Between the Sound and Sea

Author: Amanda Cox

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: August 6, 2024

Wow!! I don’t know how Amanda Cox does it, but every time I think she can’t top a book she does it with the next! This one is going to be one of my best of the year books without a doubt!

Josephina Harris has worked really hard to get past the dirty looks she gets in town after her family sold their business and it was bought by someone who had less than honorable intentions. When no one will hire her event planning business because of it, she finds herself in a hard position. Does she stay and try and get her family’s good name back? Or leave to pursue a new opportunity? Her friend sends her a job opening for a keeper at a decommissioned lighthouse in North Carolina and she thinks it might be just the thing she needs. As she works at the lighthouse, she discovers secrets hidden in the walls and learns the history of the lighthouse and a tragic love story that might just not be over if she has anything to say about it.

Every time I think Amanda Cox can’t top her last book, she puts out another fantastic novel! I have yet to read one of hers that doesn’t blow me away with how amazing she is able to write these characters and storylines. Each story she writes is unique and charming with its setting, characters, and even the romantic undertones included. Between the Sound and the Sea will transport readers to a beautiful setting with the lighthouse on the coast and an endearing plot with the long-lost romance and characters searching for their identity. Not many books lately have been able to hold my attention and move me in a way her stories are able to. I would normally say thrillers are my go to genre, but I might just have to make an Amanda Cox genre as a favorite! I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fantastic plot with characters that will touch your heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Leaning on Air

Author: Cheryl Grey Bostrom

Publisher: Tyndale House

Release Date: May 7, 2024

A story rich in heart, endearing characters and over far too soon.

It had been years since Cella Burke and Burnaby Hays spoke, but when they run into each other again, a spark ignites, and they quickly find themselves in love. Cella is an ornithologist while Burnaby is a veterinarian. Cella goes off in search of a hawk nest when tragedy strikes and she doesn’t feel Burnaby will understand the events so she takes off to a remote area in Washington. While there she meets a neighbor that helps with her grief, and a silent boy who makes her question her decisions.

From the very first page of this book, I was captivated by all the characters and the amount of emotion pouring through each and every one. For some odd reason this was the third book in a row I ended up reading having to do with Ornithology. The first two bored me pretty bad but this one captured me from the start and kept me glued to the pages to find out what was going to happen. There was plenty of tension to move the story forward as well as romance. At a few moments I was left scratching my head at the decisions of Cella but the way it all played out by the last pages was well thought out and written even better. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a book with lots of heart and great characters arcs.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Her Part to Play

Author: Jenny Erlingsson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: June 18, 2024

A story about love, redemption and interracial tension that is a great story for today’s readers.

Adanne works as a hairstylist and makeup artist. When a movie shoot in her town needs an extra artist for their film, she comes on and uses the opportunity given to her to try and help her family. What she doesn’t realize is that this job will bring her face to face with the actor that got her fired from her last job. John Pope has turned his life over to God and in the process has tried to make up for the mistakes of his past. When he feels an attraction to Adanne, he wonders if it could be too good to be true.

I had high hopes for this book, and while it was great writing from a debut author, I just couldn’t connect. I also feel like this one was far too similar to one I recently read by Toni Shiloh. I think it is great that there are more diverse books coming to the Christian fiction shelves by these authors, but they are starting to seem very similar and nothing unique about them. That is kind of becoming the case with a lot of the romantic suspense, historical romance and even contemporary romance genre books. It would be great to have something unique and new cross my shelves soon, unfortunately this one wasn’t it. I would recommend this to readers that are looking for those diverse books and enjoy contemporary romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Crow Talk

Author: Eileen Garvin

Publisher: Dutton

Release Date: April 30, 2024

Not what I expected and not in the best way.

Frankie is an ornithologist working to save her dissertation with not much luck. Anne is an Irish musician trying to raise her five-year-old son and everyday presents a new challenge. They find themselves at Beauty Bay on June Lake off the foothills of Mount Adams and most houses are put up for the fall and Frankie is reminded of all she has lost. Anne and Frankie embark on a journey together that turns out to be more than either could have imagined.

I was sent this book and didn’t know much about it. So, when I started to read it I was surprised by what it was and how it turned out, not my kind of book. I really didn’t enjoy the story much and couldn’t relate to the characters. I wish I could come up with something positive to say but for this one it just wasn’t it for me. The storyline was decent but didn’t draw me in. The characters were well written, but I just couldn’t find the connection I was hoping for. I think this story is just right but only for the right group of readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

A Run at Love

Author: Toni Shiloh

Series: Love in the Spotlight #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Another endearing romance by Toni Shiloh who is making a name for herself in the Christian fiction section.

Piper McKinney is a black woman trying to make a name for herself in the world of horse-racing. There aren’t many others of color in the world she is trying to break into and as she works to get her horse a winner in the Kentucky Derby, she knows she might need a little help. Tucker Hale is her best friend and trainer and works to help Piper achieve her dream when a scandal hits the media that affects them all.

Toni Shiloh is becoming a big name within the Christian romance writers with a story that is great for all readers but especially readers of color looking for that in books. Many readers would love to find more books with diverse colors and Shiloh is doing a great job of providing that for readers. Not only that, but the stories are also very well written and entertaining. I enjoy the way she writes and while romance isn’t my preferred genre to read, I do enjoy the way she writes. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great contemporary romance with diverse characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Just for the Summer

Author: Melody Carlson

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: March 19, 2024

A sweet contemporary romance that will put a smile on readers’ faces.

Ginny Masters lives in Seattle and works at one of the hotel boutiques. It is a good job but hard and a boss that demands a bit much at times. Jacqueline Potter has trouble finding a job with her hospitality degree, so she works at her grandfather’s Idaho fishing lodge. The two get together and decide that for the summer they should switch things up and see if it helps their lives on every front including their love lives.

Melody Carlson is becoming a go-to for me when I want a good contemporary romance read. This was a fun read about switching places and finding something when you least expect it. Ginny and Jacqueline were so fun to read and see what they were going through and how it changed when they switched places. This is the kind of book that readers can sit down and fly through the pages in one sitting, an easy-breazy kind of book that all can enjoy. I recommend this to those that love contemporary romance reads and if you have read Melody Carlson you know you will love this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Last Exchange

Author: Charles Martin

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: October 3, 2023

How far will you go to protect someone you love?

Maybe Joe Sue is the world’s biggest movie star. Orphaned and passed around through the foster care system, once she aged out, she headed for Los Angeles to try to make a name for herself. All she found were a few commercials and a place to wait on all night customers. One of those nights, a producer realized that she would be a perfect replica for the actress that he was having problems with. After a few takes and an indie movie film festival, her star took off and the rest was history. Except it wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows. Sure, she had fame, money, and what appeared to be a wonderful marriage, but it was really anything but that. Fortunately, she had her bodyguard MacThomas Pockets, who was loyal to her through everything and took care of her, even when she started abusing drugs. But when Pockets ends up in prison, things spiral out of control for Joe. Years later when the surrogate mother for her baby ends up blackmailing her for money, she goes even deeper into depression, all the while still winning acting awards. On the night of the award ceremony, Joe is abducted, and no one knows where she has been taken. But it will take everything to get her back on the right track.

As usual, Charles Martin brings a story that readers will love to read over and over again. The story of Joe and Pockets will warm readers’ hearts and mark them as another set of unforgettable characters that Martin has produced throughout his books. After the letters series, this was a bit of a different direct, more of a return to his roots. One can’t help but strive to see these characters succeed and get to the happy ending, even if a bit unconventional. I also love how he manages to tie in other novels he has written and would love to see if readers uncover the novel where Joe plays one of the main characters and wins an award!

The Divine Proverb of Streusel

Author: Sara Brunsvold

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 16, 2024

Sara Brunsvold came onto the scene last year with her debut novel that blew me away! Her second is a heartwarming read that will touch readers in the same way!

Nikki Werner has had her world turned upside down after her father left her mother and her relationship with her boyfriend is on the rocks. On break for the summer from her teaching job, she heads to her uncle’s farm to think and figure out the direction for her life. At the farm, she finds old journals and cookbooks from her grandmother that include Proverbs with the recipes. Within these pages and while learning to cook, she finds a way to connect to her past and that helps her see a future that might not be as bad as she expected.

I fell in love with Sara Brunsvold’s first novel and couldn’t wait to read her next. The Divine Proverb of Streusel is a heartwarming story that will give readers a lot to think about. The strained relationship she had with her father hit home for me and made a personal connection for me as a reader. While not every reader will have that connection, there will be something for everyone to gain from this book. I didn’t think this one was at the level of the first but still a fabulous contemporary novel. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy contemporary reads with a lot of heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

What a Wave Must Be

Author: Angela Hunt

Publisher: Focus on the Family

Release Date: November 1, 2023

A heavy novel tackling a topic that is uncomfortable, unsettling, and unfortunately all too real.

Maddie is a sixteen-year-old girl living with her parents in Atlanta. Her mother is a workaholic lawyer who throws herself into her cases and her father is a pharmaceutical sales rep who does well. She is a typical teenager dealing with usual stuff, but after her dad commits suicide the day after Christmas, everything changes. Her mother grieves by working harder and Maddie is sent to live with her paternal grandparents, who are also grieving the death of their only son. Maddie makes new friends at St. Petersberg high school, but when unexpected turmoil falls on the group, suicide comes back into the picture. Maddie doesn’t know what to do, but feels like she starts to understand why people turn to this option.

This book dives into the difficulties loved ones face after someone they know commits suicide. It also hits close to home because when I was young, I had a friend that took his own life without any explanation left behind and sent a bunch of us reeling. So, I understand some of what Maddie is experiencing, but she gets multiple doses of it throughout the pages of this story. I think this book would be good for young adults and parents/grandparents, etc. to read to find some talking points about this. It is a real issue and I’m glad that Hunt is bringing it to light by pen and paper.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

2023 Top Contemporary Fiction

Another day, another group of great reads! Today’s picks are for contemporary fiction and any of these will be great additions on your shelf!

Top Pick: He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox

He Should Have Told the Bees is the newest by Amanda Cox, her third book, and amazingly her third 5 star read from me. Each time I pick up a book by Cox I find myself in for a treat, her writing is some of the best I have read for a newer author that doesn’t have a long catalog of books and has written for many years. Lately I have found contemporary novels to be some of the most moving for me with characters that grab you by the heartstrings and don’t let go.

Read the full review here.

No More Secrets by Kerry Lonsdale

I have loved each book in this series, but this one really takes the cake. I fell in love with Lucas’s story. In the first two books, he is so standoffish that you can’t really take him seriously as a character, but now readers get to see his true self. This is a story of redemption and love, though not romantic.

Read the full review here.

With Every Memory by Janine Rosche

I picked this book up fully expecting to skim through it and not enjoy or remember much about it, to my surprise I couldn’t put it down and it has stuck with me for a while now. I read this in a single day and by the time I turned the last page I was enthralled with this story! I have got to stop doubting contemporary novels; they turn out to be some of the best written ones I have read in a very long time.

Read the full review here.

Everything is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels

As with most of her novels, the emotion is raw and laid out bare for all readers to see. It deals with some heavy things that people deal with today, not just 30 years ago. It is so easy to connect with her characters and have them draw you into their story so that you feel more like a participant than an outsider. This will easily be one of my favorite books of 2023!

Read the full review here.

The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner

Katie Powner has written a powerful story with heart, emotion, and pure enjoyment. Every character in this story had just the right moments and just the right pull on the heartstrings.

Read the full review here.