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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Could Your Favorite Books Contain Secrets You Didn’t Know About?

by Chautona Havig · 8 Comments

The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer was one of my FAVORITE September reads, and this review will show you why! via @chautonahavig

The Bookshop of Secrets. The cover grabbed me almost as quickly as the title did. I mean, come on. What could be better? Then I got an early copy from the publisher and read it like a crazy woman. Here’s a hint.  The inside… the inside is even better than the title and the cover combined. For a debut novel, this ranks up there as one of the best I’ve ever read. Family secrets hidden in plain sight but not?  But yes?  Oh, man. You’re in for a treat

The Bookshop of Secrets Mollie Rushmeyer

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Could Your Favorite Books Contain Secrets You Didn’t Know About?

So many thoughts and emotions swirl as I try to write this review, which is fitting, actually. Because this book roils with thoughts and emotions. Much more complex than the synopsis would have you believe, The Bookshop of Secrets slowly unearths long-buried secrets and probes shallow graves of hopes and fears until everything is laid bare.

The process is horrifying, freeing, ugly, and achingly beautiful all at the same time.

Rushmeyer offers a glimpse into an ugly world through one trying to rebuild a life outside it–and outside God. She shows the pain of a lifetime of rejection and accusation. In the end, people trapped in thought patterns and destructive behaviors discover the lies that tether them there–lies that sometimes they hold onto as if lifelines.

This isn’t an easy read, but it’s a worthwhile one. I knew I’d love it before I opened the first page, but I hadn’t turned that page before I was proven right. While I was given a copy of the book for review purposes, I preordered it long before that, and will be receiving my own, paid-for, copy upon its release.

The Bookshop of Secrets is on tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: The Bookshop of Secrets

Author: Mollie Rushmeyer

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction (Christian)

Release date: October 25, 2022

A collection of lost books holds the clues to her family’s legacy…and her future.

Hope Sparrow has mastered the art of outrunning her tragic past, learning never to stay anywhere too long and never to allow anyone control over her life again. Coming to Wanishin Falls in search of her family’s history already feels too risky. But somewhere in the towering stacks of this dusty old bookshop are the books that hold Hope’s last ties to her late mother—and to a rumored family treasure that could help her start over.

Only, the bookshop is in shambles, and the elderly owner is in the beginning stages of dementia and can’t remember where the books lie. To find the last links to the loved ones she’s lost, Hope must stay and accept help from the townsfolk to locate the treasured volumes. Each secret she uncovers brings her closer to understanding where she came from. But the longer she stays in the quaint town, the more people find their way into the cracks in her heart. And letting them in may be the greatest risk of all…

About the Author

Mollie writes contemporary fiction with a heart for history. What does this mean exactly? She loves to write inspirational fiction in contemporary settings with fascinating historical elements, people, objects, and stories woven throughout.

A modern girl herself– She wouldn’t want to go a day without modern plumbing and central air! But she’s always felt a special connection to the past. The legacies and lives left behind are like gifts waiting to be unwrapped, and she’s excited to share this blend of history and contemporary living with readers.

A born and bred Midwestern gal, Mollie Rushmeyer, makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband and two spunky, beautiful daughters. She is not only a bibliophile (the dustier the better, in her opinion), she’s a true anglophile at heart. Tea and coffee fuel her travels, by Google maps at least, and her passion for the written word.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 27

lakesidelivingsite, October 27

Inklings and notions, October 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 28

Simple Harvest Reads, October 28 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

An Author’s Take, October 29

The Write Escape, October 29

deb’s Book Review, October 29

Texas Book-aholic, October 30

Rebecca Tews, October 30

Blogging With Carol, October 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

Inspired by fiction, October 31

Life of Literature, October 31

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 1

Lily’s Book Reviews, November 1

Cover Lover Book Review, November 1

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 2

Losing the Busyness, November 2

For Him and My Family, November 2

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 3

Holly’s Book Corner, November 3

Mary Hake, November 3

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 4 (Author Interview)

Paula’s Pad of Suspense and Detection, November 4

Blossoms and Blessings, November 4

Sylvan Musings, November 5

Lily’s Book Reviews, November 5

A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 5

A Reader’s Brain, November 6

Book Looks by Lisa, November 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 7

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 7

Story Craft, November 7

Through the fire blogs, November 8

Pause for Tales, November 8

Labor Not in Vain, November 8

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 9

To Everything There Is A Season, November 9

Lights in a Dark World, November 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mollie is giving away the grand prize package of an eBook or signed paperback copy (paperback U.S. Only) of The Bookshop of Secrets and a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/226c7/the-bookshop-of-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway

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Comments

  1. Sarah L says

    November 1, 2022 at 5:48 pm

    Looks like an interesting book.
    Thanks for the contest. 

    Reply
  2. Roxanne C. says

    October 30, 2022 at 5:18 am

    A mystery, a bookshop, memorable characters, and faith lessons will make The Bookshop of Secrets a book to enjoy but also ponder and contemplate.

    Reply
  3. Debbie P says

    October 29, 2022 at 10:37 pm

    This sounds like a wonderfully intriguing read.

    Reply
  4. Emma says

    October 29, 2022 at 8:46 pm

    Ok, now you have made me want to read another book!

    Reply
  5. Lilly says

    October 29, 2022 at 6:49 pm

    I’ve seen this book a lot lately I think it sounds really interesting!

    Reply
  6. Richelle Leffler says

    October 29, 2022 at 12:04 pm

    Sounds interesting. Thanks.

    Reply
  7. Eva Millien says

    October 29, 2022 at 10:58 am

    Great post, I can’t wait to read The Bookshop of Secrets and I love the cover!

    Thanks for sharing it with me and have a fabulous weekend!

    Reply
  8. Kim says

    October 29, 2022 at 10:53 am

    I enjoyed your review this is my kind of book can’t wait to read! Thank you ?

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
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