Book Reviews

Book Review: Court of Swans by Melanie Dickerson

Court of Swans
by Melanie Dickerson
Book 1 in the Dericott Tales series
Rating: 4/5

I believe I have read every book by Melanie Dickerson and she did not disappoint. Court of Swans is the first book in a brand new series and I was excited to visit the world of 1381 and meet the Dericott family. This particular story is a retelling of The Wild Swans and the author definitely had her own take on the story.

Delia Dericott is the only daughter of the Earl and has lived a fairly sheltered life surrounded by her seven brothers. After her father remarries a horrible woman, she keeps her distance and hopes for the best, especially when she gains a new half-brother. However, her new stepmother has plans of her own. When her father dies suddenly, all her brothers return to the family home (most were off training to be a knight) while they mourn together. Her eldest brother, Edwin, barely has a chance to get used to his new position and title before the king of England’s soldiers arrive to arrest all of her brothers for murder and treason. When Sir Geoffrey realizes that the youngest one is but 10 years old, he is unsure why all these brothers are being sent to the Tower of London. Delia is distraught and must find a way to save her brothers. She suspects her stepmother did something but has no evidence. Afraid of what her stepmother might do to her, Delia escapes to her aunt for guidance. Her aunt arranges for Delia to become a seamstress in the king’s castle in order to find a way to convince the future queen and young King Richard of her brothers’ innocence. Delia finds herself once again confronted with Sir Geoffrey and must find a way to work with him to free her brothers before it’s too late. Can Delia trust the man who arrested her brothers? Can she find a way to rescue her brothers and exonerate them?

There’s definitely never a lack of drama in Melanie Dickerson’s books. lol. I really enjoyed this story of political intrigue set in the late 1300s which is not a time period that I read a lot about. It was interesting to read about the different historical figures and try to get into their head. I finished the book in a few hours and could not put it down. I know I will enjoy getting to know this new family and cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Highly recommend if you enjoy Christian historical fiction with romance and political intrigue.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley 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.

January 18, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: Heart of the Crown by Hannah Currie

Heart of the Crown
by Hannah Currie
Book 3 in the Daughters of Peverell series
Rating: 5/5

Guys, I balled my eyes out during the reading of this tremendous story. I’m sad that this is the final book of this amazing series. Every book in the series just keeps getting better and better. I highly recommend reading the first two books in the series first because then there won’t be any spoilers.

Lady Wenderley Davis has had a tough year or so. She’s had her heart broken by a prince and has vowed to never have that happen again. However, when her friend asks her to become the temporary governess for the young Prince Ryan who just lost his mother, she feels like it might be a God thing (or Godwink or divine moment – whatever you like to call it). Wenderley has been praying for the young prince and his family for a while and is willing to do what she can to care for them. She is determined to only stay for a few weeks but with the Queen’s encouragement, she keeps staying longer and longer. She easily falls in love with young Ryan and tries to help his distant father, Crown Prince Marcos, to spend more time with him. As she wears her heart on her sleeve, Wenderley tries her best not to get too attached to the royal family but it’s difficult because she knows that she can’t stay. Wenderley also has a secret and even though she’s far from home, her past still comes back to haunt her. Will Wenderley ever be truly free from her past? Can she be forgiven for her mistake? Can she separate her feelings for Ryan and his handsome father before it’s too late?

Seriously, the relationship between Wenderley (Can I call her Wen? lol) and Ryan is absolutely adorable and so heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Obviously, if you’ve read the previous books, you understand that the relationship between Marcos and his son is complicated, but there’s one particular scene where I couldn’t stop tearing up. But my favorite scene came towards the end and I definitely had a cathartic cry. lol. I’m definitely that person. There was just something so beautiful and cleansing about that scene – the author really “preaches” some beautiful and relevant messages about forgiveness and faith – I made so many highlights near the end.

Obviously, I highly recommend this book and series. Way to go out with a bang! I’m sad the series is over and hope to read more from this author in the future! If you love stories about imperfect royals and the power of love and forgiveness, I highly recommend this series. FYI there were plenty of parts that also made me laugh and sigh.

What are you waiting for? Read this now! (unless you need to read the first two books first) 😉

January 17, 2021 by Kim Book Reviews

Book Review: Active Defense by Lynette Eason

Active Defense
by Lynette Eason
Book 3 in the Danger Never Sleeps series
Rating: 4.5/5

Who doesn’t enjoy a good romantic suspense novel? As a long-time fan, I was excited to get back into the world with some familiar characters and get to know them better. This story can definitely be read as a standalone novel (I somehow skipped reading book 2, but I did read book 1), but I recommend starting from the beginning to get the full effect. I, myself, need to go back and read book 2. You will not regret it.

Heather Fontaine is dealing with PTSD after her service in Afghanistan as a field surgeon. She thinks someone is stalking her, and she is on edge all the time. After she finally shares her fears with her friends, she arrives home to find her house is not quite the way she left it. Fleeing and trying to disappear to protect her friends from an unknown adversary prove to be difficult when Travis Walker, owner of his own security firm, is able to find her and save her. Who is watching her? Who just tried to kill her? She has so many questions and not enough answers. Can Travis and her friends help Heather uncover what is going on? Will Heather’s emotional baggage and traumatic past keep her from pursuing a relationship with the seemingly perfect Travis? Can Travis really protect Heather and keep her safe?

As a medical student, I always love reading stories (even fictional ones) about doctors in the field. Heather’s past is what has shaped her character and is part of what drives her passion to help others. I loved the part where Heather explained how she turned out the way she did despite poor role models — she just did the opposite of what she saw her father do. I definitely cried some tears and felt my adrenaline pumping at different points in the story. Heather’s relationship with Travis was a bit rushed, but it may have been developed more in book 2. Their relationship was not as obvious in the beginning of the story. The big reveal at the end was something I did not see coming until the author made it clear, which is always impressive since I’m constantly guessing throughout the story. Faith is gently woven into the story – definitely not in a preachy way.

Highly recommend this Christian romantic suspense novel that will keep you reading till the end with action, intrigue and a lot of heart.

My thanks to the 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.