Mail order brides. Marriages of convenience. These themes appear in quite a lot of historical fiction, but to find them in a contemporary novel--well, I just had to try it. Buying Love appears to be Toni Shiloh's second book and the first in the Maple Run Series. Okay, this is weird. I've Continue Reading
Book Reviews
Do You Know What I Know: a book review
Do you? Do you know what I know? I know about a great Christmas read that I can't wait to share with you. That's what I know. Becky Melby, author of quite a few books, including the "Lost Sanctuary" series, has come out with a Christmas novella that will make you want to curl up with a quilt Continue Reading
Book Review: A Memory Worth Dying For
When I received the invitation to review A Memory Worth Dying For from CelebrateLit, I had to try it. I mean, who doesn't love a good mystery. And Joanie Bruce writes a good mystery! I hadn't read her first book, so I started with Marked For Murder. When I figured out who it was right away... Continue Reading
Blueberry Cupcake Mystery: A Book Review
When I had the opportunity to review The Blueberry Cupcake Mystery for CelebrateLit, I jumped at it. C'mon, a whodunnit in a bakery in the heart of Amish country? Sign me up! I'd never heard of author Naomi Miller and new nothing of the series, but it sounded intriguing! Written somewhat Continue Reading
Hold Me Close: A book review
Hold Me Close--what a fun title! Why? Well, unlike in most historical romance, Hold Me Close doesn't have a romantic significance. Okay, maybe I am wrong. You see, "hold me close" in this sense signifies one character's desire for the Lord to "hold her close" and keep her from wandering from Him. Continue Reading
The Quick and Dirty Guide to Easy Book Reviews
We've all seen them. Internet memes urging you to leave book reviews. (Note: links in this post may be affiliate links and as such, I may receive a small commission from them at no extra expense to you. Thank you!) Memes say things like, "Feed an author. Leave a review" or "Help an author. Continue Reading
The Shape of Mercy: a book review
The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner is one of my most favorite books. Before reading Ms. Meissner's contemporary-woven-with-historical novels, I didn't care much for books that did that. In particular, one by Siri Mitchell had completely turned me off of the idea and mostly because she did a Continue Reading
Lady in Waiting: a book review
Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner is one of the first historical-combined-with-contemporary books that I actually liked. The book became one of my favorites. (I originally wrote this review back in 2011 and have revised it for this post. It also contains affiliate links which provide Continue Reading
King Arthur: The Arthurian Legends Rewritten
Knights and castles. Ladies in waiting. Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot. The stories of romance and chivalry. I always hated them. I considered Guinevere a spoiled shameless woman; Lancelot, a peacock masquerading as a man; and Arthur, not worthy of his title of king. Jousting doesn't thrill Continue Reading
Laura Hile: Favorite Authors
I was first introduced to Austen-inspired fiction by my dear friend and editor, Barbara Cornthwaite. She did a fabulous job with writing Austen's Emma from Knightley's perspective. And let me tell you, I loved it. She managed to show a modern audience what Knightley saw in the spoiled, selfish Continue Reading
Why This New Series Is Destined to Be a Favorite
"These red roads are so peculiar!" Those words are some of the first I remember from the delightful Anne Shirley. Until I read about the red-headed orphan, I'd never heard of Prince Edward Island. I didn't know about the old-fashioned notion of "romantic" that meant more than hearts and Continue Reading
3 Reasons to read Youth Fiction
Last Monday, I wandered through Barnes and Noble. Okay, I confess, I was wandering a bit aimlessly because I was disappointed. After so many people finding Deepest Roots of the Heart at their Barnes and Noble stores, I really hoped to see it at "ours" (in quotes because let's face it: a store 90 Continue Reading
