Tag: Bookworm Review

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Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M. White

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 62: A Bookchat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem & a Review of Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M. White.

THE BOOK

In two world wars, intelligence and counterintelligence, prejudice, and self-sacrifice collide across two generations

In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same–until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie’s inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling’s injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the SS officer he’s tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.

Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, never expecting to fall in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper’s daughter. But when war breaks out in Europe, their relationship is put in jeopardy and may not survive what lies ahead for them.

As the ripples from the Great War rock Evie and Sterling’s lives in World War II, it seems yesterday’s tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

THE REVIEW

Emotional. Poignant. Riveting. “Yesterday’s Tides” is a sweeping historical drama, brimming with espionage and romance! Thoroughly researched and beautifully crafted, this novel is one to be savored. One enlivened by a cast of diverse characters who move the heart and enriched by profound spiritual themes that uplift the soul. 

For the longtime fan of Roseanna M. White, “Yesterday’s Tides” is a must read, filled with delightful cameos by beloved characters from series past. For the reader who’s yet to pick up one of White’s novels, “Yesterday’s Tides” serves as a marvelous introduction to her work, sure to result in the binge-reading of her phenomenal backlist. 

If you enjoy period dramas set in the First and Second World Wars, “Yesterday’s Tides” is sure to be your cup of tea! 

THE AUTHOR

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. She pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of numerous novels, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to Edwardian British series. Roseanna lives with her family in West Virginia. 

Read more about Roseanna at her website. (www.roseannamwhite.com.)

Reviewed by

Review by ECPA bestselling author Angela Bell is a 21st century lady with 19th century sensibilities. Her activities consist of reading voraciously, drinking copious amounts of tea, and writing letters with a fountain pen. Learn more about her at AuthorAngelaBell.com

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

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The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 61: A Bookchat about The Sound of Light with Sarah Sundin & a Review of The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep.

THE BOOK

Constable Jackson Forge intends to make the world safer, or at least the streets of Victorian London. But that’s Kit Turner’s domain, a swindler who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning the rich to give to the poor. When a local cab driver goes missing, Jackson is tasked with finding the man, and the only way to do that is by enlisting Kit’s help. If Jackson doesn’t find the cabby, he’ll be fired. If Kit doesn’t help Jackson, he’ll arrest her for thievery. Yet neither of them realize those are the least of their problems.

THE REVIEW

“The Thief of Blackfriars Lane” by Michelle Griep is a rollicking adventure from beginning to end! With edge-of-your-seat action and Dickensian flair, Griep has created a fun story that will transport readers to the Victorian Era. 

On the streets of London, Griep introduces us to dynamic duo Kit Turner and Jackson Forge. Upon making their acquaintance, I quickly realized I’d follow this savvy heroine and earnest hero just about anywhere. And follow them I did—through darkened alleys, underground railways, and slimy sewers, oh my! When I wasn’t reaching for my smelling salts, I was laughing at Kit and Jackson’s witty banter and thoroughly enjoying the colorful cast of quirky side-characters. 

If you fancy a fast-paced historical romance brimming with humor and mystery, “The Thief of Blackfriars Lane” is sure to be your cup of tea!

THE AUTHOR

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. 

Read more about Michelle at her website. (www.michellegriep.com)

Review by ECPA bestselling author Angela Bell is a 21st century lady with 19th century sensibilities. Her activities consist of reading voraciously, drinking copious amounts of tea, and writing letters with a fountain pen. Learn more about her at AuthorAngelaBell.com

Disclaimer: The author offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

Follow the link to listen to the full interview of A Book-chat about The Bride of Blackfriar’s Lane with Michelle Griep.

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A Bookchat about The Sound of Light with Sarah Sundin & a Review of The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep.

Subscribe to Historical Bookworm Show Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | Email | RSS | Subscribe to the Historical Bookworm

Sarah Sundin joins us for a chat about her two rescue dogs, her favorite time period, and her latest release The Sound of Light. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at three hero dogs of World War Two, the largest of which was a 150 lb. Newfoundland and the smallest a 4 lb. Yorkshire Terrier.

Today’s Bookworm Review is bought to you by Angela Bell. “The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep, is a rollicking adventure from beginning to end! With edge-of-your-seat action and Dickensian flair, Griep has created a fun story that will transport readers to the Victorian Era.” (Full review here.)

Connect with Sarah Sundin: Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, BookBub, and Instagram.

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A Bookchat about Forged in Love with Mary Connealy & a Review of Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright

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Mary Connealy joins us for a chat about hymns, blacksmiths in Wyoming, her favorite books, and her latest release Forged in Love. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at  Old Western terms and quotes.

Today’s Bookworm Review is bought to you by Angela Bell. “If you’re obsessed with true crime and love gothic fiction, you’re sure to agree that “Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright is a haunting read!” (Full review here.)

Connect with Mary: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.

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The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright

The audio version of this review was first shared in A Bookchat about Forged in Love with Mary Connealy & a Review of Premonition at Withers Farm by Jamie Jo Wright

THE BOOK

In 1910 Michigan, Perliett Van Hilton is a self-proclaimed rural healer, leaving the local doctor convinced she practices quackery. It doesn’t help that her mother is a spiritualist who regularly offers her services to connect the living with their dearly departed. But when Perliett is targeted by a superstitious killer, she must rely on both the local doctor and an intriguing newcomer for assistance.

In the present day, Molly Wasziak’s life has not gone the way she dreamed. Facing depression after several miscarriages, Molly is adapting to her husband’s purchase of a peculiar old farm. A search for a family tree pulls Molly deep into a century-old murder case and a web of deception, all made more mysterious by the disturbing shadows and sounds inside the farmhouse.

Perliett fights for her life, and Molly seeks renewed purpose for hers as she uncovers the records of the dead. Will their voices be heard, or will time forever silence their truths?

THE REVIEW

The Mistress of the Macabre is BACK and better than ever! 

If “The Premonition at Withers Farm” doesn’t secure Jaime Jo Wright her second Christy Award, I’ll eat my hat! Okay, maybe not my hat—because it’s cute and vintage and straw seems rather tough to chew—but I’d certainly throw said hat across the room in shock and dismay. 

Why, you ask? I shall tell you, dear reader. 

“The Premonition at Withers Farm” showcases Wright’s distinctive style and masterful storytelling at its BEST! Her atmospheric prose envelope the imagination like an eerie mist, and within a few lines, the reader is utterly lost in the story. The gothic tone conjures goosebumps at every turn, and the enthralling mystery makes it nigh on impossible to stop turning pages. Wright’s characters feel like real, complex, vulnerable people, and she’s not afraid to let them ask tough questions about life and faith. As a result, the spiritual themes of this novel are powerful, poignant, and boldly thought-provoking. 

If you’re obsessed with true crime and love gothic fiction, you’re sure to agree that “The Premonition at Withers Farm” is a haunting read!

THE AUTHOR

Jaime Jo Wright is the author of six novels, including Christy Award winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She’s also the Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of two novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her cat named Foo; her husband, Cap’n Hook; and their littles, Peter Pan and CoCo. 

Read more about Jaime at her website. (www.jaimewrightbooks.com)

Review by ECPA bestselling author Angela Bell is a 21st century lady with 19th century sensibilities. Her activities consist of reading voraciously, drinking copious amounts of tea, and writing letters with a fountain pen. Learn more about her at AuthorAngelaBell.com

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

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A Bookchat about The Maid of Ballymacool with Jennifer Deibel & a Review of Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem

Subscribe to Historical Bookworm Show Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | Email | RSS | Subscribe to the Historical Bookworm

Jennifer Deibel joins us for a chat about Irish foods, the uniqueness of historical fiction, and her latest release The Maid of Ballymacool. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at the Victorian Etiquette of Courtship.

Today’s Bookworm Review is brought to you by Narelle Adkins from Story Chats Podcast. “Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem is a Christian novel, and the faith themes are woven beautifully into the story.” (Full review here.)

You can connect with Jennifer Deibel at: Amazon, Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads, and BookBub.

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The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

The audio version of this review can be found on Episode 58: A Bookchat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith & a Review of The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham.

THE BOOK

Will the magic of Christmas bring these two newlyweds closer together, or will the ghosts of the past lead them into a destructive discovery from which not even a Dickens’s Christmas can save them?

Mistletoe is beautiful and dangerous, much like the woman from Lord Frederick’s Percy’s past, so when he turns over a new leaf and arranges to marry for his estate, instead of his heart, he never expects the wrong bride to be the right choice. Gracelynn Ferguson never expected to take her elder sister’s place as a Christmas bride, but when she’s thrust into the choice, she will trust in her faithful novels and overactive imagination to help her not only win Frederick’s heart but also to solve the murder mystery of Havensbrook Hall before the ghosts from Frederick’s past ruin her fairytale future. 

THE REVIEW

If there’s one thing Pepper Basham knows, it’s how to write a swoony romance mixed with a heavy dose of witty humor and in this book’s case, even a helping of mystery. Basham’s previous books have always consisted of standout characters a reader can’t resist rooting and falling for. In The Mistletoe Countess, Basham stays true to her loyal followers. We meet the brooding Frederick who is prepared for a dull life of loveless matrimony to save his estate, but then comes Grace bouncing in to inadvertently flip his life upside down. And when her sleuthing imagination takes hold of a real mystery at Havensbrook Hall, hijinks and humor mix splendidly with danger as they work to become a loving marital team and solve a murder. 

Readers familiar with Basham will note her trademark steaminess, sweet but also on the very warm side. There are several mentions of what God is doing in a character’s life and the way it changes their thought processes and leads them to accept certain pasts and future realities. This is all presented in an organic way and flows seamlessly into the story. As always, Basham’s plots are solid, but her characters tend to steal the show to make her books truly memorable. 

Although this book takes place over the Christmas season, it’s a book that would definitely be enjoyed year around. 

THE AUTHOR

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Her nineteenth novel, Authentically Izzy, debuts in November with Thomas Nelson. She loves connecting with readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook & Instagram. 

Reviewed by Christie Kern. Follow @WriterCBK219 on Instagram for more book reviews and recommendations.   

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

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A Bookchat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith & a Review of  The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

Subscribe to Historical Bookworm Show Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | Email | RSS | Subscribe to the Historical Bookworm

The Episode

Jill Eileen Smith joins us for a chat about ancient history, writing biblical fiction, and her latest release Daughter of Eden. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at Lucy Goodale Thurston a missionary to the Hawaiian Islands in the early 1800s. 

Today’s Bookworm Review is brought to you by Christie K of this Historical Bookworm Review Team. “Pepper Basham’s previous books have always consisted of standout characters a reader can’t resist rooting and falling for. In The Mistletoe Countess, Basham stays true to her loyal followers.” (Read full review here.)

Connect with Jill Eileen Smith: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.

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A Bookchat about The Rose and the Thistle with Laura Frantz & a Review of The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham

Subscribe to Historical Bookworm Show Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | Email | RSS | Subscribe to the Historical Bookworm

Laura Frantz joins us for a chat about castles, Scottish heritage, travel and her latest release The Rose and the Thistle. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we had Tisha Martin on the show to share Novel Research: Town History. It’s always fun to dig into the history of the town you’re writing about. Many famous people grew up in small towns, which is really surprising. (Full post here.)

Today’s Bookworm Review is bought to you by Christie K. “The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham is the second in a series and there are several allusions to the instances in the first book but it could function as a standalone. Except, the first book was so much fun to read that I highly recommend reading that one too!” (Full review here.)

Enter the giveaway by following this link or below.

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The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham

The audio version of this review can be found on Episode 57: A Bookchat about The Rose and the Thistle with Laura Frantz & a Review of The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham

THE BOOK

Clue meets Indiana Jones with a fiction-loving twist only Grace Percy can provide.

Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley have already experienced their fair-share of suspense, but when a honeymoon trip takes a detour to the mystical land of Egypt, not even Grace with her fiction-loving mind is prepared for the dangers in store. From an assortment of untrustworthy adventure-seekers to a newly discovered tomb with a murderous secret, Frederick and Grace must lean on each other to navigate their dangerous surroundings. As the suspects mount in an antiquities’ heist of ancient proportions, will Frederick and Grace’s attempts to solve the mystery lead to another death among the sands?

The Cairo Curse is a delightful sequel to The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham in the Freddie and Grace Mystery series.

THE REVIEW

Pepper Basham stays true to her trademark style of infusing romance, laughs, and danger into her stories for an unputdownable combination. Grace and Frederick leave for a honeymoon trip and take a brief stop in Cairo to visit with one of his cousins. When jewelry goes missing, an archeological dig site is worthless, and tempers flare–someone is bound to end up murdered. But with a large cast of characters, who will Grace’s active detective imagination cling to as the culprit? 

Per all of Basham’s books, the romance is on the sweet-spicy side and the thread of second chances, God’s plan, and faith to meet people who think they’re too fallen for redemption is palpable. A few instances of mild violence at the climax but the incidents throughout the story mostly happen ‘off screen’. 

This is the second in a series and there are several allusions to the instances in the first book but it could function as a standalone. Except, the first book was so much fun to read that I highly recommend reading that one too!

THE AUTHOR

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance “peppered” with grace and humor. Writing both historical and contemporary novels, she loves to incorporate her native Appalachian culture and/or her unabashed adoration of the UK into her stories. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the wife of a fantastic pastor, mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Her nineteenth novel, Authentically Izzy, debuts in November with Thomas Nelson. She loves connecting with readers and other authors through social media outlets like Facebook & Instagram.

You can learn more about Pepper and her books on her website at www.pepperdbasham.com

Reviewed by Christie Kern. Follow @WriterCBK219 on Instagram for more book reviews and recommendations.   

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.