Book Reviews

One Perfect Spring by Irene Hannon
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Rating: 4/5
Revell – Contemporary Fiction

As a single mother, Claire Summers is used to taking care of herself and her daughter, Haley. Though money is tight and the house repairs unending, the elementary teacher is proud of all that she’s done with what life has thrown at her. When Haley writes a letter asking a philanthropic businessman to help find her neighbor’s son who was adopted, Keith Watson’s world turns upside down. Keith is a workaholic and the executive assistant sent to investigate. After a rough introduction, Keith and Claire can’t deny the sparks between them. Both have been damaged by past relationships and are weary to trust again. Can Keith confront his traumatic past and find the truth and closure he desperately needs? Can Claire learn to trust another driven man who won’t open up about his past?

The theme of this book centers around how even after long, harsh winters, spring continues to blossom and produce the loveliest of flowers – some flowers, like lilacs, even require a longer cold period in order to bloom. Claire and Keith find each other and the strength to confront their pasts after having experienced trauma. From a personal standpoint, I loved the theme and thought behind the story of redemption. Winter seasons are not fun, but when new life springs forth, hope is released. Claire is a supermom learning to trust again and accept help from others who care about her. Keith is a private person who loves his adoptive family but has questions as to why his biological mother gave him up; his feelings of unworthiness drive him as a workaholic. I felt the characters were relatable and authentic. The pacing of the book is a little slower than I would have liked, but the story is well developed and well written. I’ve always liked reading Irene Hannon’s books because there’s always some sort of mystery to solve that keeps me guessing.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a fun and charming story of healing and redemption.

I received this book for free from Revell but was not required to give a positive review.

The Pelican Bride by Beth White
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Rating: 4/5
Revell – Historical Romance

In Book One of Beth White’s Gulf Coast Chronicles, Frenchwoman Genevieve Gaillain and her younger sister have just arrived in the New World in 1704 on The Pelican. The Louisiana colony needs wives for their settlers and soldiers while the young women need a quick escape from the religious persecution in France. What the ladies of The Pelican find at Fort Louis is not what was promised by the government.

Meet Tristan Lanier. The widower chooses to live outside the fort closer to his late wife’s native family. A cartographer, Tristan was one of the original Canadian settlers. After a quick courtship, he and Genevieve get married, but he must go on a peacemaking mission of the utmost importance that will easily take 2 months. The safety and future of the French colony is at stake. Can the two learn to trust each other with their darkest secrets?

I don’t believe I’ve ever read such an interesting, historically-based story. As someone who loves history, I enjoyed all the hard work and research that went into making this book a reality. I can just imagine how hard life was for these Pelican brides. At the end of the book, White shares some more background regarding the history of the colony, and I must say that I want to know more. Having never studied the Louisiana colony so thoroughly, I was happy to learn something new.

The characters are lovely, flawed and authentic. I also enjoyed all the intrigue and mysteries in the story. I found the story to be less of a romance and more of a mystery-thriller. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I read the book, but I was pleasantly surprised; I could not put the book down because I had to know what was going to happen next. The writing is rich with history and sucks the reader into the 18th century. I’m excited this is only the first in the series and can’t wait to read the others.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romances with some mystery involved.

I received this book for free from Revell but was not required to give a positive review.

Sincerely Yours ~ Four unexpected letters. Four intrepid women. Four lives changed forever.

Rating: 3.5/5

Meet four incredible women living in different times in America as they struggle to find their place and find love along the way. With each letter, each young woman begins a new adventure that launches them into their destiny.

Moonlight Promise by Laurie Alice Eakes
After Camilla Renfrew receives a letter offering her a job, she leaves everything she has ever known in England to escape to America. She must find a way to connect with her friend before she leaves her behind. After she barely manages to gain passage on a Hudson River steamboat to the new Erie Canal, she finds herself in a strange world and with a need to survive. She fears for her life as the boat seems to attract mishap after mishap. Will she make it to her friend on time? Will she escape those who are wrongly in pursuit of her? Can she trust the captain? Can she allow herself to fall in love with someone she just met?

I could not stop reading until I reached the end of this novella. The pacing was great and the story was captivating – I now want to ride on a steamboat on the Hudson River. (Does Disneyland count?) I felt Eakes’ characters were great, despite the fact that there wasn’t as much time for character development. Definitely a fun, fast-paced read!

Lessons in Love by Ann Shorey
When Marigold Montgomery Bentley, aka M.M. Bentley, receives a letter offering her the job for Kipler’s Home Weekly as the marriage advice columnist, she is overjoyed but realizes the editor thinks she’s a man. She manages to get her piano teacher to help her, so she can find a way to do what she loves – write for a living. Will she be able to keep up this deception? Will spending the extra time with her piano tutor blossom into something more?

As a fellow piano player and lover of music, I love almost any story that involves music. I read the story quickly, inevitably knowing how it would end, but still anxious to see if I was right. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for women of that time and I like how Marigold finds out who she is and what she believes about marriage.

One Little Word by Amanda Cabot
When Lorraine Caldwell receives a letter from her long-lost brother, she immediately sets off to find him. Lorraine is being pressed to marry a man she does not love. As a New York socialite, she is unaccustomed to work, but when she arrives at Lilac Hall to find her brother engaged, she is determined to help out while he goes on his honeymoon. She finds herself unusually attracted to a lowly artisan, a carousel carver. As one of “the New York Caldwells”, can she fall in love with him? Can she find love and uncover what God has planned for her and her family?

I think this story was my favorite of the four. I really enjoyed learning about carousels. I had no idea how fascinating their history was and I want to thank the author for opening up a whole new world for me to explore and research. I love how God’s perfect plan is evident through the story. Such an enjoyable read!

A Saving Grace by Jane Kirkpatrick
When a young girl asks Grace Hathaway to bring her mother back to her, Grace quickly rushes off her see her friend. She is appalled to find that her friend is living in an isolated clinic that seems to be starving its patients. She meets a doctor named Claude doing research there and finds herself attracted to a man that is supporting such a terrible setup. Can she find a way to rescue her friend before it’s too late? Can she trust Claude? Will she be able to help the rest of the patients who are slowly dying and being taken advantage of?

Honestly, this story was creepy. Some might say intriguing. I couldn’t stop reading because I was so appalled at what was taking place. As someone who wants to be a doctor someday, it was hard to read what Dr. Hazzard was doing to her patients. Only at the end did I find out that the story is based on the real Dr. Hazzard and her practices. When I was reading, I kept thinking this story was in the wrong genre. I loved Grace’s determination and love for her friend. She’s a beautiful character who stands up for justice.

I definitely recommend reading this novella. If you would like to have a chance to win a copy from Jane Kirkpatrick, check out her blog here.

I received this book for free from Revell and NetGalley but was not required to give a positive review.