Shadowed in Silk (Twilight of the British Raj Book 1) by Christine Lindsay

Book Description:

She was invisible to those who should have loved her.

After the Great War, Abby Fraser returns to India, where her husband is stationed with the British army. She has longed to go home to the land of glittering palaces and veiled women . . . but Nick has become a cruel stranger and a cruel father to their three-year old son. It will take more than her American pluck to survive.

Major Geoff Richards, broken over the loss of so many of his men in the trenches of France, returns to his cavalry post in Amritsar. His faith does little to help him understand the ruthlessness of his British peers toward the Indian people he loves. Nor does it explain how he is to protect Abby Fraser and her child from the husband who mistreats them.

Amid political unrest, inhospitable deserts, and Russian spies, tensions rise in India as the people cry for the freedom espoused by Gandhi. Caught between their own ideals and duty, Geoff and Abby stumble into sinister secrets . . . secrets that will thrust them out of the shadows and straight into the fire of revolution.

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Christine Lindsay has crafted an excellent story! I was swept up in the time period, the setting, the characters and in the story being played out. There were so many wonderful nuggets of truth to dig out and meditate upon throughout its' pages. I am sure these lessons and the story itself will linger upon my mind for a while.

Shadowed in Silk, has that broad, sweeping story feel from the beginning; within its' pages you are sure to encounter drama, adventure, action, romance and so much more! It was fascinating to learn about not only this location, but the time period and history, of which I was not familiar. The characters were well fleshed out and I find them lingering upon my mind and hope they will appear again in the second novel of this series. The inner struggles and circumstances of these characters felt very real, and I am sure the reader will find some thread that they can relate with.

I am very eager to begin the next novel in this series. So, for all of you out there looking for a really good novel; one that has heart and substance, while being thoroughly entertaining, this is it!



*** This novel was sent to me for an honest review. The review I have given is my own thoughts and honest.

Told You So (Told You Series Book 1) by Kristen Heitzmann

Book Description:

From the minute Grace Evangeline throws her sweet tea in Devin Bressard’s face, their battle of wits and cross-purposes overtakes their lives. Sassy “angelic” Grace Evangeline will stop at nothing to see her romance novel produced for Broadway. Devin Bressard knows all about the commercial success of Ms. Evangeline’s “novels”—as far from his literary, nerve-striking plays as anything could be. 
Grace intends to pull his head out of the rarified air long enough to make her point, even if it involves stalking him and infiltrating his friends and colleagues. Devin knows she’s trouble, but who would guess the spokesperson for strength and virtue would be a calamity vortex? He mounts a fierce resistance, but when he’s forced to work with Grace, his profession and sanity aren’t the only things at risk. Collapsing walls on both sides bring a détente that could shatter their bond—or resound through more lives than their own. 

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I have to say this is a different style of writing from what Kristen Heitzmann normally writes. However, I really, really, really enjoyed it! It was humorous, witty, had some deeper truths and was overall just a really fun read! The characters get in your head, and the pages just fly!

This is a novel about imperfect people, hope, forgiveness and grace. Also, it's about the choices that we make in life and the reasons why we do what we do. When we mess up can we rest in His grace and forgive ourselves, moving forward into His will? Do we run to Him or do we run away?

I'm excited about this new series and I am look forward to Book 2!!!

Isle of Hope: Unfailing Love (Isle of Hope Series Book 1) by Julie Lessman

Book Description:
She stole his heart. 
He stole her peace. 
Can hope steal their pain? 

At the age of eighteen, Lacey Carmichael was a wild girl bent on fun, promised to Jack O'Bryen, a straight-and-narrow pastor’s kid bent on the seminary. When her father kicks her out of the house, she runs away from Isle of Hope, turning her back on everything she loves. Now, eight years later, she’s back as a woman of faith, hoping to make amends to the father she defied, the boyfriend she deserted, and the best friend she denied. Only the bridges she’s burned are still smoldering, kindled by an adulterous affair by Jack’s pastor father that damaged his son’s faith. But can a turning of tables—and hearts—lead the way back to “hope” for them all? 

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Julie Lessman knows how to write unforgettable characters, that live large in your mind and will stick with you long after you have turned the last page. Her novels are well crafted and make you want to consume them in one sitting (I wish), and this is so true with her latest novel, Isle of Hope. The pages fly rapidly by, all the while you are hoping against hope to not reach the end because you are thoroughly engrossed and enjoying every moment within the story!

This story has not only endearing and swoon worthy characters, it also has heart and a message. A message of hope, faith, love, forgiveness, mercy and grace. I am super excited about not only this new novel, but the series! I cannot wait to catch back up with these characters again and to see what happens in the secondary love story that was in this novel as it plays out,  I hope in Book 2! 

The Story Keeper (A Carolina Heirlooms Novel, Book 2) by Lisa Wingate

Book Description:

Successful New York editor, Jen Gibbs, is at the top of her game with her new position at Vida House Publishing -- until a mysterious manuscript from an old slush pile appears on her desk. Turning the pages, Jen finds herself drawn into the life of Sarra, a mixed-race Melungeon girl trapped by dangerous men in the turn of the century Appalachia. A risky hunch may lead to The Story Keeper's hidden origins and its unknown author, but when the trail turns toward the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a place Jen thought she'd left behind forever, the price of a blockbuster next book deal may be higher than she's willing to pay. 

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This is quite simply, a beautifully, multifaceted and well written novel. Really you get two stories within one book; both the modern day tale with Jen and Evan, and also the historical one of Rand and Sarra.  If you are looking for a big romance plot here, that really isn't what this novel is all about. Although there are aspects of romance tied up in this novel as well. In truth, this novel is a picture of life. Life filled with our past and how it is a part of who we are but also does not have to dictate who we become. Also, life filled with hope, growth, forgiveness and love.

I opened up this novel and very shortly there after found myself captivated by both tales. The Story Keeper is well written, thoughtful and meaningful in ways that will speak to you long after you leave its' pages. This is one for your keeper shelf! I hope you will enjoy this one as much as I did! It was excellent!

*** These novels, in this series do not have to be read in order. They can be read as stand alone novels.

The Prayer Box (Carolina Heirlooms #1) by Lisa Wingate

Book Description:
When Iola Anne Poole, an old-timer on Hatteras Island, passes away in her bed at ninety-one, the struggling young mother in her rental cottage, Tandi Jo Reese, finds herself charged with the task of cleaning out Iola’s rambling Victorian house.

Running from a messy, dangerous past, Tandi never expects to find more than a temporary hiding place within Iola’s walls, but everything changes with the discovery of eighty-one carefully decorated prayer boxes, one for each year, spanning from Iola’s youth to her last days. Hidden in the boxes is the story of a lifetime, written on random bits of paper—the hopes and wishes, fears and thoughts of an unassuming but complex woman passing through the seasons of an extraordinary, unsung life filled with journeys of faith, observations on love, and one final lesson that could change everything for Tandi. 

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The Prayer Box, is a beautiful and touching story. I will admit, that at first, I was not into it. I did not care for the main character and wasn't sure the book would be for me. However, it had such great reviews, that I decided to hang in there and give it a go. I am so glad that I did! This novel slowly lured me in and hooked me! I came to care for and root for the main character, and especially touched by the  prayer box prayers and the woman who wrote them. In fact, it is her life that still lingers on my mind.

This novel has wonderful food for thought, for your soul. These truths should take root and bear fruit in your life.  So glad I picked this one up! Looking forward to reading more novels by Lisa Wingate!

Oceans Apart by Karen Kingsbury

Book Description:
A riveting story of secret sin and the healing power of forgiveness. Airline pilot Connor Evans and his wife, Michele, seem to be the perfect couple living what looks like a perfect life. Then a plane goes down in the Pacific Ocean. One of the casualties is Kiahna Siefert, a flight attendant Connor knew well. Too well. Kiahna’s will is very clear: before her seven-year-old son, Max, can be turned over to the state, he must spend the summer with the father he’s never met, the father who doesn’t know he exists: Connor Evans. Now will the presence of one lonely child and the truth he represents destroy Connor’s family ? Or is it possible that healing and hope might come in the shape of a seven-year-old boy?

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This story pulled me in, and in all honesty, I found it very difficult to set it down. This is one of those novels that lingers on your mind while you step away from its' pages and one that will linger with you long after you have turned the last page.

Heartfelt, moving and compelling, all aptly describe this novel. Peppered with truths and lessons on love, forgiveness, sacrifice and second chances, there is plenty to minister to and speak to your soul.

While this is a fantastic novel, that I highly encourage you to read. I will say there were a few things that felt a little unrealistic to me, (ex. - the legalities were sort of skipped over in ways, that I don't see possible in real life). However, the emotions and other aspects of the novel felt very real. I definitely needed a tissue a time or too! Not that this is a depressing novel, in fact, it will leave you with a smile upon your face and heart. Well done!

The Sunken Realm (Eyes of E'veria Book 4) by Serena Chase

Book Description:
She is an outcast among knights 
Her reputation in ruins, her knighthood revoked, and her future bleak, Erielle de Gladiel would have welcomed death as her due. Captured by pirates, she was beaten, whipped, branded a thief—and worse—and then set adrift to die. She did not expect—or even want—to be rescued. Especially not by the dashing blasted pirate now calling himself her husband. 

He is the King of Pirates 
His oath satisfied and his Legacy secured, Cazien vows vengeance on all who harmed Erielle. But before he can hunt them down, a strange visitor appears with an urgent message—a message that aligns with prophecy Erielle has written in her sleep: The Seahorse Pirates must reach Nirista before the famed Tournament of the Twelve . . . or hundreds of stolen children will die. 

Together, they are relentless 
With the fate of many resting upon them, Cazien and Erielle sail to Nirista. Once there, they are forced to follow separate paths to achieve their aims. Treacheries are uncovered and allies are gained, but in the shadows, a hidden foe plots a grievous betrayal that could shatter not only their hope, but the Seahorse Legacy itself. 

The epic conclusion of this series-within-a series, The Sunken Realm sweeps Erielle and Cazien along a pulse-pounding voyage to discover all they are meant to become, together. Giving subtle nods to several fairy tales, including an unexpected twist to the story of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, this romantic YA pirate adventure is the final novel in the Eyes of E’veria series . . . but the Seahorse Pirates and their friends in E’veria may yet have stories to tell.

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What a fantastic adventure awaits you within the pages of this novel! It is a thrilling journey, with characters you will love, moments that will move you and keep you on the edge of your seat, and deeper truths to be imparted. To say I eagerly awaited the release of this novel, would be putting it mildly. I took the time to reread Book 3 prior and I am glad I did, so that Erielle and Cazien's story was fresh upon my mind. I have loved this whole series, and feared that the conclusion would fall short, instead it exceeded my expectations! Bravo, Serena Chase!

I have to say, that once the story and relationship progressed, I loved seeing the way Cazien loved Erielle; the way he honored her. In a way that is beautiful and one in which we would all like to find ourselves. Seeing their interactions and banter throughout the novel was also another high point in the novel, along with watching them mature and grow as individuals and as a couple. I could in fact, go on many, many more adventures with these two. So, while I would be so open to journeying with them more, I can absolutely say that at the same time, this novel had a VERY satisfying conclusion! Loved it!