All’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

Two workplace rivals. One festive competition. And a romance that upends it all.

Every December two things are guaranteed for graphic designer Mackenzie Graham--Christmas celebrations and the annual promotion at her workplace. Those two things are by no means mutually exclusive. In fact, the better an employee is at harnessing the Christmas spirit, the more likely they'll win the new job. With her social anxiety, Mackenzie never thought she'd be a contender in her company's holiday competition, so how exactly has she found herself dueling her workplace crush with wrapping paper tubes and using tinsel as her weapon of choice for a much-needed raise?

Jeremy Fletcher's life is meticulously planned out, including how to win this year's promotion at work. Not only will the new position fulfill some of his career goals, but as a single guardian to his twin niece and nephew, he needs the salary increase to support his family. Jeremy has barely noticed Mackenzie Graham around the office, but now that she's his rival, he can't stop thinking about her. Her quirkiness intrigues him, and he's afraid that if he can't get his head on straight, the promotion isn't the only thing he'll end up losing to Mackenzie.

"Inspirational rom-com readers are going to love this one." --BETHANY TURNER, bestselling author of The Do-Over

Papaerback, 256 pages

Published September 5, 2023 

by Bethany House Publishers

4/5 stars

This was my first time reading a Sarah Monzon. It’s only been in the past few years that I’ve added Christmas stories to my fall reading schedule. This year I am aiming for one a month for rest of the year.

All's Fair in Love and Christmas is a story about a young woman named McKenzie. She suffers from social anxiety. Add Jeremy who is the opposite has every intention of winning a promotion that both are vying for.

This was a fun read and great for getting into the Christmas spirit. Touching on various Christmas traditions, along with some humor and some romance this story also centered around faith.

Like I said, this is a new author for me I enjoyed her writing style, how they characters were authentic, both had issues that were real and relatable that made this story all the more endearing.

I am a hard cell when it comes to rom/com in general but this Christmas rom/com ticked off all the boxes for me with the added dimension of faith playing a central part. Definitely an author I will be on the lookout for future reads.

My thanks to Graf-Martin Communications for a print copy in exchange for a honest review.

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

In 2012, art historian Gwen Monroe travels to England's Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she becomes acquainted with David Bradley--the owner's handsome grandson--who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a bed-and-breakfast. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd's staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she uncovers a connection to the father she never knew.

In 1912, after her father's death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte's grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.

Two women a century apart are taken on a journey to healing, faith, and forgiveness in this heartfelt dual-time Edwardian romance from bestselling author Carrie Turansky.

Paperback, 368 pages

Published September 26, 2023 

by Bethany House Publishers

4/5 stars

I will confess that it was the cover that drew me to this book, along with the secret diary and dual time period story. Both are a couple of my favourite reads.

Taking place first in 2012 as antiques appraiser Gwen travels to Longdale Manor.  It's there that she finds a 100 year old journal, which gives clues that point to a connection to her own past. In 1912 Charlotte begins writing in this journal and tells of her family's painful secrets.

The Legacy of Longdale Manor is a story of two women, a century apart with similar journeys. Each time period has its own secrets, faith journeys, and mystery, as well as some romance. This is my first time reading a Carrie Turansky novel. It’s a well written story about shattered faith and reconciliation, challenges, as well as healing and forgiveness. It was an entertaining, feel good read. I am glad that I took the chance on a new author and will definitely be on the lookout for more of her works.

My thanks to Graf-Martin Communication for a print copy in exchange for a honest review.

The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck

Twenty years ago, the summer of '77 was supposed to be the best summer of Summer Wilde's life. She and her best friends, Spring, Autumn, and Snow--the Four Seasons--had big plans.

But those plans never had a chance. After a teenage prank gone awry, the Seasons found themselves on a bus to Tumbleweed, "Nowhere," Oklahoma, to spend eight weeks as camp counselors. All four of them arrived with hidden secrets and buried fears, and the events that unfolded in those two months forever altered their friendships, their lives, and their futures.

Now, thirtysomething, Summer is at a crossroads. When her latest girl band leaves her in a motel outside Tulsa, she is forced to face the shadows of her past. Returning to the place where everything changed, she soon learns Tumbleweed is more than a town she never wanted to see again. It's a place for healing, for reconciling the past with the present, and for finally listening to love's voice.

Paperback, 384 pages

Published June 27, 2023 

by Bethany House Publishers

3.5/5 stars

I have read a number of Rachel Hauck books over the years, which I have really enjoyed. This her latest is the story of four friends, known as the Four Seasons, since each name a season.

The story weaves between 1977 and 1997. In 1977 the story is told of that fateful summer that was suppose to be the best summer of their lives.

There are alternating points of view, but the majority is taken with Summer and her life both before and after those 20 years. This book gave off a different vibe then other Hauck's previous novels. I found the story and their friendship interesting but the names well, unique, I found distracting.  There was a lot to keep straight with that many main players. It was a summer of drama and given that they were teenagers it makes sense that their decisions were immature with some parts being frustrating.

The Best Summer of Our Lives is a story of friendship, family, first loves and secrets.  Though ultimately it is about healing and discovering what really matters. This is Christian fiction which played out nicely here with redemption and restoration.

I enjoyed the 1977 time period, it was a trip down memory lane for me.  I loved how each chapter was named after a popular song. The author weaved in a little bit of real historical events into the narrative and giving names to those taken too soon - nice.

All in all while this isn’t my favorite Rachel Hauck book it was entertaining and one I will recommend to our church library.

My thanks to Graf-Martin Communication for a print copy in exchange for a honest review.

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

An impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European Front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn't be more different--a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they share more in common with each other than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.

Paperback, 400 pages

Published November 15th 2022

by Bethany House Publishers

4/5 stars

One of my last reads of 2022,  new to me author Amy Lynn Green writes about a small town during WW2.

This story begins with Avis as her brother goes off to fight in the war. He asks her to be head librarian in his absence, which is iconic as she isn't a reader.  Then she goes that extra step and creates a book club. What a follows is a group of characters from different walks of life coming together. 

There are a number of different povs here, each one with a story, secrets and personal conflicts.  The narrative switched smoothly, making them all likeable and endearing. The historical part played out nicely, educational in terms of what happened along the coast of US during the war.  

The Blackout Book Club is a story of friendship, books and self discovery.  It was well written with some mystery, intrigue and bookish.  The book club notes were a nice touch and yes it did cause me to purchase a couple and increased my tbr pile.

Definitely a book that will appeal to those that like bookish themed stories, historical fiction involving women and their roles during this time.

My thanks to Graf-Martin Communication for a print copy in exchange for a honest review.

The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

Two women, separated by time, must confront a wickedness that not only challenges who they are but also threatens their lives, and the lives of those they love.

Wren Blythe has long enjoyed being among the Northwoods, h
elping her father with programming at a youth camp. But when a little girl in the area goes missing, an all-out search ensues, reviving the decades-old campfire story of Ava Coons, the murderess, who still roams the woods. Joining the search, Wren stumbles upon the Coons cabin ruins and a rotting porcelain doll. But even more terrifying is seeing her name etched on the doll's foot like a sinister omen.

In 1930, Ava Coons has spent the last ten years carrying the mantle of mystery since she emerged from the forest as an eight-year-old girl, spattered with blood, dragging a logger's axe. She has accepted she'll never remember what happened to her family. When a member of the town of Tempter's Creek is murdered, rumors spread that Ava's secret is more malicious than previously imagined.

Both women discover that to save the innocent, they must face an insidious evil.

Kindle, 352 pages

Expected publication April 5, 2022

by Bethany House

5/5 stars

Jaime Jo Wright has been a favourite since reading her first book, The House on Foster Hill.
This her new book The Souls of Lost Lake releases next week.

I have yet to be disappointed with any of her books and this book is no exception. Told in my favourite format - dual time period between Ava and Wren. One can’t help feeling sorry for young Ava, losing her whole family and still having suspicion thrown at her.

Ava is only 8 years old when she walks out of the forest covered in blood and her family is no where to be found. What follows 10 years later forces her to face that night over again and deal with the consequences, even when she can’t remember it.

Something isn’t quite right in the various relationships Wren has, she is searching but not sure for what. I loved being there to watch her journey, whether following her gut instinct regarding the lost girl or her search for belonging.

This book seamlessly wove back and forth in time with that mysterious, suspenseful vibe I love. A nice variety of characters , the scenery has me not venturing into the woods by myself anytime soon.
The plot was intriguing and kept me on my toes, lots of twists and turns and with an ending I loved.

This is another example why Jaime Jo Wright is one of my favourite authors. Plus let’s just pause to look at that cover! The perfect invitation to be read.

My thanks to Bethany House (via Netgalley) for this eARC in exchange for a honest review.

Review: The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright

1928

The Bonaventure Circus is a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby. When she receives mysterious messages from someone called the "Watchman," she is determined to find him and the connection to her birth. As Pippa's search leads her to a man seeking justice for his murdered sister and evidence that a serial killer has been haunting the circus train, she must decide if uncovering her roots is worth putting herself directly in the path of the killer.

Present Day

The old circus train depot will either be torn down or preserved for historical importance, and its future rests on real estate project manager Chandler Faulk's shoulders. As she dives deep into the depot's history, she's also balancing a newly diagnosed autoimmune disease and the pressures of single motherhood. When she discovers clues to the unsolved murders of the past, Chandler is pulled into a story far darker and more haunting than even an abandoned train depot could portend.

Kindle Edition

Bethany House

Expected publication: September 1st 2020

4/5 stars

I have been a big fan of Jaime Jo Wright every since reading her debut The House on Foster Hill. She writes dual time period story’s that don’t just have a great mystery but tackles issues that are relevant and usually affects me on a personal level.

The Haunting of Bonaventure Circus is no exception. I’ll confess that circus books are not my thing but because of who penned this one I dove right in. Between the 1928 story line and present day this is a book about courage, of taking a stand but also having the courage to accept assistance.

There is everything that makes for a great mystery - unsolved murder, an old haunted train depot, secrets disappearances and suspicious characters, including a serial killer. All in Jaime Jo Wright fashion everything clicks into place with a satisfying conclusion.

Anyone who loves a good mystery should give her a try. This is what I call Christian Fiction at it’s finest, meaning it isn’t overly preachy but the message of faith, love and finding acceptance is predominant.

“Remember, what to us seems like God’s biggest errors, to Him they are His largest promises.”

My thanks to Bethany House (via Netgalley) for an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.