself drawn into Darcy’s world as her questions about her life and faith resonated with me.  This story tells it like it is and has no pat answers which I appreciate.  I found it a little more serious than Love and a Little White Lie, but it still had funny moments and celebrated humor.  The romance between Darcy and Bryson was fun to observe, and I am now definitely on team Bryson. He is a great hero who will stay in my heart.   

I enjoyed this story tremendously. I found myself pondering the themes and going back and rereading parts of the book after finishing it.  Darcy and Bryson’s story is one that I truly delighted in, and this is one of my favorite reads of 2021

I was given a copy by the publisher and not obligated to write a review.  

Tammy L. Gray lives in the Dallas area with her family, and they love all things Texas, even the erratic weather patterns. Her nine modern and true-to-life contemporary romances include 2017 RITA award winning, My Hope Next Door, and show her unending quest to write high quality, culturally relevant stories with relatable and flawed characters.  

When not taxiing her three kids to various school and sporting events, Tammy can be spotted crunching numbers as the financial administrator at her hometown church. Writing has given her a platform to combine her passion with her ministry all while sharing the messy, yet remarkable journey that is a faith-filled life

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson

 

“Just ink and parchment, but with the seal of the English Crown, a source of power for a captain of only thirty-three years to act with the authority of the greatest empire on earth. Such was a Letter of Marque.”  

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson is a legal thriller set in London during the Regency era.  Barrister William Snopes is an advocate for the downtrodden he usually defends.  Lady Madeleine Jameson is trying to save her estate and her cousin, Captain Harold Tuttle. Tuttle is the captain of the Padget, a ship that had a Letter of Marque to take cargo from French traders operating illegally in the Indian Sea.

Lady Jamison is heavily in debt and the profits from the Padget’s successful voyage were going to be the answer to solving her family’s money problems. Unfortunately, the Letter of Marque is nowhere to be found, her cousin is in jail, and her creditors are wanting answers. Lady Jameson desperately needs help.

Barrister William Snopes reluctantly accepts this complicated case.   He has very little time to sort through the facts and prepare for his day in court.   

 As I read this action packed read, I had a wonderful time trying to solve the mystery right along with Barrister Snopes.  I was on the edge of my seat right up until the end.  The Barrister and the Letter of Marque is a well written and exciting read that I highly recommend.  

Pre-Order as this story comes out August 3, 2021.

 I was thrilled to receive a copy from NetGalley and Bethany House Publisher and the opinions in this review are my own.

Todd M. Johnson has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years. Todd’s passion for writing blends well with his legal career, and his novels are drawn closely from his personal experiences as a trial lawyer.

A graduate of Princeton University and the University of Minnesota Law School, Todd taught for two years as an adjunct professor of International Law and has served as a US diplomat in Hong Kong.

Todd lives outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his wife Catherine. They have two children, Ian and Elizabeth.

The Cowgirl's Sacrifice by Tina Radcliffe

 I always feel like I'm on a wonderful trail ride when I read one of Tina' Radcliffe's books. I get to see amazing scenery, have an enjoyable time, and meet wonderful people that I want to hang out with on the trail.  The Cowgirl's Sacrifice was no different, and one of my new favorites that Tina Radcliffe has written.  

The main character Kate Rebel is a spunky character with purple tipped hair who was injured in her job as a rodeo clown.  While she is healing she comes back to work at her family's Rebel Ranch and finds out she is reporting to Jess McNally, her ex-boyfriend.  Their banter it's great and our hope is that they rekindle their romance as they sort through their history. Tina paints a picture of life in small town Oklahoma that makes me want to move to Oklahoma.   All members of the Rebel family make an appearance and it felt like coming home.   

The Cowgirl’s Sacrifice by Tina Radcliffe is an endearing story about second chances. The story is entertaining, funny, and heartwarming. I highly recommend you read this story!  

I was given this book by the author and not required to write a review.  

Originally from Western, N.Y., author Tina Radcliffe left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While living in Tulsa she spent ten years as a Certified Oncology R.N. A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina was a founding member and the manager of Seekerville, a 13 author blog, from 2008-2017. Seekerville has been a Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers award winner 2013-2017. 

An RWA Honor Roll member, Tina is also a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, a 2012 ACFW Carol Award finalist for Oklahoma Reunion, a 2014 ACFW Mentor of the Year finalist, and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner for Mending the Doctor's Heart. 

Tina is thrilled to announce she is the 2018 ACFW Mentor of the Year and a 2018 ACFW Carol Award Finalist for Claiming Her Cowboy. 

She has also finaled/or won over twenty RWA chapter affiliated contests in her career. As a short story writer, she has sold over two dozen short stories to Woman’s World Magazine. 

Tina is a member of Romance Writers of America, including the Kiss of Death Chapter, FHL Chapter, Desert Rose Romance Writers, and the Valley of the Sun Romance Writer

A Soul as Cold as Frost by Jennifer Kropf

It’s Christmas in July!  I would not mind a little snow and colder temperatures today!  I am sharing a book reviewed and read by my daughter, A Soul as Cold as Frost by Jennifer Kropf What do you like about Christmas and winter?  

About the Book:  Sixteen-year-old Helen Bell understood tragedy better than most kids growing up—she knew what it was like to wear clothes from donation bins and be mocked by the beautiful girls in school. She thought these brutal experiences made her ready for anything. But she wasn’t ready for this.

After an eccentric girl opens Helen’s eyes to let her see the realm of Winter—a world with intersects tucked carefully into the cracks of our own where monarchs have risen and fallen, it’s forbidden to mention the name of The Dead King of Winter, and the currency is gold rings—Helen realizes that nothing is as it seems anymore. When Helen receives a summons from the Crimson Court to enter into The Quarrel of Sword and Bone; a traditional duel performed before one thousand witnesses that leaves only one survivor, she’s forced to finally pay attention to the handsome boy who’s been following her around with a warning on his tongue.

But other forces are at play as well; a deep feud of ancient powers runs beneath the snow while a rivalry between the Red and Green Kingdoms thrashes above, and a historic Truth speaks in whispers impossible to hear past the chorus of noise. In a race across Winter, Helen is forced to navigate through the voices so she can make it to the key room and unlock a lost message of hope before she’s captured and forced to face the Queen in the bloody duel.

Review by amazing daughter, Eliana:  A Soul as Cold as Frost by Jennifer Kropf is an action packed, adventure for young adults.  The story is an allegory similar to The Narnia Chronicles.  The book magically tells the story of Helen as she navigates the realm of winter.  The story tells of duels, sacrifices, and true friendship.   I can not wait until A Heart as Red as Holly, the next book comes out. It’s a wonderful Christian Christmas-themed fantasy book for teens! 

Canadian author Jennifer Kropf recently founded Winter Publishing House, a private publishing company with plans to expand.

November 2020 was the official launch of Book #1 of the Winter Souls Series, A Soul as Cold as Frost, which hit the #1 spot on two bestsellers lists the day it became available and is now available all around the world.

Jennifer went to college for marketing and figured out pretty quick that getting a job in marketing was not going to satisfy her book-hunger in the slightest, so as soon as she started having kids, she began to write her debut novel and form the tale that eventually turned into the Winter Souls Series.

She is married with three kids, lives amidst lush Ontario farmland, and attends a fabulous church in the Wilmot Township that is intent on showing the love of God to the Wilmot community.

Her favourite authors are C.S. Lewis for the life he lived and his passion for God and writing, and J.M. Barrie for introducing her to Peter Pan and Neverland, and Stephanie Garber for giving her the Caraval experience, and also Marissa Meyer, Adrienne Young, and Marie Lu for writing books she could not put down.

In her spare time (which isn’t much) she aims to encourage unplugged family time in the home, especially around the Christmas season, and loves offering new family traditions to adopt into people’s homes during the holidays. She also gives mad props to all moms out there who have kids at home and also try to write books or work from home.

A Soul as Cold as Frost was written with the intention of encouraging parents to read to their kids before bed each night during the holidays–as she plans to do just that with her own kids each year.

Follow her on Instagram @authorjenniferkropf
Facebook Jennifer Kropf Books
Twitter @KropfJen (Though, she’s not a big “tweeter”)
Or, do the regular old Email thing.

“Since it is so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.”
– C. S. Lewis