Bethany House Publishers – Life of Literature

May 11, 2023May 10, 2023

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer

About the Author

Gabrielle Meyer has worked for state and local historical societies and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides along the banks of the Mississippi River in central Minnesota with her husband and four children. By day, she’s a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and nonfiction filled with hope. Find her online at gabriellemeyer.com.

About the Book

Maggie inherited a special gift from her parents that allows her to live three different timelines simultaneously, where she wakes up in 1861, 1941, and 2001 one day after the next. She has to decide on her upcoming twenty-first birthday in which timeline she will forever live, therefore forfeiting the other two lives. But there is something that she is drawn to in each timeline and she is terrified to have to make this decision. She is on the brink of a historic event in each life and she is passionate about helping people medically in each timeline. She tries to resist romance, as she knows it will only make the decision even harder, but her heart does not always listen to logic, further complicating her rapidly approaching choice.

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My Thoughts

This series has been such a unique set of novels! I have never read a story quite like these; not quite split-time, but rather time traveling of sorts. It was easy to like Maggie in this story, as she is compassionate, intelligent, and hard working in each of her three lives. I did not envy the choice she had to make! There were twists in the story that made it difficult for me to predict what life Maggie was going to pick in the end. My one critique, as someone who works in medicine, is that the medical facts in the novel weren’t always accurate, which was more of a personal irritation than something that other readers will find bothersome. I really liked the history, especially in the 1861 timeline. The romance is well written, and is in fact a driving force for Maggie’s decision. I thought the story flowed well and I found myself captivated by each timeline on multiple occasions. The thread of faith is light in this story but well integrated. I overall enjoyed the book and am excited for book three, especially with the little twist in the epilogue!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Favorite Quotes

And now… a giveaway!

To celebrate the release of In This Moment, Gabrielle Meyer is giving away a prize package from the Pearl Harbor Memorial! To enter, make sure you’re following my blog (link on the side) as well as my Instagram page (here) and click on the link below to enter!

https://bit.ly/43WhfaF

Thanks for stopping by!

April 1, 2023March 28, 2023

The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright

Thank you for joining me today on my blog as I feature The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright, on tour with Austen Prose tours!

Book Facts

Title: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau
Author: Jaime Jo Wright
Genre: Historical Suspense, Historical Romance, Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication date: April 4, 2023
Length: 384 pages
Format: Hardcover, trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook
ISBN: 978-0764238345
Tour dates: March 27 – April 10, 2023

Book Description

A haunting legend. An ominous curse. A search for a secret buried deep within the castle walls.

In 1870, orphaned Daisy François takes a position as housemaid at a Wisconsin castle to escape the horrors of her past life. There she finds a reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress who hides tales more harrowing than the ones in her novels. As women disappear from the area and the eerie circumstances seem to parallel a local legend, Daisy is thrust into a web that could ultimately steal her sanity, if not her life.

In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of an American aristocratic family to help his grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman’s stash of collectibles, a century-old mystery and the dust of the old castle’s curse threaten to rise again . . . this time to leave no one alive to tell the sordid tale.

Award-winning author Jaime Jo Wright seamlessly weaves a dual-time tale of two women who must do all they can to seek the light amid the darkness shrouding Castle Moreau.

About the Author

Jaime Jo Wright is the author of eight novels, including Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier Award-winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She’s also the Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of two novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her cat named Foo; her husband, Cap’n Hook; and their two mini-adults, Peter Pan and CoCo.

Praise for the Book

“Wright (The Souls of Lost Lake) captivates with a thrilling tale of two women who get caught up in the secrets of a Wisconsin castle…The twisting, fast-moving plot is loaded with secrets, and the characters remain morally ambiguous until the end. Readers won’t want to put this down.”— Publisher’s Weekly

“Wright (The Premonition at Withers Farm) pens another delightfully creepy tale where nothing is quite as it seems and characters seek freedom from nightmares both real and imagined.”— Library Journal

“Jaime Jo Wright never disappoints, and The Vanishing at Castle Moreau is no exception. With real, flawed characters who grapple with real-life struggles, this gripping suspense novel will draw readers in from the very first page. Good luck putting it down. I couldn’t.”— Lynette Eason, bestselling author of the Extreme Measures series

Purchase Links

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

My Thoughts

This book should come with a warning and that being you will not get any sleep for want of finishing this fantastic novel! I lost sleep staying up late reading and wished away the hours at work so I could get back to the story. It captured me from the very beginning, held me in its intense hold, and did not let up until the end. Per usual, this author does a phenomenal job of crafting two (well, actually three) storylines that slowly come together in a brilliance that I am amazed by every time I read a split time plot. I feel like I usually prefer one timeline over another, but in this novel, I actually really liked both Daisy and Cleo equally and loved their growth in the story. The suspense is thrilling and I honestly had no idea where the spooky surreal story was going until it was revealed at the very end. I loved the thread of faith and hope clearly woven in the novel as well. I also appreciate the way this author is not afraid to tackle some tough subjects and she stirred even more compassion in me for the difficulties in this novel. This book is captivating and marvelous and well worth the sleep I lost. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers, courtesy of Austen Prose Tours with Laurel Ann Nattress. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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February 13, 2023

The Last Chance Cowboy by Jody Hedlund

About the Book

After Catherine Remington helps deliver an infant in the middle of the night in a bad part of town, she finds herself suddenly witnessing a dangerous crime. Forced to escape the area, she decides to honor her patient’s last wish to bring the newborn infant to his father in Colorado. She is not sure what to expect, but she is not expecting the father to be the sheriff of Fairplay. Dylan McQuaid is stunned when Catherine shows up with an infant she claims is his son, but he wants to do the right thing and care for the baby. As Dylan and Catherine attempt to navigate the tricky situation, they form a bond that soon develops into something more.

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of over 40 historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. Learn more at jodyhedlund.com.

Purchase Links

My Thoughts

Fantastic characters and sizzling romance abound in this novel! This is one of my favorite romance tropes. I really liked Catherine and her strength. She was such an easy character to cheer for throughout the novel. And I really enjoyed reading about Dylan’s continued journey towards redemption and forgiveness. Although this novel stands well on is own, I think the reader gets good background information on the characters in the earlier books. I thought the plot had some great twists that kept it interesting and surprised me along the way. This has been a fantastic series and I am somewhat sad that it is ending. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Favorite Quotes

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February 7, 2023February 8, 2023

The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy

About the Book

Mabel MacGinnis, “Europe’s Strongest Woman,” finds herself adrift and aimless after her father, a renowned strongman, suddenly passes away. Just as she is to commit to a new act, she is informed that her mother, long thought to be dead, is alive and a famous aerialist in America. She decides to make the trip to America to find her mother. Jake Cunningham, a close friend of her family from the circus, cannot bear to let Mabel make the trip alone, so he decides to help her search for her mother in America on his way to see his family in Kansas. However, soon the circus calls once more to Mabel and Jake, forcing them to have to make a decision about which road they must travel to discover their place in the world.

About the Author

Kimberly Duffy is a Long Island native currently living in southwest Ohio. When she’s not homeschooling her four kids, she writes historical fiction that takes her readers back in time and across oceans. She loves trips that require a passport, recipe books, and practicing kissing scenes with her husband of twenty-three years. He doesn’t mind. Learn more at kimberlyduffy.com.

Purchase Links

My Thoughts

This author is one of my favorites because she has such a gift in writing rich characters that become alive in your mind and stay with you long after you have finished the book. I really, really liked Mabel. She is so sweet with such a big heart. I enjoyed reading about her relationship with Jake. I liked that the characters are not perfect and have very realistic struggles. This novel handles themes of forgiveness and trust very well, and I loved reading how Mabel and Isabella made peace with their pasts and learned to move forward with hope and love. I was also captivated by the circus life of 1910 and thought the author did a fantastic job describing the scenes such that it was easy to envision the setting. The author’s lyrical writing style flows so well and allows me to effortlessly immerse myself into the story. I have loved every one of her novels and this one was another great book. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Favorite Quotes

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January 24, 2023January 24, 2023

Yesterday’s Tide by Roseanna M. White

About the Book

In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same–until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie’s inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling’s injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the man he’s tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.

Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, but he doesn’t count on falling in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper’s daughter. When war breaks out in Europe, and their relationship is put in jeopardy, will their love survive?

As Evie and Sterling work to track down an elusive German agent, they unravel mysteries that go back a generation. The ripples from the Great War are still rocking their lives, and it seems yesterday’s tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

Bestselling and award-winning author Roseanna M. White whisks you away to two periods fraught with peril in this sweeping and romantic dual-time tale.

About the Author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Christian Book

Author’s Book Page (Signed Copy)

My Thoughts

Wow! This author is one of my favorites, and I thought this novel was one of her best! I loved the dual timeline and the way the two stories intersected and came together. There were even twists and turns that I did not see coming, which kept me engaged and reading long into the night on more than one occasion. I loved the strong female leads and their courage. There were even a few cameos of characters from her other novels! The faith thread is solid and well integrated. The history was also well researched and fascinating. Honestly, there was nothing about this book that I did not like! This is definitely a novel that I will be rereading. I cannot recommend this book enough!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Favorite Quotes

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January 17, 2023January 28, 2023

Hearts of Steel by Elizabeth Camden

About the Book

Maggie Molinaro fought through a difficult childhood to create her business, sacrificing for ten years to make the ice cream company successful. Liam Blackstone is dedicated to designing a safer environment for steelworkers in America. When Maggie and Liam both come against a common enemy who is determined to destroy their hard work, they must team up to protect not only their businesses but also the hard workers of Manhattan.

About the Author

Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in Gilded Age America, featuring clever heroines and richly layered story lines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won Christy, Carol, and RITA Awards and have appeared on the CBA bestsellers list. She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband, who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books. Learn more at elizabethcamden.com.

Purchase Links

My Thoughts

Everything this author writes is absolutely wonderful, including this incredible series, but this book might be my favorite of the three! You do not need to read the series in order; however, it is nice to get the background on the characters from other books. As is typical of her books, the author does a fantastic job of researching the history and incorporating it so well into the story. I felt like I learned a lot about the time period and working conditions in the early twentieth century. And the villain in this story was a real man, which makes it that much more interesting! I am also always amazed at the unique jobs of characters in this author’s novels and thought Maggie’s position as owner of an ice cream shop to be a creative career. Additionally, I loved how strong and independent and smart Maggie is and really adored the development of her relationship with Liam, of course packed with steamy romance. This book is riveting and engaging and I really enjoyed every part of it. I highly recommend this series and I cannot wait to see what the author comes up with next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Favorite Quotes

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January 16, 2023January 16, 2023

What Happens Next by Christina Suzann Nelson

About the Book

Faith Byrne may be good at telling others how to create a great life after tragedy, but she is personally struggling to live by her words. Her ex-husband and his new wife have whisked her children off to Hawaii, leaving her feeling depressed and unworthy. She is soon contacted by her childhood friend, Dora Crane, who is interested in using Faith’s podcast to highlight a cold case—the disappearance of her daughter years ago. As Faith and Dora work through the details of the case, they unveil secrets, and begin to reconcile their pasts and futures.

About the Author

Christina Suzann Nelson (www.christinasuzannnelson.com) is an inspirational speaker and Christy award-winning author. Her first novel, If We Make It Home, was honored as one of Library Journal‘s top five inspirational novels of 2017, and her 2021 novel, The Way It Should Be, won the Christy Award for general fiction.

In 2017, Christina was named the OCW Cascade’s Writer of Promise and received a Cascade award for her novel Swimming in the Deep End. Her stories have been published in the Cup of Comfort for a Better World, Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Families, as well as other publications.

Christina is over-the-top about her passions, including the stories created somewhere in the twists and turns of her less-than-focused brain. When she’s not writing, Christina serves on the board of Every Child Linn-Benton, a nonprofit where she has the opportunity to influence the lives of families and children in the foster care system.

On a typical day, she chases escaped farm animals, reads, hikes with her dog, and enjoys her husband and six kids.

Purchase Links

My Thoughts

A powerful tale of women’s fiction, this novel is an emotional journey full of great character depth and development. There were hard topics discussed, including broken relationships and hurtful pasts, but there was also a thread of hope in the story. There are themes of forgiveness, redemption, and finding hope despite grief. The writing is engaging and raw and it easily brought forth emotions for me as the reader. I also liked the mystery woven in the novel and thought the plot was unpredictable; despite a slow start, I liked the how the pieces in the different times periods came together near the end of the novel. My favorite part was the present day interactions of Faith and Dora. If you are looking for great women’s fiction, definitely check out this novel!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Favorite Quote

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December 13, 2022December 28, 2022

All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes

About the Book

1904
Daniel Goodman is given a fresh start in life as the century turns. Hoping to redeem a past laden with regrets, he is sent on an assignment from California to Venice to procure and translate a rare book. There, he discovers a city of colliding hope and decay, much like his own life, and a mystery wrapped in the pages of that filigree-covered volume. With the help of Vittoria, a bookshop keeper, Daniel finds himself in a web of shadows, secrets, and discoveries carefully kept within the stones and canals of the ancient city . . . and in the mystery of the man whose story the book does not finish: Sebastien Trovato.

About the Author

Amanda Dykes’s debut novel, Whose Waves These Are, is the winner of the prestigious 2020 Christy Award Book of the Year, a Booklist 2019 Top Ten Romance debut, and the winner of an INSPY Award. She’s also the author of Yours Is the Night and Set the Stars Alight, a 2021 Christy Award finalist.

Purchase Links

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

My Thoughts

Amanda Dykes has such a way with words! She writes stories that are told in a beautiful manner, with words that jump off the page and capture you instantly. Her prose is stunning and gorgeous! I loved the setting of this novel. It was remarkable how the setting (the canals of Venice) almost became a character in and of itself. The descriptions of the scenes make it easy for me to be transported to the two historical timelines. The characters are equally well written and I was instantly invested in their stories and their romance. The Christian truths are unique and integrated flawlessly; I found myself reflecting often on the deep questions the characters ask themselves. The struggle with identity is something most of us have also struggled with and these realistic thoughts made the characters more authentic. Reading this novel is like reading beautiful poetry. I cannot recommend it enough!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers, courtesy of Austen Prose Tours with Laurel Ann Nattress. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Favorite Quotes

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December 13, 2022December 30, 2022

Engaging Deception by Regina Jennings

About the Book

Olive Kentworth is secretly passionate about architecture, but as a woman in the late nineteenth century, she hides her architectural knowledge behind her cousin Amos, who agrees to pose as a builder for her to work on a home expansion project. She accepts a position as a nanny to further hide her secret involvement in the project and finds herself working for none other than an architect himself, Maxfield Scott. Maxfield may find his new nanny intriguing, but he is frustrated by the mysterious builder on one of his projects, leading to some tension between him and Olive. As Maxfield and Olive grow closer, their secrets may threaten to tear them apart.

About the Author

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She now lives outside Oklahoma City with her husband and four children.

Purchase Links

My Thoughts

A delightful novel, this book is packed full of fun characters, an interesting plot, and rich topics. I really enjoyed the interactions of Olive and Maxfield; they are a fun couple to read about as their relationship is full of spirited banter, but also is deep enough to encounter a few tough spots that make them realistic too. I really love smart, strong heroines and Olive definitely fits that bill. I also enjoyed reading about how devoted Max is as a father. Among the fun moments, the author dives into some deeper spiritual truths, including trusting God through grief and learning to become confident in who He made you. I found the time period, setting, and architectural details wonderfully interwoven into the plot and these great details made the book interesting to read. I highly recommend this book, and this whole series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Favorite Quotes

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December 6, 2022December 6, 2022

All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes

Thank you for joining me today as I feature All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes on my blog, on tour with Austen Prose Tours!

Book Details

Title: All the Lost Places: A Novel
Author: Amanda Dykes
Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: ‎Bethany House Publishers (December 13, 2022)
Length: 400 pages
Format: Hardcover, Trade paperback, & eBook
ISBN: 978-0764239502
Tour Dates: December 5 – December 19, 2022

Book Description

When all of Venice is unmasked, one man’s identity remains a mystery . . .

1807
When a baby is discovered floating in a basket along the quiet canals of Venice, a guild of artisans takes him in and raises him as a son, skilled in each of their trades. Although the boy, Sebastien Trovato, has wrestled with questions of his origins, it isn’t until a woman washes ashore on his lagoon island that answers begin to emerge. In hunting down his story, Sebastien must make a choice that could alter not just his own future, but also that of the beloved floating city.

1904
Daniel Goodman is given a fresh start in life as the century turns. Hoping to redeem a past laden with regrets, he is sent on an assignment from California to Venice to procure and translate a rare book. There, he discovers a city of colliding hope and decay, much like his own life, and a mystery wrapped in the pages of that filigree-covered volume. With the help of Vittoria, a bookshop keeper, Daniel finds himself in a web of shadows, secrets, and discoveries carefully kept within the stones and canals of the ancient city . . . and in the mystery of the man whose story the book does not finish: Sebastien Trovato.

About the Author

Exclusive Interview with Amanda Dykes

Advance Praise

“This lyrical dual-narrative historical from Dykes (Set the Stars Alight) dives into the histories of Venice, Italy, and Venice Beach, California.”— Publisher’s Weekly
“Introspective, surprising, and achingly beautiful.”— Booklist starred review
“Dykes’s pen is fused with magic and poetry. Every word’s a gentle wave building into the splendor that is All the Lost Places, where struggles for identity and a place to belong find hope between the pages of a timeless story.”— J’Nell Ciesielski, bestselling author of The Socialite
“Luscious writing, authentic characters, and an ending that satisfies to the core of the spirit, this novel is another winner from Amanda Dykes.”— Heidi Chiavaroli, Carol Award-winning author of Freedom’s Ring and Hope Beyond the Waves

Purchase Links

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS

My Thoughts

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers, courtesy of Austen Prose Tours with Laurel Ann Nattress. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.