Review: My Heart Remembers

My Heart Remembers by Kim Vogel Sawyer
My rating: 💛💛💛💛💛

Going into this book, I know a lot of my Goodreads friends had recommended this book and rated it high, so I had high hopes, like every other Kim Vogel Sawyer book I have read. This story was filled with so many emotions, so keep the tissues close.

The opening scenes was heart-breaking, and I was surprised with Maelle's story, because I feared it was going to be different. Mattie's story was very different to what I expected, but perfect for the plot of fighting for orphans everyone wants to forget. Isabella was the character I felt went through the biggest character growth of all three siblings. The supporting male characters in Maelle and Isabella's life was strong.

There was a lot of times where I feared that there would not have been happy endings. You will just have to read this story to see what happened.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was engaging and did a brilliant job with the Irish accents. If you prefer audiobooks, I highly recommend this one.

All fans of Kim Vogel Sawyer and Historical fiction should pick up this one.

*I listened to this on Scribd.*

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About the book:

United by blood, divided by time, will three orphan train siblings ever find one another again?

Orphaned in a tenement fire, three Irish-immigrant children are sent to Missouri to be adopted. Despite eight-year-old Maelle's desperate attempts to keep her siblings together, each child is taken by a different family. Yet Maelle vows that she will never stop searching for her brother and sister... and that they will be together one day in the future. Seventeen years later, Maelle is still searching. But the years have washed away her hope... and her memories. What are Mattie and Molly doing now? Where has life taken them? Will she ever see her brother and sister again?

About the author:

Award-winning, bestselling author Kim Vogel Sawyer told her kindergarten teacher that someday people would check out her book in the library. The little-girl dream came true in 2006 with the release of Waiting for Summer's Return. Kim's titles now exceed 1.5 million copies and are available in six different languages. A former elementary school teacher, she now enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Kim's passion lies in writing stories that point the reader to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. When Kim isn't writing, you'll find her traveling with her retired military hubby, spoiling her granddarlings, petting the cats, quilting, or--as time allows--participating in community theater. You can learn more about Kim's writing and speaking ministries at her website, KimVogelSawyer.com.

Review: Night Bird Calling

Night Bird Calling by Cathy Gohlke
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

The author produced a strong and powerful story, set in a small southern town No Creek, which covered difficult issues most people want to ignore, like abuse, rape and racism, in sensitive way.

All of the characters produced so much in their own way to this story. And I enjoyed how the POV jumped between the characters. My favourite character was Celia Percy and I'm glad to see there is another book where she will be featuring.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator delivered a strong, engaging and entertaining telling of the story.

*I listened to the audiobook on Scribd.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

From award-winning author Cathy Gohlke, whose novels have been called “haunting” (Library Journal on Saving Amelie) and “page-turning” (Francine Rivers on Secrets She Kept), comes a historical fiction story of courage and transformation set in rural Appalachia on the eve of WWII.

When Lilliana Swope’s beloved mother dies, Lilliana gathers her last ounce of courage and flees her abusive husband for the home of her only living relative in the foothills of No Creek, North Carolina. Though Hyacinth Belvidere hasn’t seen Lilliana since she was five, she offers her cherished great-niece a safe harbor. Their joyful reunion inspires plans to revive Aunt Hyacinth’s estate and open a public library where everyone is welcome, no matter the color of their skin.

Slowly Lilliana finds revival and friendship in No Creek—with precocious eleven-year-old Celia Percy, with kindhearted Reverend Jesse Willard, and with Ruby Lynne Wishon, a young woman whose secrets could destroy both them and the town. When the plans for the library also incite the wrath of the Klan, the dangers of Lilliana’s past and present threaten to topple her before she’s learned to stand.

With war brewing for the nation and for her newfound community, Lilliana must overcome a hard truth voiced by her young friend Celia: Wishing comes easy. Change don’t.

About the author:

Cathy Gohlke is the four-time Christy Award–winning author of the best selling and critically acclaimed

novels Night Bird Calling, The Medallion (Christy Award), Until We Find Home, Secrets She Kept (Christy Award; Carol Award; INSPY Award); Saving Amelie (INSPY AWARD); Band of Sisters; Promise Me This (listed by Library Journal as one of the Best Books of 2012); I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires (Christy Award, American Christian Fiction Writers Award and listed by Library Journal as one of the Best Books of 2008) and William Henry Is a Fine Name (Christy Award).

Cathy writes novels steeped with inspirational lessons from history. Her stories reveal how people break the chains that bind them and triumph over adversity through faith.

Cathy has worked as a school librarian, drama director, and director of children's and education ministries. When not traveling to historic sites for research, she and her husband, Dan, divide their time between Northern Virginia and the Jersey Shore, enjoying time with their children and grandchildren. Visit her website at www.cathygohlke.com and find her on Facebook at CathyGohlkeBooks. Follow her on BookBub.

Book Spotlight Fridays! Elysium Tide

 

Book Beginnings and Friday56

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader and share a non-spoiler sentence or two.

James R Hannibal was a new to me author discovered in 2021, but I immediately new I want to read any future works and also work on his backlist when I have time.

Elysium Tide

About the book:

"When the Royal London Hospital orders a top neurosurgeon and workaholic to take a week off in Maui, he stumbles upon a murder and becomes obsessed with finding the killer. His efforts confound and irritate local detective Lisa Kealoha, but once they join forces, they uncover a destructive plot that runs far deeper than either of them could have imagined"

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Book Beginnings

Dr.  Peter Chesterfield watched his chief resident cut a three millimeter patch of flesh and muscle away from the boy's forehead above the eyebrow.

Friday 56

Usually.  But there's some barefoot Brit here claiming it's murder.

My thoughts so far

If I had unlimited reading time, I would have finished this one already!

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Review: You'll Think of Me

You'll Think of Me by Robin Lee Hatcher
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

This was a sweet contemporary romance in a small town, about people with struggles and past hurt. I loved how the love for a child brought people together.

What I love about small town settings is, yes, everyone knows your business, but in times of need, everyone comes together and unite as a community.

I enjoyed my visit in Thunder Creek and look forward to my next visit in book two.

*I listened to this on Scribd.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

In a small town in Idaho’s idyllic wine country where the past looms large, can two people realize their individual dreams for the future … together?

Abandoned once too often, Brooklyn Myers never intended to return to Thunder Creek, Idaho. Her hometown holds too many memories of heartache and rejection. But when her estranged husband Chad Hallston dies and leaves his family home and acreage to her and their ten-year-old daughter Alycia, it's an opportunity to change their lives for the better—a chance Brooklyn can't pass up, for Alycia's sake if not her own.

Derek Johnson, Chad's best friend since boyhood, isn't keen on the return of Brooklyn Myers to Thunder Creek. He still blames her for leading his friend astray. And now she has ruined his chance to buy the neighboring ten acres which would have allowed him to expand his organic farm. To add insult to injury, Chad's dying request was that Derek become the father to Alycia that Chad never was. How can he keep that promise without also spending time with the girl’s mother?

Brought together by unexpected circumstances, Derek and Brooklyn must both confront challenges to their dreams and expectations. He must overcome long held misconceptions about Brooklyn while she must learn to trust someone other than herself. And if they can do it, they just might discover that God has something better in mind than either of them ever imagined.

About the author:

Robin Lee Hatcher is the author of over 85 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in

print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Her numerous awards include the RITA® Award, Christy Award, Carol Award, HOLT Medallion, National Reader’s Choice Award, and the Faith, Hope & Love Reader’s Choice Award, and she is also the recipient of prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards from both American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America®. When not writing, she enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.

Be sure to follow Robin on BookBub so you'll receive new book and special deal alerts:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/robin... 

Can't Wait Wednesday! Crossfire

 Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I'm so excited for Lynette Eason's next suspense.  This one releases August 2nd and I'm expecting lots of suspense and action:

About the book: Crossfire

"FBI negotiator Julianna James has never lost a hostage-until now. As the death toll rises and the killer's motive becomes clear, Julianna knows anyone she loves will caught in the crossfire. It will take all her courage, and the help of Former Army Ranger Clay Fox, to bring this negotiation to an end"

What are you waiting on this week?

Review: Where the Road Bends

Where the Road Bends by Rachel Fordham
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

Rachel Fordham became an immediately "want-to-read" author after I finished her first book, and this second book I finished did not disappoint.

This was such a powerful story about second chances - how even when you were in the most desperate circumstances, when you reach out to God, he can give you a new start and hopeful future.

I believe in a God who can use the worst of circumstances for our good if we're willing. You can have a better life. Both of us, we have good things ahead.

This story was like a rollercoaster - some slower parts where the author focused on character growth, but then you get the downhills with the added danger and possible threats which caused some breath-holding moments.

I also loved how through the street urchin we could see the effect love and care from adults have on children.

I would recommend this author's books to fans of Historical Fiction.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

As Norah King surveys her family land in Iowa in 1880, she is acutely aware that it is all she has left, and she will do everything in her power to save it--even if that means marrying a man she hardly knows. Days before her wedding, Norah discovers an injured man on her property. Her sense of duty compels her to take him in and nurse him back to health. Little does she realize just how much this act of kindness will complicate her life and threaten the future she's planned.

Norah's care does more than aid Quincy Barnes's recovery--it awakens his heart to possibilities. Penniless and homeless, he knows the most honorable thing he can do is head on down the road and leave Norah to marry her intended. But walking away from the first person to believe in him proves much harder than he imagined.

Rachel Fordham invites you to experience the strength and beauty of love forged in the crucible of hardship in this heartwarming story.

About the author:

Rachel Fordham has long been fascinated by all things historical or in the words of her children “old stuff”.

Often the historical trivia she discovers is woven into her children's bedtime tales. Despite her love for good stories she didn’t attempt writing a novel until her husband challenged her to do so (and now she’s so glad he did). Since that time she’s often been found typing or researching while her youngest child naps or frantically writing plot twists while she waits in the school pick-up line. In addition to her passion for storytelling she enjoys reading, being outdoors and seeing new places. Rachel lives with her husband and children on an island in Washington state.

Learn more about current projects at rachelfordham.com 

Review: Out of Circulation

Out of Circulation by Heather Day Gilbert
My rating: 💛💛💛

This Novella was short but pack full with action. The McClures were quite a dynamic family, and I'm looking forward to getting to know them a bit more in the next two books in the story.

Because this is a novella, it did felt rushed in certain parts, but overall there was a good pace throughout the story.

I liked Miranda and the Murder in the Mountains series a bit more.

View all my reviews

About the book:

Katie McClure always dreamed of becoming an FBI agent like her father, but an injury has permanently sidelined her as a librarian in her rural West Virginia hometown. Katie's peaceful life is torn apart when armed men burst into the library, targeting her. Her fears mount after a break-in at her apartment, and she reluctantly accepts an offer of protection from Ace Calhoun, the Manhattan bodyguard who rushed to her aid against the library invaders.

But Ace didn't show up in Hemlock Creek by accident. Even as he hides his true motives for protecting Katie, he's pulled in by her indomitable courage and her undeniable attraction to him.

With the Russian mob breathing down her neck, the clock is ticking for Katie to find out what happened to a bank stash that went missing years ago. To her dismay, she discovers her father was not the man she believed him to be...and neither is Ace.

About the author:

Award-winning novelist Heather Day Gilbert enjoys writing mysteries and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather's realistic characters—no matter what century—feel like best friends. When she's not plotting stories, this native West Virginian can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.

Find Heather on Pinterest (heatherdgilbert), Instagram (@heatherdaygilbert), Twitter (@heatherdgilbert), and Facebook (heatherdaygilbert). You can find all her books at heatherdaygilbert.com.