Once Upon a Sunset

I've been looking forward to yet another book from Tif Marcelo. I first discovered this author when I read The Key to Happily Ever After. 

Once Upon a Sunset is a story revolving around a mother, Margo, and her grown daughter, Diana. Though their relationship is close, yet it becomes strained when they accidentally discover family secrets. Both deal with the aftermath of this newfound in their own way,  and the differing views create a fallout between them. 

As in Tif Marcelo's first book, this one brilliantly portrays the Filipino culture. Though the story revolves around self-understanding and growth, there's a romantic vein to the book. I enjoyed both storylines. 

I connected with the mother, Margo, and her free-spirited was of handling what life threw at her. However, I still empathized with the daughter, Diana. Both characters delve deep into the pas, in in that process discover a lot about themselves. Their relationship gradually repairs, and deepens their understanding about each other's views. Their self-growth is gradual, believable, and touching.

I received an ARC from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

4 stars

As the Light Fades

The opening paragraph of As the Light Fades hooked me, and the characters who waltzed into the story without a misstep totally captured me until the last page. The author, Catherine West, definitely knows how to seamlessly weave characters into a story, and this reader came to know each one.

The storylines are told through several points of view, however I wasn't confused or taken out of the world this author created. I grew to care about the characters. I find it hard to pick a favorite. But here's a few I really liked: There's Liz, a woman who struggles with trust and is searching for a new path in her life. There's Mia, a teenager full of anger, yet seeks understanding. And there's her Uncle Matt ... Come to think of it, I guess I do have a favorite, because I adore him. He's unselfish, caring, and unwilling to give up on his niece's well-being. Last but certainly not least, there's Drake, Liz's father. He's a famous artist, but fading into a world of dementia. Oh, how this pulled at my heartstrings! There's more well-developed characters, and maybe one will capture you as well. You'll have to read this book to meet them all.

Sensitive subjects, such as dealing with past abuse, cutting, and dementia are handled with grace and understanding. Trust and faith are strong themes without being preachy. As the Light Fades is an emotional and uplifting read centered upon long-term residents in Nantucket. Lives entwine, and love abounds. This book is a must read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

5 stars

Whose Waves These Are

Whose Waves These Are is a dual-time period book. It drew me in from the first page, and never let go. Both of the time periods are equally compelling. I adore the twin bothers, Robert and Roy, in the WWII era. Annie, the present-day character, is seamlessly tied in. 

Even thought I fell in love with the primary people in this lovely book, the secondary characters are well developed, and adds more substance to the storyline..

This novel is the first I've read by Amanda Dykes, and I'm ravenous for more of her writing. This is the best book I've read in a long time ... and I'm a voracious reader. 

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

5 stars 

The Key to Happily Ever After

The Key To Happily Ever After depicts the myriad aspects in the loving and sometimes conflicting aspects between sisters. 

I'm the oldest of three sisters, and I totally related to the strong bond between Mari, And, and Pearl. Each one of these characters have their own personality, yet still allow qualities each can contribute to the de la Rosa company. I with there was more about their Filipino culture, as I found it a fascinating aspect of the respect given to the birth order of siblings. 

The family wedding boutique, Rings and Roses,  requires a lot of cooperation between the sisters, and many times there is a lot of give and take ... as well as a dose of conflict thrown in. I love how the family pulls together to solve the toughest of situations in both business and personal life. All of the primary and secondary characters feel real, and the visual settings throughout the book plays like a movie to me. I love it when I can fully immerse myself in a book like I did this one.

The bonds of sisterhood weaves thought this story. Though it's categorized as a romantic comedy, I feel it's more along the lines of women's fiction with a bit of romance sprinkled in. Either way, it's an enjoyable read. I loved it!

 4 stars. 

The ARC copy of this book was obtained through Net Galley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Glory Road

Glory Road brought me back to my southern roots, complete with a porch swing and sweet tea. I love the feeling this book evoked. The author, Laura Denton, has a way of making a reader actually discover the comfort waiting for you down the dirt road leading back home. 

Jessie returns home after a troubled life. She finds refuge for herself and  her teenage daughter in her childhood home on Glory Road. The story of the family members are told beautifully in three POVs. Each chapter is titled with a name, but I didn't need it because every character's "voice" rang clear. I was never lost in the the telling of this story. 

Jessie, a proud owner of a plant shop with a clever name, Twig, savors hard work and routine after her rocky marriage and divorce. She's raising her daughter, Evan, and their relationship is a beautiful thing to behold. ( I fell in love with this teenage girl.) 

Evan is at the brink of starting high school, and dealing with newfound feelings for a guy down the red dirt road. A bit of lovesickness and friendship rolled into a confusing ball leaves her confused. This teenager is close to both her mother and grandmother, and I love the open communication they share. 

Gus, a funny name that fits the spit-fire grandmother of Evan, and Momma of Jessie, stole the show in many scenarios. I laughed out loud several times at her antics and sharp tongue. Gus tries to hide an issue which frightens her, but when it becomes a blaring problem, she must finally accept help. This is a hard thing to do for such an independent woman, but it is well told, and believable.

The secondary characters are well-developed. The varying challenges force all to break out of their comfort zones. You will savor this story with its Southern charm. I didn't want this book to end. This novel is one of the very few that I will read again, and again to relive the feeling of home, trust and family dynamics. Don't miss out on this wonderful read! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through Net Galley. Opinions expressed are my own.

5 stars

  

Maybe It's You

Maybe it's You is an inspirational romance. It appropriately depicts edgy and sometimes uncomfortable subjects. The main character, Reagan, has only one experience with church, and it wasn't pleasant. No wonder she stresses out when she's tricked into attending. (You'll love this scene.) 

Regan is more comfortable with a planned, itemized, know-what's-next kind of life, because her childhood was anything but. This edgy character is a spit-fire. Her snarky attitude, blunt opinions, and dedication to friendship are a lovely mix. However, to her dismay, she's not always in control. Dash-rendered-stupidity is unfortunate and unexpected.

Dash is on the road to redemption, so to speak. He's decide to get his life in order without distractions, and decided to take a year long break from dating. Regan was in his sights long before he turns his life around, and he decides to reach out to develop a friendship and share his faith with her. He'd kidding himself on both ventures. Their relationship is filled with laughter, growth, confusion, and frustration. 

This story deals with struggles of newfound faith, and how to instill it in every aspect of life, be it dating, work, friends or your own inner thoughts. I enjoyed this book because it didn't skirt around real live issues. I must mention: At times the storyline became preachy, however that is my opinion, and it didn't take away from the story. That being said, I recommend this read. 

3 stars


I received a copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions are my own.

Ellie Claire 365-Devotional Journals

Each of these journals are exquisite. All are of the highest quality, and would make a beautiful gift for  family, friend or yourself. I love the daily habit of writing my thoughts, and the daily devotion in these pages are a lovely addition. All three include an elastic closure band.

Click on titles for buy links

Peace Begins with Me 

This journal has a lovely watercolor look to its fold flat cover with foil gold lettering. The non-bleed paper inside is highlighted with colorful designs, and has a daily devotional to reflect upon. Not only can you enter your own thoughts onto the lined pages,  there is enough space for responses to the devotion of the  day.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus 

The title alone is inspirational, but each page within begins with a song or hymn. In addition, there are short stories, a bit of scripture, and a verse suggestion from the Bible. The interior non-bleed pages matches the flowered cover. 

The Earth is the Lord's, and Everything in It.

I adore, absolutely adore, the cover on this high quality, artistic, and inspiring journal. Can you tell it's my favorite of the three in this series? Ellie Claire most certainly outdid herself with this one. The inside its filled with lined pages, each headed with a devotional story that touches upon the gifts of nature that God blessed us and the earth with. Throughout these stories are Bible verses to look up if you so choose.  There's plenty of room to pen thoughts, or reflect upon the daily devotion.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

I received review copies of these journals from Ellie Claire Gifts.

The Lost Girls of Paris

The Lost Girls of Paris is a fictional story about strong women, filled with conflict, yet tied together with a cause so important, they overcome many obstacles. This well-researched historical novel is set in a dual timeline fashion. 

It begins in 1946, with Grace, a woman working with European refugees, and trying to deal with the grief of losing her husband to the war. While going through an abandoned suitcase, her curiosity draws her, and me as a reader, into wanting to figure out what the strange contents mean and who is the mysterious owner of the luggage. 

The contents inside is full of mysterious photographs, a pair of baby shoes, and other seemingly unrelated things. Grace digs deeper, and learns about the life of a female secret agent and how she headed a group of women like herself in clandestine operations during WWII. Though it’s a fictional story, these types of brave female agents existed, though sadly, were left out of most history books.

 The story constantly drew me in, with no lags in the storyline. Both timelines are stitched together seamlessly.  I admire the strength and bravery of all the women, including Grace and Trig, my two favorites.  For any fan of historical fiction, this is a must read! 

5 stars

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Christmas Company

I love everything about the holiday season, and Christmas stories that warm my heart are near the top of the list.

The Christmas Company is such a story. Just like the Hallmark holiday movies, this stirring story gave me all kinds of winter chills. I'm so glad to be introduced to Alys Murray's writing. I enjoy her writer's voice and the delightful characters she's created for Miller’s Point, Texas.

Kate and Clark are not a likely pair, which makes their journey all the more enjoyable. And the Christmassy Texas town is an integral part of their relationship as their chemistry is. If you enjoy the classic Charles Dickens Christmas Carol, you’ll love this one too! 

4 stars

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets

The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets is filled with angst, love, trauma, and newfound secrets. Ultimately, redeemed love, and redemption of a broken family is the main focus.It’s told through the views of Meredith, the mother, and three sisters, two grown with lives of their own, and one a teenager.

The sisters are estranged at the beginning, and harbor a lot of hurt and anger. The family resentment is palpable when they are all brought together due to the need to care of their ill mother. Though this family is imperfect, as most families are, the effort of forgiveness and eventual open communication, brings hope for this broken family. This book is not an easy read at times, however, there are some sweet and light moments. But, there’s also some very disturbing parts of this story that may be a trigger for some readers, such as rape, and dementia issues. 

All in all, The McAvoy Sisters Book of Secrets is a well written, and fulfilling read. 

4 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.