A Castaway In Cornwall By Julie Klassen

A Castaway in Cornwall

by Julie Klassen

Publisher: Bethany House

ISBN: 9780764234224

Believe it or not, I think this is the first launch team I've been on for Julie Klassen!! I've reviewed her books, but never been on one of her teams!! I'm incredibly thankful for being given the opportunity to participate with her. I was sent the book to help facilitate my review.

Summary:

Set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers, Laura Callaway now lives with her uncle and his disapproving wife in North Cornwall. There she feels like a castaway, always viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong. 

While wreckers search for valuables along the windswept Cornwall coast--known for its many shipwrecks but few survivors--Laura searches for clues to the lives lost so she can write letters to next of kin and return keepsakes to rightful owners. When a man is washed ashore after a wreck, Laura acts quickly to protect him from a local smuggler determined to destroy him.

As Laura and a neighbor care for the survivor, they discover he has curious wounds and, although he speaks in careful, educated English, his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Despite the evidence against him, the mysterious man might provide her only chance to discover the truth about her parents' fate. With danger pursuing them from every side, and an unexpected attraction growing between them, will Laura ever find the answers she seeks?

My Review:

It was so wonderful to travel across the pond to visit Cornwall in A Castaway in Cornwall. Julie Klassen has such an amazing way of bringing the reader into the 1800s! I'm always transported to somewhere in England (and this time France) that I just have to visit! Cornwall, England anyone?

I don't know if this is the right thing to admit or not, but I will read a Julie Klassen novel and never bother to read the back because she's one of my favorite authors. I always know I'll get what I'm hoping for, which is to be whisked away into historical romance!

I really liked getting to know Laura Callaway. Being an outsider to the ways of the Cornish, you know that she is blazing her own trail and while she wants to respect their way of living, her "upcountry" upbringing seems to set her apart. Which, when she's faced with rescuing the man who has washed ashore, instead of leaving him to die as Tom Parsons would've preferred. Now that's a fella who isn't likable at all!

As always, Julie writes the leading men in such a way that they're mysterious and dashing all at once. She certainly knows how to make them irresistible. Not only to the leading ladies, but I know we readers enjoy them just as much! hahahaha I mean, she writes about this shipwreck survivor and I don't think any of us would mind running into him in a dark alley. :) I don't want to give too much of this guy away since not much is known about him from the summary!

It was really easy to feel incredibly disconnected to the "not so family" family Laura ends up living with. I was so thankful for the character of Eseld. She actually ended up being one of my favorite characters. As timid as she is to follow her mom's orders, you can tell there's a stubborn streak laying deep inside her.

Of course the story comes with bad guys who are slippery buggars who seem to weasel their way out of horrible situations. The louts! 

I'd like to point out all of the research the author has done for this story. It is truly mind boggling to me everything they have to learn and study to make the story not only come to life, but be true to the history. I can't even begin to imagine putting in that much time simply to write a novel. We're definitely the ones who win in the end. I had no idea about Jersey. Never even heard of it until this story. And sakes alive, I know absolutely nothing about boats, but it was fascinating to read about how different ships can get through different levels of water.

Also, now I want to read the books that she quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I don't know about you, but I've never wanted to visit Cornwall, but do now. Obviously it would be a 2020 version so maybe not as Klassen as I'd like it to be.

I know with how the book ends we wouldn't get to have a stand alone story about one of the supporting characters, but I really ended up liking Treeve. He's a friend of Laura's who is constantly trying to either flirt with her or get a rise out of her. While he seems to be questionable at times, I really ended up liking his character.

As a side note, the cover of this book (front, side, and back) are absolutely stunning. I don't know that I've ever seen a pearlescent book cover, but this one has it and it's really unique. The designer did a beautiful job!

About the Author:

Julie Klassen (www.julieklassen.com) loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over a million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing's BEST Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.

Dawn of Vengeance By Ronie Kendig

DAWN OF VENGEANCE

by Ronie Kendig

Publisher: Enclave Publishing

Series: The Dorseran Saga

ISBN: 978-1621841456

I loved book 1 "Brand of Light" SO much that I HAD to be on the launch team for DoV. Thankfully I was given a spot. BUT, while I was given the book to read as an ebook, I bought the book myself because it was INCREDIBLE! I was also sent an incredible launch team kit that included the book as well as many other goodies!

Summary:

A haunting prophecy upended his identity. Now it demands his life.

Once a formidable bounty hunter, Marco Dusan is plagued by insecurity as he tours the realm he now rules. This quiet, backwater planet is not as untouched as he'd once thought. Evidence of collusion between Droseran factions and the powerful Symmachians with their forbidden technology litters his encounters. Worse, all signs indicate Xisya, the alien who tortured him, is still snatching Kynigos Brethren--but to what end?

Lance Corporal Eija Zacdari works hard to win a coveted place on the Symmachian hyperjump program, but instinct tells her their intel is flawed. Despite nearly failing the tests, she is assigned to the team-and lands in the middle of a bewildering conspiracy.

Haunted by a prophecy that promises pain and war, Marco forges alliances to protect the primitive world against Symmachia's devastating influence. But one truth becomes painfully clear: the biggest threat to their world may be much, much closer to home.

My Review:

This is my favorite book of 2020, let's start there.

First, allow me make sure I've done my job and let you know that you need to get yourself a buddy to read this book. hahahaha You'll thank me later. I say this because even in chapter one I was like, "what the heck is happening?" And if you've read book one, you know how emotional we readers can get with this series!

Ok, where do I even start with reviewing Dawn of Vengeance? Here's the thing... I love reading. I enjoy getting to know the characters and finding myself imagining the world the author has created. The Droseran Saga has taken me beyond that. Now I can completely understand how people can get lost in a story. I haven't been this affected by a book since I was in my early teens.

Ronie is even more over the top in her writing with book two. Once again the characters came to life for me. Because of her excellent writing I became completely invested deeply in the characters, their relationships, and the situations happening in the story.

Is it strange that my heart felt ripped out of my chest when Marco heads out to learn more about his realm? How he's still so attuned to Kersei? You can absolutely tell how he's just a mess with everything that's happened! So am I, buddy, so am I. Marco makes me an emotional mess... in a good way. HA!

One of the characters I come to appreciate is Ixion, Marco's First, who comes alongside Marco to guide him as he learns to rule Kalonica. While he keeps a regal air about him, he also tries to relate to what Marco is going through, but is forthright with him when he gets lost in his emotions. It does seem that regardless of how far Marco goes, the scent of Kersei isn't far away. Sigh... I also love that Ypiretis makes an appearance again. He has words of wisdom even I needed to hear!

Darius continues to annoy me, which is basically a spill over from book one. hahaha I mean, the situations he's in are all his own doing. I think we can all look at ourselves and realize that we reap what we sew. Let's just say I want to shake him for the entirety of the book. Every time Kersei came onto the scene my heart just wrenched. I am still heartbroken for where her life has taken her.

Meanwhile, while a cartful of my emotions are pouring out over what's happening on Droseran, up in the heavenlies, at the Academy, we meet Eija and the students who are trying to land a gig on the Prevenire. A couple of Tigo's teammates have been reduced to training them after he and Jez bust away from the Kleopatra. Eija is such a neat character and I wish we would've had more time with her. We do get a lot more with her and the other students towards the end of the story.

Of course, creepy, Xisya makes her appearance once again and has us shivering just like she does the students at the Academy. Talk about a petrifying alien. One would think her methods would be... alarming? lol

I can't say enough about how enamored I am with this series. The depth of involvement Ronie brings us to is incredible because her writing of this story is impeccable. It took me a week... A WEEK... to start to come up for air after I finished the epilogue. I actually woke up in the middle of the night thinking about all that the characters had been through the night that I finished it.

And poor Ronie. She was so kind with my emotional outbursts on Instagram. I mean, she reeled me in with how she brought this world to life. I guess she has to suffer through the crazy fans who are sucked into it, right? hahahaha

I don't know what book three is going to look like and I don't know if a year is enough time for me to prepare for how it all ends. I'm a bit worried that Ronie is going to rip my heart out of my chest (although she's already done this in both books hahahaha), hold it up in the air to laugh at it, and then shove it back into my chest while I flail around trying to reattach it. If you think I'm being dramatic, read this book and then get back to me. Mmmmhmmmm 

About the Author:

Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. She married a veteran, and together their lives are never dull with four children and two dogs--a Maltese Menace and a retired military working dog. Ronie's degree in psychology has helped her pen novels of intense, raw characters.

Still The One: A Deep Haven Novel By Susan May Warren & Rachel D. Russell

Still The One

by Susan May Warren & Rachel D. Russell

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

Series: Deep Haven

ISBN: 978-1953783011

I'll take any opportunity to go back to Minnesota, even if it's through a fictional book! I jumped at the chance to join the launch team for Sunrise Publishing's new series and I was able to read the ARC via my Kindle that they sent me.

Summary:

It's never too late to finish a love story...

Cole Barrett, former Army Ranger, has a new mission objective. Sell his grandfather's house and put Deep Haven, a place that holds too many hurts, in his rearview mirror as fast as possible. Recently divorced, single, and unattached, Cole just wants a new life as a US Marshal. One where he can forget the past and start new.

Unfortunately, there's a tenant in the garage apartment who's refusing to move. Even worse? It's his childhood crush, Megan Carter, and her son.

Wedding planner and single mom Megan Carter loves Deep Haven. To her, it's the place where she makes dreams come true-at least, everyone else's. Her big dream is to purchase the Black Spruce Bed & Breakfast to turn it into a premier event venue and, if she can stay booked for enough weddings over winter, she'll have the needed funds to buy the inn, move out of Grandpa Barrett's garage apartment, and finally give her nine-year-old son, Josh, the life he deserves. She just needs four thousand dollars in the next thirty days. 

Still, she's oh, so close...until Cole Barrett returns to Deep Haven. Even if he's not back to fulfill a silly childhood promise to marry her, but she never expected him to evict her! The last thing she needs is more expenses. Or for another man to walk into her heart...and break it.

When a blizzard strikes Deep Haven, and Megan is overrun with wedding catastrophes, it takes a former Ranger to step in and help. Besides, the more he comes to her rescue, the sooner she'll be able to move out...and he can move on. And that's what they both want, right?

Return to Deep Haven with this magical tale about the one who got away...and came back.

My Review:

How is it possible to feel like I've returned home when I've never even been to Deep Haven? Maybe it's because of the community Susan May Warren has created and the way Rachel D. Russell has jumped in to add more with Still The One.

Being a Minnesota gal, this story absolutely resonated with me. In fact, I read it specifically because I'm from there. I have to tell you, Rachel had me longing for home. I know, I know, you want to hear about the story and the people, but let me get this out of my system first. HA!

Rachel embodied the life and people of Minnesota in Still the One. If you want to know what people are like and what winters might be like, this book will give it to you in spades! I lived in a small town and she captured the community perfectly. Neighbors looking out for each other. People plowing driveways and shoveling sidewalks for others. It's just how we do things. Our small town folks rally alongside one another. I did miss seeing an "ope" here and there. ha ha ha Kidding!

Alrighty, let's talk about the story shall we?

Megan reminded me of a typical Minnesota woman. She's fierce and determined. She's a woman who is ready to take care of business. Single moms know that if something is going to get done, they're the one who needs to do it. For Megan though, it seems it can be to her detriment.

Then there's Cole. Shall we take a collective sigh before we discuss him? S-I-G-H...

Cole is a man's man and on a mission to sell his grandfather's house and be on his way. Rachel describes him in such a way, through Megan thank you very much, that you can't help but know he's well chiseled and looks spectacular in a Henley. He also comes along with a lot of baggage from losing his parents to foster care and then his first marriage. This fella came in like a hot mess.

For me, some of the best stories are the ones with fantastic supporting characters and this one was chock full of them! Those supporting characters are what bring the small town vibe to life! Everyone is invested in each other and that comes out wonderfully in this story.

I also appreciated that there weren't long and winding misunderstandings. I've had it up to here (imagine my hand under my chin) with drawn out, unbelievable ones that make you roll your eyes. In Still the One, Megan and Cole talk things out and don't live in the world of assumptions.

That being said, whew, the tension between Megan and Cole starts when they realize who each other is again after all these years. Cole is selling his grandfather's house, but the problem is, Megan and her son, Josh, live in the garage apartment and she does NOT want to move. To say that Cole's plans derail is putting it mildly.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am already set to go back to Deep Haven. I do feel like an outsider since I haven't read all of Susan May Warren's stories set in this series. Now I have to go back and read them so I'm even more familiar with the people and the town. Trust me, you'll want to read them, too. This town will pull you in and you'll never want to leave.

About the Authors:

Rachel D. Russell is a member of Oregon Christian Writers, My Book Therapy's Novel Academy, and is a regular contributor to the Learn How to Write a Novel blog. When Rachel's not cheering on one of her two teens at sporting events, she's often interrogating her husband on his own military and law enforcement experience to craft believable heroes in uniform. The rest of her time is spent cantering her horse down the Oregon trails and redirecting her three keyboard-hogging cats.

Visit Rachel's website at www.racheldrussell.com.

With over 1 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA and Carol award-winning author of over seventy-five novels with Revell, Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill and Summerside Press. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic-suspense, thrillers, rom-com and Christmas novellas. 

With books translated into eight languages, many of her novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA's Inspirational Reader's Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award.

Of her books, Publisher's Weekly has written, "Warren lays bare her characters' human frailties, including fear, grief, and resentment, as openly as she details their virtues of love, devotion, and resiliency. She has crafted an engaging tale of romance, rivalry, and the power of forgiveness."  

And Library Journal adds, "Warren's characters are well-developed and she knows how to create a first rate contemporary romance..." 

Susan is also a nationally acclaimed writing coach, teaching at conferences around the nation and winner of the 2009 American Christian Fiction Writers Mentor of the Year award. She loves to help people launch their writing careers and is the founder of Novel.Academy and www.LearnHowtoWriteaNovel.com, a writing website that helps authors get published and stay published. She's also the author of the popular writing method, The Story Equation.

A Violent Hope By Ericka Clay

A Violent Hope

by Ericka Clay

Publisher: Independent

ISBN: 979-8681470717

Alrighty, so I had no idea what I was about to read. I don't even remember reading a summary about A Violent Hope before I dove into the story. lol The author sent me her book to read on my Kindle so I wanted to be sure to thank her for that. 

Summary:

Mack Reynolds is battling his demons. After years spent attempting to heal wounds from being abused as a child, he confronts the author of his nightmares-his uncle-leading to a catastrophic decision and permanently sealing his fate.

When Natalie, Mack's wife, convinces herself that she won't be able to support her family on her own, she moves herself and her daughter to White Smoke, Arkansas where she has a new job lined out and the hope of a new beginning. But after being demoted in a mere six months, meeting a less than reputable "best friend," and chasing the same addiction that helped fuel her husband's final breakdown, Natalie ends up spiraling out of control and comes out worse the wear ten years later.

All grown up, her daughter, Wren, struggles with her own addiction and a never ending series of tough situations she blames on her father's early demise. It's not until Mack's mother, Rochelle, can confront her past, her questionable living arrangement with her husband and his mistress, and the bitter hurt that's metastasized inside of her that Natalie and Wren can receive the guidance they both desperately need. But is it too late?

Told through the lives of the three women touched by Mack's struggle, A Violent Hope takes a deeper look into the human heart and the God who repeatedly heals all wounds.

My Review:

I've been trying to muddle around in my brain on how to write this review. A Violent Hope isn't your run-of-the-mill kind of book. This book is a gut punch and will shake you up, but seriously, this is real life. No fluff. I think if we look around us, get outside of our little suburban, minivan driving life, we see that there are people going through the worst that life has to offer. That's what this book touches on. Touches? More like slams you with.

See, look at me not being fluffy in my review.

We start off with Mack, who sets this story in motion. This broken little boy, who we all want to save. This broken little boy who we want to have a fairytale ending for his life because he's suffered so much. Except life. As we're introduced to Mack, we also see how God is with him. I had to take a moment to realize what I was reading and how the author was writing.

Mack's choices make a lasting mark on the women around him. The "now" time part of the book circles around those women: Natalie, Wren, and Rochelle. They're all hot messes and have been for a long time. It's overwhelming to me to see how the choices others make can impact the lives of innocent people. I mean, if we look at our own lives we can see how our choices have impacted friends and family. Right? It's the same here, but with rougher consequences.

You can see with Natalie's heart that she wants to make a new start for herself and Wren, but best laid plans and all. Her life derails again and just becomes a runaway train while she pulls Wren right along with her. Wren is a victim of her circumstances. She hasn't asked to have this life, but she's a product of it. How situations unfold in her life, you hope for the best, but you've seen where she's come from. And then there's Rochelle. The guilt that wears on her is evident as it should be. She can't fix the past, but she can bring light into the darkness that she's been a part of. Her efforts certainly have an impact.

Throughout the story you can see God's hand at work. There is redemption, but the cost has been high. If you want a powerful read that will take you out of your comfort zone, this book is what you're looking for. It's not for the faint of heart, but really should be read!

About the Author:

Ericka Clay is a published novelist and the author of Unkept and Dear Hearts. She graduated from the University of Arkansas creative writing program and has published a book of short stories and poetry.

Ericka has been awarded a number of times by Writers Digest for various short fiction pieces, she has written four novels (one of which placed as a quarter-finalist in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest) and has had the privilege of sharing her craft, teaching writing classes and holding writers workshops in the South Texas area. She is releasing her next novel, A Violent Hope, through her literary imprint, Believable Books, October 2020.

Ericka lives in Northwest Arkansas with her husband, daughter, two dogs and an insatiable need to push buttons, both figuratively and literally.

An Ivy Hill Christmas By Julie Klassen

An Ivy Hill Christmas

by Julie Klassen

Publisher: Bethany House

Series: A Tales From Ivy Hill Novella

ISBN: 9780764233807

Oh, Ivy Hill, I'm so happy to be back visiting you! I was tickled when An Ivy Hill Christmas showed up at my house thanks to Julie Klassen and Bethany House! They gifted me this book, and I was thrilled to go back and visit these wonderful characters!

Summary:

Spend a festive Christmas in the English village of Ivy Hill, as divine hope, friendship, and unexpected romance work their magic. . . .

Richard Brockwell, the younger son of Ivy Hill's most prominent family, hasn't been home for Christmas in years. He prefers to live in the London townhouse, far away from Brockwell Court, the old family secret that haunts him, and the shadows of his past mistakes. But then his mother threatens to stop funding his carefree life--unless he comes home for Christmas. Out of options, he sets out for Ivy Hill, planning to be back on a coach bound for London and his unencumbered bachelor life as soon as the festivities are over.

But Christmas in the country presents many surprises, including encounters with an orphaned apprentice, the first love he disappointed years ago, and Arabella Awdry, a young lady who is far more appealing than he recalled--and determined to have nothing to do with him.

Will Christmastime in Ivy Hill, with its village charm, kissing boughs, and joyous songs, change his heart . . . and hers as well?

My Review:

What an absolutely fun novella! It was wonderful to go back to Ivy Hill and revisit old friends in An Ivy Hill Christmas.

To me, Richard is a mix between Scrooge and Grinch. lol I'm pretty sure he doesn't like anyone. Can I say for the record that one of my favorite characters of the book is probably his valet Pickering? hahaha I love that he gives it back to Richard.

Wouldn't it be quite the experience to be so rich that you just pay for everything for someone? Poor Richard is about to lose his mother funding his lifestyle if he doesn't go home so that's what he does. Only he doesn't go alone. He takes his friend, David Murray, with him. It seems most of the people in this story are able to teach Richard either a lesson or bring something to his attention. Mr. Murray does that on their way to Brockwell Court by helping out an orphan.

I have to say that I really enjoyed Arabella. She's like me in that she doesn't brook any nonsense when it comes to her family. You mess with them, you mess with her. Arabella has no patience for Richard, regardless of how handsome he is. The only problem is, she starts to see him in a different light as she spends more time with him.

The two of them often find themselves together and while they fight any attraction that might be growing, we the readers are able to enjoy watching it all unfold. I liked how they both felt so compelled to help the orphan, Jamie. In fact, it's rather funny at the end how Jamie's situation causes some events to unfold!

I never really thought about what Christmas was like back in the 1800s. I loved how it was such a long celebration and so much festivities. At least in this story they all were delighted to give back during the season in various ways. They took their Christmas caroling seriously. Ah to be transported back to that time, even if it were just for a month!

Don't miss out on this perfect Christmastime novella! It'll put you in the mood for the season.

About the Author:

Julie Klassen (www.julieklassen.com) loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over a million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing's BEST Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.