Review of By Way of the Moonlight by Elizabeth Musser

 

About the Book ~

Two courageous young women, tied together by blood and shared passion, will risk everything to save what they love most.

For as long as she can remember, Allie Massey, a gifted physical therapist, has dreamed of making her grandparents' ten-acre estate into a trauma recovery center using equine therapy--a dream her grandmother, Nana Dale, embraced wholeheartedly. But when her grandmother's will is read, Allie is shocked to learn the property has been sold to a developer.

Decades earlier, headstrong Dale Butler's driving passion is to bring home the prized filly her family lost to the Great Depression, but with World War II looming, she's called upon in ways she never could have imagined. And while her world expands to include new friends and new love, tragedy strikes close to home one fateful night during the Battle of the Atlantic, changing her life forever.

As Nana Dale's past comes to light in Allie's search for answers, Dale's courage and persistence may be just what Allie needs to carry on her grandmother's legacy and keep her own dreams alive.

For more information about Elizabeth Musser and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

If your sixth sense has anything to do with horses, then By Way of the Moonlight by Elizabeth Musser is an evocative read for the horse lover in you!

By Way of the Moonlight was an interesting story! I really loved the Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken vibes that it gave me! Additionally, the various roles equine therapy played in the story deeply moved me. However, the characters weren't soulmate characters for me, and I did feel that the pacing was a little slow. 

The spiritual plot revolves around Dale and Allie's struggle with obsession. I really liked this angle because it's something I don't normally see in Christian fiction. I appreciated their struggles and victories as they let go of obsession and chose contentment. However, while the author very beautifully portrayed how God can bring life and joy out of heartbreaking situations, I have a hard time seeing past a premise that sets up keeping secrets as a good thing. 

Three Stars ~ By Way of the Moonlight by Elizabeth Musser definitely grabs the heart! By Way of the Moonlight is a standalone, but the author has other titles in her backlist for readers to peruse. 

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girls. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

 

About the Book ~

Present Day. Sarah Ashby returns to her childhood home, determined to finally follow her dream of running the family business alongside her mother and grandmother. So when her mother, Rosemary, announces to her that Old Depot Grocery is closing, Sarah and her grandmother, Glory Ann, make a plan to save the store. But Rosemary has worked her entire life to make sure her daughter never follows in her footsteps. She has her reasons--but she'll certainly never reveal the real one.

1965. Glory Ann confesses to her family that she's pregnant with her deceased fiancé's baby. Pressured into a marriage of convenience with a shopkeeper to preserve her family's reputation, Glory Ann vows never to love again. But some promises are not as easily kept as she imagined.

This dual-time story from Amanda Cox deftly explores the complexity of the mother-daughter relationship, the way the secrets we keep shape our lives and the lives of others, and the healing power of telling the truth.

For more information about Amanda Cox and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox will sweep readers into a family drama that is layered with intricate secrets!

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery will charm readers with its small, quaint town as simpler days beckon! Truly, even the steadfast Old Depot Grocery proves to be its own character in this story. Even though the characters were not at a soulmate level for me, I did appreciate how the author dug into family dynamics that often influence many, particularly siblings. While I did not connect with some of the plot points and twists, this is definitely a story that should be high on the TBR list for those who love complex family drama!

It's a good guess that the spiritual thread of The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery revolves around secrets with a title like that. However, that's only the beginning! The cost of secrets, the long-term effects of secrets, and assumptions heavily influenced by secrets are all examined very thoughtfully by the author. This thoughtful exploration paves the way for the freeing and healing power of truth to shine in the lives of the characters.

Three Stars ~ The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox is an intriguing look into family dynamics. The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is a standalone, but this is the author's second novel.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of The House on Foster Hill by Jamie Jo Wright

 

About the Book ~

Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious demise fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather's Wisconsin hometown. But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house's dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide.

A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy's search leads her into dangerous waters, resurrecting painful memories and forcing a reunion with the man who broke her heart. Can Ivy unravel the mystery and find a renewed hope before any other lives--including her own--are lost?

For more information about Jamie Jo Wright and her books, check out her website!

My Thoughts ~

Warning: The House on Foster Hill is sure to steal your breath!

The House on Foster Hill is a timeslip novel. Part of the story is told through Ivy's perspective in 1906, while the other half takes place during present day with Kaine. Their mysterious stories weave together with such excellent pacing that you will need to be sure that you can devote the entire day to reading! Answers. You will NEED answers. ;-)

But do you get all of them?

I'll never tell... ;-)

Ivy's side of the story almost felt like a gothic novel, while Kaine's side had all the terror and angst of a girl-on-the-run movie. Ivy's journey proved especially intriguing to me. Even though I always have a hard time with widow/widower angles, I try not to let this stop me from reading excellent stories. So while this angle is difficult for me, it was understandably a huge part of Kaine's story and character development. Rest assured, when you close the cover on this chilling, twisting tale, you will find that the message of hope and living life despite, through, and in triumph over darkness resounds in your heart. I also appreciate and admire the author for tackling difficult topics like death and sex trafficking in such a candid way.

Four Stars ~ The House on Foster Hill is a thrilling romantic suspense rarely seen in Christian Fiction. I look forward to reading whatever Jamie Jo Wright pens - er, types - next!

I received a copy of The House on Foster Hill by Jamie Jo Wright from Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.