Review of A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel

About the Book ~

All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish--that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she's heard so much about.

After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar and ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.

For more information about Jennifer Deibel and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

You'll want to dance a jig after reading A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel!

The most delightful part of A Dance in Donegal is how it was like classic Christian historical romance meets Leap Year -- one of my favorite romcoms! The initial conflict between the hero (a sarcastic yet charming Irishman) and the heroine (an American with little knowledge of the Irish way of life) tugged a smile to my lips. Additionally, the romantic word paintings of Irish culture, language, and landscape only hinted at the alluring depths of the author's knowledge of Ireland. Truly grand! Add in a dash of mystery and plenty of conflict, and your eyes will be dancing through the pages! 

A Dance in Donegal surprised me, taking unexpected turns in the storyline. However, I was touched by how the author blended these twists and turns into not only a concise plot but also a striking spiritual message! While I didn't end up in love with the characters, Moira's spiritual journey was as arresting as the descriptive landscape surrounding her. After confronting the worst in herself, Moira faces the consequences of following God's call for her life -- the good, bad, and the ugly. This proved to be a glorious stage for God's redemptive grace, a soul stirring reminder of how God works in our lives!

Four Stars ~ A Dance in Donegal by Jennifer Deibel is a sweeping romance with depth! A Dance in Donegal is a standalone story, but I'm looking forward to reading the author's next sweeping Irish romance. However, please be aware that there is sexual abuse and sexual harassment in A Dance in Donegal that could be triggering.

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 Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill

About the Book ~

She's following her instincts. They're following her every move.

After her rescue of nearly fifty kidnapped children made international headlines, Amara Alvarez gets what she's worked for: a transfer to San Antonio's Homicide Division. But reality sets in quickly when her first case, the suspicious death of a teenager at a crowded local water park, plunges her life into chaos.

As the investigation moves forward, Amara finds herself stalked online by cybercriminals who uncover her personal life in frightening detail. With few leads, she's forced to resort to unconventional methods to find the killer and prevent her first murder investigation from ending up in the cold case files.

Tom Threadgill is back with another riveting page-turner featuring the detective who is willing to put everything on the line to see justice served and lives protected.

For more information about Tom Threadgill and his books, check out his website here!

My Thoughts ~

Detective Amara Alvarez is back in Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill! You will be flipping the pages late into the night with this one!

As Amara adjusts to life as a bona fide homicide detective, she's essentially relearning key aspects of what it means to be a good cop. I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh approach to the typical cop story. Additionally, I think the author's writing style is what sets Network of Deceit apart in the suspense genre. The author doesn't skip every mundane detail in the investigation. The result is not boredom, rather total immersion into the building investigation, mystery, and action. Amara's mind is also always moving, processing, and thinking. Not only do I love this in fiction, I find it so refreshingly authentic in crafting a realistic character! 

Network of Deceit held many surprises! First and foremost, the suspenseful plot itself. While the answers to the homicide investigation broke my heart, the suspense and mystery were excellently crafted and included truly surprising twists!  Furthermore, the spiritual message is subtle, yet very thought provoking. The struggle of how we balance our time with our responsibilities -- and the guilt that often accompanies this struggle -- as well as the line of right and wrong in a world that needs justice will stick with readers long after that last page.

Four Stars ~ Network of Deceit by Tom Threadgill is a thrilling, excellently crafted suspense! Network of Deceit is the second book featuring Detective Amara Alvarez, but the mystery can be read as a standalone. However, please be aware that there is a breast cancer thread that could be a possible trigger to readers.

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!

Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green

 

About the Book ~

She promised a dying father she would keep his daughter safe.
She can't fail now.

The one thing Sylvie Townsend wants most is what she feared she would never have--a family of her own. But taking in Polish immigrant Rose Dabrowski to raise and love quells those fears--until seventeen-year-old Rose goes missing at the World's Fair, and Sylvie's life unravels.

With nowhere else to turn, Sylvie seeks help from her boarder and Rose's violin instructor, Kristof Bartok. Fluent in several languages, his skills are vital to helping Sylvie navigate the immigrant and international communities where their investigation leads.

From the glittering architecture of the Fair to the dark houses of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods, they're taken on a search that points to Rose's long-lost family. Is Sylvie willing to let the girl go? And as Kristof and Sylvie grow closer, can she reconcile her craving for control with her yearning to belong?

For more information about Jocelyn Green and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green is every bit evocative as it is romantic!

The World's Fair stunned as the backdrop to the mystery and romance that comprised Shadows of the White City! I haven't read enough fiction set in the midst of The World's Fair. The author's attention to the historical details -- from the whimsey to the fantastical to the innovative --  gave my imagination a delightful excursion!

I greatly enjoyed the depth that the author layered into the characters, especially the multiple lies and wounds that the characters had to overcome. I found this to be so true to the human experience! While I didn't end up in love with the characters, Sylvie and Kristof's respective journeys and personal growth as they individually accepted that they needed to let go and trust God was wonderful. However, the most striking spiritual truth (for me!) proved to be how families can be born or chosen, but they are no less family -- a deeply moving message!

Three Stars ~ Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green will sweep readers into another world! Shadows of the White City is the second book in The Windy City Saga. The story can be read as a standalone, but the details of the past and character connections will be richer if the first book has been read.

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 Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz

About the Book ~ 

They're both too busy for love . . . but love is not too busy for them.

Selah Hopewell seems to be the only woman in Virginia Colony who has no wish to wed. True, there are too many men and far too few women in James Towne. But Selah already has her hands full assisting her father in the family's shop. And now she is in charge of an incoming ship of tobacco brides who must be looked after as they sort through their many suitors.

Xander Renick is perhaps the most eligible tobacco lord in the settlement. His lands are vast, his crops are prized, and his position as a mediator between the colonists and the powerful Powhatan nation surrounding them makes him indispensable. But Xander is already wedded to his business and still grieves the loss of his wife.

Can two fiercely independent people find happiness and fulfillment on their own? Or will they discover that what they've been missing in life has been right in front of them all along?

For more information about Laura Frantz and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~ 

Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz has the makings of a fairytale classic!

I'm one of those people who reads the author's note at the end of the book before I start reading the story. Because of that, I went into Tidewater Bride knowing how much Pocahontas and John Rolfe inspired this tale. The author's phenomenal talent at immersing the reader into the era is uncanny! From speech to dress to description, every detail surrounding this fictional James Towne scream authenticity. The romance between Selah and Xander proved to be exceptionally compelling because it was seeped with historical details. In fact, I prefer this happy ending to the one in the history books AND the Disney version I grew up with -- and I usually prefer Disney's take on a story!

Though framed in the trials and hardships of the era, I found Tidewater Bride to be a beacon of God's unchanging truths that are so desperately needed in today's world! Watching Selah and Xander navigate the unfortunate reality that evil lurks in any corner was agonizing; however, watching God bring those things to light was glorious! Selah and Xander's story proudly trumpets that God is in control, and the Gospel is for all.

Four Stars ~ Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz will charm readers with its whimsical reimagining of history! Tidewater Bride is a standalone, but the author has other titles in her backlist for readers to enjoy!

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 A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund

About the Book ~ 

Greta Nilsson's trip west to save her ailing little sister, Astrid, could not have gone more wrong. First, bandits hold up her stagecoach, stealing all her money. Then, upon arriving in Fairplay, Colorado, she learns the man she was betrothed to as a mail-order bride has died. Homeless, penniless, and jobless, Greta and her sister are worse off than when they started.

Wyatt McQuaid is struggling to get his new ranch up and running and is in town to purchase cattle when the mayor proposes the most unlikely of bargains. He'll invest in a herd of cattle for Wyatt's ranch if Wyatt agrees to help the town become more respectable by marrying and starting a family with Greta. But when old insecurities and surprising revelations arise, can a union born out of desperation survive?

For more information about Jody Hedlund and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~ 

A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund is destined to be on the keeper shelf (or library if you're like me) of fans of Jody Hedlund and cowboy lovers alike! 

There's something about a cowboy-loaded romance that is equal parts idyllic and perilous, and A Cowboy for Keeps is no exception! From the sweeping fields to mail-order brides to danger on every side, A Cowboy for Keeps is loaded with everything a reader craves in a good western.

The author has a real talent for writing romance, attraction, and all the Godly things that entails in a way that is both sizzling and God-honoring -- just as God always intended it! While the romance in A Cowboy for Keeps between Greta and Wyatt is definitely attraction at first sight, it's not love at first sight. The love builds over time, though a fair amount of that deepening connection is alluded to happening off the page. 

I loved the deep, realistic, all-encompassing way the author wrote the manipulative lies that shaped and dictated Greta and Wyatt's lives! From the subtle to the tragic, the lies the couple had to overcome before they could truly come together as one were heart wrenching with its exceptional accuracy. Ultimately, Greta and Wyatt's victories offer a profound message of hope to their readers, showing the freedom one can take back as they start weeding out the lies from their souls.

Four Stars ~ A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund is a keeper! A Cowboy for Keeps is the first book in the author's new Colorado Cowboys Series, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book! 

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 Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark

About the Book ~ 

Harper Dupree has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her how to sew. As Harper rethinks her own future, long-hidden secrets about Millie's past are brought to light.

In 1946, Millie Middleton--the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman--boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.

Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston to find the man who may hold the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they've both dreamed of. But it's not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.

For more information about Ashley Clark and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark is the epitome of southern charm!

This beautiful story has so much going for it, so much that makes it memorable! The author's poetic writing style is an example of perfection when it comes to similes, metaphors, and personification -- all things I adore! Each detail -- large and small -- takes on a beautiful life of its own. Additionally, this split-time story is unique from its counterparts because the historical storyline slowly merges with the present day storyline. While I felt a little disconnected from the characters at times, nothing could detract from the awe of the almost divine intersecting, crossing, and overlapping journeys of the characters! The contemporary storyline is humorous and nods to pop culture, and the historical storyline pulls at you like a haunting melody. The author sensitively and truthfully depicts the heartrending struggles, injustices, and sorrows that a biracial person would have experienced in the era. From start to finish, the complex, beautiful layers in The Dress Shop on King Street will hook you! Truly, I tip my imaginary cloche hat to the author!

The Dress Shop on King Street overflows with so many beautiful lessons and spiritual truths! However -- at its core -- it's a story about never giving up on the dreams God has given you because if God has given you a dream, then He is gonna make it happen -- you just might be a little foggy on the how (or when!) of it all! 

Four Stars ~ The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark brings southern charm to a new level! The Dress Shop on King Street is the first book in the Heirloom Secrets Series, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book!

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 To Dwell among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette

About the Book ~

As they fight for the soul of Israel, will they find healing for their own?

Eight years ago, after the Philistines surrendered the stolen Ark of the Covenant back to the Israelites, Eliora and her brother left their Philistine homeland to follow it to the community of Kiryat-Yearim. Though they both were lovingly enfolded into a Levite family that guards the Ark, Eliora can't stop feeling like she doesn't belong.

Meanwhile, a faction of discontent Hebrews finds Kiryat-Yearim to be an unfit resting place and believes that the sacred vessel should be in the hands of the priests who mean to restore the Holy of Holies in a new location. Under the guise of gathering Hebrews to worship together for the festivals, Levite musician Ronen has been sent by his uncle to find where the Ark has been hidden and steal it back. But Ronen never expected that the Philistine girl he rescued years ago would now be part of the very family he's tasked to deceive.

Ronen's attempts to charm Eliora into revealing the location of the Ark lead them in unexpected directions, as they must battle betrayal and fear to help establish Israel's leadership for a better future.

For more information about Connilyn Cossette and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

My feelings on To Dwell among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette can be summed up with a verse:

"It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." Proverbs 25:2

In reading To Dwell among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette, I felt like I was not only privy to the glory that had been searched out for this fascinating blend of fact and fiction but also felt like a king as I searched through the pages of this exemplary journey for myself! Truly wonderful! 

First, let's talk about the stunning setting in To Dwell among Cedars! Not only was it lush and descriptive with nods to earlier eras, the author opened up this particular era of the Bible in ways I had never experienced! I could see the conflict, doubts, factures within the nation of Israel. I could feel the religious, political, and spiritual struggles -- everything that had led the nation to this point. I felt like a scholar as I learned through this fictional tale. I was so deeply immersed!

However good the setting, the characters and their respective yet intermingling spiritual journeys are what shined the brightest in To Dwell among Cedars! Eliora and Ronen's struggles and triumphs are so deeply, heart-wrenchingly relatable that I felt personal freedom through their story. The adoptive covenant with God was so beautifully reflected that I felt renewed in my spirit as a cherished child of God. And their love story -- though rift with betrayal and pain -- was a testament to God's forgiveness, grace, and redemption! I don't have enough words to describe how amazing this was! 

Five Stars ~ To Dwell among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette is an exemplary story in the Biblical Fiction genre! To Dwell among Cedars is the first book of the Covenant House Series. I can't wait to read the next book of this duology, Between the Wild Branches!

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!