Review: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill is Julie Klassen's newest historical fiction book. It's also the start of a series! The book description from Klassen's website shares,

"The lifeblood of the village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. When the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant landlady. Jane has no idea how to manage a business. But with the town's livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must quickly find a way to save the inn."


At the end of the book, there was an author's note from Julie Klassen. She talked about her desire to write a novel in the style of a British television show. Think "Larkrise to Candleford" or "Cranford" from the BBC. After reading (and enjoying), The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, that is where my mind went when I finished the book. Well-written, Author Klassen! I think you succeeded in your writing goal. I felt like I was a part of the community and I wanted to know more about everyone in Ivy Hill. I am looking forward to the next installment of Tales from Ivy Hill. I also feel that this is a book I would read again.

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

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

Reviewed from a library copy.

Title: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill
Series: Book 1, Tales from Ivy Hill
Author: Julie Klassen
Release Date: December 6, 2016
ISBN: 9780764218132


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Review: Irish Meadows

Have you met Susan? Susan Anne Mason to be exact. Bethany House published a new series (and her first historical novel) called Courage to Dream. Book one is Irish Meadows.

Irish Meadows is a horse farm located on Long Island in New York. The O'Learys are raising horses, but times are hurting for their livelihood. The year is 1911 and an anti-gambling legislature is putting a damper on Mr. O'Leary's profits in horse racing and gambling that came from horse owners working with Irish Meadows. Mr. O'Leary is looking to remain solvent and keep his place in society. He's not above pressuring his daughters, Brianna and Colleen, as well as his "adopted" son, Gilbert Whelan to marry well. Brianna, Colleen, and Gilbert are not keen on the plans made for their lives, but how can they turn from the man who gave them everything?

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Once I began reading Irish Meadows, it was difficult to set it down! It was as gripping as one of my other favorite series, The Daughters of Boston by Julie Lessman. Similar themes include sibling relationships, love stories, Irish heritage, and faith. Lessman writes about Boston (and Ireland) and Mason writes about Long Island. If you enjoyed Julie's series, you'll enjoy Susan's Irish Meadows and visa verse.

If I could say one thing about Irish Meadows, it would be MORE! I could have read two or three more stories about all the characters in this book, but the story was nice and tight. For talking about four main characters, a "short" novel is quite impressive. Mason wrapped up many difficult story lines well. She does leave room for more stories from the O'Leary clan which I am eager to read. I've never been too much of a horse enthusiast and the balance between no horse information and too much horse information was just right.

Book two, A Worthy Heart, is set to come out in January 2016. I am looking forward to the next installment in the series Courage to Dream. I hope to read more about the entire O'Leary family, not just the rouge brother, Adam.

Time Period: Turn of the Century, 1911
Location: Long Island, New York, USA

Reviewed from a complimentary copy. Thank you, Susan Ann Mason and Bethany House!




Title: Irish Meadows
Author: Susan Anne Mason
Series: Book 01, Courage to Dream
ISBN: 9780764217241

Review: The Icecutter's Daughter

The Icecutter's Daughter by Tracie Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Merrill Krause promised her dying mother that she would watch over and care for her family. But her family doesn't know about her promise as her father tells her she needs to step down from the ice harvesting family business.
Rurik Jorgenson also made family promises. He moved to Merrill's town to help his uncle's carpentry business. He hopes to one day open his own shop, but he needs to care for family, before striking out on his own.

I forgot how much I enjoy Tracie Peterson's historical fiction stories. I fell in love with the character's occupations, talents, and family loyalties. It was a story I couldn't put down and wanted to share with others immediately. I'm looking forward to her next book in the Land of Shining Water series.

Time Period: 1800's
Location: Waseca, Minnesota, USA

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Bethany House Publishers!!