Book Reviews

Cinders Like Glass by Clarissa Kae

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Cinders Like Glass
(Victorian Retellings #2)
By Clarissa Kae
Historical Romance, Fairy Tale
Paperback & ebook, 234 Pages
July 29, 2021 by Carpe Vitam Press

Grieving her father’s sudden death, Lady Ada Whitworth’s childhood stutter resurfaces. She seeks solace in her charcoal sketches secretly published in London’s Thames & Times newspaper. Her brother’s sharp tongue and quick temper shame Lady Ada into complete silence but not before she overhears his traitorous plot to kill the queen at the upcoming International Ball.

Mute and heartbroken, Lady Ada’s private pain is mistaken for arrogance, earning the ire of society. The Duke of Girard is tasked with sniffing out the elusive French spy called Tailor while an anonymous artist pokes fun at the duke’s failed pursuit, taunting him every step of the way. With the upcoming International Ball just weeks away, the Duke will stop at nothing to bring stability back to his beloved Britain-including finding the artist behind the sketches.

When Lady Ada’s accused brother disappears, she becomes the target of the Duke’s wrath, assuming her silence is from guilt, not grief. To loosen her tongue, the Duke demands Lady Ada be interrogated at his estate, a home hidden in the wild Welsh countryside. She sweeps the chimney, launders her clothes and helps the cook-she will do anything but speak to the Duke.

Lady Ada’s quiet service softens the Duke, his mind often turning to thoughts of her. But can he earn Lady Ada’s trust in time to save the queen?

Purchase links: Goodreads | Amazon | Google Books (Affiliate links included.)

Other Books in the Series

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A Dark Beauty
(Victorian Retellings #1)
By Clarissa Kae
Historical Fiction, Fairy Tale
Paperback, ebook & audiobook, 212 Pages
February 9, 2021 by Carpe Vitam Press

A Victorian Twist on Beauty And The Beast

Bold and brilliant, Georgiana has a gift for fixing machines—from clocks to carriages—while her father has a penchant for finding trouble. In an accidental fire, Georgiana and her father scar the once handsome face of Lord Pichon, cousin to the queen.

Rumors of Georgiana’s gift raise her family’s status. Her incomparable beauty captures the eye of many gentlemen and the wrath of Lord Pichon. Abandoned by his peers and alone in his cold castle, Lord Pichon is determined to enact revenge.

When Georgiana’s father makes a terrible mistake, she sacrifices herself to pay his debt—as a lowly maid in Lord Pichon’s castle.

Her wit and warmth begin to thaw Lord Pichon’s estate, making him question his version of the past. Will her kindness break the beastly lord or will he hold her family hostage forever?

Purchase links: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Target | Book Depository (Affiliate links included.)

About the Author

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Clarissa Kae is a preeminent voice whose professional career began as a freelance editor in 2007. She’s the former president of her local California Writers Club after spending several years as the Critique Director.

Since her first novel, she’s explored different writing genres and created a loyal group of fans who eagerly await her upcoming release. With numerous awards to her name, Clarissa continues to honor the role of storyteller.

Aside from the writing community, she and her daughters founded Kind Girls Make Strong Women to help undervalued nonprofit organizations—from reuniting children with families to giving Junior Olympic athletes their shot at success.

She lives in the agricultural belly of California with her family and farm of horses, chickens, dogs and kittens aplenty.

My Review

Cinders Like Glass
by Clarissa Kae
Book 2 in the Victorian Retellings series
Rating: 4/5

I really enjoyed this second story in this series from Clarissa Kae. She is a great writer that keeps the reader engaged with her own version of these classic fairy tales and all set during Victorian times. The story is less like Cinderella to me but more Cinderella crossed with The Three Musketeers. The characters are great and you can’t do anything but root for Ada as she navigates her life and her stutter. I love the Duke of Girard and his quest for the Queen.

Highly recommend if you enjoy clean Victorian romance with some intrigue.

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.

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

Five winners will receive one of the author’s backlisted titles: Once And Future Wife, Pieces To Mend, Taming Christmas, Of Ink And Sea, or A Dark Beauty
(ebooks to international winners, print to US winners)

Ends October 6, 2021

Enter the giveaway here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b9a55db3541/?

September 27, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews Giveaway

Hangin’ by a Moment by Andrea Christenson

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: Hangin’ by a Moment
Series: Deep Haven Collection #5
Author: Andrea Christenson presented by Susan May Warren
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Publisher: Sunrise Publishing
Release Date: September 14, 2021

He just wants to erase his past.

The day Jack—formerly Winston Stewart—walked out of jail, he vowed to keep his conviction a secret. After all, it wasn’t like he’d committed a murder. Just a terrible mistake, and he did his time. Now he wants a new life in a sleepy town where no one knows his name. Deep Haven is the perfect place to start over as a chef. The last thing the former pararescue jumper wants is to get involved. But when Boone Buckam—his friend and the one guy he owes for getting him out of the slammer—asks for help, how can Jack refuse?

She can’t seem to escape hers.

Colleen Decker has already escaped evil once—as a teenager, she was kidnapped by a murderer. But she’s put all that behind her as a trauma nurse in Minneapolis. Or maybe not, because a freak mistake in the ER sends her past crashing down on her. She needs a timeout in her hometown of Deep Haven. She doesn’t plan to stay—even when she’s roped into the job of flight nurse for the town’s Crisis Response Team chopper. Colleen’s not sure why she’s drawn to danger, but she’ll be safe enough. After all, she’ll need training, and her teacher is a handsome former pararescue jumper. What could go wrong?

But facing the past might put their future together in jeopardy.

When Jack said he didn’t want to get involved, he especially meant his heart—but being with Colleen feels like a fresh start. He’ll even climb aboard a chopper again, despite his vows. They’re headed for a happy ending…
But secrets never stay buried in a small town. And when disaster strikes one snowy night, they’ll both have to decide if the past will destroy them…or if it just might lead them home.

Cozy up to this perfect Deep Haven drama about discovering a season of second chances.

Click HERE to grab your copy!

Want more of Deep Haven?

Deep Haven Collection
Book 1: Still the One
Book 2: Can’t Buy Me Love
Book 3: Crazy for You
Book 4: Then Came You
Book 5: Hangin’ by a Moment (September 2021)
Book 6: Right Here Waiting (November 2021)

Deep Haven Series by Susan May Warren
Book 1: Happily Ever After
Book 2: Tying the Knot
Book 3: The Perfect Match
Book 4: My Foolish Heart
Book 5: Hook, Line, & Sinker (ebook novella)
Book 6: You Don’t Know Me
Book 7: The Shadow of Your Smile

The Christiansen Family Collection by Susan May Warren
Prequel: Evergreen
Book 1: Take a Chance on Me
Book 2: It Had to Be You
Book 3: When I Fall in Love
Book 4: Always on My Mind
Book 5: The Wonder of You
Book 6: You’re the One That I Want

About the Authors

Susan May Warren is the USA Today best-selling novelist of more than 85 books. With more than 1.5 million books sold, she is beloved by reviewers and readers around the world. Visit Susan at www.susanmaywarren.com.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Andrea Christenson lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two daughters. When she is not busy homeschooling her girls, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on, bake bread, eat cheese, and watch Netflix. Andrea’s prayer is to write stories revealing God’s love. Visit Andrea at www.andreachristenson.com.

CONNECT WITH ANDREA: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Merging the creative energies of best-selling authors Susan May Warren and Lindsay Harrel, Sunrise Publishing is the matchmaker for established authors who want to build on their current success for future growth and aspiring authors looking to break out, build an audience, and hone their writing skills.

CONNECT WITH SUNRISE: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Email

My Review

Hangin’ by a Moment
By Andrea Christenson, Susan May Warren
Book 5 in the Deep Haven Collection
Rating: 4.5/5

Wow. I love how these new authors just keep getting better and better. This story was full of adrenaline-pumping action and swoon-worthy heroes. As someone in the medical field, I was curious how the author would address the medical aspects and I feel they did a decent job. I loved having a story about an ex-convict and second chances. Though this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone, but you’ll recognize some of the characters if you’ve read the previous books.

As Win leaves prison behind, he vows to start over as Jack (his middle name) and agrees to Boone’s request to lay low in Deep Haven. His military training makes him a prime candidate for the flight nurse position the new Crisis Response Team needs but he’s reluctant to commit. When ER nurse, Colleen Decker, shows up, she admits to some interest in the job, but she’s not certified and would need some training. When Boone volunteers Jack to help train Colleen, a friendship begins to develop between the two. While Colleen and Jack are both haunted by some PTSD, can they find a way to work together and save lives, including their own?

The different emergencies that the author comes up with in a small town like Deep Haven is impressive (coming from a suburban/city girl). This story comes when I am currently residing in a rural area and makes me think about the complications that occur when trying to save lives. My stomach dropped every time they flew on the helicopter, and I give props to those that can work in these non-ideal situations. Colleen’s fears were real — imposter syndrome is a real thing — but she did what her gut told her to save the patient.

“I suspect He put that love of a challenge and adventure in your heart for a reason.”

I love this quote because it illustrates the creativity of God in His purpose for designing us a certain way. How often do we feel like we were made for a purpose that’s different than everyone else? How often do we feel different and like we don’t quite belong? Colleen’s character is so relatable for me and I really enjoyed getting to know her. I also loved seeing all the other characters that I’ve come to love in Deep Haven.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian romance with some humor, small-town charm and heroic rescues.

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.

September 14, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

Since You’ve Been Gone by Tari Faris

About the Book

Title: Since You’ve Been Gone
Series: Restoring Heritage #3
Author: Tari Faris
Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: September 7, 2021

With her vision and his know-how, this thing just might work . . .

Leah Williams is back in the quaint town of Heritage, Michigan, and ready to try again to make her business a success. But blank slates are hard to come by, and a piece of her past is waiting for her there. Heir to the Heritage Fruits company, Jonathan Kensington is the guy who not only made Leah’s past difficult, but he also seems determined to complicate her present as well.

In order to avoid forcing a buyout of Leah’s building, Jon will have to strike a compromise. Can the two of them work together? Or will their troubled past set the tone for their future?

Click HERE to grab your copy!

About the Author

Tari Faris has been writing fiction for more than thirteen years, and it has been an exciting journey for the math-loving dyslexic girl. She had read less than a handful of novels by the time she graduated from college, and she thought she would end up in the field of science or math. But God had other plans, and she wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. As someone told her once, God’s plans may not be easy and they may not always make sense, but they are never boring.

Tari has been married to her husband for eighteen wonderful years, and they have three sweet children. In her free time, she loves drinking coffee with friends, rock hounding with her husband and kids, and distracting herself from housework. Visit her at tarifaris.com to learn more about her upcoming books and to read what happened the day Leah and Jon were on the river.

My Review

Since You’ve Been Gone
by Tari Faris
Book 3 in the Restoring Heritage series
Rating: 4.5/5

One of the things I love about Tari Faris is she likes to give the reader two love stories in one book. The characters are great and it’s nice to catch up with characters from the other two books in the series. However, this book can be read by itself without confusion. I do still recommend reading the other two books though because they are also great.

Leah is back in her hometown and wants to revive her grandfather’s general store. However, she needs the cooperation of the Kensingtons without compromising her vision. When she discovers Jon is back and helping run the company, she doesn’t know how to handle it. For some reason, Jon has always had it out for her and she can’t explain why. Meanwhile, Jon has had a huge crush on Leah since high school but his words always seem to be misunderstood when he speaks to her. Can these two find a way to partner in business and maybe in love?

Madisen is back in her hometown but only briefly to renovate her childhood home to sell it. When Colby’s friend invites him to lay low in Heritage, he takes a chance and even offers to help Madisen with renovations. As a Christian musician who’s looking to avoid scandal, Colby finds Heritage more interesting after meeting Madisen. She has her own secrets and is afraid that her small town will judge her based on her actions during high school. Can Colby convince her to open up her heart to her town again and maybe even him?

The themes of redemption and learning to trust and forgive are prominent and really resonate with the reader. I love how naturally the author incorporates faith into the story. I always love returning to Heritage and am sad the series is over.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian contemporary romance with humor, heart and small towns.

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.

Restoring Heritage Books & Novellas

Read my reviews for You Belong with Me, Until I Met You and While It Was Snowing.

Giveaway

Enter here: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b464bfed64/

September 7, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews Giveaway

Inside the Wong Mind: Reading is my therapy

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.