Come Tomorrow

By

Tess Thompson

"To love someone as much as they love each other is a great gift. Even when parted, the love remains." This is such a profound quote from Come Tomorrow that perfectly describes true love in the story. Tess Thompson has brought another heartwarming, tear jerking, all over the emotional spectrum novel in my favorite genre, historical fiction. She has such a talent to draw the reader right into the story from the first paragraph and doesn't let them go until the touching last page. Come Tomorrow is such a feel-good story and what an amazing beginning to a Christmas holiday series.

I love Tess Thompson's characters. Wesley, Luci and Sadie were so easy to connect to and become a part of the story with them. At the beginning of the story my emotions were pulled to tears and my heart broke for them. Ms. Thompson's main characters are so endearing and they wrapped themselves around my heart in ways that made me feel the emotions they were going through. Even Atlas/Gus, the faithful and loyal dog, pulled my heartstrings. She creates word stories in her books. Stories that draw you in and make you feel. She puts the reader into the lives of her characters in such a deep and involved way that you fall in love with them completely.

The story of Luci and Wesley brings with it unexpected surprises, drama, heartbreak and doubts. It's also filled with hope, love, and forgiveness. Ms. Thompson's writing brings all these things together with her storytelling talent in a book I couldn't put down. Her stories are from her heart, filled with scenes that are written with details that create perfect images in my mind. I was 100% into this book and couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read the next book in this exciting new Castaway series. What an excellent beginning novel.

I loved going to the little town of Castaway with these characters and spending time there. The magic of the snow globe and meaning was so touching. I highly recommend shaking the "snow globe" of the pages in this novel and be mesmerized by the story that settles into your heart.

I want to thank Ms. Thompson for the privilege and honor of reading another superb book. I loved it! All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own.

 

The Irish Storm

By

J. Walter Ring

There is so much to why I love historical fiction and The Irish Storm is one more reason I do. I learn so much about a time gone by in the details written into a novel and Mr. Ring has given great attention to details in this book. It starts out with an engrossing and intense first chapter. The action never stops throughout the book. The story is based on Mr. Ring's own Irish heritage and adds to the fascination of the historic facts.

This novel is highly researched and the characters are intricately developed. As the story starts out with Sergeant Emerson "Bud" Ryan in the trenches of Ronssay, France, I was pulled into the setting and experience of being in a war trench. It was brutal and harsh in those conditions. Mr. Ring puts the reader right into the scenes. He also has great dialogue between the characters that drew me into their inner turmoils, feelings, and gut wrenching choices.
I can't imagine how difficult it would have been to choose between family and country. He weaves in a love story that makes the novel even more heart wrenching but humanistic.

My husband and I both read the book. We found it rich in history, rich in character connection and development, and rich in how much people will sacrifice for their country and families. We are so grateful and honored to have read this impressive story from Mr. Ring's own family history. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own. 

                                         Goodbye, Orchid

By

Carol VanDenHende

When I open a novel and the first pages are a "gotcha" like the pages of Goodbye, Orchid, I know I'm in for an exceptional read. Oh, my gosh! Is this ever one of those books! I have a book hangover from such an amazing story written with intricate details and emotional passages that took my heart and tore it to pieces. I find myself almost speechless trying to form words for a review. Wow! How Ms. VanDenHende took me into the emotional depths of her characters is beyond description. This is the story of Phoenix and Orchid. Perfect and ambitious Phoenix. Gentle and sweet Orchid. Just like the beautiful cover of this book and the shattering orchid, would these characters lives break into pieces and will they find a way to put their lives back together? I couldn't tear myself away from the pages. This was more than a casual read, this was an experience. One that touched me so deeply and even personally.

There are no guarantees in life and in an instant, everything can change. Phoenix's life is forever changed because of a devastating accident. The trauma he experiences is brutal physically and emotionally. What Ms. VanDenHende created in this story is a masterpiece in human resilience. It's not easy, pretty or quick. Sometimes deep and dark. But it's possible to rise from the ashes. She masterfully and meticulously takes the reader into the depths of Phoenix's recovery and his feelings for Orchid, through various stages. Not only the physical but the mental stages as well. There are so many emotions that were pulled out of me through her characters. Each character written with purpose and depth. I'm in awe of her talent and her exceptional ability to put me in the pages like she did. I especially appreciate her compassion for what these traumatic injuries do to people. This is a story that will be in my heart for a very long time.

This is an amazing read! My review is so inadequate for how powerful and emotional this book is. It was unputdownable from the first compelling page to the last touching words. Yes, Phoenix and Orchid expanded my heart. I want to thank Ms. VanDenHende for the honor of reading her story that so sincerly came from her heart and from the inspiration of combat wounded veterans. This is an extraordinary novel! One of the best I've read this year. It's so worth much more than five stars! This is my honest and heartfelt review of a book that ranks as one of my top 5 this year.

 

The Book of CarolSue

By

Lynne Hugo

"There's an upside and a downside to every way of life. It was the downside of this life that I hadn't missed when I was in Atlanta." (CarolSue)

This book had my emotions jumping all over the place. What a heart tugging story of a family that drew me in from the first page. I haven't read the first book "The Testament of Harold's Wife" but I had no problem finding myself lost in the pages of this book and not feeling confused in the least bit. Ms. Hugo wove CarolSue's story with finesse, humor, heartbreak, and lots of family drama. CarolSue finds herself living with her best friend and sister, Louisa, back on the home farm in Indiana after her beloved husband, Charlie dies. This isn't what she expected at this stage in her life. How does she cope and what purpose will she have in this animal menagerie with family and friends that are off the "normal" chart?

Ms. Hugo has crafted her characters with amazing detail. Each one is as individual and unique as any I've read. They are written with deep convictions and emotions. I couldn't help but feel for them as the story evolved. She writes them into a story that is dramatic yet her humor lightens the seriousnesses. She places the characters in scenarios that are relevant to the times but she does it with sensitivity. I had my heart yanked apart at certain places in the book and yearned for a resolution that was satisfying to the characters and for me. Then there were scenes that I laughed out loud. Especially at the sarcastic lines. This story is filled with so much that made it a great read....like a Glitter Jesus, afternoon "napping", a baby that is missing a mother, and the "Plan" are among a few of them.

There are also profound lines that perfectly blend with the story and will stick with me for a long time. They made me think but also touched me with the insightful meanings.
"Isn't it strange how we think one thing is going to happen and then something so utterly different happens? Inside we are so disappointed and have no idea that life might just have handed us a huge gift. And it's so difficult to remember to be open to that possibility, isn't it? Because we never know when that might be the case."
"....love isn't measured in length of time, but in tenderness and gratitude."

This is a story of a famly's love for each other. Through the thick and thin of life's challenges, they stick together. It's not always pretty but it's the right thing to do. This was a great getaway read for me. I want to thank Ms. Hugo for the privilege of reading her very entertaining story. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own.

                          Christmas Rings

By

Tess Thompson

What a great premise and collaboration of these authors to create this Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge series.  Knowing the work of the authors involved in this collection, it is no doubt a heartwarming, emotional escape with the characters in the stories.  Christmas Rings is Tess Thompson's Cedar Mountain Lodge series contribution.  Her superb hometown, storytelling talent shines through in this sweet novella.  This is Alissa and Jed's story.   

Alissa and Jed. Two people from totally different walks of life.  Two people who have a chemistry and attraction despite those differences.   Alissa is a kindergarten teacher by day.  She loves what she does and she has a heart for the children but she needs to supplement her income so she moonlights at a gentlemen's club as a cocktail waitress.   Enter Jed Marsh.

Jed is the son of  Marsh Vodka magnate owners and the business is soon to be passed down to him.  His parents are controlling and no woman has ever been "good enough"  for their son.  How in the world will Alissa ever be accepted?   His heart is totally devoted to Alissa but at what cost?   

I love Tess Thompson's characters.  They are so easily to connect with and to become a part of the story.  Every single character is filled with emotions and stories that pull at my mine. The emotions are there from the amazing way Tess Thompson creates word stories in her books. Stories that draw you in and make you feel a part of them. She puts the reader into the lives of her characters in such a deep and involved way that you can't help but become a part of them. 

Ms. Thompson pulls her readers in and makes them feel the emotions throughout her books.  Christmas Rings is a tender love story that made me yearn for the HEA for Alissa and Jed.  The supporting cast of characters are perfectly entwined around Alissa and Jed's story.  This is such a sweet novella and I enjoyed every page from the front cover to the back.  I especially appreciated her dedication to sisters.   We have bonds through family and bonds through people who are our chosen families.  Love can overcome.   

I want to thank Ms. Thompson for the honor and privilege of reading another one of her amazing books.  It is a great read and touched my heart.   Thank you!  All opinions and thoughts in this review are my heartfelt own.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                 Blue String

By

Tess Thompson

Blue String starts out with a gut-wrenching first chapter. I was drawn into the world of Teagan and Wyatt immediately! The sparks, the chemistry, the attraction, the pure romance of a Tess Thompson novel is "strung" throughout the pages of this book. Ms. Thompson adds characters that bring out emotional feelings that grab hold and I can't help but fall in love with them. She places them in situations that draw on my every desire to see them overcome and find their HEA through determination and strong relationships between the characters.

This is the love story of Teagan and Wyatt. Teagan is the youngest of the Lanigan clan and the most fiesty. She's a redhead with a temper but I couldn't help loving her. She is such a loving mom to her son, Chris, and she wants him to have a wholesome and secure childhood growing up. She puts her career on hold and they move back to her roots and family in Peregine, Idaho. A small hometown that is the perfect place to raise her son with uncles, aunts, and a mother she's a bit disconnected with. (This makes an interesting element to the story.) A place where loyalties, traditions, and a slower pace abound. It's also where she's retreated after a passionate, non-committed relationship with country super star Wyatt Black. "Never in my life had I been as drawn to a man, both physically and mentally. Which was exactly the problem."

Wyatt Black has been through a life-changing, traumatic event. It's left him broken and devastated for the families and people it affected. His creativity and drive are nonexistent and he can't get into his singing and writing music with the horrors that invade his mind. The only thing he thinks about is Teagan and what they had together. She's his hope. She's the love of his life and he is bound and determined to prove to Teagan she's the only one for him.

Tess Thompson has a talent for writing stories that are from her heart. Every single character is filled with emotions and stories that pull at my mine. The emotions are there from the amazing way Tess Thompson creates word stories in her books. Stories that draw you in and make you feel a part of them. She puts the reader into the lives of her characters in such a deep and involved way that you can't help but become a part of them. Then she places them in settings that I just want to close my eyes and step into. Blue String is another fantastic read by the super talented Tess Thompson. I loved reading Teagan's and Wyatt's story.

Thank you, Tess Thompson, for the wonderful read and the story of Teagan and Wyatt. The entire series has been a journey with a family I loved spending time with. A great ending to a great series. My heart is happy! All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own.

The Girl in the Saffron Espadrilles

By

G. C. Allen

G. C. Allen's spectacular talent shines bright in Book 5 of the Lorriaine Innis series, The Girl in the Saffron Espadrilles. I have become such a huge fan of this series and of G. C. Allen! There is no doubt in my mind that when I open the pages of the next book in the series, I'm going to have another unexpected, wild and crazy, twisted and turning, highs and lows, emotional rollercoaster of an adventure with Lorriane Innis and the unique characters G. C. Allen has crafted with such great care. Each one's individualities are like none other. Just like in the novels and how Lorraine Innis has become a phenom in the series, she has become one for me, too. From cover to cover, this story is a jam-packed, non-stop series of events that are unpredictable and surprising. It's a "hold on and don't let go" as G. C. Allen takes us on the continuing back story of Chesney and Valerie and just how they become involved with each other. It's a deeper understanding as to the people they have become because of the events that have shaped their lives.

G.C. Allen begins to pull Chesney and Valerie's parallel stories together and we finally meet Martina Fergus...the nicest person ever. She's full of tenderness and compassion. The reason we have a Lorraine Innis. Lorraine's mission is to find justice for Martina and this book tells us why. The three character's stories become entwined with each other in insanely humorous, entertaining, witty, and sometimes gut wrenchingly raw emotional scenes. I went through so many emotions from laughing out loud, a LOT, to crying my eyes out. G.C. Allen writes intricate passages that blew my mind many times. She's a storyteller extraordinaire!

The entire cast of characters bring the whole wild story together. I love the characters in these books. They are some of the most outrageous and unforgettable of any I've ever encountered! Characters with names that had me ROFLing, ones who make me cringe and ones I love like family. Their escapades, capers, stunts and situations are astounding at times. Just imagine scenes that involve a book club, a class reunion, a giant squid, a traffic stop, a Donny Osmond event and many, many more that keep this story action packed and never a dull moment!

The background stage has been set, Lorraine is still on her "mission" and Valerie still doesn't know what Peter Liverot told Lorraine....I can't wait to find out where the story goes next in The Girl in the Blood Red Stilettos!

I have said this before and I really feel strongly about saying it again. I enjoy G.C. Allen's writing style and how it makes me feel. It's a feel good kind of read that goes in so many unexpected ways. Books 4 and 5 are a bit different from the first three in that I had some very deep emotions from the characters. For me it's a great author who can draw that kind of emotion out of me. G.C. Allen has this gift.

There is so much in these books that I can't begin to express how much I really hope other readers open up the series and are pulled into the world of Lorraine Innis. I am so totally glad that I did. I highly recommend this series. I'm definitely the kind of a girl who loves Lorraine Innis and G. C. Allen. This book is another unputdownable, can't turn the pages fast enough, read!

I want to gratefully express my thanks to G.C. Allen for the honor and privilege of reading this fantastic novel. Words are inadequate for what it means to be a part of this adventure. This is a five star and beyond read for me. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my heartfelt own.