Hello readers. I decided to do something different this time. In this blog I'm going share new books I've read. Now, some of these books have been recently released or about to be release soon. You may be familiar with some of the authors from their other published books, and others you may never heard of. I'll be sharing four books I really like and enjoyed. Now, if you have read any of these books and don’t like them that is okay. I'm not here to argue or disgrace any author’s works. I wanted to share my honest thoughts and support authors.
The first book is The Orchard by Beverly Lewis. This may sound weird to say, but I read her adult fiction Amish Romance books as a teenager. I didn't read all of them. I read several like The Heritage of Lancaster County, The Child of Mine, the trilogy of The Tinderbox and The Timepiece, and others. I won’t list them all here. LOL. I really like how she creates stories about faith and strong characters. The Orchard is her newest book and I want to thank Baker Publishing Group and Bethany Publisher House for ARC copy for exchange of honest review.
Review: I like reading some of Beverly's novels and this book was pretty good. It was a bit slow at first but then it picked up. I like Ellie and her close relationship with her brother Evan. I can understand it can be hard to see a loved one go to war. I like her love interest Sol and their friendship blossomed into something more. There were definitely some love triangle tropes. But I enjoyed it.
Star Rates: 5/5
Language: Clean
Trigger Warnings: Attack on Amish, Vietnam war.
Plot: It was a bit slow but eventually picked it up. The story is fairly solid on faith and patience and prayers.
Blurb: For generations, Ellie Hostetler's family has tended their Lancaster County orchard, a tradition her twin brother, Evan, will someday continue. Yet when Evan's draft number is called up in the lottery for the Vietnam War, the family is shocked to learn he has not sought conscientious objector status, despite their Old Order Amish belief in non-resistance. The faraway war that has caused so much turmoil and grief among their Englisher neighbors threatens too close to home.
As Evan departs for boot camp, Ellie confides her disappointment to Sol Bontrager, the brother of her best friend and cousin to her new beau, Menno. In contrast to Evan, Sol is a conscientious objector. Despite Ellie's attraction to Menno, she finds herself drawn to Sol's steady presence as they work together in the orchard. Suddenly, it feels as if everything in Ellie's world is shifting, and the plans she held so dear seem increasingly uncertain. Can she and her family find the courage to face a future unlike any they could have imagined?
Where to buy the copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other retailers.
Wishing for Mr. Right by Sarah Vance-Tompkins caught my attention. It wasn’t the cover but the blurb too. I saw this through the Kate Book Tour and signed up for an ARC. When I received a copy, I read it in two days. I couldn’t stop. It was that good. It had a sweet and hallmark vibe but better. I want to thank Kate Book Tour and the publisher and the author for ARC copy for exchange of honest review.
Review: I absolutely love the story. The characters are likable. The family and the farm seemed so real. It made me want to go there and meet them. The main characters are spot on. I laughed several times throughout the book. There are adorable goats, cows and a whole lot of fun autumn activities. This definitely had some hallmark vibe but better. I hope the author continues the series. She did it so well. I want more.
Star Rates: 5/5
Language: Clean
Trigger Warnings: There isn’t any explicit, steamy scene. Fairly clean. There is a scene when a character lost his pants. However, it didn’t show details, just covered up the scene. Other than that, they had a kiss and nothing else beyond that.
Plot: I wish for more. But the author did a good job wrapping up the story.
Blurb: When you wish upon a star, sometimes your dreams come true…
When her high-rise career tanks, urbanite Dacey Adair returns to her northern Michigan hometown of Christmas Tree Cove in need of a reset. Early one morning while prepping for her seasonal job on a fishing charter, Dacey makes a half-hearted wish on the harvest moon to bring her the man of her dreams.
A few blinks later, she finds a naked man clinging to her boat.
Local heartthrob Luke La Fontaine has led a charmed life. He’s recently become famous for his TikTok videos demonstrating the art of cheesemaking while surrounded by adorable farm animals. His handmade, small batch cheese is much sought-after by foodies. But what he really needs is a business strategy.
It’s the perfect recipe to set Dacey back on the path to success, but as she and Luke spend more time together, her goals blur. Is this an off-season fling or will their connection age to perfection?
Where to buy the copy: Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
I don’t only read contemporary fiction; I like to read fantasy books. Sometimes I want to immerse myself in a story that isn't set in our world. Like The Conjurer’s Curse by Stephanie Cotta. In fact, we happened to be friends on Instagram for some time. When she announced her debut is coming out in less than two months. The cover looks great, and the blurb intrigued me. I want to thank Monarch Educational Services and the author for ARC copy for exchange review.
Review: This book is really good. I was drawn to the story and wanted to know why Rowan was cursed and follow his journey. I like the characters. There were a few characters I disliked like his half-brother, but then I liked him in the end. I had moments of good laugh and felt saddened in certain parts. I highly enjoyed the book and felt it was a good wrap up. It is a story about overcoming evil with good. But I see there is another story coming. I'm curious to know more. Anyway, I highly recommend this if you like quests and magic and important lessons of forgiving and second chances and love.
Star Rates: 5/5
Language: Fairly clean. There are some replacements of cussed words, but overall, there aren't any bad languages.
Trigger Warnings: Death, curses, abandonment, and violence.
Plot: There were moments that were slow, but chapters were fairly short and easy to read. Though the story wraps up, the plot itself isn’t done. I heard the author is currently working on a sequel. So, this is not a stand alone novel.
Blurb: Since birth, Rowan has been the object of scorn in his village. The reason? He's a dikyli-an outsider with albino skin and an ominous mark blazoned on his neck. So when his fourth guardian-mother is found dead, all blame falls on him, and he is banished before his life-draining curse can strike again. The only path left to Rowan is clear: He must discover who cursed him and alter his horrible fate-or forever lose everyone he loves.
From facing treacherous seas, soul-devouring Moonshades, and desert terrors, Rowan battles for his very survival to reach his homeland-the far-off kingdom of Shandria, a land rife with hostilities. Dark surprises and back-stabbing betrayals emerge as two devious Iron Barons-who know the scandalous origin of his curse-plot to imprison him in the Mountain of the Damned with the rest of the accursed. To make matters worse, Rowan's curse threatens to claim another life when he meets Tahira, a spunky, pertly persistent Shandrian who vows to aid him in his quest despite the overwhelming odds. Their alliance of trust and necessity develops into love-a love doomed to end in death if Rowan remains cursed. With the hope of a future hanging in the balance, he must overcome the greatest challenge of his life. For the only way to end his curse is to slay the Conjurer who cast the life-draining spell.
Where to buy the book: It is up for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
I hope you enjoyed reading my first Books+Reviews Blog. If you like this blog and want me to do another one, please hit heart and comment, "I like this." Before I end here, I encourage you to take a minute to check out these books. Maybe one of these books will prompt you to buy a copy.
Comments