Episode 28: Guest Angela K. Couch and a review of The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

Interview: Angela K. Couch is the winner of story contests, a semi-finalist in ACFW’s Genesis Contest, and a finalist in the International Digital Awards. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. When not writing, she stays fit (and warm) by chasing after five munchkins. Join Anglea as she chats with us about her latest WW2 novel A Rose for the Resistance a part of the Heroines of WWII by Barbour.

Continue reading “Episode 28: Guest Angela K. Couch and a review of The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright”

Episode 26: Guest Amanda Cabot & a Review of Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill

Join us for an interview with bestselling author Amanda Cabot. Her books have been honored with a starred review from Publishers Weekly and have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Award, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers’ Best. In this episode, she shares with us about her latest release A Spark of Love.

Continue reading “Episode 26: Guest Amanda Cabot & a Review of Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill”

Episode 25: Guest Crystal Caudill and a Book Review Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund

Announcements: Welcome to Season 2 of the Historical bookworm Show.

The winners of the End of the Year Giveaway are Angela B who chose Under The Bayou Moon by Valerie Fraser Luesse and the second is Susanne M. who chose A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano.

Continue reading “Episode 25: Guest Crystal Caudill and a Book Review Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund”

Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund

THE BOOK

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, he’s never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship. However, he’s desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease.

When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles. Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug–including sending her back into the past to find it for them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Jody Hedlund plunges you into the swiftly flowing river of history in a race against the clock in this breathtaking, emotional second Waters of Time story.

THE REVIEW

This book was eagerly anticipated after reading Hedlund’s first book in the series, Come Back to Me. This second novel spends most of its time in the present tense, but does dip into the past for some perilous encounters.

The concept of healing waters from the first book splash onto these pages also with Ellen and Harrison using the healing water to aid with their own healing. Their sweet romance was enjoyable with a few slightly steamier scenes, but still docile compared to the first book. Even with the Middle Ages thrown in, the violence was minimal. The struggle to let go of past worries is difficult for Ellen due to her sudden lifestyle change brought on by the healing and she’s plagued by the ethical dilemma of the holy water. The characters mesh well with the story, and with the author’s writing this hard to believe tale seems plausible.

If you’re in the mood for a time-traveling romance that will take you beyond the realms of reality, Never Leave Me should be at the top of your TBR queue.

Listen to our review on Episode 25: Guest Crystal Caudill and Review of Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund.

Listen to Jody’s interview featuring Come Back to Me on Episode 16 and a you can read our full review of Come Back to Me here.

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.

THE AUTHOR

Jody is the bestselling author of over 30 historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards, including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Awards. She shares about her new time travel novel Come Back to Me, her love of cats, and the fun of writing. Learn more about her at her website JodyHedlund.com/ and her ReaderRoom Facebook group.

Ep 23: Guest Amanda Cox and a Review of Under The Texas Mistletoe by Karen Witemeyer.

Join us for a chat with Christi Award winning Author Amanda Cox as she shares how The Secret Keepers of the Old Depot Grocery came to be. 

In our Pinch of the Past we take a peek at New Years traditions and where they originated from. From the 12 Grapes of to Luck in Spain to the burning of scarecrows in Eucadore and wassailing in the colonial period.

Bookworm Review: If you’re in the mood for sweet love stories with beautifully described countryside, and themes that put one in the mood for Christmas, you won’t want to miss Under The Texas Mistletoe by Karen Witemeyer. 

Ep. 23: Guest Karen Witemeyer & a Review of As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin

For those who love to smile as they read, today’s guest offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen Witemeyer chats with us about her 3-in-1 Christmas novella collection Under The Texas Mistletoe.

On our Pinch of the Past we’re looking at The Substitute Guest written by Grace Livingston Hill in 1936 to see how she described an ideal Christmas dinner.

Fans of romantic historicals with superbly researched detail and endearing characters will not want to miss Kate Breslin’s As Dawn Breaks.

Episode 20: Guest Liz Tolzma & a Bookworm Review of A Deep Divide

Join WW2 novelist and podcast host Liz Tolzma as she talks about her latest release A Picture of Hope, book two in the Heroines of WWII Series. Liz is also the host of the Christian Historical Fiction Talk–a weekly podcast featuring author chats, industry news, and discussions of what you’re reading.

On our Pinch of the Past we look at part 1 of Historical Foods We Enjoy Today. Do you enjoy Jello and sandwiches? Not together, of course! Well, here is a little history about the two. Would you believe one of these dishes first became popular in the US because of a gambling addiction?

If you’re in the mood for a sweet romantic suspense with an unforgettable storyline, then you don’t want to miss A Deep Divide  (Secrets of the Canyon Book #1) by Kimberly Woodhouse.

Read our full Bookworm Review of  A Deep Divide by Kimberly Woodhouse

Join our newsletter and be automatically entered to win Christian historical fiction books.

Bookworm Review: A Deep Divide by Kimberly Woodhouse

This review was first shared in Episode 20: Guest Liz Tolzma & a Bookworm Review of A Deep Divided

The Book

After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it—including her father’s offering her hand in a business deal. She sneaks away to be a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Grand Canyon Hotel, planning to stay hidden even if it means always looking over her shoulder.

Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel wanting to impress his father by finding success on his own. Then maybe he can take on more of the family business and do something good with the profits.

Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though a friendship forms, she’s afraid he’s just like every other wealthy man she’s known. Then art and jewels go missing from El Tovar and the nearby Hopi House, a mystery that pulls them in and stirs up their worst fears. When shocking revelations come to light, they’ll have to question all they thought to be true.

The Review

The pace of the book was unlike any other romantic suspense. The author delivered mystery and romance with a large dose of intrigue in a way that was both captivating and inspiring.
The book was about an heiress Emma Grace and her quest for a life other than the one she had been born into. This same life has led her down paths she never thought she would traverse. Her grit and determination was very admirable.

The romance was sweet largely due to the hero, Ray, whose good heart and kindness shine through the story. A truly refreshing experience for the reader.

Circumstances brought them together in the most unlikely of ways. The most endearing part of this book are the Biblical principles lived out. The way the community of believers surrounds Emma Grace with caring is so heartwarming it brings one to tears. This group of characters truly reflects biblical love and hospitality.

If you’re in the mood for a sweet romantic suspense with an unforgettable storyline, then you don’t want to miss A Deep Divide by Kimberly Woodhouse.

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.

The Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than twenty-five books. A lover of history and research, she often gets sucked into the past and then her husband has to lure her out with chocolate and the promise of eighteen holes on the golf course. She loves music, kayaking, and her family. Her books have been awarded the Carol Award, Holt Medallion, Reader’s Choice Award, Selah Award, Spur Award, and others. A popular speaker/teacher, she’s shared with over 1,000,000 people at more than twenty-five hundred venues across the country. Married to the love of her life for three decades, she lives and writes in the Poconos where she’s traded in her hat of “craziest mom” for “coolest grandma.” Connect with Kim at KimberleyWoodhouse.com, Facebook.com, Instagram.com,
Twitter.com

Episode 19: Guest Patricia Raybon & A Review of The Lines Between Us

Patricia Raybon is a former Sunday Magazine editor at The Denver Post, a former associate professor of journalism at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and a regular contributor to Our Daily Bread Ministries and the DaySpring (in)courage blog. Join us for a chat with her about her debut novel  All that is Secret book 1 of the Annalee Spain Mystery series.

In this segment of the Pinch of the Past, we talk about the history of Chess, Backgammon, and Go. Most of the games that have survived for centuries involve intense strategy and lots of abstract thinking. I’m not sure what exactly that indicates–maybe they were born of long winters of boredom. Or maybe people just enjoy a chance to outsmart their friends.

If you enjoy historical fiction based on a different aspect of World War II with notes of mystery, moral questions, and superb characterization, add The Lines Between Us by Amy Lynn Green to your fall reading list. Read the review here.

Links:

Connect with Patricia on her  website  Goodreads Twitter & Instagram

Link to GoodReads review

Link for Roseanna White’s Book The Number of Love

Bookworm Review: Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden

This review was first shared in episode 18 on the Historical Bookworm Show.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Her gilded world holds a deeply hidden secret.  

After years of tragedy, Gwen Kellerman now lives a quiet life as a botanist at an idyllic New York college. She largely ignores her status as heiress to the infamous Blackstone dynasty and hopes to keep her family’s heartbreak and scandal behind her.

Patrick O’Neill survived a hardscrabble youth to become a lawyer for the downtrodden Irish immigrants in his community. He’s proud of his work, even though he struggles to afford his ramshackle law office. All that changes when he accepts a case that is sure to emphasize the Blackstones’ legacy of greed and corruption by resurrecting a thirty-year-old mystery.

Little does Patrick suspect that the Blackstones will launch their most sympathetic family member to derail him. Gwen is tasked with getting Patrick to drop the case, but the old mystery takes a shocking twist neither of them saw coming. Now, as they navigate a burgeoning attraction and growing danger, Patrick and Gwen will be forced to decide if the risk to the life they’ve always held dear is worth the reward.

The Review

Elizabeth Camden continues her legacy of excellent storytelling with memorable characters who readers can root for. Underdog lawyer, Patrick, is tasked with pushing a criminal’s book through to publication despite the Blackstones trying to block it’s release as it will drag their reputation through the muck. He’s met his match in the sweet Blackstone heiress, Gwen, who is sent to change his mind. Readers will anxiously speed through chapters to see if the two will be able to breach insurmountable odds while also solving a decades old mystery that becomes deadly. Another great story from Camden with a sweet romance, ideals of acceptance, and very brief, mild violence.

In the mood for a charming historical romance mixed with danger then Carved in Stone should be on the top of your to be read pile.

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.

About the Author

Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian at a small college in central Florida, whose novels have won the coveted RITA and Christy Awards. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction.

Fidn out more about Elizabth on her webstie ElizabethCamden.com