Small-town romance with a dash of mystery and the promise of hope.
Tired of being a pawn for her father and an emotional punching bag for her ex-boyfriend, Sadie Stewart escapes to Abbott Island where she spent summers with her grandparents. Would the love and faith she learned from them be enough to fuel her new life? She wants to believe God’s promises, yet broken trust holds her back.
Joel Grayson left the island long enough to train at the Police Academy. The community trusts him, even though he’s failed. When he finds Sadie at her grandparents’ cottages, his heart skips a beat. He’d love to get to know her again, but no one needs to share the hurt he harbors.
When Sadie discovers someone is sabotaging her future, she seeks Joel’s help. As they are drawn together, will Joel let down his guard and let her in? Will Sadie trust the man who loves her and the Father Who cares?
Review:
Home Where She Belongs is set on lovely Abbott Island where Sadie Stewart has come to recapture the magical summers she spent with her grandparents and to escape the abusive relationship she’s entangled in. As Sadie rekindles her friendship with Joel Grayson, now a police officer for the island community, sinister events threaten to ruin her budding romance. Likeable characters, a charming setting, and just the right touch of mystery are hallmarks of McGinnis’s writing.
—Deborah Raney, author of Bridges and The Chandler Sisters Novels series
~~~~~
Remember, Petra. The first country Hitler invaded was ours.
World War II rages, but life must go on. For Petra Heinrich, this means taking charge of what’s left of her family. With her father and older brothers away fighting for their country, she is entrusted with the upkeep of their farm in the sleepy German village. During the day, she struggles with daily chores. At night, she hides in the hayloft while bombs drop all around the farm.
Petra grew up in a devout Christian home, but she has long since hardened her heart to God. However, when she agrees to hide a Jew, Petra’s heart slowly softens.
As she starts to trust that things might be improving, the family receives devastating news. Grief-stricken and vulnerable, Petra’s courage is tested beyond what she can bear.
Things can’t possibly get worse. Or can they?
Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️A WW2 LOVE STORY YOU WON’T SOON FORGET!
With a truly unique glimpse of WW2 through the eyes of a German peasant girl, Defending my Father’s House is a fascinating perspective I’ve not seen before in WW2 novels, and I absolutely loved it! Not only do we experience the trauma and travesty of WW2, but we glean keen insight into the German experience through a loving and close-knit farm family and their headstrong daughter, who learns in a very powerful way that the “enemy” not only has a face, but a soul that’s capable of capturing her heart no matter the cost.
~~~~~
Hushed cries and unexplained vibrations fill the empty corridors of Serenity hospital. Fifty-six-year-old Mari clings to her best friend Theo after a devastating car accident. But as prayers beckon for a miracle, Mari senses a presence, a connection to the Other Side. Guided by enigmatic messages from Theo’s doctor, Matteo, Mari embarks on a spiritual trek where the ordinary intersects with the extraordinary. And as her journey unfolds, she delves deeper into the mysteries of the unconscious mind, and discovers a love that transcends time.
Review:
“Theo’s Heart” is an amazing short story of love, loss, and the unseen threads that connect us beyond the veil. Mari’s spiritual journey, beautifully interwoven with elements of the supernatural, challenges the boundaries between life and the afterlife, offering readers a deeply moving and thought-provoking narrative. This story is beautifully written and you can tell how much time and love Michelle put into Mari’s story.
~~~~~
It’s not the “Sound of Music” or “Sister Act.” Get an up-close and personal view into life in the Catholic Convent in America today, as one woman struggles with chronic pain, experiences loss, and ultimately finds God’s merciful love.
Behind the Tapestry is the compelling true story told from behind (Catholic) convent walls, of one woman’s struggles to “make peace” with a mysterious chronic illness and the loss of her religious vocation.
Maryanne was a 29-year-old graphic designer working towards a lifelong desire to someday move to Hollywood and become an Academy Award winning art director. But an unexpected invitation to a Catholic prayer meeting would forever change Maryanne’s life showing her desires she didn’t know she possessed.
After being abruptly fired from her job and spending a lot of time in prayer, Maryanne embarked on a journey to discover God’s will for her life. This quest eventually led her to the Catholic Convent and the realization that all she’s ever really wanted was to devote herself to Jesus.
Entering Religious Life was all that Maryanne thought about for more than a year but there was a problem. She found herself plagued by a mysterious condition that caused widespread, chronic pain. However, in spite of this pain, Maryanne joined a group of Franciscan Sisters in 1999.
Her life in the Convent was filled with many questions, struggles, challenges, and a whole lot of physical pain. Then when already strained relationships with her superiors became even more fractured with the lines of communication practically severed, Sister Maryanne was forced to make a heart-wrenching decision. One that would not only impact her life but the lives of those around her. Should she remain in the Convent and go on to take final vows or leave her Religious Life behind and take care of herself instead?
Review:
Captivating and Raw – A Must Read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
This is a phenomenal memoir about an extraordinary woman. This author finds her purpose following the tragedy of 9/11, when at the age of thirty-two, she is called to dedicate her life to Jesus. As she navigates the transition from the secular to religious world, she also suffers from an undiagnosed condition that paralyzes her with daily chronic pain. This suffering increases with stress that comes from learning about religious life, getting along with the Sisters, enrolling in a Masters Program, and teaching children. On top of that, she meets various medical specialists and tries different treatment regimes and surgeries just to be disappointed when they fail her. But she continues to be faithful to her vocation, even though she is in agonizing pain. And, at the forefront of all of this is her everlasting relationship with Jesus, whom she talks to daily. Soon, this author finds herself at a crossroads and turns to Jesus in a cry for help. Miraculously, He answers, and something changes which blesses her with unforeseen gifts.
I chose this memoir because my favorite aunt was also called to follow Jesus. There are so many uncanny similarities between my aunt and this author and me and this author. This author is a Saint for living through challenges and enduring horrific pain. Even though this story pulled at my heartstrings, there were also bursts of humor, that made me laugh aloud. I felt as though this author was sitting next to me telling me her story. She is a gifted writer, and her narrative is captivating and raw. She reminds us that we are on earth for a very short time while Jesus prepares us for our journey into Heaven.
~~~~~
A dream trip to find her English roots. A widow who’s settled for the single life. Will she take a chance or close the book on love forever?
Laura sets off to fulfill the travel dreams she’d had with her late husband. After a chance encounter in a London park with a handsome stranger, doubts surface. As attraction grows, two lonely people from separate worlds discover true love.
With her new book club friends telling her to ‘take a chance’ Laura must face her fears and feelings head-on. But heartbreak may be waiting ahead. Will Laura’s fears cause her to shut the chapter before the story begins?
If you enjoy later-in-life romances, uplifting stories of women’s friendships, and happily ever after’s, then grab Charming Chapter now!
Review:
This was a heartwarming “Later-in-Life Just Kisses Romance,” which had me captivated from the moment I picked up the book until I closed it again having read it in one sitting! https://books2read.com/Charming-Chapter
~~~~~
Welcome back to Bobwhite Mountain, TN. It’s early fall and the leaves are beginning to change colors and the night air has a crispness to it. Landry Burke is grateful that she is now a resident of this quaint little town. The two businesses she inherited from her late aunt are thriving and she’s made wonderful friends here.
Things are going great until there’s a kidnapping and murder in this peaceful oasis. Landry is the unfortunate one to find the body and now she, Adam and Wyatt are all trying to figure out who could have done such a horrible thing. To add to the tension, two local and well known girls are also kidnapped and haven’t been seen or heard from since.
As usual, Landry and Ms. Millie get into more precarious predicaments that will have you laughing out loud. Landry and Adam are trying to figure out just where their relationship is headed as the mayor insists that the town go ahead with their Fall Festival even though everyone is on edge about the crimes.
Come along as they follow the clues to figure out just what is going on.
This is the second book in A Bobwhite Mountain Cozy Mystery series. Book one is Inheriting Murder and is available on Amazon.
Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Cozy Mystery
Ms. Millie is hilarious! She is also my favorite character. I was laughing out loud so hard and often. The mystery was really good. Landry’s friend visits, Adam makes a move, there is a fair. A lot was happening in this book that had me turning pages. Ms Gillespie writes descriptions so well you can easily play it in your mind. I swear I could smell the funnel cakes and cotton candy! Speaking of food there are several recipes included that are easy to follow including one for a 3 ingredient pumpkin spice cookie.
For those who want to know:
This book does include mention of prayer and church but doesn’t preach at you. It is a cozy that is “clean” with no cussing, graphic violence or sex scenes.
Sharing is Caring Book Blog 