Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
About the Book
Title: Freedom’s Song Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer Genre: Historical Christian Romance Publisher: WaterBrook Release Date: October 19, 2021
Indentured servant Fanny Beck has been forced to sing for riverboat passengers since she was a girl. All she wants is to live a quiet, humble life with her family as soon as her seven-year contract is over. So when she discovers that the captain has no intention of releasing her, she seizes a sudden opportunity to escape—an impulse that leads Fanny to a group of enslaved people who are on their own dangerous quest for liberty. . . .
Widower Walter Kuhn is overwhelmed by his responsibilities to his farm and young daughter, and now his mail-order bride hasn’t arrived. Could a beautiful stranger seeking work be the answer to his prayers? . . .
After the star performer of the River Peacock is presumed drowned, Sloan Kirkpatrick, the riverboat’s captain, sets off to find her replacement. However, his journey will bring him face to face with his own past—and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be free. . . .
Uplifting, inspiring, and grounded in biblical truth, Freedom’s Song is a story for every reader who has longed for physical, emotional, or spiritual delivery.
Best-selling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer is highly acclaimed for her “gentle stories of hope.” Readers and reviewers alike are drawn to her books and the life lessons contained within the pages. Kim dreamed of being a writer from her earliest memories, and her little-girl dream came true in 2006 with the release of Waiting for Summer’s Return. Now with over 1.5 million books in print in six different languages, she praises God for blessing her far beyond her imaginings. When Kim isn’t writing, she enjoys traveling with her retired military hubby, quilting, performing in community theater, and spoiling her quiver full of granddarlings.
Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
About the Book
Title: Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough Authors: Josi S. Kilpack, Anneka R. Walker, Sarah L. McConkie Genre: Christmas Novella Publisher: Covenant Communications Release Date: September 1, 2021
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happily ever after! This special holiday historical romance anthology featuring three heartwarming novellas proves that no matter the obstacles, ’tis the season for love.
Meet Me under the Kissing Bough by Josi S. Kilpack Deborah Winfrey hasn’t had the heart to host a holiday party since her husband’s death. But this Christmas, it’s time to move forward. The festivities bring renewed life to her home, and the attentions of two very different men promise a chance at new love.
Healing Hearts for the Holidays by Anneka R. Walker Julia Hunt is strictly forbidden from associating with the family in the nearby manor—including the handsome younger son, Esmond, who quickly steals her heart. With Christmas around the corner, an old bundle of hidden love letters may be the key to her own happily ever after.
A Christmas Correspondence by Sarah L. McConkie In this novella inspired by the timeless tale A Christmas Carol, John Charleston finds himself on an unexpected journey in the company of the insufferable Lady Carolyn Morleigh. But the magic of the season has a way of softening even the hardest of hearts.
Josi S. Kilpack hated to read until her mother handed her a copy of The Witch of Blackbird Pond when she was 13. From that day forward, she read everything she could get her hands on and credits her writing “education” to the many novels she has “studied” since then. She began writing her first novel in 1998 and has written thirty-three novels, one cookbook, and several short stories since then. She is a four-time Whitney Award winner, including two Novel of the Year awards for Lord Fenton’s Folly and As Wide as the Sky and a Best of State winner in Fiction. She writes her national women’s fiction under the pen name of Jessica Pack (say Josi Kilpack really fast and you’ll see why she chose it). Josi currently lives in Northern Utah and is the mother of 4 wonderful kids.
Anneka R. Walker is an award-winning author raised by a librarian and an English teacher turned judge. After being fed a steady diet of books, she decided to learn about writing. The result was a bachelor’s degree in English and history. When she isn’t dreaming up a happy ending for a story, she is busy living her own with her husband and adorable children.
Sarah L. McConkie started her writing career in the second grade with a thirteen-page magnum opus about dinosaurs. Although the plot line and penmanship lacked polish, Sarah learned she loved retiring to bed thinking of what to write the next day. On a good night, she still does the same thing. Sarah took up the pen several years later after tucking her own little dreamer into bed and now combines modern life experiences, a robust knowledge of regency classics and a passion for all things old fashioned and proper to craft her historical romances. She co-stars with her own Mr. Right in the real-life romantic comedy she calls life. Sarah believes creating thought-provoking and moral stories promotes literacy in a world that needs more readers. She has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and taught junior high choir for several years before becoming a stay-at-home mother to three darling children. She currently teaches high school music courses online through Brigham Young University. The Promise of Miss Spencer was published in March, 2020. Her first novel, Love and Secrets at Cassfield Manor was published in August, 2018.
Meet Me Under the Kissing Bough by Various Christmas Novella Rating: 4/5
Josi S. Kilpack’s beautiful story is brief but catches your attention. I was rooting for Deborah from the very beginning and was not disappointed. Her characters are lovely and the writing is witty. I’ve never read a story quite like this one and you’ll definitely enjoy it.
Anneka R. Walker’s story is fun and so romantic. I really enjoyed Julia and Esmond’s characters. Esmond was definitely a favorite swoonworthy male lead who gets to pursue his love. Though short, I loved how there was a bit of a mystery in the story that kept me turning to the next page.
Sarah L Conkie’s story, loosely based on A Christmas Carol, was a very interesting premise. Lady Carolyn Morleigh was definitely an unlikeable character who only cared for how she was perceived. John Charleston’s character was very likeable and endearing. Who doesn’t love a redeemable character? However, I think society judges females more harshly when it comes to likability. Definitely worth reading.
Overall, I highly recommend this lovely, charming Christmas novella collection filled with unique stories of romance and holiday cheer.
My thanks to the authors and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
Title: A Midnight Dance Author: Joanna Davidson Politano Genre: Historical Christian Romance Publisher: Revell Release Date: September 7, 2021
All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most–and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.
Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?
Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this evocative story from fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano.
Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, and The Love Note. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone’s story. She lives with her husband and their two kids in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. You can find her at www.jdpstories.com.
A Midnight Dance By Joanna Davidson Politano Rating: 4/5
“What I want . . . is for you to fly.”
I have to admit that the book is delightful and mysterious and brooding and beautiful and inspiring but it didn’t start that way for me. It wasn’t till I got 1/3 of the way through that the story really picked up and peaked my interest. I am so glad I kept reading. Having never read anything from the author before, I was grateful for her beautiful writing and intelligent story telling. She was also able to weave her faith and God’s love throughout the story in a genuine way that complemented the characters’ development.
“Then before I knew it, quite against my will, the dancer’s heart in me was awakening, sparking with life, and answering yes against the silence of the room.”
As someone who loves ballet, I was eager to read this story. As someone who has felt the Lord’s presence and pleasure when worshiping in dance, I loved how Ella’s heart was expressed in her dancing. Her light shown through on the stage and people noticed.
“Turn after turn, dance after dance, I found myself unwinding from the constraints of this world, muffling its beat as my heart matched the rhythm of its Creator.”
I also enjoyed the mystery that kept me guessing till the very end. It was well written and well-deserved.
Highly recommend if you enjoy a story about love, family, faith and dance.
My thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
Hello. This blog is all mine and I will do my best to post what interests me and what books I read with honest reviews. I am a lover of good Christian fiction with a touch of romance, mystery, intrigue, humor, fun, etc. I invite you to join me as I read my way through books and life. I am currently pursuing my residency training as a family medicine physician!!! I have to carefully choose what I want to read for fun. My name is Kim and you are entering the Wong Mind.
