The Seaside Homecoming - On Devonshire Shores 3 by Julie Klassen

The Seaside Homecoming - On Devonshire Shores 3

12/2024 by Julie Klassen Published by Bethany House Publishers 

"She had no desire to make a spectacle of herself or to upset anyone. Yet she needed this— needed God’s presence and the comfort of corporate worship, even as she felt unworthy to join the faithful."

I found book 3, Claire's story, quite satisfying and enjoyable. The return of old characters (sweet Mrs. Denby) and the introduction of new ones was a delight (Mr. William Hammond; guests of Broadbridge's Boarding House).  Aunt Agnes was a difficult one and while I cannot agree with her ways, the ending outcome was a great surprise.   Even Claire's Mama was difficult for me to reconcile with. However, the extremely touching and unexpected scene near the end with the two of them brought me to tears.

I am greatly looking forward to the conclusion in Sept of next year, when A Sea View Christmas comes out and Sarah finally gets her turn, along with hopefully, dear Callum Henshall.

As an aside, I found it so endearing that Julie Klassen would include various versions of the nickname pumpkin for little Mira, just as Julie's own father called her.

Five Stars

I received this eVersion from NG and the publisher without expectation or compensation. All opinions are mine alone.

11/23/2024
Until next time, Hugs and a cup of tea!
Heather Elizabeth

An Honorable Deception Book 3 Imposters by Roseanna M White

Book Jacket: 
As the leader of elite private investigative firm the Imposters, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon dangerous secrets.

Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects there's more to her oldest friends than they're willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they're the Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. Happy as she is for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia's own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing to bring laughter back into her life--her friendship with Yates--lands her squarely on the bad side of her best friend, his sister.

Tormented by a past that she doesn't dare to voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the darkest of society's secrets, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia soon learn anew that the gentry isn't always noble . . . and truth isn't always honorable.

 My Review:
1910 England - 

I think we ALL wanted to read Yate's story!  This was a very satisfying read.  I found it amusing that Roseanna White shared he was never meant to end up with this particular heroine.  Consequently, we end up with a bonus romance in this story. We also find the return of some beloved characters from a previous series - but no spoilers here!  I highly recommend the entire trilogy filled with mystery, intrigue, romance, faith, personal growth and more.

Five Stars

I received this eVersion from NetGalley and the Publisher for my honest review without expectation or compensation. 

Blogger is being weird and glitchy today!

Hope your day is going well, you have a good book, warm tea and a cozy book nook to read in.
Until next time,
Hugs & a cup of tea -
Heather Elizabeth

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M White

Whimsical Christmas Tale

Really enjoyed this enchanting tale by Roseanna M White.

It has a bit of everything from villains to fairytales to happily ever after.  I found myself rooting for imagination & true love. The faith elements were gently woven in.  This story, reminiscent of The Nutcracker at times, is perfect to get one in the holiday mood. 

Highly recommend. 5 stars.

I received an eVersion from NetGalley and the Publisher. 

All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

Hugs and a cup of tea,
Heather Elizabeth

Meeting Her Match byJen Turano

 Fast-paced, action-packed antics of a most entertaining sort. As always, Jen Turano pens a delightful, romantic tale that's hard to put down. Indeed, I stayed up far too late reading about 75% one night and gleefully finishing the rest the next morning.

Foisting the heroine-matchmaker into the unknown land of West Virginia opened an entire new world to Camilla. Adding a misunderstood gentleman, Owen Chesterfield, in the mix further expands her horizons.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series!
Thanks to the author for an advanced eVersion which was provided without expectation or compensation.
Five stars!!

Until next time, Hugs and a cup of tea!
Heather Elizabeth

A Noble Scheme by Roseanna M White

 Book 2 of THE IMPOSTERS: A NOBLE SCHEME ROSEANNA M. WHITE

December 1909 Fairfax Tower Northumberland, England
Graham, the Architect, and Gemma, the Society writer, will have to put aside their looming differences and work together to save a kidnapped boy. But, it will take the entire team of Imposters to find who stole him and why.
As discoveries are made, hurts are worked through.
 
QUOTABLE:
"Words were wily things— but they were miraculous too. They created, they shaped, they breathed life."

While Yates, the young, acrobatic strong-man, is not the primary focus, I found him quite interesting. 
 "I have the list of likely buildings for this new job. I thought we could go over it while you offer me tea.”
..."[Graham] couldn’t help but chuckle. “How is it that you are always hungry?”

This story is well-rounded, but best read following book 1.
Five Stars 

I received an eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley without expectation or compensation. All opinions are mine alone. 

Until next time,
Hugs and a Cup of Tea ~ 
Heather Elizabeth

A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell

 WONDERFULLY WRITTEN; A NEW GO-TO-AUTHOR

I was so fully entertained while reading "A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventures", from the cover that draws you right in to the fantastical descriptions throughout the book! There were so many nods to beloved stories of whimsy from Around the World in 80 Days to Alice in Wonderland, to every Beatrix Potter tale, to Jane Austen and more. There was even a nod to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles which I laughed right out loud at! Add a dash of steam-punk and 
some unlikely characters, plus such a beautiful interspersing of faith and wisdom that you will be sighing at close of this tale you'll want to revisit again and again.

Tea Quote (& there are plenty - huzzah!): "Clara had tossed and turned, dreaming of teapots steaming with Darjeeling and plates towering with chocolate éclairs."

Quotable: “You’ve given me an idea, Mr. Theodore, and it just might work too. It would employ our individual talents and involve a great deal of absurdity. Are you willing to give it a go?”

I really don't know how Angela Bell can possibly top this book, but I certainly look forward to finding out!!!!

I received an eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer

 
FLIPPIN THE SCRIPT ON CINDERELLA in such a fun way!

Another wonderfully westernized fairy tale from award-winning author, Karen Witemeyer.
This book had a bit of everything to suit my fancies, from never-ending danger, heroic rescues and gently growing romance between Asher Ellis and Samantha Dearing. Faith was masterfully woven throughout and the nods to the Cinderella story were charming. The story had me both laughing and crying at times.
Quotable: "Friends share thoughts and worries with each other. It's how we lighten the burden and find the strength to keep moving forward when situations try to beat us down."

"Gallopin' goose feathers, Fergus! Don't scare like that," His youngest brother snickered as he rounded the lean-to, milk bucket in hand.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND: I cannot wait for the next fairytale reimagining later in December!

I received an eVersion from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 3 𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓷𝓰𝓮 📚 2024

The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz - Emotional Ride - 4 stars

Amazon Link

 Filled with both beauty and savagery, love and pain, this story dives into a sad history I was unfamiliar with. 

It was hard to read and made me cry several times, reading all that the Acadian people suffered,  who wanted nothing more than peace.

But, there is within the story a love that spans both time and distant spaces (from Acadia; now Nova Scotia to Virginia). A love that shouldn't be, but clearly ordered by God.  That expectation of goodness yet to come is what pushed me to finish the book.

If you do not mind a deeper tale that is rocked with hardship and beauty at the same time, I recommend this book.

QUOTABLE:

Sylvie watched in horror as the fulfilling life they’d known shattered like centuries-old stained glass.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ = very good

This was a complimentary eBook for the Author's launch team.

All opinions are mine alone without expectation or compensation. 

Book #1 - 2024 Reading Challenge.

author, Laura Frantz