Review: Truth Be Told

Truth Be Told by Carol Cox


Amelia Wagner looks forward to spending the summer in Granite Springs. Her father lives there and operates the small town's newspaper. She reunites with her father, but quickly needs to say goodbye to the man she loves and admires. Instead of working side-by-side over the summer, Amelia takes up the reins of the newspaper. She wants to follow in her father's footsteps and only print the truth because "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," but uncovering the truth in stories is not always an easy task.

One of her late father's leads was focused on a new business in town, the Great Western Investment Company. A young man, Ben Stone, works for the company and his actions convey his intent of honesty and caring, but his boss and colleagues smile and evade direct questions. Something is happening and Amelia is determined to find the truth and share it with the citizens of Granite Springs. The truth could shed light on the prosperity of the town, but at what cost to the paper and the paper's employees?

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Carol Cox returns to write another standalone novel set in historic Arizona Territory. Her previous Arizona standalone titles include Love in Disguise and Trouble in Store. The book trio is reminiscent of Tracie Peterson's Land of Shining Waters series. Both series are wonderful. I enjoyed that each novel was a standalone and the ties that bond them to the others was the time period and state location. Cox selected the Arizona Territory, while Peterson chose Minnesota.

Truth Be Told focuses on finding the truth and the newspaper industry. The journey toward truth isn't solely about the news and the newspaper in Granite Springs. The truth digs into business practices, relationships, and faith. Truth isn't always wrapped up in a bow and can lead to danger because of our fallen world, but in the end the truth brings freedom.

The most unique part of this novel was the family dynamics of the Wagners. Mr. and Mrs. have been separated for many years. Amelia would live with her mother during the "school year" and spend summers with her father. The mother became a background character that is heard about but never seen in the story. It was an interesting story element.

If you're looking for a historical read for the summer, I would recommend Truth Be Told. It takes place over the summer months and offers a good mystery to follow and uncover. Also, the romance is light and sincere.

Time Period: 1893
Location: Granite Springs, Arizona Territory, USA

Reviewed from a GoodReads FirstReads copy. Thank you Bethany House!

Review: Beaches & Brides Collection

The Beaches and Brides Romance Collection: 5 Historical Romances Buoyed by the Sea by Lynn A. Coleman, Mary Davis, Susan Page Davis, Paige Winship Dooly, and Cathy Marie Hake


"Venture along historic American shorelines, enjoying five stories that are full of adventure, challenge, and romance."

Barbour Publishing is so creative as they gather their stories together. They are one of the prime publishers for novella books. In one of their newest collections, they compiled stories focusing on future brides and the waterfront property where they live (or live nearby). I appreciated the vast locations - Florida, Washington, Maine, Georgia, Virginia. So much of America has access to beaches, it's not just the beaches in the Southern states or California. (At least, that's where my mind strays when I think of a book beaches.) I think there is a story for everyone in this collection. The authors cover many topics including love, faith, family, friends, work, survival, reconciliation, and a bunch of more interesting topics.

The time periods were a wide range as well. The earliest from 1820 (The Castaway's Bride) to the latest 1918 (Restoration) covers nearly a century! I am accustomed to reading more books in the 1800's, so when I reached Restoration I almost set down the book. I'm so glad I stuck with it! Hake wrote a beautiful story about, as the title states, restoration. It's never easy to restore something of the past, but it is well worth the time, effort, and cost in the end.

The collection's title begs for this book to be read during the beachy, summery months of the year, but these books can be enjoyed all year long.

Book 01 - A Time to Embrace by Lynn A. Coleman (2000)
Time Period: Post Civil War, 1865
Location: Key West, Florida
Previously published as a stand alone in the series Heartsong Presents #396 in 2000 and a digital stand alone in the series Truly Yours Digital Editions in 2012.

Book 02 - The Captain's Wife by Mary Davis (2008)
Time Period: 1898
Location: Port Townsend, Washington, USA
Previously published as a stand alone in the series Heartsong Presents in 2008 and a digital stand alone in 2012.

Book 03 - The Castaway's Bride by Susan Page Davis (2007)
Time Period: 1820
Location: Portland, Maine
Previously published as a stand alone in the series Heartsong Presents in 2007, a part of the novella compilation Maine Brides in 2008, and a digital stand alone in the series Truly Yours Digital Editions in 2012.

Book 04 - The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Paige Winship Dooly (2010)
Time Period: 1867
Location: Little Cumberland Island, Georgia, USA
Previously published as a stand alone in the series Heartsong Presents in 2010 and a part of the novella compilation Georgia Brides (Romancing America series) in 2011.

Book 05 - Restoration by Cathy Marie Hake (2004)
Time Period: WWI, 1918
Location: Virginia, USA
Previously published as a stand alone in the series Heartsong Presents in 2004 and a digital stand alone Truly Yours Digital Editions in 2013.

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Barbour Books!

Review: Full Steam Ahead

Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

Nicole Renard and Darius Thornton are on missions to save people. Nicole is determined to save her father and his business. Darius has resolved to find an answer to save passengers and crews of steam engine ships. As their paths cross, they find that in order to save others they need to work together and save themselves and their relationships with God.

When I picked up Full Steam Ahead, I assumed it was about trains in the Wild West of America. I was surprised to start reading and discover that it was not about steam trains, but steam boats. What a new niche! It was refreshing and unique. Beyond the theme of engines, Witemeyer weaves in suspense, treasure hunting, family, friendship, self-sacrificing, and faith. I really enjoyed the faith journeys of Nicole and Darius. They were not quick or easy revelations. It was seeing beyond past events and painful experiences. It was digging deeper into the Word and drawing closer to God rather than running away from Him.

This was an excellent read. Witemeyer wrote a novel full of seriousness and humor, adventure and travel, heartache and love. I would highly recommend Full Steam Ahead.

Time Period: Post Civil War, 1851
Location: Galveston & Liberty, Texas, USA

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

Review: Reasons My Kid is Crying

Reasons My Kid Is Crying by Greg Pembroke


Are you familiar with the blog http://www.reasonsmysoniscrying.com/? If so, this is a small glimpse at the blog in book form! If you are not familiar with the blog, please go and take a look!


In the book, Pembroke shares snippets of why some crying episodes happen and working with little ones, I do agree. They're new to the world around them and they cannot always comprehend what's happening or why things happen. Sometimes it can be heartbreaking, but other times hilarious! As adults, we've experienced so much that these moments can frustrate and tickle the funny bones as well. Parents, family members, and professionals who work with children can easily relate to Reasons My Kid is Crying.

This is such a great book to read ... and share! The paperback is full color with a good mix between photographs and a pages of "Dispatches from the Front Lines." The dispatches are typed tales of various toddler moments. Pembroke does divide his book into chapters which cover everyday moments, family get-togethers, and out in public. The size of the book can easily fit into a purse or diaper bag to enjoy a quick read or to share with someone else. It's definitely a book I want others to read and enjoy. Thank you, Greg Pembroke for sharing a laugh with the world!

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

Review: Reasons My Kid is Crying

Reasons My Kid Is Crying by Greg Pembroke


Are you familiar with the blog http://www.reasonsmysoniscrying.com/? If so, this is a small glimpse at the blog in book form! If you are not familiar with the blog, please go and take a look! Here's a little book trailer glimpse as well:




In the book, Pembroke shares snippets of why some crying episodes happen. As I working with little ones at the libraries, schools, and childcares, I do agree. They're new to the world around them and they cannot always comprehend what's happening or why things happen. Sometimes it can be heartbreaking, but other times hilarious. As adults, we've experienced so much that these moments can frustrate and tickle the funny bones. Parents, family members, and professionals who work with children can easily relate to Reasons My Kid is Crying.

This is such a great book to read ... and share! The paperback is full color with a good mix between photographs and a pages of "Dispatches from the Front Lines." The dispatches are typed tales of various toddler moments. Pembroke does divide his book into chapters which cover everyday moments, family get-togethers, and out-and-about in public. The size of the book can easily fit into a purse, backpack, or diaper bag to enjoy a quick read or to share with someone else. It's definitely a book I want others to read and enjoy. Thank you, Greg Pembroke for sharing a laugh with the world!

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

Review: The Heart's Pursuit

The Heart's Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher

Silver Matlock is upset by being left at the altar, but the fleeing fiance took more than her love. Bob Cassidy stole her family's money. She needs to find Bob, find the money, and save her family's home and mercantile. Silver hires bounty hunter Jared Newman to hunt down Bob and he begrudgingly agrees, but he's looking for another man with a scar. Will revenge or redemption save the day?

Robin Lee Hatcher took a new direction with her latest novel. (She did explain that in her Author's Note at the end of the book.) The Heart's Pursuit is full of action, heartbreak, hurt, revenge, and redemption. It's historical romance with an edge. I would recommend it to other readers who enjoy novels taking place in the Old West. It's an action packed read!

The pursuits were different (yet similar) for each character; the main characters (Jared and Silver), as well as, the minor characters that showed up throughout the couple's travels. Each person pursued someone or something, but it boiled down to finding peace and with peace comes love. Love in friendship, in family, and a dash of romance.

This is a great standalone novel. If you'd like a glimpse, Hatcher shares a sample chapter on her website. 

Time Period: Western, 1873
Location: United States of America

Reviewed from a NetGalley copy. Thank you, Zondervan!

Review: Love Comes Calling

Love Comes Calling by Siri Mitchell

"Oysters and clambakes" what a tale! Siri Mitchell's newest novel jumps into the Roaring Twenty's in Boston. Ellis Eton becomes wrapped up in unbelievable adventures dealing with school, football, friends, speakeasies, telephones, disappointments, and love. Ellis Eton had a plan - a plan to be a movie star! She had it all worked out, but her friends and family keep making plans and requests for her. She wants to breakaway, but circumstances keep pulling her back.

Siri Mitchell shares Ellis' story in first person, so the reader can see and understand her thoughts, desires, and motivation. At the beginning, it was difficult for me to get drawn into the story because of the perspective, but as the story progressed it becomes clear why Mitchell chose to write her latest novel in first person. Mitchell also adds an author's note at the end of the novel to share more insights about Ellis.

The author's notes also includes historical notes about the 1920's and Prohibition. I greatly appreciated the supplemental notes at the end. I was concerned about some of the faith aspects of the story. Mitchell shared the historical movement of self-improvement and psychoanalysis which includes Emile Coue's mantra, "Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better." Mitchell wraps up her novel and notes well with the truth, "only God can change hearts."

Love Comes Calling can be a fantastic companion novel to Julie Lessman's novels. Lessman also writes about Boston in the 1920's in her Daughters of Boston series and Winds of Change series.

Time Period: Roaring Twenties, 1924
Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

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

Review: The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting

The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting: An Easy, Organic Way to Deter Pests, Prevent Disease, Improve Flavor, and Increase Yields in Your Vegetable Garden by Josie Jeffrey


As a beginning gardener, I appreciate every gardening book that I can access. I especially appreciate easy to read and imaginative titles. This title caught my attention from the title: The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting. Mix & Match, eh? Sounds like an imaginative and fun book to read for this Children's Librarian. (Here is the original press release.)

The book arrived in it's package and I could not wait to see beneath the cardboard and bubble wrap! (Thank you Reda for packing the book so carefully!) As I unfolded the plastic covering, I was immediately impressed at the sturdiness of the book. I expected the book to be a paperback, but it is a hardcover with wire binding (versus a more commonly seen plastic comb for binding books). The opening pages are glossy and colorful, while the mix & match section is printed on cardstock in earthtones and full color plant images. Well done, Ten Speed Press!

The opening chapters highlighted a variety of information from history to biology in gardening with a dash of beliefs and theories thrown in. It was a quick read and very informative. Certain sections reminded me of high school biology, but a little refresher never hurt anyone! The touch of background information gives the beginning garden (like myself) an understanding of the reasoning behind publishing "another book about gardening." This book is unique and created a niche for itself. If more information is desired by the reader, Jeffrey shared excellent science terms that can easily be researched. The only text that caught me off guard was the very occasional phrase of harmonizing with the universe or the cosmos. I'm just interested in growing a garden.

The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting by Josie Jeffery

Now to the Mix & Match section! There are three sections - aboveground companions, central crop, and belowground companions. Each section contains 25 different plants from flowers to veggies to herbs and fruit. I recognized most of the plants offered as companions. Each card contains a picture, the name of the plant, if it is a perennial or annual, and brief growing tips. Beyond that information is the companion system that Jeffrey created with different colored circles to identify different ways plants can be companions. Jeffrey shares 16 different ways plants can benefit each other, which are shared at the beginning of the book. (I do wish that the chart was a foldout, so it could be viewed at the same time as finding plant matches, but a photocopy will work just as well.) Not all plants will be all matches, but gardeners can mix and match and try a wide variety of different matches! This collection definitely goes beyond my companion planting of tomatoes and marigolds.

I think gardeners of any age or ability will enjoy this title. The Mix & Match pages will entertain and enthrall a wide audience. Thank you, Blogging for Books for this review copy! I cannot wait to try some companion planting!

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

Review: The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton

Tamsen wants to escape. Her step-father is forcing a betrothal and after his harsh treatment, she wants no man her father arranges to wed. She locates a frontiersman, Jesse Bird, to help her flee, but will running overmountain be safer?

Author Lori Benton weaves a fascinating historical tale about finding safety, love, and family. The historical background highlights a little known (or forgotten) piece of American history on the State of Franklin. During that time, many disputes were fought between Carolina and Franklin. It's also a time of civilization, wilderness, settlers, and Native Americans. All in all, the historical elements are imbedded into the tale, but are not the true highlight of this historical tale. Benton's history was well developed and enjoyable. Her end notes were interesting and helpful. I was very happy to read her resources that she used when she researched her novel.

Back to the main storyline, the verb throughout the entire tale is pursuit. Tamsen is pursuing freedom, her step-father and rejected suitor are pursuing Tamsen and her overmountian man, Jesse. In the meantime, Jesse is pursing safety for Tamsen as well as her heart. There are other characters in the settlements and wilderness who are pursuing various people, feelings, and places, but I don't want to give away everything! Faith is sprinkled throughout this piece. It was not forced, but spoken well between believers. They shared their memorized passages and the importance to laying it all in God's hands.

Tamsen's tale is a standalone novel just as Benton's first novel, Burning Sky. If you enjoyed reading Burning Sky, you will enjoy The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn. If you enjoy Colonial history or little known/forgotten history, you'll enjoy this unique novel. Thank you, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for sharing this title with me. I hope Ms. Benton continues to write more novels!

Time Period: 1787
Location: Watauga settlement, North Caroline, USA

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

Review: Enduring Faith Series

Enduring Faith series by Susan Feldhake
#1 - In Love's Own Time
#2 - Seasons of the Heart
#3 - For Ever and Ever
#4 - Hope for the Morrow
#5 - From This Day Forward
#6 - Joy in the Morning
#7 - Serenity in the Storm
#8 - The Darkness and the Dawn

I finally found the Enduring Faith series! I originally read this series many years ago. It was one of the first series I finished when I discovered Christian fiction. Companion authors at that time included Janette Oke and June Masters Bacher.

My sister and I love to read and exchange books. Of course, Feldhake's books were one of the series we swapped. The only thing we remembered about this series was the character Alton Wheeler and our agreement about the series "ya'know, the series where everyone dies." With a character's name, it was easy to find the series at the library. Our statement is closer to a six-word memoir that wraps up our thoughts about the books.

I don't want to throw you off from reading Feldhake's books. Yes, people die in the book, but it's a series based in the 1800's. As a nurse recently stated at an inservice, "it's hard to die today." In history, it was difficult to survive because of illness, accidents, travel, etc. and Feldhake clearly covered it well.

I grew to love the families and neighbors in the Enduring Faith series. They grew together, grew apart, grew up, and grew in faith. As with every up, there were a great many low valleys, but Feldhake's message was to share that the Lord will see you through all trials and triumphs in life. As Fanny shared in book two, "After all, many a time the Good Book says: 'And it came to pass,' never that it came to stay!"