A Crimson Rose by Grace Greene - A Book Review

  

This novella is a sweet read. While it will work as a stand-alone, having read at least the first book in Grace Greene's Crimson Grove series will truly make this story make more sense. Amelia Hennipen is a caregiver at heart. Circumstances, and likely God, have put Amelia in situations that some would find anywhere from untenable to uncomfortable. She not only manages them, but thrives, and so do those under her care. Does she have weak moments, absolutely. The team she has built around her and those who have come alongside her see her through. Grace Greene is truly a master of character development. In A Crimson Rose she honors both the lifetime character of Henny who is journeying through Alzheimer's as well as the changes that have manifested. The story has a gentle, slow pace as this type of story deserves. Deep emotions cannot be rushed. It is special that Greene is able to accomplish this within the constraints of the book being a novella rather than a full-length novel.

I highly recommend this book and series, and am grateful to have received a complimentary copy from the author without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde

 

In 1803 two children were kidnapped from their home in Hyberabad, India, leaving their widowed mother alone. Raised on an estate in England, the two learned what was now expected of them by an uncaring grandfather who deplored their mixed heritage. Now, grown and being forced into a life they don't want to live, extreme measures may be necessary to live a life that honors God and respects their heritage.

Jenelle Hovde has skillfully blended the lives of her fictional characters with those of real life reformist William Wilberforce and missionary and translator William Carey. She has obviously carefully researched not only the lives of these men, but also the East India Company and the social and political culture of India in the early1800s. This is the first book of Hovde's that I have read, but I will certainly be on the lookout for others. I enjoy her writing style and appreciate the realism and authenticity of this story.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Light of Stars from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Conspiracy by Colleen Coble - A Book Review

  

The final book of Coble's Sanctuary series which is connected to the Tupelo Grove novels that she coauthored with Rick Acker, is an amazing conclusion. Veterinarian Paradise Alden is once again in the cross-hairs. The mystery is the identity of the one who has her in their sights. Blake Lawson had thought life had gotten back to normal after the mystery of who was sabotaging his family's wildlife sanctuary had been solved. All too soon he realized that danger still lurked as Paradise pressed on in her investigation to discover the identity of her parents' murderer. Coble keeps the tension high throughout Conspiracy. While the ending is truly satisfying, readers will not be ready for the book or the series to end. This series is written in the style that put Coble's name on my list of favorite mystery authors years ago.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Spy Keeper of Marseille by Roseanna M. White

  

It's been a long time since I've read a really good WW II novel. This story was a great one with which to return to the genre. The fact that it involved the French resistance is a bonus for me. The Spy Keeper of Marseille emphasizes that each of us has strengths and talents that can be utilized in causes that we are passionate about. We must be willing to be brave and to make sacrifices for what is right. Zelie Bellarose, widowed mother of two children who live with their grandmother while their mother works as a keeper of spies, exemplifies this as does pianist Marcel Laurent. Together they rally the fine arts world into an alliance to spy on enemy soldiers and leaders. This book's themes, the intrigue, and the danger are all well written and compliment one another.

I highly recommend The Spy Keeper of Marseille and am to have received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Bachelor Spy by Pepper Basham - A Book Review

  

Pepper Basham is offering fans of her Freddy and Grace Mysteries another delightful mystery along with some special surprises along the way. This fifth book has multiple mysteries going on at once, frequently becoming entangled with one another. Basham keeps both her characters and her readers on their toes. Sorting the good guys from the bad guys is a frequent challenge. Humor, challenges, and life lessons are well-balanced. There is plenty of lightheartedness to act as the sugar to help the medicine, or in this case the morals to the story, go down. The ending is satisfying and pleasing on several fronts. I highly recommend The Bachelor Spy, but suggest reading the Freddy and Grace Mysteries in sequence in order to get maximum comprehension and reading pleasure. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Bachelor Spy from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. This is a series that I will likely reread one day. 

Sisterchicks do the Hula! by Robin Jones Gunn - A Brief Comment

  

As I make my way through a second reading of Robin Jones Gunn's Sisterchicks series I am realizing that sixty-seven year-old me is enjoying them in a different way that forty-something me did. I was especially drawn to the historical information of our fiftieth state in Sisterchicks do the Hula. I had never really had a desire to visit Hawaii, but now I would love to go visit their historic sites, especially those related to the state's early missionaries. The story also highlights many interesting points about the culture, things that are being lost as commercialization has increased. As always is true of a Robin Jones Gunn book, there are many spiritual lessons to absorb along the way. 

The Christmas Quilt by Teresa Slack - A Brief Comment

  

The title drew me to this book when the Kindle copy was offered for free on Amazon. While my copy had quite a few typos, I truly enjoyed this sweet, yet intriguing, story. Mourning the loss of her grandmother, Ivy Greer comes across an old trunk containing a beautiful, Christmas-themed quilt, that her grandmother had obviously created for her. Shocked when the man who had always been like an uncle to her quickly took the quilt from her, Ivy sets out to solve the mystery of the quilt.

Theresa Slack is a new to me author. I will be keeping a look out for other books by her. This story has a wonderful plot, and is realistic. The dialogue was well written. The ending played well and didn't seem rushed. All hallmarks for me of an enjoyable read.