Review: A Loyal Heart

A Loyal Heart is Jody Hedlund's four title in her medieval series, An Uncertain Choice. As with her previous stories, it was full of action from beginning to end. The series has ties to her previous books, An Uncertain Choice, A Daring Sacrifice, and For Love and Honor, but it can also be read by itself without previously reading the series. (I would recommend reading the previous titles, because they are so good!)

Her newest YA novel features Aldric, the brother of Sir Bennett from A Loyal Heart. He has been working to rebuild his life after the loss of his wife. He is under the command of Lord Pitt, who sends him to besiege Lady Olivia's castle. Olivia's father and Lord Pitt are enemies, but it goes further than that with a battle of beliefs and loyalty to family, kingdom, and the Lord.

Hedlund captured my attention from chapter one. It was hard to set A Loyal Heart down. I wanted to read it in one sitting! I did forget that this series rotates point of view between characters - one chapter is Aldric's and another chapter is Olivia's. I'm glad Hedlund kept the format she began with book one, An Uncertain Choice. It was an excellent read. I can't wait for her next book. I'm not sure if another story will be added to An Uncertain Choice series, but she has written other amazing stories. I would highly recommend diving into another series, if you haven't picked one up yet!

Reviewed from a review copy.

If you'd like to connect with Jody Hedlund, here's a few places you can connect with her:

Facebook : Author Jody Hedlund
Twitter : @JodyHedlund
Website : jodyhedlund.com
Pinterest : pinterest.com/jodyhedlund
Instagram: @JodyHedlund

Title: A Loyal Heart
Author: Jody Hedlund
Series: Book 04, An Uncertain Choice
ASIN: B0797F1YZC

Review: Daisy Cakes Bakes

One of Kim Nelson's claim to fame is her appearance on ABC's Shark Tank with her baked goods. I honestly had no idea. I picked up this book because this month (March) has Pi Day in it and the cover looked lovely.

The photographs and text layout in the book are well done. Nelson includes recipes on cakes, cupcakes, cookies, bars, confections, frosting, fillings, sauces, pies, fritters, ice creams and puddings. She also includes hints, recipe variations, and recipe pairings. The binding on this book works very well - it remains open when you're looking at a recipe! One cool recipe that I will highlight is "Make Your Own Pan Grease." Why buy a can of spray oil when you can whisk some up at home? Thanks, Kim Nelson for sharing your love of cooking, a little piece of your family history, and sweet treats!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review.

Title: Daisy Cakes Bakes
Author: Kim Nelson
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
ISBN: 9780451499417

Review: The Ladies of Ivy Cottage

The Ladies of Ivy Cottage is the second installment in Julie Klassen's series Tales from Ivy Hill. If you are picking up this book before reading book one, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, I would recommend setting it down and getting your hands on the first installment. The story's focus shifts from the The Bell Inn to Ivy Cottage. The characters of Ivy Hill appear in both books and it's a story worth savoring.

I took my time reading this book. I didn't want it to end and I wanted to follow all the characters and their lives in the book. The characters from book one appear in book two with new people arriving in Ivy Hill. Perhaps not new the town, but new to the main characters in the story. Mysteries arrive with some being solved and others remaining unsolved. Klassen kept the feel of an excellent BBC or PBS television show well. Every chapter felt like an episode. I want to re-read this book all ready and I cannot wait for book three, The Bride of Ivy Green, which is coming out in December 2018.


For additional information about the series, Tales from Ivy Hill, visit the website.

Time Period: 18oo's
Location: Ivy Hill, England





Reviewed from an author gift copy. Thank you, Julie Klassen!!

Title: The Ladies of Ivy Cottage
Series: Book 2, Tales from Ivy Hill
Author: Julie Klassen
Release Date: December 5, 2017
ISBN: 9780764218156