The Dress Shop on King Street

The Dress Shop on King Street

By Ashley Clark

The Story

Harper Dupree has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her how to sew. As Harper rethinks her own future, long-hidden secrets about Millie’s past are brought to light.

In 1946, Millie Middleton–the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman–boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.

Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston to find the man who may hold the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they’ve both dreamed of. But it’s not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.

(Back cover summary from Bethany House.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is such a fabulous debut novel. Ashley Clark has a beautiful writing style that is meant to be savored. Even so, it was all I could do not to rush through this book.

The slip-time elements of the story were really well done. Normally I prefer one storyline over the other, but I was equally intrigued by Harper and Millie’s stories. The racial elements that Clark tackles I thought were handled well. It was heartbreaking to read, particularly in light of the fact that for many—they were true. I loved reading about Millie and Franklin, they are such sweet characters, and I was in tears near the end of their story. Harper and her life is just as engaging and relatable as she struggled with unrealized dreams, and what it looks like for those dreams to change.

The faith element of the story is really well written, too. For Millie, it’s trusting in Jesus for safety and security and for her family and not trusting in her own strength. It’s realizing that God is good in a world that is often evil. And for Harper, it’s seeing that God takes it all, the broken dreams as well as the fulfilled ones, and fashions His plan in the midst of them.

This novel is full of heart and hard things, and I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much. It gives hope, even as it acknowledges the pain and injustices that happen in life. It was a great first book to kick off the New Year.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Author

Ashley Clark (www.ashleyclarkbooks.com) writes romantic women’s fiction set in the South. With a master’s degree in creative writing, Ashley teaches literature and writing courses at the University of West Florida. Ashley has been an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers for almost a decade. She lives with her husband, son, and two rescued Cocker Spaniels off Florida’s Gulf Coast. When she’s not writing, she’s rescuing stray animals, dreaming of Charleston, and drinking all the English breakfast tea she can get her hands on.

(Biography from Bethany House)

The Cul-de-Sac War

The Cul-de-Sac War

By Melissa Ferguson

The Story

All’s fair in love and prank wars.

Bree Leake doesn’t want to be tied down. She’s had more jobs than she can count, and she plans to move as soon as the curtains fall on her less-than-minor stage role at The Barter—the oldest live performance theater in the US. But just when it’s time to move on again, Bree’s parents make her an offer: hold steady for a full year, and they will give her the one thing she’s always wanted—her grandmother’s house. Her dreams are coming true . . . until life at the theater throws her some curve balls.

And then there’s Chip McBride—her handsome and infuriating next-door neighbor.

Chip just might be the only person whose stubborn streak can match Bree’s. She would move heaven and earth to have him off her cul-de-sac and out of her life, but according to the bargain she’s struck, she can’t move out of her house and away from the man who’s making her life miserable. So begins Bree’s obsessive new mission: to drive Chip out of the neighborhood—and fast.

Bree isn’t the only one who’s a tad competitive, and Chip is more than willing to fight fire with fire. But as their pranks escalate, the line between love and hate starts to blur—and their heated rivalry threatens to take a hilarious, heartwarming, and romantic new turn.

(Back cover summary from Thomas Nelson.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Cul-de-Sac War is another delightful read from Melissa Ferguson. She does such a great job of creating a hilarious premise and still infusing her story with heart as well.

This book brings back characters from her previous novel, which was really fun to see. I loved both Bree and Chip. They’re such interesting, funny characters, and every interaction between them is riveting. The secondary characters are also really compelling, even the dog. I read this book in record time because it was just so fun to read. I would certainly recommend it for those looking for a funny, light-hearted read that carries some depth along with it, during this holiday season.

Like her first book, The Cul-de-Sac War is more of a sweet romance than a strong Christian fiction title, but it did have hints of that faith element that I enjoyed and thought were very meaningful.

I thought it was really fun that Ferguson wrote about Abingdon, as I’ve driven through there before. After reading this novel, though, I think I’ll be needing to take a road trip to see more of the town for myself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Author

Melissa Ferguson lives in Tennessee, where she enjoys chasing her children and writing romantic comedies full of humor and heart. Her favorite hobby is taking friends and acquaintances and turning them into characters in her books without their knowledge. She is confident you should read all her novels, starting with this one. Connect with her (and prepare for the possibility of becoming her next character) at: Instagram: @melissafergusonauthor TikTok: @melissafergusonauthor Website: https://melissaferguson.com/ Facebook: AuthorMelissaFerguson”

(Biography from Thomas Nelson)

The Key to Love

The Key to Love

By Betsy St. Amant

The Story

Love doesn’t always look the way we expect

The only thing Bri Duval loves more than baking petit fours is romance. So much so that she’s created her own version of the famous Parisian love-lock wall at the bakery where she works in Story, Kansas. She never expects a video involving the wall to go viral–or for Trek Magazine to send travel writer Gerard Fortier to feature the bakery. He’s definitely handsome, but Bri has been holding out for an epic love story like the one her parents had–and that certainly will not include the love-scorning Gerard.

Just when it seems the Pastry Puff is poised for unprecedented success, a series of events threaten not just the bakery but the pedestal she’s kept her parents on all these years. Maybe Gerard is right about romance. Or maybe Bri’s recipe just needs to be tweaked.

(Back cover summary from Revell.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This was a delightful book. Betsy St. Amant’s writing style is fun but has a depth that digs to the heart of the issue. The comedic situations and writing reminded me of Jenny B. Jones, and instantly made me a lifelong fan.

I love how different these two characters are: Gerard the cynic and Bri with the rose-colored glasses. And yet, neither lives as a caricature. Betsy does a great job of slowly peeling back the layers of each throughout the story. The two clearly are evenly matched as they challenge the wrong thinking in each other, and the sparks that fly are so fun to read. I loved the secondary characters as well.

The faith element was also well done, as Betsy explored how easy it is to allow our identities to get wrapped up in the wrong things and how we can dress up our fears as something to be admired.

I really, really enjoyed this book. Everything about it felt fresh, fun, romantic, and insightful. I would heartily recommend it to anyone looking for any of those things.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Author

Betsy St. Amant is the author of more than 15 inspirational romances and a frequent contributor to iBelieve.com. She lives in north Louisiana with her husband, two daughters, a collection of Austen novels, and an impressive stash of pickle-flavored Pringles. When she’s not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white chocolate mocha–no whip. Learn more at www.betsystamant.com.

(Biography from Revell)

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus

The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus

By Jaime Jo Wright

The Story

Welcome to Bonaventure Circus,

where misfits go to hide.

In 1928, the Bonaventure Circus has become a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby and is no longer content to leave the reason for that rejection unquestioned. 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.

Decades later, an old circus train depot’s future hangs in the balance–it will either be torn down or preserved for historical importance, and its fate rests on Realtor Chandler Faulk’s shoulders. As she dives deep into the depot’s history, she’s also balancing a newly diagnosed disease and the pressures of single motherhood. When she discovers clues to unsolved murders of the past, Chandler is pulled into a story far darker and more haunting than even an abandoned train depot could portend.

(Back cover summary from Bethany House.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jaime’s stories just continue to get better and better. When I saw this book’s cover, I knew I needed to read it. In this case, judging a book by its cover worked out well for me.

I loved the split stories in this book. Jaime struck just the right balance as she told Pippa and Chandler’s stories. Pippa has never felt seen. She’s lived a quiet life of doing what she’s told and never feeling like she belongs or is viewed as a whole person. Chandler’s story looks at this same issue from a different angle—she hides her problems and issues that others could help her with, never really letting herself be truly seen. As their stories spin out and danger creeps ever closer, these two women make the hard decisions they need to, and it resonates. Nothing about their stories feels easy or simple, which is such a mirror of life.

I liked that there was a thread of romance throughout this book, though that wasn’t the main plot. The faith element is subtle, yet powerful. The mystery that follows the Watchman was so compelling that I couldn’t put the book down. It’s been a while since I stayed up late because I had to know how the story would end. So, well-done Jaime! The conclusion is alternately horrifying and satisfying. I know, a strange combination. Evil is unmasked, justice is meted out, and lives are brought to the conclusion the reader hopes for.

For fans of Jaime Jo Wright, this novel will meet their high expectations and exceed them. For others who perhaps have been on the fence on trying one of her stories, pick up this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Author

Jaime Jo Wright (www.jaimewrightbooks.com) is the author of five novels, including Christy Award winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She’s also the Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of two novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her cat named Foo; her husband, Cap’n Hook; and their littles, Peter Pan and CoCo. To learn more, visit www.jaimewrightbooks.com.

(Biography from Bethany House)

Stay With Me

Stay With Me

By Becky Wade

The Story

Loving her is a risk he can’t afford . . . and can’t resist.

When acclaimed Bible study author Genevieve Woodward receives an anonymous letter referencing her parents’ past, she returns to her hometown in the Blue Ridge Mountains to chase down her family’s secret. However, it’s Genevieve’s own secret that catches up to her when Sam Turner, owner of a historic farm, uncovers the source of shame she’s worked so hard to hide.

Sam has embraced his sorrow, his isolation, and his identity as an outsider. He’s spent years carving out both career success and peace of mind. The last thing he wants is to rent the cottage on his property to a woman whose struggles stir his worst failure back to life. Yet can he bear to turn her away right when she needs him most?

(Back cover summary from Bethany House.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I really loved this book. I so admire the courage Becky Wade had in tackling a subject like opioid addiction in a Contemporary Christian Romance and pulling it off in an authentic, raw way.

Genevieve is picture-perfect from the outside looking in, but not all is as it seems. And isn’t that the way with all of us? I loved the theme of breaking silence and letting people in to help us with our struggles and to hold us accountable. It’s such a valuable lesson, and so often hard learned.

Sam as well deals with the difficulty of hanging in there for people and allowing God to work in our weaknesses, when all we want to do is run away.

The themes of grace and truth walking hand in hand and God being present in our weaknesses are powerful in this book and ones that encouraged me personally.

Aside from that, this is a very entertaining book, with a mystery that I had to see to the end, and a romance that pulled me in.

Truthfully, I can say that this is one of the best books I’ve ever read by Becky Wade. Well done.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Author

Becky Wade (www.beckywade.com) is the 2018 Christy Award Book of the Year winner for True to You. She is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, then put her career on hold for several years to care for her children. When God called her back to writing, Becky knew He meant for her to turn her attention to Christian fiction. Her humorous, heart-pounding contemporary romance novels have won three Christy Awards, the Carol Award, the INSPY Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award for Romance. Becky lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband and three children.

(Biography from Bethany House)

Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish

Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish

By Bethany Turner

The Story

Get ready for a heaping helping of humor, romance, and second chances

Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show, To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel’s other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.

When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum and is sent packing, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public’s good graces is to work alongside Hadley. As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love.

In the meantime, hide the knives.

(Back cover summary from Revell.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love Bethany Turner’s writing style. It is so fun, and yet so honest and real. A perfectly blended combo that I cannot help returning to sample again and again.

I enjoy following Bethany on different social media sites, as she shares about the books she’s currently working on and the humor she finds in her negative book reviews. When she wrote about not liking Max Cavanagh at the beginning of writing this story, I wondered what she meant, but after reading this book, I understood. At the start of the story, Max is not a good guy. Not one that I would ever cheer for or desire to read more about. But as the book progressed, and he learned and grew and was transformed by receiving true forgiveness, he won me over. The way Bethany wrote his character transformation was so perfect and believable, that by the end, the guy I never could have cheered for at the beginning had also won my heart as completely as Hadley’s.

Hadley is such a great character too. She’s so Southern, but also so different from a stereotypical Southern character. I loved how these two complemented each other and the chemistry they had.

The whole idea of writing a story about tv personality chefs was fabulous, and kept me engaged for a solid two days as the story completely captured my attention to the very end. There were several times that I actually chuckled aloud—which I can count on one hand how many times a book has brought out that reaction.

The only thing I didn’t love about this book was that it didn’t seem to me to have much of a faith element. Not as far as transformation goes. Certainly Hadley lived a life that showed forgiveness, and Max experienced a transformation in his own life, but neither one of those seemed to have a solid connection to faith in a God who transforms.

So while I loved this book, I would have liked to see the author lean more into that piece. This is what I expect from Christian Fiction, and perhaps Bethany was looking to approach this in a more subtle way. For my own expectations and tastes, it just didn’t quite get there.

About the Author

Bethany Turner is the award-winning author of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and Wooing Cadie McCaffrey and the director of administration for Rock Springs Church in Southwest Colorado. A former bank executive and a three-time cancer survivor (all before she turned 35), Bethany knows that when God has plans for your life, it doesn’t matter what anyone else has to say. Because of that, she’s chosen to follow his call to write. She lives with her husband and their two sons in Colorado, where she writes for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight.

(Biography from Revell.)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Before I Called You Mine

Before I Called You Mine

By Nicole Deese

The Story

Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there’s only one match she’s committed to now–the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first-grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency’s requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery.

Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver.

With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart . . . even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.

(Back cover summary from Bethany House.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I loved this book. For so many different reasons. My first impression was that I was going to like this story a lot. The writing style was super fun, with clever dialogue and well-thought-out characters. The supporting characters also were really well fleshed out right from the beginning.

I really liked that Nicole Deese wrote this story with adoption at the heart. I’ve been around many families who have adopted or have fostered, and this book gave me just bit of a glimpse into that remarkable journey. I feel more honored to know those couples, individuals, and families than I did before, because of the perspective this book gave me.

Lauren really faces an impossible choice, and she reacts to that in ways that I can certainly relate to. I liked that she was far from perfect. She was just as human as I am, so it was all the sweeter to see her redemption story play out as she trusted the Lord with her whole future.

The only thing I would have liked to see added was if she had written Joshua’s point of view.

The Lord used this novel to work on my own heart. Areas where I needed to trust Him more were exposed, and I was challenged by the story in ways that I didn’t expect. So thank, Nicole, for writing so honestly and authentically. It’s made a difference in my life.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Not only did it entertain, but it also asks the hard questions and the reader cannot help but answer those for themselves.

About the Author

Nicole Deese’s (www.nicoledeese.com) eight humorous, heartfelt, and hope-filled novels include the 2017 Carol Award-winning A Season to Love. Her 2018 release, A New Shade of Summer, was a finalist in the RITA Awards, Carol Awards, and INSPY Awards. Both of these books are from her bestselling Love in Lenox series. When she’s not working on her next contemporary romance, she can usually be found reading one by a window overlooking the inspiring beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She lives in small-town Idaho with her happily-ever-after hubby, two rambunctious sons, and princess daughter with the heart of a warrior.

(Biography from Bethany House)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Happy Camper

The Happy Camper

By Melody Carlson

The Story

Home is the place to heal . . . right?

At least, that’s what Dillon Michaels is hoping as she leaves her disappointing career and nonstarter love life behind to help her grieving and aging grandfather on his small Oregon farm. The only problem? Her eccentric mother beat her there and has taken over Dillon’s old room. After a few nights of sleeping on a sagging sofa, Dillon is ready to give up, until she receives an unlikely gift–her grandfather’s run-down vintage camp trailer, which she quickly resolves to restore with the help of Jordan Atwood, the handsome owner of the local hardware store.

But just when things are finally beginning to run smoothly, Dillon’s noncommittal ex-boyfriend shows up with roses . . . and a ring.

(Back cover summary from Revell.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Happy Camper was a sweet story, with flavors of family and small-town life sprinkled throughout. It was a good read when I was looking to just kick back and relax.

For the more serious reader, though, this book came up a little lacking. The characters didn’t feel very developed, and for a lot of the book, there didn’t seem to be much of a discernable plot. The faith element didn’t feel very authentic, and the end of the book didn’t seem believable to me.

I did enjoy the trailer part of the book. That was different and interesting, and made me want to find a vintage trailer to fix up for myself—for a minute at least. 😉

If you’re looking for a light read that will help you relax, The Happy Camper will achieve that for you.

About the Author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over 200 books with sales of more than 7 million, including many bestselling Christmas novellas, young adult titles, and contemporary romances. She received a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including Finding Alice. She and her husband live in central Oregon. Learn more at www.melodycarlson.com.

(Biography from Revell)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

More Than We Remember

More Than We Remember

By Christina Suzann Nelson

The Story

One night changes everything. . . .

When Addison Kilbourn’s husband is involved in a car accident that leaves a woman dead, her perfectly constructed life crumbles apart. With her husband’s memory of that night gone and the revelation of a potentially life-altering secret, Addison has to reevaluate all she thought she knew.

Emilia Cruz is a deputy bearing a heavy burden far beyond the weight of her job. After a traumatic brain injury, her husband is no longer the man she married, and Emilia’s determined to prevent others from facing the same hardship. When she’s called to the scene of an accident pointing to everything she’s fighting against, she’s determined to see justice for those wronged.

Brianne Demanno is hiding from reality. She once thrived as a counselor, but when tragedy struck a beloved client, she lost faith in herself and her purpose. When her neighbors, the Kilbourns, are thrown into crisis, Brianne’s solitary life is disrupted and she finds herself needed in a way she hasn’t been for too long.

As the lives of these women intersect, they can no longer dwell in the memory of who they’ve been. Can they rise from the wreck of the worst moments of their lives to become who they were meant to be?

(Back cover summary from Bethany House)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Women’s Fiction isn’t my go-to genre, but when I read the premise of this book, I thought I would give it a try. I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected.

I really liked the threads that wove these three women together. Though they are all very different, with varying backgrounds and goals, they are also undeniably connected. The struggles each one faced, whether it was family, past mistakes, or present pain, all felt very real, and I think any reader would find a place to relate.

The lost memories and the mystery that surrounds that helps to keep the plot moving forward. But even without that, the characters in this book were compelling enough to keep me reading.

There was a small romance plot throughout the book, that I also liked.

I knew by the nature of the book, that it wouldn’t have a neat, all-tied-up-in-a-bow ending, because that’s not how life works. But I really did love how the author resolved things.

About the Author

CBA bestselling author Christina Suzann Nelson (www.christinasuzannnelson.com) writes stories that focus on changing legacies from dysfunction to hope. Her first novel, If We Make It Home, was named a Library Journal Best Book of 2017 and a Foreword INDIES 2017 Book of the Year. Christina is a part of Oregon Christian Writers and a member of ACFW, where she has served as the northwest zone director. She lives in Oregon’s gorgeous Willamette Valley with her husband of 26 years and their children.

(Biography from Bethany House)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

If for Any Reason

If for Any Reason

By Courtney Walsh

The Story

Emily Ackerman has traveled the world, her constant compass and companion a book of letters her mother left for her when she died. With no father in the picture, her mom’s advice has been her only true north. But when professional failure leads Emily back to Nantucket to renovate and sell the family cottage she inherited, she wonders if her mom left advice to cover this . . . especially when her grandmother arrives to “supervise.” And especially when her heart becomes entangled with Hollis McGuire, the boy next door–turned–baseball star who’s back on the island after a career-ending injury.

As sparks fly between her and Hollis, Emily is drawn to island life, even as she uncovers shocking secrets about the tragic accident that led to her mother’s death. With her world turned upside down, Emily must choose between allowing the voices from her past to guide her future or forging her own path forward.

(Back cover summary from Tyndale)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love everything that Courtney Walsh writes. And seriously, that’s no exaggeration. Her latest novel, If for Any Reason once again hit if out of the park for me.

I enjoyed the uniqueness of the letters Emily has from her mom. And how her perspective on those changes throughout the book. It was a sweet idea, and one that really kept me engaged.

Each of the characters in this novel were unique and multi-faceted. Some I liked more than others, as they were designed to be, but I liked how each one had their own flaws.

The faith element in If for Any Reason is subtle, and honestly, I would have liked to see it developed just a little more, but it still struck a meaningful chord for me.

If for Any Reason is an emotional, authentic, and meaningful novel, and one that I could see myself picking up again. Highly recommend.

About the Author

Courtney Walsh is the author of Just Look Up, Just Let Go, Paper Hearts, Change of Heart, and the Sweethaven series. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller and a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. In addition, she has written two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she is also an artist, theater director, and playwright.Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.

(Biography from Tyndale)

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.